A second life, An Eternal journey to Immortality

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Jiang Cheng carried a long sword, which was also the standard for warriors. He did not choose a more elegant and handsome sword, because most of the immortal cultivators mainly used swords.

They played with magic swords in the Qi Refining period and played with flying swords in the Foundation Building period. The highlight was the word "handsome".

He was no exception. Though he had no use for a magic sword in the Qi Refining stage, he knew that once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would undoubtedly cultivate the art of sword control and claim a flying sword of his own.

But now, in the secular world, he needed to remain inconspicuous. Carrying an eye-catching sword could easily attract unwanted attention, particularly from the flower thief. If the Bastard was as cunning as the rumors suggested, he would be watching for anomalies—warriors who didn't quite fit, people whose presence raised silent questions.

After arriving at the restaurant called Xiang Ju, Jiang Cheng quickly realized that the waiter's recommendation was accurate—it was indeed a lively place. The restaurant had everything a traveler might need, including a stable for horses and even a service to watch over their goods. This was a common stop for warriors, merchants, and all manner of wanderers.

Jiang Cheng walked in slowly, his long sword hanging at his waist. His face, along with the exposed parts of his skin, had been carefully altered to give the appearance of a man who had spent years on the road—weathered, unremarkable, just another traveler passing through.

As he stepped inside, no one paid him any special attention. To the patrons, he was just another martial artist, one of many who came and went through Yanzhou City. However, as a cultivator, Jiang Cheng's senses were far sharper than an ordinary warrior's. Almost immediately, he noticed a pair of eyes locked onto him.

He didn't react. He didn't turn his head. To be a warrior was to be accustomed to the gaze of strangers—some sizing you up for a fight, others merely curious. A man too wary would only raise suspicion.

To deceive a fox, one had to be flawless. Jiang Cheng couldn't afford to leave any loose ends. If he was going to play the role of a simple martial artist, he had to embody it completely, without a single crack in the facade.

Jiang Cheng understood the unspoken hierarchy that existed between cultivators and mortals. Many cultivators, even those barely stronger than common warriors, carried a sense of superiority, looking down on those who relied on mere muscle and steel. Some rogue cultivators in Yanzhou City even went so far as to bully martial artists, seeing them as nothing more than ants beneath their feet.

But Jiang Cheng showed none of that arrogance. He carried himself as an ordinary man, blending seamlessly into the atmosphere of the bustling restaurant. As he looked around, he even licked his dry lips at the sight of food being served, just like any hungry traveler would.

Just then, a waiter approached with a polite but apologetic expression. "Sir, you're just in time, but unfortunately, all our tables are occupied. Would you mind sharing a table with other guests?"

"Of course," Jiang Cheng replied with a nod.

The waiter quickly led him to a table by the window, where two warriors were already seated.

Jiang Cheng clasped his fists in greeting and bowed slightly. "Sorry to bother you."

The square-faced warrior among them smiled warmly and waved his hand. "No need for formalities, brother. Have a seat."

The other warrior, however, remained silent, his expression cold as he focused on his meal.

Not minding the indifference, Jiang Cheng settled down and turned to the waiter beside him. "Hey, I heard from the waiter at the inn that your restaurant is affordable and delicious. Let's have a few signature dishes and a pot of wine." Jiang Cheng said to the waiter beside him.

The waiter nodded enthusiastically and hurried off to place the order, leaving Jiang Cheng to settle into his surroundings.

Jiang Cheng lifted the wine pot and poured himself a generous glass, then raised it in a respectful gesture toward the two warriors at the table. "You two, please," he said, his voice smooth. Without hesitation, he drank the entire glass in one go, the liquid burning slightly as it went down.

The square-faced warrior raised his glass in return, grinning. "Brother Zhang, you have a good tolerance for alcohol. But I must say, you seem a bit unfamiliar. I don't recall seeing you in Yanzhou City before." After finishing his drink, the warrior's gaze lingered on Jiang Cheng, his curiosity evident.

Jiang Cheng calmly met the man's gaze, his mind already processing the situation. As the warrior spoke, he noticed the eyes of others around the room subtly turn his way, some seemingly more interested than others. One pair of eyes, in particular, had been focused on him since he walked in—the same pair he had sensed earlier when entering. They were only two tables away, watching him carefully.

Without missing a beat, Jiang Cheng leaned back slightly, a casual air about him. "I've been taking missions in Kaozhou City and Xisha City," he explained, his voice steady. "The environment there wasn't ideal, so I decided to come to Yanzhou City. It's closer to the Immortal World, and I thought maybe I could earn some spirit stones here."

The square-faced warrior nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, though his eyes remained watchful. "I see. Yanzhou City is indeed the place for opportunities." He gave a short laugh. "And those spirit stones are hard to come by these days. You'll need to be resourceful to earn them."

Jiang Cheng smiled slightly, taking another sip of his wine, his senses alert to the subtle shifts in the room.

Jiang Cheng had done his homework before arriving in Yanzhou City. While traveling, he made sure to memorize details about the cities under Qinglin Sect's jurisdiction, including famous restaurants, entertainment districts, and other places frequented by warriors. Information was a weapon, and in his line of work, it was best to be well-armed.

