Chapter Thirty-Six: No Wonder You've Remained an Outer Disciple All These Years

Ouyang Ke not only bought the chicken but also returned with a jug of strong liquor for the man. After the old beggar had eaten and drunk his fill, he drifted into a deep sleep before darkness had fully settled.

Once Ouyang Ke was certain the man was unresponsive, he quietly rose and slipped away.

Moments later, Ouyang Ke appeared not far from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. The building shone brightly in the night, though there was little sign of visitors coming or going. As a place of the immortal path, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion never truly closed its doors.

Ouyang Ke did not act rashly. Although Su Jian had already warned him of the Pavilion’s strength, he valued his life too much to trust anyone completely. These past days had weighed heavily on him, but if he wished to survive, he had no choice but to adapt.

His face taut with concentration, Ouyang Ke pondered for a moment before gritting his teeth and using his last Breath-Concealing Talisman.

Everything would be decided by this attempt... but he was confident he faced no true danger. If he failed, he’d simply stay by the old beggar’s side, never leaving him for a second. Should he botch the task Su Jian entrusted him with, the man might well blame him—and in a fit of anger, take his life. He did not believe the man was any sort of good person; that gentle, easygoing façade might fool children, but he saw it for what it was—self-aggrandizement. As the saying goes, people always think most about what they lack.

Still, the Breath-Concealing Talisman was in effect. Even if someone was watching him from the shadows, they too would be affected by the talisman’s power.

Before entering, though, he needed to tidy himself up. He couldn’t walk in looking like a beggar, or he’d be thrown out before he even crossed the threshold. So Ouyang Ke changed back into his original attire...

...

Su Jian raised his eyebrows in surprise as he watched Ouyang Ke stride boldly into the Myriad Treasures Pavilion without a hint of subterfuge. Knowing Ouyang Ke’s temperament, he was certain this was no reckless move; the man must have his reasons. And this time, Ouyang Ke needed no disguise—he was, by nature, a noble scion.

From the moment he set foot inside the Pavilion, every gesture radiated aristocratic grace.

The steward of the Pavilion sized him up, then hurried over with a beaming smile, “Greetings, friend. What brings you here today? Though this is but a humble branch of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, we carry all manner of cultivation goods in abundance.”

To him, there were only two kinds of customers: those whose cultivation he could see through, and those he could not. The former could be treated with less care; the latter, however, demanded caution, for an inscrutable cultivation meant not only hidden strength but likely great purchasing power as well.

It never occurred to him that someone might have used a Breath-Concealing Talisman in advance.

Ouyang Ke did not immediately respond. He merely cast a calm, sweeping glance around the room, as though searching for something.

The steward quickly caught on and said, “Naturally, if you seek some rare item, we can likely procure it for you—though you might need to give us a few days.”

Ouyang Ke chuckled, “I’ve come to discuss a business proposition with your Pavilion.”

The steward was taken aback but quickly replied, “Please, do tell.”

Ouyang Ke dared not insult the man outright—for that could get him killed—but to achieve his aim, he allowed a trace of disdain into his voice, “Your cultivation is too weak. Even if I present a supreme treasure, I doubt you could recognize its worth. You’d best summon your Pavilion’s most powerful cultivators.”

The steward, not daring to slight him, immediately gestured to his subordinates, “Quick, fetch Protector Gao.”

Moments later, Protector Gao arrived at a leisurely pace. But the instant he caught sight of Ouyang Ke, all trace of indifference vanished.

He could not see through Ouyang Ke’s cultivation, and assumed a formidable senior had come.

Protector Gao cast a mildly reproachful glance at the messenger—such an important matter, and not a word of warning! No wonder you’ve languished as an outer disciple for years.

Even as he cursed inwardly, Protector Gao’s face broke into a broad smile, “Forgive me, friend. I was delayed in my cultivation and came as soon as I could.”

Ouyang Ke forced himself to appear nonchalant, “So, you’re the Pavilion’s mightiest cultivator?”

Protector Gao’s brows knit together. The tone sounded almost confrontational. Yet he’d made no enemies of late.

With subtle meaning, Protector Gao replied, “My cultivation is unremarkable within the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. What brings you here, friend?”

The steward wisely kept silent; both men were trouble, and it was best to say nothing.

Ouyang Ke explained, “I’m here to discuss a business deal. I fear your cultivation may not suffice to judge the value of a supreme treasure. If there’s someone stronger, best call them now.”

Protector Gao relaxed, “I am the strongest here. If you have a treasure, show it. If you’re dissatisfied, you’re free to leave. We of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion are always fair—never forcing a sale.”

Ouyang Ke’s eyes flickered, “Is there anyone else here with cultivation equal to yours? At least one more opinion would be helpful.”

---

Protector Gao shook his head, “This is but a worldly city—my presence alone is enough.” In truth, he felt his talents wasted here.

Ouyang Ke was elated, though his face betrayed nothing. “Then, if you would, step back a little. There’s not much room here.”

He would have preferred a more spacious setting, but that was impossible now.

Protector Gao and the steward, suspecting nothing, both stepped back.

Without hesitation, Ouyang Ke hurled the Celestial Thunderbomb and threw himself backward with all his might.

A deafening explosion shook the room as the Thunderbomb struck at Protector Gao’s feet.

The steward was killed instantly. Protector Gao survived, but his situation was dire; taken completely off guard, he was instantly overwhelmed by the Five Poisons’ miasma.

“Treacher—” The word died in his throat.

Ouyang Ke burst out laughing. Far from resenting the term “treacherous,” he rather took it as a compliment. A pity the man hadn’t managed to finish his last words.

Now, Ouyang Ke could comfortably collect all the Pavilion’s spiritual treasures.

But as he noticed the corpse’s face darkening with poison, he realized the danger. He swiftly halted his next step.

His expression grew grim. Had he not reacted in time, he might have lost his life here.

Patience! One day, he would repay this enmity tenfold.

Still, this plundering of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion had gone surprisingly smoothly. Though the explosion had affected some of the treasures, the damage was not severe.