"Get this customer a pot of hot tea."
Lin Shu called out casually.
Outside of his work, he actually preferred peace and quiet and had never considered opening an inn.
But it was Yu Sheng’s only remaining pleasure, so after a moment’s thought, he let her have her way.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper."
The one-armed old man gently took the teapot and porcelain bowl from the attendant. Instead of finding a place to sit, he made do with the counter and poured himself a bowl of hot tea.
He remarked with easy familiarity, "The Border Region is unstable. Business has been getting harder and harder lately. Shopkeeper, how’s business at your inn?"
"It’s alright. We get by."
Lin Shu didn’t know the specifics, so he just gave a perfunctory reply as he leaned back.
Most people just came for free food and drinks. Since Yu Sheng didn’t accept any silver, there wasn’t much business to speak of.
Hearing this, the man laughed heartily. "This old man is too old to be taking risks anymore. After I finish this last deal and earn a nest egg, I plan to return to Yongzhou to retire. I see Shopkeeper Lin has some standing here. Why don’t you head back early as well, and stay out of this muddy water."
"Opening an inn in Yongzhou would earn you much more than here in the Border Region."
The one-armed old man’s words were full of banter.
Lin Shu, however, slowly sat up straight, studying the other man carefully.
Both Fan Qingyang and Yu Qiheng had mentioned that the Border Region was unstable and that dark undercurrents were stirring in Great Shun.
The old man before him was the third person to come and talk about this matter.
And his words were so deliberate.
He might as well have said it outright: ’Trouble is coming. You should flee quickly.’
"You know my surname is Lin?"
Lin Shu straightened his clothes and slowly stood up.
"Who in Shihu City doesn’t?" The old man set down his tea bowl, still smiling.
"But I don’t believe I know your surname," Lin Shu said quietly, his expression calm as he looked at the man.
’A bit of small talk is fine, but if he really wanted to discuss something else, he should have introduced himself first.’
Hearing this, the old man paused, his expression growing a little more serious. "My surname: Xu."
Hearing those three words, Lin Shu subconsciously wanted to slap himself.
’Why does my mouth have to run like that, asking questions about everything?’
The old man had deliberately changed his vocal tone. Although it was still coarse, it was completely different from the hoarse, aged voice from before.
However, that surname alone was enough for Lin Shu to quickly recall the events of that night.
He let out a long breath.
An inexplicable anger flared up in him.
’I am a proper, registered World Traveler of the Yu Family, and I even hold my Master’s Essence Blood. In terms of Cultivation, I have reached Body Tempering and Core Formation, with Dao Essence Perfection. As for Magical Artifacts, my Ink Flood Dragon Sword Bracelet is enough to make other disciples drool with envy. With so much at my disposal, I still have to be timid and cautious in everything I do, terrified that someone will notice something is amiss. What right do these Demons have? What right do they have to be so brazen! Two Immortal Descendants from the Yu Family have just died, and Yu Duchuan himself is leading disciples to cleanse the Demon Mountain. In such a tense atmosphere, despite the huge risk, this Old Demon still dared to swagger into the city just to warn me that the Border Region is unstable and that I should get out early? And at my casual question, he dared to directly admit his identity. Isn’t he afraid that I’ll immediately report him to the Yu Family, have them bring out the Mountain God Mirror, and execute his old hide!’
The one-armed old man looked on with a gentle smile, his eyes fixed on the young man’s furious gaze.
A Demon who has been betrayed finds it very difficult to trust others again.
But for that very reason, his judgment of people was all the more accurate.
It was just as he had concluded that night.
’This is an excellent kid.’
His courage to reveal his identity wasn’t based on anything complicated.
The simple fact that this young man had let Gu Nanzhi go was enough. His character far surpassed that of ninety-nine percent of the disciples in Yongzhou.
The old man dipped his fingertip in some tea and quickly wrote on the table.
"Three months."
When he lifted his hand, the water stains had already vanished.
"Thank you for the tea, Shopkeeper. This old man has some other business, so I won’t bother you any longer."
"Tsk, go on, go on."
Lin Shu waved his sleeve and slumped back into his chair, dejected.
He was incredibly annoyed that the man had seen right through him.
But he truly couldn’t bring himself to trade an Old Demon who had specifically come to deliver him a message for personal merit.
That kind of thing was just too despicable!
Watching the one-armed old man politely greeting the other traveling merchants before he turned to leave, Lin Shu slowly averted his gaze.
Who could imagine that this shabby-looking old man was actually a renowned Core Formation Demon General?
’He just got back from the Great Shun Dynasty, so he must have gotten some news. Is something going to happen here in three months?’
Lin Shu suddenly remembered that group of Little Demons.
’The Monkey said Elder Xu was unwilling to raise the banner. It seems now that the old man probably found out a calamity is about to befall Yongzhou Pass. Once you raise the banner, you have no choice but to enter the fray. Is Elder Xu unwilling to let this group of Little Demons get involved, planning instead to weather the storm and then take them back to Yongzhou to retire?’
He let out a breath.
Considering the slow reaction from Yongzhou Pass regarding the matter at White Teeth Mine, this place had been peaceful for far too long. Trouble was probably on its way.
Lin Shu let out a soft breath.
He wasn’t particularly concerned about whether the Yu Family lived or died.
How to help Yu Sheng acquire a larger territory so she could avoid the notice of the Qi Family after returning—that was the biggest problem he now faced.
After all, the red clouds of Yongzhou were no less dense than those in the Border Region.
’The old man said three months, but that might not be a safe bet. To be cautious, I’d better treat it as two months.’
’I can’t keep my hands tied anymore.’
Lin Shu secretly came to a decision.
He raised his eyes and looked toward the inn’s entrance.
"Senior Brother Lin, I’ve brought the items for you." Steward Luo approached respectfully and placed the Child Stone and the Magical Robe on the table.

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