Intelligence

The Sun and Moon Pavilion had a strict rule: they did not serve strangers.

You either had to be well-known or introduced by someone familiar. Every transaction also required a prior appointment.

Of course, there were exceptions --- emergencies.

But in those cases, the client had to pay extra.

When Dustin arrived at the front gate of the Sun and Moon Pavilion, the security guards on either side stopped him.

He showed his identification, and once it was verified, they let him in.

Inside, a sweet-looking female attendant led Dustin through the main hall and directly into the rear courtyard.

After passing through a garden with a pond, the two stopped in front of a quiet private room.

“This is the boss’s private reception room. Mr. Rhys, please go in,” the attendant said with a smile.

“Your boss isn’t here?” Dustin looked a little surprised.

“The boss had something to take care of and will be here shortly. Please rest for a moment, Mr. Rhys.” Her smile remained unwavering.

“All right,” Dustin nodded, then stepped into the private room first.

The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, exuding a sense of classic charm.

The faint fragrance in the air was refreshing and soothing.

On the table, fruits and snacks had already been arranged, and the tea was still warm.

Dustin glanced around the room and fixed his gaze on a bookshelf against the wall.

The shelf was filled with a wide variety of rare, even one-of-a-kind books, covering all kinds of subjects.

After scanning through them, he eventually picked up a volume titled Legendary Figures Collection and started reading.

As the name suggested, this book recorded legendary individuals throughout history.

Some ruled territories, some possessed unmatched martial prowess, and some were simply invincible.

A thousand years ago, there was a swordsman who held a city alone, deterring a hundred-thousand-strong army from attacking. Another man lifted mountains and redirected rivers to suppress monsters and stop floods. One beggar laughed three times, walked through the gates of heaven, and ascended to the heavens in broad daylight.

Everyone mentioned in the book was nothing short of legendary.

As Dustin flipped toward the modern section, he saw the name of Zhang Xuanji, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, prominently featured.

His legendary “Demon Purge of the Jiazi Year” had sent shockwaves through the martial world. The three powerful demonic sects, once flourishing, were wiped out overnight and disappeared without a trace.

Since then, Zhang Xuanji had held the number one spot on the Shattering Ranking and remained unchallenged to this day.

The book contained many more details about Zhang Xuanji.

In fact, before the Demon Purge, Zhang Xuanji was relatively unknown -- lazy and aimless, spending his days lounging around and wandering, never once taking cultivation seriously.

But this unremarkable man exploded in fury upon learning that his master had been killed by a demonic sect. He picked up a sword and single-handedly annihilated the entire sect.

Sitting in the chair, Dustin read with great interest.

The incredible, near-mythical feats recorded within stirred something inside him.

He wondered if, one day, he could also be remembered in these pages.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Just then, Margaret walked in, her face partially concealed behind a veil.

She glanced at the book in Dustin’s hands without comment, then sat across from him and poured them each a cup of tea.

“I just got here too,” Dustin replied, putting the book back on the shelf and smiling. “You called me out here so urgently --- what guidance do you have for me?”

“I just received some information concerning your safety. I paid a high price to verify whether it was true,” Margaret said meaningfully.

“You’re not going to charge me for it, are you?” Dustin raised an eyebrow.

“Of course I am! And double the price!” Margaret said, perfectly serious.

“Seriously? After everything we’ve been through together? Charging me seems a bit cold, don’t you think?” Dustin looked exasperated.

“Friendship is friendship, business is business. Out in the world, it’s whatever, but inside the Sun and Moon Pavilion, we only talk business. No personal ties. That’s the rule,” Margaret said with a smile.

“So that’s why you insisted we meet here? Ruthless, aren’t you?” Dustin made a face, pretending to be upset at having befriended the wrong person.

“Business is business,” Margaret shrugged. “But considering our relationship, I can give you a discount.”

“Discount or not, I don’t have any money,” Dustin declared shamelessly.

“No problem. You can owe me and pay later,” Margaret replied breezily.

“Didn’t expect you to be such a money grubber,” Dustin rolled his eyes.

“Running a big business is expensive. Without income, it’s hard to maintain. And besides, this small fee is nothing to you,” Margaret said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Fine, fine. I’ll owe you. Now tell me, what’s the news?” Dustin finally gave in.

“Your actions in West Lucozia recently have alarmed the upper ranks of the Pantheon,” Margaret said, her smile vanishing as she grew serious. “According to my sources, they’re deeply afraid of your potential. They’ve decided to eliminate you completely. They’ve already dispatched two Divine Kings to personally deal with you, and they’re almost at Stonia as we speak.” - Ton