Information Broker

Wang Ming didn't investigate the matters Guihai Yidao had entrusted him with.

As he wasn't the real Zhang Jinjiu, he neither had the ability nor the interest to do so.

However, Guihai Yidao was still following the old path of the original story.

At this moment, Guihai Yidao was on his way to Shaolin.

He had already started cultivating the Demonic Saber, and Wang Ming didn't want to meet him.

Wang Ming also had a Saber Manual, but he had no intention of cultivating it at all.

As a transmigrator, he had plenty of choices.

Practicing martial arts that turned people into lunatics was something only a fool would do.

He only asked for the Saber Manual because it was easy to trick people into giving it away for free.

At this moment, Wang Ming blocked Shangguan Haitang's path.

"Is the Manor Lord going to stop Yidao from finding Kong?"

"You know Yidao's personality."

"You can't make Yidao give up his hatred," Wang Ming said slowly.

Shangguan Haitang sighed, "Even if I can't stop him from getting revenge."

Then, she said with a determined expression, "At least I can be by his side."

"The Manor Lord is truly loyal and righteous."

"I admire you! I admire you!"

"I have information that can make Yidao let go of his hatred."

"Does the Manor Lord need it?" Wang Ming asked with a casual expression.

"Can he really give up going to Shaolin?" Shangguan Haitang asked with delight.

"How much money do you want?"

Wang Ming shook his head, "Not a single cent."

Shangguan Haitang looked at him suspiciously, "You're that generous?"

Not long ago, Wan Sanqian discovered she was a woman and developed lustful intentions towards her. Wang Ming's current attitude made her wary.

"You're not here to negotiate on behalf of Master Wan, are you!"

"I told you I won't marry him, so tell him to give up on that idea," Shangguan Haitang said sternly.

Looking at Shangguan Haitang's eyes, Wang Ming had a bad premonition: This little lady isn't someone who sticks to the rules. She's capable of torture.

So he immediately shouted, "You've misunderstood. I'm not here to arrange a marriage for Wan Sanqian, but for myself..."

"For yourself?" Shangguan Haitang's gaze became even more dangerous.

"What a narcissist." Wang Ming didn't understand her thought process and quickly said, "I want your martial art, 'Thousand Flowers Scatter Money'."

Shangguan Haitang was stunned. Realizing she had misunderstood, her face turned red, and she quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I misunderstood."

Wang Ming waved his hand, "It's fine."

"Would you be willing to make this trade?"

Shangguan Haitang remained silent.

Wang Ming hesitated for a moment, "If you're not willing to make this trade, I can give you this information for free."

Shangguan Haitang sized Wang Ming up with a suspicious gaze, "Really? Such a good thing?"

Wang Ming smiled, "Of course, it's true. However, I won't make any more deals with you in the future."

Shangguan Haitang was a good person, but not an honest one.

If she couldn't give him her martial art but still wanted the information, she wouldn't kill Wang Ming, but she was definitely capable of acupoint striking and interrogation.

But if she could give it, even if Wang Ming gave her the information, she would still offer compensation given her strong moral compass.

"Okay!" Shangguan Haitang agreed.

People in love lose their intelligence. Nothing is more important than their beloved. After a moment of hesitation, she sold her master's martial art.

She then found a brush and ink, wrote out the secret manual, and handed it to Wang Ming.

"Tell Yidao to examine Guihai Bailian's corpse. See what kind of weapon caused the fatal wound, and he'll understand who the killer is. At the same time, he'll give up his hatred," Wang Ming said as he took the manual.

"It's that simple? Are you sure you're not playing with me?" Shangguan Haitang couldn't quite believe it.

"If my words are useless, the Manor Lord can come find me for an accounting."

After saying that, he turned and left, returning to the new secret residence he had found for himself. Staying in his old place was too dangerous.

Actually, Wang Ming really wanted to practice martial arts and not go out adventuring anymore.

Unfortunately, he couldn't understand the technical terms or acupoints and meridians in the secret manuals.

He wanted to find someone to teach him to read and write, but the thought of Zhu Wushi's cheat-like information system made him abandon the idea.

Recently, the conflict between Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun had intensified.

Wang Ming feared that Cao Zhengchun would see him as Zhu Wushi's lackey and eliminate him, and he also feared being used as bait by Zhu Wushi.

In the following days, news still spread that Guihai Yidao had gone berserk and was slaughtering martial artists everywhere, and shortly after, news came that Zhu Wushi had been imprisoned.

