The Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony came to an end, and people from the various sects of the martial world departed one after another.
Captain Xing had no further mission and did not linger. After bidding Su Chen farewell, he returned to Hengnan County.
Yue Buqun also left Hengyang City with the Mount Hua disciples, preparing to return to the Mount Hua Sect.
However, just after leaving Hengyang City, he found an excuse to separate from the group.
Linghu Chong led the disciples onward toward Mount Hua, while Yue Buqun himself secretly returned to Hengyang City.
As for why he had returned to Hengyang, naturally, it was because he wanted to discuss a deal with Su Chen.
Not long after Yue Buqun left, Lao Denuo also found an excuse to leave the group.
Liu Manor's side courtyard.
Su Chen was resting in his room when Liu Zhengfeng suddenly returned.
"Lord Su, I have found a buyer. In roughly two days, I should be able to gather two hundred thousand taels of silver and deliver it to you," Liu Zhengfeng said respectfully.
"Two hundred thousand taels?" Su Chen raised an eyebrow.
Liu Zhengfeng only owed him one hundred thousand taels, yet now he was selling off his property to scrape together two hundred thousand taels.
Su Chen was not vain enough to think that Liu Zhengfeng would simply give him an extra one hundred thousand taels for nothing.
Therefore, the most likely possibility was that Liu Zhengfeng wanted to do business with him again.
At present, wasn't Liu Zhengfeng's greatest threat Zuo Lengchan of Mount Song?
At that thought, a kindly smile appeared on Su Chen's face.
As long as he could make silver, he was very happy.
Sure enough, Liu Zhengfeng spoke the next moment.
"Zuo Lengchan's scheme has failed, and the Three Great Protectors under his command have all fallen. Once he learns the news, he definitely will not let the matter rest."
"If he sends people again to attack and kill me, I fear I will be powerless to resist..."
"Therefore, I was thinking that, if Lord Su is willing, I ask that you lend me a hand and protect the lives of my entire family."
"Of course, I would not ask Lord Su to act with empty words alone. The additional one hundred thousand taels of silver will be your compensation, my lord."
After saying that, Liu Zhengfeng looked at Su Chen expectantly, waiting for his reply.
Su Chen's expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was overjoyed.
No matter what, Ding Mian and the other two had died beneath his blade.
This enmity was absolutely one that would not end until one side died.
If Zuo Lengchan sought revenge, Su Chen would inevitably be the first target.
Therefore, even if Liu Zhengfeng had not paid him for assistance, he was destined to clash with Zuo Lengchan and the Mount Song Sect.
By that calculation, Liu Zhengfeng's one hundred thousand taels of silver were practically a free gift.
Su Chen had always liked freebies and silver. How could he possibly refuse now?
With his mind made up, Su Chen replied, "I'll take this deal."
Hearing Su Chen agree, Liu Zhengfeng was overjoyed and immediately thanked him. "Many thanks to Lord Su for being willing to help. I am deeply grateful."
"There's no need to keep thanking me. Just remember to pay the silver on time."
"Rest assured, Lord Su. In two days, Liu will deliver the full two hundred thousand taels of silver."
Liu Zhengfeng then took his leave. "Please rest, Lord Su. I will not disturb you further."
With that, he prepared to leave the side courtyard.
Just then, Su Chen suddenly turned his head toward the roof.
"Friend on the roof, you've been hiding there for so long. Isn't it time you came out?"
Liu Zhengfeng abruptly stopped and turned around.
The next moment, a masked middle-aged man leaped down from the roof into the courtyard.
At the sight, Liu Zhengfeng broke out in a cold sweat.
He was already at the middle stage of the Minor Grandmaster Realm, undoubtedly an expert in the martial world.
Yet he had not sensed the person hiding on the roof in the slightest.
If this man had harbored ill intentions toward him...
The thought sent a chill through Liu Zhengfeng's heart.
But at that moment, the masked man spoke.
"Your senses are remarkably sharp, sir. I thought I had not revealed the slightest flaw, yet you still noticed me."
