Chapter 38: Narrow Paths

“Information can be bought?”

Lu Jin was puzzled, yet he understood that Long Xiwei knew this place far better than he did. She had emerged from a location not far from here; her knowledge was likely profound, which explained why Chu Tianxiong had insisted she accompany him. He stopped hesitating and followed her toward the depths of Xianwu Island.

Ancient trees towered overhead, blotting out the sun. A chill drifted in with the sea breeze. If not for the legendary, savage beasts said to roam these woods, it would have been a rare, peaceful sanctuary.

A winding path led to a secluded area. After walking for ten minutes, the forest opened up into a clearing. In the center of the towering giants stood a pavilion with sweeping eaves and upturned corners.

“Drunken Immortal Pavilion?”

Lu Jin looked up at the plaque. Three characters were written in gold.

“We can buy intelligence here,” Long Xiwei said. “If their price is reasonable, it will save us a lot of effort.”

Lu Jin nodded, but his gaze drifted to the surroundings. Aside from the pavilion, dozens of massive demonic beasts lay sprawled across the earth. Their eyes glowed red as they watched the newcomers. They were clearly the guard beasts of the establishment.

This Drunken Immortal Pavilion is quite capable. Every one of these beasts is stronger than that Silver-scaled Sea Owl.

Seeing Lu Jin’s wary expression, Long Xiwei smiled. “Do not worry, Young Master Lu. These are the pavilion’s guardians. As long as we follow their rules, everything will be fine.”

Lu Jin nodded and walked toward the main entrance. At that moment, a group of people emerged from the other side.

“Hahaha! Talk about a narrow road for enemies!”

The leader was a young man. The moment he saw Long Xiwei, his face twisted into a mix of malicious glee and savagery. Long Xiwei’s expression instantly darkened.

Her voice was cold and brook no argument. “Song Wen, I am finished with you. If you continue to pester me, do not blame me for being heartless!”

Song Wen’s face stiffened. “Indeed. After the battle between your Carefree Valley and my Song family, we reached a stalemate, and both stepped back. We are finished. But I cannot swallow this insult!”

“I am the number one genius of the Song family. You dared to break our engagement! Long Xiwei, did you really think I would let this go?”

Song Wen finished speaking and glared at Lu Jin. His gaze turned icy. “Hmph. You broke my engagement just to find a new lover? Long Xiwei, this guy isn’t even in the Jindan Realm. What does he have that I don’t?”

Long Xiwei’s face flushed with anger. “Do not talk nonsense! My relationship with Young Master Lu is not as filthy as you imagine! Move! If you persist, Song Wen, you know what I am capable of!”

She tried to walk around him, but her words only infuriated him further.

“Hmph! Long Xiwei, do you think you can stand against the three elders of my Song family?”

Song Wen was at the first grade of the Jindan Realm, but the three elders flanking him were all at the fourth grade. With such powerhouses at his side, he was naturally fearless. As he spoke, the three elders stepped forward, blocking Long Xiwei’s path.

“You!”

Long Xiwei’s gaze grew solemn. She hadn’t expected to run into her nemesis so soon. It truly was a narrow path.

“Heh. What? Are you scared? Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you yet. I am quite interested in this new lover of yours, though.”

Song Wen walked toward Lu Jin with a look of pure contempt. He didn’t care about a mere Spirit Pearl cultivator.

“Brat, you dared to steal my woman? Today, I will show you what it means to—”

PA!

The crisp sound of a slap rang out before he could finish. Song Wen clutched his face and spun three times on the spot. He was dazed.

“Bastard! You dared to hit me! I’ll kill you!”

Boom!

Song Wen exploded with power, throwing a fist at Lu Jin. However, his attack felt as if it had hit a bale of cotton; there was no impact. Instead, another crisp slap echoed. The other side of his face turned purple and began to swell.

“You’re just a first-grade Jindan. What is there to be arrogant about?”

Lu Jin spoke indifferently. He shook his hand with a look of disgust.

“You!”

Song Wen was completely bewildered. He was a Jindan master; how could he lose to a Spirit Pearl cultivator? He hadn’t even seen the man move.

Long Xiwei was equally surprised. In her eyes, Lu Jin was just a Spirit Pearl. She assumed Chu Tianxiong valued him for some hidden trick, but now it seemed he had hidden not just his methods, but his true cultivation.

“What are you waiting for? Kill him for me!”

At Song Wen’s command, the three elders surrounded Lu Jin.

“Young Master Lu, go!” Long Xiwei stepped in front of him. “I cannot let my personal affairs involve you!”

Seeing the worry on her face, Lu Jin smiled faintly. “Do not be nervous, Miss Long. With just them, they won’t be able to stir up any waves.”

As his voice fell, a surge of spiritual Qi erupted from his body. The violent aura instantly suppressed the presence of the three elders.

“What? This is impossible!”

“He is just a Spirit Pearl. He must be using a treasure to scare us!”

“Hmph, a hollow bluff! Take this!”

Boom!

The three elders charged, their killing intent surging.

Roar!

Suddenly, one of the beasts in front of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion let out a massive roar. The sound wave was so intense that the surrounding trees shed their leaves.

“Stop! This is the Drunken Immortal Pavilion; it is not a place for you to run wild!”

The roar was followed by a sharp reprimand. The three elders immediately retracted their auras. When they saw the newcomer, their expressions turned respectful and humble. Even Song Wen forcibly suppressed his rage. They could not afford to offend this pavilion. A single guard beast could slaughter them all in seconds.

“Greetings, Mr. Wu!” Song Wen bowed respectfully.

The man, addressed as Mr. Wu, was short and stout. He looked like a smiling tiger. “So it is, Young Master Song Wen. What? Are you so bored that you’ve come to my pavilion to fight?”

Song Wen immediately replied: “I wouldn’t dare! I have come to find medicinal herbs for my father. I specifically came to buy information regarding Heaven-tier spiritual herbs!”

In front of a powerhouse from the pavilion, he dared not hide his intent.

“Heaven-tier spiritual herbs?” Mr. Wu narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Very well. Since you are here for information, come inside.”

He then turned to Lu Jin and Long Xiwei with a welcoming smile. “If you two are also here to purchase, please join us.”

Lu Jin and Long Xiwei said nothing but followed Mr. Wu inside. However, the dark glares from Song Wen’s group were sharp enough to kill.

“Young Master Lu, we leave immediately after the purchase,” Long Xiwei whispered as she leaned close. “We must not entangle ourselves with the Song family!”

Lu Jin smiled, his attention momentarily caught by the unique fragrance drifting from her as she drew near.

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NOTES

Enemies on a narrow road (冤家路窄): A classic idiom meaning that enemies will inevitably cross paths.