The Madam Invites

"Hahaha, old brother, you truly are a godsend!"

Xu Teng was delighted after hearing Jiang Yuan's idea. He was already the most business-minded of the Four Halls, and after hearing Jiang Yuan's explanation, he immediately understood that these methods were exquisitely clever and deeply versed in the way of merchants.

"Not at all."

Jiang Yuan smiled modestly. "This old man merely spoke casually. Hall Master, you flatter me."

"Old brother, you're too modest!"

Xu Teng grabbed Jiang Yuan's hand and said warmly, "Old brother, you must visit my Black Tortoise Hall more often in the future and teach me more about the art of business!"

"Gladly."

After exchanging a few polite words, Jiang Yuan took his leave and headed downstairs.

Jiang Yuan had barely stepped out the main gate when he suddenly stopped.

A few paces ahead, a man in black stood with his arms folded against the wall, sizing him up with hostile eyes.

"Old sir, my madam invites you."

A master!

A flicker of wariness passed through Jiang Yuan's eyes as he looked at the man in black before him.

Though this man had reined in his aura, Jiang Yuan could sense that he was at least a tenth-stage Meridian Opening expert—countless times stronger than Xue Tu had been.

Even such cultivation was not considered top-tier in the Black Market.

"Who are you? This old man does not seem to know your madam."

Jiang Yuan spoke calmly.

The man in black snorted coldly. "Old sir, there is no need to ask. Just come with me, and you will naturally meet my madam."

"My apologies, but this old man has no interest."

Jiang Yuan turned and left. He had never accepted invitations of unknown origin.

Unless he truly could not defeat them.

But this was Black Market territory. He did not believe they would dare make a scene.

However, the next moment—

Bang!

Without another word, the man in black struck, slamming a palm toward Jiang Yuan's back. The force of his palm howled through the air!

Jiang Yuan paused, neither dodging nor evading, and silently activated Vajra Invulnerability.

Clang!!!

The palm force struck Jiang Yuan's body as if it had hit steel sinews and iron bones. A sharp metallic ring sounded out, yet he was completely unharmed!

"What?"

Seeing Jiang Yuan stand there without even turning around and take his blow, the man in black's eyes showed shock for the first time.

He had taken one of his palms head-on without suffering even a scratch?

Could this old fellow be a Grandmaster-level expert?

Impossible. There had never been word of such a Grandmaster in Jiangning City!

While reeling in shock, the man in black forcibly suppressed that terrifying thought. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a flash of cold light before his eyes, and the breath of death rushed at him!

It was a flying sword, moving faster than he could imagine.

Danger!!

That was the first thought to flash through the man in black's mind.

But it was already too late.

Whoosh!!

As Jiang Yuan activated Vajra Invulnerability, he also urged the Seven-Kill Sword Casket and released a flying sword, slashing toward the man in black with the speed of thunder, too swift to cover one's ears.

The man in black was terrified out of his wits. He only had time to slightly twist his body and circulate his true qi to protect himself.

Slash!!

The next instant, the flying sword swept past and severed the man in black's left arm, followed by a scream so miserable it was inhuman.

"Aah!!!"

The man in black screamed as he watched his arm fall away. Blood gushed out, and he dropped to his knees, wailing in agony, a pitiful sight to behold.

A dignified tenth-stage Meridian Opening expert had lost an arm to Jiang Yuan in a single exchange.

"Young man, this old man told you I had no interest, yet you insisted on forcing the matter."

Jiang Yuan's indifferent voice rang out, cold as frost.

"If there is a next time, no matter who stands behind you, this old man will show no mercy!"

With that, he strode away.

The man in black clutched his severed arm, his expression twisted. His eyes held both fear and venomous hatred, but he did not dare continue provoking Jiang Yuan.

He had never expected this old man to be such a terrifyingly ruthless figure.

He had to keep his life and return to report this matter to the madam.

Meanwhile.

