Wei Family's Wei Zhengming, Fengle's Single Flower

After leaving Hundred Herbs Hall, Lin Changqing had not driven his carriage far before someone stopped him in the street. It was the man at Wei Zhengming's side.

"Young Master Lin, my young master invites you..."

The man appeared quite respectful, clasping his hands in salute to Lin Changqing.

Yet his words carried an unmistakable air of refusal being impossible. He stood in the middle of the road like an iron pillar.

Without moving an inch.

As though he would not step aside unless Lin Changqing agreed.

Lin Changqing frowned and said coldly, "Move aside..."

"Young Master Lin, my young master's surname is Wei. He has already laid out a banquet at Hundred Flowers Pavilion and hopes Young Master Lin will honor us with your presence."

The man said in a deep voice, "I ask that Young Master Lin do us this favor."

"Wei!"

Lin Changqing's gaze narrowed slightly, sharp gleams flashing deep within his eyes.

Fengle County had Three Great Families, and the Wei Family was one of them.

It seemed the young master this fellow spoke of was someone from the Wei Family.

But he did not seem to have any dealings with the Wei Family. Why were they looking for him? Lin Changqing asked coldly, "What does your young master want with me?"

"Young Master Lin will know once you get there," the man replied deeply.

Damn it!

The moment Lin Changqing heard that, anger surged in his chest, and he dearly wanted to slap this bastard.

But he held himself back.

It was not because he feared he could not beat him. Though this man's strength was far from weak—likely no less than Xu Zhan, Chen San's Guard—

He was an expert of the Blood Changing Realm.

Still, Lin Changqing was confident that if they truly fought, he could suppress this man.

But there was no need.

The Wei Family was the local tyrant of Fengle County. Since they had come looking for him today, beating up one of their lackeys would accomplish nothing.

It would only enrage the Wei Family and bring even more lackeys to his door.

By then, there would be no peace for him ever again.

He himself was not afraid. At worst, he could leave Fengle County; the world was vast—was there anywhere he could not go?

But the others in Green Mountain Village could not.

This fellow had called him by name at once, so they must have investigated him thoroughly. He did not want to drag Green Mountain Village into this.

Fine. He would go meet this Wei Family man.

And see what medicine he was selling from his gourd.

"Lead the way!"

Lin Changqing's expression remained unchanged as he spoke coldly.

"Young Master Lin, this way!"

The man clasped his hands, then gestured for him to follow before consciously taking the lead.

Wherever they passed, pedestrians on both sides hurriedly retreated, looking at them as though they had seen the god of plague.

Lin Changqing's expression did not change. He took everything in.

Driving his carriage behind the man, he crossed half of Fengle County Town before finally arriving before an ancient and elegant restaurant.

Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

The name made it sound like a brothel.

But in truth, Hundred Flowers Pavilion was a perfectly respectable restaurant.

It was also the finest restaurant in Fengle County, a famed gold-devouring den where even a casual meal cost dozens or over a hundred taels of silver—far beyond what ordinary people could afford.

Thus, those who could dine at Hundred Flowers Pavilion were either Noble Clans, high-ranking officials and nobles, or wealthy gentry and powerful magnates.

Yet today, Hundred Flowers Pavilion lacked its usual bustle and clamor.

Instead, it seemed deserted.

There was not a single person in sight at the entrance.

That was because Hundred Flowers Pavilion had been reserved today, and the one footing the bill was naturally Wei Zhengming.

At this moment!

Wei Zhengming had already arranged the wine and dishes and was waiting for Lin Changqing in a luxurious private room on the second floor.

After parking the carriage, Lin Changqing followed the man upstairs to the second floor of Hundred Flowers Pavilion, his expression giving nothing away.

In fact, his Spiritual Power had long since begun circulating, giving him a crystal-clear grasp of everything within Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

There was only Wei Zhengming on the second floor.

The moment Lin Changqing laid eyes on Wei Zhengming, he knew this fellow was no good.

At Lin Changqing's level of Spiritual Cultivation, he already possessed certain mysterious abilities.

Reading a person from their face was merely routine.

"You're Lin Changqing..."

The moment Lin Changqing entered the room, Wei Zhengming, seated opposite him, said coldly, "My name is Wei Zhengming. I trust you've heard my name before."

