30: Xiao Zhao: Young Master Duan, your abacus beads are about to hit my face!

"I don't mean to discriminate against you. It's just that you remind me of someone I know, which is why I asked that question," Duan Zhengchun said.

"Oh? Someone you know? Who is she?" Xiao Zhao asked in surprise.

"Well, her identity is quite special. She is a Dharma King who protects the Ming Cult, known as the Purple Robe Dragon King."

"I wonder if Miss Xiao Zhao knows of her?" Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

Upon hearing Duan Zhengchun mention the title 'Purple Robe Dragon King,' the smile on Xiao Zhao's face instantly froze.

However, she quickly returned to normal, forcing a strained smile.

"The Purple Robe Dragon King? I'm just a nobody. How could I possibly know such an important figure?" Xiao Zhao said.

"Oh? Is that so? What a pity then," Duan Zhengchun said helplessly.

Xiao Zhao didn't dare to respond further. She wasn't sure yet if what Duan Zhengchun said was true or false.

Was he asking this because he truly knew her identity, or was he deliberately probing?

In any case, her identity could not be exposed now.

A flicker of suspicion passed through Zhao Min's eyes. She suspected that the friend Duan Zhengchun spoke of didn't exist at all, and his real target was the Xiao Zhao before him.

Although Xiao Zhao's current attire was rather plain, her looks were definitely not lacking.

Was this guy planning to bring home another 'sister'?

Didn't this guy ever get tired? Gathering so many 'sisters,' wasn't he afraid of trouble brewing back home?

Zhang Wuji, disguised as Zhang Wujis alias, began pouring wine for Duan Zhengchun. However, upon seeing the small wine cup, Duan Zhengchun directly stopped him.

"Hey, a real man should use a big bowl. These tiny cups are for those bookish scholars."

"Those of the Jianghu should drink from big bowls and eat meat in large mouthfuls," Duan Zhengchun said with a laugh.

"Brother Duan speaks wisely. Then let's switch to big bowls," Zhang Wujis alias nodded.

After three bowls of wine, Zhang Wujis alias's complexion changed, turning as red as a monkey's bottom, as if slapped by a shoe sole.

"Young Master, you've had too much. Please, stop drinking," Xiao Zhao reminded from the side.

"Xiao Zhao, d-don't stop me. Today, Brother Duan and I... we hit it off instantly. Of course, we must drink until we're drunk," Zhang Wujis alias said, his words slightly slurred.

"That's right, drink... today we must drink to our hearts' content," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

With his current level of Internal Energy, he wasn't afraid of getting drunk at all.

He could expel the alcohol from his body at any time. Moreover, even without using his skills to counteract it, he could easily drink three jars of wine right now.

Zhang Wuji couldn't handle alcohol at all. If not for the protection of the Nine Yang Divine Art, he would have been drunk already.

Soon, after one jar of wine, Zhang Wuji's eyes were glazed over, his face flushed red, and his vision had become blurry.

"Come on, come on, I, I'll finish this, you..."

"Huff..."

Before Zhang Wujis alias could finish his sentence, he slumped onto the table, fast asleep.

"Young Master, Young Master, are you alright?" Xiao Zhao pushed Zhang Wujis alias from the side, but there was no reaction.

"Um, Brother Duan, sorry about that. He can't hold his liquor but insists on showing off," Xiao Zhao said awkwardly.

"Little sister Xiao Zhao, no need to be so tense."

"It's good that he's drunk. Now we can discuss some matters openly."

"Alright, Miss Xiao Zhao, there are no outsiders now. You can talk about your situation," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

Hearing Duan Zhengchun's words, Xiao Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

A bad premonition rose from the depths of her heart.

She desperately wanted to flee, but she didn't dare.

Because she couldn't see through Duan Zhengchun's strength at all.

For him to say such things, it was very likely he already knew her identity.

Since he knew her identity and could still speak to her so calmly, how could he possibly let her escape?

"You knew my identity from the start?" Xiao Zhao frowned.

"Hmm, you could say that. It was also when Zhang Wuji introduced himself that I learned both of your identities," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"So you really do know everything. Who exactly are you? Are you sent by the Six Major Sects?" Xiao Zhao asked, her expression grave as she looked at Duan Zhengchun.

"The Six Major Sects? What are they? Do they think they can hire me?" Duan Zhengchun said disdainfully.

"Then who exactly are you? If I'm not mistaken, 'Duan Long' isn't your real name either, is it?" Xiao Zhao stated directly.

"As expected of Xiao Zhao, so clever to figure it out so quickly."

"But rest assured, I mean you no harm. I just want to help you," Duan Zhengchun said, looking at Xiao Zhao with a smile.

"Oh? You won't even tell me your real name. Is that your sincerity?" Xiao Zhao sneered.

"Actually, that's not the main point. The important thing is, I can help you find what you're looking for," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Who are you really? How do you know what I want?" Xiao Zhao's expression changed drastically as she abruptly stood up.

"Why so nervous? I'm not going to do anything to you."

"If I wanted to do something, with your strength, you wouldn't have the ability to resist."

"So, it's better if we sit down and have a proper talk," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"What do you really want?" Xiao Zhao said, taking a deep breath.

Although somewhat infatuated, Xiao Zhao was also very clear about her purpose for coming to the Ming Cult.

The most important thing was still to find the Heaven and Earth Great Shift. This was the task her mother had given her.

She had to complete it; otherwise, neither she nor her mother would end well.

Once the people from the Persian Main Cult arrived, things would become troublesome.

"I can help you find what you're looking for, and I can also help your mother resolve her troubles."

"The condition is you..." Duan Zhengchun stated directly.

As soon as Duan Zhengchun finished speaking, he felt a sharp pain in his waist.

He saw Zhao Min looking at him with an angry, pretty face.

Duan Zhengchun didn't get angry. Instead, he patted Zhao Min's hand affectionately.

"Don't worry, I'll explain it to you later," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Hmph... You'd better give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise, I'll..." Zhao Min was about to say something but suddenly realized this wasn't the right occasion, so she stopped.

"Hmph, Young Master Duan, your calculations are practically smacking me in the face. Do you really think I'm stupid?"

"Even without you, I can still find what I'm looking for," Xiao Zhao said coldly.

"Heh... I just praised you for being clever. Why are you being foolish now?"

"You should know, the reason I can sit here and discuss things calmly with you"

"is not because I truly have no way to deal with you! I just don't want to harm you."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't need to negotiate with you like this at all; I could simply take action directly."

"I think, between you and your mother, you should know how to choose."

"Moreover, your time is running out. As for where the Heaven and Earth Great Shift Manual is, you only have some clues."

"Whether you can actually find it or not, you're not even sure."

"Am I right?"

"And, if I were to kill him right now, would you still have a chance to find it?" Duan Zhengchun said with a smile, glancing at the still-snoring Zhang Wuji.

"Since you know my identity, you should know the consequences of doing something like that," Xiao Zhao said, frowning.