The man wore a straw hat and looked to be in his fifties. He had a slightly pointed chin and an ordinary appearance, but his skin had a faint grayish-white tinge.

If someone gets close, they can even smell an unusual, sweet, fishy odor on the man, which is definitely due to years of contact with poison.

After entering the main hall, the man's gaze fell on Zhu Wushi. After a few breaths, the man said, "Heh! You were actually able to sense me. It seems that after absorbing Du'e, Dujie, and Dunan, your cultivation has successfully reached the Great Grandmaster realm!"

Zhu Wushi remained calm in the face of the man's words and did not dwell on the topic. Instead, he said, "You should not be here at this time."

The man said nonchalantly, "Don't worry! I set off at midnight last night. No one followed me along the way, and the Azure Dragon Society didn't notice anything."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wushi's expression did not soften in the slightest: "Where is what I want?"

In response to Zhu Wushi's words, the man took out a small emerald green bottle from his pocket and threw it at Zhu Wushi.

After Zhu Wushi took the medicine bottle, the man slowly said, "Regarding the things we agreed on, I helped you put Du'e, Du Jie, and Du Nan into a state of suspended animation with poison. Now I've also given you the poison from Cui Mo Jiu Yun Yan. I've completed two of the things I promised you. After you finish the last one, don't forget to learn the 'Absorption Technique' that you promised me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the man turned and disappeared from the hall.

Only Zhu ignored the emerald green bottle in his hand, his eyes darting about with thoughts.

……

End of the You hour (5-7 PM).

As the imperial capital of the Great Ming Dynasty, the capital city was far larger than a small city like Yushui City.

The capital city was also divided into the inner city, the outer city, and the palace city.

Even with the vastness of the inner and outer city, it would take more than a day to explore it all.

While Chu Qinghe and his group were strolling around, not only Qu Feiyan and the other women, but even Shui Mu Yin Ji were carrying small items they had bought while wandering around the capital.

Compared to the other women, Chu Qinghe seemed rather listless at this moment.

I wonder if men are just naturally less interested in shopping.

Logically speaking, given Chu Qinghe's current physical condition, he shouldn't be tired after walking around the streets for just a few hours.

As darkness fell completely and lanterns began to hang high in the streets, Chu Qinghe and his companions leisurely returned to the inn.

Just as the women were sitting in the courtyard discussing the things they had just bought, the innkeeper's waiter quickly walked to the entrance of the courtyard and said, "Sir, there are two gentlemen outside who say they have come to visit you, young master."

"visit?"

Upon hearing what the waiter said, the expressions of Jellyfish Yin Ji and Qu Feiyan and the other women in the courtyard were slightly taken aback.

Upon hearing what the waiter said, Chu Qinghe turned his head slightly, as if he had thought of something, and his brows furrowed slightly.

After a moment's hesitation, Chu Qinghe said, "Let them in!"

The waiter nodded and quickly turned to walk outside.

As the waiter set off, Jellyfish Yin Ji asked, "Zhu Wushi?"

Chu Qinghe nodded slightly and said, "It should be."

In the capital, Chu Qinghe only knew a few people, including Zhu Wushi, Hua Manlou, and Lu Xiaofeng.

However, Chu Qinghe and his companions disguised themselves throughout this trip.

It's impossible for Hua Manlou and Lu Xiaofeng to know Chu Qinghe's whereabouts.

Naturally, the identity of the person who came to the door at this time was quite obvious.

"We've arrived a bit too early."

After Chu Qinghe muttered this to himself, Qu Feiyan and the other girls quickly tidied up the things on the table and put them inside the house.

When the girls came out, the two figures slowly walked to the entrance of the courtyard where Chu Qinghe was, led by the waiter.

Upon seeing Zhu Wushi and Shangguan Haitang, Chu Qinghe's eyes flickered with a fleeting thought, but his face wore a professional and gentle smile.

After Shangguan Haitang took out a piece of silver and tossed it to the waiter to send him away, Zhu Wushi finally stepped into the courtyard.

When Zhu Wushi reached Chu Qinghe and his companions, he finally spoke, "It's been a long time. How have you been, Young Master Chu?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Qinghe chuckled and said, "The Divine Marquis is still as dashing as ever! Please have a seat."

Zhu Wushi nodded with a smile and slowly sat down.

After sitting down, Zhu Wushi first glanced at the disguised Shui Mu Yin Ji and the others, and then focused his gaze on Chu Qinghe, who was also disguised, opposite him.

"I never expected that Young Master Chu would be so skilled in disguise. If I hadn't known beforehand, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell the true identities of Young Master Chu and his companions on the street."

Chu Qinghe smiled and said, "I don't want to be too conspicuous when I'm out and about, please don't take offense, Divine Marquis."

Zhu Wushi smiled lightly and then glanced at Shangguan Haitang beside him.

Noticing Zhu Wushi's gaze, Shangguan Haitang took two steps forward and gently placed the jade box she had been holding on the table.

As Shangguan Haitang opened the jade box, the items inside instantly came into view of Chu Qinghe and the others.

It was a plant that looked like a rice stalk, but was entirely ice-blue with a crystalline sheen.

As Chu Qinghe and the others focused their attention on the box, Zhu Wushi smiled and said, "I left in a bit of a hurry earlier and didn't have anything with me. Now that Young Master Chu has come to the capital, I'll take this opportunity to present the consultation fee from last time."

After turning his gaze away from the plant in the jade box, Chu Qinghe said, "Poria cocos and Ice Soul Spike, I didn't expect the Divine Marquis to have such a thing in his possession?"

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