453: Chapter 453 "Special Envoy of the Demon Clan"

"I'm sorry, you're a good person, but we're not right for each other."

"Why?"

Well, it wasn't that I was being nosy, but I, Heavenly Venerable Zhou, do love listening to a bit of gossip.

"You're still too young; you don't understand what love is. Besides, you have no possessions and are penniless—you're not a good match."

"Take these resources as my repayment to you. Let our fate end here."

The woman took out a Storage Pouch and shoved it into the young man's arms.

The young man's eyes welled with tears. He wanted to say something, but feeling the weight of the resources in his arms, he understood the gap between them.

But he was still unwilling to give up, and he looked up, asking feebly,

"Do I... do I really have no chance?"

The woman nodded seriously.

The young man seemed struck by the blow. Biting his lip, he asked again,

"Then can you tell me what your standards are? Just in case I can achieve them?"

The woman showed a bitter expression and let out a sigh.

"You really don't have to do this. Perhaps you have better options."

Halfway through her sentence, 'she' saw the determined look in the young man's eyes. After some final consideration, she said,

"Then go to Southern Jambudvipa Continent to build a career. If you can be granted a title or become a high official, there might still be a chance."

Hearing this, the young man buried his head even lower.

Seeing this, the woman turned around, intending to walk toward Zhou Yan, but the young man suddenly looked up and shouted loudly,

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west! Miss Song, I, Niu Yan, swear here and now that I will definitely achieve great things and be granted a title!"

After speaking, the young man rushed toward Zhou Yan first, bowed deeply, and shoved the Storage Pouch into Zhou Yan's arms, holding back tears as he said,

"Thank you, Senior, for resolving the situation! I have no possessions, so I can only offer this as a token of gratitude. I hope Senior accepts my heart, and... and please, Senior, take good care of her."

Zhou Yan, who had been eavesdropping with his back turned, was instantly dumbfounded.

Wait, what does this have to do with me? How did I get dragged into this?

Seeing the young man walk away, the woman finally approached Zhou Yan, sighed softly, and cupped her hands.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for resolving the situation. Take this as a thank-you gift. It is not much, but I hope you accept it."

Seeing another Storage Pouch being handed over, Zhou Yan did not resist this time. He swept it into his arms while looking at the woman resentfully.

"When did Fellow Daoist change your surname to Song? Wasn't it originally Liu?"

As soon as this teasing remark came out, the woman's expression instantly changed, and an invisible killing intent quietly rose.

"Who is Fellow Daoist?"

Feeling the incoming killing intent, Zhou Yan knew he couldn't push his luck any further.

The other party must have a purpose for hiding their identity. If he became embarrassed and angry, it would be awkward if I got insta-killed.

"Ahem, we're not that well-acquainted, not that well-acquainted. It's just that we played a game of chess a hundred years ago."

The 'woman' thought for a moment and then had a realization.

"So it's... my apologies, I didn't even know Fellow Daoist's name. It's truly shameful to say, but I didn't expect Fellow Daoist to come here as well."

"Just call me Daoist Yun Shu. Right now, I am True Person Yunshu."

This woman was none other than Liu Dan. Zhou Yan had recognized him at first glance through his panel; this person was Liu Dan in disguise.

This old geezer actually turned into a woman to fool Xiao Chunan—that's just too wicked!

I hope that young man, Niu Yan, never finds out in his life that his feelings were toyed with by an old geezer.

After learning each other's identities, the two found a private room in a restaurant to talk in detail.

Soon, Zhou Yan learned the full story.

Liu Dan's trip was strictly personal, which is why he had adopted this special appearance.

As for Niu Yan, he was someone Liu Dan met while hitching a ride.

The kid had decent bone structure and Comprehension Ability. Liu Dan gave him a few casual pointers, and the boy took them to heart and started pestering him, leading to the scene just now.

"I really didn't expect that a powerhouse like Fellow Daoist would be troubled by such things," Zhou Yan teased.

Liu Dan bared his teeth uncomfortably. He really hadn't expected his lifelong reputation to be ruined by a youngster he'd only met once.

In the end, he could only sigh helplessly.

"It's just that I'm nearing the end of my life. It would be a pity if such a pure youngster were to fall here."

Zhou Yan didn't catch the underlying meaning, assuming he was just getting old and saw a shadow of his younger self in Niu Yan.

After all, in the cultivation world, this was a specific kind of 'old age sentimentality' unique to powerhouses; he was used to it.

