Chapter 352: Gathering Intelligence Over a Cup of Tea

Bai Luochu wasn’t planning to answer at first, but she knew that if she did not give a reply, Pei Rumo would continue pestering her until he got an answer. “The weather here in the Desolate Region is so hot and dry. Black tea is heaty in nature and I rather not get an ulcer.”

Pei Rumo became speechless after seeing that she was making full use of her medical skills.

After a long period of silence, Pei Rumo could no longer endure it. He brought up the issue of Lu Wenshu again, “Why did you think Lu Wenshu left after arriving in the central region?”

“Didn’t he already explain himself clearly just now?” Evidently, Bai Luochu did not want to speak of this matter anymore.

“You really believe him? I’m pretty sure you’re just avoiding the topic right now. If Lu Wenshu really had something to do, he wouldn’t remain trapped in the fog with us. He was just giving us an excuse in order to leave.” Pei Rumo said what was on his mind.

Bai Luochu knew that it was an excuse as well. After all, she was very clear about Lu Wenshu's character. Since Pei Rumo had already said so much, she knew that he wouldn’t let the matter rest unless she played along with him.

“It is indeed possible that he had pressing matters to attend to. He might also be using it as an excuse to leave. After all, there shouldn’t be any dangers around and traveling with us will only tie him down. Do you think there is something he needs to attend to?”

Pei Rumo guessed, “What else can it be? Other than the battleground and Field Pearl Flower, there should be nothing else that’s important already.”

Bai Luochu fell into deep thought. This place wasn’t simple and knowing the emperor’s personality, there had to be some sort of treasure hidden in the Desolate Region. If there wasn’t, he wouldn’t have mustered such a large force to go into battle. However, she obviously did not share her thoughts with Pei Rumo, after all, she didn’t want to alert the enemy before she was certain on what’s going on.

Thinking up to this point, Bai Luochu hurriedly changed the topic as she wanted to end the conversation.

“Well, no matter what, it's good that he left. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome if he were to leak our strategies and deployment to outsiders.”

Pei Rumo nodded his head, “You’re right, let’s not bother too much about it. What’s important is that our battle proceeds smoothly.”

After the waiter filled the two cups with tea, he impolitely warned, “Please drink it while it's hot. You might not be able to stomach it if the tea gets cold.”

After seeing the attitude of the waiter, Pei Rumo no longer had the mood to drink tea. However, Bai Luochu looked unaffected and even drank two mouthfuls of it, drawing the attention of the shopkeeper.

Seeing as Bai Luochu had already drank the tea, Pei Rumo raised his cups to his lips and took a sup.

Bai Luochu and Pei Rumo looked at each other in confusion. Bai Luochu then asked, “What do you mean?”

Originally, the waiter didn’t want to interfere with their actions. However, seeing that a frail lady was the one asking him the question, he hesitated for a moment before replying, “Truthfully speaking, I have lost count of the number of people who came to my shop to drink tea these few days. Not only have they gone missing one by one, but they were also wearing clothes similar to yours. All of them said that they came in search of a treasure, but ****!”

After the ambiguous words spoken by the waiter, Bai Luochu became even more confused. “Shopkeeper, what are you trying to say here?”

The waiter's face suddenly changed, and gloomily told Bai Luochu, “Little miss, listen to my advice, don’t go searching for it.”

After he finished speaking, he returned to the kitchen and started boiling more water.

Bai Luochu had a grave expression on her face as she finished the whole cup of tea in one go. She tried to organize her thoughts.

Pei Rumo softly coughed and attracted Bai Luochu's attention, “Ahem...”

When Bai Luochu raised her head, Pei Rumo continued, “Let’s not ask anymore, from how I see it, there’s something strange about this shop. I think it would be better if we look for information elsewhere.”

Bai Luochu understood that even if there was indeed something strange about this shop, she wouldn’t be able to get any more information out of the shopkeeper.

“I guess we have no choice but to take a look around.” Pei Rumo suggested after seeing that Bai Luochu had regained her calm. He paid for the tea and they left to look for another shop.

After a short search, they found an inn with a few small courtyards.

Seeing that it was getting dark soon, Pei Rumo decided to spend the night in the inn. After ensuring that Bai Luochu was fine with it, he knocked on the door.