Capital City Storms (I)

"Young Master, the rooms in Star Peak Manor have all been thoroughly cleaned and are ready for occupancy." Brother Wang entered my room, strode over to my side, and spoke respectfully.

I closed the Diamond Sutra and looked up at Brother Wang. The morning sun shone through the window, bathing my whole body in warmth, but my mood was anything but good. I felt somewhat anxious. I asked Brother Wang, "Brother Wang, has Uncle Zhang sent out all his letters?"

"Young Master, Uncle Zhang began writing the letters as soon as he returned from the secret chamber yesterday. They were sent out an hour ago," Brother Wang explained.

"And have you informed the Capital City auction house about our plan to auction the Blood Phoenix?" I voiced the matter that had been weighing on my mind. Unless I personally got to the bottom of these things, I could never truly rest easy. It was only because I wanted to succeed too quickly.

"Young Master, I've already informed them. We only need to deliver the Blood Phoenix before tomorrow! Young Master, I've noticed that you've been distracted all day. Establishing an Aristocratic Clan cannot be accomplished overnight. You're still young, so there's no need to rush. Besides, aren't you immortal? Why be so eager for quick success?" As an onlooker, Brother Wang saw more clearly than anyone. At a glance, he saw the knot in my heart.

"Brother Wang, I understand that too. It's just that I truly want to prove my abilities to the world sooner. I'll be more mindful of these things in the future, so you needn't worry." I spoke to Brother Wang. To be honest, I was deeply grateful for his concern.

"Brother Wang, after we deliver the Blood Phoenix today, tomorrow will be New Year's Eve—the day of the Capital City auction house's annual auction. We must make a splash at tomorrow's auction and let everyone know that our jade shop will open on the sixth day of the new year. Ah, Brother Wang, what do you think our jade shop should be called?" I asked Brother Wang about a problem I had just realized. I still had not named my jade shop!

"Young Master, isn't our shop's crowning treasure the Dragon Soaring? Then we should call it the Dragon Soaring Jade Shop." Brother Wang pondered for a moment before answering.

I rose from my seat and paced back and forth through my study for quite a while. After turning the matter over and over in my mind, I felt that the name was quite good. There was nothing wrong with it, and it could also make people think of the flawless jade treasure—the Dragon Soaring.

"Good. We'll settle it as Brother Wang suggested. The jade shop will be called the Dragon Soaring Jade Shop. Hire the finest plaque-maker in all the Capital City. The plaque must be done perfectly. It is the face of a shop, and there cannot be the slightest mistake." I looked at Brother Wang solemnly.

"Yes, Young Master. Rest assured. Opening day is still the sixth day of the new year, and there are several days left! This matter will definitely be handled beautifully and to your satisfaction. Young Master, in my eyes, you yourself possess a temperament unlike any other, and you have skills that can shake heaven and earth. What is there for you to worry about?" Brother Wang tried to persuade me again.

That was right. My martial arts, Zhang Xingfeng's martial arts, were absolutely unmatched under heaven. As for experience, I dared say that there were truly few in this world who had more than I did. And now, I had such a group of loyal brothers and family. What was I still worrying about? Shouldn't I cherish this wonderful life I had now?

A faint smile appeared on my face, and I found my mood suddenly much lighter. Looking at Brother Wang, I even felt that he seemed far more handsome. No wonder Sister Yu had fallen for him. What was wrong with me today, thinking about such things? With a snort of laughter, I could not help but laugh aloud.

"Young Master, what are you laughing at? Is there something strange on my face?" Brother Wang looked somewhat at a loss.

"Nothing. I just realized that you're actually quite handsome." I walked out of the study, tossing those words behind me. Brother Wang was left alone in the room, like a monk six feet tall trying to feel for his own head.

I stepped out of the room and walked toward the artificial lake before the house. The quietly flowing lake water scattered the winter sunlight across the entire manor. I took a deep breath of the fresh air by the lake and immediately felt incomparably comfortable. Why not enjoy these beautiful days? Why must I trouble myself alone? I suddenly felt that my earlier self had been truly foolish.

"Young Master, the auction will begin shortly." Brother Wang came to the lakeside and spoke to me. Seeing his young master reclining in a bamboo chair and watching the sunset, Brother Wang was quite happy. The carefree young master from before had returned.

"Oh, the auction is about to begin. We still need to be careful today. The Blood Phoenix is no ordinary treasure. After the auction, we'll be carrying a huge sum of money, and we'll definitely draw some people's attention. Although the auction house will escort us back to the manor, I don't want anyone coming to our manor to steal things in the future." After thinking for a moment, I spoke to Brother Wang.

"This problem will be difficult to solve. We can't exactly stop them from coming to steal. Their legs belong to them. Unless they don't know where we live, but that's hardly possible. How should we solve this?" Brother Wang could not think of any good method for the moment.

I smiled. "I have a method—the best and most convenient one." I focused my intent on my Dantian, and True Primordial Energy immediately began altering my appearance. Sword-like brows, a hooked nose, slightly thick lips—a cool, handsome man standing around six feet tall was born once more!

"Young Master, do you mean to personally make a move and intimidate those fellows?" The moment Brother Wang saw my appearance, he understood what I intended to do.

"Smart. Today, I'll appear at the auction with this face and teach those fellows who don't know the rules a lesson while I'm at it." I smiled. This was actually quite interesting. With me taking action, wouldn't success come as soon as the horse arrived?

