Trading Tactics

Mi Yan was murmuring softly when a deafening clamor of gongs and drums rose outside, instantly drawing many people in the shop to hurry out and watch.

"Quick, come look! The Xiong Ba Trading Company is putting on a show!"

"Wow, a battle between men and beasts!"

Gongs and drums clanged outside, and before long, every last customer in the Peony Pavilion had run out. Curious, Mi Yan and Ling’er followed them outside.

What sort of show was it? The Xiong Ba Trading Company had erected a platform outside its entrance. A dozen or so hunting cultivators exuberantly beat drums and struck gongs in the air and on the ground, while five or six beautiful women in scanty clothing performed seductive dances on the platform, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.

"Pah, how shameless!"

"Doing something so disgraceful right out in public!"

"That Xiong Ba Trading Company is no good. I'll be keeping my distance from its doors!"

The women on the street turned and left, their faces burning crimson with embarrassment, their hearts pounding nonstop like those gongs and drums.

The Xiong Ba Trading Company dealt in Beast Cores and beast materials, primarily targeting male cultivators, so it did not much mind its bad reputation among female cultivators.

"Their tiger penises and deer testicles are quite good. Aren't you going to buy some for your man?"

One woman whispered to her female companion. Her companion flushed scarlet and swung a hand at her. "Are you asking for it? All you ever say is shameless nonsense!"

"Hahaha..."

The Xiong Ba Trading Company's ploy really worked, immediately drawing an overflowing crowd that left its few assistants unable to keep up. As a result, the Peony Pavilion grew quiet amid the din.

"Sister Mi Yan, that Xiong Ba Trading Company is utterly shameless, using such despicable tricks!"

Ling’er stamped her foot in anger and spoke bitterly.

"There's no need to worry. I've traveled far and wide for years-what tricks haven't I seen? Within ten days, the peony will still be a peony, and the bastard will still be that same bastard!"

"Ah-choo!"

As Xiong Ba drank with a beauty in his arms, a sneeze nearly sent the table flying.

"Which bastard is muttering about me and making me sneeze?"

"Who in Ximu City doesn't know how mighty our boss Xiong Ba is, his golden spear never drooping? There must be plenty of young maidens and married women thinking of you right now, Boss..."

"Hahaha, there certainly are!"

The dozen or so hunting cultivators at the feast all joined in the teasing.

"Maybe even those little wenches at the Peony Pavilion next door..."

"Hahaha, of course! Now they know how formidable our boss is."

"Won over-definitely prostrate in surrender, won over by our boss in body and soul!"

"Hahaha..." Delighted by what he heard, Xiong Ba raised the bowl of wine from the table and laughed. "You brothers really came through! Those women could only put up a fight against us in bed. At anything else, they couldn't withstand a single blow!"

"Hahaha, hahaha..."

Obscene talk and shouting shook the Xiong Ba Trading Company. As liquor slid down their throats and inflamed their minds, each revealed his ugly side.

The Peony Pavilion, meanwhile, was peaceful and quiet. Taking advantage of the lull, Ling’er practiced with her longsword in the courtyard. The autumn moonlight flowed like water, and leaves drifted down. Ling’er had never abandoned her cultivation; she still bore the heavy responsibility of avenging her tribe.

She could not bear to leave that entire burden on Brother Xiao Bai's shoulders. But Brother Xiao Bai, where are you?

Fortunately, the weather was growing cooler, so Mu Bai's White Wolf Hide coat was appropriate for the season, though his savage-like attire was quite laughable. Luckily, he always chose to rest deep in the mountains and forests, then sprawled across the Golden Roc's back to continue his journey by air. He encountered few people along the way, and passed a dozen or so days in this carefree fashion.

Ten days later, just as Mi Yan had expected, the Xiong Ba Trading Company's entrance grew deserted again. Its performances had lasted three days, maintaining a roaring turnout throughout. But those dozen or so hunting cultivators still had to enter the mountains to hunt beasts; they could hardly spend all day beating drums and gongs to draw crowds. Besides, those filthy performances were an affront to public decency. Ximu City had its reputation to consider-how could it allow him to continue behaving so outrageously?

Without the performances to draw customers, the limited goods sold by the Xiong Ba Trading Company simply could not meet everyone's needs, so they all returned to the Peony Pavilion.

For plentiful variety, fine quality, and low prices, the Peony Pavilion was the place.

"This infuriates me! We have to show those women what's what!"

With a crack, Xiong Ba crushed the jade cup in his hand, a vicious look spreading across his face.

"Boss, tell us what to do!"

"Come on, let's smash up their Peony Pavilion!"

Ling’er was busy working in the shop with Xiao Lan when Xiong Ba burst through the door with a dozen or so hunting cultivators, who surrounded them menacingly.

Ling’er immediately drew a longsword. "What are you doing?"

"Well, well, a pretty little girl with some courage, too. You dare raise a hand against Master Xiong?"

With a lecherous grin, Xiong Ba reached to grab her with his bare hands.

"Stop!" Mi Yan floated down in front of Ling’er. "Xiong Ba, what do you mean by bringing men barging into my Peony Pavilion?"

Mi Yan rebuked him sharply. Four Third Level experts immediately emerged from the surroundings and took firm positions beside her.

