Chapter 1650: What Su Hong Thinks
“Crossing to the Sacrificial Nether Realm… I can arrange that. But where is Fellow Daoist Mu? I’d like to meet her, if possible.”
Su Hong proposed a meeting with Mu Guyue. She didn’t mention helping him return to the lower realm again. Li Yan sighed inwardly. Clearly, the Trade House’s method of reaching the bottom was a closely guarded secret. Since she had ignored it, he shouldn’t bring it up again.
However, he was satisfied with the news she had brought and her willingness to pass his message down. That solved his most pressing issue. He was also happy that she could arrange the inter-realm travel, saving them the trek to the Pure Yang Hall, the Moji Dao Sect, and that market town. Moreover, since they were old acquaintances, the fee would be easier to negotiate.
“That is no problem,” Li Yan said, standing up to head outside.
As Su Hong watched him follow her lead, her heart reacted differently. In their previous meetings, she was always the one being outmaneuvered. It felt as if he always knew what she was thinking. But this time, he was following her lead. She realized how much he was restricted in the Immortal Spirit Realm.
She overlooked the fact that while his cultivation was higher, he was no longer a man alone. He had more to carry, and many things revolved around him. He couldn’t ignore or discard them. The reason he lacked his usual calm was because he had suppressed these thoughts for centuries and had finally received the news he craved.
Furthermore, he felt a deep gratitude toward Su Hong for coming personally. Thus, he told her everything except his most private secrets.
After a short while, two figures appeared at the cave dwelling’s gate. Beside Li Yan was a tall, slender woman.
Su Hong had known of the Nascent Soul demon cultivator Mu Guyue, but back then she was mostly on the Desolate Moon Continent or traveling for experience. Mu Guyue was reclusive and rarely visited shops, so they had never met.
When Su Hong saw Mu Guyue, surprise filled her eyes. She had always taken pride in her figure, even when compared to the tempered bodies of Zhao Min and Gong Chenying. They were all different types of beauty. But this Mu Guyue was both peerless and aloof, with a perfect figure. Su Hong had to admit that the demons were blessed by heaven and earth.
Mu Guyue’s gaze fell on the three in the hall, locking onto Su Hong, who had the lowest cultivation but sat in the center. Li Yan had explained the situation briefly before they entered.
‘The Return-Home Trade House received the message! That Shopkeeper Su is here. I’ve spoken with her; sending a message to the lower realm should be fine. Let’s discuss the rest.’
Mu Guyue’s heart stirred. Li Yan had told her they had to wait for news and accumulate Spirit Stones, yet news had arrived in just over a decade.
She saw a woman of peerless grace, with a seductive charm, sitting there. The woman radiated the aura of a ruler. Her beauty rivaled Mu Guyue’s own, yet she had a “femme fatale” air.
In an instant, Mu Guyue recalled how Li Yan often mentioned the “Return-Home Trade House” and “Shopkeeper Su.” He had also mentioned “Su Hong” once. She had thought it sounded like a woman’s name, but she didn’t ask.
‘Such a stunning woman… what is her status in the Trade House? Su Hong… Su Hong…’
Mu Guyue narrowed her phoenix eyes. She had told Li Yan she wouldn’t be his companion, but after all these years, she knew he was the only man who had taken root in her heart. Demons loved and hated fiercely. Even facing Zhao Min or Gong Chenying, she would instinctively defend her territory. She felt a faint sense of “danger” from Su Hong.
“Greetings, Fellow Daoist Mu. This little girl is Su Hong,” Su Hong said with a smile that was like flowers blooming in spring. She stood up gracefully and bowed.
“Shopkeeper Su, I have heard much of your name,” Mu Guyue replied with a rare smile and a cultivator’s bow, her aura of a Black Demon ruler manifesting.
Li Yan felt as if he were between two powerful leaders—one a high-ranking authority, the other a returning queen.
Once they sat, Su Hong and Mu Guyue began to discuss the trip to the Sacrificial Nether Realm—the route, the cost, and everything in between. During this, Su Hong would occasionally bring up other topics.
She soon found that Mu Guyue had a typical Black Demon personality—proud and cold. She would speak many words, and the other would answer in just a few. This settled Su Hong’s heart; she “confirmed” their relationship and focused on the travel arrangements.
Su Hong gave them a significant discount. Li Yan calculated that if they asked for an advance from the sect, they could make the trip. Once the matter was settled, Mu Guyue stood and smiled at Su Hong.
“Since it’s settled, I must return to prepare. If there is anything else, Li Yan can inform me. Thank you, Shopkeeper Su.”
“Fellow Daoist Mu is too kind. We are merchants and should thank our customers,” Su Hong replied with a smile, watching her leave.
“Miss Su, can you stay here for a few days? I need to handle some sect matters,” Li Yan said. Now that the plan was set, they didn’t need to wait. He had to explain things to Shangguan Tianque. The sect was thriving, and the Supreme Elders were mostly in seclusion, leaving things to Yu Banjiang.
He was happy to escort Mu Guyue and to have his news sent home. Then Su Hong asked, “The matter of Mu Guyue returning home is settled. If she goes to the Sacrificial Nether Realm, we can provide an escort there. Do you still need to go?”
“Well… Miss Su, to be honest, we don’t have that many supreme-grade Spirit Stones. Just getting there is enough!” Li Yan shook his head. He had promised Mu Guyue he would see her home.
“You keep asking if you can go back to the lower realm. Since we can send messages, if you aren’t an idiot, you can guess that the path… exists…”
Before she could finish, protectors Lian and Ning paled. “Miss, you mustn’t…” Uncle Lian began, but Su Hong raised a hand to stop him.
Li Yan’s heart pounded, but he stayed silent.
“Uncle Lian, don’t worry. I’m just stating what Fellow Daoist Li already knows. He isn’t an idiot; he’s full of schemes. Since he found our shops in both realms, even an ordinary person would guess. Besides, I can’t use those official paths, nor do I have the power…”
Lian and Ning relaxed, though they thought to themselves: ‘If you don’t have the power, who does?’
Li Yan’s hope flickered and died again. What did she mean? And why did she say he was full of schemes? He was just cautious.
Su Hong continued, “You keep asking about that. While I’ve been hesitating, I’ve also been wondering if you really want to waste time going to the Sacrificial Nether Realm. I… I do know the location of such a space node. But the danger within is no less than an ascension. The risk of perishing at any moment is the only thing that is normal there!”