Upon closer inspection, the wood grain of the screen faintly reveals traces of flowing array patterns, with invisible power naturally blocking all spiritual energy and sight trying to probe behind it.
The Red Demon steps to the right side of the screen, standing with hands hanging down, while a man holding a sword is already quietly waiting on the left side. That man dons a green deer mask, revealing sword-like eyebrows, and a longsword with a green deer jade pendant hangs slantingly at his waist.
"You all may withdraw."
"Yes!"
The blue-clad man with the sword raises an eyebrow, casting a look at Su Mu filled with obvious warning. Once the two depart, only Su Mu and the Vice Whale Master behind the screen remain on the third deck.
"I am Haitang. How may I address you, sir?"
"Lin Langtian."
"So it’s... Brother Lin." The clear and high voice behind the screen pauses almost imperceptibly, then softly laughs, continuing, "Does Brother Lin have any questions about that red-clothed woman?"
Su Mu’s heart stirs. The tone of the Vice Whale Master behind the screen hardly changes, remaining calm and clear, but Su Mu keenly senses a hint of unusual emotion within.
"Please, Vice Whale Master, enlighten me, Lin Mou."
"The prosperity of Donglai County relies on water transportation, conveying various goods. The thriving waterways have also birthed numerous vicious river bandits. That woman tonight is likely from the Jiao Blood Gang, one of the three major river bandit factions in Donglai’s river domain, filled with numerous demonic martial artists."
"If my guess is correct, tonight’s red-clothed demon woman is the Blood Wolf Woman, Ye Hong, one of the three Hall Masters of the Jiao Blood Gang."
Su Mu silently notes this in his mind and recalls the unique fire attribute power Ye Hong used, prompting him to open his mouth to inquire.
"What is this person’s cultivation level?"
Upon hearing this, the white-clad woman gently playing the zither behind the screen’s expression slightly moves. Her heroic eyes focus on the screen as if trying to see through Lin Langtian’s thoughts on the other side.
"It’s said she advanced to Fifth Grade several years ago, first introducing Yang Sha to her body. Demon martial artists do not cultivate human race techniques, but rather techniques adapted from demon race cultivation methods, with their combat power generally exceeding those of ordinary martial artists of the same rank."
Fifth-Grade Martial Artist, Yang Sha power?!
Su Mu’s heart trembles, yet no change shows on his face. Previously, he had thought the assailant tonight was merely a Sixth-Grade martial artist, and the unique fire attribute power was just a difference in demonic martial artist techniques.
Little did he expect the Blood Wolf Woman to be a Fifth-Grade demonic martial artist.
"What does ’first introducing Yang Sha power’ mean?"
Su Mu’s mind races and just as he plans to continue asking, a black light flies out from behind the screen and hovers in front of Su Mu. Upon closer inspection, it’s a black token, scaled down proportionally from the Black Whale vessel.
"This Black Whale token is a gift for Brother Lin. I am weary tonight, Red Demon, see the guest out."
The door swings open as the Red Demon quickly enters the room, prompting Su Mu to accept the Black Whale token and leave.
After descending the three-tier ship, most people on the deck, having faced the Blood Wolf Woman’s assault, have already departed. Only a lone blue figure remains at the bow, vigorously waving at Su Mu upon sight.
"You, you came out."
The blue-clad woman, who has awaited a long time, quickly approaches.
"Do you need something?"
The person before him is of good nature and even spoke up during the Blood Wolf Woman’s attack to warn him to flee together. Originally planning to leave directly, Su Mu speaks lightly.
"Do you still have wine on hand? I want to discuss something with you. Should we first leave here?"
"Alright."
The two of them disembarked the Black Whale, and the small boat slowly sailed away, quickly vanishing into the night. Behind the screen on the third deck, the cold voice sounded again.
"Investigate this person’s identity... see when the Lin Family produced such a character."
...
Let’s rewind time a bit, tens of miles away from the Black Whale.
Donglai County, Tao Mansion.
The night is heavy, and the candle flame inside Tao Mansion’s ancestral hall suddenly flickers.
"Patriarch, we found him!"
A figure hastily crosses many courtyards, kneeling outside a quiet study deep in the inner courtyard, lowering his voice to the utmost.
"That person is within a hundred miles now!"
Inside the study, Tao Yang’s tea cup suddenly halts, his dignified face abruptly darkening, and a formless pressure spreads out, blasting the door wide open.
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely! We’ve pursued day and night, undoubtedly correct!"
Bang!
Words barely fall when the sandalwood desk and the green porcelain pen holder inside the study shatter to pieces, and Tao Yang’s precious tea cup crafted by a master instantly turns to fine white powder, sifting through his fingers.
"Good... very good!"
Under the terrifying pressure, the Tao Family member kneeling outside trembles violently, bowing his head even lower.
"He killed my son Xingzheng and dares step into Donglai County?"
"Tao Lie!"
In the darkness, a hulking figure appears like a ghost.
"Bring people to search! Within a hundred miles, dig three feet deep! Alive, bring him to me; dead, show me his corpse. Anyone standing in the way..." Tao Yang’s eyes gleam coldly, issuing each word with chilling clarity, "kill without mercy. I, Tao Yang, will bear all consequences here!"
...
Outside Donglai County.
"I still have a few jars of wine on hand."
"I, I want them all."
Su Mu’s aura flashes as he retrieves nine remaining jars, leaving the blue-clad woman momentarily frozen, her face showing utter disbelief.
She had certainly noticed the old pottery jars on Su Mu’s stall, indicating the wine’s age. She expected only two or three jars at most, but unexpectedly there were nine in total!
"Too many?"
Seeing the blue-clad woman dumbfounded, Su Mu calmly speaks and is about to retract some jars when the woman, regaining her wits, regardless of decorum, squats down, spreading her arms to hug the wine jars like a mother hen guarding her chicks.
"No, I want them all. Here are six thousand taels, no need to give change."
Another six thousand taels is received, and Su Mu nods contentedly, surprised at the ease of selling wine tonight.
The amused blue-clad woman buying the wine feels far more excited than Su Mu. After dancing around briefly, she cautiously stores the nine jars of wine into her Sumeru Ring.
Immediately, her eyes burn attentively, fixed on Su Mu, pleading earnestly.
"Can I still contact you to buy wine in the future?"
"You can."
"My name is Li Lu, how should I address you?"
"Lin Langtian. If you wish to buy wine in the future, meet at the Apricot Blossom Tavern in Jing’an Alley on the first of every month."
--------------------
Outside Donglai County.
"I still have a few jars of wine on hand."
"I, I want them all."
Su Mu’s aura flashes as he retrieves nine remaining jars, leaving the blue-clad woman momentarily frozen, her face showing utter disbelief.
She had certainly noticed the old pottery jars on Su Mu’s stall, indicating the wine’s age. She expected only two or three jars at most, but unexpectedly there were nine in total!
"Too many?"
Seeing the blue-clad woman dumbfounded, Su Mu calmly speaks and is about to retract some jars when the woman, regaining her wits, regardless of decorum, squats down, spreading her arms to hug the wine jars like a mother hen guarding her chicks.