If Mo Wu and others were in other parts of the river at this moment, they would surely discover that this mist only envelops this particular section of the river.

The mist stubbornly refuses to disperse, and as time passes, people become confused; those boatmen and the four from Star Academy all feel a bit dizzy.

It’s a silent process, catching everyone off guard. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The mist has completely trapped those dozen or so boats, yet some people remain unaffected.

Downstream of Qingfeng Slope, on a flat riverbank.

Around the third watch, a series of torches appeared.

Three to five teams, heading swiftly towards the riverbank.

Leading them is none other than Tu Suxia, who hasn’t been seen for days.

Tu Suxia has been quite unlucky recently, not only losing men and materiel but also losing over a million due to the Taoyao Pavilion affair.

He initially planned revenge, but due to Monk Feng Xi’s involvement, he had to give up.

However, someone like him certainly wouldn’t let such a loss slide.

After plotting for some time, he finally found a good method to compensate for his losses.

Beside Tu Suxia is Wang Gui.

Wang Gui is an employee at Taoyao Pavilion; initially, under Master Ji’s supervision, he could only serve as a servant.

But since Taoyao Pavilion changed its head chef, from Yang Su to the later Master Chen, and then to Tu Suxia, Wang Gui has been seeing a promising future.

Especially after he told Tu Suxia Yang Su’s method for making a fortune, he quickly became one of Tu Suxia’s trusted insiders.

"Chairman, the boats are arriving soon. This time, we will surely make a fortune."

Wang Gui ingratiatingly said.

"If things really work out, you’ll be credited for it."

Tu Suxia showed a pleased expression.

If that thing is truly as useful as Wang Gui describes, then Longteng is just the beginning.

The two arrived at the riverside.

"Why haven’t the boats arrived yet?"

Tu Suxia glanced at the hour, the agreed time had long passed, yet their boats hadn’t appeared.

"I heard there’s fog ahead, it might have affected the journey, but it should be arriving soon."

Wang Gui said.

Shortly after his words, Wang Gui and Tu Suxia saw over a dozen boats swiftly approaching on the river.

"It’s our boats."

Tu Suxia recognized the decoration on the boats, nodded, and smiled.

The boats came closer.

Tu Suxia immediately led Wang Gui onto the boat.

Tu Suxia opened the cargo hold of one of the boats and went inside.

"Are these opium? Does this stuff really make people lose their souls and indulge forgetfully?"

Tu Suxia touched the cargo.

"Of course, the Oiran and those women all took the medicine. If no one had meddled later, not only Taoyao Pavilion but the entire Purple Cloud City would be controlled by opium now. Yang Su said he obtained this special plant from the Poison Saint of Tu Yuan Country. This batch of opium is even stronger than the ones Yang Su brought earlier; originally, Yang Su planned to bring it in after he controlled Taoyao Pavilion. Unfortunately, he never saw the goods, and then..."

Wang Gui made a throat-slitting gesture.

These things were told to Wang Gui by Yang Su one day when he was drunk.

After Taoyao Pavilion went bankrupt, to cling to Tu Suxia, Wang Gui shared the news with him.

The cargo hold was somewhat dim, and Tu Suxia only saw something resembling dry straw.

Tu Suxia was still uneasy, so he fumbled around the cargo hold, grabbed a handful of medicinal herbs, and smelled it under his nose.

With one sniff, Tu Suxia furrowed his brows.

"Why does this opium smell like burning oil?"