Early the next morning.
The people of Nujiang County had just opened their doors for business when they saw a long convoy stop outside the Black Water Gang's Main Hall.
The convoy made quite a spectacle. More than a dozen large red-lacquered chests sat on the ground, drawing curious glances from passersby.
"Who's that? What a grand entrance!"
"Hey, you don't know? It's the Flying Horse Merchant Association from the Prefectural City! I heard they arrived just yesterday, and today they're here to pay their respects."
"Tsk, tsk. Looks like our Hall Master Lu really does have a lot of clout!"
Amid the chatter, Qian Tong, dressed in a brand-new brocade robe, beamed as he presented his calling card.
It didn't take long for the gate to open.
Wang Xiaoliu poked his head out and sized up Qian Tong, then said impatiently,
"Our Hall Master said he's not seeing guests today."
Qian Tong's smile didn't fade. If anything, it grew brighter.
He pulled out a banknote and quietly slipped it into Wang Xiaoliu's hand.
"Sorry for the trouble, young man. Could you please pass along a message? Tell him Qian Tong of the Flying Horse Merchant Association has come to apologize to Hall Master Lu."
"What happened last night was a misunderstanding. I've come today with the utmost sincerity."
Wang Xiaoliu pinched the banknote. One hundred taels.
He raised an eyebrow. This fat guy knew how things worked.
"Wait here."
Wang Xiaoliu went inside, then came back a short while later and opened the gate.
"Our Hall Master will let you in. But only you. The others stay outside."
"Of course, of course."
Qian Tong nodded hurriedly, had his men carry the chests into the courtyard, then dismissed them and followed Wang Xiaoliu into the Inner Courtyard alone.
They walked through a covered corridor and arrived at Lu Chen's small courtyard.
The moment he stepped through the gate, Qian Tong felt a chill.
Though it was daytime, the courtyard was noticeably several degrees cooler than outside.
Lu Chen sat on a stone stool, feeding fish food to the koi.
He wasn't wearing his gang uniform, just a loose training outfit, and looked like an ordinary young master from a wealthy family.
But Qian Tong didn't dare underestimate him.
He could feel a faint, unnerving presence emanating from the young man.
Like a tiger dozing before its pounce.
"Manager Qian, what an honor. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."
Lu Chen scattered some fish food, dusted off his hands, and turned around.
His tone was mild, giving no hint of his mood.
"Hall Master Lu, you're too kind!"
Qian Tong hurriedly clasped his hands, adopting a deferential posture. "I took the liberty of calling on you. Please forgive me, Hall Master Lu."
"Those two useless underlings of mine didn't know the rules and offended you last night. I've already given them a thorough scolding."
He gestured toward the chests on the ground.
"These are just a small token of my respect. Five hundred taels of gold, ten stalks of century-old Blood Ginseng, and a chest of the finest Cloud Mist Tea."
"Please accept them as compensation for the fright you suffered."
Lu Chen didn't even glance at the chests.
He sat down on the stone stool and pointed to the seat across from him.
"Sit."
Qian Tong sat down carefully, perching on only half the seat.
"Manager Qian, you're a businessman."
Lu Chen poured himself tea without offering any to Qian Tong. "Businessmen don't get out of bed for nothing. A gift this generous can't be just an apology, can it?"
"Hall Master Lu, you're a man after my own heart!"
Qian Tong gave him a thumbs-up, then let his smile fall and turned serious.
"Since Hall Master Lu is so straightforward, I'll get right to the point."
"I've come to ask you for a favor."
He lowered his voice.
"To tell you the truth, our Flying Horse Merchant Association is actually an enterprise owned by the Ye Family of Canglan Prefecture."
"The Ye Family?" Lu Chen raised an eyebrow.
He knew little about the powers in the Prefectural City, but that didn't stop him from pretending otherwise.
"That's right. The Ye Family is one of the four great martial families in Canglan Prefecture."
A hint of pride crossed Qian Tong's face. "I came to Nujiang County on the family head's orders to search for a treasure that our family lost many years ago."
"According to the clues we've uncovered, that treasure is in the 'Dragon Palace' beneath the Angry River."
Qian Tong stared intently into Lu Chen's eyes.
"Hall Master Lu went underwater half a month ago and slew the monsters there. I imagine you know what lies below better than anyone."
Lu Chen's expression didn't change, but he sneered inwardly.
So he really had come for the Dragon Palace.
Some lost treasure—just an excuse.
"I'm not sure what you're getting at, Manager Qian."
Lu Chen said calmly, "There is indeed a ruin down there, but when I went inside, all I found were piles of bones. Nothing else."
"Hall Master Lu, let's speak plainly."
Qian Tong leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "The Water Ghost King was a Meridian Connecting Realm monster. Without some special opportunity, it couldn't have evolved so quickly. And..."
He glanced at Lu Chen's hand.
"That display of Ice True Qi you showed, Hall Master Lu—no one would believe you hadn't gained it from a legacy beneath the water."