The masked man spoke with a trace of emotion. His voice had clearly been disguised, as he did not want anyone to know his true identity.
Had this been before, when Su Chen was still in the Minor Grandmaster Realm, he naturally would not have discovered this man.
However, after spending money so extravagantly, Su Chen's cultivation had long since advanced to the Grandmaster Realm. Detecting this man's presence was naturally effortless.
Of course, Su Chen had no intention of telling them any of this.
Su Chen studied the masked man for a few moments before suddenly saying, "Sect Leader Yue, take off the mask. Sneaking around and hiding your face does not suit the title of Gentleman Sword."
"What? Senior Brother Yue?" Liu Zhengfeng was startled once more, his gaze fixed tightly on the masked man.
Su Chen had actually claimed that this masked man was Yue Buqun, which Liu Zhengfeng had never expected.
The masked man's body stiffened as well. He stared at Su Chen through the mask for a moment before finally shaking his head as though conceding defeat.
"Lord Su truly possesses peerless insight. In the end, my disguise could not fool you..."
As he spoke, the masked man removed his mask, revealing that modest and refined face. Who else could it be but Yue Buqun?
"Senior Brother Yue, it really is you..." Liu Zhengfeng looked astonished. "Hadn't you already left? Why did you return, and why did you deliberately conceal your identity?"
Yue Buqun smiled apologetically. "Junior Brother Liu, there are reasons for this. I feared word might leak, so I deliberately concealed my identity before coming here. I hope you will forgive me."
Hearing this, Liu Zhengfeng frowned deeply.
He more or less understood that Yue Buqun had come in secret this time to discuss an important matter.
Moreover, it was most likely a matter to be discussed with Su Chen.
Sure enough, Yue Buqun said the next moment, "Lord Su, Junior Brother Liu, may Yue also take part in the deal the two of you are discussing?"
Another person has come to give me money!
This thought immediately flashed through Su Chen's mind.
He understood Yue Buqun's circumstances quite well.
After the Sword Qi Dispute, the Mount Hua Sect had declined sharply.
Looking over the Mount Hua Sect today, the only Minor Grandmaster experts were Yue Buqun and his wife, Ning Zhongze.
For an ordinary sect, two Minor Grandmaster experts would naturally be enough.
But given Mount Hua's current situation, that was somewhat inadequate.
Internally, disciples such as Linghu Chong had not yet fully matured and could not stand on their own. Moreover, they often caused Yue Buqun problems that left him overwhelmed.
The defeated Sword Sect members, such as Feng Buping and Cheng Buyou, were also watching covetously in the shadows, ready at any moment to return to Mount Hua and seize the position of sect leader.
Externally, Zuo Lengchan of Mount Song was wildly ambitious and constantly sought to unite the Five Great Sword Sects, with the Mount Hua Sect being the sect he targeted most heavily.
The Mount Hua Sect at that moment could be said to face troubles both within and without.
The slightest misstep would lead to total defeat.
Although Mount Hua's Cliff of Reflection concealed an unmatched expert, Feng Qingyang, and Mount Hua's crisis could easily be resolved if he acted.
Unfortunately, Feng Qingyang paid no heed to worldly affairs.
Even Yue Buqun did not know that his own sect possessed such an astonishing figure.
Under long-term pressure, Yue Buqun had already been pushed to the brink of collapse.
Otherwise, in the original world, he would not have resolutely chosen to castrate himself in order to practice the Bixie Sword Manual.
Now that he had encountered an opportunity like Su Chen, he naturally had to seize it.
These thoughts flashing through his mind, Su Chen looked at Yue Buqun and said with a smile, "Su runs an honest business. Naturally, I would not turn away a customer."
"If Sect Leader Yue wishes to join in, Su welcomes you with open arms."
"However, how much silver can Sect Leader Yue offer?"
Hearing Su Chen agree, Yue Buqun also let out a sigh of relief.
"Junior Brother Liu has offered one hundred thousand taels. Then Yue will also offer one hundred thousand taels!"
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