Section 45: Heart of the Cave, Unconsciously Caught in the Pot

"Hello there, young Gu Master, do you have a problem?" Jia Fu walked to the center of the crowd and asked kindly.

The young Gu Master was a little flattered and bowed again. He glanced at his fellow clansmen around him, then gathered his courage and revealed the entire story.

"So that's how it is!" Jia Fu nodded upon hearing this. He then asked Jia Jin Sheng, who was by his side, "Brother, is this true?"

Jia Jin Sheng turned his head away, snorted, and refused to look at him.

Jia Fu began to ponder.

The surrounding crowd was silent, not daring to disturb his thoughts, and all eagerly awaited his judgment.

To be frank, the matter was essentially Jia Jin Sheng's commercial fraud. However, the young Gu Master also had his faults; if his mind hadn't been clouded by greed, how could he have fallen for it?

If Jia Fu had been determined to protect his brother, with his Rank 4 cultivation, even the Gu Yue Clan Leader would have been powerless against him.

After pondering for a long time, Jia Fu finally spoke: "I understand the situation now. This matter is entirely my brother's fault. He caused this young man to suffer a loss by selling him fake goods. I am truly sorry!" With that, he cupped his fists and bowed to the young Gu Master.

"Lord Jia Fu!" The young Gu Master was greatly surprised and quickly said humbly, "You are a Rank 4 Gu Master, while I am merely a Rank 2. This is not proper, not proper at all!"

Jia Fu waved his hand: "Heh heh, this matter has nothing to do with Gu Master cultivation. I have always dealt with matters based on facts, not people. A mistake is a mistake, and I apologize to you on behalf of the merchant caravan. As for compensation, how about this: since young man lost two hundred and fifty primeval stones, I will compensate you double on behalf of the Jia family."

He kept his word and immediately had a follower take out five money bags, which were publicly handed to the young Gu Master.

Each money bag was bulging, containing one hundred primeval stones.

The young Gu Master took the money bags, and was so moved that he couldn't speak.

"But my young friend, I have some advice for you," Jia Fu continued kindly. "The Black Pig Gu is very rare and can fundamentally increase a Gu Master's strength. Although this Gu is only Rank 1, it is difficult to find on the market. As soon as it appears, it is often bought up immediately. The price is around six hundred primeval stones. It's not very realistic to want to buy a Black Pig Gu with just over two hundred primeval stones."

"This junior accepts your teachings!" The young Gu Master sincerely bowed to Jia Fu from beginning to end.

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Lord Jia Fu is wise!"

"Amazing, truly worthy of being Lord Jia Fu!"

"As a Rank 4 Gu Master, he does not bully the weak. Lord Jia Fu is truly a model of the righteous path."

"Not at all, not at all." Jia Fu smiled, cupped his fists in all directions, and said humbly, "Our Jia family has always conducted business with integrity, treating everyone fairly. Esteemed elders and fellow villagers, my brother is merely young and ignorant, and likes to play tricks on people, but his heart is ultimately kind. I hope you will all be understanding, very understanding."

The cheers from the surroundings became even more enthusiastic.

"Hmph!" Jia Jin Sheng's face turned ashen. He stomped his foot resentfully and turned directly into the tent. He then passed through the tent and exited from the back flap.

Fang Yuan observed coldly and, upon seeing this, felt reassured: "It seems the shadow screen left by the Flower Wine Wanderer can be put to use."

The Flower Wine Wanderer had used the Sound and Image Gu to record the shameful deeds of the fourth generation clan leader of the Gu Yue Clan.

Before he died, filled with resentment, he used this Sound and Image Gu, projecting it onto a stone wall, forming a shadow screen.

The screen continuously looped the images, showing the world the most authentic scene at that time.

Based on the principle of maximizing profit, Fang Yuan had long wanted to sell this shadow screen. He was certain that the other two families on Qing Mao Mountain: the Bai family village and the Xiong family village, would be very interested in this shadow screen.

However, it was not appropriate for him to sell this shadow screen himself. His cultivation was still too weak, and carrying the shadow screen to other villages could easily lead to his death.

