Chapter 293: Double-Crossing the Shadows

“Bullying others with power is a habit I really don’t like.”

Chen Fei finally released his grip on the chopsticks after Yu Lai’s body trembled like a leaf in the wind.

Yu Lai quickly pulled back his hand and bowed deeply, voice shaking:

“Thank you, Senior, for sparing my life!”

Leng Yue let out a soft giggle, while a flicker of helplessness crossed Chen Fei’s face.

Do I really look that old already? Just like that, I’m a ‘senior’?

He waved his hand in irritation.

“Get lost.”

However, his eyes drifted toward a private booth in the corner.

From the information he’d just gathered through conversations with local merchants, Chen Fei had already figured out who the key figures in Drunken Fragrance Pavilion were.

Since the Blood Cloud Sect was clearly making moves outside Menghuo Dynasty, he needed reliable allies—not necessarily to fight, but to dig up critical intelligence.

The royal family? Useless.

But some people here might just fit the bill.

“A hidden aura, subtle and controlled. What do you think, Elder Wang?”

In the private booth, a young man’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he asked the elderly man across from him.

The white-haired elder frowned deeply.

“Young Master, this person… is not someone to provoke.

He may appear young, but in terms of strength… I’m no match for him.”

“No… it’s not even that.

I don’t even have the courage to fight him.” The old man let out a bitter laugh.

Chen Fei’s display of strength was nothing short of terrifying.

Someone with this kind of power clearly wasn’t a local. He was either from a Holy Land or a major Demonic Sect—and either way, far too dangerous to engage lightly.

The old man was trying to dissuade him.

But the young man’s eyes gleamed with ambition.

“Elder Wang, fortune favors the bold.

The world is already in chaos—our Tiandu Merchant Guild needs a new path forward.

This is our chance.”

“Young Master, please think this through!” Elder Wang pleaded, face filled with concern.

But he knew his protests were in vain. Once the young master made up his mind, nothing could stop him.

As expected, the young man stood up and walked straight to Chen Fei’s table.

“Sir, would you do me the honor of joining me in the private room for a drink?” he asked with a polite smile.

Chen Fei looked up and gave him a faint grin.

“Why not? I’ve heard that only in the private rooms here can one taste authentic Heavenshade Wine. I’d love to find out if that’s true.”

He had gotten his target: Sun Wangchun, young master of Tiandu Merchant Guild.

His name might sound rustic, but with the backing of Tiandu Guild, no one dared mock it.

“So it’s Young Master Sun.

He’s actually personally trying to recruit this guy?”

“Openly challenging the royal prince? Isn’t that a bit bold?”

“The royal prince? Please. Tiandu Guild doesn’t fear him. Hell, even the king himself wouldn’t casually provoke them!”

Sun Wangchun ignored the murmurs.

“Of course! Real Heavenshade Wine is only found in Heavenshade City itself.

If you’re curious, waiter! Bring up a hundred-year-old bottle of Heavenshade Wine!”

The waiter didn’t dare delay and rushed off.

Chen Fei stood up with a smile.

“Young Master Sun, you’re refreshingly straightforward.

My name is Chen, and this is my Senior Sister.”

“Master Chen, please,” Sun Wangchun gestured, showing no displeasure at not hearing Chen Fei’s full name—in fact, it only increased his excitement.

It confirmed his guess: this man wasn’t someone he could usually even hope to meet, let alone casually address.

Chen Fei had started out as a merchant himself, and he knew exactly how merchants thought—especially how greedy they were.

If given the chance, they would never let it slip.

Inside the private room, Chen Fei sat directly opposite Elder Wang.

Earlier, from a distance, Elder Wang had only sensed a flash of powerful aura.

Now that they were face-to-face, he felt as if sitting on needles. He could barely breathe.

This only deepened his awe—and fear.

Young Master really has gotten us involved with someone we probably shouldn’t.

The hundred-year-old Heavenshade Wine was a rare delicacy.

When poured into a glass, its rich amber color glistened, and the fragrance alone was intoxicating.

Even Leng Yue couldn’t resist taking a small sip—and gave an approving nod.

“Good wine,” Chen Fei said after tasting it, visibly impressed.

He had tried all kinds of rare wines back at the Sky Vault Holy Land, many of which could even increase spiritual energy.

This Heavenshade Wine had no such effect.

But that didn’t stop Chen Fei from enjoying it—the flavor alone earned his praise.

“Young Master Sun, let’s skip the games.

You know the situation outside the Menghuo Dynasty.

I’m sure you’ve heard of what’s going on.”

As he spoke, Chen Fei casually tossed his identity token onto the table.

You can’t expect a horse to run fast without feeding it.

You have to give people some confidence if you want them to work with you.

Elder Wang, who had tensed up at the beginning of Chen Fei’s statement, now froze in shock as his eyes fell on the token.

Sky Vault Holy Land.

So it was true—a major figure from above!

Sun Wangchun’s eyes flickered.

This was exactly the kind of opportunity the Tiandu Guild had been desperately waiting for!

“Master Chen, what kind of information do you need?” he asked, ignoring Elder Wang’s increasingly desperate glances.

Chen Fei got straight to the point.

“I want to know what the Blood Cloud Sect is up to.

If you can provide me with detailed intelligence,

I guarantee your Tiandu Guild will become one of the official suppliers for Sky Vault Holy Land.”

“Deal,” Sun Wangchun replied without hesitation, standing up with a bright smile.

“I’ll be in Heavenshade City for one more day.

I trust you’ll know where to find me.”

With that, Chen Fei stood and left.

Once he was gone, Elder Wang stood up at once, glaring at Sun Wangchun.

“Young Master, this matter is no small thing!

If we declare allegiance to Sky Vault Holy Land too soon,

we risk incurring massive backlash from the demonic factions!”

Sun Wangchun gave him a calm glance.

“Elder Wang, there’s no such thing as standing on both sides forever.

Did you notice what kind of token that was?

Only core disciples have that kind of token.”

“That alone is reason enough for Tiandu Guild to go all in!”

Taking a deep breath, he ordered,

“Notify the main family.

Immediately begin investigating the Blood Cloud Sect’s activities.

I want to know everything—what they’ve eaten, which women they’ve called for, what they’ve purchased—everything!”

Elder Wang could only sigh.

“Understood. I’ll send word now.”

After the elder left, Sun Wangchun walked to the window and gazed out over the city.

For the first time, he fell silent.

This step he had just taken was too important for the future of Tiandu Guild.

And perhaps because he understood its weight so well, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease in his heart.