Chapter 83 – Seventy-two paths of dust and smoke, curiosity killed the cat

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

"As expected of the Kunlun Sacred Ground, the market is always so lively!"

Chen Changsheng curiously looked around, while Ye Hensheng, who followed behind him, awkwardly lowered his head.

Indeed, being around this guy was truly embarrassing.

The incident of Chen Changsheng gambling extravagantly at the Kunlun Stone House yesterday had already spread throughout the Sacred Ground. Many top talents and important figures were waiting for Chen Changsheng to show up at the Kunlun Stone House.

But this guy didn't care at all. Instead, he wandered here and there.

Just now, someone from the Kunlun Stone House came to invite him, but he said, "The emperor is not anxious, why should the eunuch be? If I'm not in a hurry, why are you?"

Upon hearing this, the messenger's face turned dark.

You should know, the person who came was an outer Elder of the Kunlun Sacred Ground!

Although not a top figure, he was still someone with a reputation.

Chen Changsheng's words made the Elder leave in a huff.

"Boss, how much for this item?"

Chen Changsheng picked up an item from a small stall and asked.

Seeing a fat sheep coming to the door, the stall owner immediately beamed with joy and said, "Customer, you have a keen eye. This is the treasure of my stall."

"Three hundred years ago, my Master risked his life to bring this out from the Sacred Ruins Forbidden Zone."

"If it weren't for fate with the customer, I really wouldn't..."

"Stop!"

Chen Changsheng directly interrupted the owner.

"I don't really care about its origin. Just tell me the price."

"Two hundred jin of divine source."

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng silently put down the item and got up to leave.

Seeing the fat sheep about to slip away, the owner panicked.

"Customer, you can always negotiate the price. At least make an offer!"

"Sorry, I can't afford that price."

"Yesterday when I passed by, you were asking for twenty spirit stones, and now you're asking for two hundred jin of divine source. Are you taking me for a fool?"

The stall owner's little scheme was exposed, and he awkwardly laughed, saying, "So the customer is an expert!"

"If I had known, I wouldn't have made such a joke. Please, name your price, and I won't haggle."

"I don't want to spend money, but I can trade something with you."

Saying this, Chen Changsheng took out a jade slip and carved a strange symbol on it.

Seeing the symbol on the jade slip, the stall owner's face changed instantly.

He stood up and carefully examined Chen Changsheng, tentatively asking, "I've been having some liver issues lately, so my eyesight is a bit blurry."

"I wonder if the customer has any eye drops for clearing vision?"

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng's lips curled slightly, confirming his suspicion.

"The highlands quake, a scene of eternal beauty in the western mountains."

In response to Chen Changsheng's words, the stall owner's eyes narrowed, and he softly said, "Facing the sea, the three rivers merge and flow forever."

"Red or black? (Which path do you follow?)"

Hearing the stall owner's inquiry about his affiliation, Chen Changsheng smiled and picked up the broken scale he had chosen earlier.

"That's not something you need to know. Take the item back, and someone will understand."

With that, Chen Changsheng turned and left.

The stall owner was momentarily stunned as he watched Chen Changsheng's back, then quickly packed up and left.

...

Watching Chen Changsheng happily playing with the broken scale, Ye Hensheng felt a burning curiosity.

He desperately wanted to know what had just happened.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng said casually, "If you have questions, just ask. Keeping it bottled up is uncomfortable."

Hearing Chen Changsheng's words, Ye Hensheng organized his thoughts and cautiously asked.

"Brother Chen, can I know what just happened?"

"You can know a little," Chen Changsheng said, raising the broken scale. "This is something from an old acquaintance."

"I was exchanging secret codes with him just now."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the old acquaintance should come looking for me soon."

At this point, Chen Changsheng paused, revealing a meaningful smile.

"I suddenly feel like you can know a bit more. Do you want to?"

"If Brother Chen is willing to share, I am certainly willing to listen."

"That code just now is exclusively used by the Seventy-Two Paths of Dust."

Upon hearing this, Ye Hensheng's curiosity vanished without a trace, and he even wanted to slap himself twice.

"The Seventy-Two Paths of Dust," the mortal enemy of the Kunlun Sacred Ground, led by the notorious bandit Wu Li, who had been rampant in the Central Court for years.

Anyone associated with the Seventy-Two Paths of Dust would be considered an enemy by the Kunlun Sacred Ground.

Thinking of this, Ye Hensheng smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Chen, don't joke around. This is not something to be said lightly."

"Who's joking with you? This is more real than gold."

"Since you're so curious, I have even more explosive news. Do you want to hear it?"

"I'm not curious anymore, not at all."

Ye Hensheng quickly shook his head, knowing that the more secrets he heard, the faster he would die.

Seeing Ye Hensheng's frightened expression, Chen Changsheng smiled slightly and didn't continue to tease him.

Little guy, always asking questions, scared you, didn't I!

...

Kunlun Stone House.

After wandering for most of the day, Chen Changsheng and his companions finally arrived leisurely at the Stone House.

The inner courtyard, which was usually sparsely populated, was now bustling with people.

Seeing Chen Changsheng arrive, a young man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes stepped forward and said, "You must be Brother Chen."

"I am Jiang Ping from the Kunlun Sacred Ground. I was occupied yesterday and couldn't personally welcome you. I hope you can forgive me!"

Facing this Kunlun Holy Son, Chen Changsheng also replied with a smile.

"It's my honor to be personally received by the Holy Son."

"I came today to try my luck with the stones. I hope Brother Jiang can offer some guidance."

After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Ping glanced at Ye Hensheng and the others.

"These two gentlemen must be the heroes from the Eastern Wasteland."

"I didn't expect Brother Chen to be from the Eastern Wasteland. Why isn't your name on the Eastern Wasteland heroes list?"

"Hahaha!"

"Brother Jiang, you're too kind. The Eastern Wasteland is full of talented people. My little skills are nothing."

"So I'm just here to make up the numbers. A small figure like me naturally wouldn't be on the heroes list."

Hearing Chen Changsheng's explanation, a playful glint flashed in Jiang Ping's eyes.

"If someone like Brother Chen isn't on the Eastern Wasteland heroes list, then the Eastern Wasteland heroes must be truly extraordinary!"

"I must find an opportunity to witness it for myself."

"Please follow me, the three of you. There are a few fellow Daoists here, and I'll introduce you."

With that, Jiang Ping led Chen Changsheng and the others to a tastefully decorated pavilion.

Inside the pavilion were five people, three men and two women.

One of them Chen Changsheng recognized, the Saintess of the Zifu he had interacted with yesterday.