Chapter 852: Chapter 852 - 390: Sit_2

"Without preparation, how can we leave? Given our unique identities, any move we make becomes a focus of attention. We must disguise ourselves before leaving Tianyuan Town, lest we be discovered. Moreover, not just anyone can survive in the wilderness. It’s possible we might find that woman has already been devoured by demons, and we’ll have to retrieve the stone from their bellies."

On this point, Zuo Lv agreed.

The wilderness is perilous. Without some preparation, venturing out recklessly might mean not even knowing how one dies.

"By the way, should we call on Diao Deyi? I heard the Foolish Underworld has been unsealed, and that guy should be able to move freely now."

"... You are well-informed indeed."

The stone was for Hei Ao alone, it couldn’t be shared. Therefore, besides rescuing Zuo Lv from house arrest, Hei Ao had to invest heavily to enlist Zuo Lv’s help.

Adding another person would stretch his resources.

But after some thought, he still nodded in agreement.

"Then let’s invite him too and see if he’s interested."

Zuo Lv’s lips slightly curled up.

"With regards to the [Artifact], which Martial Artist wouldn’t be interested?"

As the two discussed this, an excited voice suddenly came from ahead.

"Zuo, Zuo Lv, my lord?! And, and Lord Hei Ao?!!"

Who?

Hei Ao and Zuo Lv almost simultaneously looked forward and saw two men and a woman.

One man was clearly just a servant, keeping his head down, not daring to make eye contact, trailing behind the pair.

And the other man, seeing their gaze, hurriedly and respectfully greeted them.

"Zuo Rui of the Zuo Family, greetings to Lord Zuo Lv! Greetings to Lord Hei Ao!"

Though their abilities were comparable and both were members of the Zuo Family,

Zuo Rui’s status couldn’t compare to Zuo Lv’s.

He was curious about Miss Zuo Lv’s relationship with Hei Ao, but outwardly he dared not show any expression, maintaining a tense demeanor.

As for the woman beside him, she was merely curious, looking at the two with a simple expression.

"Someone from your family."

Hei Ao made a cold remark, then quickened his pace, distancing himself from Zuo Lv.

But Zuo Lv followed closely, just waving dismissively at the person from her family.

"You don’t need to bow while outside."

"Yes, yes!"

From start to finish, neither Hei Ao nor Zuo Lv gave the woman beside Zuo Rui a second glance, seemingly uninterested in Bai Wanxi.

But it was expected; given Zuo Rui’s family status, the woman by his side wouldn’t be of significant standing, not worth mentioning.

After the two left, Zuo Rui let out a big sigh of relief.

As Bai Wanxi curiously asked who the two were, Zuo Rui exaggeratedly praised Hei Ao and Zuo Lv’s status and influence, suggesting that he had some private interactions with them.

Unfortunately, this subtle boasting about connections with notable figures failed to elicit the admiration or resonance from Bai Wanxi.

The naively sweet Bai Wanxi just looked at Zuo Rui curiously, seemingly unable to understand why having private interactions with Hei Ao and Zuo Lv was something to boast about.

This left Zuo Rui a bit embarrassed, so he quickly changed the topic, leading her to continue browsing the first floor of the Thunder Building.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t allowed on the second floor, but with his financial capability, the costs there were too steep to cover; it’s better to browse the first floor, where he could purchase something for Bai Wanxi and leave a good impression.

Soon, they had completed a circuit, purchasing a few inexpensive items, and returned to near the entrance.

At this moment, Zuo Rui faced two choices.

First was to go up to the second floor to continue shopping.

Second was to take Bai Wanxi and leave directly.

Zuo Rui hadn’t decided what to do when suddenly he heard a voice ahead filled with excitement, mixed with joy and surprise.

"Diao Deyi?!"

Wasn’t that... Zuo Lv’s voice?

Looking in that direction, Zuo Rui was instantly shocked.

He saw the previously aloof Miss Zuo Lv excitedly approaching a young man outside the door.

And this young man was the same person they had seen earlier, who had been stopped from entering the building!

What’s going on?

This kid clearly couldn’t even get through the door of the Thunder Building; how does he know Lord Zuo Lv??

Zuo Rui was baffled, unable to grasp the situation, and then he saw the typically stern and renownedly cold Young Master Hei Ao actually smiling slightly as he walked towards the young man called Diao Deyi!

What???

Lord Hei Ao knows that guy too???

No, it’s not just knowing, Lord Hei Ao’s smile widened! It was a genuine smile!

This this this this...

Was the joke on me all along?

