This nameless city was a veritable snake pit — swindlers and conmen were as common as dirt. Yang Kai had only just arrived, but such things were nothing new to him, so he paid them little mind.
The man had probably pegged Yang Kai and Zhang Ruoxi as young newcomers — easy marks ripe for exploitation — and figured he could score a quick fortune by approaching them.
Yang Kai had no intention of humoring the likes of him, but a vaguely familiar figure suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Back in Maple Leaf City, when he had first encountered the Grand Emperor Duan Hongchen, the man had cut roughly the same slovenly figure…
Thinking of Duan Hongchen's circumstances, Yang Kai couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. He had no idea how things were going with Duan Hongchen after his soul had merged with Wu Kuang's.
"Friend, are you interested or not? Give me an answer! If you don't want it, I'll find someone else!" The man saw that Yang Kai seemed to have drifted off and couldn't help but press him.
Yang Kai glanced at him and released a brief pulse of his Emperor Yuan. It was there and gone in an instant.
The man's face changed. He stumbled back several steps, his expression one of utter shock. "So you're an Emperor Realm expert!"
His own strength was nothing to scoff at — a Dao Source Realm, second stage — and Yang Kai's release of Emperor Yuan had been crystal clear to his senses. Only then did he realize he had misjudged the situation: this unremarkable young man was not someone he could afford to cross.
Panic setting in, he forced an awkward smile. "Since the expert has no need, this humble one shall take his leave."
You had to be joking — the only people he dared swindle were Dao Source Realm warriors. Going up against an Emperor Realm cultivator? He didn't have the courage for that. He was already making to leave in a hurry, not wanting to stick around and earn Yang Kai's wrath.
"Wait!" Yang Kai called out to him.
Beads of cold sweat formed on the man's forehead. "The expert has further instructions?"
Yang Kai said, "Judging by your look, you've been here quite a while?"
"If the expert must know, I've been living here for over thirty years."
"Thirty years!" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "Then you know quite a bit about the Barbarian Lands?"
Yang Kai's easy manner seemed to put the man at ease, and his composure gradually returned. "I do. Naturally, I do."
"I have some questions for you," Yang Kai said casually.
"About the Barbarian Lands?" The man was quick-witted; he guessed at once.
Yang Kai nodded. "Is there somewhere around here we can talk in private?"
The man grinned obliquely. "If it pleases the expert, I can lead you to a place. It's just that the cost there is a bit… steep."
"No matter. Lead the way!" Yang Kai waved his hand.
The man was delighted and hurried ahead to show the way.
Before long, the three of them arrived at what appeared to be a tavern. From the outside, it looked as haphazardly constructed as everything else in the city. But stepping inside revealed an entirely different world — the interior was luxuriously appointed. Thick beast hides covered the floor, their origin unknown, and fist-sized luminous pearls dotted the walls, casting a soft glow that bathed the entire establishment in warm light.
A faint, exotic fragrance drifted through the air, refreshing the mind and invigorating the spirit the moment it was inhaled.
One look at the tavern's ambiance told Yang Kai that its owner must be someone of considerable means — otherwise, it would have been impossible to outfit the place with such luxury.
The moment the three stepped inside, a young man dressed as a server emerged. The instant he laid eyes on the rat-faced man, he waved him off dismissively. "Shoo, shoo! A place like this is no room for the likes of you, Pi San. Scram before you dirty the floor."
Though this server was merely a greeter, he possessed a cultivation at the Saint King Realm, third stage — and he didn't look particularly old, either.
This piqued Yang Kai's interest. The tavern seemed to be hiding dragons among tigers. A Saint King Realm third-stage cultivator was nothing in his eyes, but using one as a mere greeter was something of a waste of talent.
The man called Pi San flew into a rage, veins bulging on his forehead. "Don't you look down your nose at people, brother! I've brought this expert here to dine today. Bring out your best food and drink — don't worry about Origin Crystals to pay!"
He strutted with the borrowed air of authority, waving Yang Kai's prestige around like a flag — a sight that was almost comical.
"An expert?" The server finally turned his gaze to Yang Kai and Zhang Ruoxi, his brows furrowing slightly.
Zhang Ruoxi was one thing — she looked about twenty. No matter how talented, she couldn't possibly be an Emperor Realm cultivator. Yang Kai, on the other hand, had a certain restrained depth about him, suggesting no small measure of power.
Having spent years greeting guests at this establishment, the server had honed a sharp eye. One glance told him Yang Kai was most likely an Emperor Realm cultivator — otherwise, Pi San wouldn't have been calling him "expert."
Since they were here to dine, there was no reason to turn them away. He stepped aside hastily and said with a bow, "Please come in, honored guests."
Pi San, still wearing an obsequious grin, bobbed his head and led the way. "This way, expert! I'll take you to a private room — much better for conversation."
Yang Kai nodded and followed Pi San deeper inside.