Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1377: Spirit Stones Illuminate the Heart
Previously on Record of a Demon's Cultivation...
Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen strode into the Profound Medicine Pavilion, and a maid immediately approached him.
"Senior, what can I get for you?"
"Information," Song Wen replied.
"Information transactions must be conducted in the back courtyard," the maid said, gesturing toward the rear of the establishment and leading the way.
The Profound Medicine Pavilion’s spirit grass and medicinal pill business thrived, with a constant stream of customers in the front hall. However, most information involved sensitive matters, which could not be traded in public.
After passing through a corridor, Song Wen found himself in an exquisite courtyard surrounded on three sides by buildings containing numerous private chambers.
The maid led him into a modest chamber, invited him to sit, and poured tea before asking, "May I inquire what kind of information you seek, Senior?"
Song Wen picked up his teacup from the side table, took a slow sip, and said deliberately, "The information I require is beyond your capabilities. Have your steward come here."
"This...?" The maid hesitated.
"I am a Void Refinement Stage cultivator," Song Wen added.
The maid’s eyes widened slightly, and her face paled with fear. Her knees buckled, and she was about to prostrate herself.
"Senior, please forgive this junior... I had no idea you were so distinguished..."
"No need."
Song Wen interrupted her, waving a hand to stop her from kneeling. The maid only had Foundation Establishment cultivation and couldn’t discern the depth of his power, so her apprehension was understandable. After all, not everyone was qualified to meet the steward of the Profound Medicine Pavilion.
"Go inform your steward," Song Wen said.
"Yes, senior. Please wait here." The maid bowed and hurried out of the secret chamber.
After about fifteen minutes, a slightly coquettish voice drifted in from outside the door.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting, senior. Please don’t take offense."
Before the voice finished, a woman in the late divine transformation stage strode into the chamber. She appeared to be in her early thirties, dressed in flamboyant, gaudy attire, her face heavily made-up. A pale cleavage was visible between her breasts.
She curtsied to Song Wen and asked, "May I inquire what information you seek from our establishment, senior?"
Creak!
At that moment, the chamber door swung shut on its own.
Song Wen glanced at the woman, a flicker of surprise in his heart. The Profound Medicine Pavilion, being a large and reputable establishment, typically appointed experienced and capable stewards. It was rare to find someone as alluring as this woman in such a position.
"Please have a seat, Manager. We can discuss this at our leisure," Song Wen said, gesturing to the empty wooden chair beside him.
"Thank you, Senior," the woman replied, accepting without hesitation and settling into the chair.
"May I ask your name?" Song Wen inquired.
"I am Duan Qingwan," she responded, then asked, "And may I know your esteemed name, Senior?"
"Feng Xin," Song Wen replied.
"So you are Senior Feng Xin. I pay my respects," Duan Qingwan said, cupping her hands in a formal gesture.
"You bear the surname Duan and manage this Profound Medicine Pavilion. Are you related to the Duan Family of Mount Taichuan?" Song Wen asked.
"I am indeed from the Duan Family of Mount Taichuan. The Profound Medicine Pavilion is our family’s enterprise," Duan Qingwan confirmed.
"So the Profound Medicine Pavilion is a Duan Family enterprise? I must confess I was unaware," Song Wen said.
"You are too kind, Senior," Duan Qingwan replied.
After exchanging pleasantries, Song Wen cut to the chase. "Manager Duan, I’ve come today for information about ’Gou Jun.’"
"Gou Jun?" Duan Qingwan’s heavily made-up face showed a flicker of uncertainty. "Are you referring to the one who possesses the Nine Calamity Heaven-Measuring Sword and for whom Ancestor Yuanrong of the Myriad Swords Pavilion has offered a bounty?"
"Precisely," Song Wen replied.
"This shop does possess some information about him," Duan Qingwan said, and a jade slip materialized in her hand, which she offered to Song Wen.
After taking the jade slip and reviewing its contents, Song Wen’s expression turned slightly disappointed.
"Manager Duan, I’ve heard fellow daoists refer to this establishment as the premier information shop in Thousand Blades City. I came here in good spirits, but you’ve given me such widely known information. Doesn’t that seem rather inadequate?"
The jade slip contained only details about the battle at Wushang Lake’s Wu Clan and the bounty placed on Ancestor Yuanrong—identical to the information Song Wen had already purchased from other shops.
"My apologies, senior," Duan Qingwan said apologetically. "This shop has no other information."
"Is that truly all?" Song Wen asked, his eyes filled with suspicion as he stared intently into her eyes. "Or are there some details you’re reluctant to share?"
"You jest, senior," Duan Qingwan replied with a light laugh, covering her mouth. "This shop welcomes all customers. There’s no reason we’d turn away a guest."
"Ah..."
Song Wen sighed suddenly, a hint of melancholy in his voice.
"Manager Duan, to be frank, I’m gathering information about Gou Jun on behalf of a certain Master. That Master seems to bear some grudge against Gou Jun but has been unable to track his movements. If there were truly any significant information about Gou Jun, that Master wouldn’t hesitate to pay handsomely in spirit stones. It’s just a pity that Gou Jun’s whereabouts are so elusive—not a single clue can be found."
Having finished speaking, Song Wen rose to his feet, preparing to leave.
"Senior, wait a moment," Duan Qingwan suddenly called out.
"Oh?" Song Wen turned his head to look at her. "May I ask what guidance you have, Manager Duan?"
"I suddenly recalled," Duan Qingwan said, "that our establishment does indeed possess more information about Gou Jun. However, this information was collected by Clan Elder Duan Huo. I cannot decide whether to sell it or at what price; those decisions must be made by Elder Duan Huo himself."
A smile spread across Song Wen’s face.
Indeed, spirit stones reveal one’s true nature, and wealth moves the heart.
Hearing that a powerful figure was interested in "information about Gou Jun," Duan Qingwan had finally changed her tune.
This confirmed that the "information about Gou Jun" had not leaked from the Profound Medicine Pavilion.
In other words, if he eliminated the relevant individuals, the secrets of the shadow void and the Substitute Puppet would be buried once more.
However, without offering a sky-high price, it would be difficult to sway Duan Qingwan and the clan elder behind her.
Song Wen wasn’t worried about this. He could easily offer a price they couldn’t refuse.
After all, he wasn’t here to trade; he was here to kill.
Moreover, if these people died, Gu Huang in the Ancient Yellow Springs would surely be pleased.
The Profound Medicine Pavilion had taken his benefits but failed to deliver. By eliminating these individuals, Song Wen would indirectly avenge Gu Huang.
In that case, shouldn’t Gu Huang be thanking me? Song Wen thought to himself.
(End of the Chapter)
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