Xu Yi said, "I came looking for Captain Zhou for the same reason as before. I had a big deal that kept me tied up, and by the time I returned, Old Fan had already passed away. Fortunately, he left behind a Shadow-Sound Pearl before he died. After asking around extensively and going through great hardship, I finally found you, Captain Zhou. I hope that, for Old Fan's sake, you'll do me this favor."
As he spoke, he handed Captain Zhou a pouch containing ten Spirit Stones.
Captain Zhou weighed the pouch in his hand, his expression warming considerably. He pointed to the teahouse on the west side. "This isn't the place to discuss business. Let's go inside."
The two went in and found a secluded, dimly lit room. After they sat down, Xu Yi filled Captain Zhou's cup. "I must ask you to help me, Captain Zhou."
Captain Zhou took out the pouch of Spirit Stones and weighed it. "That won't be enough to get you through the pass. Three hundred Spirit Stones..."
Xu Yi waved a hand. "Those ten are a gift for you, Captain. Given your friendship with Old Fan, you're worth that much. Once the matter is done, I'll give you another ten. As for the costs of getting through the pass and greasing the right palms, just name your price. No matter how much it comes to, I won't argue."
Captain Zhou was overjoyed. He had assumed the ten Spirit Stones were just this man's down payment, and had intended to squeeze a little extra out of him. He hadn't expected him to be so generous.
The thought of another ten Spirit Stones once the matter was done sent his head spinning at the prospect of such an enormous profit.
Though he had been assigned