Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8474: Exposure (1)

Zhao Hai let out a wry smile. He was already aware of the Zou Xiao situation and the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure. The whole affair loomed far larger than he had ever anticipated. At present, nearly every minor faction across the Blood Sea Territory buzzed with frenzy. All were scrambling for details on Zou Xiao. Even though he had altered his name and looks completely, the treasure didn't strike him as excessively risky. He understood perfectly that the lower-level powers in the Blood Sea Territory had erupted into utter turmoil. They hunted treasures relentlessly. Vengeful figures, robbers, and all sorts of opportunists sprang forth. Cultivators on the streets now regarded one another with hints of suspicion and appraisal in their gazes. These looks left people deeply uneasy.

Yet, there was little he could do about it. Suspicion hung over everyone equally. They all wondered if others might be Zou Xiao in disguise. Clashes erupted constantly. In this messy chaos, Zhao Hai found himself at a loss for words. He hadn't foreseen that the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure would hold such allure even after all these years.

Zhao Hai's spot right now lay in one of the outer markets belonging to the Dark Ghost Sect. This outer market sat on a modest island beyond the Dark Ghost Sect's core. The island stood open to outsiders, letting rogue cultivators trade freely. Still, the Dark Ghost Sect oversaw it all. It mirrored the role of Blood Lake Island within the Blood Slaughter Sect. The key distinction was that this market fell inside Dark Ghost Sect territory, while Blood Lake Island served as an outpost beyond Blood Slaughter Sect lands.

Zhao Hai moved with utmost caution in this place. He had switched his features and identity. Now he went by Jiang Dongliu, evoking the image of a mighty river surging eastward to the ocean. The old Zou Xiao name had carried a slant tone linked to the Zhao character. Presently, he appeared as a scholarly man in his forties, clad in fitting attire.

Such scholarly garb proved typical for lone cultivators, so nobody raised alarms. Zhao Hai occupied a seat in a modest tavern named the Ghost Market. The drinks here lacked any spiritual Qi. They came cheap and could still cloud the mind. Above all, crowds gathered often.

Back in the day, rogue cultivators scraped by in tough conditions. They rarely savored even basic wine if they craved it. Not just rogues—even regular sect members seldom touched alcohol. Disciples from the top ten sects faced the same barriers, as spirit wine cost a fortune. Everyday sect followers simply couldn't splurge on it.

But this ordinary brew drew rogue cultivators in for occasional sips and tall tales with companions. It brought a real sense of relief. Zhao Hai lingered in just such a tavern. This little spot had earned fame as a prime hub for gathering intel.

Zhao Hai sipped his drink in silence, ear tuned to the boasts around him. Among rogue cultivators, chatter swirled mostly around Zou Xiao and the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure spot. Folks now grasped that Zou Xiao had vanished. Some speculated he had swapped names and faces to blend in. Still, options remained slim. Nobody pinpointed Zou Xiao's hideout or new guise. So, guesses flew wild.

Zhao Hai showed no outward sign. He remained still and composed. He trusted no one could track him down. Without deploying the Yin Wind Ghost Flag, his true self stayed hidden. Thus, he felt no rush. He planned soon to depart the Ghost Market. Next, he'd tour the Dark Ghost Sect's islands, checking if Yin Wuchang lurked there.

Suddenly, Zhao Hai sensed eyes fixed on him. He paused briefly, but avoided glancing over. Feigning a casual reach for his cup to sip, he scanned toward the stare's source.

That glance froze Zhao Hai in place. His face shifted instantly. He set down the cup and pivoted fully that way. There sat a young man in his twenties, clad in green with flowing long hair, watching him intently. The fellow's style stood out sharply. Though his hair hung loose, a floral headband crowned it. Crafted from sturdy stuff, it wove in colorful silk strands. The result gleamed with striking beauty.

