Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1675 - 850: In Broad Daylight, Why Block Our Path? (Part 2)

Gu Sheng’s lips curled into a cold arc, a smile that inexplicably sent a chill through Situ Qingfeng.

"What I need is the identity cover they ’provide’. Whether they are ’willing’ to cooperate is not important."

Gu Sheng’s tone carried with it an absolute confidence and undeniable authority.

"Sometimes, hatred and fear make people ’cooperate’ more than friendship and interests do."

Situ Qingfeng shivered involuntarily at these words, looking at Gu Sheng’s seemingly unremarkable profile, a sense of awe rising in his heart.

He felt fortunate once again to be Gu Sheng’s friend rather than his enemy.

...

As they spoke, the two walked through several main roads and arrived at a large and magnificently decorated Martial Artist Market.

This market covered a vast area, with buildings and pavilions everywhere, people coming and going incessantly, most of them with substantial auras, making it a unique presence in Xiaguang City.

The two walked straight into the market, ignoring the stalls selling various elixir pills, weapons, and materials, and directly approached a shop elegantly named "Purple Mist Residence".

As they arrived at the doorstep, a clever shop assistant welcomed them with a professional smile, his eyes scanning over the distinguished Situ Qingfeng and the seemingly servile Gu Sheng, finally fixing on Situ Qingfeng.

"Welcome, dear guests! May I know what you need? Our shop offers a full range of elixir pills, weapons, and materials at fair prices..."

Situ Qingfeng didn’t respond, only casting his glance at Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng stepped forward, directly interrupting the assistant, his voice calm yet with an unquestionable aura.

"Prepare an excellent Quiet Room for us.

Then, ask Yue Xia to come see me and say an old friend has come to visit."

The assistant was momentarily taken aback by the aura suddenly emanating from Gu Sheng, subconsciously retreating half a step.

He looked Gu Sheng over carefully, despite the mundane attire, that gaze and demeanor were definitely not those of a common servant.

He cautiously asked.

"Sir... the Yue Xia you mentioned, could it be the Elder Yue Xia from the Southern Prince Mansion in Xiaguang City?"

"Indeed."

Gu Sheng confirmed.

The assistant showed a look of difficulty on his face.

"Well... Elder Yue Xia has a noble status and is usually busy with affairs. It might not be easy for a humble person like me to invite her easily. If you wish to meet Elder Yue Xia, you might need to report to the shopkeeper first, and then he will relay the message, waiting for the Elder to arrange a time... May I know your name or... if you have any token as a credential?"

Gu Sheng seemed prepared for this. He reached into his robe and took out a palm-sized, entirely white jade plaque engraved with a fine cloud pattern, with an ancient "Nan" character in the center, and handed it over.

"Give this to her and tell her that someone from Mu Xue has arrived."

Gu Sheng said.

The assistant took the jade plaque, feeling its warm and fine texture, knowing immediately it was no ordinary item. Especially when his eyes landed on the "Nan" character and he heard the words "Mu Xue," his expression changed dramatically, his eyes filling with reverence and tension!

He held the jade plaque with both hands, his attitude becoming exceedingly respectful, even with a hint of fear.

"Oh... oh, it turns out to be an esteemed guest! My eyes are too dull. I ask for forgiveness for any negligence! Please! Please follow me to the top-tier heavenly suite upstairs to rest. I will immediately pass on your message and ensure Elder Yue Xia gets it swiftly!"

With that, he quickly summoned another assistant, whispered a few words to him, and had him respectfully guide Gu Sheng and Situ Qingfeng upstairs to the most luxurious and quiet heavenly suite, while he himself clutched the jade plaque tightly and dashed out of the shop, evidently to relay the urgent message.

...

Meanwhile, inside the City Lord Mansion of Xiaguang City.

In a tastefully decorated study, a woman dressed in a light purple palace gown, her manner elegant and face beautiful, appearing to be in her thirties, was sitting across from a middle-aged man in City Lord attire, discussing matters. This woman was none other than Nangong Yuexia, a core figure left by the Southern Prince Mansion in Xiaguang City.

