"Didn’t you ask how the Hall Master of the Four Seas Gang died?"
"I did. They say he was out hunting someone and ended up being killed instead. It was such sweet justice. You have no idea how the girl singing for us was crying when she heard the news. It just shows how much these guys were hated."
Shang Jingchuan droned on, then went inside to change his clothes.
Taking advantage of the moment, Shang Luoluo leaned in closer to Zhao Ya and asked in a low voice, "Was it you?"
Zhao Ya nodded.
"I knew it...," Shang Luoluo sighed, "Is it because of the person you’re looking for in the Capital City?"
"Yes."
"Where is the person?"
"Already found and settled."
"That’s good. Be careful with everything. Yan Capital City is different from Yunxiao County; it’s much more complicated here. Especially the Four Seas Gang, which definitely has a big sect backing it, along with many top families involved. It’s a web of tangled power. Don’t confront them head-on unless you’re sure."
Seeing the worry on Shang Luoluo’s face, Zhao Ya smiled slightly, reaching out to pinch her nose.
"Alright, don’t worry. Don’t you know my temperament? I won’t do anything I’m not sure of."
The intimate gesture made Shang Luoluo blush instantly. She covered her nose, glancing at Zhao Ya with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
"Can’t you just talk without using your hands?"
"What? You can bite me but I can’t use my hands?" Zhao Ya laughed.
"Oh, I don’t want to listen to this nonsense!"
Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Shang Luoluo covered her ears and fled.
Zhao Ya watched with a smile.
At that moment, Zui’Er appeared beside Zhao Ya, surprised, "Huh, what’s wrong with Luoluo?"
"Nothing much, probably ate something bad by accident."
Although still puzzled, Zui’Er stopped as a guard walked in from outside, holding a piece of paper.
"Master Zhao, someone just asked me to give this to you."
"Oh?"
Zhao Ya reached out to take it, and upon opening, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Just as he was looking for him, he came ahead of time.
The letter was sent by Yun Yuan, setting a location to meet.
"Zui’Er, tell your sister Luoluo that I have some matters to attend to tonight and might return late, so no need to wait for me for dinner."
"Okay, okay."
Zui’Er never questioned Zhao Ya too much.
In her view, the matters Zhao Ya attended to must be of top priority. Since she couldn’t assist much, asking was fruitless, better to support him silently.
Following the address in the letter, Zhao Ya arrived at an inconspicuous restaurant and met Yun Yuan in a private room on the second floor.
After many days, Yun Yuan’s condition had improved a lot, at least he wasn’t as disheveled as when he was being ambushed and pursued.
Upon seeing Zhao Ya, Yun Yuan quickly rose and bowed.
"Young Hero Zhao!"
Zhao Ya waved his hand, straightforwardly asking, "Did you bring the things?"
"I did, please take a look."
With that, Yun Yuan produced a small box and handed it over respectfully.
Receiving it, Zhao Ya immediately sensed a faint aroma of meat, making his stomach stir with anticipation, bringing a smile to his face.
Ever since entering the half-step of the Fifth Realm, Zhao Ya’s demand for Qi blood had grown immensely, and ordinary jerky no longer sufficed.
The sensation of his stomach being stirred had not been felt for a long time.
Zhao Ya gently opened the box, revealing neatly arranged pieces of dark, ebony-like jerky.
The rich aroma filled the air, and Zhao Ya felt his stomach grumbling incessantly.
"This is...?"
"This is Seven-Star Black Flood Dragon Dried Meat, something I acquired through great difficulty."
Seven-Star Black Flood Dragon Dried Meat.
Hearing the name, Zhao Ya was slightly moved.
Exotic Beast Dried Meat is generally categorized into ten levels based on the quality of Qi blood contained.
Level one is the lowest, while level ten is the highest.
The Seven-Star Blood Eel Dried Meat which Zhao Ya often consumed in Yunxiao County belonged to level five.
