Chapter 357: Seeking for Someone

As night fell, the streets and alleys of Eternal Slumber City were ablaze with lights and bustling with noise.

Perhaps because of the grand event at the Hunting Arena tonight, the streets were noticeably more crowded than usual.

The entrances to the brothels and gambling dens, once packed beyond capacity, were now emptying out as the pleasure-seeking demon cultivators hurriedly finished their indulgences and streamed toward the Hunting Arena.

And as for the main star of the night—Hua Erniang—

At this moment, she had just set down her chopsticks, patted her slightly full belly with satisfaction, and gave a thumbs-up to Gu Ning’an, smiling as she said,
“Sir, your cooking skills are truly exceptional! If you ever open an inn, I’d be your most loyal customer!”

Gu Ning’an chuckled, “I merely know how to prepare simple home-cooked meals. If we’re talking about true culinary mastery, that honor belongs to those who have spent a lifetime wielding kitchen tools.”

“Take that lamb soup and crisp flatbread we had yesterday—if it were made by an old friend of mine, whether in terms of the soup’s rich flavor or the flatbread’s crispy aroma, it would surely surpass what I can make.”

“Really?!” Hua Erniang smacked her lips, her face filled with longing. “Then if I make it through tonight, you must tell me where to find it—I have to try it!”

Gu Ning’an paused for a moment before replying, “That old friend… is no longer around.”

“Ah…” Hua Erniang’s expression stiffened. She cupped her hands apologetically. “Sir, I’m sorry… I didn’t know…”

Gu Ning’an raised a hand dismissively. “No need. Life and death are the most natural cycles of existence.”

“True… Unless one transcends to the level of the Void Emperor or a True Immortal, no one can escape the blade of time.”

“What a shame… I’ll never get to taste the legendary lamb soup your old friend made…”

Seeing Hua Erniang’s regretful sigh, Gu Ning’an chuckled, “Not necessarily. That old friend of mine had a son. If he has inherited his mother’s skills, you may yet have the chance to taste it.”

“Oh?” Hua Erniang’s eyes lit up. “That would be wonderful—at least there’s still hope.”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Yes, I, too, hope that one day I might once again savor my old friend’s cooking…”

“Hey! Hey! Hey!”

A loud voice interrupted them.

“Hua Erniang! Why are you still sitting here? Aren’t you supposed to be at the Hunting Arena tonight?”

“The whole crowd is already there waiting for you—why are you still standing around?”

At the entrance of the inn stood a middle-aged woman with a round face and a barrel-like waist. She called out to Hua Erniang, her tone laced with mockery.

Judging by her smirk and her deliberately sarcastic tone, she was clearly here to watch the spectacle unfold.

Without even turning her head, Hua Erniang scoffed,
“Some toads are ugly enough as they are. And even after taking human form, they still look just as hideous.”

“I almost pitied the wretched thing, but then I remembered the saying ‘one’s appearance reflects one’s heart’—and suddenly, all sympathy vanished.”

“You—!” The fat woman’s face twitched in anger. She looked ready to lash out, but when she met Hua Erniang’s icy gaze, she hesitated.

After struggling for a moment, she finally gritted her teeth and spat,
“I’ll be watching tonight—let’s see how you die!”

With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.

Hua Erniang sneered. “Tch. Mr. Gu, did you see that? That toad demon also runs a business nearby. We’ve never had any grudges before, but now that I’m down on my luck, she just had to come and step on me.”

“Wherever there are living beings, there is rivalry. This is true no matter the time or place…”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “From a great nation to a single inn, everywhere is a martial world, and every place is a web of mortal struggles. As long as beings have thoughts, they will be driven by desires, emotions, and ambition.”

“People’s desires differ, and so the boundless mortal realm unfolds.”

“Indeed… Thinking about it now, I really miss those days of roaming the world with my husband…”

At those words, Hua Erniang stood up and smiled. “It’s about time—I should get going.”

“Sir, do you have any plans for tonight?”

“If not, why not come watch my Hunting Battle?”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “I intend to go.”

“Then let’s go together?” Hua Erniang said with a smile.

“Please go ahead, Innkeeper Hua. I still need to find someone to accompany me,” Gu Ning’an said as he stood up.

Seeking someone?

Wasn’t Mr. Gu an outsider?

Did he actually have acquaintances in Eternal Slumber City?

Though curious, Hua Erniang didn’t press further. She simply nodded and smiled. “Then I’ll trouble you to lock up the inn. I’ll take my leave first.”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Alright.”

After cupping her hands in farewell, Hua Erniang strode away. Meanwhile, Gu Ning’an retrieved a brass key from his sleeve and calmly locked the inn’s door.

Not far away, after walking just a few steps, Hua Erniang suddenly clapped her hands. “Oh, I forgot to ask where Mr. Gu will be sitting. If anything happens, I’ll need to trouble him to take my husband’s sword…”

With that thought, she turned back and quickly made her way to the inn’s entrance.

Just as she arrived, Gu Ning’an was finishing locking the door, speaking to Doubao on his shoulder about something.

Hua Erniang, in a hurry, barely registered their conversation. She only vaguely caught the words ‘Void Emperor’, but paid little mind to it. Instead, she asked Gu Ning’an where he would be seated.

Then, she made a request—if she were to die in the fight, she would toss out the Free Wanderer Sword. She asked Gu Ning’an to take it with him: if he met a worthy swordsman, he could gift it to them; if he found a serene, spiritual place, he could bury it there; and if he didn’t mind, he could keep it for himself.

Gu Ning’an nodded in agreement.

With that assurance, Hua Erniang bowed deeply, then turned and swiftly disappeared into the crowded streets.

As she neared the entrance of the Hunter’s Arena, a thought suddenly struck her—she recalled what Gu Ning’an had been asking Doubao.

“Mr. Gu… Was he asking Doubao for directions to the Void Emperor Temple just now?”

“So his purpose for coming here all along was to visit the Void Emperor? Could he be planning to watch the battle alongside the Void Emperor tonight?”

Muttering to herself, she shook her head.

“No, that can’t be right. The Void Emperor Temple isn’t open, even if he went there… And the Void Emperor rarely makes an appearance. It’s uncertain whether he’s even in Eternal Slumber City.”

“Even if I take a step back, Mr. Gu is indeed a powerful figure… but could he really be acquainted with someone like the Void Emperor?”

No matter how much she trusted Gu Ning’an, she simply couldn’t picture the refined white-clad scholar sitting beside a mighty great demon, watching her battle.

“I must be overthinking because of my injuries…”

Shaking off the thought, she stepped through the massive arched gates of the Hunter’s Arena.

She had barely taken a few steps inside when a familiar voice called out behind her.

“Lady Hua, you’re finally here!”

“The match is about to start! Come, follow me inside!”

“If we’re late, those inn workers will be in trouble!”

The one speaking was none other than the black-clad swordsman, Duan Chen.

Tonight, Duan Chen was dressed sharply—his robes neat and fitted, his hair tied high in a proper martial style. With his handsome face and air of a wandering swordsman, he could have easily stolen the hearts of countless young women in the mortal world.

He reached out his right hand toward her.

But Hua Erniang simply walked past him with a serious expression. “Then let’s hurry.”

His hand still hanging in midair, Duan Chen stood there awkwardly, watching her retreating figure. A shadow flickered across his eyes.