Chapter 236: Grandfather Nie’s Old Friend, the Incident in the City
North Barren City was a big city located in the northern region of the great desolate.
North Barren City was not as strict as the Central Plains City in terms of public security. The people here were all quite fierce. In addition, the city lord of North Barren City had never been in charge of anything, which led to the rebirth of chaos here. Some small forces and big forces were running amuck.
Moreover, there were almost a few cultivators who had fallen into the weeds and become bandits in the nearby mountain range. Of course, these cultivator-turned bandits all had some background.
At this time, Su Yi and the other two slowly arrived outside the city gate of North Barren City. They saw that there were not even any guards outside the city gate.
From time to time, there would be cultivators with fierce auras walking past Su Yi and the others, and then entering North Barren City.
Perhaps because they were dressed luxuriously, these cultivators were all far away from them, afraid that they would offend the young masters of some influential families.
“Is this the North Barren City?”
He could not help but ask as he looked at the three big words on the bright plaque on the tall stone city gate.
On the way here, he had asked Grandpa Nie about the cities in the northern region and learned that they were going to the North Barren City.
From Grandpa Nie’s words, he learned that the North Barren City was full of chaos. It was a city that had almost no management.
As for Grandpa Nie, he was worried that something would happen to Su Yi and the others. If something really happened that easily, he would rush them back to Central Plains immediately. Otherwise, going to the ancient ruins would just be courting death.
“Yes, this is the North Barren City. Let’s go in.” After saying that, Old Master Nie slowly walked into the city with Su Yi and Nie Ling.
As soon as they entered the city gate, they heard noises coming from the city. There were all kinds of cultivators selling low-level demon cores or demon beast materials. Most of them were selling ores and other materials.
However, these were too low-level. They were of no use to Su Yi at the moment. Their destination was not this so-called North Barren City.
After entering North Barren City, Old Master Nie suddenly stopped and turned around to speak to Su Yi and the others.
“Su Yi, girl, I’m going to look for an old friend. You guys can wander around the city. When the time comes, I’ll look for you guys.”
After saying that, Old Master Nie did not wait for him to say anything to Nie Ling. Then, he turned around and left the two of them.
“I’ll take my leave!”
After saying that, Old Master Nie’s figure moved and disappeared from the eyes of the two of them at an extremely fast speed.
Seeing the temperamental Old Master Nie, he could only sigh helplessly.
At this time, Nie Ling leaned forward and looked at him as she asked indifferently, “Su Yi, what should we do now? Are we looking for a place to stay?”
Hearing this, he looked around and replied, “let’s go around according to Senior Nie’s words first.”
As he spoke, he strode towards the city. Behind him, Nie Ling did not say anything and obediently followed behind him.
…
On the other side, Old Master Nie was seen walking on a small alley in high spirits. His steps were large and fast, and in the blink of an eye, he had entered an extremely remote alley.
Immediately, a long-aged smell was transmitted over. Other than the faint rotten smell, there was also a faint smell of wine.
Old Master Nie’s nose twitched, and then revealed a look of enjoyment. He smiled and muttered, “hmm, it’s been more than 20 years, and it’s still here.”
Looking for the smell of wine, he came to a dilapidated wine shop. This dilapidated wine shop only had a small front, and the signboard was already covered in dust, making it impossible to see what the words were.
The faint fragrance of the wine came from inside the wine shop. Looking from the outside, it could be said that it was extremely dilapidated and did not have any guests.
Indeed, it would be strange if there were any guests in such a place.
The owner of this wine shop was also an old man.
However, this old man was lying on a rocking chair in a slovenly manner. He held a wine gourd in his hand, and from time to time, he would pour wine into his mouth. He looked drunk.
As if sensing that someone had come to his wine shop, the old shopkeeper said indifferently without even looking at the stench of alcohol.
“You want to buy wine? You can buy anything for 100 spirit stones.”
After saying this, he did not care who came. He continued to be drunk.
When Old Master Nie heard this, the corner of his mouth slightly curled up, and then he said indifferently, “old friend, we haven’t seen each other for so many years. Why are you still like this?”
After saying this, the drunkard old man, who was originally lying on the rocking chair, suddenly opened his eyes. His originally tipsy expression immediately became clear-headed.
The drunkard old man straightened his body and looked at the person who used his trembling finger to point at Old Master Nie. After which, he rubbed his eyes and exclaimed in disbelief.
“Ding, Dingtian!!”
…
In another place, Su Yi and Nie Ling had already arrived at a trade market between cultivators.
He had discovered that there was no trading firm in Barren City. Instead, it was more or less a small shop with scattered cultivators selling demon beast materials.
“It is unexpected that there is no trading firm here,” he looked at Nie Ling and said indifferently.
Nie Ling seemed to understand what he meant. She nodded slightly and said slowly, “North Barren City has always been remote, and there are no cultivation secret places nearby. In addition, the city lord’s mansion is not in charge, and it’s too far away from the Central Plains. Therefore, it’s not good to set up branches here.”
When they were in the Central Plains, the Nie family had discussed whether to open branches in every city, but they all excluded North BarrenCity because they all knew that it was not a wise move to open a branch here. Even the Thousand Treasures Pavilion gave up on North Barren City.
Hearing this, Su Yi’s face revealed an expression of understanding. He did not know much about business matters, and Nie Ling did have some logic in the future.
Not to mention that there were only low-grade demon beast materials and low-grade ores produced here, even the quality of cultivators was uneven. Moreover, there were even cultivators who specialized in robbing around the city.
It was indeed not a wise move to open a branch in this city.
The two of them wandered around the cultivators’ trading ground and did not see anything of value. On the contrary, their appearance caused unnecessary movements.
Just as they were looking for a place to settle down, a commotion suddenly came from afar, accompanied by a shout.
“Those over there, stop right there!”
With a loud shout, the cultivators who were setting up their stalls packed up and ran away. Those who did not know better would have thought that the city enforcement officers had arrived.
At this time, a figure with a group of people slowly arrived in front of Su Yi.
…