Chapter 219: Chapter 133: Contacting the Golden Bell Tower, Part 2

How could he have possibly known that Fang Shuwen, as a Transmigrator, retained all his memories from birth?

It was something Fang Shuwen couldn’t possibly explain.

If he were to acknowledge them, the first question would be: how did he know they were his parents?

It was better to feign ignorance for now than to get caught in a loop of trying to prove himself.

They soon arrived at Ancient Tree Street. The Qifun Workshop had a large storefront.

Just as they reached the entrance, they saw a familiar face.

Xiao Yanyu stood at the door with a charming smile, looking as if she had been waiting for some time.

"Young Hero Fang, long time no see."

"It hasn’t been that long."

Fang Shuwen said with a smile,

"When did you get to Pojun City?"

"Not many days before you, Young Hero Fang."

"Still for the Seven-String Ancient Chapter?"

"Of course."

Xiao Yanyu said with a sigh,

"It’s a rare prize. The chances of getting it aren’t high, but we can’t just give up."

"You people are certainly persistent."

Ever since Flying Snow City, the Golden Bell Tower had been chasing after the Seven-String Ancient Chapter. Now, their pursuit had led them all the way to Pojun City. They were tireless in their efforts, even though they knew the whole affair in the city was a deliberate setup.

"And it’s not just my Golden Bell Tower that’s being persistent."

Xiao Yanyu smiled.

"But let’s not talk about that. Everyone, please follow me."

The group entered the Qifun Workshop. The storefront was much more spacious than Fang Shuwen had imagined.

The rows of shelves were filled with a dazzling array of items.

There were antiques and trinkets, pearls and agates, and all sorts of weapons hanging on the walls, though most were for decoration.

After he asked a couple of casual questions, Xiao Yanyu told Fang Shuwen that Qifun Workshop was not only one of the Golden Bell Tower’s strongholds in Pojun City, but also a legitimate, open-for-business shop.

The goods out front were mostly aimed at the city’s wealthy residents. If Jianghu people wanted to buy something, they would be led to an inner hall where a different list of items was available.

Xiao Yanyu even found a copy for Fang Shuwen. He opened it and scanned the pages, feeling that the list was truly all-encompassing.

It included common items like Sedatives and Antitoxic Pills, as well as things whose purpose was impossible to guess from their names alone.

What surprised Fang Shuwen was that they even offered protection services from master martial artists.

The daily fee for protection depended on the master’s Martial Arts proficiency, so the prices varied.

Fang Shuwen clicked his tongue in amazement. ’The Golden Bell Tower really knows how to do business.’

Soon, Xiao Yanyu led the group to a room. There was someone inside—a middle-aged man with a constant smile. Seeing Fang Shuwen and the others arrive, he quickly walked over to greet them.

"Hero Fang, I’ve heard so much about you."

Xiao Yanyu introduced him to Fang Shuwen.

"This is the Vice Tower Master of our Golden Bell Tower, Tang Xishan."

"It’s quite a coincidence. Ever since I told Tower Master Tang about you, he’s been waiting for you to contact us."

"But we never heard from you, and Tower Master Tang was needed to oversee things here in Pojun City, so we came here."

"And then, not two days later, you showed up too, Young Hero Fang."

Fang Shuwen sized up Tang Xishan for a moment, naturally offering some pleasantries about having long admired him.

It was a matter of exchanging pleasantries. Whether genuine or not, one had to at least keep up appearances.

The man wasn’t going to refute Fang Shuwen to his face and say something like, "You don’t even know me..." That would be too humiliating. On a first meeting, saying something like that wouldn’t be funny, just awkward.

Tang Xishan was a smooth operator, adept at navigating social situations. Within a few sentences, the atmosphere became quite lively.

He personally poured a cup of tea for Fang Shuwen and said with a smile,

"Young Hero Fang, let’s not beat around the bush. Where is Sinking Blood? Might I have a look at it?"

Fang Shuwen appreciated his directness. He took out Sinking Blood and the saber he had gotten from Mo Liusheng, placing the sword and saber on the table together.

"The sword is Sinking Blood. Its origins need no introduction."

"As for the saber..."

"It’s the Butterfly Bone Saber of Thousand Cuts and Hundred Slashes Mo Liusheng."

Before Fang Shuwen could finish, Tang Xishan cut in.

"I heard that several days ago, Mo Liusheng, Black Heart Granny, and the others all died at your hands, Young Hero Fang. It seems the rumors were true."

Fang Shuwen nodded.

"You have a keen eye, Tower Master Tang, and excellent sources of information."

"You flatter me, Young Hero Fang."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Sinking Blood on the table, and his expression grew solemn.

Though Fang Shuwen handled the sword casually as if it posed no danger, Tang Xishan knew just how many people had died because of it in the past.

According to legend, anyone who held this sword would have their soul seized by its murderous intent, turning them into a walking corpse that knew only slaughter.

It wasn’t until Shangguan Ying merged his own Sword Intent with the blade that he was finally able to subdue it.

After Shangguan Ying died at Fang Shuwen’s hands, Fang Shuwen also seemed unaffected by the sword.

Even so, Tang Xishan didn’t believe the sword was completely without danger.

So, he took a deep breath, discreetly circulated his Inner Strength, and fully prepared himself before slowly reaching out to grip the scabbard.

When he felt nothing unusual, he picked up the sword and slowly placed his other hand on the hilt...

Before he could even tighten his grip, a hint of bloodlust crept into Tang Xishan’s eyes.

Tang Xishan’s expression changed. He subconsciously tried to let go of the hilt, but for some reason, the sword seemed to have an immense stickiness to it, making it impossible for him to pull his hand away.

In an instant, his forehead was covered in cold sweat.

At the same time, an invisible killing intent surged into his mind, relentlessly eroding his sanity.