The country bumpkin outside, he knows both of these lords??

Zuo Rui was dumbfounded, feeling as if he had just missed out on recognizing someone significant.

"Young Master Zuo, what’s wrong? Why did you suddenly stop?" Bai Wanxi’s innocent voice timely sounded, causing Zuo Rui’s mouth to twitch slightly.

"N-no, it’s nothing."

He gave a dry laugh and looked again towards the door. He saw a man dressed in luxurious clothing hurrying down from upstairs. He respectfully saluted Diao Deyi and invited him inside.

What surprised Zuo Rui the most was that he recognized the man in luxurious clothing!

It was Li Banxiang, one of the three major stewards of Thunder Building.

This one is even more significant; in a certain sense, his status is higher than that of Miss Zuo Lv and Lord Hei Ao.

Because within the Li Family, he is the one with real power, genuinely controlling the economic lifeline of the Li Family’s Thunder Building business!

Seeing Diao Deyi being respectfully invited into the building by Li Banxiang, Zuo Rui had quite a complex feeling.

It wasn’t until Diao Deyi’s figure disappeared at the entrance of the corridor that he retracted his gaze. Looking at Lord Hei Ao and the others, he didn’t know when they had already left.

"Young Master Zuo, shall we continue to explore?" Bai Wanxi’s voice, at this moment, couldn’t pique Zuo Rui’s interest anymore.

He only felt a loss of interest, wanting to leave here quickly.

He had already realized that he missed an opportunity and, inadvertently, offended a significant figure, silently hoping that this figure had already forgotten about a minor character like him.

But while Zuo Rui wanted to leave, Bai Wanxi insisted that opportunities like this were rare and wanted to stay longer to broaden her horizons.

Zuo Rui was surprised but didn’t overthink it, just left some silver taels for her to spend.

There wasn’t much money inside, but it was enough to buy some small items.

Zuo Rui left, whereas Bai Wanxi gazed at the staircase Fang Yu ascended, narrowing her eyes slightly, seemingly contemplating something. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her lips as she turned and continued to browse on the first floor.

...

By chance, Fang Yu encountered Zuo Lv and Hei Ao.

Fang Yu was slightly surprised to see both of them here.

It seemed they had something to discuss with him, but with so many people around, Fang Yu suggested they come to his residence that evening to talk.

This was just a small episode, and Fang Yu didn’t pay too much attention to it.

Instead, the person in front of him...

[Li Banxiang: 30315/30315.]

A Great Demon with thirty thousand HP!

Indeed, it’s the domain of demon bodies; the moment you arrive, you meet a heavyweight opponent.

Luckily, he counts as one of their own; otherwise, if a fight broke out, with a forty thousand HP demon body and this thirty thousand HP Great Demon, he wouldn’t stand a chance to hold his ground.

Not to mention, this is the stronghold of the demon body, who knows how many more Great Demons with tens of thousands of HP are hidden here, definitely not a force to provoke easily.

Fang Yu maintained a composed exterior, though inside he was somewhat anxious.

It wasn’t until he walked all the way to the top floor, and after Li Banxiang made a gesture of invitation and he pushed open the door to enter the room, that he somewhat calmed his nerves.

Because the room was empty.

Looking around, the large bookshelves on either side were very prominent. Upon closer inspection, you could see some documents with written years on them.

It’s estimated that they must record the business accounts of Thunder Building.

Further ahead of the bookshelves was a large screen, slightly opaque, faintly revealing whether someone was standing behind it; if there was a person standing, their appearance wouldn’t be visible through the screen.

Before Fang Yu even had a chance to see what was specifically behind the screen, he heard a voice from outside the door.

"My lord, the person is inside."

"Hmm."

Creek.

The door opened, and Fang Yu turned his head to look.

[Li Shiquan: 80000/80000.]

Fang Yu:...

Fang Yu:???

Fang Yu:!!!!

Fang Yu:...

Fang Yu: 6.

Fang Yu’s emotions were like a roller-coaster, surging several times in an instant.

In the end, only cold sweat slightly appeared on his forehead.

Fang Yu had seen Li Shiquan before, but every time it was from a distance, never having had a formal meeting.

Fang Yu initially thought he would at least have to climb up to a position akin to a demon body before possibly engaging with these Demon Leaders.

But he never expected the meeting to come so soon and so... unexpectedly!

"Li, Li Shiquan... My lord?"

Fang Yu’s slightly nervous expression was instantly caught by Li Shiquan.

With a slight raise of his mouth, Li Shiquan spoke.

"Sit."

"..."