Simultaneous Transmigration: The Re-merging of 99 Selves

Chapter 19 The Qingcheng Sect's Lair

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

He still needed to return to Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, every day, so it was really difficult for him to stay here.

"No need to leave the address." Zhao Yu said, reaching into his robes and taking out a five-tael snowflake-patterned silver ingot, which he gently placed on the table.

The silver coin made a crisp, light sound as it touched the table.

The shopkeeper's eyes widened instantly as he stared at the silver ingot, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

"Shopkeeper, you've helped me inquire about Xiangyang Lane, so I should naturally pay you for your trouble." Zhao Yu said calmly, his gaze fixed on the shopkeeper. "Take this silver ingot for now. I'll come back to your restaurant in a few days. If you find out accurate information, I will reward you handsomely."

"Oh dear! I... I can't accept this!"

The shopkeeper looked ashamed, but his hand unconsciously reached for the table, and he kept muttering, "Young master, you have helped us so much. It is only my duty to help you find out some information. How can we let you spend money? This is absolutely not allowed."

Zhao Yu saw it clearly and found it amusing.

He had seen this merchant's sycophantic face many times, whether in the restaurants and teahouses of Lin'an in the Southern Song Dynasty or in the streets and alleys of Fuzhou in the Ming Dynasty.

However, he was not averse to it; a fair transaction is the most common principle in the world.

Zhao Yu raised his hand and pushed the silver ingot across the table to the shopkeeper's face: "Take it, thank you for your trouble, shopkeeper."

The shopkeeper quickly reached out and took the silver. It felt heavy in his hand, and when his fingertips touched the cool silver ingot, his smile instantly widened.

He bowed repeatedly to Zhao Yu, saying, "Young master, rest assured! I will ask all my friends in the city to inquire today! Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, I will definitely find this Xiangyang Alley for you! I guarantee I will give you a definite answer within three days!"

After expressing his gratitude profusely, the shopkeeper happily returned to the counter with the silver.

Only the waiter remained at the table, still standing with his back bent, his eyes glancing towards the counter from time to time, his face full of envy and longing, looking eager to try it out.

Zhao Yu saw this and his heart stirred slightly.

Snakes have their own paths, and rats have theirs.

The shopkeeper knew mostly prominent figures in the city, but the waiters who ran around the streets every day were more knowledgeable about the hidden corners of the city.

Some unsavory gossip is beyond the reach of the shopkeeper, but these insignificant people might have their own connections.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yu looked up at the waiter and smiled faintly: "Don't just stand there watching."

The waiter was taken aback, then quickly came to his senses and bowed, saying, "What are your orders, sir?"

"You can also help me find out some information about Xiangyang Alley," Zhao Yu said casually. "As long as you can find the location of Xiangyang Alley for me, I'll still give you a reward. As for the amount, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Upon hearing this, the waiter's eyes lit up instantly, and his face turned bright red.

"Don't worry, young master!" The waiter bowed deeply to Zhao Yu at a ninety-degree angle, his voice trembling.

"Even if I don't sleep, I'll ask every single alley and lane in the city! I'll go door to door and find this Xiangyang Alley for you!"

Zhao Yu smiled and nodded, then waved for him to leave. He picked up his chopsticks and tasted the Fuzhou home-style dishes on the table.

The cuisine of the Ming Dynasty was somewhat different from that of the Southern Song Dynasty. The sweet and sour flavor of Fujian cuisine had a unique taste, and compared with the exquisite pastries of Lin'an, it had a more down-to-earth and lively feel.

He ate his food and drank his wine slowly, but in his mind he was planning his next move.

If these people can't find out any news about Xiangyang Lane, then I'll have no choice but to go to Fuwei Escort Agency.

Even if we have to force our way in, we still have to get our hands on the sword manual.

Otherwise, the important task I'm about to accomplish will always lack some support.

In the martial arts world, the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual might be considered an evil technique, but in Zhao Yu's hands, it was perfectly suited.

After all, the place with the most eunuchs in the world is the palace.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Zhao Yu put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and looked up at the waiter waiting beside him.

He casually asked, "Those two Qingcheng Sect members from earlier, have they been coming to your shop for drinks every day lately?"

The waiter nodded hurriedly: "Young master, that's right! These two have been here for almost half a month. They come early every morning and drink until dark before leaving. Every time they come, they are picky and demanding. If they are not happy, they will beat people and curse in the street."

Zhao Yu hummed in agreement, then asked, "Do you know where they live in Fuzhou?"

Upon hearing this, the waiter was first taken aback, then his eyes widened and his face instantly lit up with excitement.

In his view, these chivalrous heroes were always quick to settle scores and eliminate any potential threats.

This young master just taught those two villains a lesson, and now he's asking where they live, surely he's going to seek revenge and prevent any future trouble!

He looked around, took a half step forward, and whispered mysteriously to Zhao Yu, "Young master, when I was serving them drinks, I overheard them mention that the two of them are staying at the Qingxu Temple in the west of the city. That temple is right at the foot of the west city wall, in a very remote place, and usually only a few old Taoist priests live there."

Zhao Yu nodded slightly and memorized the address.

He didn't intend to kill them all; it's just that these two Qingcheng Sect disciples were sent by Yu Canghai as outposts to monitor the Fuwei Escort Agency.

Since he had nothing else to do, he decided to go and find out what was going on in the story so he could prepare accordingly.

Left with no other choice, Zhao Yu had to step in to help Lin Pingzhi's family out of their predicament in exchange for the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual.

After thinking it over, Zhao Yu stood up, took out some loose silver coins, and casually tossed them toward the counter.

"Shopkeeper, here's the money for the meal."

The shopkeeper hurriedly ran over with the silver, saying, "Young master, it was agreed that this meal would be on me, please take it back quickly."

"No need." Zhao Yu's tone carried an undeniable air of authority. "I don't like to take advantage of others. You help me gather information, I pay you; you run a restaurant, I eat there, so naturally I have to pay for my meal. One thing at a time."

After he finished speaking, the shopkeeper dared not reply and had no choice but to accept the money.

In his previous life, Zhao Yu was just an ordinary person in modern society who had to work hard for money.

But now that he is of noble birth, he naturally disdains to take advantage of such a small thing.

After saying that, Zhao Yu didn't wait for the innkeeper to speak again, and turned around and walked out of the restaurant.

Zhao Yu mounted his horse, reined in his horse, and looked toward the west of Fuzhou City, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

With a gentle squeeze of his legs, the horse neighed loudly, its hooves flailing as it galloped westward, kicking up a cloud of dust.