Give You a Chance

"Waiter, bring a pot of wine and some of your finest dishes."

Chu Xingchen sat carelessly in a simply decorated inn, pulling a large ingot of silver from his robes as he spoke.

The waiter, who had been attending to other guests, immediately dropped his work and swarmed toward Chu Xingchen.

"Sir, do you have any other orders?"

Two or three waiters squeezed in, smiles plastered on their faces, all reaching for that single ingot of silver.

Chu Xingchen didn't care which of the three took the money. He simply gave a carefree smile.

"Prepare three top-class rooms for me as well."

As he spoke, Chu Xingchen tossed out another ingot of silver, which was snatched up just as quickly.

The waiters' gazes grew even softer, looking at him with more affection than if he were their own father.

The West Niuhe Continent was impoverished; silver was a rarity here.

Moreover, a big spender who spent money like water would be popular not just in the West Niuhe Continent, but in any other continent as well.

The waiter who had managed to grab the second ingot spoke up in excitement:

"Sir, we'll get right on it! Guaranteed top quality! Guaranteed luxury!"

Chu Xingchen held a folding fan in his hand and tapped it lightly against the table.

The waiter, possessing excellent situational awareness, stopped immediately and asked with a fawning expression:

"Sir, do you have any other instructions?"

Seeing this, Chu Xingchen revealed a satisfied smile. Covering his face with the fan, he leaned forward and whispered:

"I've heard that the women of the West Niuhe Continent have fiery tempers but distinct figures. I hear they have slender waists and are quite... open."

"The places ordinary people recommended since I arrived were mediocre at best. Only someone well-informed like you would know where the true hidden treasures are."

The waiter revealed a look that said—Sir! You really know your stuff!

Just as he was about to open his mouth and give this playboy a detailed explanation, Chu Xingchen cut him off:

"There are too many people here. Go back and think about it properly, then tell me tonight."

The waiter nodded hurriedly, bowing deeply as he turned to leave.

Naturally, aside from Chu Xingchen, Wu Kong, Bright Buddha, and Donggua were also at the table.

They all watched in silence as Chu Xingchen executed this entire sequence with extreme fluidity.

It was as if...

He was incredibly skilled and extremely experienced.

Since they had met up, Chu Xingchen had been brimming with confidence, acting as if all they had to do was follow him and he would easily lead them to safety.

Bright Buddha and the others naturally followed.

But as they followed, things started to feel off.

Usually, when hiding, one would avoid populated areas, but Chu Xingchen walked straight into the place with the most people.

Before anyone could question him, wearing an expression that said "just trust me," Chu Xingchen led the group into what looked like the best restaurant in town.

He even rejected Wu Kong's suggestions regarding disguises.

Then, he proceeded to perform this routine.

While Wu Kong was still thinking of how to phrase his words, several bottles of wine and a few appetizers were brought to the table.

After some thought, Wu Kong still whispered his concerns:

"There are too many people here. It's a mixed crowd. If we are discovered, who knows how many people will die? Besides... isn't this a bit too flashy?"

"And the trick of hiding in the most dangerous place... I'm afraid that won't work on the Buddhist Sect."

Donggua sneered at just the right moment:

"This is the last meal before execution. This man is going to sell us all out, you idiots."

Bright Buddha did not say much. He simply looked closely at the wine bottle, and after a moment, picked it up and poured himself a cup.

Wu Kong looked sideways, about to ask a question, when he saw Bright Buddha down the cup in one gulp.

This Buddha had been as relaxed as Chu Xingchen from the start. Along the way, he didn't smell the roses, nor did he ask questions.

Chu Xingchen also poured a cup of wine and clinked glasses with Bright Buddha before speaking slowly:

"Your disguise techniques are too abrupt in front of the Buddhist Sect. Bright Buddha must have sensed it, right?"

Bright Buddha nodded gently. "A very strong illusion technique. It not only masks spiritual energy but also subconsciously twists mortals' impression of us."

Chu Xingchen nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Donggua:

"As for you, I don't know if the scenes you've witnessed are too small, or if your brain really doesn't work well."

"After fleeing so many times, if the Buddhist Sect still couldn't lock onto your general location, they wouldn't be one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects."

"Those previous escapes were more likely the Buddhist Sect gathering and adjusting their forces, aiming for a single, decisive strike. They were herding you to where they wanted you to go, leaving you with nowhere to run."

"Right now, we are inside their dragnet. Trying to escape by ourselves is impossible."

"I have made arrangements. All we need to do now is wait for the right moment."

Wu Kong found this explanation convincing, as he was well aware of the Buddhist Sect's style of operation. However, he still had a strange expression on his face as he asked:

"Then... do you really intend to go to *that* kind of place?"

"I could in the past, but not anymore," Chu Xingchen took a light sip of his wine. "But if you want to go, I can send you there."

Wu Kong's expression turned solemn. "Pass."

Chu Xingchen shrugged. "Then count yourself unlucky."

Wu Kong pressed again: "The appearance can fool mortals, but what about our aura?"

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly:

"Are you a book of 'A Hundred Thousand Whys'? Do you have to get to the bottom of everything?"

Wu Kong held his breath at the retort but didn't ask further.

Bright Buddha raised his hand and poured a cup of wine for Wu Kong as well.

Wu Kong looked at the wine in his cup, then turned his gaze to the Buddha.

Bright Buddha smiled gently and said:

"I've drunk it. It's brewed from grains, and it won't get us drunk, so it doesn't count as breaking a precept."

Wu Kong sighed softly. The world had suddenly changed to a stage he didn't quite recognize anymore.

Donggua didn't say a word. She grabbed a bottle of wine from the table and started chugging it straight from the bottle.

Bright Buddha looked at Chu Xingchen and asked:

"Fellow Daoist Cui booked three rooms. Is Donggua to stay in the same room as me?"

"No, she's with me tonight."

Hearing this, Wu Kong looked at Chu Xingchen again. Did this man forget what he just said?

Donggua, on the other hand, spat out her wine, looking at Chu Xingchen with suspicion and uncertainty.

Cui Hao's cultivation is only at the Golden Core stage. Is he relying on some sect treasure?

Chu Xingchen looked at Donggua with a leisurely gaze:

"What? Are you looking forward to spending time alone with me?"

"Naturally," Donggua answered crisply, her eyes full of provocation.

Wu Kong remained silent, simply feeling that Donggua was being fooled again.

The person in front of Donggua was not some Cui Hao, but the ruthless and highly cultivated Chu Xingchen...

With Donggua's current cultivation, if she went in there, getting her bone scraps back would be considered an act of kindness from Chu Xingchen.

Bright Buddha also remained silent, simply continuing to drink.

Hearing her response, Chu Xingchen gently raised his glass:

"Then I will satisfy you."

Chu Xingchen smiled and drained his wine in one gulp.

According to the intelligence from the last time Donggua was arrested, she had been constantly using her spiritual sense to try and contact someone while she was bound.

If she were an ordinary character, Donggua likely wouldn't expect to call for reinforcements while under arrest by the Mystic Clear Heavenly Sect.

So, Donggua's target for help was most likely Xu Linglong.

Since their last encounter, he only knew that Xu Linglong was roughly within the borders of the East Victory Divine Continent.

If he made good use of this somewhat dim-witted Donggua...

There might be unexpected surprises.