570 Collecting Information
Su Xiaolu left the inn and went to the address given by the old man.
As she walked further and further away, Su Xiaolu wondered if she had found the wrong place. In the end, she stood outside a coffin shop and looked around. The address was right, but why was it a coffin shop?
The address clearly said it was a tailor.
Su Xiaolu thought for a moment and knocked on the door. Perhaps they had moved. She might be able to find out the location if she asked the current owner.
Su Xiaolu heard heavy footsteps. Soon, the door was pulled open and she took a step back.
This was a burly man with a fierce expression and a rough voice. “Kid, what’s the matter?”
Su Xiaolu smiled and said seriously, “Uncle, I’m here to ask Chen Xicheng to tailor my clothes. Has he moved?”
One shouldn’t hit a smiling person. No matter how fierce this uncle was, he shouldn’t be rough with a child like her.
The man looked Su Xiaolu up and down and said in a deep voice, “I’m Chen Xi. Which sect are you from?”
He directly revealed his identity and asked Su Xiaolu who she was.
Su Xiaolu was still smiling as she took out Minggu’s identity card.
Chen Xi took it and looked at it again and again. He turned to look at Su Xiaolu a few times and finally understood. “The old man took in a girl. You’re disguised as a man, right?”
Su Xiaolu nodded.
Chen Xi stepped aside. “Let’s talk inside.”
When Su Xiaolu entered, Chen Xi closed the door and shouted into the room, “Mother Yan, The old man from Minggu’s little disciple is here. Bring her some desserts.”
“Okay.”
A response came from inside.
Chen Xi was a coffin maker. There were a few coffins in the courtyard. Some were painted and some were not. There were also some large pieces of wood piled up.
On both sides of the corner of the small courtyard were vegetables and melons. They were all things that farmers often ate.
Chen Xi brought Su Xiaolu in. The furnishings in the house were simple, but they were very clean. There was a faint wood fragrance. Su Xiaosu looked around and realized that there was an incense burner.
“How’s the old man?”
Chen Xi asked Su Xiaolu.
Su Xiaolu smiled and said, “Master is in good health.”
“You’re here to ask about the fog in the mountains, right?”
Chen Xi took the initiative to talk about the fog.
Su Xiaolu nodded. She was here for this.
Someone entered the house. Chen Xi introduced her to Su Xiaolu. “This is my wife, Madam Tian. You can call her Auntie.”
Su Xiaolu looked at Madam Tian, who was also smiling at her. She was a very peaceful woman. Her skin looked very fair and her appearance was average.
Madam Tian smiled gently and said, “Hello, Xiaolu. I made this myself. Try it and see if it suits your taste.”
Su Xiaolu smiled. “Thank you, Auntie Tian.”
She took a piece of pastry and took a bite. It was fragrant and sweet. It was delicious.
Chen Xi also took two pieces and ate them. Then, he said, “The fog in the mountains has appeared for two months. After people enter, they can’t come out. Sometimes, you can even hear beast roars coming from inside. The government has sent a huge army to seal it. However, that piece of land is not bad. There have been quite a lot of fungi recently.”
“Recently, many people from the martial world who practice martial arts have come to this town. Some people have gone in, but they haven’t come out. I don’t know if they have encountered any accidents. If you want to go and explore, you have to report to the authorities. All the entrances that can be entered have been sealed. Those that haven’t been sealed are some cliffs that people can’t climb up.”
“Recently, some small animals have been coming out of the fog. They’re similar to rabbits and gophers. The meat is very delicious and is the favorite of high-ranking officials and nobles. If you’re lucky enough to catch a few, they can be sold for a high price. Girl, if you want to explore, I suggest you join the government. A few days ago, a prince came from the capital. He had many experts around him. He’s hiring people with good martial arts skills. With your martial skills, it won’t be a problem to join them. It’s safer for you to go in with them. They’ll gather at the government office on South Street.”
As Chen Xi ate the pastry, he told Su Xiaolu everything he knew.
Su Xiaolu listened attentively. Before she could finish one piece, Chen Xi had already finished the rest.
Su Xiaolu looked at the empty plate and Chen Xi smiled. “Sorry, I ate them all.”
Madam Tian felt rather helpless. She pinched Chen Xi hard from under the table.
Su Xiaolu smiled and said, “It’s okay. This piece is enough for me.”
It was delicious, but it was sweet. She couldn’t eat that much, but it seemed that Chen Xi liked his wife’s cooking very much.
He looked like a tightwad and did not look like a generous person. She was afraid that these things were usually not available to others, let alone try them. She could eat them all because of her status.
“Yes, that’s all I know. Give my regards to your Master.”
Chen Xi said calmly.
Su Xiaolu nodded and stood up. “Okay, thank you, Uncle Chen.”
Chen Xi stood up to send him off. Madam Tian stood up and pinched his waist ruthlessly.
Chen Xi sent Su Xiaolu out without changing his expression.
The corners of Su Xiaolu’s mouth could not help but twitch. Her vision and hearing were too good. If Chen Xi was pinched, his breathing would be heavier.
Chen Xi did not seem to have any children. Su Xiaolu did not hear or see any children. If she wanted to know about this, the old man could tell her later.
After leaving Chen Xi’s house, Su Xiaolu thought about what Chen Xi had said. A prince had come from the capital.
Zhou Zhi had returned to the capital. It shouldn’t be him.
Apart from him, Zhou Heng was the only one of suitable age. After all, the other princes were not old enough, so it was unlikely that they would come to such a dangerous place.
Seeing that it was still early, Su Xiaolu turned around and went to the government office on South Street.
The government office was the stronghold of the government. No matter how big a town was, there would always be such a place.
When Su Xiaolu arrived, there was a long queue. She had not expected so many people to be here.
She looked at the notice and walked over to take a look. Only then did she understand why there were so many people. It was because the notice said that if anyone who was selected went in together and an accident happened, they would compensate their family a hundred taels of silver. The salary would be one tael of silver per day. Whatever they encountered inside, they could take it with their own abilities. Whoever obtained it would get it.
Because of this tempting pay, there were many people queuing up. Some people felt that they might not be able to do anything and might just be a foil. They would get one tael of silver a day if they went in. There were also so many experts. Just a few days of going in would be equivalent to a year or even a few years of earnings in their families. Moreover, if an accident happened, they would even be compensated with a hundred taels of silver.
Those with more sons in the family would send out strong men to try. It was very dangerous, but it was also worth it, right?
After entering, even if they brought back a rabbit, it would be sold for more than ten taels. Moreover, the danger was invisible. Under such conditions, it was difficult not to be tempted. Therefore, there was a long line at the door.