"By the way, why did Fellow Daoist turn into a woman?"

Setting everything else aside, this point alone made Zhou Yan very curious.

In Zhou Yan's impression, this old man was quite proud. Although time had worn him down a bit, his pride remained.

But now, not only was he cross-dressing, but he was also constantly saying things like 'nearing the end,' with a heavy aura of twilight about him.

What have I missed in these hundred years? It's all the fault of that naturally evil Zheng Dafu!

Liu Dan didn't answer Zhou Yan directly, but simply took a sip of wine and gave a forced smile.

"Then why does Fellow Daoist have this appearance?"

This sentence blocked any further questions from Zhou Yan.

True, he must have his own difficulties; how could he tell someone he'd only met once?

Seeing Zhou Yan lost in thought, Liu Dan gave him a meaningful look and stood up to leave.

"Fellow Daoist, our current appearances already explain everything."

"Since there's nothing more to say, I won't stay any longer."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for resolving the situation for me, and thank you for having a drink with this old man."

"As a token of gratitude, I have one more word for you."

"While you're still young, travel more. It's also a good thing to go sightseeing in Southern Jambudvipa Continent."

"Until we meet again."

"Hey, wait..."

Zhou Yan reached out to stop him, but Liu Dan spoke extremely quickly. As soon as he finished, he went straight downstairs, and Zhou Yan didn't even have time to bring up the bill.

"Damn! This stingy old man, he's trying to get even after giving me stuff, isn't he! You ordered the most expensive wine, and I haven't even had a sip!"

"Shouldn't you be the one paying for this!"

After Liu Dan left the restaurant, he put on a bamboo hat and walked quickly through the crowd.

He caught a glimpse of the man who had harassed him earlier being hung up. His father was using a knife as blunt as could be to 'play the violin' on his body; the scene was both bizarre and miserable.

If that man hadn't been a Nascent Soul Cultivator, he probably would have died long ago.

As dusk approached, Liu Dan stopped lingering, pulled his hat lower, and continued forward.

He walked all the way to the edge of the town before finding a hidden house in a corner.

After confirming no one was around, he coughed twice and knocked on the door five times in a rhythm of three long and two short.

After an identical response came from behind the door, he spoke.

"Doctor, I've had an accidental pregnancy. What should I do?"

A response soon came from inside.

"An accidental pregnancy is no big deal. Go to the Big Iron Stick Clinic and look for Dr. Tong." After a short pause, the voice inside asked again, "Which school is the best for learning spirit mine excavation?"

"Look for Wang Qiang in Eastern Purvavideha," Liu Dan replied.

"Wang Qiang is sick and can't teach. What then?" the voice inside asked once more.

"Hand him over to the demonic cultivators to spin around and sell him second-hand. I sold him for 2,026 Spirit Stones; you should try it too," Liu Dan answered.

"Selling a second-hand flying boat..." Before the voice inside could finish, it was interrupted by a furious Liu Dan.

He kicked the door, making a loud thumping sound.

"Are you done yet!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a window nearby suddenly opened.

Zheng Dafu looked around seriously and beckoned Liu Dan to come in.

When Liu Dan climbed through the window, he saw the dense cluster of miniature formations at the door and couldn't help but squint his eyes.

"Dao Sect undercover agent, code name 'Back Door,' greets the Special Envoy." After closing the window, Zheng Dafu bowed respectfully.

Liu Dan waved his hand dismissively.

"Stand up."

"By the way, why did you set up so many secret codes? Especially that last one about kicking the door—it's nonsensical."

Zheng Dafu rubbed the back of his head and laughed sheepishly.

"The Special Envoy might not know, but only this way can we achieve a reversal effect and confuse the enemy."

"Is that so? Looking at it this way, you really are a talent." A mysterious smile curled at the corner of Liu Dan's mouth, though it was unclear if it was genuine praise or meant something else.

Zheng Dafu sensed something, but didn't say much, turning instead to discuss the subsequent plans with him.

The two discussed until midnight. Once it was confirmed that the plan was nearing perfection, Zheng Dafu finally relaxed and mentioned casually,

"With the help of the Special Envoy and Brother Ao of the Dragon Clan, the plan will surely succeed. Once the Demon Chancellor arrives, everything will be settled."

This seemingly unintentional remark suddenly struck a chord in Liu Dan's heart.

He frowned deeply and asked in a low voice,

"Brother Ao of the Dragon Clan... who is that?"