Aunt Gu’s Little Tavern

Gu Erniang's tavern was not particularly famous in Kaoshan City, but after asking around with the inn’s attendant, Chu Liang managed to find its exact location.

He first bought himself a black robe that covered his head and face, dressing in the style of those shady underworld types, before setting out. The tavern was tucked away in a quiet corner of Kaoshan City, with few passersby nearby. If it were a legitimate business, choosing such a location would have been foolish. But for less proper dealings, it was just right.

Before long, he arrived at an ancient three-story pavilion. Entering, he found only a handful of customers on the first floor. Chu Liang didn’t bother heading upstairs; instead, he slipped through a small door beside the main entrance. Lifting the curtain, he saw a staircase leading downwards.

Indeed, though the building had three stories above ground, the real business took place below. The basement was dimly lit, with lanterns hanging from the walls. Here and there, rugged figures from the martial world drank and conversed, all exuding a bandit’s air. Several tables were occupied by lone guests, their identities concealed just like Chu Liang’s—some wore bamboo hats, others kept their faces hidden.

It seemed they all had similar purposes for coming.

No sooner had Chu Liang taken his seat than a nimble waiter arrived with a board listing drinks and prices. “Esteemed guest, what would you like to order?”

“I’ll have two flasks of ‘Immortal’s Guidance’—one for the proprietress, and one for myself,” Chu Liang replied, using the code phrase as instructed by Sha.

“Very well,” the waiter answered and left.

After that, Chu Liang was left to wait for about half an hour before anyone came to him again.

“This way, sir, to collect your wine,” the waiter whispered, beckoning him to follow.

Chu Liang rose and walked with him down a long corridor, eventually entering an even dimmer room. Only a single lamp illuminated the center, resting on the only table in the room. Behind it sat a short-haired woman, her features bold and striking, her skin pale with a faint blue hue—a touch of exotic ancestry. Though she was no longer young, she possessed a mature allure, her expression languid.

She could only be the legendary Gu Erniang.

“You ordered ‘Immortal’s Guidance,’ which means you’re here to buy information, aren’t you?” she said, gesturing for Chu Liang to sit before her, then speaking slowly.

“I am,” Chu Liang nodded.

“Good. I am Gu Erniang, as you must know.” She leaned back, continuing, “Ask whatever you wish. If I know the answer, I will tell you. But you must pay something of equal value in exchange—either a treasure, or a service. Be prepared.”

“I understand,” Chu Liang replied.

“If you try to leave without paying…” She chuckled darkly. “No one in Kaoshan City has ever broken the rules. Let me make that clear before we continue—I hope you won’t take offense.” Her gaze sharpened as she studied his face.

“Rest assured, I will abide by the rules,” Chu Liang assured her, nodding repeatedly. Anyone who could reach such status in the city’s underworld surely had means; he had no doubt of her capabilities.

“So, what do you want to ask?” Gu Erniang prompted, raising her hand.

...

The lamplight flickered.

Chu Liang asked, “I wish to know the whereabouts of the demon envoy who committed a major crime in Kaoshan City.”

Gu Erniang laughed softly. “A cunning question, but I cannot answer it. First, I don’t know who committed that crime; second, I don’t know where the demon envoy is.”

She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips.

Chu Liang had half expected this. Being well-informed didn’t mean being omniscient; some questions simply had no answer.

“Then let me change the question…” Chu Liang thought for a moment before continuing, “I want to know: who was the demon envoy planning to give the Underworld Sea Golden Lotus to?”

“Well…” Gu Erniang considered this. “You’re quite interested in that demon envoy. I might as well tell you all I know…”

“All I can say is: recently, the purges from the Valley of Three Absolutes have grown harsher. In the Southern Domain, seventeen villages of the Dark Sorcerers have joined forces, seeking to ally with the demons against the righteous sects. Led by Black Mountain Village, they’ve sent an emissary to meet with the demons in the next few days. If the demon tribe has dispatched an envoy or made any preparations, it would be related to them. Beyond this, I know nothing.”

Dark sorcerers?

Chu Liang was not surprised to hear this. If the demons sought to form alliances with various powers, in the Southern Domain that could only mean the sects of sorcery, poison, and witchcraft—evil cultivators, as expected. The only question was which group specifically.

Among the sorcerers, there were white and black witches, righteous and evil practitioners. The Valley of Three Absolutes was famous for its expertise in witchcraft, poison, and curses, but all their arts were legitimate traditions.

Those dark sorcerers of the Southern Domain, however, were ancient heretics, their arts cruel and twisted—reviled by the orthodox sects.

Ironically, the fiercest enemies of these dark sorcerers were the white witches, who revered the same gods but had warred with them for millennia.

“I have one more question: where is this dark sorcerer’s emissary?” Chu Liang pressed.

If the two sides were to meet, finding the sorcerer’s emissary should lead him to the demon envoy.

“Wangshan Tower.”

This time Gu Erniang’s answer was crisp and direct. Clearly, she was well-informed about the city’s various powers.

“Thank you,” Chu Liang said, “I have no further questions.”

“Good.” Gu Erniang smiled lightly. “Now, let’s discuss your payment. You asked two questions—what do you offer in exchange?”

Chu Liang thought for a moment. “I know the exact location of a soon-to-mature Jade Spirit Flower with a human face, deep in the mountains south of the city. I can give you that information.”

He was unwilling to part with any of his treasures, and had little else of value. In fact, there wasn’t much he could offer. During his last sect mission, he’d harvested two such flowers—one had been picked, the other was left behind, still unripe.

“Jade Spirit Flowers are rare, but mere information about one isn’t worth two answers,” Gu Erniang judged. “Even if you brought it here, it would only pay for your second question.”

“Agreed,” Chu Liang nodded.

“As for the first question, why don’t you name your price?” he suggested.

“Very well…” Gu Erniang didn’t hesitate. She placed her elegant hand on the table, and from her sleeve emerged a silvery grub, larger and glossier than a caterpillar, its segmented body gleaming with a metallic sheen.

“This is my Money Gu—a parasite that evolves by devouring wealth.” She flicked the little creature’s tail. “Within three days, help it advance from silver to gold; it only needs to consume a bit of money.”

Chu Liang smiled. “Agreed.”

It was a mild condition. For cultivators, any problem that could be solved with money was no real problem at all.