"Purple Cloud Store's Treasure?" Xander Xu exclaimed in delight. He hadn't expected to reach the wine cellar so easily, much less to find the Purple Cloud Store's treasure.
Xander Xu was thrilled inside, and couldn't wait to get next to the jar. He opened it, and a rich aroma wafted straight into his nose.
"Wow, it smells amazing." Xander Xu laughed, feeling it was even better than the wine he'd had in the Purple Cloud Winery shop.
Just as he was about to put the lid back on, he started feeling a bit dizzy and muttered, "What's happening to me?"
Suddenly, with a loud thud, Xander Xu—despite being late Divine Cauldron Realm—collapsed right beside the wine jar. Out front, Evan Yang smiled when he heard the noise from the cellar, told the waiter to manage the shop, and headed down himself. Seeing Xander sprawled there, completely drunk and out of it, Evan smiled and walked over to the jar, saying, "Tenfold top-grade wine."
This jar was specially prepared by Evan Yang to lure Xander Xu into opening it, which is why he labeled it as the store's treasure.
Sure enough, Xander Xu did exactly as Evan expected and opened it. When he came to, his head was still foggy, and it wasn't until he realized he was sitting in a chair, unable to move, that he cried out in shock, "What's going on?"
"Don't bother struggling, it's useless," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"Shopkeeper!" Xander Xu exclaimed, then tried to recall what happened before he passed out.
"You dared to steal my wine? That's outrageous." Evan Yang snorted coldly, not bothering to mention Xander's infamous nickname.
Xander Xu gave an awkward laugh. "Your wine really is something else. I couldn't help but be drawn in."
"Just because you're drawn in, you think you can steal?" Evan Yang retorted.
"Well..." Xander Xu couldn't think of an excuse. After all, he'd collapsed right there—caught red-handed. There was no way to explain it.
"You look a lot like someone I know," Evan Yang suddenly remarked, watching Xander's face.
"Who?" Xander Xu asked warily.
"A master thief—Xander Xu," Evan Yang replied, pretending not to recognize him.
"You—" Xander Xu was shocked.
"Isn't that right?" Evan Yang pressed, deliberately.
"No," Xander Xu immediately denied.
"Well, whether you are or not, you tried to steal my wine and I can't do anything about you. So I'll hand you over to Fiend Palace—maybe they'll reward me." Evan Yang said with a smile.
"No, wait—" Xander Xu blurted, realizing if he fell into Fiend Palace's hands, he'd be doomed.
"But you're not Xander Xu, so what are you worried about? Or are you actually him?" Evan Yang asked.
"You guessed it. But please, don't turn me in," Xander Xu pleaded, though deep down he wondered what kind of spell had hit him to leave him so helpless.
"So it really is you?" Evan Yang feigned surprise.
"I have no grudge with you—just stole your wine. Worst case, I'll give you Spirit Crystal Ore. Let me go," Xander Xu said.
"Let you go? But Fiend Palace pays a hefty price," Evan Yang replied.
"Fine, whatever they're offering, I'll pay double," Xander Xu gritted his teeth, convinced Evan Yang was just after money.
Better to spend money to avoid disaster than to lose his life to Fiend Palace.
"Strange, you can be knocked out by wine—why does Fiend Palace chase you so hard? It's not like you're that powerful," Evan Yang tutted.
"You—" Xander Xu was frustrated, both at being knocked out by wine and at Evan Yang's contempt for his cultivation.
Evan Yang smiled and said, "Tell me, how did you offend Fiend Palace? Maybe if I'm in a good mood, I won't turn you in."
"You want to know?" Xander Xu asked, biting his lip.
"Of course, isn't that obvious?" Evan Yang replied suspiciously.
"Because I know a secret, so they want to catch me and interrogate me." Xander Xu said.
"I heard you stole something from them, so why would they interrogate you?" Evan Yang asked curiously, looking at Xander Xu.
"Nonsense! Those bastards—my master left it to me, how is it theirs?" Xander Xu retorted immediately.
"Your master?" Evan Yang knew Xander Xu's master was important, but didn't know him personally.
"Yeah, my master discovered a secret place and marked it on a map." Xander Xu said.
"What secret place?" Evan Yang asked suspiciously.
"Even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand." Xander Xu glared.
"If you won't tell me, I'll turn you in." Evan Yang said.
"Alright, alright, I'll talk. That place is said to be an Immortal's cave dwelling, but that's just rumor." Xander Xu said, annoyed.
"Is that so?" Evan Yang, hearing of an Immortal's cave dwelling, immediately thought of an Immortal Estate. If one was left in the Fiend Realm, it must be extraordinary.
"Yeah, it's absolutely true. Otherwise, I wouldn't be hiding from those damned Fiend Palace people all the time." Xander Xu said.
