The Proprietor

Just as Chen Wu hesitated, the servants of Qiao Weisheng had already dragged the assassin back in front of the carriage.

Qiao Weisheng did not spare the assassin a second glance; with a slight wave of his hand, the servants hauled the man away. He then took the retrieved sword sheath from a servant, held it with both hands, and presented it to the middle-aged man in tattered robes standing beside him.

Upon seeing the fresh scratches on the sheath, the middle-aged man's expression of distress deepened. He wiped the sheath with his sleeve before finally sliding the sword back inside.

Qiao Weisheng smiled, "I shall take full responsibility for the damage to this Seven Treasure Sword Sheath, sir."

"Even if you didn't say it, you would still be the one paying. Your Zhong'an Bank is overflowing with mountains of gold and seas of silver; this pittance is but a drop in the ocean for an old proprietor like you."

Though the middle-aged man spoke with a casual tone, there was no relaxation in his voice. He shifted the subject, "Master Qiao Weisheng, today's business is far from over. I wouldn't be too happy just yet."

Qiao Weisheng's pupils constricted, "There are more assassins?"

"Wrong, there are more experts!" Having said this, the middle-aged man lifted his eyes and looked toward Chen Wu.

Chen Wu had originally been watching the situation from the entrance of the bank. Now, as the middle-aged man's gaze locked onto his, their eyes met, and he knew instantly that the situation had turned sour.

A sudden, piercing light flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes, pinning Chen Wu's focus in place. A jolt of energy surged through him, causing the Dantian in Chen Wu's body to boil once more.

He found me!

Chen Wu did not know how the man had discovered him, but the thought of fleeing was dismissed as soon as it arose. Running before such an expert would only lead to the same fate as the assassin from moments ago.

On second thought, that wasn't right. He hadn't even attempted an assassination yet, nor was he an accomplice to that poor soul who had just been dragged away. He was a pure bystander—what was there to fear? Even if he were caught, the worst they could charge him with was illegal possession of a weapon, assuming the Great Shun Dynasty even had such a law.

Chen Wu's thoughts cleared. He maintained a blank expression and continued to meet the man's gaze, curious to see what kind of trickery was afoot.

The two stared at each other for about the span of a breath before the middle-aged man broke the stalemate. He stepped forward, cupped his hands around his sword, and bowed, "This Humble One is Guo Xuchu of the Sea-Pacifying Palace, representing the Investigation of Things School. May I ask for your honorable name?"

What Investigation of Things School? What Sea-Pacifying Palace? What is all this?

Chen Wu was completely bewildered, but that didn't stop him from realizing that this man, Guo Xuchu, was a renowned expert.

He forced a smile onto his face and blurted out, "So it is the great hero Guo! I have long admired your reputation; meeting you today is truly a stroke of great fortune."

As he spoke, he cupped his hands in return.

Guo Xuchu let out a hearty laugh, "It is clear you have no such admiration, otherwise you would know that the thing I despise most in this life is being called a 'great hero'."

The smile on Chen Wu's face froze instantly, and he felt incredibly awkward.

"The name 'Star-Pulling Sword' Guo Xuchu may ring throughout the Western nations, but given the vastness of the Celestial Empire, it is only natural that some might not know it," a voice interjected, rescuing Chen Wu. It was Qiao Weisheng.

"Since we have met today, it is fate. Why not accept my hospitality as the host and come inside to talk? If we block the bank entrance, I won't be able to conduct any business."

Chen Wu wanted to refuse, but seeing Guo Xuchu staring at him intently, he felt a chill in his heart.

Though he did not know why Guo Xuchu hadn't attacked him but instead treated him with courtesy, he knew he was currently running on nothing but bravado and could not afford to show weakness.

He nodded and followed Qiao Weisheng's party into a quiet room in the back of the Zhong'an Bank, where tea was served.

The morning sunlight filtered through the glass windows, making the already elegant room feel even more serene. Chen Wu, however, had no heart for appreciation. He picked up his teacup, immediately set it back down, and decided to take the initiative.

"Master Qiao, Mr. Guo—"

Seemingly triggered by Chen Wu's voice, Guo Xuchu, who had been sitting with his eyes closed and arms wrapped around his sword, suddenly opened them. In an instant, a brilliant light flashed in his eyes, illuminating the room.

A room brightened by the mere presence of a person—this was clearly a sign of internal energy cultivated to an extremely profound level.

Unfortunately, Chen Wu knew nothing of this; he was simply startled, and the words he intended to say became stuck in his throat.

Guo Xuchu did not seem to notice that he had interrupted Chen Wu. Instead, he raised a hand to stroke his sword sheath and spoke, "May I ask which faction of the Yongjiu School you belong to? The Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower? The Red Lantern Society? Or perhaps the sect of the Old Man of the Mountain?"

Chen Wu was shocked. He recalled his handler mentioning something about the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower. Realizing his cover was blown, he steeled himself, "To be honest with you both, it is indeed the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower. Does Master Qiao's bank not do business with the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower?"

"You joke. Business can be done at any time," Qiao Weisheng laughed. "In business, we speak of business. Even if the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower wanted my head, as long as I am not dead today, they could still deposit or withdraw money at my bank tomorrow. I rose from a mere peddler to where I am today based on this very reputation."

Chen Wu felt a surge of admiration and was about to chime in, but a scoff from Guo Xuchu cut him off.

Guo Xuchu continued to stroke his sword sheath, "Master Qiao's current fortune is certainly due to his own outstanding ability, but your late father-in-law, who served as the Minister of Revenue, also played no small part."

