Chapter 177 Mastery of the Way of Chess, A Gift of a Knife and an Appointment

Although Chen Yi was unaware of the details of Xiao Wan'er's conversation with the old man.

However, when he took out that charter, he roughly guessed the reaction of the old master and some members of the Xiao family.

On the one hand, the expansion of Baicaotang can greatly alleviate the financial burden on the Xiao family and relieve some of the pressure from the imperial court, Dingyuan Army, and other powerful families.

On the other hand, this matter itself does not require the Xiao family to make any contribution.

To be precise, with the connections the Xiao family has built up over the years in Shuzhou, they only need to use some personal relationships and a portion of the profits to easily prevent all parties from making things difficult for Baicaotang.

This can be seen as providing the Xiao family with a channel to monetize their "connections".

Furthermore, this would allow them to deepen their relationships with prominent families in various prefectures and counties of Shu Prefecture.

It can be described as a win-win situation.

Therefore, Chen Yi couldn't figure out why the old man refused the offer.

The only thing he was unsure about was what the old man's plans were for Baicaotang.

After all, a 50% cut seems like a lot, but after all the welcoming and sending off of guests, the Xiao family would only have 30% or 40% left at most.

Then compare that with the 50% that Baicaotang actually took.

Anyone would feel a little resentful in that situation.

In addition, the attitudes of certain members of the Xiao family must also be taken into account.

Second wife, third wife, and other collateral branches.

It is foreseeable that once the Xiao family's pharmacy has made a fortune through Baicaotang, Xiao Wang, Xiao Shen, and others will not remain indifferent.

Perhaps they might harbor the idea of ​​replacing Xiao Wan'er, the head steward of the Xiao family, and create a scene under some pretext.

At the very least, they would try to secure some benefits for each branch and collateral branch.

For example, increasing monthly allowances, or placing some people in the Xiao family's pharmacy or even the Baicaotang pharmacy.

Chen Yi had considered all of these things and naturally had ways to deal with them.

However, Baicaotang's expansion has not yet taken its first step, so he doesn't need to worry about it for the time being.

On the contrary, the matter of Mingyue Tower and the Hidden Guards "burning down the summer grain of the three towns" was urgent and could not be taken lightly.

So after leaving the Xiao family, Chen Yi went directly to the house in the West Market and instructed Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao to have Liu Lang come over when they returned.

However, it's estimated that it will take Liu Lang some time to find out where the Liu family is staying, so it probably won't be that quick.

Chen Yi was not in a hurry. He sat quietly in the armchair in the main room, watching the rain outside, but his mind was already focused on what was to come.

The black and white pieces in my mind fall and are picked up again, causing the situation on the chessboard to change and become chaotic.

At this moment, the rain outside gradually intensified.

The rain poured down on the rubble and stone slabs with a loud, rapid patter.

Interspersed among them were sounds of water splashing as it fell onto the puddles.

The clouds in the sky had thickened, making the house even dimmer.

A few rumbling thunderclaps could be heard from afar.

Then flashes of lightning pierced the darkness, illuminating the somewhat noisy main room.

It also clearly shows Chen Yi's handsome profile, which he named "Chen Yu".

Even his bright eyes were shrouded in a faint glow, and like lightning, they saw through layers of dark clouds and mist to the final game.

About half an hour later.

Chen Yi unconsciously tapped his fingers twice on the back of the chair, muttering to himself:

"Let's do it that way then."

He has figured everything out; some people will have to pay the price, while others will be wary.

It can also be seen as handing a knife to the old master, allowing him to display the prestige of the Xiao family.

This time, he not only wanted to alleviate the pressure on the Xiao family from both inside and outside, but more importantly, he wanted to create a comfortable environment for himself.

After all, if you think about it, he hasn't gone fishing for four or five days.

Thinking of this, Chen Yi glanced outside, listened intently for a moment, and seeing that Liu Lang had not yet arrived, he opened the light screen to take a look:

[Chance: 138]

In the past two days, he witnessed Liu Wen plotting against Ma Liangcai and Hei Ya discussing important matters, gaining a high-grade yellow item and a mid-grade earth item, reaping considerable rewards.

If the opportunity breaks through one hundred again, one can elevate one path to the highest level.

However, for now, only the art of chess is at a minor level of mastery, so there's no need to consider anything else.

Chen Yi then elevated his chess skills to a high level.

Before the myriad mysteries of chess could fully settle in his mind, he lifted the red cloth on the tray beside him and took the long knife.

He now also has a Xuan-level "Embroidered Spring Knife Technique" and a "Free and Easy Wandering" zither score to study.

At the same time, one will acquire the Way of the Sword and the Way of the Music.

Taking advantage of the free time, Chen Yi drew his long sword and practiced the Embroidered Spring Blade Technique in the main room.

About half an incense stick's time.

After practicing the Embroidered Spring Knife Technique with great practice, he immediately saw a line of large characters flash before his eyes:

[Successfully mastered the Embroidered Spring Blade Technique (Mysterious Rank), Level: Beginner]

[Martial Arts - Blade: Beginner 0/1 (Points can be added)]

Without stopping.

Chen Yi sheathed his long sword and, using the same trick, took the seven-stringed zither from another tray and began to play it according to the score of "Free and Easy Wandering".

Just that.

He overestimated his talent in music.

After all, he had a foundation in martial arts when he practiced the Embroidered Spring Saber Technique, so even if he wasn't familiar with the moves, he could still execute them.

As for his musical skills, he couldn't even read the sheet music, let alone play it.

A free and easy melody was played haphazardly by him, so bad that anyone who heard it would cover their ears.

After several attempts.

Chen Yi chose to give up.

Fortunately, there were no outsiders here, otherwise, given how thick-skinned he is, he would probably blush.