"Then give me the map." Evan Yang said.
"I knew you'd ask. I'll give it to you, but you have to release me first, otherwise I won't." Xander Xu said.
"Alright." Evan Yang smiled.
Evan Yang unsealed Xander Xu. As soon as Xander could move, he immediately released his aura, trying to escape, but Evan blocked his way and smiled, "Trying to leave?"
"You—!" Xander Xu was shocked that Evan Yang's speed was no worse than his own.
"Don't think you're the only fast one." Evan Yang smiled.
"I don't believe you can stop me." Xander Xu planned to fight Evan Yang, since in his eyes, Evan was only late Divine Cauldron Realm.
But his thinking was too naive. Although his speed was fast, his attack power was no match for Evan Yang, who could move even faster. In no time, Evan subdued him and sealed him again.
"You—" Xander Xu hadn't expected Evan Yang, who seemed to be late Divine Cauldron Realm, to have such explosive power, far beyond what he could match.
"You already wasted one chance. If you try to escape again, next time I catch you, I'll hand you straight to Fiend Palace." Evan Yang said.
Xander Xu never imagined that drinking wine would get him into trouble. Usually, many people searched for him, but he always hid well. This time, he delivered himself right to Evan Yang.
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"Alright, I'll talk." Xander Xu knew he was unlucky today, but he didn't really hand over the complete map to Evan Yang.
Xander Xu handed a map to Evan Yang, who glanced over it and asked, "You haven't been inside?"
"No. There's a powerful formation around it. According to my master, it should be an Immortal formation—even he couldn't get inside." Xander Xu said.
"I see." Evan Yang nodded in understanding.
"Let me go." Xander Xu said.
"Sure, I keep my word. You can go." Evan Yang unsealed him and didn't hand him to Fiend Palace, knowing that if Fiend Palace learned the cave's secret, he'd have to face many experts if he ever went there himself.
So Evan Yang gave up the idea of trading Xander Xu for merit at Fiend Palace.
Xander Xu didn't know Evan Yang's thoughts—he only knew he'd escaped with his life, but held a grudge: "Damn it, you dared capture me, I'll make you pay."
Just as Evan Yang reached the front desk, a group of Fiend Palace people in armor entered his shop. They were strangers, but the strongest was only a Fifth-Rank General.
The Fifth-Rank General entered the shop and announced, "Fiend Palace is handling a case. Everyone else, please go to the entrance."
A case? Fiend Palace?' Many here were people of status—how could they be summoned so casually? One spoke up: "What case is Fiend Palace handling? Let my Eastern family know."
That's right, my Southern Sky family wants to know too.' another chimed in.
The Fiend Palace people realized these guests were influential, so couldn't force them out. They explained, "The shopkeeper is suspected of colluding with the wanted master thief, so we want to take him back."
Master thief Xander Xu?' Evan Yang hadn't expected Fiend Palace to come, but guessed it was Xander Xu's doing.
"Looks like you really are. So come with us—if we confirm you have nothing to do with him, we'll let you go. If not, you'll be in trouble." the Fifth-Rank General said.
There was no way Evan Yang would just let himself be taken. The noble guests didn't believe it either—if Evan was taken, how could they drink here?
So the Nangong family spoke up: "What evidence do you have?"
The evidence is taking him back—only then can we confirm.' the Fifth-Rank General replied.
No evidence, then go back.' the Nangong family said.
There was no way the Fiend Palace people would just leave, especially since they'd finally found Xander Xu's whereabouts. If they didn't seize Evan Yang now, when would they?
The Fifth-Rank General said, "Please cooperate. I'm just following Fiend Palace rules. If you keep resisting, I'll have to call for someone higher up."
Though many guests were influential, they were no match for Fiend Palace. If Fiend Palace really acted, they could do nothing, and might even be punished. So they quieted down, glaring at the Fifth-Rank General, memorizing his face for later.
The Fifth-Rank General knew he'd offended many today, and it would be almost impossible to move among the major families in the future. But the news was too important, so he turned to Evan Yang and said, "Please come with us."
"This is your way of handling a case?" Evan Yang laughed instead of getting angry.
"What's so funny? Our captain told you to come with us." a Sixth-Rank General stepped forward, boasting.
Evan Yang reached out and slapped him—crack! The whole Sixth-Rank General flew across the room.
Everyone was shocked by Evan's action, but the drinkers all applauded and cheered.
The Fifth-Rank General was furious: "Are you rebelling?"
"Rebelling? Who knows who's really rebelling!" Evan Yang snorted coldly.
Evan Yang's words were unclear, and the Fifth-Rank General didn't understand, continuing to curse: "Just wait, I'll teach you a lesson today."