Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8474: Exposure (1)

Zhao Hai let out a bitter smile. He'd already caught wind of the tales surrounding Zou Xiao and the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure. The scale of this affair far exceeded his wildest expectations. At present, virtually every minor faction across the Blood Sea Realm was thrown into frenzy. All were desperately scouring for any scraps of intel on Zou Xiao. Even with his name swapped out and his looks completely altered, he didn't view the treasure as overly hazardous. He understood full well that the lower-level powers in the Blood Sea Realm had descended into utter pandemonium. They were all hot on the trail of that fortune. Vengeful types, thieves, and a horde of shady figures were popping up everywhere. On every street corner, cultivators shot glances at one another laced with suspicion and wary appraisal. Those piercing looks left everyone feeling profoundly uneasy.

Yet, there was little he could do about it. Everyone found themselves in the same boat. They eyed each other as potential Zou Xiaos. Endless clashes erupted nonstop. In the midst of this wild turmoil, Zhao Hai was at a loss for words. He hadn't anticipated that the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure would hold such magnetic pull even after all these years.

Zhao Hai's spot right now lay in one of the outer markets belonging to the Dark Ghost Sect. What they called the outer market sat on a modest island beyond the Dark Ghost Sect's core. This island stood open to outsiders, letting rogue cultivators trade freely. Still, the Dark Ghost Sect oversaw its operations. It mirrored the role Blood Lake Island played for the Blood Slaughter Sect. The key distinction? This market nestled inside Dark Ghost Sect territory, whereas Blood Lake Island served as an outpost far from the Blood Slaughter Sect's main grounds.

Zhao Hai moved with utmost caution in this place. He'd shifted his features and adopted a new identity. He went by Jiang Dongliu now, a name evoking the mighty river surging eastward to the ocean. The old Zou Xiao moniker had carried a slanted tone, hinting at the character for Zhao. These days, his guise showed a scholarly fellow in his forties, clad in typical literati garb.

Such attire was par for the course among lone cultivators, so nobody raised an eyebrow. Zhao Hai lounged in a modest tavern dubbed the Ghost Market. The brew they served here lacked any spiritual Qi. It came dirt cheap and packed enough kick to loosen tongues. Best of all, it drew crowds aplenty.

Back in the day, rogue cultivators scraped by in misery. They rarely savored even a simple drink if they craved one. Not just rogues—even regular sect members seldom touched alcohol. Disciples from the top ten sects faced the same pinch, since spirit wine cost a fortune. Lowly sect folk simply couldn't swing it.

But with this ordinary stuff around, those independent cultivators swung by now and then for a sip or two, swapping tall tales with pals. It hit just the right note of relief. Zhao Hai occupied a seat in one such tavern. This humble spot had earned fame as the prime hub for gathering whispers and rumors.

Zhao Hai sipped his drink in silence, ears tuned to the boasters around him. Yet, the rogues' chatter fixated mostly on Zou Xiao and the whereabouts of the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure. By now, folks grasped that Zou Xiao had vanished into thin air. Some speculated he'd reshaped his name and face, lurking in shadows. Still, options were slim. Nobody pinpointed Zou Xiao's hideout or his new look. So, wild guesses flew thick and fast.

Zhao Hai kept his cool, staying utterly still. He trusted no one could unmask him. As long as he shunned the Yin Wind Ghost Flag, his secret held firm. Thus, he felt no rush. He planned to slip away from the Ghost Market soon. Next, he'd tour the Dark Ghost Sect's scattered islands, probing for signs of Yin Wuchang within their ranks.

Suddenly, Zhao Hai sensed eyes boring into him. He froze for a beat, but kept his gaze forward. Feigning a casual reach for his cup, he took a swig while stealing a peek toward the stare.

One glance that way, and Zhao Hai went rigid. His face twisted in shock. He set down his glass and whipped around fully. There sat a young man in his twenties, clad in green with flowing locks, locked on him. The fellow's style stood out sharply. His hair hung loose, yet a floral band crowned his head. Crafted from sturdy stuff, it dangled multicolored silk strands. It gleamed with striking beauty.

His green robe carried an odd twist too. Sleeveless, it bared his arms. Bracers hugged his wrists, while a cape draped his shoulders. That cape dazzled in vivid hues, etched with intricate motifs. They resembled runes at first glance, but missed the mark. Zhao Hai knew them well. Those weren't runes—they formed a script all their own. Exclusive to Poison Bug Valley disciples, this writing defied standard systems. Each symbol stood alone, a pictograph naming a venomous critter from the Poison Bug Valley.