Even if the transaction was successful and he returned safely, news would eventually leak. Once the information reached the higher echelons of the Gu Yue Clan, he would, at the very least, be expelled from the family.

According to Fang Yuan's plan, he still needed to utilize the Gu Yue Clan for now.

Therefore, the safest method was to sell it to a merchant within the caravan. These merchants were outsiders and did not participate in the power struggles of Qing Mao Mountain, making them the most ideal choice.

In another day, this caravan would depart from Gu Yue village, heading to Xiong family village, and then to Bai family village.

Selling it to them would minimize the risks of the transaction for Fang Yuan, making it the safest and most reliable method.

"Another cup of wine!"

"Wine, where's the wine?"

"Quickly bring it to me, are you afraid I can't afford it?"

Jia Jin Sheng slammed his palm on the mushroom table, roaring.

"Young Master Jia, your wine!" The waiter quickly brought the wine.

Jia Jin Sheng immediately grabbed the bamboo wine cup, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Good wine!" he laughed, his voice desolate and hoarse.

With a bang, he slammed the wine cup onto the table and roared again, "Give me another cup, no, bring me as much as you have!"

The waiter in the wine shop naturally did not dare to offend him and could only comply.

Fortunately, the wine shop was already packed. Not only were the mushroom tables and stools surrounded, but even the aisles were crowded. Jia Jin Sheng, in his drunken frenzy, was shouting loudly, and in this noisy tent, he wasn't too conspicuous.

Jia Jin Sheng drank cup after cup, trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol. His back was to everyone, so no one noticed as tears streamed down his face while he drank.

Who could know his suffering, who could know his sorrow?

Where there is pity, there is often hatred, and vice versa.

Everyone had their own story behind them.

Among his brothers, he was the youngest, the most handsome, and most resembled his father, hence he was favored by his father. However, fate played a cruel trick on him, giving him only a D-grade talent.

From childhood to adulthood, he lived under the oppression and ridicule of his older brothers. He was unwilling, he wanted to resist, but due to his aptitude, he could not.

The father felt his life was nearing its end and wanted to divide the family fortune. He decreed that every two brothers would lead a merchant caravan. He promised to distribute the family assets based on their individual achievements.

Jia Jin Sheng wanted to obtain the family fortune and recognition through his own efforts. However, he never expected to become a stepping stone for his elder brother, Jia Fu, once again.

The moment Jia Fu appeared, he knew he had fallen into a trap. This entire affair was a conspiracy from beginning to end. But what could he do? Ever since joining this merchant caravan, he had been firmly suppressed by Jia Fu. The vast difference between Rank 4 and Rank 1 left him powerless to fight back.

"Jia Fu!" he gritted out the name, his eyes burning with hatred. He truly refused to accept this!

"Want to deal with your brother? I can help you," a voice said at that precise moment, reaching his ears.

Jia Jin Sheng froze for a moment, then turned his head. He discovered that someone had sat beside him without him even noticing.

He shook his head a few times, blinked his eyes, and finally saw the person clearly.

Who else but Fang Yuan!

"It's you!" he glared at Fang Yuan, somewhat annoyed. "I remember you! Lucky brat, you actually managed to get a Warty Earth Toad from my casino! Are you trying to toy with me?"

Fang Yuan looked at Jia Fu, his gaze as cold and sharp as water. "I have a big business deal. If you want to achieve better results and get a larger share of the family fortune, you might as well listen."

Jia Jin Sheng's face immediately showed surprise and suspicion. He straightened his back and sat up. "How do you know about the family fortune?"

This matter was kept secret, and outsiders could not possibly know. Yet Fang Yuan had revealed it with a single sentence.

"These trivial matters of the Jia family village aren't exactly classified information. How could they be hidden from those who are paying attention in this world?" Fang Yuan sneered, recalling past events from his memory.

The Jia family patriarch was a legendary figure. He started from nothing, built his fortune with merchant caravans, and revitalized the Jia family village. As he grew old and felt his end approaching, he instructed his children to each lead a merchant caravan in pairs, to divide the vast family fortune based on their achievements. The better the results, the more assets they would receive.