Chen Yi reluctantly put away the seven-stringed zither, muttering that he would find someone to teach him later, and then improved his swordsmanship to the minor mastery level.

Suddenly, in addition to the Great Completion of Chess, which he had not yet mastered and digested, his mind was filled with the introductory principles of the Dao of the Knife and the profound mysteries of the Lesser Completion stage.

Even though his cultivation has now reached the sixth rank, and his Yintang acupoint and Qi Sea have been successfully completed, allowing him to absorb the four divine positions, his brow is still throbbing with pain from these two profound contents.

Chen Yi rubbed his temples and rested for a while before feeling a bit better.

Since he achieved great success in medicine, he had not felt this sense of being filled with the profound mysteries of the Dao for a long time.

Not long after.

Liu Lang rushed over.

Seeing his appearance, I couldn't help but ask with some doubt, "Boss, did you not sleep all night?"

Chen Yi ignored him, rubbing his temples as he asked, "Have you found out where the Liu family is staying?"

Liu Lang sat down to the side, nodded, and said, "I found it."

"Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue are currently living on Kangning Street in the north of the city, and they are not living with Liu Hong."

"Only Liu Yu stayed at Liu Hong's house."

"In addition, during the few days they have been in Shu Prefecture, apart from the initial visit of Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue to Liu Hong, they have been wandering around the prefectural city."

"On the contrary, Liu Yu has been staying at Liu Hong's house ever since he went to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence."

After hearing this, Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "So, Liu Yu and Liu Wen, brother and sister, came to Shu Prefecture for different reasons?"

He remembered the news he first heard from Liu Wen—that he wanted to propose marriage to the Xiao family.

For this reason, Liu Yu, the head of the second branch of the Liu family, even went to the Xiao family to mention it to the old master.

However, the old man flatly refused.

Currently, Liu Yu is staying at Liu Hong's house, while Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue are wandering around outside, clearly each with their own purpose.

After a moment's thought.

Chen Yi speculated in his mind: "Liu Yu is probably cooperating with Liu Hong, or urging Liu Hong to resolve the dispute with the Xiao family."

"His proposal to the Xiao family may have been just a side effect, or it may have been a first step for Liu Wen."

"As for Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue, the siblings... it's not clear what their plans are for the time being."

Thinking about these things.

Chen Yi instructed, "In that case, go and deliver a message to Liu Wen tonight, in the name of Black Fang."

Liu Lang was taken aback, then pointed at himself: "Me? In the name of Black Fang?"

"Yes, there's no need to say more. Just say that Black Fang will come to visit the day after tomorrow evening to discuss important matters."

"But Black Fang, he..."

Seeing that he still didn't understand, Chen Yi raised his hand to interrupt, saying, "Of course I'll go."

"Are you thinking of sending a message to Black Fang, telling him to go see Liu Wen as well?"

After hearing this, Liu Lang realized what was happening and chuckled awkwardly, but still didn't quite understand why he did this.

"Boss, I know what to do."

"But could you tell me why we went to all this trouble to see Liu Wen, and why we went to see him under the name of Black Fang?"

Chen Yi glared at him and said irritably, "You'll understand when you come with me then, won't you?"

It's not that I can't tell Liu Lang.

However, knowing too much is not a good thing for him.

If he goes to Liu Wen to relay a message and accidentally gets some information out of him, then things will get really messed up.

Liu Lang thought about it and agreed.

"Is there anything else you need?"

Just as Chen Yi was about to say that was all, he suddenly remembered something and pointed to the long sword covered with a red cloth on the table, saying, "The thing I promised you."

Liu Lang went over and lifted the lid, his eyes lighting up: "A knife?"

Looking at the long sword with its simple scabbard and imposing appearance, he couldn't wait to draw the blade.

A sharp blade flashed by.

Liu Lang immediately beamed with joy, took the broken sword from his waist, hung the new sword on it, and tried it out with great delight.

"Thank you for the knife, boss."

"As long as you're satisfied."

Seeing Liu Lang endlessly drawing and closing his long sword, Chen Yi simply waved him away.

Before leaving, he reminded Liu Lang of what was going to happen that night.

"Remember not to get entangled with Liu Wen too much; just deliver the message."

"Also, remember to keep your figure hidden to avoid running into Black Tooth's people, which could easily ruin things."

Liu Lang nodded in agreement, then drew his sword, closed it, and walked outside.

Seeing this, Chen Yi secretly shook his head, hoping that he could handle tonight's matter as well as he had handled that long sword.

It would be a regrettable thing if Liu Wen hadn't been involved.

When the house returns to quiet.

Chen Yi removed his disguise, changed back into his long robe, and returned to the Xiao family with an oil-paper umbrella.

Although it was a rainy day, he felt much more relaxed after settling several matters.

On his way back, he not only bought some food to fill his stomach.

He even went to a music store and bought two music scores to use later when he found a teacher to teach him how to play the zither.

After all, someone like him, who has some obsessive-compulsive tendencies, either doesn't start at all, or he does it to the best of his ability.

He couldn't just leave that book, "Free and Easy Wandering," unstudied.

After traveling at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently, it took Chen Yi an hour to finally return to Chunhe Garden.

Before he could call Xiaodie to fetch water to wash and change his clothes, Shen Huatang came looking for him.

"Young master, Miss invites you to have dinner with her."

"..."

Chen Yi patted his stomach, which was about 70-80% full, and replied, "Can I not go?"

Shen Huatang was slightly taken aback, then bowed and said, "Please forgive me, young master."

"Okay, I'll change my clothes and then go..."

If I had known, he wouldn't have eaten out; now he probably wouldn't have had the chance to enjoy good food.

(End of this chapter)