Half a month later.
"Dan Mountain Red Water Ruins is the largest and most prosperous of the Ruin Markets currently established in Outer Heaven's Land of Chaos."
"I doubt anyone would have imagined Liu Dong Cang would hide somewhere so bustling."
On a street in Dan Mountain Red Water Ruins, Xu Taiping and Blade Ghost walked side by side, secretly exchanging voice transmissions.
Blade Ghost transmitted expressionlessly:
"As they say, the greatest hermit hides in the marketplace. This is probably what they mean."
Xu Taiping shook his head and said:
"There is another possibility: someone here can keep him safe."
Blade Ghost nodded first, then teased with a smile:
"There is also the possibility that Ninth Madam's intelligence is wrong."
Xu Taiping nodded seriously.
"We must take that into account too."
Just then, Blade Ghost suddenly stopped before a tall building and looked up.
The large characters "Jade Appraisal Pavilion" stood prominently on its signboard.
Xu Taiping also raised his head and said solemnly:
"This should be the place."
Blade Ghost turned to Xu Taiping and transmitted:
"Do we fight our way straight in, or wait until we find Liu Dong Cang?"
After a moment's thought, Xu Taiping answered:
"This Jade Appraisal Pavilion probably isn't as simple as it looks."
Blade Ghost agreed:
"Given Liu Dong Cang's personality, he certainly wouldn't be content simply hiding here."
After a long deliberation, Xu Taiping finally decided:
"Senior Blade Ghost, let's not beat the grass and startle the snake yet. Wait while I make a deduction with my Great Deductive Power."
At this, Blade Ghost immediately looked toward a nearby teahouse.
"There's certainly no need to rush. Let's have some tea at that teahouse first."
Xu Taiping had been thinking the same thing.
Tap, tap...!
Just as the two headed toward the teahouse,