The two, having nothing to do for the time being, then spent about half an hour in the room learning how to brew tea.
After about half an hour of leisure in the room, Big Stone, who was keeping watch outside the inn, quickly came in to report: “Cen Futong is here and is coming up the mountain.”
Shi Chun immediately said to Wu Jinliang: “Go and meet him, keep a low profile, and try not to let Bian Weikang and them see you.”
Although he estimated that the couple shouldn’t be out and about, it was better to be careful.
“Okay.” Wu Jinliang assented and called Big Stone to identify the person.
Big Stone's current identity also made it difficult for him to stay at the scene of the transaction; it was not good for his Far-Gazing Tower identity to directly intervene in this matter.
Before long, the door opened.
Wu Jinliang entered first and nodded to Shi Chun. Following him was a young man in brocade robes, with an ordinary appearance and average height.
He had the air of a dissolute idler, bred from a life of leisure, and his eyes held a hint of arrogant disdain.
He wasn't the only one who came; two more men, also in brocade robes, followed.
Judging by how casually they found seats, they seemed less like attendants and more like close cronies.
Cen Futong, on the other hand, didn't sit down.
He strolled around the room, surveying the environment.
All three visitors gave off a sense of inner deficiency, clearly indicative of excessive indulgence.
“I’ve long admired Brother Cen’s great name. Meeting you today, your distinguished demeanor is truly extraordinary,” Shi Chun said, cupping his hands in flattery.
Cen Futong casually picked up the book《Mountain and Sea Lantern》from the table, flipped through it, then tossed it back onto the table. Only then did he turn his head and question: “Who are you?”
Shi Chun said: “I am Shi Chun.” As he spoke, he gestured for him to sit.
“Shi… Shichun?” Cen Futong paused.
A burst of “haha” laughter immediately erupted in the room, and Cen Futong and his two companions laughed, gesticulating wildly.
Shi Chun maintained a smile on his face, but a somber undertone settled in his eyes.
He hated it when people mocked his name; in the Land of Exile, he would usually kill them for it.
After they finally stopped laughing, Cen Futong waved his hand, showing no interest in sitting down for a long chat, nor in his name.
He asked directly: “Did you invite me here?”
Shi Chun offered a practiced, refined smile. “Yes.”
Cen Futong raised an eyebrow slightly. “You want to give me one hundred thousand gold?”
Shi Chun nodded.
“That’s right.”
Cen Futong scrutinized him, a bit incredulous.
“Such a good thing exists?”
His two friends also stood up one after another, positioning themselves on his left and right, all with curious expressions, eager to see what would happen.
Shi Chun: “I wish to establish myself in Zhaotian City in the future.
I heard that Brother Cen has influence in Zhaotian City, so I wanted to make friends with Brother Cen.”
“You’ve certainly found the right person for that.”
“In Zhaotian City, Brother Cen may not have the absolute final say, but everyone, high and low, certainly gives him some respect.”
Cen Futong’s two friends immediately followed up with a barrage of praise.
Cen Futong seemed to enjoy this immensely, looking pleased, but on the surface, he waved his hand modestly. “No, no, it’s just that everyone thinks highly of me, that’s all.”
The one on his left patted his shoulder and winked at him, saying: “Treating us to Liyun Tower tonight?”
The meaning was clear to anyone, even a fool: if you’ve made a fortune, you should treat your friends.
Cen Futong immediately said to Shi Chun: “If you truly have that sincerity, Brother Shi… hey, your surname is taking advantage of me? Shi Chun, then, Brother Chun, if you really have that sincerity, then I’ll definitely make friends with you.”
He was hinting not to just talk, but to show the money first.
Shi Chun seemed hesitant, glancing at his two friends, and reminded: “The aerial pavilion outside Wuyou Inn is a good place for tea.
Would the two of you like to go and sit for a while?”
It was clear he wanted the two of them to step aside. He felt that Old Dong hadn’t handled things well, creating two more people in the know.
“Oh, are you afraid we’ll rob you?”
“Brother Cen, it seems we two shouldn’t have come.”
The two of them spoke one after another, in a snide, sarcastic tone.
Just as Cen Futong was about to speak of loyalty, Shi Chun immediately interjected: “Some money can only be given to one person; it’s not for everyone who sees it. What do you three say?”
The three paused slightly.
Shortly after, Cen Futong looked left and right and said: “Alright, you two go out and walk around first. I want to see what tricks he’s playing.
If he dares to fool me, I’ll make him pay.”
The two had no choice but to give up, angrily flicking their sleeves and leaving.
Shi Chun gave a look, Wu Jinliang checked outside the door, then returned and nodded, indicating that the people had indeed left.
Cen Futong observed with a cold eye, then spoke: “Can you take out the money now?”
Shi Chun retorted: “Does Brother Cen know about someone spending five hundred thousand gold today at Liyun Tower to buy the freedom of the top courtesan?”
Cen Futong was slightly impatient.
“I just heard about it. What’s wrong? Why bring that up?”
He didn't even mean to sit down and talk slowly, eager to see the money.
Shi Chun said unhurriedly: “I was the one who bought the freedom of that top courtesan.”
“…” Cen Futong was stunned for a moment before he scrutinized him.
“You?”