"I really haven't."

Lin Changqing's expression remained indifferent as he sat directly opposite Wei Zhengming. "Young Master Wei, why did you invite me here?"

As he spoke, Lin Changqing poured himself a cup of wine, took a small sip, then picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to the dishes.

His movements were as natural as could be.

"Mm, I'd long heard that Hundred Flowers Pavilion's food and wine were unmatched in Fengle County. The rumors were indeed true."

As Lin Changqing drank and ate, he casually offered a few remarks.

He was certainly enjoying himself.

But Wei Zhengming across from him was nearly furious.

His face darkened at once as he said coldly, "Who gave you permission to eat? This table of dishes is worth several hundred taels. Is that something a mere country bumpkin like you can afford to eat?"

"Young Master Wei invited me over, wasn't it to treat me to a drink?"

Lin Changqing gave a light laugh, not the least bit angered by Wei Zhengming's words.

This only made Wei Zhengming's expression grow uglier.

However, he did not tell Lin Changqing to leave. A trace of disgust merely surfaced on his face as he continued coldly, "I heard that you've been supplying divine weapons to Divine Weapon Pavilion..."

Lin Changqing's expression froze.

He immediately understood. So this fellow had come for that.

The corners of Lin Changqing's lips lifted in a slight smile as he gave a light laugh. "Young Master Wei is quite well-informed! That's right... I do have a partnership with Divine Weapon Pavilion.

Young Master Wei, what advice do you have for me?"

"I, Wei, also own a shop that sells weapons. You can supply your divine weapons to me, and on top of what Divine Weapon Pavilion pays, I can add another twenty percent..."

Wei Zhengming gave a light laugh. "However, your goods may be supplied only to me."

"Heh heh!"

Lin Changqing gave a light laugh. "I'm afraid Young Master Wei will be disappointed. I signed an agreement with Divine Weapon Pavilion; my goods may only be supplied to Divine Weapon Pavilion.

Young Master Wei should look for someone else!"

"Thirty percent!"

Wei Zhengming held up three fingers. "Any deal can be negotiated. If it can't be settled, it only means the terms aren't good enough.

As long as you cut off Divine Weapon Pavilion's supply, I'll add thirty percent.

That price is very high. You definitely won't find a second buyer..."

"It is indeed very high, but a man cannot stand without trust. I said Mr. Lin has an agreement with Divine Weapon Pavilion, so naturally I cannot break it.

Young Master Wei need not test Mr. Lin any further."

Lin Changqing shook his head, refusing without the slightest hesitation. He was no fool. Setting aside whether he would even receive Wei Zhengming's extra thirty percent, if he suddenly cut off Divine Weapon Pavilion's supply, would he not be offending the Chen Family?

Offending the entire Chen Family for one Wei Zhengming.

And earning himself the reputation of being untrustworthy.

No matter how he looked at it, this deal was not worthwhile.

What was more, Lin Changqing had long seen that Wei Zhengming was no good. This fellow's money was not so easily taken.

He wanted Lin Changqing's goods, yet demanded that he cut off Divine Weapon Pavilion's supply.

Clearly, he intended to use Lin Changqing as a blade against Divine Weapon Pavilion, against the Chen Family.

The man looked decent enough, but his heart was black as ink.

Unfortunately, he thought far too highly of himself, treating everyone under heaven as fools.

Both the Wei Family and the Chen Family were among Fengle County's Three Great Families. Naturally, Lin Changqing had no desire to get tangled up in the dirty affairs between the two families.

At the end of the day, he was merely a supplier. How the Chen Family and Wei Family chose to fight each other—

What the hell did it have to do with him?

"Lin Changqing, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. The fact that I personally came to negotiate with you is already giving you plenty of face."

Wei Zhengming finally bared the dagger, his words brimming with threat. "I'll ask you one last time: will you cut off Divine Weapon Pavilion's supply or not?"

"My apologies, Young Master Wei. Mr. Lin has matters to attend to, so I must be leaving first."

Lin Changqing sneered. He drained the wine in his cup in one gulp, cast Wei Zhengming a glance, then rose and headed for the door.

What the hell was this? He thought a few words alone were enough to make me work myself to the bone for him.

Who did he think he was, A Flower of Fengle?