The Spirit Treasure Celestial City really was enormous.

Su Yi had just spent almost six hours darting from shop to shop buying various treasures, but he’d still just explored one little neighborhood.

He’d long since sensed the numerous people tailing him, but he paid them no heed. He was busy inwardly tallying up his harvest.

He had just two thousand pieces of Eternal Essence Gold and a dozen or so Destiny Jades left, but he now had an enormous supply of cultivation resources. Su Yi predicted that they’d be enough to support his breakthrough into the Silence Realm.

Su Yi suddenly couldn’t help but feel a bit of pity for the situation. The Spirit Treasure Celestial City was a blessed ground for business. If he had nothing else going on, he’d love to play traveling salesman. If he spent his days shuttling goods between the Eternal Heavens Domain and the Spirit Treasure Celestial City, he was sure to make a killing.

Alas, he’d come here for other reasons, so he could only let it go.

The thin man, Wei E, seemed terrified that Su Yi would wander off. From time to time, he’d slow his gait to chat with Su Yi.

Su Yi was quite cooperative, too. He was the very picture of someone hoping to buy his way out of a tight situation.

Along the way, Wei E couldn’t help but wonder, Is this guy really just a stupid greenhorn ignorant of the ways of the world?

“Right, I haven’t asked your name yet, Brother. Might you enlighten me?” asked Wei E.

“Wang Zhiwu,” Su Yi said casually.

Wang Zhiwu? Wei E thought for a moment, but didn’t glean any useful information from the name.

“Where are you taking me, Friend?” Su Yi asked, suddenly nervous. “Don’t... don’t tell me you’re planning to hurt me?”

Wei E looked briefly stunned, but then he laughed. “I accepted your money, and I promised to ensure your safety. I keep a bodhisattva statue at home, you know. How could I possibly be a villain?”

He took off the jade pendant hanging around his neck. It was black and old-fashioned, its surface carved with the image of a cross-legged bodhisattva. “See this? This is my good luck charm. I’ve had it since I was little. If I wanted to hurt you, the bodhisattva would be first in line to punish me!”

He spoke with the utmost assurance.

Su Yi glanced at the pendant. “Might I have a look at it to broaden my horizons?”

Wei E put it away, instantly on alert. “How could I casually let someone else handle such a treasure?”

“That was brash of me,” Su Yi said apologetically. “Please don’t take offense.”

Inwardly, Wei E said, When you’re dead, please don’t take offense at the way I tricked you.

The two of them continued through the intricate web of city streets for almost two hours before arriving in a deserted alleyway.

“Brother, walk all the way down, then turn left and enter the first residence you see. When you enter the courtyard, knock on the door nine times, and someone will come out to welcome you.”

Wei E pointed down the alleyway, then said gently, “Go on. When you get there, so long as you’re willing to pay a bit of a price, you’ll be able to explore the city without fear!”

A hint of pity appeared in the depths of his gaze. Over the course of their journey, he’d confirmed that Wang Zhiwu was a real fool. He was so stupid that it was hard not to pity him. He knew he was about to watch the fool go to his death, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit bad.

Su Yi hesitated, “Please, stay with me a while longer. I’m afraid that I’ll run into bad people if I go alone!”

Wei E almost couldn’t help but laugh. He’s not so stupid after all!

He pondered briefly, then said, “Very well. When you do a good deed, you ought to see it through. Come with me, then.”

Su Yi visibly relaxed, as if a massive weight had lifted from his shoulders, and said, “You’re so reliable! When we get there, I’ll be sure to reward you generously!”

That was just what Wei E had been waiting to hear. He grinned. “Excellent!”

The two of them entered the alley. It was bright out, but as soon as they entered the alley, their surroundings darkened. The further they went, the dimmer it got, as if they were descending deeper and deeper into darkness.

Outside the alleyway, several figures appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. They’d been following Su Yi in secret all this time, but now, they stopped in the distance, not daring to draw any closer. Because that alley was known as “the Tiger’s Den”! A place where fatty sheep entered, only to be devoured by tigers!

The local serpents of the Spirit Treasure Celestial City knew that although the city seemed orderly and everyone obeyed the Four City Lords on the surface, numerous factions had planted roots in the shadows. They ruled over the city’s dark underbelly.

River King Purple Tiger, the ruler of that alley, was one of them. He was the type to devour a man alive without pausing to spit out the bones!

They said that River King Purple Tiger had an even more powerful backer. Rumor had it that he’d been spotted in River Emperor Bai Ye’s manor on numerous occasions!

The Tiger’s Den was his home turf. Who would dare to approach it?

“It’s a pity. It’s been years since we found such a fatty sheep, but just like that, that bastard Wei E beat us to the punch!”

“Wei E is just a small fry. He couldn’t possibly claim such a fatty sheep for himself. All he did was deliver his target to River King Purple Tiger’s manor.”

“Let’s go.”

The group set off with bitterness in their hearts.

Meanwhile, in the alleyway known as the Tiger’s Den, blood-red lanterns appeared out of nowhere, casting mottled, unearthly, crimson light. It cast away the darkness, yet it made the alleyway even more sinister and imposing.

