The Immortal's Wine Store

"You have nothing to worry about, Valir. I've interacted with Asmodeus a long time ago and I'm sure that the man isn't here in the Primordial God Realm. As for allying with Jian Wang, that is even more unlikely. Jian Wang is a proud man. He won't do something that would damage his reputation, but it's not a bad idea to monitor his wine store." 

Valir was stunned upon hearing those words and he could not help but ask in disbelief. "Celestial Emperor, you mean Asmodeus is not here? In that case, where is he?" 

"That guy... he is quite the peculiar one. He didn't even display an ounce of interest in the bountiful lands of the Primordial God Realm. When I last met him, he told me that he would stay in Hell to monitor the Infernals. I don't know why made such a decision, but Asmodeus didn't answer me when I asked him about it. Anyway, enough of that... Just order some people to monitor the movements of Jian Wang and the wine store. Make sure that none of our men would provoke them!" Celestial Emperor Lao Gou warned. 

Valir nodded his head and replied. "Alright. I'll summon a few Elders and disciples and have them observe Jian Wang and that wine store regularly." 

"Mn. Just call me if something comes up." The communication crystal became silent after that. 

Valir kept the crystal inside his space ring and sighed. 

"Celestial Emperor Lao Gou seems to be at ease about this matter. Perhaps I'm just overthinking things..." He muttered to himself. He then went out of the hall and summoned two Elders and a bunch of high-ranked disciples. 

"Greetings, Vice Sect Master Valir!" The two Elders and the disciples greeted him in respectful voices. 

Valir nodded his head calmly and said. "I called you guys here because the Celestial Emperor has given us a task." 

What?! The Celestial Emperor has given a task?!

The eyes of the two Elders and the disciples turned wide upon hearing the words of Vice Sect Master Valir. 

Celestial Emperor Lao Gou had become silent for many years and no one has seen him for a very long time. How could they not be surprised after hearing that had given them a task? 

Seeing the excited faces of everyone, Valir chuckled in his heart, but he still maintained a stern look. "Quiet! We receive intel saying that Celestial Emperor Jian Wang is spotted in Hard Rock City of the desert region. To be specific, he was spotted drinking wine in a unique wine store and according to our informant, this wine store is quite famous in that area, so it should be easy for you guys to locate it. Your mission is to go into that wine store and observe things secretly. Remember, you must not provoke anyone in the wine store and if you notice something abnormal, report to me at once!" 

Jian Wang?! 

After hearing the name, the faces of everyone turned serious. Although their mission was merely a reconnaissance, they still felt a bit nervous since they would be observing the man named Jian Wang! 

Valir harrumphed coldly when he saw their anxious expression. "Hmph! A bunch of cowards! If you don't dare take this mission, then I'll just ask for someone else!" 

"Vice Sect Master, please wait! W-We will take this mission!" An Elder stepped forward and said through gritted teeth. Although the mission was quite dangerous, he believed that the Vice Sect Master wouldn't be stingy with their rewards. 

Soon, the others also voiced their participation in the mission. 

Valir smiled contentedly when heard them. "Good! Remember, just act like you are normal customers of the wine store. From what I've heard, that wine store is owned by Jian Wang, so never antagonize the workers there!" 

"Yes, Vice Sect Master!" 

"Alright! Set off at once!" Valir dismissed them with a wave of his hand. 

***

"Wait! I think I've forgotten to tell Vice Sect Master Valir about those rumors saying that the owner of the wine store is a swordsman named Jiu Shen. Ays, never mind, I think that guy is just a figurehead that Jian Wang placed to maintain his peaceful life..." Berith who was on his way back to their territory muttered to himself. 

"What do you think, Domas? You've seen that man called Jiu Shen, right?" Berith glanced at the guy behind him. 

Domas furrowed his eyebrows as he recalled the young human he saw when he first visited the wine store. "Now that you've mentioned it. That man is quite mysterious. When I tried to probe his power, I didn't sense any strength from him. It's as if he is a normal human with no cultivation. However, the old man in that wine store seemed to be respectful to that guy. I believe that he isn't someone so simple. Maybe he is a disciple of Jian Wang..." Domas was also uncertain, but he still told Berith about his speculations. 

Berith frowned upon hearing that. The wine store in Hard Rock City seemed to be veiled in mystery. The more they investigate it, the more mysterious it becomes. "It doesn't matter. We have already informed the Celestial Paragon Tower about it anyway. It would be better for us if we remain on the sidelines. After all, this matter involves Jian Wang!" 

No matter how arrogant he was, he could only admit defeat in front of Jian Wang. 

Domas nodded his head in agreement. Their Dark Devil Race might be stronger than the other races and major powers in the Primordial God Realm, but there were still some hidden forces that were much stronger than them! 

"Are we not going to continue our investigation on the wine store, Lord Berith?" He asked. 

Berith shook his head immediately. "There's no need to involve ourselves in this matter anymore. As long as the Celestial Paragon Tower doesn't say anything, let's just stay silent about this." 

Domas nodded his head. He could understand the misgivings of Berith, so he didn't bring up the matter anymore.