Beneath the veil of night.
The old beggar brought Bu Bu to float above the clouds, overlooking the myriad of lights within and without Weishan Prefecture.
Weishan Prefecture was brightly lit, with oil lamps burning in every household.
Even after nightfall, many pedestrians walked and hawked along the roadside, making for a lively scene.
In stark contrast, outside Weishan Prefecture, those citizens who had failed to enter the city before the gates closed could only guard by the entrance. They would pull half a piece of dry ration from their bags and stuff it into their mouths, daring not to drink water.
If they drank too much water, they would inevitably need to find a place to relieve themselves, and then the line would have to be re-queued.
Bu Bu gazed at everything before her, not speaking first. It was the old beggar who, seeing this, asked.
"How long has it been since you last saw such a scene?"
"You want to know?"
Upon hearing this, Bu Bu withdrew her gaze from the crowd and looked back at the old beggar. "Then, as a junior, shouldn't you answer my question first?"
"Tsk, such a bold tone for a little girl!"
The old beggar said, then lay back down on the cloud, resuming his rogue-like demeanor. "I am now a thousand years old, yet you are merely a child with hair still yellow.
You tell me, who is the junior here?"
Bu Bu remained silent, merely watching the old beggar, using her eyes and actions to convey that she did not count it that way.
"Hmph!"
The old beggar snorted coldly and simply crossed his legs. "Not talking? Then we'll just endure this, and see who gives in first!"
He was wary of Bu Bu, wary of the fact that behind her was his all-powerful master. However, this did not mean he had to be respectful to Bu Bu.
If he were to do so, his master would only look down on him even more.
It was best to act as he pleased!
Perhaps there would be an unexpected gain!
"Heh..."
Bu Bu let out a cold laugh but paid it no mind, considering herself too weak at the moment to be on his level for conversation.
If that was the case, then why not follow his rules for now?
"I'd guess at least ten thousand years."
Bu Bu replied casually, without giving an exact time, and then asked, "What is the current state of the world? Tell me in detail."
Ten thousand years?
The old beggar frowned. He could tell Bu Bu was not lying.
If she were truly a contingency plan laid out by his master, it shouldn't have been as long as ten thousand years! Had he guessed wrong?
Or perhaps... his master had found the reincarnation of an ancient monster from somewhere to protect the treasure?!
Never mind, he would observe carefully first!
The old beggar thought for a moment, then crossed his legs, shaking his head and humming. "What is the state of the world? Is the cultivation world not still controlled by the Immortal Palaces and Demonic Caves?
However, there have been some changes in the forces of the Northwest Heaven. The Northwest Emperor has been missing for nearly a hundred years, leading to the downfall of Guiwu Immortal Sect, one of the Nine Great Immortal Sects. It has since split into many small sects and factions, and is now completely under the control of the Immortal Palaces."
As the old beggar spoke, he kept a close watch on Bu Bu's reaction, but did not notice any emotional fluctuation from her.
"Mm."
Bu Bu responded indifferently, as if she had not taken the old beggar's words to heart. She then asked again, "So... this is why you cultivate the demonic path internally and the immortal path externally?"
Thump!
The old beggar's heart skipped a beat, and a hint of vigilance flashed in his eyes as he looked at Bu Bu!
How did she see through him!
He had fallen from immortal to demon, and had been exploring the path of dual cultivation of immortal and demon for a long time, yet his Nascent Soul and internal cultivation techniques were still of the immortal path.
Let alone ordinary people, even cultivators of his own level would not be able to find any clues!
This little girl, despite having no cultivation, could see through his hidden secret with a single remark. Clearly, it was entirely due to experience or accumulation.
This was too terrifying!
What realm was she... in her previous life?
The old beggar's expression remained unchanged, and he simply uncrossed his legs. "Little girl, according to the rules, I should be the one asking the questions, right?"
Bu Bu did not speak, merely watching the old beggar silently.
Regarding the previous question, he had already given her the answer, so it made no difference whether she asked or not.
The old beggar naturally understood this and then asked another question. "You know what the jade on that kid is, right?"
"Yes."
Bu Bu did not hesitate. After admitting it, she did not reveal the detailed information about the Immortal Jade, but instead asked back, "You know too?"
"Of course!"
The old beggar did not hide anything. Then, the two looked at each other and spoke the same sentence in unison!
"You want to seize the Immortal Jade."
"You want to seize the Immortal Jade."
The two smiled at each other and spoke no more, but silently observed each other.
The conversation had clearly reached its limit.
Whether it was Bu Bu or the old beggar, both had sufficient ability and confidence to snatch the Immortal Jade from Yun Ze. However, neither of them made a move, but instead quietly stayed by Yun Ze's side.
Since this was the case, both the old beggar and Bu Bu understood that the other had a reason for not being able to act, just like themselves.
But neither of them would ask this question.
Because once asked, it would mean they would have to reveal that answer as well.
It was enough for them to know that their goals were the same. As for what to do next, that was a matter for later.
After dozens of breaths, Bu Bu was just about to ask the old beggar to take her down, when at the next moment, a sudden explosion rang out, followed by a storm of spiritual energy!
Boom!
Both of them simultaneously looked down, and then frowned.
That location was... the inn! The inn where they had previously stayed!
...
A quarter of an hour ago.
As the constable's words rang out, whether it was the commoners standing on the upper floor watching the show, or the "black-skinned dogs" below, everyone looked up at the second floor.
Yun Ze's attire was too conspicuous.
If it were usual, no one would pay much attention. But once pointed out, it would naturally attract extreme attention.
Yun Ze quickly thought about what to do. Glancing at Han Si's head, which had died with its eyes wide open, a sudden inspiration struck him!
Perhaps, it was time!
"Yes! It's you! Take off your bamboo hat for me!"
The constable didn't care about any of that. Seeing Yun Ze not move, he continued to shout, even drawing the long saber at his waist. "Quick! Don't force me to act!"
Yun Ze did not reply, nor did he make a move to take off his bamboo hat.
He simply took a calm step forward, stepped onto the railing, and leaped down!
Seeing this, the people below quickly dodged, creating a small open space in the already crowded inn for Yun Ze to land and stand.
The constable's heart tightened. He vaguely guessed something. Thinking of the fate of his colleagues, he immediately drew his saber and pointed it at Yun Ze. "Don't... don't move! Take off your bamboo hat first!"
Confirm!
He still wanted to confirm who the person in front of him was first!
"Does it still matter whether you take off your bamboo hat or not?"
Yun Ze asked back calmly, then looked up at the constable, revealing his eyes. "Could it be... you've forgotten me?"
The constable met his gaze. The moment he saw those eyes, his suspicion was instantly confirmed, and he immediately raised his saber and shouted!
"Go! Go quickly!"
"Kill this brat for me! Hurry!"