In the Dungeon.
Only after a long, speechless silence did Weng Sanren force a smile onto his face. "You're right. Niu Xi did give me a hundred thousand Star Source."
"How could you be so foolish?" Ren Ye frowned as he advised him, "Brother Sanren, you're already a convicted man. Taking Niu Xi's illicit funds so casually will be hard to explain. If the Witch Lord investigates, I'm afraid the consequences will be more than you can bear...!"
"Heh." Weng Sanren sneered. "Then sorry for the trouble, Brother Young Master, but please bear those consequences for me."
Ren Ye raised his eyebrows. "Huh... why should I bear the consequences for you for nothing?"
"You mean you want a little compensation too?" Weng Sanren asked, dumbstruck.
"That works." Ren Ye immediately nodded.
Weng Sanren ground his back teeth and nodded admiringly. "Your talents are truly unparalleled, Young Master. You surpass every treacherous minister and corrupt official in history. I couldn't admire you more. Still, perhaps there's some hardship you can't speak of behind your love of money?"
"Ah, every family has its troubles," Ren Ye replied perfunctorily.
"Then how about this?" Weng Sanren considered briefly. "Leave Niu Xi's hundred thousand Star Source with me for now. Once I get out, I might perhaps return five or ten times that amount. All you need to do is find out what's happening outside and give me an honest verbal account of what happens among the five of you."
So you're painting pretty pictures now? Don't you know I'm Qingliang Prefecture's Van Gogh?
Ren Ye sneered. "I never trust a stranger's promises."
"Don't worry, brother. We can make an agreement. I'll make good on the Star Source before I leave." Weng Sanren paused, smiling. "And perhaps... I'll give you another gift too."
Ren Ye