While having his dinner back at the lounge area of the inn, Zhao Yunxiao quickly noticed that he was not the only cultivator staying there.
But just like how he had noticed that, the other cultivators seemed to have realised the same thing. Unlike the other cultivators whom he had encountered on the streets during the day, most of them suppressed their conversations to prevent others from eavesdropping.
Still, the treasures that many of them were holding onto made their identities apparent for anyone with a discerning eye. After all, not everyone could afford spatial items.
"I'm new to Thousand Autumn City. What are some things that I need to know?" Zhao Yunxiao asked while slipping a few copper coins into the hands of the waiter as the food was delivered. "I heard that there are many cultivators in the city right now?"
He deliberately did this in a way that could be seen as both secretive and clumsy – just enough to avoid the detection of ordinary mortals, but not nearly enough to go undetected by cultivators.
At the same time, he secretly paid attention to everyone in the inn, making sure to remember everyone who had shown even the slightest of reactions.
"Ah, so you are new here," the waiter smoothly put away the silver pieces. "You heard right – there are indeed many cultivators in the city right now. I can't say for sure, but I heard from some that they have been drawn here by the Scarlet Leaf Sect's recent activity in the region, wanting to do their part to get rid of those evildoers."
"Oh, I've only heard rumours about the recent kidnappings, but have they already been confirmed to be done by the Scarlet Leaf Sect?" Zhao Yunxiao asked.
"I'm just a lowly waiter, so don't take my word for it. In the end, I've only heard it from others as well," the waiter shrugged. "That said, various cultivators have been patrolling the region, so who knows? We might just be getting confirmed reports about it very soon!"
"I see. Is there anything else?" Zhao Yunxiao nodded, not probing further into the matter.
"Well, on top of that..."
With money as fuel, the waiter's mouth kept moving. By the time he was done, he had already covered just about everything he knew regarding Thousand Autumn City.
After returning to his room, Zhao Yunxiao closed his eyes and focused his senses while sitting cross-legged in his bed.
Back in the Black Tortoise Sect's Sect Library numerous kilometres away, Zhao Yunxiao Two went through scroll after scroll, corroborating the waiter's words with the official records. By comparing the consistency of available information, he wanted to see just how much of the waiter's words could be taken seriously.
At the same time, he also thought back to the other cultivators' reactions as the waiter spoke.
Amusement, interest, disdain, indifference – these were all reactions that he had observed from the other cultivators when it came to different topics.
Even these reactions could be considered valuable information as well.
As cultivators, it was possible that they had already looked into many matters, and managed to obtain information that the waiter was not privy to.
By combining the bits and pieces like he was putting together a complex puzzle, Zhao Yunxiao quickly formed a mental picture of the current situation within Thousand Autumn City.
Only then did he pop a Winterwarmth Pill in satisfaction, ending the night with his daily meditation routine.
***
"Help! Someone, help!"
Zhao Yunxiao's eyes shot open as he picked up on the loud pleas coming from the streets outside.
He rushed to open the window, looking out from his second-storey room to check out what the commotion was about. He was clearly not the only one curious as well, with the other windows similarly opening one by one.
However, none of these spectators bothered with one another. Instead, all of them focused their attention on the bloody scene that was currently playing out on the street.
Two individuals limped along the street with their bodies covered in wounds. Their robes were tattered, torn, and stained red with blood. In fact, there was even fresh blood dripping down from their seams to form a faint trail behind them.
Judging from the treasure swords that hung from their waists, it was highly likely that they were cultivators. That was what truly made this situation concerning.
Whoosh-! Whoosh-!
Before any ordinary mortals had the time to react, individuals were already leaping out of their room windows from multiple inns along the street, quickly gathering around the two injured men.
"What's going on? What happened to you?"
"Please help us! We can't hold on any longer!"
"Yes, we are willing to pay for medical help!"
"Be patient. I need to know what happened before we can help."
"That's right, tell us what happened to you so we know how best to help you."
Although the cultivators had rushed to the two injured men's side, it was clear that they were not intending to attend to them immediately.
That was understandable as well.
The cultivation world was a practical one. If these two had gotten their injuries from someone whom others could not afford to offend, it was likely that no one would bother helping them in the end.
After all, there were not many in this world willing to implicate themselves for strangers.
The two injured men seemed to have realised that as well. Despite their obvious reluctance, they had no choice but to reveal some information in order to receive the medical aid that they desperately needed.
"We discovered key information on the Scarlet Leaf Sect. They are the ones who did this to us," one of the injured men revealed. "We are willing to share our information with whoever helps us out!"
"I have a great elixir back in my room that can definitely help with your wounds. Why don't you follow me back?" one of the cultivators replied without hesitation.
"Hold it," another cultivator interjected. "My clan has a secret body paste that is unrivalled in its recovery properties. I'm sure it will be of greater help."
"Neither of your medicines can be as good as this Twelve Flower Paste that I have in my possession."
"No, mine is better! It is sourced from the highest peaks in..."
"No, mine!"
"Ignore them all and follow me. I can get you up to speed within a single day!"
"Wait, did you just look down on my secret medicine?"
"Who do you think you are? Do you even know who I am?"
It would appear that the two injured men's offer was far too tempting to pass up on. All of a sudden, the cultivators had discarded their cautious dispositions and were fighting over the chance to help the two injured men, with words gradually escalating to become sharper and harsher.
This might seem strange to some because all that had been mentioned was information on the Scarlet Leaf Sect, but most cultivators understood that the first to get to the Scarlet Leaf Sect would naturally have first dibs on the treasures in their possession.
In fact, the main reason why so many cultivators had gathered after hearing about the activities of the Scarlet Leaf Sect was not due to their sense of righteousness, but because they saw it as an opportunity to loot without restraints!
