Chương 62: The Wanted Poster

"Brother Fang, why are you so biased against Old Xu?" Li Shuyan asked. He had known Old Xu for some time now. In his eyes, Old Xu was a decent person, with rich life experience and unique insights on many things. He genuinely enjoyed chatting with the old man. Fang Cheng thought about it. He still could not reveal Old Xu's identity. It was forbidden. His superior, Pei Tang, would not speak of it, so as the superior of Li Shuyan and Qin Hao, he had to follow the rules too.

He first told Qin Hao to cover his ears, then whispered to Li Shuyan, "Old Xu's identity is forbidden. I cannot tell you. Do not be curious. In short, he is disguised as an ordinary person. One, he is guarding something in the marshes west of White Flower City. Two, he is up to some shady business behind the scenes. Do not trust his words."

"Understood, Brother Fang." Li Shuyan nodded. Qin Hao uncovered his ears and asked, "Brother Fang, should we still send the goods via the western route?" Fang Cheng thought for a moment and replied, "Hold off on shipping for now. Let me scout the Everlasting Mountains first. If that road is really usable, we will take the mountain route."

"But Brother Fang, you said Old Xu's words cannot be trusted." Qin Hao scratched his head in confusion. Fang Cheng explained, "His words cannot be trusted. But if I verify with my own experience that the road in the Everlasting Mountains is viable, then his words become my words. And my words can be trusted."

"Oh." Qin Hao nodded, still confused, and left to carry out his orders. Fang Cheng turned to Li Shuyan and asked why he had come. Li Shuyan replied, "I heard there is a sequel to The Abai Detective Files coming out in the capital. Should I have someone buy a few copies?" Fang Cheng was annoyed.

"Hey, what is wrong with you? You are in charge of education in White Flower City. Can you stop obsessing over those trashy novels? You should lead by example. Guide the city's cultural education toward truth, goodness, and beauty. Killing and eating people in hotpot is not allowed. Understood?"

"Understood." Li Shuyan nodded, then whispered, "So, really not buying any?"

"Get lost!" Fang Cheng sent Li Shuyan away and headed to Harmony Wine Shop to get some answers from Old Xu. He flew to the shop and landed. It was livelier than usual, with tables and chairs set up outside and customers seated everywhere.

"Hey? Where is Old Xu? And when did he hire staff?" Fang Cheng looked around. He saw several servers bringing wine to customers, but no sign of Old Xu. He stopped a server and asked for Old Xu's whereabouts. The server recognized the City God, bowed respectfully, and pointed to the backyard.

"Our boss is resting in a shed out back." Fang Cheng walked to the backyard and pushed open the gate. He saw a temporary shed with Old Xu lying in a rocking chair, holding a wine jug in his right hand and a pipe in his left. He took a puff, then a sip, thoroughly enjoying himself. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Hearing the noise, Old Xu looked up. Seeing Fang Cheng, he grinned.

"Oh my, the City God has graced us with his presence. This humble one apologizes for not welcoming you properly..." He spoke words of apology, but his body remained in the rocking chair without the slightest intention of getting up. Fang Cheng frowned at Old Xu. His intuition told him Old Xu had been waiting for him. After a moment's thought, he walked slowly to the center of the shed, stopped before Old Xu, and stared coldly.

"Spill it. What scheme are you cooking up?" Old Xu laughed heartily and blew out a puff of thick smoke.

"City God, you misunderstand. I just want to do something for White Flower City. As you can see, my wine shop is doing better business now. I have even hired several servers. All thanks to you. So I suggested a convenient route to Lianshan Prefecture as a token of gratitude."

"Cut the crap. You have lived a thousand years as a guardian. Do you really care about a wine shop's business?" Fang Cheng snorted.

"Besides, I did not even ask you about the route. Why bring it up yourself?"

"City God, you have such a deep prejudice against me." Old Xu took a drag from his pipe and replied, "I do not care about the business. But seeing the shop busy and lively makes me happy. More people means less bad luck. It is festive."

"I said, stop the nonsense. Just tell me your real purpose." Fang Cheng pressed. Old Xu sighed.

"City God, I need to go to the Everlasting Mountains to meet an old friend. Please do not keep an eye on me. Otherwise, my old friend will not show up."

"Old Xu, you misunderstand me. I have never kept an eye on you. Go see your old friend. Haha."

"City God, when you lie, could you at least wipe the drool off your face first..." Old Xu sighed again, his face turning serious.

"Fang Cheng, we do not need to be enemies. There are things we can work together on. Let me go to the Everlasting Mountains. After I meet my old friend, I will clear that long-abandoned road for you. You will not have to spend a single coin, and you will not have to worry about spirit beasts robbing your caravans."

"Oh? You have that much influence?" Fang Cheng was surprised. Old Xu chuckled and blew out a puff of black smoke.

"I have been in White Flower City for nearly a thousand years. The little demons in the Everlasting Mountains all call me Grand Ancestor. If I put out word, they would not dare to rob a single caravan. They will also repair the road. You know, that road was built with my help back then." Fang Cheng fell silent. He had to admit, he was tempted. If this route through the Everlasting Mountains could be opened, it would not only be for silk goods. All kinds of goods could flow into White Flower City's market.

Especially with Old Xu guaranteeing safety. In times of chaos and rampant banditry, safety was the top priority for merchants. Even if the route was longer and cost more, as long as the goods could be delivered safely, it was worth it.

"Fine. I will let you go see your old friend. But can I ask who this old friend is?"

"Of course not." Old Xu's mouth twitched. He always felt that Fang Cheng's words couldn't be trusted. What if he walked out and the kid quietly followed him? If he wanted to shake him off... Old Xu recalled that night when Fang Cheng had slashed through Crabapple's Heavenly Demon manifestation. No. He could not take any chances.

"Fang Cheng, let me give you a piece of advice. In Great Sheng, your greatest enemy is the Hall of Eternal Life. We can be allies."

"What do you mean? We already agreed. Are you saying you do not trust me to keep my word? I am a good person. The first principle of a good person is keeping promises!" Fang Cheng put on a sincere face. The demon sword appeared in his hand of its own accord. He needed to show Old Xu what sincerity looked like. Just then, Squad Leader Zhang came running from somewhere, holding a piece of paper and shouting, "Brother Fang! Something's wrong! Look at this wanted poster!

It is posted all over Greenwood City, Shuili City, Dongyang City, and even our own White Flower City!" Fang Cheng took the poster and looked at it. The portrait on it was him. Below it, a detailed account of his "good deeds" in Xijiang Prefecture was listed. It even mentioned how he had skewered and roasted an entire village of bandits. At the bottom of the wanted notice, a stark statement appeared in large bold letters: "A man of boundless villainy, whose crimes are beyond reckoning."

He did not need to think twice about who was behind this. This was too much. Unforgivable. Even a gentleman would not tolerate this. How can anyone? Hu Tong. How dare you slander me. Demon sword, do you see this? I am already salivating with anticipation...