After walking several hundred meters, Jiang Yuan wiped away a cold sweat. His entire back was drenched.

That brief exchange had made him look like an exalted master, but in truth, it had been perilously close. He had merely relied on Vajra Invulnerability to block that strike.

There was no doubt that the man in black had been somewhat stronger than him.

Had that palm landed squarely, even if it did not kill him, it would have left him severely injured for months.

Though the Seven-Kill Sword Casket was formidable, with his current cultivation, he could control at most two flying swords. To unleash the terrifying one-hit kill power from before, controlling even one flying sword would drain a great deal of his true qi and sword intent.

If the man in black had fought on despite his injury, the outcome would still have been uncertain.

"Madam."

At the outer city gate, the man in black dragged his severed arm to a luxurious carriage and dropped to one knee, his face filled with fear.

"Failed?"

A woman's languid voice came from inside the carriage, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"In reply to Madam."

The man in black gritted his teeth. "That old man is no ordinary person. Your subordinate was no match for him."

"Oh? Tell me."

"That old fellow seems to possess a body of bronze skin and iron bones, and he also controls an extremely formidable flying sword. With just one sword strike, he severed this subordinate's left arm."

"Your subordinate deserves death!"

The more the man in black spoke, the more frightened he became, lowering his head even further.

"Bronze skin and iron bones, a flying sword..."

The woman murmured the words, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. "Interesting. Go back and investigate this old sir."

"Yes, Madam."

"As for you..."

The woman gave a soft laugh. "This humble one has no need for a cripple. Go back and keep your wife company."

"Madam!"

At those words, the man in black became even more terrified, trembling all over.

What wife did he still have?

His wife had long since been killed by the venomous woman before him.

"Leave."

The woman gave the order, and the carriage slowly entered the inner city, leaving only the man in black kneeling where he was.

Elsewhere.

White Tiger Hall, Zhu Residence.

Zhu Hu held a smooth, lustrous pill in his hand and examined it carefully, unable to stop marveling. "Tsk, tsk... It truly is a Marrow-Cleansing Pill of supreme quality. I never expected Old Jiang to have such a trick up his sleeve. He had me fooled good and proper."

This pill was precisely the one Zhu Hu had arranged for someone to purchase at the auction.

He had long been monitoring Jiang Yuan's every move, so naturally, alchemy had not escaped his notice. Yet he had never expected Jiang Yuan's pill-refining skills to be so high.

At his side, steward Ding Wu said in a low voice, "Master Zhu, I think this Old Jiang is becoming more and more ungrateful. Such a fine pill, and instead of offering it up to our White Tiger Hall, he actually took it to Black Tortoise Hall for auction!"

"Should this subordinate capture him and hold him accountable?"

Hearing this, Zhu Hu gave Ding Wu a puzzled look. "Ding Big Eyes, if you've got a brain but aren't going to use it, why not donate it?"

"Not to mention you—even I can't touch Jiang Yuan now."

"Capture him? Capture my ass!"

Zhu Hu looked utterly disappointed at his failure to meet expectations. "Learn from Liu Mang. Cunning old foxes like Old Jiang respond to softness, not force. We have to stroke his fur the right way if we want to reap any benefits, understand?"

"Go. Invite Old Brother Jiang over. This Hall Master will personally host a banquet for him!"

"Yes, Master Zhu."

Ding Wu was cursed until he was drenched from head to toe, then went off in dejection to invite Jiang Yuan.

Watching Ding Wu's departing back, Zhu Hu narrowed his eyes slightly.

Jiang Yuan was becoming more and more mysterious.

Not only did he have a grip on the business of the Four Halls, but now he had even transformed himself into an alchemy master?

At this rate, sooner or later, he would climb right over Zhu Hu's head.

The feeling of being unable to keep a subordinate under control truly made it difficult for him to rest easy.

Old Jiang, Old Jiang—just how many secrets are you hiding?