AZI: The History Shattering Burial of a Selfish Lunatic Vol 7 to ???

AZI Volume 7 Chapter 29.5 Intermission - The Tavern Incident

A year had passed since Cuo Qing Yi had departed from the lands of the Danqing Empire; at a random roadside tavern—

"I heard that the devil has been spotted in the Líng Mù (灵木) Province recently."

"What devil are you talking about? Every demonic practitioner can be referred to as the devil these days."

"What other devil is there—other than the devil that is surnamed Cuo?"

"..."

Hearing this remark, a guest, who is seated at a table away from the person who had made the statement, turns his head in their direction, and asks—

"Is that true?"

"Oh? Might I ask if this friend has a grudge against that devil?"

Towards this question, another guest raises a cold snort, and asks back—

"Who doesn't?"

"Even if one doesn't have a grudge against him, that Mo Xiao—that is in his hand, it's highly coveted."

"Indeed. Legends say that surnamed Cuo was just an ordinary mortal, but upon obtaining that flute, he ended up becoming the devil we all hate today."

"..."

Just as the mood of the tavern turns lively, a figure dressed in a dark cloak—with a straw hat over their head, walks in.

To cover the wearer's face, white curtains are stitched to the hat's edges.

"..."

Ignoring the ongoing conversation, the newly arrived guest walks up to the front counter, to which, the tavern owner asks—

"What may I get you, dear guest?"

Placing a few copper taels down, the guest replies—

"Give me some steamed buns."

"Sure thing."

Collecting the taels, the tavern owner gestures at the waiter, who nods and heads into the kitchen.

Momentarily, the waiter returns, and says—

"Dear guest, I recommend you take a seat. We've already ran out of buns. The chef is currently making them from scratch."

"I see."

Looking around, the man seats himself at an empty table.

In the same instance—

"Enough nonsense. Friend, what you said about that surnamed Cuo being seen in Ling Mu Province, is it true?"

"Absolutely. I just came from there after all. Word on the street is, that surnamed Cuo killed the Teng family's young master, while the former was harassing a young lady. Seeing a damsel in distress, the Teng family's young master thought to help, which resulted in surnamed Cuo's identity to be exposed. In a fit of rage, that surnamed Cuo killed the Teng family's young master; and unable to stand such injustice, several sects and practitioner households made attempts to hunt him down. However, after being chased for four days and four nights, that surnamed Cuo managed to escape from his pursuers."

"...So you mean to say that this is already old news? Any leads on where he is currently?"

"..."

Listening to the ongoing conversation, the figure in the dark cloak, who is none other than Cuo Qing Yi himself raises a frown.

According to Cuo Qing Yi's memories, it was none other than the Teng family's young master—who was trying to harass a young lady, and when the former glanced in the latter's direction, the latter whimsically decided to provoke him.