The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 405

Chapter 405: Chapter 401: The Abandoned District Chapter 405: Chapter 401: The Abandoned District Shen Luo had already asked Guan Feng, Changping Alley was located at the southwest corner of Chang'an City, very far from Xuande Gate, and could take quite a while to get to.

He looked around at the shops lining the street, in search of shops selling cultivation items.

After a while, the carriage had traveled several streets and all he saw were mortals, not a single monk. The goods in the nearby shops continued to be ordinary, nothing related to cultivation.

“Master Guan, everyone says that Chang'an City is a holy place for cultivation and has lots of cultivators, but for the longest time, I have failed to spot a single one. Even the shops along both sides only sell items for mortals,” Shen Luo asked.

“Great Immortal Master, it might not be widely known but while Chang'an is indeed considered the holy grounds for cultivation within the Great Tang, immortals are still different from mortals. The court prefers to limit the interaction between cultivators and the common folk. Therefore, they have specifically separated the West Market, located in the western part of Chang'an City, as an exclusive sector for Immortal Masters. If you want something, it is suggested that you go there, else you won't find them around,” Guan Feng explained.

“I see,” Shen Luo nodded without saying anything further.

The carriage continued to rattle forward and only stopped after over half an hour outside a secluded alley.

“Great Immortal Master, we've arrived at Iron Hat Alley,” said Guan Feng.

Shen Luo glanced forward and paused digitally.

This alley had few people, the ground was poorly maintained and covered in fallen leaves. It was completely different from other bustling areas of Chang'an City.

The houses within the alley had locked doors, and the place was so quiet that hardly any noise could be heard.

“Guan Feng, didn't you say that you are familiar with all parts of Chang'an City? Do you know why this place is so deserted?” Shen Luo didn't proceed immediately, but asked instead.

“To answer your question, Great Immortal master, this area is pretty secluded. I have hardly ever been here.” Guan Feng replied with some embarrassment.

Shen Luo didn't pay it any mind and stepped in.

The Changping Alley had a considerable area and he wondered how to find Xie Yuxin.

As an old man, wearing a bamboo hat, approached him head-on, Shen Luo considered his options and approached him to willingly inquire about Xie Yuxin.

However, Shen Luo did not directly mention Xie Yuxin's name but only described her appearance.

Xie Yuxin had stolen the Bai Family's ancestral secret technique that year, and was probably still being hunted by the government. Even though they were in Chang'an City now, it would still be prudent to be careful.

“A girl surnamed Xie? Most of the residents here in Changping Alley are rough men, haven't seen any girls swing this direction.” The old man pondered for a moment before shaking his head and replying.

“Oh, I see. Sorry for disturbing you then.” Shen Luo thanked him and continued his journey into the Alley.

He asked several people along the way, but none of them heard about a girl surnamed Xie.

After reaching the deepest part of the neighborhood, Shen Luo found a simple blacksmith shop situated in a shanty dwelling. A short but robust middle-aged man was swinging an iron hammer, striking a red-hot piece of iron.

“Excuse me, sir,” Shen Luo hailed as he approached.

“Young Master, how may I help you?” The robust man paused his work.

“I came in search of a girl surnamed Xie. She's about twenty years old and quite beautiful. Do you know there's such a person?” Shen Luo asked.

“A woman named Xie? I have never heard of her.” When the burly man heard this, a barely noticeable odd glint flickered through his eyes. He shook his head and answered.

“That's a pity. Sorry for bothering you.” Shen Luo nodded, then turned and walked away, frowning slightly.

Since Xie Yuxin very casually told him to find her here, it shouldn't be hard to do so.

“Master Shen, have you still not found the person you're looking for?” Guan Feng strolled up and asked.

Shen Luo didn't want to discuss it further and turned around to go off.

“Wait, Young Master Shen? May I know what's your name?” The burly blacksmith suddenly halted Shen Luo's departure.

“I am Shen Luo,” Shen Luo stopped and turned to answer.

“Which Luo do you mean?” The robust man continued to ask.

“Luo as in the one in the soil Luo glyph. May I ask why you need this information?” Shen Luo raised his eyebrows.

“If you are Shen Luo, then follow me.” The robust man set down his iron hammer and turned towards the depths of the shanty.

Watching the man's retreating figure, a smile cropped up on the corners of Shen Luo's mouth, and he began to follow.

“Be careful, Master Shen. Chang'an City seems prosperous and opulent on the surface but the city has no paucity of villains. Incidents involving opportunist theft and life-threatening situations are not uncommon. It's better to guard against them,” Guan Feng discreetly pulled Shen Luo and whispered.

“Don't worry, I can handle it. You can wait for me outside,” Shen Luo reassured Guan Feng with a soft laugh.

Seeing this, Guan Feng didn't say anything further.

Shen Luo followed the burly man into the courtyard where they arrived at a corner of the wall.

The man pressed a few bricks on the wall corner in succession, and suddenly the wall caved inward to reveal a door leading to a passageway.

Shen Luo looked ahead and saw only a narrow alleyway zigzagging ahead. He had no idea where it led.

The robust man gestured to Shen Luo and walked inside.

Shen Luo followed behind, alert silently. He started to circulate the Nameless Cultivation Technique and began surveying his surroundings.

The pair walked along the alleyway and soon came to the entrance of a small courtyard.

“Wait here for a while, Master Shen.” The burly man told Shen Luo and then went in.

As Shen Luo looked around, the environment here was quite tranquil, surrounded by woods with birds and insects chirping in incessant melodies. It felt as if they were not in the bustling Chang'an City but in a secluded valley.

A moment later, the robust man came out.

“Master Shen, please come in,” he said to Shen Luo and then turned around to leave, retracing his steps back the way they came.

Shen Luo shot the strange man a look, but didn't care further and went into the courtyard.

The courtyard wasn't very large, having only about three or four two-storey buildings. A road paved with bluestones ran down the center of the yard, and it was flanked by cultivated bamboos and plants, adding a sense of tranquility to the surroundings.

“Brother Shen, I didn't think you'd come so soon.” A white figure emerged from one of the buildings, it was Xie Yuxin.

“Elder Brother Xie, you really are here. It certainly wasn't easy finding you,” Shen Luo said with a bitter smile.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't expect you to come so soon. Plus, I was practicing in seclusion these past days and asked Zhou Tie to be careful in protecting. He is very diligent in his work which inconvenienced you,” Xie Yuxin apologized while welcoming Shen Luo inside the building.

“Haha, I was just kidding. The way that man outside handled things was admirable. I can only admire him. How could I possibly blame him,” said Shen Luo while laughing and waving his hand.

“I'm glad you're not upset, Brother Shen. When did you arrive at Chang'an?” Xie Yuxin asked.

“I just arrived at Chang'an City half a day ago and came straight here. Elder Brother Xie, did you manage to find any leads on Spirit Fire?” Shen Luo's eyes glowed brightly while staring at Xie Yuxin, he asked about the matter that concerned him the most.

“I did some poking around, and it turns out that the Spirit Fire might indeed show up during this Grand Annual Celebration. But, the specific grade of the Spirit Fire is unknown. No matter what type of Spirit Fire it is, the price would definitely not be cheap,” Xie Yuxin warned.

“Elder Brother Xie, since you're familiar with Chang'an City, is there any reputable talisman and charm shop here?” Shen Luo nodded thoughtfully and asked.

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