Qing Xuanzi realized that Rong Jiaojiao's milk powder was sold out and wanted to check the black market, but their identities made it inappropriate for them to go. So he said, "It's almost noon now. Let's go eat first, and then we can talk about other things."

Fu Ya nodded: "Okay, I'm a little hungry too, it's time for the children to eat."

So, the group, carrying large and small bags of fabric and food, headed towards the state-run restaurant in the center of the county town.

The signboard of the state-run restaurant looked a bit old in the sunlight, but the interior was clean and tidy, exuding a lively atmosphere.

They pushed open the door and entered. The shop's staff glanced at them but didn't say anything.

Qing Xuanzi glanced around the restaurant and chose a seat by the window. Rong Lianhu handed Rong Jiaojiao to Qing Xuanzi and turned to order.

Rong Jiaojiao was fascinated by everything around her, her eyes wide open, constantly looking around.

Looking at the few dishes available today, Rong Lianhu ordered a vegetable and tofu dish, a braised fish dish, and a soup.

Order two steamed buns and one steamed egg custard for each person.

The food was served quickly, and Fu Ya took over feeding Rong Jiaojiao again. Rong Lianhu left some food for Fu Ya and told Qing Xuanzi and his two sons to eat first.

Rong Lianhu ate first, then took Rong Jiaojiao's food and let Fu Ya eat.

Seeing that his two sons had finished eating, Rong Lianhu asked them, "Is there anywhere you two would like to go?"

With hope in his eyes, Rong Zhiyuan asked, "Dad, can we go see a movie before going home?"

Rong Lianhu calculated the afternoon movie screening time and nodded: "Okay, we'll buy the tickets after lunch."

The two brothers clapped their hands happily: "Yay, thank you, Dad!"

Rong Lianhu smiled, patted their heads, and said, "I'll buy you soda later!"

The two were even happier to hear this, and Rong Jiaojiao, seeing their joy, also imitated them, shouting "Yay!"

The atmosphere became harmonious for a moment.

After finishing their meal, Rong Jiaojiao began to feel drowsy. Qing Xuanzi placed a sleeping talisman on her and said to Rong Lianhu, "Take Jiaojiao with you to see a movie. I will come to find you before the movie ends."

Rong Lianhu nodded: "If you need my help, come find me at the movie theater."

Qing Xuanzi nodded and turned to leave.

He guessed that if they were to set up a longevity-receiving array, they would likely choose a location with few people around.

Instead of unleashing his divine sense to investigate extensively, he planned to search along the outskirts of the county town.

The outskirts of the county town are mostly abandoned factories and barren land, with only a few dilapidated bungalows occasionally visible, making it seem desolate and bleak.

Qing Xuanzi walked along a rugged path, his steps light, circling around the outskirts of the county town.

As he walked, he carefully scanned everything around him with his divine sense.

Qing Xuanzi didn't stop until he had almost circled the entire county.

His gaze fell on a desolate open space ahead, where there was a dilapidated warehouse surrounded by weeds, making it look particularly desolate.

Qing Xuanzi's divine sense clearly perceived a sinister aura emanating from within.

The outer warehouse was dilapidated, as if no one had been there for a long time. However, Qing Xuanzi could clearly hear people talking.

Instead of using his divine sense to search a large area, he used the divine stone to condense into fine lines and explore the entire warehouse little by little.

Upon inspection, it was discovered that the place was filled with a dazzling array of goods, including not only a large quantity of grains, tobacco and alcohol, cloth and cured meat, but also milk powder, malted milk powder and various other general merchandise that could not be found in department stores.

Qing Xuanzi followed the sound with his divine sense and heard the conversation: "Secretary, don't worry, all the antiques we recently acquired have been packed up and will be sent away tomorrow night."

Upon hearing the name of the secretary, Qing Xuanzi immediately became extremely attentive.

Then another voice said, "That's good. Did you follow the old rules?"

The first voice answered, "Yes, small items. It's best to keep them in good condition and store them away."

Then he added, "That person won't find out, will they?"

"No, he hides in the formation to cultivate every day, he won't interfere."

"Then I'll take my stuff to the black market first."

"Go ahead, but be careful not to let anyone see you."

"Know."

After Qing Xuanzi realized that there were only two people talking inside the room, he enveloped them with his divine sense and saw their faces clearly.

The man was thin and small, but dressed in a Zhongshan suit, looking like a cadre, and his appearance was nothing like that of a northern man.

Qing Xuanzi knew at a glance that this person was Sun Ming. His appearance suggested that he should have died young, and there were traces on his body of someone who had stolen other people's lifespans.

The other person was tall with a square face and looked like a simple and honest person.

However, they were actually engaged in the business of reselling ancestral cultural relics, which proves the saying that one cannot judge a book by its cover.

Qing Xuanzi frowned slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He thought to himself, "This Sun Ming is indeed no good. Not only does he collude with evil cultivators to steal lifespans, but he also sells cultural relics. He is truly guilty of heinous crimes."

Although the tall man looked simple and honest, Qing Xuanzi knew that such people were often the most dangerous—they hid among the crowd but did the dirtiest things.

He decided to remain silent for now, observe for a while, and see what they were up to.

So he took out an invisibility talisman from his pocket, gently stuck it on his body, and his figure instantly disappeared into the air.

He then slowly walked into the warehouse, his divine sense constantly scanning the situation inside.

The warehouse was dark and chaotic, filled with clutter, and the air was thick with the smell of decay.

He continued to observe for a while and found that besides Sun Ming and the tall man, there were several other figures busy in the warehouse.

They were all moving goods, and Qing Xuanzi guessed that these were probably items destined for the black market.

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the warehouse. Qing Xuanzi's divine sense stirred slightly and he discovered that two people were walking towards the warehouse.

He quickly hid in a secluded corner, observing the people's every move.

"Secretary, everything is ready. We're going to the black market to make the deal." A voice came, with a hint of respect in its tone. It was the square-faced man.

Sun Ming's voice came from inside the warehouse: "Okay, be careful, don't let anyone find out."

"Don't worry, we're all experienced," the person moving the goods replied.

Qing Xuanzi stood still and waited for those people to walk past him before attaching a tracking talisman to each of them.

He didn't leave, but kept a close eye on Sun Ming. After everyone had left, Sun Ming turned and went to the back of the warehouse.

We opened a room, which was fully furnished, indicating that someone regularly lived there.

Sun Ming opened the wardrobe and crawled inside. Qing Xuanzi sensed an even colder aura emanating from it.

He stopped using his spiritual senses and didn't approach, but instead listened attentively to the sounds coming from inside.

A hoarse voice rang out: "Why is Sun Sang here?"

Upon hearing the title "Sun Sang," Qing Xuanzi knew that this person was undoubtedly a Japanese Onmyoji.