Wang Ming felt that Zhu Wushi was truly an actor, a loyal and patriotic Divine Marquis.

Cao Zhengchun would probably be acted to death.

It truly lived up to the saying that life is like a play, all depending on acting.

However, Wang Ming didn't want to interfere with these matters, nor did he have the ability to.

He just wanted to con someone out of another martial art.

"Zhang Jinjiu pays his respects to Great Hero Duan. I presume you are currently troubled about how to enter the heavily guarded celestial prison to rescue the Divine Marquis?" Wang Ming cupped his hands and bowed to Duan Tianya.

"Do you have a way to enter the celestial prison and save my adoptive father?" Duan Tianya asked.

"Yes! But Great Hero Duan must exchange it for your Illusion Sword," Wang Ming stated calmly.

"This is a bit like taking advantage of someone's predicament!" Duan Tianya's expression turned displeased.

"No! No!"

"How can it be called taking advantage of a predicament? It's merely a fair trade."

"I do things entirely of my own volition. The choice is yours, whether to exchange or not! Everything is in your thoughts," Wang Ming spoke eloquently, intending to repeat what he had said to Shangguan Haitang last time, so that if Duan Tianya forcefully interrogated him, Duan Tianya would speak first.

Duan Tianya hesitated for a moment before saying, "First, tell me how you will rescue my adoptive father, and then I will consider if it's worth it."

"Alright! I trust Great Hero Duan's character," Wang Ming secretly thought: If I don't trust him, I have to! It's a risk-free business anyway, like buying a lottery ticket!

"There are two methods to bring the Divine Marquis out of the celestial prison: Method One, Cheng Shifei knows a secret passage that leads directly to the ninth level of the celestial prison. I don't need to elaborate on the specific details of the plan, do I?"

Duan Tianya pondered for a moment and said, "If this secret passage is real, there is indeed a chance to rescue my adoptive father. The abilities of the number one detective in the world are truly impressive."

Wang Ming smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying, and continued, "Method Two, Wan Sanqian has the ability to dig through the bottom of the celestial prison. You and Haitang should ask him, and he will help. But..." Wang Ming glanced strangely at Duan Tianya.

"But, there will be a certain price to pay, you'll know the specifics when the time comes." After speaking, Wang Ming watched Duan Tianya to see if he would keep his promise.

The price Wang Ming mentioned was naturally Shangguan Haitang marrying Wan Sanqian.

He definitely couldn't say this himself; if he did, Duan Tianya would surely fly into a rage.

Wang Ming felt that there was something inherently problematic about Haitang being destined for Wan Sanqian.

There were thousands of women in the world, why Shangguan Haitang specifically?

And why was she coincidentally the adopted daughter of his ally, Zhu Wushi?

Wang Ming suspected that the fortune teller might have been one of Zhu Wushi's people.

Intentionally arranged to trick Wan Sanqian, so that their cooperative relationship would be more solid.

However, Zhu Wushi hadn't expected Shangguan Haitang to get involved with Yidao.

Duan Tianya fell silent after hearing this, and the two stood facing each other, the atmosphere exceptionally oppressive and heavy.

The atmosphere was quite uncomfortable, and Wang Ming wanted to break it.

But he really didn't know what to say; he understood the principle that saying more leads to more mistakes.

So, he could only accompany Duan Tianya, enjoying the cool night breeze.

Wang Ming actually didn't care about the outcome, nor did he fear Duan Tianya reneging on the deal.

Because this information would lose its value after a certain time. If he didn't say it now, they could figure it out themselves.

Wang Ming was merely taking advantage of the timing, it was equivalent to using Duan Tianya's own money to buy Duan Tianya's goods.

It was like getting it for free.

Duan Tianya was a gentleman, so even if the transaction failed, Wang Ming wouldn't be in any great mortal danger.

Therefore, Wang Ming came purely to try his luck.

Finally, Duan Tianya broke the silence first.

"Wait a moment, I'll get the manual for you," Duan Tianya said, turning to go inside.

About fifteen minutes later, Duan Tianya came out and casually tossed a booklet to Wang Ming.

Wang Ming took the booklet and tucked it away, not worried at all that he might be tricked with a fake.

Even if it were a fake, Wang Ming wouldn't be able to do anything to him.

Since that was the case, why not act a little more gracious?