At this moment, a personal maid walked in hurriedly, bypassed the screen, came to Nangong Yuexia’s side, and whispered a few words in a low voice into her ear, at the same time discreetly handing her the jade plaque engraved with the "Nan" character.

Nangong Yuexia listened to the maid’s message, her gaze falling on the jade plaque in her hand, her fingertips gently stroking the familiar patterns and the "Nan" character, her eyes instantly becoming sharp, mixed with a trace of surprise, confusion, and deep solemnity.

She pondered for a moment, nodded slightly to the maid, and spoke softly.

"I understand. Tell them I will be there shortly."

The maid received her orders and quietly withdrew.

Nangong Yuexia took a deep breath, calming her slightly fluctuating emotions, then stood up, bowing slightly to the new City Lord across from her, with an appropriately apologetic smile on her face.

"City Lord, something urgent has suddenly come up in the residence that requires my attention. Please forgive me for my absence, I must take my leave first."

The new City Lord seemed quite courteous to Nangong Yuexia and merely nodded lightly at her words, without making any undue attempts to detain her.

"Since Elder Yue Xia has urgent matters, you should attend to them first. What we were discussing can be addressed another day."

"Thank you for your understanding, City Lord."

Nangong Yuexia paid her respects once more before turning and leaving the study of the City Lord Mansion in slightly hurried steps.

...

In the heavenly suite at Purple Mist Residence.

Gu Sheng and Situ Qingfeng were seated on a soft fur sofa, sipping fragrant tea served by the assistants, appearing to chat idly, yet their spiritual power was highly concentrated, attentive to the surroundings.

Soon, the door to the suite was gently pushed open.

Nangong Yuexia’s figure appeared at the entrance.

Her gaze first fell on Situ Qingfeng, holding a folding fan, who stood out with his excellent demeanor. A hint of surprise and scrutiny flashed across her eyes. Being the son of Situ Ling, Situ Qingfeng had some renown among the younger generation in the Southern Border, and she naturally recognized him.

Her gaze shifted to the jade plaque on the tea table, and then to the seemingly servile young man sitting beside Situ Qingfeng, who, despite his humble appearance, exuded a composed demeanor while sipping his tea, her heart filled with questions.

How did the people of Saintess Mu Xue become entangled with the Situ Family? Moreover, why was it that the holder of the token seemed to be this inconspicuous "servant"?

"Young Master Situ?"

Nangong Yuexia tentatively spoke, her tone tinged with doubt.

"I wasn’t aware of Young Master Situ’s distinguished presence and request to meet with me, may I ask the reason? And... this token..."

Situ Qingfeng stood up, gently waving the folding fan in his hand, a slightly aloof smile on his face typical of a young master from a prestigious family, as he responded.

"Elder Yue Xia, it’s a pleasure. To be honest, our unannounced visit today is to seek a favor. My ’master’ and I require your assistance to enter a Secret Realm in search of a certain item. I have heard that Elder has considerable influence both in Xiaguang City and within the Purple Mist Divine Sect, hence I’ve come to ask for your help."

He deftly blurred the real relationship between "master" and "servant", positioning Gu Sheng as his attendant.

Upon hearing this, Nangong Yuexia’s delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed but she did not immediately respond.

Her gaze once again scrutinized Situ Qingfeng and the "servant" who remained silent. Although she knew of Situ Qingfeng, his father Situ Ling, a Loose Cultivator master, had little connection with the Southern Prince Mansion or Saintess Mu Xue.

Yet the token was indeed an item that only a core member among Saintess Mu Xue’s entourage could possess... this combination was really too strange.

The atmosphere in the Quiet Room, with Nangong Yuexia’s silence, gradually became subtly tense and oppressive.

Suddenly, Nangong Yuexia’s True Qi began to flow around her without warning, and an invisible yet immensely heavy, terrifying pressure emanated from her, engulfing the entire Quiet Room! The teacups on the table trembled slightly, emitting tiny sounds.