He found it a bit hard to believe, this was the person who snatched Lü Taizhen’s woman? And he said he wanted to give him money, what was going on? He suddenly felt a sense of danger, quickly looking around, clearly becoming vigilant.
In Zhaotian City, he usually didn’t worry about his safety.
Not many dared to touch him, but someone who even dared to step on Lü Taizhen’s head was naturally different.
Shi Chun: “That woman is in my hands.
I’d like to trouble Brother Cen to transfer her to Lü Taizhen as a gift.”
Cen Futong’s expression froze, seemingly slow to react.
“You bought her freedom just to give her to Master Lü?”
Lü Taizhen owned large spiritual plant plantations in this area, and was respectfully referred to as Master Lü.
Shi Chun: “That’s right.
I still want to establish myself here and don’t want to offend him, so I’ll have to trouble Brother Cen.”
Cen Futong was willing to help with this matter, but couldn't understand: “Why don’t you deliver her yourself? Why must it pass through my hands?”
Shi Chun: “If it doesn’t pass through your hands, where would Brother Cen get that one hundred thousand Wood Gold? I’m selling the woman to Brother Cen, cheaply, for only two hundred thousand gold.”
“What, what? Sell her to me, and for two hundred thousand gold?” Cen Futong thought he had misheard; he couldn't possibly come up with that much money.
Shi Chun ignored his surprise, instead looking surprised himself.
“Isn’t that what Brother Cen meant? That top courtesan is unwilling to live a good life with Master Lü, and instead wants to submit to a pretty boy. What kind of person is Brother Cen? Brother Cen naturally stands with Master Lü and was very angry upon learning of this.
So, you arranged for me to gather fifty thousand gold to buy out that top courtesan. Bian Weikang owes me fifty thousand gold, and Xiang Lan’er’s indenture is in my hands.
If Brother Cen wants her, take her for two hundred thousand gold.”
Cen Futong’s eyebrows shot up, and his eyes glinted fiercely.
“Are you playing games with me?”
Shi Chun: “That’s fifty thousand gold. My money doesn’t grow on trees.
If I don’t make a profit, why would I get involved in this? As for Brother Cen buying her for two hundred thousand, whether you want to sell her for three hundred thousand, or three hundred fifty thousand, or four hundred thousand, that’s entirely up to Brother Cen. After all, Master Lü originally planned to offer five hundred thousand.”
“…” Cen Futong was suddenly stunned, his gaze flickering. He finally understood the meaning.
Originally, it was said he would be given one hundred thousand gold, but now it seemed there was a change, as if it had become two hundred thousand gold…
Listening in, Wu Jinliang’s mouth was about to split to the back of his head again, with a cunning smile on his thick eyebrows and big eyes. He finally understood why Chuntian had said before that their own profit margin couldn’t be raised any further.
So, this was the secret.
Shi Chun continued: “I heard that these small matters are usually handled by your uncle.
If you ask me, although it’s to vent Master Lü’s anger, it’s still doing business for your own uncle. A price of four hundred thousand would be the limit, not higher.
If the price is too high and there’s no profit, why would anyone buy and sell privately through your hands?”
Cen Futong’s eyes sparkled, clearly tempted. He began pacing back and forth in the room with his head down.
Shi Chun matched his pace, continuing: “The main point is that Master Lü likes that top courtesan. If she really runs off with another pretty boy, it’s Master Lü’s loss, and it’s our loss, isn’t it? Of course, if Brother Cen really has no interest in making this money, then I have nothing more to say.
Anyway, I won’t lose out either way. Bian Weikang promised to repay me double the borrowed money later.
It’s just a matter of whether I earn a little more or a little less.”
Cen Futong suddenly stopped.
When Shi Chun approached, he turned and whispered: “Can this plan work? Although Bian Weikang was expelled from the sect, the fact that he is Bian Jixiong’s son cannot be changed. He shouldn’t be rashly acted against.
If he really throws a fit without regard for consequences, Master Lü will also need to save face and can’t afford to look bad. If something goes wrong, both you and I will suffer.”
Shi Chun also whispered back to him: “Nothing will go wrong. Tomorrow, Bian Weikang is taking that courtesan back to Wukang Mountain, and I’ll be accompanying them.
On the way, I’ll find a way to separate Bian Weikang, and you can take the opportunity to abduct the woman. I see that woman also has cultivation, so remember to find some skilled individuals and try not to make any commotion.
Afterward, I’ll tell Bian Weikang that the woman left on her own and asked me to relay a message to him…”
He then repeated the story he had previously told Wu Jinliang, which he intended to use to fool Bian Weikang.
Cen Futong listened with amusement, then worried: “But the woman will still be alive after she’s abducted, what if she causes a scene at Master Lü’s place?”
Shi Chun waved his hand.
“Brother Cen, you worry too much. With the person in your hands, you decide how to handle things.
The same tactics used against Bian Weikang can be used on that woman. The reason I paid to help redeem her is because someone arranged it; someone is angry at her fanciful ideas and wants her to lose everything, wants to teach her a lesson… You can subtly let the woman know, how could Bian Jixiong possibly accept a courtesan as his daughter-in-law? Plus, with her indenture in your hands, what can she do to cause a scene? She can only accept fate!”