Chapter 979: Adding Ingredients

He was merely a steward of Ink Cloud Pavilion, and with several hundred high-grade spirit stones at stake, he no longer had the authority to decide.

"Go ahead!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

If news about the Poison Hall were so easily obtained, it wouldn't have remained a mystery for so many years.

Thus, he had long been prepared and started by throwing money around as soon as he arrived.

Even if the other party didn't know the exact information, having stayed in Jingyuan City for so long, they should have heard some clues. For others, even if they knew such news, they couldn't distinguish truth from falsehood, making it useless.

But for Zhang Xuan, as long as there was a clue, even if the Poison Hall was buried underground, he could dig it out.

"Yes!"

Zhu Xiao hurriedly left the room and walked straight out. Before long, he arrived at a spacious chamber.

"Pavilion Master..."

Entering, he cupped his fists toward a middle-aged man.

The Pavilion Master of Ink Cloud Pavilion, Hu Yunsheng, a peak Saint Realm First Layer expert!

"What's the matter?"

Browsing through something with his head down, Hu Yunsheng looked up as he entered.

"Reporting to the Pavilion Master, a martial artist just came wanting to buy... information about the Poison Hall!"

Zhu Xiao said.

"Information about the Poison Hall?" Hu Yunsheng frowned. "Just say we don't have it and send him away!"

"I said we didn't, but the other party seemed very wealthy. He took out at least 500 high-grade spirit stones to buy it. I couldn't decide... so I came to report!"

Zhu Xiao explained the matter.

"500 high-grade spirit stones?" Hu Yunsheng's pupils contracted.

Even Elder Mi and Elder Zhao of the Master Teacher Academy could only take out a few dozen high-grade spirit stones at most, not exceeding a hundred, showing how precious they were.

For the other party to take out five hundred at once... even the annual profit of Ink Cloud Pavilion wasn't that much.

"Yes!" Zhu Xiao nodded.

"What kind of person?" Frowning, Hu Yunsheng asked.

"Around forty years old, same cultivation as me, peak Saint Realm. I'm not sure of his exact background..." Zhu Xiao hesitated and said.

"Peak Saint Realm, taking out 500 high-grade spirit stones in one go?" Hu Yunsheng seemed incredulous.

Even he couldn't produce that much. How could a Saint Realm cultivator have such wealth?

Could he be from some major force or noble family?

"I'll go take a look."

Hu Yunsheng stood up.

"Yes... but Pavilion Master, we really don't have any information on the Poison Hall. If he insists on buying, what should we do?" Zhu Xiao said.

The Poison Hall was extremely mysterious. Even though Ink Cloud Pavilion had extensive sources of information, they didn't know its exact location. If the other party was so wealthy and insisted on buying, and they couldn't provide it, it would greatly damage their reputation.

"We'll see. If he's from a major family, we can give him some of the information we've gathered, no harm done. If he's just a nouveau riche... since such a fat sheep has entered Ink Cloud Pavilion, don't let him leave..."

Hu Yunsheng's eyes flickered.

Ink Cloud Pavilion not only sold treasures but also controlled the black market of Jingyuan City. If the other party was a junior from a major force with strong protectors, that was one thing. Otherwise... a Saint Realm cultivator flaunting so many spirit stones was simply asking for trouble.

Although the master teachers advocated rules and few dared to break them, this place was remote, without even a Master Teacher Hall. Killing one or two people would go unnoticed.

"This... being able to take out so many spirit stones, even if he's a nouveau riche, he must have strong backing..." Zhu Xiao was worried.

Wealth requires strength to protect.

Otherwise, no matter how much money you have, it belongs to others.

If the other party dared to flaunt so much without fear, even without a major family or force background, he must not be simple. Killing him quietly would likely cause trouble for Ink Cloud Pavilion.

"Hehe, isn't he inquiring about the Poison Hall? Wouldn't it be strange if he was killed by the Poison Hall? If done well, who would suspect Ink Cloud Pavilion?"

Hu Yunsheng sneered.

"This..."

Zhu Xiao was stunned.

That was true.

The other party was inquiring about the Poison Hall, angering them, and being poisoned to death—that made perfect sense. If done well, no one would suspect them.

"Alright, go prepare that gourd of fine wine I gave you earlier. When we get there, act according to the situation!"

Without further ado, Hu Yunsheng waved his hand.

"Yes!"

Zhu Xiao nodded, hurried to a room, and soon returned. The two walked one after the other into the quiet chamber where Zhang Xuan was.

"I heard this friend wants to buy information about the Poison Hall?"

Entering the room and sitting down, Hu Yunsheng carefully observed Zhang Xuan.

The middle-aged man before him had a vigorous aura, indeed at the peak of Saint Realm. His appearance was quite unfamiliar, never seen before, so he shouldn't be from Jingyuan City.

There were only so many Saint Realm experts in Jingyuan City and the surrounding dozen cities. Even if he hadn't met them, he had seen relevant materials, and none matched the person before him.

"That's right!"

Zhang Xuan looked over calmly.

"The Poison Hall is not only secretive but also vengeful. If we leak their information, we might face retaliation... May I ask how this friend is called, and what business you have with the Poison Hall? Could you kindly disclose it? That way, we can consider comprehensively."