However, his eldest son, Jia Fu, and his second son, Jia Gui, were both exceptionally outstanding. They had been competing for six to seven years without a clear winner, and the competition remained undecided even until the Jia family patriarch's death.

After the Jia family patriarch died, he left behind an extremely vast fortune. Jia Fu and Jia Gui, in their struggle for the inheritance, turned against each other, escalating their internal conflict and bringing in external aid. This ignited a large-scale Gu refinement competition, which ultimately resulted in both of them perishing together. The Jia family village, once prosperous, quickly declined, leaving the world to sigh in regret.

Jia Jin Sheng narrowed his eyes, neither confirming nor denying Fang Yuan's explanation. He secretly pondered: His father announced the rules for dividing the family fortune last year, and now it was the second year. Walls have ears, so it wasn't strange for this matter to leak out.

What truly worried him was whether this would be another trap set by Jia Fu. But regardless, it wouldn't hurt to listen first.

Fang Yuan didn't speak immediately. He looked around. This wine shop was the same one he had entered at noon. The shopkeeper's business acumen was evident; the evening business was almost explosive, the tents were noisy, and it was packed with people.

Talking here, rather than in a secluded place, was actually safer, as it could prevent some Gu worms from eavesdropping.

He beckoned Jia Jin Sheng closer with a finger. "Come here and whisper to me."

Jia Jin Sheng snorted with displeasure, but he still leaned forward.

After listening to Fang Yuan's account, his brows immediately furrowed. His gaze towards Fang Yuan flashed with a cold glint. "This business involves the three major villages of Qing Mao Mountain. As merchants, we are most wary of getting involved in the internal conflicts of local powers. Hmph, you were sent by Jia Fu to frame me, weren't you?"

Fang Yuan had anticipated his suspicion. Without offering any explanation, he got up to leave. "Heh, if that's the case, then I'll go talk to your brother."

Jia Jin Sheng narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at Fang Yuan. By the time Fang Yuan was about to leave the wine shop, he could no longer sit still. He got up and chased after him, catching up to Fang Yuan outside the tent. "Don't go, we can talk about this further."

Fang Yuan placed his hands behind his back and glanced at him sideways, saying coldly, "I know you suspect me, but you are being completely suppressed by your brother right now, and you're about to lose everything. If you believe me, there's still a glimmer of hope. If you don't, there's no hope at all. It all depends on whether you dare to take this gamble."

Jia Jin Sheng's expression changed, and he corrected Fang Yuan, "Jia Fu is just older than me. I never acknowledged him as my brother! But you're right, I'll gamble on this."

Fang Yuan's expression turned serious. "Two thousand primeval stones, firm price."

Jia Jin Sheng forced a bitter smile. "That price is too high. This deal involves considerable risk."

"The higher the risk, the higher the reward," Fang Yuan shook his head, his attitude resolute. "If you sell it to those two villages, I guarantee you'll earn even more."

Jia Jin Sheng nodded, a hint of seriousness appearing on his face. "I do believe that. The strength of the Bai family village has expanded rapidly these past few years, and they've produced an A-grade genius named Bai Ning Bing. They have great prospects. The power structure of Qing Mao Mountain is gradually changing. Your Gu Yue village's dominant position has been shaken. If I sell to the Bai family, I believe I can at least double my profit!"

Hearing Jia Jin Sheng's thorough grasp of the Qing Mao Mountain situation, Fang Yuan couldn't help but re-examine him, thinking, This Jia Jin Sheng, he does have a background and was influenced by his family. He's not just some useless dandy.

Jia Jin Sheng sighed. "Whether this is a trap or not, I'm jumping in. I promise you, it's a deal for two thousand primeval stones! However, I need to see the goods first."

"Naturally, follow me," Fang Yuan chuckled and immediately turned to lead the way. Jia Jin Sheng had already fallen into the trap, and everything was within his grasp.

Because it's the new book period, there are usually two stable updates daily. So please don't vote for "Urgent Update" tickets, I'm begging you with tears. Even if you vote, I can't get them. Once the book is officially released, I will speed up the update pace. This book will have at least two updates daily!

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