The wind rustles through the bamboo grove outside the window, creating a rhythmic sound.
Inside the pavilion, people clinked glasses and exchanged toasts, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Chen Shuangbai sat in the main seat, with two people sitting below her.
One was the leader of the Azure Flood Dragon Society, who controlled the vital ferry crossing of Wind Howling Ford Ferry; the other was the nominal leader of the local Rogue Cultivator cultivators, who controlled the Silver Light Fish that could be sold at high prices in various markets.
The two watched as Chen Shuangbai, like a refined young nobleman, poured them tea and served them food. They both looked flattered, but secretly harbored wariness.
After several rounds of drinks, the dishes were seasoned.
The two waited for Chen Shuangbai to make his move, but Chen Shuangbai acted as if he were truly just treating them to a meal, smiling and chatting without a trace of murderous intent.
Just as these two people, each harboring their own thoughts, were pondering what Chen Shuangbai was up to, Chen Shuangbai also slightly noticed that the two were becoming a little impatient.
It's almost time.
Knock, knock, knock—a knocking sound came from outside the courtyard.
Zhuang Wen, accompanied by his attendants, brought the main course of the banquet.
As soon as the lid was opened, the aroma of fish soup wafted out and filled the mouths and noses of the three people.
Lady Yun took a few deep sniffs, then looked at the pure white, milky fish soup in the earthenware pot, and said with some surprise, "... Your skill is truly excellent; you've actually managed to create such a fragrant soup!"
Chen Shuangbai said with a smile.
"The Daoist temple has a cook who, though a mortal, possesses exceptional culinary skills, in no way inferior to those of the master chefs."
"Fellow Daoist Yun, this Silver Light Fish is a specialty of your Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance. I'm just offering it to you out of curiosity, so please don't feel slighted."
Lady Yun stood up and bowed to Chen Shuangbai.
"Governor, you flatter me. Just by smelling this aroma, I know that your culinary skills far surpass those of the cooks in our alliance. I am only able to taste such a delicious meal today thanks to you."
That's all.
Lady Yun rolled her eyes at Bai Zhixing, clearly pointing Bai Zhixing at him.
Bai Zhixing frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed and said, "Thanks to the garrison commander, I am fortunate to have such a delicious meal."
"Oh, you two, don't be so polite, please have a taste, please have a taste."
That's what they said, but neither of them drank it immediately.
Chen Shuangbai knew.
The two were worried that Chen Shuangbai might have poisoned it, but they didn't mind. Instead, they tasted a small bowl themselves first before smiling at the two of them.
Seeing that their master had drunk it, the two men felt a little relieved.
This fish soup truly has a perfect combination of color, aroma, and taste.
The two took a small sip and felt their mouths water; it was truly delicious. Most importantly, it contained a faint Spiritual Qi, which both cultivators at the Middle Qi Refining Stage found very beneficial.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Chen Shuangbai sighed softly.
Upon hearing the sigh, the two knew that the main topic was about to be discussed.
Chen Shuangbai looked at Lady Yun and said, "To be honest, I've been in office as the garrison commander for more than half a year now. Although I've dealt with those arrogant and ungrateful local clans and improved the lives of some of the less developed people, I still feel that something is missing."
Lady Yun and Bai Zhixing put down the fish soup and remained silent.
Chen Shuangbai sneered inwardly.
As he spoke, he glanced at Lady Yun.
"As you should know, besides developing and protecting the local people's livelihood, I, as the garrison commander, also have to mediate conflicts among the local cultivators, so that I won't be reported by the sect's special envoy for dereliction of duty."
"Both of your factions make a living at this ferry crossing, and are connected to countless ordinary people below... I've heard... the two families have been at odds lately?"
Lady Yun picked up her handkerchief, wiped her mouth, and then stood up to give Chen Shuangbai a deep bow.
"Chief Chen, this isn't something my family started on our own initiative. Someone has ulterior motives and wants to seize my family's property!"
Bai Zhixing gave Lady Yun a meaningful look, thinking to himself, "Why did the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance send out this big-breasted, brainless woman? She was provoked so easily that she blurted out her true thoughts."
That Han Shouke... could he really have Qi Deviation... and can't get out of seclusion?
Although Bai Zhixing thought this way, he still maintained a smile on his face.
"Fellow Daoist Yun's words make me feel somewhat wronged. My Azure Flood Dragon Society originally intended to cooperate with your alliance to promote the breeding of Silver Light Fish, increase their numbers, and thus earn more Spirit Stone in the future."
Upon hearing this, Lady Yun tightened her grip on the silk handkerchief, her eyes clearly flashing with anger, and retorted, "What a silver tongue you have!"
I really underestimated you.
"Chen Zhenshou, you be the judge. The Azure Flood Dragon Society neither provides fish nor trainers; they just talk and demand 70% of the profits from the Silver Light Fish breeding business. If we don't give it to them, they'll have the waterway from the Sha Province to the ferry blocked. What else is this but outright robbery?"
"Oh?" Chen Shuangbai's expression turned somewhat amused, her gaze shifting to Bai Zhixing, her tone enigmatic, "Chairman Bai, is this true?"
Bai Zhixing muttered to himself, "You bastard."
It's one thing to say these things in private... but Chen Shuangbai is clearly trying to sow discord between the two families, and you still foolishly jumped in?
Bai Zhixing maintained a smile on his face, but inwardly he was cursing.
When he encountered Lady Yun outside, he had already guessed about 70-80% of what was going on. He never expected that Lady Yun would be so incredibly foolish, knowing it was a trap, yet still jumping right in...
"Governor... there was some misunderstanding at the beginning."
"My younger brother was ignorant and offended Fellow Daoist Yun and his wife before. After I returned, I reprimanded him and put him under house arrest. After that, knowing that Fellow Daoist Yun and his wife were unwilling to cooperate, he did not offend them again."
"Fellow Daoist Yun, I, Bai, would like to formally apologize to you. I was indeed offended before. Please rest assured that the waterway connecting this Sha Province to the ferry will never be blocked again."
Lady Yun, who possesses the Spirit Root of fire and earth, is not good at scheming. Furthermore, her husband, Han Shouke, has always managed the affairs of the alliance and protected her very well, making it even more difficult for her to see through these intricate schemes.
If Han Shouke hadn't encountered some problems in his cultivation, she would have had no choice but to step in and take on the main responsibility.
Chen Shuangbai saw it as an apology that was clearly an act, but Lady Yun mistakenly thought that he was genuinely apologizing, so she tempered herself a little.
"Hmph... who knows..."
Although Zhuang Wen had already gathered information about the two of them, Chen Shuangbai still hadn't expected that Lady Yun was so shallow that she couldn't even see through such hypocrisy and pretense.
But that doesn't matter.
A smile appeared on Chen Shuangbai's lips, which caught Bai Zhixing's eye out of the corner of his eye, causing the latter's heart to skip a beat.
"I see, it's good that the misunderstanding has been cleared up."
"I personally hope that both sides can maintain peace, but... I recently heard about something else. Fellow Daoist Yun, is Master Yu from your alliance surnamed Yu?"
Lady Yun, not understanding why, nodded slightly.
Chen Shuangbai then asked, "Does he have an only son named Yu Junjie?"
"Yes."
Upon hearing this, Bai Zhixing's heart skipped a beat, and he looked sharply at Chen Shuangbai.
Chen Shuangbai also turned to look at him.