"Liu is dull-witted. Could Lord Su explain in greater detail?"
There was a hint of displeasure in Liu Zhengfeng's tone.
He did not know Su Chen's true intentions, but anyone who cursed his entire family to die violent deaths could hardly expect him to be pleased.
"You want to perform Golden Basin Hand-washing and withdraw from the martial world, but have you considered that some people may not want to see that happen?"
Naturally, Su Chen was referring to Zuo Lengchan of Mount Song.
Zuo Lengchan was an out-and-out ambitious man.
He had always wanted to unite the Five Great Sword Sects, consolidate the strength of the five sects, and form a Five Mountains Sect so that he could truly secure a place in the martial world.
Now was the crucial moment for him to set his plan in motion.
Yet at such a time, Liu Zhengfeng, Mount Heng's second-in-command, wanted to withdraw from the martial world.
This would undoubtedly deal no small blow to Zuo Lengchan's plans.
How could he possibly allow Liu Zhengfeng to perform Golden Basin Hand-washing?
Liu Zhengfeng knew nothing of this and asked somewhat doubtfully, "Whom does Lord Su mean?"
"Mount Song, Zuo Lengchan!" Su Chen said, enunciating each word.
Upon hearing the name Zuo Lengchan, Liu Zhengfeng froze for a moment before he could not help laughing.
If someone else wanted to stop him from performing Golden Basin Hand-washing, he might have believed it.
But if Su Chen claimed that Zuo Lengchan of Mount Song was unwilling, he would not believe it even if he were beaten to death.
Long before deciding to perform Golden Basin Hand-washing, he had already sent Zuo Lengchan an invitation and explained the matter in detail.
At the time, Zuo Lengchan had not voiced any objection.
Yet Su Chen was now saying that Zuo Lengchan opposed his Golden Basin Hand-washing.
It sounded utterly ridiculous.
Besides, even if Zuo Lengchan truly opposed his withdrawal from the martial world, he could simply state his opposition. He would never go so far as to slaughter Liu Zhengfeng's entire family.
After all, everyone attending today was a prominent figure in the martial world.
How could Zuo Lengchan dare risk universal condemnation by the martial world to wipe out his entire household?
Otherwise, how could Zuo Lengchan continue to survive in the martial world afterward?
Seeing Liu Zhengfeng's expression, Su Chen could guess what he was thinking.
Liu Zhengfeng had spent so many years in the martial world, yet he was still this naive.
He did not even understand the simple truth that the biggest fist was the truth. No wonder his entire family was wiped out in the original world.
Mount Song was unquestionably the strongest among the Five Great Sword Sects. If Zuo Lengchan truly wanted to do something, who among the other sects would dare object? And who had the strength to object?
Su Chen mocked him inwardly for a while, but he could not be bothered to explain it to Liu Zhengfeng.
After all, making money was his top priority.
"Believe it or not, that is up to you," Su Chen said. "If you are willing to believe me, give me thirty thousand taels now, and I will handle this matter for you. I guarantee that not a single hair on the heads of your entire family will be harmed."
Hearing this, Liu Zhengfeng finally felt a flicker of realization.
So that was it. So that was it. These two came to Liu Manor to shake me down.
After saying so much, they only wanted silver.
When Liu Zhengfeng had purchased his official position, he had already learned what court officials were like.
In his eyes, most people in the imperial court were bloodsuckers. All they wanted was silver, silver, and more silver.
Thus, now that Su Chen had asked for silver, Liu Zhengfeng lumped him in with that sort of person as well.
Forget it. It was not worth offending an expert like him over a little silver. I'll just give him some money and send him on his way.
With that thought, Liu Zhengfeng forced a smile onto his face.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Su, but in Liu's opinion, Senior Brother Zuo would not do such a thing."
"As for paying to hire your services, let us forget about that."
"Of course, the two of you have come from afar. I will not let you make the trip for nothing."
As he spoke, he instructed the steward outside, "Go fetch one thousand taels of silver and offer it to the two lords for tea."
Meanwhile, Captain Xing, who had remained silent the entire time, had already heard the whole story clearly.
Although he did not quite believe that Zuo Lengchan would slaughter Liu Zhengfeng's entire family either,
he still had a blind faith in Su Chen.
Now that Liu Zhengfeng refused to believe him, he felt rather annoyed as well.
"Liu Zhengfeng, Brigadier General Liu, my brother Su has never spoken nonsense. You had better think this through. This concerns the lives of your entire family."
"Do not wait until Zuo Lengchan sends people to attack you. By then, it will be too late for regrets..."
Captain Xing wanted to continue, but Su Chen raised a hand and stopped him.
"It is fine. I can understand Brigadier General Liu's reluctance to believe me."
As he spoke, Su Chen turned back to Liu Zhengfeng.
"The price is thirty thousand taels right now. Once Zuo Lengchan truly begins making his move, it will not be this price anymore."
With that, Su Chen did not wait for Liu Zhengfeng to respond before calling Captain Xing and heading outside.
As they passed the entrance, the steward of Liu Manor happened to arrive with the one thousand taels of silver.
Captain Xing looked down on the one thousand taels and did not intend to accept them.
Su Chen, however, had no such reservations.
Why refuse silver that was being handed to him for free?
Although it had been given by someone else and could not be used for top-ups, it was still quite useful for everyday expenses.
Thus, at Su Chen's instruction, Captain Xing could only accept the silver reluctantly.
The two then headed out and left Liu Manor.
Liu Zhengfeng watched their retreating backs in silence for a long while, but in the end, he did not call out to stop them.
Outside Liu Manor, on the street.
Captain Xing held the silver with an unhappy look on his face.
"Su, that Liu Zhengfeng really does not know what is good for him."
"When have you ever lied? If you say his entire family will be wiped out, then his entire family will be wiped out. Yet he still does not believe you. Bah..."
Captain Xing was indignant.
Su Chen's expression remained unchanged, without the slightest trace of displeasure.
To him, making silver had always come first.
What Liu Zhengfeng had done was actually exactly what he wanted.
He was unwilling to believe him now and unwilling to pay thirty thousand taels.
Once Zuo Lengchan's men truly came knocking, Su Chen would not be surnamed Su if he did not charge him one or two hundred thousand taels.
"Enough. I'm not even angry, so what are you angry about?" Su Chen said with a smile.
He looked back at the gates of Liu Manor.
"I watched him raise vermilion towers, I watched him feast his guests, I watched his towers collapse!"
Thinking of how he would soon make a fortune and become rich overnight, Su Chen was in an excellent mood and could not help softly humming lyrics from The Peach Blossom Fan: Lament for the South.
Since Su Chen said nothing more, Captain Xing naturally did not continue either.
"Su, where are we going now?"
"Find somewhere near Liu Manor to rest for a while. Once the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony officially begins, we'll come back and make a grand entrance before everyone..."
"Got it, Su. I'll follow your lead."
Captain Xing replied, then followed Su Chen toward the distance.
"Oh, right. Do not forget the three thousand taels you promised me."
"Su, you tricked me. You were planning to come find Liu Zhengfeng from the start."
"I don't care about that. You already promised me the money. If you go back on your word now, I'll lose my temper."
"Su, don't be rash. I'll pay, I'll pay. I'll give it to you after this is over..."
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