The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Zhuang Zheng had the Fox Daoist rent a Flying Boat from another Cultivator. Thanks to the Drunken Immortal Brew, the 'Eight Immortals' had been making many new connections with fellow cultivators lately.

On Chen Dong's instruction, Wang Wan'Er continued to pretend that her injuries had yet to heal.

Zhuang Zheng rented the Flying Boat in part to accommodate the pair. Since he'd already decided to build some goodwill, he was willing to keep up appearances until the recipe was in his hands.

The journey took nearly two days, and the group finally reached the outskirts of Drunken Immortal City.

Now that they were so close to Drunken Immortal City, Chen Dong handed over the recipe and brewing method to the group, just as he had promised.

After the Fox Daoist successfully concocted a batch of Drunken Immortal Brew, Zhuang Zheng took out a storage pouch and handed it to Chen Dong. "Ninth Brother, there are a thousand Spirit Stones in here. It's your rightful share from the Drunken Immortal Brew. Let's be frank. If you want to escape, feel free to go. In consideration of our time as brothers and the fact that we haven't harmed you, I ask that you hold no grudges against us after you leave."

His words were a clear request for Chen Dong not to seek revenge. The profits from the Drunken Immortal Brew had only amounted to a little over eight thousand Spirit Stones so far, and now they were even giving him his cut to placate him.

The other 'Eight Immortals' were stunned for a moment before it dawned on them: Big Brother was letting Chen Dong go! Didn't that mean their hopes for the third stage of the Drunken Immortal Brew were dashed?

But to their surprise, Chen Dong accepted the storage pouch and smiled. "Big Brother, what are you talking about? I genuinely came to taste the Drunken Immortal Brew. If your identities are an issue, you can disguise yourselves and come inside with me."

Zhuang Zheng was now uncertain. He couldn't tell if Chen Dong was being truthful. 'Could this Ninth Brother be so ruthless that he plans to lure us inside and wipe us all out in one fell swoop?'

So, he shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Ninth Brother, you and your wife can go on your own."

He might have felt that way, but the other 'Eight Immortals', desperate for a breakthrough, thought differently.

The lanky Mountain-Carrying Immortal immediately said, "I'll go in with you!"

Hao Niu, the Earth-Shattering Immortal, quickly chimed in, "I'll go too!"

The sixth brother, Ji Du Immortal, and the seventh, Giant Wood Immortal, also declared their intention to go along.

This forced Zhuang Zheng to be more cautious. For the sake of his brothers' safety, he said, "Ninth Brother, if you insist on going, then how about you leave your wife here with us?"

Hearing this, Wang Wan'Er immediately blurted out, "I want to see my lady! We've been gone for so long, she must be worried sick!"

They were right on the edge of Drunken Immortal City, and Wang Wan'Er could tell the 'Eight Immortals' no longer intended to kill them, so she spoke her mind freely.

Chen Dong's heart skipped a beat. 'Can't this silly girl see what the 'Eight Immortals' are so afraid of? If they found out I'm just a live-in son-in-law of the Wang Family with no real background or status, all my planning will fall apart at the last minute.'

Chen Dong spoke up at once. "Forget it, forget it! Big Brother, we were brothers for a time. Let's just part ways here!"

Chen Dong had originally planned to use the authentic Drunken Immortal Brew to restore his cultivation. Once he had some ability to protect himself, he would continue to torment the 'Eight Immortals'. After all, his luck seemed to flourish around shady characters like them. But Wang Wan'Er's outburst forced him to abandon that plan.

Before the other 'Eight Immortals' could react, Chen Dong grabbed Wang Wan'Er's hand and started walking toward Drunken Immortal City.

"Big Brother, is that kid really leaving? What about our third-stage Drunken Immortal Brew?"

"Yeah, Big Brother! What's the deal?"

Zhuang Zheng said coldly, "Still thinking about the third stage? Can't you tell that kid's background is extraordinary? If his clan finds us, we won't even know what hit us. It's best we let him go now. Besides, Second Brother has already mastered the first two stages. We can just focus on earning Spirit Stones slowly from now on!"

"But, Big Brother, this fortuitous opportunity..."

"Enough with the 'buts'. I have a plan. Follow me!"

At Zhuang Zheng's direction, the eight of them quickly disguised themselves and secretly followed Chen Dong and Wang Wan'Er.

He, too, harbored fantasies about the third stage of the Drunken Immortal Brew.

The Fatty, Xin Ranming, asked in confusion, "Big Brother, are you planning to take us to the Drunken Immortal Tower to just spend Spirit Stones on a drink? If that's the case, count me out. The Drunken Immortal Tower has a Golden Core Cultivator in charge. They verify everyone's identity before serving them. I don't want to walk right into a trap!"

The Fox Daoist cut in, "Do you take Big Brother for a fool? We're just following the kid to figure out who he really is. If what he says is true and he really doesn't have any powerful backing, we'll find an opportunity to snatch him back. After all, Big Brother already invested a thousand Spirit Stones in him."

His confusion cleared, Fatty Xin Ranming nodded, his eyes glinting with excitement. If they captured the kid again, knowing Zhuang Zheng's temperament, he wouldn't be so lenient. And then, he himself could finally make a move on that woman.

Chen Dong and Wang Wan'Er had just stepped through the city gates when she grabbed his arm. "I'm not listening to another word you say! You have to come back to the Wang Family with me. We've been missing for so many days, my lady must be worried sick! She probably thinks I'm the one who ran off with you!"

Chen Dong frowned. 'This girl is being foolish again.' He whispered, "Don't think we're safe just yet. Those eight definitely haven't given up; I'm sure they're following us. Our only choice is to go to the Drunken Immortal Tower and see this act through to the end. Besides, it's the safest place in the city. You don't want to lead them to the Wang Family, do you?"

Chen Dong was only saying this to scare Wang Wan'Er, but he had unwittingly hit the nail on the head. The 'Eight Immortals' were, in fact, trailing right behind them.