"Cultivator, what medicinal herbs do you need?" the Old Man asked.
Lin Taichu listed several medicinal herbs for healing injuries and detoxification, and the Old Man quickly gathered them all.
While waiting, Lin Taichu casually asked, "Shopkeeper, has anything strange happened near Black Stone Town recently?"
The Old Man thought for a moment. "Something strange? Doesn't seem like it. But a few days ago, a group of people in black cloaks came through town. They bought a lot of dry rations and water, and they also asked for directions to Soul Severing Valley."
Lin Taichu's heart stirred. "Black cloaks? How many were there?"
"About a dozen, I'd say." The Old Man recalled, "Their leader was a tall man wearing a Bronze Mask. He looked downright vicious."
Lin Taichu was certain they were the Shadow Department's Death Warriors and continued asking, "When did they leave?"
"They left the morning before yesterday, saying they were heading to Soul Severing Valley to gather herbs." The Old Man shook his head. "What medicinal herbs could there possibly be in a place like Soul Severing Valley? I don't think they were good people."
Lin Taichu paid, took the medicinal herbs, and left the pharmacy.
He knew the Shadow Department's Death Warriors had entered Soul Severing Valley two days before them. They had clearly prepared in advance.
When he returned to the inn, Meng Qi and Qin Fang had already come back. Meng Qi had bought plenty of dry rations and water, along with a map. Qin Fang, meanwhile, had learned some information about the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild.
"The Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild has been unusually active near Black Stone Town lately. It seems they're searching for something," Qin Fang said. "People in town said they captured several hunters who had entered Soul Severing Valley