The square-faced warrior chuckled as he observed Jiang Cheng's rough, sun-worn features. "Indeed, Xisha City is close to the desert. Just look at Brother Zhang's face—it's cracked from the sun." His tone was friendly, but there was a sharpness in his gaze, as if he were still evaluating Jiang Cheng.

Before Jiang Cheng could respond, another voice chimed in from across two tables. A fair-skinned man, dressed in rather elegant warrior robes, smiled and said, "Oh? Brother Zhang is from Kaozhou City? I heard there's a courtesan there who plays the zither beautifully. What was her name again…?"

Jiang Cheng feigned a look of surprise, then shook his head with a sigh. "Ah, you must be talking about Xiangqin. She's famous for her zither skills. As beautiful as a fairy, they say. But it's a pity—she only sells her art, not her body. No one can get close to her." His expression was filled with just the right amount of regret, perfectly mimicking the disappointment of a wandering martial artist who had once hoped for a romantic encounter.

The fair-skinned man laughed and nodded knowingly. "Yes, that's the one! It's a shame, but that only makes her more mysterious, doesn't it?"

As soon as the topic of courtesans and beautiful women was brought up, the restaurant's atmosphere became even livelier. Warriors, merchants, and travelers all joined in the conversation, sharing tales of enchanting courtesans, elegant dancers, and flirtatious widows they had encountered in their travels.

Jiang Cheng subtly observed the fair-skinned man as he took another sip of his wine. The moment the warriors started talking about the wealthy businessman Liu and his beautiful daughter, the man's expression shifted—his eyes gleamed with sudden interest, and he leaned in ever so slightly, as if to catch every word.

Got you.

Jiang Cheng kept his face neutral, pretending to be amused by the crude jokes around him. But inwardly, he was already piecing things together. The flower thief targeted girls from good families, not courtesans or brothel women. If this fair-skinned man was connected to the thief—or was the thief himself—then this sudden interest in Liu's daughter was a strong lead.

One of the warriors smirked and added, "Heh, these noble ladies act all high and mighty, but who knows what they really think behind closed doors?" His comment was met with laughter and knowing looks from some of the men at the table.

Jiang Cheng, however, paid more attention to the fair-skinned man's reaction.

The man didn't join in the laughter. Instead, he swirled his cup of wine thoughtfully, a faint smirk on his lips. It wasn't the crude amusement of the other warriors—it was more calculating, as if he were already making plans.

Jiang Cheng made a mental note. This guy is suspicious.

Now, he needed to keep the conversation going without drawing too much attention to himself. Casually, he leaned forward and asked, "This businessman Liu—what's his background? Moving into Yanzhou City isn't easy for a wealthy merchant."

The warrior who had first mentioned him chuckled. "Oh, he made his fortune in salt trade. Moved here a month ago, bought a big courtyard in the western district. They say he dotes on his daughter like a pearl in his palm—guards everywhere, doesn't let her step outside much."

Jiang Cheng nodded, feigning only mild interest, but from the corner of his eye, he saw the fair-skinned man smirk again.

Interesting. So you're interested in the daughter of a wealthy man who keeps her well-guarded? That makes you even more suspicious.

Jiang Cheng didn't react. He simply poured himself another drink and waited, letting the conversation flow, knowing that the more they talked, the closer he'd get to the truth.

"Hey, have you heard? Recently, it seems that several girls in Yanzhou City have been defiled by flower thieves, causing the girls in Yanzhou City to dare not come out."

"The immortal cultivator sent by Qinglin Sect to our Yanzhou City as the garrison immortal master seems to have been dispatched, but he was not captured."

"I heard that he fled here from other cities, and the garrison immortal master seems to have reported it to Qinglin Sect. Maybe after a while, other immortal cultivators will come to capture him."

  "Okay, let's stop discussing this. Maybe the flower thief is hiding among us. If we offend an immortal cultivator, our lives will be in danger."

An older warrior waved his hand and said, and everyone immediately became afraid. They stopped talking and started drinking.

  After drinking enough, some people left the restaurant, including the fair-skinned man.

Jiang Cheng had no intention of following him. This guy was too obvious. He was not the flower thief he was looking for. Instead, he seemed to be deliberately released as fish food to lure the immortal cultivators of Qinglin Sect.

  If analyzed in this way, this person must have a certain relationship with the flower thief.

  At the same time, the news that the daughter of the rich businessman surnamed Liu was beautiful and pure seemed to have been deliberately spread by the warrior. It should be a strategy of Yanzhou City. The situation seemed a bit chaotic.

  While drinking, Jiang Cheng thought about it and decided on the subsequent action plan. According to the logic of ordinary flower thieves, there must be an ambush on the side of the rich businessman surnamed Liu, so it was a good time to harm other girls.

However, for a cultivator of immortal cultivation in the middle stage of Qi Refining, he would definitely go to any place that stimulated him, so he thought that the battle would definitely take place on the side of the rich businessman surnamed Liu.

  The warrior who revealed the news about the rich businessman's daughter did not take the initiative to say where he lived. When someone asked, he just smiled, drank for a while, and left the restaurant.