A Ghost That Wouldn't Go Away

Not until they had left the pavilion did the Escorts start cursing furiously.

"That Liu Gun—what the hell is he?"

"Just because he's a dog of the Xiao Family, he dares to humiliate us like this!"

Gong Jie's face had turned somewhat green with rage as well.

"If Qinghe hadn't shouted loudly enough to draw Miss Xiao over, they probably wouldn't even have planned to pay us!"

Jiang Qinghe patted Gong Jie on the shoulder and comforted him.

"I was worried for everyone too. Seeing that he was about to renege on the debt, I only wanted to make enough of a commotion, no matter what."

He understood that for these great clans and noble households, money was instead a small matter. What mattered most was their face.

If word got out that someone from one of Cangfeng City's Four Great Families had argued with a group of Escorts from the county over a bit of silver, even intending to forcibly seize it—

That would be a colossal joke, enough for people in their circle to mock for a very long time.

At the time, as long as his shout could attract anyone with authority and a shred of concern for their reputation, there would still be room to turn things around.

An older Escort sighed.

"The money was a little short, but no matter what, we got through this without mishap. It was all thanks to Qinghe's few shouts!"

In the northern district of Cangfeng City's outer city, near the towering North City Gate, stood a relatively quiet street.

Beside the street, a three-story building of wood and stone stood out prominently, its design elegant and refined.

A horizontal plaque hung above its main entrance, bearing three large characters—Zui Feng Tower. It operated as both a restaurant and an inn.

At the entrance to a narrow alley several dozen zhang away from Zui Feng Tower, Gong Yongxing stopped.

He looked at the sky. The sun had not yet dipped westward, and daylight was still bright, so he turned and instructed the Escorts.

"I have some matters to attend to. You brothers may stroll around nearby on your own. But remember, don't go too far. It would be best to pair up so you can look after one another."

After a pause, he raised his voice.

"Tonight, we'll gather here at Zui Feng Tower! Brothers, you've worked hard on this trip. We must drink until our hearts are full before heading back!"

Hearing this, much of the gloom that had hung over the Escorts was immediately swept away. They cheered one after another, anticipation appearing on their faces.

Cangfeng City was enormous. If they relied only on their feet, traveling from its northern end to its southern end would likely take a full day and night.

Fortunately, Nishang Pavilion, Zui Feng Tower, and Hui Chun Pavilion's outer-city branch were all located in the northern district of the outer city. They were not far apart, making things convenient.

Just as Gong Yongxing was speaking to the group, two pairs of eyes quietly turned toward them from nearby on the street.

One of them, a lean and withered man, said, "See them? Those thirty-odd Escorts."

The other had a pair of triangular eyes. Looking at the group in their dust-covered travel clothes, surprise flashed through his gaze.

"Big Brother, these county bumpkins? You're saying they're carrying a one-thousand-tael banknote?"

Triangle Eyes' tone was full of doubt.

"Why would I lie to you?"

The lean man said with certainty, "Brother Gun just paid them their remaining balance—a full one-thousand-tael banknote! I saw Little Six take it to them with my own eyes!"

"One thousand taels..."

Triangle Eyes clearly hesitated. His eyes flickered as he rapidly weighed the pros and cons.

One thousand taels of silver was no small sum to him and the force behind him. It was enough to tempt anyone.

But the problem was that they would be dealing with more than thirty hot-blooded men who looked difficult to provoke and had spent years traveling the martial world.

If a fight broke out, even if they succeeded in the end, they would inevitably suffer heavy losses.

Kill a thousand enemies, lose nine hundred of your own.

The gains they got might not even cover compensation for the dead and treatment for the wounded. The risk of this deal was simply too great.

The lean man saw through Triangle Eyes' concerns. He sneered and fanned the flames.

"Heh, what's this? You're scared already?"

"Think about it. Besides the thousand taels Brother Gun gave them, after escorting goods all this way, could they possibly not have travel money on them? Not have some valuable belongings?"

His tone turned vicious.

"Besides, you're in the dark while they're in the light. Find the right chance, strike when they least expect it, and catch them completely off guard!"

Provoked by those words, a vicious gleam flickered in Triangle Eyes' gaze. After hesitating for a moment, he finally hardened his heart and gritted his teeth.

"Fine! We'll do this job. I'll report it to Fourth Master as soon as I return! Once we kill them, your share of the benefits definitely won't be lacking!"

He paused, then asked in confusion.

"But I don't understand. Wouldn't it have been enough for Brother Gun simply not to pay them? Why put on this whole act?"

The lean man gave a sinister smile.

"You don't understand. Brother Gun originally planned not to fork over a single copper coin and simply swallow that batch of Fire Fox Pelts whole! Who would've thought those country bumpkins would make such a commotion and alert the Xiao Family's Miss? With the Miss and Steward Liu standing before him, Brother Gun had no choice but to pay."

"But how could he swallow that anger? He naturally doesn't dare provoke Miss Xiao or her elder brother, Steward Liu, but can't he crush a few county folk to death? Even if he gave them the silver for now, there's no way he'll truly let them carry it out of Cangfeng City!"

Triangle Eyes suddenly understood and gave a thumbs-up.

"So that's how it is. Brother Gun really is one step ahead—a model for our kind!"

"Hmph, hmph!"

The lean man snorted smugly twice, then revealed an unwilling and lecherous expression.

"What a pity. If the Miss hadn't suddenly appeared later, we could've gotten some benefits too. At the very least, it would've been enough for a trip to Hongxiu Zhao!"

Triangle Eyes immediately thumped his chest and promised, "Rest easy, Big Brother! As long as we succeed this time, I'll make the call. I'll definitely treat you to two carefree visits to Hongxiu Zhao!"

The lean man smiled knowingly upon hearing this. After quietly giving a few more instructions, he turned and swiftly disappeared into the crowd.

Triangle Eyes cast another cold, sinister glance at the people from Yongxing Escort Agency before quietly withdrawing as well.

After Gong Yongxing had finished giving his instructions, everyone scattered in a rush.

He then turned to Jiang Qinghe and smiled.

"Qinghe, you've worked hard along the way. Ah Jie mentioned the purpose of your trip earlier. Come, time waits for no one. I'll take you to the Zheng Family's Hui Chun Pavilion outer-city branch right away."

Hui Chun Pavilion's outer-city branch.

Jiang Qinghe, Gong Yongxing, and Gong Jie, who had followed along to join in the excitement, entered together.

The interior of the pavilion was extremely spacious. Rows of polished redwood counters stood in neat order, displaying all manner of medicinal herbs and pills, a dazzling array of goods.

There were at least several dozen attendants on the first floor alone, receiving customers and tending to business, each busy with their own tasks.

Guards stood watch above the second floor. Clearly, those were not places ordinary customers could casually enter.

After the shock of Nishang Pavilion, Jiang Qinghe's tolerance had already risen considerably.

Though he still felt amazed at this moment, he was able to maintain a calm expression.

He observed carefully and discovered that besides the ordinary attendants, quite a few martial artists in uniform clothing were patrolling the shop. Their eyes were sharp, and their auras steady.

Their footsteps were firm and powerful, faint ripples of qi and blood radiating from their bodies.

"These patrolling Guards look to be Martial Practitioners at least in the Bone Forging Realm."