A Lion's Mouth Opens, Prices Are Set on the Spot

The next morning.

As the people of Nujiang County opened their shops for business, they saw a long convoy parked at the entrance of the Black Water Gang's headquarters.

The convoy was grand, with over a dozen red lacquered chests placed on the ground, drawing the attention of passersby.

"Who is this? Such a big display?"

"Hey, you don't know? This is the Flying Horse Merchant Association from the prefectural city! I heard they just arrived yesterday and are here to pay their respects today."

"Tsk, tsk, it seems our Hall Master Lu really has a lot of influence!"

Amidst the discussions, Qian Tong, dressed in a brand-new brocade robe and with a beaming smile, presented a visiting card.

Not long after, the gate opened.

Wang Xiaoliu peeked out and sized up Qian Tong, impatiently saying:

"Our Hall Master said he's not seeing any guests today."

Qian Tong's smile didn't diminish; instead, it became even brighter.

He took out a silver note and quietly slipped it into Wang Xiaoliu's hand.

"Little brother, please trouble yourself to announce me. Just say Qian Tong of the Flying Horse Merchant Association has come specifically to apologize to Hall Master Lu."

"What happened last night was a misunderstanding. I've come with sincerity today."

Wang Xiaoliu squeezed the silver note. One hundred taels.

He raised an eyebrow. This fatty was quite sensible.

"Wait here."

Wang Xiaoliu went inside and emerged a moment later, opening the door.

"The Hall Master said you can come in. However, only you can enter; the others must stay outside."

"Naturally, naturally."

Qian Tong nodded quickly, had the chests carried into the courtyard, then waved the others away and followed Wang Xiaoliu into the inner courtyard alone.

Passing through the corridor, they arrived at Lu Chen's small courtyard.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Qian Tong felt a chill.

Even though it was daytime, the temperature in the courtyard was several degrees lower than outside.

Lu Chen sat on a stone bench, feeding koi with fish food in his hand.

He wasn't wearing a gang uniform, just a loose pair of training clothes, making him look like an ordinary young master from a wealthy family.

But Qian Tong didn't dare to underestimate him.

He could feel a subtle aura emanating from the young man that made his heart palpitate.

Like a slumbering fierce tiger.

"Steward Qian, your esteemed presence graces my humble abode. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

Lu Chen scattered fish food, clapped his hands, and turned around.

His tone was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Hall Master Lu is too kind!"

Qian Tong quickly cupped his fists, adopting a very humble posture. "I apologize for this presumptuous visit, Hall Master Lu."

"Last night, those two ignorant subordinates of mine, who don't know the rules, offended Hall Master Lu. I have already severely disciplined them."

He pointed to the boxes on the ground.

"Inside are some small gifts. Five hundred taels of gold, ten stalks of century-old blood ginseng, and a crate of the finest cloud mist tea."

"Consider it compensation for Hall Master Lu's shock."

Lu Chen didn't even look at the boxes.

He sat down on a stone stool and gestured to the opposite seat.

"Sit."

Qian Tong cautiously sat down, only daring to perch on half of his buttocks.

"Steward Qian is a businessman."

Lu Chen poured himself tea, not for Qian Tong. "Businessmen are motivated by profit. Such a generous gift is probably not just for an apology, right?"

"Hall Master Lu speaks directly!"

Qian Tong gave him a thumbs-up, his smile fading as he became serious.

"Since Hall Master Lu is so straightforward, I will also get straight to the point."

"I have indeed come to seek a favor."

He lowered his voice:

"To be frank, our Flying Horse Merchant Association is actually an enterprise of the Ye Family of Canglan Prefecture."

"The Ye Family?" Lu Chen raised an eyebrow.

He wasn't familiar with the powers in the prefecture city, but that didn't stop him from pretending he understood.

"That's right, the Ye Family, one of the four great Martial Arts Families of Canglan Prefecture."

A hint of pride appeared on Qian Tong's face. "I came to Nujiang County this time on the orders of my family head to find a treasure that has been lost by the family for many years."

"According to the clues we've found, this treasure is in the 'Dragon Palace' under the Nujiang River."

Qian Tong stared intently into Lu Chen's eyes.

"Hall Master Lu went underwater half a month ago and even killed the demons there. I believe Hall Master Lu knows the situation down there better than anyone."

Lu Chen's expression remained unchanged, and he sneered inwardly.

So, they were after the Dragon Palace.

This talk of a lost treasure was just an excuse.

"I don't understand what Steward Qian means."

Lu Chen said calmly, "There is indeed a ruin down there, but when I entered, there was nothing inside but dead bones."

"Hall Master Lu, let's not beat around the bush."

Qian Tong leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "That Water Ghost King is a Meridian Connecting Realm demon. Without a special opportunity, it's impossible for it to evolve so quickly. Moreover..."

He looked at Lu Chen's hand.

"If Hall Master Lu's Ice True Qi didn't come from an Inheritance underwater, I doubt anyone would believe it."

Lu Chen put down his teacup.