"What do I mean? You sell inferior Beast Cores and claim you bought them from my hunting party. Isn't that deliberately ruining my reputation? How could I not come demand justice?"

"Absurd. The goods sold by my Peony Pavilion have never had anything to do with your hunting party. If you insist on making trouble, don't blame the Peony Pavilion for showing no courtesy!"

"Hmph, those four of yours aren't nearly enough!"

Xiong Ba spoke contemptuously. Six Third Level experts immediately stepped out of the hunting party behind him, all ruthless men who had fought countless battles against beasts. Xiong Ba himself was a Third-Level Peak Soul Cultivator; Mi Yan's people were indeed no match even for him alone.

Faced with this situation, Mi Yan's heart tightened.

"Xiong Ba, what an impressive display of might!"

Just as Xiong Ba was feeling pleased with himself, someone entered behind him. It was Xi Hong, the Xishui Great Tribe's Chief of Fangs.

"I wondered who it was. So it's Chief of Fangs Xi Hong. What brings you here? Have you come to uphold justice for me, honored Chief of Fangs?"

"I happened to be passing by. But Xiong Ba, don't say I didn't warn you. Behind the Peony Pavilion stands the Taiyuan Merchant Guild, and behind the Taiyuan Merchant Guild stands the Taiyuan Pavilion..."

"Pah! If they cross me, I don't care whether it's the damned Taiyuan Merchant Guild or Taiyuan Pavilion. I'll vent my anger first! I have little property and no wife or children. Once I'm deep in those mountains and forests, who can do anything to me?"

"Well, that is true..."

"Heh, Xi Hong, you aren't thinking of meddling, are you? If you can't stop me from leaving today, the tribespeople you send into the mountains tomorrow might not come out alive!"

Xi Hong did indeed have that concern. He knew Xiong Ba's capabilities. If Xiong Ba was determined to flee, he really might not be able to stop him. If he provoked such a villain, his tribespeople would inevitably suffer.

"Please wait a moment, honored Chief of Fangs. Once I've dealt with this little matter, I'll treat you to a drink!"

"Certainly, certainly. Why not do me a favor? Harmony brings wealth. If this truly comes to blows, it won't benefit anyone. You've been living freely enough, Xiong Ba. Would you really rather spend the rest of your life hiding deep in the mountains and forests, fleeing those hunting you down?"

Seeing that the situation was indeed unfavorable, Mi Yan took her cue from Xi Hong's words and spoke pleasantly.

"The Peony Pavilion has always upheld the principle that harmony brings wealth. Though we have never had any dealings with your hunting party, neighbors ought to get along. Please take these soul crystals as money for a drink for the two of you!"

As she spoke, Mi Yan ordered Xiao Lan to fetch ten thousand soul crystals. Xiao Lan was extremely unwilling, but there was nothing she could do.

Xiong Ba was only fighting with the Peony Pavilion for profit, after all, and the Taiyuan Merchant Guild was indeed not easy to provoke. Since they had already shown him due respect, he accepted the soul crystals and called his hunting cultivators away to drink. Looking embarrassed, Xi Hong did not linger either, cupping his hands and taking his leave.

"Sister Mi Yan, buying peace like this is no lasting solution. We have to think of something else."

Ling’er sheathed her longsword, her face still full of anger. What sort of business paid out money like this?

"Don't worry, little sister. I have my own solution. How could our Taiyuan Merchant Guild be bullied by a mere thug and ruffian? This was only a temporary measure."

Mi Yan turned and went upstairs, followed by the four Third Level experts.

"Just wait. Xiong Ba will get what's coming to him!"

Xiao Lan knew the Taiyuan Merchant Guild's methods, but she still could not swallow the humiliation Xiong Ba had inflicted that day, her little lips remaining puffed in an angry pout.

Ling’er soon learned of Xiong Ba's fate. He and every one of his dozen or so hunting cultivators had been killed, without a single exception. Their corpses had all been silently hung on Ximu City's walls, a horrifying sight. For a time, Ximu City seethed with talk. No one knew who had done it, but all at once, everyone knew the Peony Pavilion's name.

From then on, no one in Ximu City dared provoke the Peony Pavilion.

"Master, why did you come in person?"

In a secret room on the Peony Pavilion's third floor, Mi Yan laid out wine and drank with Taiyuan Qing.

"My Yan'er was bullied. How could I not come and take action myself?"

"Thank you, Master. Fortunately, you were here to stand up for me, or the Peony Pavilion could never have swallowed this insult."

"You belong to me, Yan'er, and so does the Peony Pavilion. Anyone who dares humiliate you is humiliating me. Come, drink..."

Taiyuan Qing had already drunk a great deal and shed his image as a pedantic old scholar. His face was crimson, his eyes gleaming with lust as he urged Mi Yan to drink. His hands were busy kneading her buttocks, full, soft, and springy, a pleasure to toy with.

That night, after drinking, Mi Yan attended him in bed. Taiyuan Qing exerted himself to the utmost on the bed and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

"Yan'er, that girl you brought back has really blossomed nicely..."

"What is it, Master? Are you tired of me already?"

"No, no, how could I be! I was only making an idle remark. My Yan'er is still the one I love most..."

"Mm."

Mi Yan pressed against Taiyuan Qing's chest, and the two soon began tumbling about again without cease. All that passed between them truly could not be recounted in detail.