The Stewed Offal Business Is A Success

Ren Qing immediately seized the opportunity, shamelessly pressing his request: "Senior Song, do you have any external medicinal baths?"

"En, how about this—I'll list the herbs, and you write them down. Wild Ginseng two liang, Red Fruit Flower half a liang, Money Tree three liang..."

Because of the subtle influence of the Information Flow, Ren Qing's memory had long surpassed that of ordinary people; he had it all memorized after hearing it just once.

Song Zongwu couldn't help but think more highly of Ren Qing's talent, but he was busy with matters concerning the Disaster Aversion Forbidden Zone and hurriedly left.

Ren Qing's mind churned with thoughts.

Why did Song Zongwu avoid the seemingly ordinary question of Internal Cultivation? Could it involve some unspeakable secret?

Ren Qing suddenly recalled the dying Old Constable at the Martial Arts Building, whose lifespan was nearly exhausted back then. He wondered if the man had died.

If he was still clinging to life, it was very possible that he was the Hundred-Eyed himself.

But the trouble was that the Old Constable seemed to have some connection to Song Zongwu, like Family Kin.

Ren Qing shook his head. The best course was to strengthen himself as much as possible within ten days.

Especially the Human Skin Book. Since he would be frequently interacting with Song Zongwu from now on, he feared it might reveal something unusual, so he temporarily refrained from advancing to Skin Refiner.

But he could still rely on external tempering methods to increase the toughness of his skin and flesh.

Ren Qing first returned to the Fire Refining Hall and ate some food.

He had originally planned to go to the pharmacy to gather herbs for body tempering, but unexpectedly learned from Xiao Wu about Butcher Zhang's good news.

Ren Qing hurried to the butcher shop. On the way, he noticed that the number of beggars nearby had increased, and they whispered among themselves when they saw him.

Ren Qing gave a cold smile and walked straight into the alley.

He immediately spotted Butcher Zhang, beaming with joy, as he tidied up the pork in his shop.

After Ren Qing asked Butcher Zhang, he learned that not long ago, after negotiations, their cooperation with the Bloodhound Gang was as good as settled.

The business was handled by Chen Ben, the Hall Master of Jackal Hall. All of Butcher Zhang's demands had been agreed to, and there was even an extra substantial sum of silver.

Butcher Zhang unhesitatingly handed most of the silver to Ren Qing, while the remaining amount was enough to purchase property in Sanxiang City.

Ren Qing noticed figures lurking at the mouth of the alley and asked curiously, "When you spoke with Chen Ben, did you mention me?"

Butcher Zhang suddenly felt a lingering fear: "At first, the negotiations didn't go well. Later, I brought you up, and Hall Master Chen agreed. It should be fine, right?"

"It's fine. At most, there'll be some minor trouble."

Ren Qing immediately understood—it seemed Chen Ben was planning to test him. This wild dog was greedier than imagined.

If it had been Ren Qing from two days ago, he would have chosen to avoid the sharp edge, using his position as an officer to secure benefits and ensure the supply of Pig Eyes.

But now, with the connection to Song Zongwu, many troubles would resolve themselves.

Butcher Zhang sighed in relief and said, "A Qing, don't take any risks. If it's too much trouble, we can just drop this business."

"It's fine."

Ren Qing said with a smile, "But we'll need to handle all the pig offal from West of the City, so we'll inevitably have to hire workers. Brother Zhang, remember to find trustworthy people."

"I've been in Sanxiang City for years; I can still pick out a few candidates."

Butcher Zhang agreed repeatedly. Though he had no head for business, he at least knew his limits and wouldn't take on things beyond his ability.

After giving a few more instructions, Ren Qing headed out of the alley.

No sooner had he reached the street than seven or eight men strode quickly toward him.

The man at the front wore a gray robe, his gait carrying a startling Aura, as if each step concealed hidden meaning.

But in Ren Qing's eyes, the man's complexion was somewhat dull, his Qi and blood seemed depleted, and he could smell a thick, stale odor of alcohol from the night before.

The people on the street quickly stepped aside, none daring to provoke the Bloodhound Gang.

Only Ren Qing paused, his expression calm as he waited.

"This Humble One is Chen Ben. Officer Ren, your reputation precedes you."

Chen Ben clasped his hands in greeting, but his gaze couldn't help sizing up Ren Qing, and he stepped forward with an oppressive air.

"Hall Master Chen, I've long admired you."

Ren Qing had anticipated Chen Ben's move, and his narrowed eyes betrayed no hostility.

On the surface, the two were polite, but in truth, both were testing each other.

After all, where interests were involved, deceit was inevitable.

Even if Chen Ben had agreed to Butcher Zhang's profit split, he could still go back on it, and the silver could be taken back—these were all common underhanded tricks.

"Officer Ren, why not change the venue and head to the Tea House for a proper chat?"

"Hall Master Chen, let's talk another day."

Chen Ben ignored Ren Qing's refusal. Acting as if they were old friends, he slung an arm around Ren Qing's shoulder and forcefully dragged him forward.

[Chen Ben]

[Age: Thirty-one]

[Lifespan: Three years]

[Art: Divine Feet Scripture (Fake)]

Ren Qing understood in his heart that the Bloodhound Gang indeed had quite a few cultivators.

They were likely relying on controlling beggars to collect a large number of Divine Feet Scripture Eerie Objects, to the point that even the Hall Master in charge of the street district could reach the Martial Human Realm.

Ren Qing did not retreat an inch. He stood on the street like a stubborn stone, unmoving even as Chen Ben's face flushed red.

Chen Ben couldn't help but panic, and his movements immediately became restrained.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said respectfully, "Officer Ren, I have offended you greatly. Another day, I will surely come to your door to apologize."

Ren Qing whispered in Chen Ben's ear, "A piece of advice for Hall Master Chen: if you don't want to ruin your body, don't drink excessively."

When dealing with someone who thinks himself shrewd, you must make him unable to see through you. Sometimes, fear is born from suspicion.

Chen Ben watched Ren Qing walk away, his brow tightly furrowed.

The subordinate beside him flattered, "Hall Master, this man has disrespected you. Why not..."

Chen Ben said coldly, "Zhao Ji, where do you get the nerve? Would you dare offend someone from the Yamen whose depth you don't know?"

"Hall Master, calm your anger. It's nearly noon. Why not go for some wine..."

At this moment, Chen Ben recalled Ren Qing's words, felt a surge of irritation, and slapped Zhao Ji across the face.

"Eat, eat, eat. All you know is eating."

"Send the deed to the shop at the east corner of Tan Street to Butcher Zhang. Say it's specially for storing pig offal."

Zhao Ji only dared to curse under his breath after Chen Ben had disappeared from sight.

The east corner shop wasn't Bloodhound Gang property, so he had to pay for it out of his own pocket.

Zhao Ji had nowhere to vent his pent-up resentment and couldn't help smashing things on the stalls around him. No one nearby dared to make a sound.

Just then, an old man in a bamboo hat, hunched over, brushed past him.

Zhao Ji felt the bump and instantly lost the last shred of his sanity.

He grabbed the old man and dragged him into a nearby corner. Just as he was about to vent his anger with his fists, he saw the other slowly raise his head.

The wrinkled face was covered in eyes, as if they could drain one's soul.

Moments later, Zhao Ji knelt on the ground, his eyes hollow, and soon lost all signs of life.

The old man walked toward the city gate, muttering to himself, "Trying to find clues from hundreds or thousands of case files is indeed no easy task."

"Xiao Zai, I'm coming."

Thanks to Qie Qie Xing Qie Fang Dang and Da Da Da Da Da Guai for their tips.