<h4>Chapter 1389: Chapter 1386: Trapped by Love</h4>


    Xu Wendong pushed open the wooden door of the tavern, and the scene inside immediately came into view. The light was dim, a few oilmps flickering, casting mottled shadows on the walls and some scattered wooden tables.


    The air was filled with a faint aroma of wine mixed with a barely noticeable hint of herbs, creating a unique atmosphere.


    There weren’t many patrons in the tavern. They each sipped their drinks quietly, asionally exchanging a few whispered words.


    When Xu Wendong opened the door, the few cultivators in the tavern all nced at him simultaneously before continuing to drink and chat.


    "What would you like to drink, sir?" An old man with a hunched back walked up with a smiling face. His hair and beard were entirely white, and his face was full of wrinkles.


    His eyes were sunken but extremely deep, making it impossible to meet his gaze directly.


    Of course.


    This wasn’t important.


    The important thing was that Xu Wendong smelled a scent of death on him.


    Although it was very faint, it couldn’t escape his senses.


    "Give me a jar of your house special!" Xu Wendong said casually, then forced himself to sit at one of the tables despite his weakness.


    The old man responded politely, "Please wait a moment, sir."


    A momentter.


    The old man brought the wine to Xu Wendong. "Help yourself, sir!"


    Xu Wendong said nothing. He poured the wine into a bowl, then lifted his head and drank it all in one go.


    He drank silently like this.


    Until the jar was empty, he then looked towards the old man at the counter, gesturing for another jar.


    Dawn broke in the blink of an eye.


    All the other patrons had left one after another, leaving only Xu Wendong and the old man in therge tavern.


    The old man sat quietly at the counter, holding a ck cat in his arms.


    Xu Wendong slowly spoke, "Another jar of wine, please!"


    The old man spoke in an aged voice, "Sir, you’ve already had three jars!"


    m!


    Xu Wendong took out a medium grade spirit stone and said irritably, "I have plenty of money!"


    The old man’s eyes lit up. In the cultivation world, spirit stones were the currency for transactions, but medium grade spirit stones were rarely used for trade. One medium grade spirit stone was worth a million low-grade spirit stones!


    He promptly brought Xu Wendong another jar of wine.


    Noticing Xu Wendong drinking sullenly by himself, the old man couldn’t help but ask, "Do you have something on your mind, sir? If so, why not share it? I am willing to be your listener!"


    Hearing the old man’s words, Xu Wendong was secretly pleased, knowing it was a bite, but his face remained expressionless.


    After a moment’s silence, he suddenly asked, "Do you have someone you love?"


    The old man’s eyes showed a hint of reminiscence, "I did when I was young, of course."


    Xu Wendong continued, "Did you end up together?"


    The old man shook his head, his eyes full of sorrow, "She lost her life saving me."


    Xu Wendong said, "You are an unfortunate person and also a fortunate one. At least you met someone willing to give their life for you!"


    The old man forced a smile, "If I am not mistaken, you are also troubled by love, sir?"


    Xu Wendong sighed, his words filled with helplessness, "I once met someone I liked, but her status is extraordinary, and I, a mere mortal, am not worthy of her."


    "You are too modest, sir." The old man remarked indifferently, "You have already reached the Great Ascension Peak cultivation level at a young age, which shows your extraordinary talent."


    "Throughout Lingyou Country, who could be out of your league?"


    Xu Wendong drank a bowl of wine, grumbling with discontent, "One’s cultivation level can be improved through diligent cultivation, but one’s birth cannot be changed through hard work."


    The old man seemed to understand, "I think I’ve guessed whose daughter you fell in love with."


    Xu Wendong sighed lightly, "Two thousand years ago, when I first saw her, I felt she was stunningly beautiful. Her smile was like a ray of light, illuminating my life."


    "After that, I worked hard in cultivation just to earn her favor and attention."


    "But she and I are worlds apart."


    "I originally nned to see her onest time before leaving, even if it was just from afar, hiding in the dark and catching a glimpse."


    "But I was discovered by the experts from her mansion."


    "Not only did I not see her, but I also got severely injured!" His voice was low, filled with deep helplessness and unwillingness.


    Just as the old man was about to speak, the tavern door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man strode in with a sturdy build and a loud, booming voice, "Old man Weng, the usual, a jar of worry-relief!"


    Old man Weng showed a friendly smile, "Please wait a moment."


    The middle-aged man nodded and casually sat next to Xu Wendong. As he inadvertently nced at Xu Wendong, a glimmer of light flickered in his pupils.


    Mahayana Peak, severely injured, isn’t this the guy on the wanted list?


    His heartbeat quickened; although he was only at the middle stage of the Great Ascension, Xu Wendong was severely injured and had a dazed look. If he attacked now, he was absolutely confident he could heavily injure him with one strike.


    With that thought, the middle-aged man threw a punch.


    The punch was as fast as lightning, bursting with a terrifying momentum that made the space tremble.


    In such close proximity, Xu Wendong had no way to hide or defend himself.


    And just at this critical moment.


    Old man Weng appeared behind Xu Wendong like a ghost, extending his aged right hand to firmly grab the middle-aged man’s fist. His once-kind eyes now turned icy cold, "No fighting is allowed in this tavern; any grudges should be settled outside!"


    In a low voice, the middle-aged man said, "Old man Weng, this young man is wanted by the government. Killing him would earn a million low-grade spirit stones."


    "Are you sure you want to protect him?"


    A hint of surprise shed in Old man Weng’s eyes, then a sly smile appeared on his face, "Once you’re dead, who would know this young friend was here?"


    As the words fell, his eyes turned purple, as if possessing some magical power that sent shivers down one’s spine.


    When the middle-aged man saw Old man Weng’s eyes, his pupils trembled, and then the light vanished from them, his body copsing powerlessly to the ground.


    Xu Wendong quickly stood up, nervously expressing gratitude, "Thank you, senior, for saving my life!"


    Old man Weng smiled, "No need to thank me, young friend. Since you’ve entered my tavern, I shall keep you safe!" As he spoke, he willed and stored the middle-aged man’s corpse into his storage treasure.


    Xu Wendong said, "Even so, it is still a life-saving grace!"


    Old man Weng waved it off and then curiously asked, "Now that you’re wanted by the royal family, there’s likely no ce for you under this sky. What are your ns?"


    Xu Wendong sighed, helplessly saying, "I originally nned, after seeing my beloved, to head into the Chaotic Star Sea to train, but now, it seems even leaving Lingyou Country is a luxury!"


    He sat dejectedly on a chair, gloomily drinking his wine.


    Old man Weng’s face showed a sly smile, "I know a ce where you can stay unharmed; I just don’t know if you are willing to go."


    Xu Wendong gave a bitter smile, "I’ve been wanted by the Imperial Court. Under this sky, where could I possibly find refuge?"