Even though it was level five, Zhao Ya couldn’t eat it freely.
If he hadn’t scoured Yunxiao County for all the Seven-Star Blood Eel Dried Meat before leaving, Zhao Ya would have run out long ago.
Even now, his supply was running low, so Yun Yuan’s Black Flood Dragon Dried Meat was a timely relief.
Zhao Ya gently closed the box lid and then looked at Yun Yuan in front of him.
"The value of this jerky clearly exceeds twenty thousand taels of gold, so... what do you want?"
Zhao Ya knew well that even in Yan Capital City, acquiring such high-grade Exotic Beast Dried Meat like Black Flood Dragon Dried Meat was extremely difficult.
It cannot be measured by money.
Even for Yun Yuan, coming from the prestigious Yun Family, it wasn’t easy to procure such jerky.
Clearly, this was meant to curry favor with him.
So, what did he want to achieve?
Yun Yuan just shook his head upon hearing this.
"Young Hero Zhao, don’t misunderstand; I ask nothing of you. I just wish to express my gratitude. After all, if not for you, I would have perished in Yingtai County."
Zhao Ya gazed at Yun Yuan, seeing the earnest look on his face, and finally nodded.
"Alright, I understand."
With that, Zhao Ya put the box of jerky into his coat.
Seeing this, Yun Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He feared that Zhao Ya wouldn’t accept the jerky.
If that were the case, all his efforts would have been in vain.
Now, seeing Zhao Ya not refuse, Yun Yuan was quite pleased.
For Yun Yuan now, no relationship is more stable than one built on interests.
Not even blood ties.
By accepting his gift, Zhao Ya confirmed the potential for further bonding in the future.
Since the ambush, Yun Yuan deeply felt isolated. Yet in Yan Capital City, though Yun Hao might not dare to act openly against him now, his stepmother’s base of operations was in the city.
If she secretly targeted him, he would stand no chance.
Thus, he thought of aligning with Zhao Ya.
Having witnessed Zhao Ya’s power firsthand.
Being able to single-handedly kill He Town and its elite subordinates, Zhao Ya’s might was terrifying.
When he heard about Zhao Ya’s draw with Yan Xizhao, he wasn’t surprised.
Zhao Ya originally intended to leave right after retrieving his share.
But now, he felt it inappropriate to just leave.
The reason being simple.
Yun Yuan’s generosity was overwhelming.
Born of a top-tier family, Yun Yuan’s grandeur was extraordinary, attacking his weakest point, making refusal impossible.
Zhao Ya surmised Yun Yuan’s motives.
To employ Zhao Ya against his stepmother and her son.
However, as long as he kept supplying this grade of jerky, Zhao Ya was willing to lend a hand.
Thus, Zhao Ya sat down, intending to have a chat with Yun Yuan.
Seeing this, Yun Yuan was overjoyed, immediately ordering food and speaking with Zhao Ya.
"Young Hero Zhao, don’t be fooled by this tavern’s lack of fame; the food is exceptionally good, especially rare ingredients only found here."
Soon, a delightful feast was presented before them.
Yun Yuan’s claim was not an exaggeration.
Most of the dishes on the table were unfamiliar to Zhao Ya.
But after a few bites, Zhao Ya showed surprise.
These dishes contained abundant Qi blood, showcasing the exceptional ingredients used.
"How is it? Not bad, right?" Yun Yuan chuckled.
Zhao Ya nodded, enjoying the meal with gusto.
With Zhao Ya’s appetite, he devoured most of the table in a blink.
After eating, Zhao Ya set down his chopsticks, took a sip of wine, and inquired.
"How’s your situation handling?"
Hearing this, Yun Yuan also set down his cup, his smile replaced by a look of grief.
"Upon returning, I found my father critically ill, unconscious, just waiting to breathe his last. When I reported the road events to my grandfather, he sided with Yun Hao, even asking me not to publicize it!"