After a moment's hesitation, Hu Yunsheng said.

"My name is Sun Qiang!" Zhang Xuan said.

His own name was quite famous in the Hongyuan Empire and could be easily checked. Sun Qiang, as a steward, had no reputation. Even if he said it, the other party would only think it was a namesake and wouldn't guess it was him.

"Sun Qiang? Are you... from the Sun family of Qingyuan City?"

Hu Yunsheng was startled and couldn't help asking.

"No!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

"Then... are you a descendant of the Yao Hu Sect's Sect Leader?" Hu Yunsheng continued.

Zhang Xuan shook his head again.

"Then..."

Hu Yunsheng successively asked about a dozen famous Sun families in the Hongyuan Empire.

"Don't bother. I'm just a loose cultivator, no sect or school. I'm inquiring about the Poison Hall for some personal matters that won't involve others. Rest assured, I won't say I got the information from you!"

Seeing the other party's intent to get to the bottom of things, Zhang Xuan waved his hand and said.

"A loose cultivator?"

Hu Yunsheng smiled. "I see. Since Brother Sun assures me, I won't waste words. I do have some information about the Poison Hall, but it's not detailed... Zhu Xiao, go fetch it for Brother Sun!"

"Yes!"

Zhu Xiao nodded and stood up, but before he could leave the room, he heard the other's instruction continue: "Wait, first have someone bring some wine and dishes!"

Then he looked at Zhang Xuan: "Brother Sun, don't rush. It'll take some time to compile these materials. Why don't we have a drink while we wait?"

Zhu Xiao nodded and withdrew. Before long, he brought in some small dishes and a pot of wine.

"Brother Sun, please!"

With a light smile, Hu Yunsheng filled the wine cup.

Zhang Xuan nodded and picked up the cup, looking at him sincerely: "May I ask the Pavilion Master's name?"

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself... My surname is Hu."

Hu Yunsheng said.

"Hu? I happen to have a friend with the same surname, but she is as cunning as a fox. Seeing Brother Hu, you seem very sincere!"

Zhang Xuan remarked.

"Of course. Since you've come to me, you are my guest. Business is based on trust, so naturally I must be sincere!"

Concealing a trace of embarrassment, Hu Yunsheng quickly said.

"Indeed, businessmen should be sincere. Cheers!"

After a few exchanges, Zhang Xuan raised his cup and drank it all.

"Cheers!" Hu Yunsheng nodded, took a sip from his cup, and set it down.

"Brother Hu only drank that little—are you looking down on me, Sun?"

Seeing him only sip, Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"Of course not. I just have many matters to attend to and am not a good drinker, so..." Hu Yunsheng's mouth twitched as he quickly explained.

"What do you mean not a good drinker? You said you were sincere, so drinking should also be sincere. Come, let me help you!"

With a laugh, Zhang Xuan placed his right hand on the other's shoulder, picked up the cup with his left, and brought it to his mouth.

Seeing that this fellow intended to force-feed him, Hu Yunsheng was displeased and his face darkened: "No need to trouble Brother Sun, I'll do it myself..."

"No trouble at all. We're friends, no need to stand on ceremony..."

Zhang Xuan smiled lightly, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"I..."

Seeing that the other meant to pour the wine into his mouth, Hu Yunsheng circulated his true qi, intending to break free from the hand and push away the cup, but found his entire body as if imprisoned.

The other's true qi was like an irresistible shackle, locking his whole body, unable to move an inch.

"This..."

His pupils contracted, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

Earlier, he had only thought the other was a Saint Realm cultivator and didn't take him seriously. Feeling this power, he instantly understood... this was no Saint Realm; even he, a peak Saint Realm First Layer expert, would be utterly dominated!

This guy was clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Where did he come from?

Most importantly, the other seemed to have noticed something wrong with his wine and was force-feeding him...

"Come, drink up, no need to be polite!"

While he was in shock, he saw the cup already at his mouth, and without further ado, it was poured down.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Hu Yunsheng choked, tears streaming. Just as he was about to speak, he saw the other pick up the wine gourd and, without explanation, shove it into his mouth.

Gulp, gulp, gulp!

Several streams of wine poured down his throat, nearly suffocating him.

This was wine laced with deadly poison. Drinking so much at once, even with an antidote, would be unbearable! He never thought that the hunter would become the hunted!

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!

In the blink of an eye, the other pinched his mouth shut and poured the entire gourd of wine down his throat.

After finishing, the other released his grip and looked at him with a smile: "Your own wine tastes good, doesn't it? How is it?"

"You..."

His face alternating between pale and green, Hu Yunsheng hastily took out a pill and stuffed it into his mouth. He looked at the middle-aged man opposite, his eyes showing naked killing intent: "Who exactly are you?"

"I'm Sun Qiang, didn't I tell you just now?"

Zhang Xuan smiled and slapped his forehead: "Oh, right, I just added some seasoning to your wine. It's a bit strong. I wonder if you're used to it..."

Before he finished speaking, Hu Yunsheng's face turned white. He felt his whole body stiffen, and "Pfft!" he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"You poisoned me?" Hu Yunsheng's pupils contracted. "Are you a poison master?"