Chapter 168: Yun Cangqiong Returns to the Inn

Blacksmiths are essential for creating various mechanisms. Fortunately, the inn has two backyards and is quite large, so even if someone is blacksmithing in the yards, it won’t affect the lodging buildings or the lobby.
After sending Ma Chun to arrange for the hiring of a blacksmith and the construction of a blacksmith’s shop, Lin Dong had just returned to his room to practice when there was a knock at the door.
When he opened it, it was an employee from Lin’s Inn. The Peng family had delivered all the fake treasures, but since the employee couldn’t find Ma Chun, they came to him instead.
With Ma Chun busy finding a blacksmith and preparing the blacksmith’s shop, and considering the various trinkets Peng Qiao had left at the Peng family’s place that needed to be retrieved, Lin Dong had no choice but to handle it himself.
The fake treasures bought for 100 taels of silver were obviously not real fakes—they were merely a way for Peng Zhenyuan to save face.
Corals, agates, pearls, jade artifacts… There was an overwhelming array of items. Even though Lin Dong’s vision had broadened greatly, he didn’t place too much value on them, yet he was still dazzled by their abundance.
As for retrieving the items Peng Qiao had left at the Peng family’s place, Peng Zhenyuan’s response was quick—he said both mother and daughter had given them away, and keeping those tattered items was pointless. Getting rid of them completely would also allow the Peng family to distance themselves from the mother and daughter, preventing rumors from spreading about a concubine’s daughter being given away, which would harm the Peng family’s reputation.
This matter was related to controlling products that used spirit stones as energy sources, so Lin Dong couldn’t afford to be careless. He went to the Peng family’s place with Peng Zhenyuan in person.
There were 79 pieces, with the smallest being as big as a copper coin—small enough to be stuffed into gaps without even untying the money bag. The larger ones were modified spirit arrays, with various components packed into boxes that required three or four carts to transport.
It wasn’t until afternoon that the last obstacle was removed, with all 79 pieces of mechanism components, large and small, accounted for.
It was a day destined to be turbulent.
Back at the inn, just as Lin Dong had managed to shake off his distractions and before he could focus, there was another knock at the door.
“Owner, are you in?”
That voice instantly stirred up huge waves in Lin Dong’s previously calm mood.
Zhang Ye!
One of the five original employees of the inn. After heading to Qiufeng City, he stayed in Xilan City to temporarily manage the inn there.
More importantly, Lin Dong had instructed him not to come to Qiufeng City to find him unless Yun Cangqiong arrived at the inn or the Old Man Ding could no longer hold on.
Zhang Ye’s appearance at this moment clearly indicated one of two possibilities.
Panicked, Lin Dong got out of bed quickly, strode over, and flung the door open, staring at Zhang Ye and asking, “What’s going on?”