Su Yi stopped in place and said nervously, “Brother, where exactly are we?”

Wei E was obviously nervous, too, but he put on a strong front and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to protect you!”

When they reached the end of the alleyway, they hit a dead end and could advance no further.

But when a blood-red lantern swayed, a corner appeared where the light landed. Around the corner was a massive residence swathed in churning, blood-red mist. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

They’d only just arrived when the tightly shut manor doors opened and a kindly-looking old man hobbled out of the manor. His back was bent, and his eyes were turbid as he asked, “What can I do for you two?”

Wei E hurriedly transmitted something to him. After a brief, silent conversation, the old man subtly inclined his head.

Wei E instantly felt a massive weight lift off his shoulders. He dashed over to Su Yi and smiled. “Brother, Old Man Lu has agreed to assist you. Go on. I have other business to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first!”

With that, he turned to leave, only for Su Yi to block his path.

“Don’t be in such a rush. I’ve yet to give you the reward I promised you!” said Su Yi. With that, he took out a bag of holding and handed it to Wei E.

This time, Wei E was truly flabbergasted. Don’t tell me this moron still hasn’t noticed anything suspicious? He’s actually thanking me for this!?

Wei E snuck a glance at the old man in front of the manor’s gates. How could I possibly accept a gift in front of Old Man Lu?

He laughed dryly and shook his head. “Brother, I helped you out of the goodness of my heart. How could I possibly covet such external items? Keep it for yourself, and take care!”

With that, he turned to leave, slipping off as if he’d greased his feet. He was gone in the blink of an eye.

“What a kind soul!” Su Yi sighed.

Old Man Lu fixed his turbid gaze on Su Yi. “You really aren’t at all afraid?”

“I trust Brother Wei E!” said Su Yi.

Old Man Lu blinked, his expression strange. “You’ve got good judgment indeed. Quick, come with me.”

With that, he headed into the manor, Su Yi hot on his heels.

The gates silently closed behind them, and bloody mist enveloped the entire estate.

The blood-red lanterns in the alley went out. Silent darkness descended over the alleyway once more.

After leaving the alley, Wei E wiped the cold sweat from his brow and let out a long sigh. He felt as if he’d just escaped a narrow brush with death.

But the thought of today’s harvest made him grin despite himself. By now, he was absolutely certain that “Wang Zhiwu” was a complete and utter nincompoop! There was no way someone could fake that level of stupidity!

Who else could have followed him all the way into the Tiger’s Den without sensing the danger or getting suspicious? Who else would have believed all of his nonsense?

It’s just, why does my conscience sting...? Wei E reached for the jade pendant hanging around his neck. The carving of a bodhisattva sat there in silence.

For some inexplicable reason, he thought back to "Wang Zhiwu’s" attempt to reward him after reaching the manor. He couldn’t help but sigh. He might have been a fool, but I’ve got to say, he’s a fool who understands gratitude!

But then, Wei E froze, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.

The bustling streets were full of an endless flow of traffic, but much to Wei E’s astonishment, he’d just discovered an incomparably familiar figure headed right toward him.

He was young and dressed in gray. Wasn’t this the very same idiot he’d just escorted to the Purple Tiger Water King’s manor?

He was completely gobsmacked. What’s going on? Are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Wang Zhiwu had already passed him, so Wei E gnashed his teeth and gave chase, tailing him from a distance for a while before confirming that this was indeed the enormous fool he’d met earlier.

Strange. It’s truly strange. Is someone impersonating that idiot? But why would anyone bother impersonating an idiot like him?

“Why are you following me?” A voice resounded out of nowhere.

Wei E jumped, then looked over. He wasn’t sure when he’d arrived, but the moron was now standing directly in front of him, looking at him strangely.

“I...” Wei E stammered, “I mistook you for someone else.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Wait.”

A hand pressed down on Wei E’s shoulder, and invisible power sealed him firmly in place. His expression shifted dramatically, and he inwardly cried out in alarm. That idiot was actually a deeply hidden expert!

Without hesitation, he grimaced and said, “Idiot, no... Brother, I admit defeat. I must have been blind to mistake you for a fatty sheep, but please, show magnanimity and overlook this humble one’s mistakes. Spare me, just this once.”

He then took out the bag of holding and handed it over. “This is the reward you gave me. It’s all there; I didn’t remove a single coin. Here, I’ll give it back!”

Wang Zhiwu was stunned. He looked at the frantic Wei E, then at the bag of holding. He was increasingly bewildered. What the hell is going on here?

But on the surface, he remained calm. “If you know you’ve done wrong, come with me for a bit.”

He could sense numerous eyes watching him. It was a strange feeling.

He’d pondered long and hard, but he still couldn’t figure it out. He hadn’t offended anyone during his time in the Spirit Treasure Celestial City, nor had he invited any trouble. Yet today, the moment he went out, people started tailing him. It was truly inexplicable.

But this Wei E person was the strangest of all!

“Can... Can I refuse?” said Wei E, scrunching up his face.

“You can’t!” said Wang Zhiwu, his eyes narrowing into splits. “It doesn’t matter who shows up to save you. You’re not going anywhere until you’ve told me why everyone is taking me for a stupid, fatty sheep!”