Lu Chen set down his teacup.
Its base struck the stone table with a sharp clack.
The mood in the courtyard turned oppressive in an instant.
An invisible killing intent emanated from Lu Chen.
"Are you interrogating me, Manager Qian?"
Lu Chen's voice turned cold. "This is the Black Water Gang, not your Ye Family. Think carefully before you speak."
Feeling the bone-chilling cold, sweat broke out on Qian Tong's forehead.
But he didn't back down.
He was a businessman, and negotiation was his forte.
"Hall Master Lu, you've misunderstood."
Qian Tong waved his hands hurriedly, his smile returning. "I meant no such thing!"
"Treasure belongs to the one worthy of it. Since you've obtained the legacy, then it's your opportunity. Our Ye Family would never seize it by force."
"We only want another item from the depths of the ruin."
"If Hall Master Lu is willing to lead us down there and help us get it..."
Qian Tong held up three fingers.
"Once it's done, you'll receive thirty thousand taels of silver!"
Lu Chen said nothing, watching him coldly.
Qian Tong gritted his teeth and raised the offer again.
"If you don't want silver, we can provide an Obstacle Breaking Pill! It's a precious pill that can help a martial artist break through the bottleneck of the Meridian Connecting Realm!"
"Besides, I can take responsibility for recommending you to join the Ye Family as a guest retainer!"
"Hall Master Lu, you're a clever man. You must know the waters here in Nujiang County are too shallow to nurture a true dragon. Only by going to the Prefectural City and backing yourself with a great family can you go further on the path of martial arts!"
His offer was hard to resist.
Especially the last one.
In a world monopolized by the great families, becoming a guest retainer was the dream of every common-born martial artist.
Lu Chen's eyes seemed to flicker.
He was silent for a long while, tapping a finger lightly against the table.
"Thirty thousand taels of silver, plus an Obstacle Breaking Pill."
Lu Chen spoke slowly. "That's certainly a generous offer."
Qian Tong's heart leaped. "So, Hall Master Lu, do we have a deal?"
"Don't rush."
Lu Chen looked up at him. "How do I know you won't kill the donkey after it's turned the millstone?"
"Once we're underwater, you'll be calling the shots. What if I help you get the item, and then you stab me in the back? Who would I go to for justice?"
"Hall Master Lu, you can rest assured!"
Qian Tong thumped his chest. "Our Flying Horse Merchant Association values its reputation above all! I can sign a written agreement, or even swear a martial oath!"
"Forget the written agreement. It's too hard even to wipe your backside with."
Lu Chen scoffed. "As for oaths... ha."
He got up and paced around the courtyard a couple of times.
He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons.
Qian Tong watched him nervously, barely daring to breathe.
After a long while,
Lu Chen stopped and turned around.
"Fine."
"I accept."
Qian Tong was overjoyed. "Hall Master Lu is wise!"
"But..."
Lu Chen's tone shifted, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"I have three conditions."
"First, I want half the payment up front. Fifteen thousand taels, plus five stalks of Blood Ginseng. I want it now."
"Second, once we're underwater, I'll only be responsible for leading the way and dealing with the Water Ghosts. You handle the traps and mechanisms yourselves."
"Third..."
Lu Chen stared at Qian Tong, enunciating every word.
"If we run into danger, I have the right to withdraw at any time. Whether you make it out alive is up to fate."
Qian Tong froze.
The conditions were exceedingly harsh.
The first one was outright robbery.
But then he thought it over.
Once they got to the Dragon Palace, the situation would be in his hands.
When the time came, he'd make this brat cough up every last tael—and with interest!
Qian Tong's face broke into a hearty smile.
"No problem!"
"I agree to all of Hall Master Lu's conditions!"
"Then it's settled."
Lu Chen held out his hand. "Meet me at the docks tomorrow morning."
"Agreed!"
Qian Tong reached out and slapped his palm.
The two exchanged smiles, each harboring his own schemes.
After seeing Qian Tong off, Lu Chen looked at the chests, his smile vanishing in an instant.
"Wang Xiaoliu."
Lu Chen called out.
"Coming, boss!" Wang Xiaoliu ran over.
"Put all of this in storage."
Lu Chen ordered. "Also, go prepare something for me."
He whispered a few words into Wang Xiaoliu's ear.
Wang Xiaoliu's eyes widened.
"Boss, are you planning to..."
"Less talk. Get it done."
Lu Chen kicked him. "And remember, don't let anyone see you."
"Yes, sir!"
Wang Xiaoliu ran off carrying a chest.
Lu Chen stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the sky.
He truly yearned to go to Canglan Prefecture.
But working with these scheming people from the Prefectural City was no different from making a deal with a tiger.
Qian Tong's words were sweet, but the killing intent in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"You want to use me as a stepping stone?"
Lu Chen ran a hand over the steel saber at his waist and sneered.
"Let's see whose foot gets smashed in the end."
Before you continue