"Hiss..."
Doctor Huang, who had been sitting to the side as a guest, was a man of some standing who had lived in the Prince's Estate for a long time. Seeing this display, he couldn't help but draw a sharp breath and ask in astonishment:
"This is Qi manifesting into form, grabbing objects from a distance! Has Grandmaster Yu broken through to the Xiantian Mid-stage?"
Yu Xian gave a modest smile, as if all of this were trivial.
"Still a little ways off, but not far now."
Currently, he was only a few months of hard cultivation away from the Qi Condensation Late-stage; posing as a Xiantian Mid-stage Martial Grandmaster was both reasonable and logical. The key was that the price of befriending a Xiantian Early-stage practitioner was different from that of a Xiantian Mid-stage one; he had to make his friends feel they were getting more than their money's worth.
Sun Hong, who had been sitting as steady as a mountain, finally couldn't hold his composure any longer.
What level of strength did a Xiantian Mid-stage Martial Grandmaster possess? Chen Xiao had already provided a personal demonstration of that previously—bloodying the main street, fighting one against a hundred, and crushing a heavy cavalry unit head-on. If it hadn't been for the interference of an "old sixth" player, he would have long since made a graceful exit. And that was while he had been injured.
Xiantian was already the pinnacle of the mortal realm, and advancing even one step further was a rare feat indeed. The Sun Family Pharmacy had traveled north and south for many years, befriending all sorts of people, and understood the true value of a Xiantian Mid-stage master. In the martial arts circles of the Yue State, there were many sects; a Xiantian Grandmaster was the core of a major sect, while a Xiantian Mid-stage master was the ancestor of a sect. If a Xiantian Late-stage martial artist were to emerge, they would be strong enough to unify the martial world and declare themselves the Martial Alliance Leader.
Sun Hong composed himself, put on a flattering smile, and complimented: "With Grandmaster Yu's talent, breaking through is merely a matter of time. When that day comes, this old man will certainly prepare a generous gift to celebrate the Grandmaster."
Yu Xian raised his glass in thanks: "I shall take your auspicious words to heart, old Mr. Sun. When that day comes, I will certainly drink three hundred cups with you."
Whether the person showed up didn't matter; the main thing was that the generous gift had to arrive.
Thus, another round of drinking and toasting followed. Throughout, Sun Hong tried to speak several times but held back. Yu Xian acted as if he hadn't noticed; since the other party wasn't speaking, he saw no reason to go looking for trouble. He kept clinking glasses with Maiden Caidie beside him, the two of them leaning closer and closer.
Having seen Yu Xian's small display of power, any initial resistance Maiden Caidie had felt toward his rudeness had long since dissipated. After all, Grandmaster Yu was handsome and incredibly powerful—even the chief manager of the Sun Family Pharmacy had to beg him for favors. If she could have just one night with him, it might become her own personal protective amulet and even raise her own value. In her line of work, she was relying on her youth. It was just a pity that this "predestined meeting" had been paid for in advance. But it didn't matter; as long as she served him well the first time, the second and third times would be free. Once they fell asleep, the effect would be the same.
Caidie soon became tipsy. She stumbled drunkenly into Yu Xian's arms, and before long, she was sprawled across his lap, fast asleep, her posture completely unguarded, looking like a prize waiting to be plucked.
Looking down, Yu Xian could see a large expanse of smooth, white skin. A flicker of fire stirred in his belly, and he lightly traced his finger over Caidie's delicate cheek before suddenly speaking:
"Old Mr. Sun, I am feeling the effects of the wine and wish to retire for the night."
The young lady had been so forward; if he didn't take some actual action, it would make him look like he couldn't perform.
Sun Hong, who had been hesitating for half a day, realized that if he didn't speak now, today's money would be wasted. He hurriedly blocked Yu Xian's path.
"Grandmaster Yu, wait a moment. Actually, the reason I invited the Grandmaster here today is to make a presumptuous request."
Yu Xian exhaled a bit of wine breath, his face appearing slightly intoxicated. He waved a hand with great grandiosity:
"Old Mr. Sun, you and I hit it off the moment we met; we are already friends. When a friend has trouble, we should naturally help one another. If you have something to say, just say it. If it is something I, Yu, can help with, I will never refuse."
Seeing Yu Xian's drunken state, Sun Hong seized the opportunity and quickly said:
"A few days ago, our Sun Family Pharmacy was inadvertently caught up in a military ordnance case. A large ship of medicinal herbs coming from the north has been detained at the port. We have already smoothed things over on all sides, but there is still Chief Constable Zhou who believes our pharmacy's suspicion hasn't been fully cleared, so he refuses to give the order to release it. I have heard that you and Chief Constable Zhou are friends of life and death, and I would like to ask you to put in a good word for us with him. I, along with the others from the pharmacy, can remain in Changning City to cooperate with Chief Constable Zhou’s investigation; we only ask that our herbs be released first."
Yu Xian was truly bewildered this time and asked: "I am a friend of life and death with Chief Constable Zhou? How come I didn't know that?"
He had only met Zhou Bai once; how had they become friends of life and death?
Sun Hong, seeing Yu Xian looking like he was about to decline, cursed his greed internally while forcing a smile:
"Who doesn't know that the assassin who tried to kill the Prince was captured by Chief Constable Zhou and Grandmaster Yu after going through life and death together? Chief Constable Zhou has said more than once in public that Grandmaster Yu was the true hero—if it hadn't been for your intervention, the assassin would have long since escaped. Furthermore, it was you who saved his life. If you are willing to put in a few words for us, it would be better than anyone else saying a thousand."