The bottom of the cup hit the stone table with a sharp clink.

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly became tense.

An invisible killing intent emanated from Lu Chen.

"Is Steward Qian interrogating me?"

Lu Chen's voice turned cold. "This is the Black Water Gang, not your Ye Family. Steward Qian should think before he speaks."

Feeling the bone-chilling cold, cold sweat broke out on Qian Tong's forehead.

But he didn't back down.

He was a businessman, skilled in negotiation.

Cannot find the book title, you can try searching for the author, maybe the name has been changed!

"Hall Master Lu, you misunderstand."

Qian Tong quickly waved his hands, forcing a smile. "I absolutely did not mean that!"

"Treasures go to the virtuous. Since Hall Master Lu has obtained the Inheritance, it is Hall Master Lu's fortune. Our Ye Family will never seize it by force."

"What we want is merely another item from the depths of the ruins."

"As long as Hall Master Lu is willing to lead us down and help us obtain that item..."

Qian Tong held up three fingers.

"After the deed is done, thirty thousand taels of silver!"

Lu Chen did not speak, looking at him coldly.

Qian Tong gritted his teeth and increased the offer:

"If you don't want silver, we can offer an Obstacle Breaking Pill! That is a spiritual pill that can help a Martial Artist break through the bottleneck of the Meridian Connecting Realm!"

"Moreover, I can make the decision to recommend Hall Master Lu to join the Ye Family and become a guest elder of the Ye Family!"

"Hall Master Lu is a smart person, you should know that the pond of Nujiang County is too shallow to raise a true dragon. Only by going to the prefectural city and relying on a great family can your martial path go further!"

These words were extremely tempting.

Especially the last point.

In this world monopolized by great families, the status of a guest elder was something a commoner Martial Artist dreamed of.

Lu Chen's eyes seemed to flicker.

He was silent for a long time, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Thirty thousand taels of silver, plus one Obstacle Breaking Pill."

Lu Chen spoke slowly. "This price is indeed not low."

Qian Tong's heart rejoiced. "Then Hall Master Lu agrees?"

"Don't rush."

Lu Chen looked up at him. "How do I know you won't discard me after I've served my purpose?"

"Once we're underwater, you'll have the final say. What if I help you get the item, and you turn around and stab me in the back? Who will I reason with?"

"Hall Master Lu can rest assured about this!"

Qian Tong patted his chest and guaranteed, "Our Flying Horse Merchant Association values credibility above all else in business! I can write an IOU, or even swear a martial oath!"

"Forget the IOU, that thing's too hard even to wipe your backside with."

Lu Chen sneered, "As for an oath... hehe."

He stood up and walked a couple of steps in the courtyard.

Seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

Qian Tong watched him nervously, not daring to breathe.

After a while.

Lu Chen stopped and turned around.

"Alright."

"I agree."

Qian Tong was overjoyed, "Hall Master Lu is wise!"

"But."

Lu Chen's tone shifted, his eyes like knives.

"I have three conditions."

"First, I need half the deposit upfront. Fifteen thousand taels, plus five Blood Ginsengs, right now."

"Second, once we're in the water, I'm only responsible for leading the way and dealing with water ghosts. You're on your own for all other mechanisms and traps."

"Third..."

Lu Chen stared at Qian Tong, enunciating each word:

"If we encounter danger, I have the right to retreat at any time. Whether you live or die depends on your own fortune."

Qian Tong was stunned.

These conditions were extremely harsh.

The first condition was practically robbery.

But he thought again.

Once they entered the Dragon Palace and reached their destination, the situation would be out of this brat's control.

By then, he'd make him spit out the money he'd taken, with interest!

Qian Tong's face broke into a hearty smile.

"No problem!"

"Hall Master Lu's conditions, I agree to all of them!"

"Then it's settled."

Lu Chen extended his hand. "See you at the dock tomorrow morning."

"It's a deal!"

Qian Tong reached out and clapped hands with him.

The two looked at each other and smiled, each with their own agenda.

After seeing Qian Tong off, Lu Chen looked at the box, his smile vanishing instantly.

"Wang Xiaoliu."

Lu Chen called out.

"Coming, boss!" Wang Xiaoliu ran over.

"Put all these things into storage."

Lu Chen instructed. "Also, go prepare some things for me."

He whispered a few words into Wang Xiaoliu's ear.

Wang Xiaoliu's eyes widened.

"Boss, you're planning to..."

"Less nonsense, just do it."

Lu Chen kicked him. "Remember, don't let anyone see."

"Yes!"

Wang Xiaoliu hugged the box and ran off.

Lu Chen stood in the courtyard, gazing at the sky.

Going to Canglan Prefecture was indeed something he longed for.

But cooperating with these scheming people from the prefecture was no different from seeking a tiger's skin.

Qian Tong's words were pleasant, but the killing intent in his eyes couldn't be hidden at all.

"Want to use me as a stepping stone?"

Lu Chen touched the steel saber at his waist and sneered.

"Then let's see who ends up shooting themselves in the foot."