“Miss Yun Lan’s father has arrived!” Zhang Ye hurriedly explained.
Lin Dong felt a chill sweep over his back as his mood plummeted to rock bottom.
Yun Cangqiong had arrived in time?
Did that not mean the super mission was also off the table?
Seeing Lin Dong’s dejected expression, Zhang Ye whispered, “Owner, are you alright?”
Lin Dong shook his head with a bitter smile. “I’m fine. When did Yun Lan’s father arrive?”
“Just half a minute ago. I saw him appear and came over right away.”
“Hmm! I’ll go take a look.”
Lin Dong nodded. The super mission was ruined, but since Yun Cangqiong was Yun Lan’s father, just out of courtesy toward Yun Lan, he had to go greet him personally. Besides, Yun Cangqiong had once saved him on the official road.
He reached Lin’s Inn in Xilan City through the storage room and instructed Zhang Ye to wait before leaving. After opening the door, Lin Dong saw no one in the courtyard. Taking a deep breath, he strode over to Old Ding’s room.
From inside, Old Ding’s voice could be faintly heard.
Lin Dong hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
“It’s not closed. Come in,” Old Ding’s impatient voice came through.
Pushing the door open, Lin Dong saw Old Ding standing by the bed, while on the bed, a middle-aged man in a blue robe lay reclined, holding his head in his hands.
Though it had only been a brief glimpse, Yun Cangqiong’s strikingly different personalities—elegant and domineering—left a deep impression on Lin Dong. He was almost certain this middle-aged man was Yun Cangqiong.
Yet, the situation… it seemed more like Old Ding was visiting the seriously injured Yun Cangqiong?
Seeing it was Lin Dong, Old Ding’s expression darkened immediately. He muttered, “When did you arrive?”
Behind him, the middle-aged man stretched and sat up on the bed’s edge, glancing at Lin Dong indifferently.
“I just arrived. Hearing that Senior Yun had come, I came to check on things,” Lin Dong replied, slightly turning to look at Yun Cangqiong and bowing. “Senior Yun.”
Yun Cangqiong nodded slightly and smiled. “I have a feeling I’ve seen Owner Lin somewhere before.”
Lin Dong smiled. “I wonder if Senior Yun still remembers the incident two months ago when bandits raided us on the official road?”
Yun Cangqiong recalled. “I remember. You were one of those who were trapped.”
Lin Dong bowed. “Thank you, Senior Yun, for saving me.”
“It was no trouble at all,” Yun Cangqiong said, shaking his head.
“Congratulations, Old Ding,” Lin Dong said cheerfully, turning to Old Ding. “Since Senior Yun arrived in time, Old Ding’s injuries should be fine now.”

“Don’t mention my injuries to me.” Hearing this, Old Ding immediately flew into a rage: “He came here on purpose to anger this old man.”
“Anger the old man?” Lin Dong was completely confused.
“A few rare ingredients can’t be found, so I had to rush over to see this old man one last time,” Yun Cangqiong said nonchalantly.
Lin Dong was stunned: “Senior Yun, are you saying you can’t cure Old Ding’s injuries?”
“Mm!” Yun Cangqiong nodded slowly.
Yun Cangqiong rushed back to the inn just to see Old Ding one last time, not because he had already gathered the materials needed to make the pills. This happiness came too quickly and suddenly.
At the moment Yun Cangqiong nodded, Lin Dong’s mood soared as if riding on clouds.
Seeing Lin Dong looking dazed and lost, Old Ding thought he was worried about his injuries and felt even more ashamed, glancing fiercely at Yun Cangqiong.
“Young Yun, after decades of friendship, you really won’t spare even one Reverse Meridian Pill?”
Yun Cangqiong replied calmly, “I’ve said it—there are only two left, and I’ve already promised to give one to Yun Lan.”
Old Ding’s expression changed instantly, and he put on a flattering smile: “Lord Yun, please give it to me. I only have a few days left to live. How can you bear to watch me die unsatisfied?”
Yun Cangqiong said helplessly, “There’s no way. It’s better than Yun Lan being unhappy if you die unsatisfied.”
“Yun Cangqiong, don’t forget—back then, I often fought for you and killed high-level spiritual beasts,” Old Ding shouted angrily. “Now that you’ve grown stronger and become a peak warrior, you just abandon your old friend.”
“Haven’t I already given you one? Besides, I’ve also helped you steal wine many times before,” Yun Cangqiong retorted.
“That’s not enough. I need at least two,” Old Ding said, his face red.
“Well, there’s nothing I can do,” Yun Cangqiong said, spreading his hands. “I have many old friends. Losing you won’t matter, but I only have one daughter.”
Old Ding said with a sad face, “Lord Yun, please do me this favor?”
“Save your energy,” Yun Cangqiong said bluntly. “Pleading won’t work on me now. Back then I couldn’t beat you, but now… even if you fully recover, I’m confident I can leave you behind.”
“Then why are you still here?” A sly look appeared on Old Ding’s ever-changing face. “You want to watch me die—it will take at least two days. If you don’t want to be nagged by me day and night for two days, it’s better if you hand over the Reverse Meridian Pill.”
“That’s indeed a problem!”

Yun Cangqiong thought for a moment and smiled leisurely. Then she took out a black porcelain bottle from her storage spirit ring and went over to Lin Dong, who was still lost in the joy of regaining his super mission, handing it to him.