Only then did Yu Xian recall the scene where he had acted to save a life. He hadn't expected Chief Constable Zhou to be such a man of integrity—not only did he promote him, he even shared the credit and the reputation. From what he had learned later, this Chief Constable was famous for being incorruptible and immune to both favors and bribes, refusing to give face even to his superiors. Yet, Zhou Bai possessed immense strength and high prestige, acting as the anchor of the government office; even the Prince of Fu had to give him a bit of face. It was no wonder this chief manager of the Sun Family Pharmacy had sought him out; everyone else had likely been turned away, leaving only his "life-saving benefactor" as the only one who might be given a shred of respect.
However, after a moment of silence, Yu Xian sighed deeply: "I merely happened to be there to save Brother Zhou; I never intended to claim credit, and I never imagined Brother Zhou would take it upon himself to shoulder that reputation for me. If Brother Zhou gives me face today and releases your goods in private, will he not have to give others face in the future? How would he handle himself then? Since Brother Zhou treats me with sincerity, how could I damage his reputation? Old Mr. Sun, the pure will remain pure; I believe that as long as you cooperate with Brother Zhou’s investigation, he will never make things difficult for you on purpose. Instead of asking me to intercede, it would be better to clear your name as soon as possible."
If it were a trivial matter, he would have used the favor and considered it a way to cash in. But what Manager Sun was talking about was a "military ordnance case." Ordnance meant weapons, and weapons meant trouble. There was no need to involve himself in trouble for a few thousand taels of silver.
Yu Xian picked up Maiden Caidie, preparing to enjoy his night. Since he was already here, he had to take the money and sleep with the girl; otherwise, wouldn't his trip have been for nothing? His primary philosophy was simply to have no shame.
"Wait!"
Sun Hong stopped Yu Xian, who was about to turn away, his voice sounding as if it were squeezed through his teeth.
"Ten thousand taels!"
"As long as Grandmaster Yu can ensure our pharmacy’s ship leaves the port within three days, I am willing to offer you another ten thousand taels in cash as a token of my gratitude."
Yu Xian felt the drunken Maiden Caidie in his arms tremble slightly. He stopped.
"Ten thousand taels? Heh, it seems Old Mr. Sun, you aren't as innocent as you claim."
Sun Hong’s face was ashen. He said nothing, simply staring calmly at Yu Xian, as if he absolutely required an answer.
"But what does that have to do with me? Who would turn their back on money?"
Yu Xian smiled faintly and said: "I will step in personally, but I cannot guarantee that Chief Constable Zhou will give me face. If it doesn't work out, I’m still keeping half."
At two hundred taels a month of "free money" from the Prince's Estate, ten thousand taels was fifty months' worth. Even if trouble came later, he could just run away and still not lose anything. Besides, by the time the trouble actually arrived, given his future cultivation level, the so-called trouble probably wouldn't even count as trouble at all. He couldn't lose.
Seeing Yu Xian finally relent, Sun Hong bowed in thanks: "That Grandmaster Yu is willing to step in is already more than I could ask for. Even if it doesn't succeed, I will not blame you."
"Good!" Yu Xian laughed loudly: "Old Mr. Sun is generous. I will go and give it a try."
"The night is deep; I am going to bed."
Not long after Yu Xian left, Doctor Huang also hurriedly bowed and took his leave. Unlike Yu Xian, who was staying on the painted boat for a night of pleasure, Doctor Huang called a small skiff to take him ashore to return to the Prince's Estate. He felt that he had heard things tonight he shouldn't have, and he needed to return to the estate to lie low.
When the crowd in the hall had dispersed, Sun Hong looked at the middle-aged man who had been silent behind him all along.
"Well?"
The middle-aged man pondered for a moment and said: "If he hasn't hidden his strength, it's two parts for him and eight for me. If he has already broken through, I am as good as dead. I have heard that his signature technique is the 'Crimson Flame Divine Palm,' which has immense power; it can melt a copper bell an inch thick in an instant. That Xiantian Mid-stage Chen Xiao lost all ability to resist after taking just one palm. Moreover, a successor of such a hidden sect surely has plenty of hidden cards. Unless a master from our own sect intervenes, we have no absolute certainty. I suggest that unless it is the last resort, do not fight him to the death."
Hearing the man say this, Sun Hong exhaled the breath he had been holding.
"Good. Let's consider it paying for peace. But this man is so greedy for money and has no reservations about women; perhaps we can find an opportunity to recruit him in the future."
"Can he really move that 'Iron Wood' Zhou Bai?" the middle-aged man asked again. "We don't have much time."
Sun Hong sneered: "Zhou Bai is a man who values loyalty over life; his word is worth a thousand gold. This Grandmaster Yu saved his life once, which is a great debt of gratitude. If we use this as a price, unless Zhou Bai truly has ironclad evidence, he will definitely let them pass."
"That is good. With this ship of weapons, it will be much easier to start the uprising in the south."
"Indeed. We have been lurking for so many years, isn't it all for today?"
The two looked at each other, their figures stepping into the shadows as they left the painted boat together.
Thus, the secrets within the painted boat dissipated quietly with the night. It began to drift silently on the Changning River, with only the swaying lanterns on the boat embellishing the silent night.