Even though they had already expected something similar, the two injured men were still shocked at the level of response.
They had only revealed a little – what they deemed just enough to entice these cultivators into helping them. Who knew that even that would give rise to such a fierce argument?
At this point, it was no longer up to the two injured men to choose who to go with, since none of the cultivators were willing to be left out. This also meant delayed medical attention for them – medical attention that they desperately needed right now.
"Give way!" a shout suddenly came from afar.
As though recognising this voice, the cultivators present immediately quietened down, even opening a path to allow the newcomer to pass through.
This newcomer was a man who looked to be in his fifties, donning heavy armour engraved with a regalia that everyone recognised at once.
The regalia of the Thousand Autumn City.
As if that was not enough to determine the newcomer's identity, he was even followed by a dozen soldiers, all of them donning armour with the exact same regalia.
"Greetings, General Tie."
"You are here, General Tie."
Some cultivators who knew this man greeted him with a certain level of respect, while others remained silent. Yet no matter which group they belonged to, nobody looked happy about his appearance.
General Tie Huaheng – the highest-ranked soldier under the city lord's faction. He was known for his absolute loyalty to the city lord, which also meant that he would spare no expense in catering to the latter's greed.
Now that he had arrived, it was clear that the city lord wanted a slice of the pie.
"Your injuries are serious, but don't worry. My Lord will take charge of this matter and make sure that you recover," General Tie Huaheng assured. "Men, help bring them back to the city hall!"
The two injured men could not help but let out a sigh of relief. They could finally see light at the end of the tunnel. But before they could actually leave with General Tie Huaheng, the cultivators started to express their discontent.
"General Tie, don't you think that this isn't too appropriate?" one cultivator said.
"The city authorities have a responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone in the city, so it is naturally our duty to help them with the healing process," General Tie Huaheng replied confidently. "Tell me, what am I doing that is inappropriate?"
"This..."
"We understand that the city lord has always been toiling for the good of the people, but these two brothers look very injured," another cultivator chimed in. "Instead of bringing them all the way back to the city hall, why don't I help them right here instead? That will provide them with more timely medical assistance."
"No, no, I can do it instead!"
"No, me!"
"Tch! Bunch of greedy foxes!" General Tie Huaheng cursed out loud. "Don't think that I don't know what you lot are thinking about! All you are after is the information on the Scarlet Leaf Sect! How can you only think about that when lives are at stake here?"
"That isn't very fair, General Tie. Aren't you the same?" someone replied unhappily.
"What did you say?" General Tie Huaheng narrowed his eyes at him.
The latter promptly avoided eye contact and guiltily stepped behind another person. Nevertheless, none of the cultivators truly backed down.
It was clear that nobody was convinced about General Tie Huaheng taking the two injured men away with him.
"Fine, if this is what you want, then so be it!" General Tie Huaheng said. "Tomorrow, we will hold a private discussion at the city hall, sharing all the information that we have gathered regarding the Scarlet Leaf Sect. We might as well take this as an opportunity to discuss how we can work together and get rid of the threat in the region once and for all. As for the attendees, this private discussion will be open to anyone who can produce proof that they belong to an orthodox faction! Are you bunch satisfied now?"
The various cultivators exchanged glances upon hearing that.
"General Tie is wise. In that case, we shan't hinder your noble effort in helping the injured."
"I will look forward to hearing about their recovery tomorrow."
"The city lord's faction has always had everyone's well-being at heart. Admirable indeed."
Perhaps it was because he understood just how much this matter concerned the interests of the cultivators present, but this was a rare compromise by General Tie Huaheng, especially considering his track record.
The experienced cultivators knew that this was probably already the limit of what they could get from him, and knew better than to push their luck at this point. Otherwise, things could turn really ugly if General Tie Huaheng suddenly decided to settle things by force.
After all, words and attitudes alone were insufficient for someone to acquire the position of the highest-ranked soldier under the city lord. Pure individual strength still mattered the most!
Much to the two injured men's relief, they could finally leave with General Tie Huaheng now that the cultivators had been appeased.
Zhao Yunxiao rubbed his chin in contemplation as he watched General Tie Huaheng depart with the soldiers in tow.
He was definitely curious about the information that would be shared in the discussion tomorrow. Being in the know would help him plan future actions with greater clarity. Moreover, he was also confident that his identity as a disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect was equivalent to a free pass into the discussion.
However, he knew better than to entertain this dangerous thought.
The moment he revealed his identity and joined in the discussion, he might no longer be able to separate himself from the matter. The Black Tortoise Sect had always been a prominent leader of the orthodox faction, so saying that he was just there to listen would not cut it as an excuse.
And be it the city lord's faction, the various cultivators who had gathered at Thousand Autumn City, or the Scarlet Leaf Sect, he did not wish to be involved with any of them.
If the city lord and the other cultivators could get rid of the threat of the Scarlet Leaf Sect in the region, that was for the best. In that case, they certainly deserved to be rewarded for their efforts.
If they failed to do so, then Zhao Yunxiao would only be putting himself in harm's way by getting involved. After all, confronting the Scarlet Leaf Sect would most certainly be a violent process.
No, even if the result ended up as a huge success, it could still be risky for an Essence Gathering realm cultivator like him to get involved!
Even if he did not end up dying by the blades of the members of the Scarlet Leaf Sect in the midst of securing victory, nobody could guarantee that the other cultivators would not bury a dagger in his back just to secure a bigger slice of the spoils for themselves!
That's right, ignore all these distractions. His goal here was clear – complete the sect mission and leave for Blueflag Mountain as soon as possible.
As for all those riskier matters, let's just leave it to those willing to bear the risks.