"With Young Master taking the field, there's nothing to worry about. Young Master, it's time to go!" Afraid that I would forget the time, Brother Wang immediately reminded me of the most important matter of the evening.

"Good, let's go. Ah, Brother Wang, aren't you calling Lang Feng and the others?" I stood up, took several steps forward, then turned back to ask Brother Wang.

"Young Master, stop talking and hurry up! They already went ahead to have fun. Tonight is New Year's Eve, and the Capital City is especially lively!" As Brother Wang spoke, he pulled me outside, leaving only Xia Shui, my personal maid, staring wide-eyed. Are master and servants not distinguished in this manor? Even the steward treats the manor lord this way.

When Xia Shui first arrived, for the sake of convenience later on, I told her that I was an immortal. She did not believe me, so I transformed into Sword God Sui Yu. She was dumbfounded. After she came to her senses, she began calling me Immortal Little Master. Finally, under the command of this immortal, she only called me Little Master.

Wow, tonight's scenery was truly beautiful. The streets were filled with people wearing their finest clothes, together with their families or lovers. Many peddlers were also taking advantage of the opportunity to shout their wares with all their might. The crowds formed a sea of people—what a magnificent sight! Suzhou City was also a famous major city, but compared with the Capital City, its New Year's Eve nightscape still fell far short. Sigh, at this very moment, the entire Zhang Family must be happily dining together. Would Father still drink to his heart's content as he had before? Was Mother well now?

"Master, it's time to begin the family gathering. Everyone has already arrived." Steward Zhang looked at the head of the Zhang Family before him, a man whose power could cover the sky with one hand, yet whose face was pale as he lay in a grand armchair. He sighed inwardly. Ever since the Third Young Master left, his master had not smiled for a single day.

"Oh, how is Little Third doing now?" Zhang Tiande suddenly opened his eyes and asked Steward Zhang.

"Master, the Third Young Master has been quite impressive. When they encountered Li Si of Pingding Mountain, they instead seized all of Li Si's property. They have now bought a manor in the Capital City—the princely residence once left behind by Prince Wen." Steward Zhang immediately answered. This news would probably make his master a little happier.

"Oh, Li Si of Pingding Mountain. I heard that this fellow once obtained the Blood Phoenix. Later, he deliberately killed one of his own subordinates and claimed that the subordinate had stolen the treasure. In the end, he muddled through the affair just like that. That fellow is quite crafty, best at playing the pig to eat the tiger. Little Third actually passed his test and even robbed Li Si in return. Not bad, not bad. Now I can rest easy." A rare trace of a smile appeared on Zhang Tiande's face.

"Old Zhang, how is Third Madam doing now?" Zhang Tiande suddenly asked Steward Zhang.

"Third Madam is still in her room. She has not participated in Household activities for a long time, and she probably will not attend today either. Oh, Master, we still haven't told Third Madam about the Third Young Master! I'll go tell her now. She'll definitely be very happy when she learns of it." Steward Zhang immediately turned, intending to head for Third Madam's quarters.

"I'll handle this. I'll bring her with me to the hall for the gathering as well." Zhang Tiande abruptly sprang from his chair and ran toward Third Madam's room.

"Master, slow down! Watch your step!" Steward Zhang ran after him, shouting loudly...

"Young Master, our seats are upstairs, in the room on the south side—the one marked number 251." Brother Wang stood beside me and spoke. Looking at the countless seats below, I broke out in a cold sweat. Luckily, our seats were upstairs. Otherwise...

"Good, good, let's hurry, hurry." Looking at the masses packed shoulder to shoulder here, I truly could not endure it anymore. I spread my protective True Primordial Energy and rushed swiftly toward my destination.

Watching my rapidly vanishing figure, Brother Wang gave a bitter smile. Someone was actually using peerless martial arts for something like this. Forget it—if he went upstairs like an ordinary person, wouldn't that cost him his life? After thinking that, he immediately used his martial arts as well and charged upward.

The moment I pushed open the door, the fragrance of roses rushed into my nose. Looking inside, it was quite good—rather spacious. I walked in.

"Master, you're here! We've been waiting for you for so long. Master, please, this best seat was reserved for you by your disciple." The instant Li Da saw me, he rose from his seat and warmly invited me over.

I did not refuse. Quite calmly, I walked to the seat by the window facing directly onto the auction floor outside. I looked at Li Da, whose face was brimming with smiles, nodded at him approvingly, and sat down.

Li Da sat down beside me, squeezing Li Er, who had been in the original seat, to one side. Li Er merely grumbled a few times and made no further reaction. It seemed Li Da truly had the bearing of a big brother.

I casually picked up a teacup from the tea table beside me when the door suddenly opened. Turning my head, I saw Brother Wang, who had come with me. I set the teacup back down and said to him:

"Brother Wang, you really considered everything thoroughly. You even reserved our private room. I truly must thank you!" Thinking of the sea of people downstairs, everyone around me looked at Brother Wang with gratitude. Sister Yu's face even glowed red.

"Young Master, don't make fun of me. I've never been here before either. It's only because our Blood Phoenix is far too precious that the person in charge here specially arranged a private room for us." Brother Wang spoke with an embarrassed expression.

"Master, the auction has begun!" Li Da's voice sounded by my ear.

We all turned our heads toward today's main event—the annual auction.

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