Below, bloomer-style pants paired with sturdy leather boots. Zhao Hai clocked it instantly: a Poison Bug Valley disciple. He hadn't figured on crossing paths with one here. And this one seemed zeroed in on him, eyes never wavering as Zhao Hai studied back.

Catching Zhao Hai's scrutiny, the man flashed a grin. Without a word, he strode over and claimed the seat across from Zhao Hai. Seeing that smirk, Zhao Hai's spirits dipped. Exposure had hit, but how? The puzzle gnawed at him. He'd roamed countless spots, cycled through disguises endlessly, yet stayed invisible. What trick let this Poison Bug Valley guy track him down?

Surprise flickered through him, but fear didn't. He met the Poison Bug Valley man's eyes, then signaled for a fresh jug of wine. He had the server fetch a cup for his guest too, and spoke up: "Is there something you need from me?"

The Poison Bug Valley man eyed Zhao Hai with a smile. "Sir, your words come off a tad evasive. We're both sharp enough to skip the nonsense. Surely you grasp why I've shown up? You have to be Zou Xiao. I can't fathom your disguise trick, but it screams Zou Xiao to me."

Neither cast a sound barrier nor whispered via transmission arts. Their exchange rang out clear for the whole tavern. In an instant, silence gripped the room. All eyes locked on the pair—or rather, on Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai fixed the Poison Bug Valley cultivator with a steady gaze and rumbled, "I'm dying to know: how'd you spot me? I trust my shape-shifting skills completely. I've even scrubbed my aura clean, and I steer clear of old contacts. Sure, a whiff of Wen Liyi's essence brushed me at his end, but I purged it. You couldn't have traced me that way. Yet here you are. It piques my curiosity to no end."

The man chuckled. "The Poison Bug Valley keeps its own secrets for this sort of hunt. You slew my junior brother, so I tracked you down. Sure, you've got the lowdown on the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure, but let me set it straight: that's not my aim. This is payback for Junior Brother Wen Liyi. Truth is, another soul pushed me into it—someone you never crossed paths with. He served Junior Brother Wen Liyi. That servant leaked word of your tie to the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure. He begged me to settle the score for his master. Once I said yes, he took his own life to join Junior Brother Wen. I wasn't keen on chasing you at first, but his plea dragged me here."

Zhao Hai's heart stirred at the tale. In a blur, he shed his disguise, reverting to his true form. Naturally, that meant Zou Xiao now, since big sect names recognized him widely. His rep as top true disciple wasn't hollow—plenty in the other nine great sects itched to end him. Sticking to his real face would've meant instant ID on the streets, turning his Yin Wuchang probe into a deadly chase.

Back as Zou Xiao, Zhao Hai regarded the man. "I never imagined the cultivation world hid such fierce loyalty. Even less did I dream it'd bind itself to Wen Liyi's service. What a shame, truly a shame."

The tavern crowd gaped as Zhao Hai unveiled his real visage. Shock rippled through them. Then, they surged to their feet, encircling Zhao Hai and the Poison Bug Valley disciple. Weapons gleamed in every hand. Amid the ring of foes, only Zhao Hai and his counterpart remained seated at the central table.

The Poison Bug Valley disciple met Zhao Hai's eyes and grinned. "Though grudge weighs heavy between us, I can't help but respect your boldness. Few would keep their seat in this storm. Frankly, regret gnaws at me too. Doubt I'll ever land a servant like Liu Feizhou. Such a loss. Still, my esteem runs deep, yet I'll press on to honor Junior Brother Wen with vengeance."

Zhao Hai dipped his head. "Seeking justice for Wen Liyi is your due. I took his life, no denying it. But if you're like this lot, sniffing after the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure, prepare for letdown. I haven't a clue where that hoard hides. If I did, would I linger here? I'd snatch it up and hole away for secluded cultivation. Too bad—nobody buys my story."

The Poison Bug Valley disciple studied Zhao Hai with a smile. "Your candor wins my respect. I buy what you're selling. Oh, nearly forgot—I'm Da Jiuzhi, senior brother to Wen Liyi. Who'd have thought they shared such rare talent? All these years, and I missed they were twins."