"Great Hero Duan is indeed trustworthy. I am impressed."

"Tianya's mission to the Celestial Prison is fraught with peril; I might not return from this. The Illusion Sword was passed down from my master, Nemuri Kyōshirō. I simply don't want the lineage to be broken," Duan Tianya said with a troubled expression.

After a brief exchange, Wang Ming clearly felt that Duan Tianya no longer wished to talk with him, so he bid farewell and left.

As Wang Ming departed, he didn't notice the look of apprehension in Ryūyō Hyōsu's eyes from the room behind him.

Wang Ming returned to his residence, and looked at the Illusion Sword on the table. He flipped through it, then put it down with a sigh.

He didn't dare to practice it!

He could only guess and decipher the characters.

More importantly, it was in classical Chinese, and he didn't understand the meaning!

Wang Ming could only resort to rote memorization every day, and for characters he didn't recognize, he simply memorized their entire shape.

By now, he had basically memorized all the manuals. Flipping through the Illusion Sword just now was merely to prevent any mistakes.

Bored, Wang Ming couldn't help but recall the upcoming plot in his mind: blowing up the prison, the Divine Marquis faking his death, killing Cao Zhengchun, the Divine Marquis changing his demeanor...

Actually, Wang Ming greatly admired Zhu Wushi's depth of character and methods.

From an unvalued prince to one of the most powerful figures of this era was practically an inspirational story!

However, Wang Ming wasn't optimistic about Zhu Wushi.

Zhu Wushi's weakness was fatal—

Suxin!

What's more, Zhu Wushi kept a diary, which reminded Wang Ming of a saying from his past life.

"What normal person keeps a diary! Do you?"

Suxin was Zhu Wushi's obsession.

This obsession had been transformed by Zhu Wushi into his own conviction.

Empowered by this conviction, he could do wicked deeds with a clear conscience.

When slaughtering the Eight Sects, Zhu Wushi thought: I'll absorb all these scoundrels and defeat Gu Santong to prove to Suxin that I am the best.

When plotting to usurp the throne, his thought was: The late emperor wouldn't allow Suxin to be my official consort. Since the emperor doesn't allow it, then I will become the emperor.

Using someone as a conviction!

It was the easiest to establish, as long as that person was beautiful enough, outstanding enough, and captivating enough to drive you mad.

However, this conviction was also the easiest to collapse.

Because, that person might not cherish you in return.

Once contradictions and disagreements arise, problems are easily created.

If Suxin caused any trouble, Zhu Wushi would inevitably break down.

Wang Ming had no interest in power or conflict; these matters were irrelevant to him.

He was waiting now, waiting for the final opportunity, waiting to "reap the rewards" one last time...

Actually, his current gains were more than enough.

Illusion Sword, Hegemon Under Heaven, Thousand Flowers Scatter Money, Heaven and Earth Great Shift—these martial arts were all supreme skills that could forge a powerful expert.

But it was truly hard for Wang Ming to leave now.

Missing this opportunity would make it as difficult as reaching the heavens to obtain martial arts of this caliber in the future.

Wang Ming didn't believe he had the luck to stumble upon martial arts manuals after falling off a cliff, nor did he have the fortune of an old beggar showing up with ultimate secret manuals for ten dollars each.

That's why Wang Ming wasn't willing to leave yet.

If not now, when?

This forty-year-old alcoholic's body couldn't cultivate any top-tier techniques.

And he still wanted to become a master?

Whether he was a master or not, Wang Ming didn't care. The key was that this was ancient times!

Forty years old!

In ancient times, living to seventy was already rare.

How good could the body of a martial artist who had been constantly drinking and had internal injuries all over be?

It was questionable if he could even live to fifty.

You could say he was already half dead.

Without profound internal energy to extend his lifespan, he wouldn't live much longer.

So, even though Wang Ming knew the danger, he kept taking risks, time and time again, plucking teeth from a tiger's mouth!

Guihai Yidao, Shangguan Haitang, Duan Tianya, Zhu Wushi – weren't they all people who killed without batting an eye?

Every time Wang Ming switched secret manuals, it was like walking a tightrope.

This time, he planned to go for a big gamble.

After pulling the last bit of wool, he'd hide away until Zhu Wushi died.

Then he'd come out and find a tutor and an old physician to properly reinforce his basic knowledge. Wang Ming didn't want to be in the embarrassing situation of not understanding the secret manuals he had anymore.