Chapter 325: The Barbecue Restaurant Without Suspicion

(TL Note: I’ve changed Yanjiang Rudder to Yanjiang County)

Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

The Fifth Elder took a deep breath. Just based on this one effect, Pure Yang True Fire could be ranked first among the 108 kinds of true fire.

The 108 kinds of true fire each have different functions. Some have weak power, unable to even harm mortals, but are highly effective in burning space. Some are very powerful but difficult to control, prone to explosions. Others burn not the flesh but the soul. Because of these varied reasons, it’s hard to rank them definitively as first or second.

But if you claim your true fire can enhance virility.

No one else might dare to say it, but the Fifth Elder would vote for Pure Yang True Fire.

“I’ll study it and see if your Pure Yang True Fire can be stabilized into a fire seed.”

“And your Three Flavours True Fire too, I’ll study that as well.”

The Fifth Elder took Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou’s true fires to try and stabilize them into continuous fire seeds. Otherwise, they’d need Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to continuously input spiritual energy to ignite the automatic barbecue rack, which would defeat its purpose.

“The best solution is to combine the two fires.” The Fifth Elder pondered, surprised to encounter such a challenge right after arriving in Yanjiang County.

“Can two fires be combined?” Qin Yanyan asked in astonishment. She had never heard of such a theory before.

The Fifth Elder, without looking up, replied, “It’s possible. Historically, there have been people who fused two, three, or even more fires and hurled them at enemies with astonishing power. It’s a highly effective method for challenging people at higher levels.”

(TL Note: Possibly a reference to Battle Through The Heavens)

“Alright, you all go out. I need to research this alone.” The Fifth Elder shooed the four out like little chickens.

…

Three powerful cultivators arrived in Yanjiang County. They concealed their auras, blending in with the crowd, disguised as traveling merchants.

“Sir, according to the map, this should be Yanjiang County.”

“Yes, let’s find a place first.”

The three entered a private room in a random restaurant, using formations to block detection, and only then did they remove their disguises.

The visitors were none other than the Vice Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect, Petrified Bone, and his two subordinates. One of the subordinates was the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator who had brought Petrified Bone the IOU from Qin Haoran, named Huo Huashen.

Huo Huashen’s parents named him with the hope that he would reach the Spirit Transformation Stage.

(TL Note: Huashen means Spirit Transformation)

Petrified Bone lifted the curtains of the private room. From the window’s position, he could see the Come Again Barbecue Restaurant diagonally opposite.

It was already evening, and the barbecue restaurant was bustling, with a long queue forming at the entrance.

“So many people?” Petrified Bone was surprised. Since the barbecue restaurant was supposed to be the contact point for the Heavenly Court Sect, shouldn’t it be kept as low-profile as possible?

Was this a reverse tactic, or did it reflect the Heavenly Court Sect’s strength, showing no fear of being discovered by the Righteous Path?

He retracted his gaze and looked at his two subordinates.

“Our task in Yanjiang County, assigned by the Sect Leader, is to ascertain the depth and potential of this Heavenly Court Sect. If there’s a possibility for cooperation, I have the authority to act on behalf of the Sect Leader to establish an agreement.”

“You two are my trusted aides, so I trust there will be no mistakes.”

“Huo Huashen, you were the first to contact the Heavenly Court Sect.”

“Zhou Shan, you are well-versed in ancient history and the most knowledgeable in the sect regarding ancient times.”

“Sir, should we contact the Heavenly Court Sect now?”

Petrified Bone shook his head, “No rush, let’s observe for a while. You two investigate the background of this barbecue restaurant and see if there’s anything suspicious.”

“Yes, sir!”

The two responded in unison and disappeared from the private room.

Shortly after, Petrified Bone left the private room, and the waiter handed him a bill: “Sir, your two friends have left. Here is your bill…”

Petrified Bone’s face darkened. Shouldn’t his subordinates have hurried to pay the bill for him?

…

During the investigation, Huo Huashen chatted, “Zhou Shan, everyone says you are the most knowledgeable about ancient history. What’s the latest progress in the archaeological study of ancient history?”

Zhou Shan nodded, “There’s significant progress related to immortals.”

“What is it?”

Zhou Shan looked around mysteriously, ensuring no one was nearby, and transmitted his voice, “What I heard is just a rumor and might not be true.”

“Don’t worry, I can discern for myself.”

“In ancient times, there was an immortal named Ying Tian Immortal. He was charming and left his seed everywhere, causing countless women to become pregnant!”

Huo Huashen’s neck tilted back slightly, “Is that possible?!”

Zhou Shan continued, “According to my analysis, there’s an eighty percent chance it’s true. Think about it, he’s an immortal who has reached the end of his cultivation. With nothing else to do, having such a hobby isn’t out of the question.”

Huo Huashen nodded, finding Zhou Shan’s analysis reasonable, “No wonder everyone says you know ancient history best.”

“Not at all,” Zhou Shan smiled modestly.

“Let’s stop chatting and complete the task at hand.”

…

“Sir, according to our investigation, this barbecue restaurant indeed has some issues.”

“The owner of Come Again Barbecue Restaurant has the surname Lu, but his real name is unknown. Customers like to call him Manager Lu or Little Manager Lu.”

“Four months ago, Manager Lu bought this shop and started the barbecue restaurant. Due to its delicious, tender, and juicy meat, comparable to that made by a spiritual chef, it has received high praise.”

“If it were anyone else, with such a booming business, they would have opened a chain by now. But this restaurant has never shown any intention of opening a branch.”

Petrified Bone nodded, “That makes sense, considering it’s a base for the Heavenly Court Sect. If they focused on expanding the restaurant, it would be putting the cart before the horse.”

“Also, the barbecue restaurant has a good relationship with the local government, often helping them capture fugitives. The local government has given them several commendation banners.”

“Using a disguised identity to curry favor with the Righteous Path avoids a lot of trouble. The cultivators in Yanjiang County generally aren’t very high-level, with the highest only being at the Golden Core Stage, so they wouldn’t be able to see through the Heavenly Court Sect’s disguise.”

“We also discovered that the entire Yanjiang branch of the former Undying Sect once dined at the barbecue restaurant.”

Petrified Bone lowered his head in thought, “It’s possible that the Heavenly Court Sect intended to use the Yanjiang branch to contact the higher-ups of the Undying Sect, but before they had the chance, the Dao Seeking Sect eradicated them. What a pity.”

“According to our analysis, four months ago, Manager Lu’s outwardly displayed cultivation was at the early Foundation Building stage. It’s unclear whether that was a disguise or if he was genuinely at that stage and only recently advanced to the Golden Core Stage.”

“That’s not important.”

“The barbecue restaurant was closed for three months and only reopened in the past half-month, introducing a new product line—the virility-boosting series, which caused a sensation across the county upon its launch.”

“From our investigation of the brothels, the number of customers has significantly increased, indicating the virility-boosting effects are likely genuine.”

“Customers have also reported that the taste of the barbecue has improved even more compared to three months ago.”

“Only reopening in the last half-month? It seems this is a temporary base, and the Heavenly Court Sect reopened to provide us with an opportunity for contact.”

“Not revealing the actual base location to us shows they don’t fully trust us.”

“Alright then, since the barbecue restaurant seems to have no suspicions, let’s visit and see what depth lies here!”

(End of the chapter)