Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8552 8552: Token-1

"Speak with them? Are those their conditions?" Yu Qing felt his guard rise instantly upon hearing his adopted uncle's proposal. He feared this might be a trap laid out specifically for him. He understood that if the Tang family uncovered their true identities, destruction would be inevitable. This realization kept Yu Qing visibly anxious.

Uncle Yi shook his head and clarified, "No, Young Master, you are correct to be cautious. Dealing with the Tang family is a grave endeavor. Engaging the ghost shadow group necessitates a steep price, though the specifics of that cost are something you must negotiate yourself. I have heard the ghost shadow members are incredibly elusive; they only grant a single meeting, and they choose their own secretive locations. It is best if you handle these discussions personally, as we are in no position to commit to such terms."

Yu Qing gave a small nod. Even though his interactions with outsiders were limited, he fully recognized that the businesses under his name were tied to his survival. While his uncle managed their daily operations, he knew he had to be the one to steer the ship for matters of this magnitude. He resolved to take full responsibility for this decision.

Reflecting on this, Yu Qing spoke firmly, "Very well, I understand. See to it that you find out exactly when and where a meeting with the ghost shadow group can take place. I will handle the talks personally. If they truly possess the capability to wipe out the Tang family, I will pay whatever price they demand."

Yu Qing observed his nephew carefully, reading the intensity in his expression. The desire for vengeance etched onto Yu Qing's face mirrored his own. Years ago, during that great conflict, he had lost all his own sons, save for the youngest. The hatred he harbored for the Tang family burned as deeply as Yu Qing's. Having reached a mutual understanding, he relayed the details he had gathered: "Young Master, I have secured information. We can hold the meeting in three days, inside Room C on the second floor of the Clear Jade Tavern. We must prepare accordingly if we intend to proceed."

Yu Qing gave a resolute nod and replied, "Proceed with the arrangements. I shall head to that meeting in three days. I intend to find out if the ghost shadow group is willing to accept our contract." Upon receiving the instruction, the uncle bowed and exited. Left alone, Yu Qing pondered the situation for a moment before departing the courtyard. He visited another vacant location to change his attire and then headed toward the teleportation array. He traveled to the small island where he maintained several businesses—a hub for the dark ghost sect. It was through these ventures that he had learned of the Clear Jade Tavern his uncle mentioned.

The Clear Jade Tavern had stood on the market island for ages, yet its business remained consistently lackluster. Few individual cultivators frequented it, and even sect disciples like Yu Qing rarely stepped inside. Its popularity had only seen a modest uptick when they began selling cheap, non-spiritual wine. Despite this, Yu Qing knew the tavern's true nature—it was established by a true disciple of the sect, ensuring its operations were guarded by powerful backing.

Upon reaching the market, Yu Qing ducked into a secluded area to discard his outer garments. He utilized a concealment technique to disguise his features, transforming into a generic rogue cultivator. He wandered through the stalls before eventually entering the Clear Jade Tavern. The bustle within was unexpected. He purchased a flask of cheap wine with a single crystal stone and began sipping it, mirroring the behavior of the other rough patrons.

While his appearance matched the commoners around him, his gaze remained sharp, scanning every corner of the hall. Small groups of individual cultivators sat nearby, drinking their swill and boasting loudly about their recent scraps. It was all typical tavern talk, void of anything suspicious.

After finishing his wine, Yu Qing exited the establishment and sought lodging in the market for the night. The following day, he returned and spotted his uncle at a table. He ordered similar fare and took a seat near a pair of men who were laughing and drinking, acting no differently than any other customer. When he was finished, he tossed some coins on the table and departed. Outside, he saw a stranger approach his uncle, pass off a small black item, and vanish into the crowd. No words were exchanged.

Yu Qing glanced back at the rogues who had been sitting with his uncle; they appeared utterly oblivious, their tongues lolling as if they were in a stupor, likely unaware that anyone had even sat with them. What unsettled him most was that he recognized these two rogues—they were familiar faces in the market, surely incapable of being part of something as grand as the ghost shadow group. This only deepened the mystery.

Soon, the two men slumped over in a drunken sleep. Others repeated the same routine, receiving black objects after their meals before departing. It became clear to Yu Qing that this was a complex, layered method of communication.

Satisfied, he left the tavern, used the teleportation array, and returned to his island to wait. The next morning, his uncle arrived and placed a black token into his hands.

The token was crafted with exquisite artistry, seemingly from a solid block of black crystal. The word 'Shadow' was carved into its face. Looking closer, Yu Qing felt a chill creep up his spine as the blood-red eyes depicted on the surface seemed to stare back at him.

As Yu Qing scrutinized the object, his uncle spoke, "Young Master, that is the key. To enter Room C, you must possess that token; otherwise, access to the upper level is impossible."

Yu Qing acknowledged this with a nod. "Understood. I will handle the meeting personally tomorrow. Tell me, were you able to uncover the identities of those involved in the distribution? Or who reserved Room C?"

His uncle replied solemnly, "We have investigated, but yielded nothing. The participants are all local rogue cultivators who were simply paid in crystals to perform these minor tasks. They have no idea why they are doing it, nor do they share information with one another. The orchestrators remain entirely in the shadows, communicating only through distorted voices. Even they have never seen the faces of their employers, though they claim the individual's presence was terrifying enough to suppress them with aura alone."

Yu Qing nodded slowly. "They are incredibly thorough. Regardless, we shall confront them tomorrow and discover the truth for ourselves. You may return, Uncle. I wish to see the power of this ghost shadow group with my own eyes."

Once his uncle left, Yu Qing finally let out a long, heavy breath. He retired to his room, recounting the risks involved. He knew full well the deal might fall through if he could not afford the price they set for destroying the Tang family, but even if the cost was high, he would gladly trade anything to see a member of the Tang bloodline fall. With that determination in his heart, he went to rest.

At dawn, Yu Qing returned to the market. After applying a fresh disguise, he clutched the token and approached the tavern. Upon reaching the second-floor stairs, a waiter obstructed his path, stating, "My lord, the entire second floor is reserved today. I require your token to grant you passage."

Yu Qing complied, but as he pulled the object from his sleeve, a jolt of shock went through him. The token, once perfectly black, had transformed into a transparent crystal, with the character 'Ying' now pulsing weakly on its face.

Ignoring his astonishment, the waiter scanned the token and bowed, "Everything is in order. Please, proceed to the second floor." Yu Qing ascended the stairs, turning the strange, color-shifting token over in his hands, his mind racing with unanswered questions.