Chen Wu's gaze darted between Guo and Qiao several times before he realized he had just heard something incredibly scandalous. To think he would dare speak such truths to his face!

Qiao Weisheng gave a helpless smile, "Old Guo, Guo the Star-Puller! You are a dignified master of the Profound Realm; the students you have taught have even become admirals in the navy. If you could just speak a little less, you wouldn't have been stuck with only the position of a consultant for the Sea-Pacifying Palace for all these years."

Guo Xuchu let out a soft hum and lowered his head to continue stroking his sword sheath.

"Ahem—" Chen Wu felt it was not the time to keep watching the show. "Master Qiao, Mr. Guo, why exactly did you invite me in here?"

"I have no particular intent. I simply sensed the energy of a Yongjiu School expert watching from the sidelines and felt a sudden itch to offer a greeting. As for what Master Qiao has in mind, that is beyond the knowledge of a mere consultant like me," Guo Xuchu said, his words sharp and barbed.

Qiao Weisheng shook his head and turned to Chen Wu, "I invited you to sit, young friend, for two reasons. First, today's events were sudden. Since you are an expert of the Yongjiu School—which advocates that 'a group of dragons without a leader brings good fortune' and specializes in assassinating high-ranking officials—I feared you might be involved, so I wished to clear up any misunderstandings."

"Master Qiao, you cannot speak nonsense. Every debt has its debtor; today's events have nothing to do with me. You cannot blame every assassination in the world on the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower!" Chen Wu grew anxious and waved his arms. "If you don't believe me, I can confront that assassin right now."

Having said this, he realized he sounded a bit weak, which didn't fit the persona of a Yongjiu School expert. Chen Wu immediately stiffened his face and added, "If Master Qiao intends to use the presence of a Profound Realm expert to force a confession, I am not made of clay, and I would be happy to test your high-level skills."

"Young friend, do not be angry. I naturally believe you," Qiao Weisheng said with a face full of smiles to appease him. "I saw clearly just now that when the incident occurred, you were also surprised. It is impossible for you to be in league with the assassin."

Chen Wu was waiting for exactly those words, "In that case, I have matters to attend to. I won't delay Master Qiao's business any further. I shall take my leave."

He stood up immediately, pretending to walk away to test their reaction. If they didn't stop him, he would seize the chance to slip away; if they did, he would adapt accordingly.

Qiao Weisheng also stood up. He did not stop Chen Wu, but suddenly let out a long sigh, "Alas, it is difficult!"

Chen Wu had not expected this reaction at all. He stopped in his tracks, not saying a word, waiting to see how Qiao Weisheng would perform.

"Who doesn't know that you, Qiao Weisheng, are bold enough to defy the heavens? When you traveled to the land of the Rasha to sell tea in your youth, you dared to intervene in the coup of the Rasha Imperial Guard. Even when facing the musket volleys of the Winter Palace guards, you never showed such distress. Why are you complaining now, just because you encountered a small assassin?"

Guo Xuchu rolled his eyes immediately: "To quote Emperor Taizong, enough is enough!"

Qiao Weisheng laughed: "Times change, and so do circumstances. Back then, I was a nobody, risking my life to gamble for a future. But now..."

"Now you are a man of great wealth, and one does not sit under a crumbling wall!" Guo Xuchu cut him off, mocking him.

"Emperor Taizong once said, when one is in the pugilistic world, one is not master of one's own fate. If it were just a matter of risking my life, though I am old, I still have some courage left. But the affairs of this world are difficult precisely because they are so intertwined. Even if I have a sharp blade, it is hard to cut through this tangled mess," Qiao Weisheng stared at Chen Wu and said slowly.

"Young friend, do not be fooled by the fact that my Zhong'an Bank spans from the Western Pole Rakshasa to the southern reaches of Java, as if it were omnipotent. Yet, the difficulty I face today is something only you can help me resolve. I wonder if you are willing to do business with me?"

"Me?" Chen Wu could barely keep his composure, "Master Qiao, you jest. You are the wealthiest man in the world, and Master Guo's martial arts are profound. If the two of you cannot handle it, what help could I possibly provide?"

"It is precisely because you are a man of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower that you can help with this matter."

"Who does Master Qiao wish to kill?" Chen Wu understood immediately; they wanted the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower to take the fall.

"Does my young friend not wish to ask for the reason?"

"As long as the money is paid, we at the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower do not ask questions." Chen Wu was determined to maintain his persona to the end, answering with breezy indifference.

"Good! A man of his word!" Qiao Weisheng pulled a stack of papers from his robes: "These are thirty bearer banknotes. Each can be exchanged for one thousand silver dollars at any branch of the Zhong'an Bank, totaling thirty thousand silver dollars."

Three... thirty thousand silver dollars!!!

Chen Wu's heart skipped a beat. He had been in this world for three days and had a rough understanding of the cost of living; thirty thousand silver dollars was an astronomical sum.

The finely crafted revolver in his pocket, which had only recently been invented and was not yet mass-produced, was handmade and cost less than thirty silver dollars. And that was only the price for one made by a top-tier gunsmith.

The mission Chen Wu had originally received was only worth five thousand silver dollars, which was already double the standard rate, and he would still have to split that with his handler upon completion.

No matter the world, these people who run banks are always the wealthy ones!

However, to maintain his persona, Chen Wu remained impassive. He took the banknotes and asked coolly: "Who am I killing?"

Qiao Weisheng extended a finger, pointed at himself, and said word by word: "It is none other than this old man, Qiao, Wei, Sheng!"