His green robe carried an odd twist too. Sleeveless, it bared his arms. Wrist guards hugged his forearms, yet a cape draped his shoulders. That cape caught the eye with vivid hues and intricate designs. These motifs resembled runes at first glance, but differed subtly. Zhao Hai knew them well. Not runes, but script. Unique to Poison Bug Valley disciples, this writing lacked a full system. Each symbol stood alone, pictographic, symbolizing a toxic insect from the Poison Bug Valley.

Baggy trousers and sturdy leather boots completed his outfit. Zhao Hai recognized at once a Poison Bug Valley disciple. He hadn't anticipated encountering one here, and this one seemed aimed straight at him—the gaze never wavered as Zhao Hai met it.

Noticing Zhao Hai's appraisal, the man grinned faintly. Then he strode over, claiming the seat across from Zhao Hai without a greeting. Zhao Hai's spirits dipped at the man's demeanor. Exposure had come, but how? Confusion gripped him. He'd traversed countless spots, shifting guises repeatedly, yet stayed undetected. How had this Poison Bug Valley figure zeroed in?

Surprise flickered through him, but fear did not. He eyed the Poison Bug Valley man steadily, then signaled for fresh wine. He had the server fetch a cup for his visitor too, before asking, "Is there something you need from me?"

The Poison Bug Valley man regarded Zhao Hai with a smile. "Sir, your words come off a tad evasive. We're both sharp enough—no call for vague talk. Surely you grasp my purpose here? You have to be Zou Xiao. I can't fathom your disguise method, but you match Zou Xiao."

Neither cast a sound barrier nor used voice transmission arts. Their exchange rang clear to the whole tavern. Silence blanketed the room instantly. All eyes locked on the pair—or rather, on Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai fixed his gaze on the Poison Bug Valley cultivator and spoke gravely. "I'm truly intrigued. How exactly did you spot me? I trust my transformation skills fully. I've even swapped my aura and cut all ties. Sure, a wisp of Wen Liyi's aura brushed me at his end, but I purged it clean. You couldn't trace me through that. Yet here you are. This piques my curiosity deeply."

The man chuckled softly. "The Poison Bug Valley holds its own secrets, of course. You slew my junior brother, so I tracked you down. Yes, you guard the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure secret, but let me state plainly—I'm not after that. This is vengeance for Junior Brother Wen Liyi. Truth is, another prompted me. Someone you never met: Junior Brother Wen Liyi's attendant. He spread word of your link to the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure. He urged me to settle the score for Junior Brother Wen. Once I consented, he took his own life to join his master. I hadn't planned to pursue you, but his plea bound me."

Those words stirred Zhao Hai faintly. In a blur, his form shifted back to original. Naturally, he now embodied Zou Xiao, as major sect folks knew him well. His rank as top true disciple carried weight. Rivals from the other nine great sects surely plotted his end. Without the change, recognition would hit fast outdoors, sparking chases that derailed his Yin Wuchang probe.

Back as Zou Xiao, Zhao Hai eyed the man. "I never imagined the cultivation world hid such loyalty. Nor that it served under Wen Liyi. What a shame, truly a shame."

The tavern crowd gaped as Zhao Hai unveiled his real face. Shock rippled through them. They rose as one, encircling Zhao Hai and the Poison Bug Valley disciple. Weapons gleamed in their grips. Amid the pub, only those two stayed seated at the central table.

The Poison Bug Valley disciple smiled at Zhao Hai. "Though grudge divides us, your boldness earns my respect. Few dare hold their seat now. Frankly, regret gnaws at me too. I'll likely never find a servant like Liu Feizhou. Such a loss. Still, admiration aside, I must honor Junior Brother Wen with revenge."

Zhao Hai nodded. "Seeking payback for Wen Liyi is just. I did end him, after all. But if you're like these others, chasing me for the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure, expect letdown. I haven't a clue where it hides. If I did, would I linger here? I'd claim it and retreat to secluded cultivation. Too bad—no one buys my words."

The Poison Bug Valley disciple gazed at Zhao Hai with a grin. "Your candor impresses me. I believe you speak truth. Ah, introductions slipped my mind. I'm Da Jiuzhi, senior brother to Wen Liyi. Who knew they shared such gifts? All these years, and I missed their twin bond."