Chapter 14: Two Sides to the Story
The past few days have passed in the blink of an eye, fleeting and chaotic, flying across the leaden sky of Bianjing without leaving a trace. Autumn has deepened, and the withered leaves still clinging to the branches, having shed the lush greenery of summer, now weep for the late autumn, their yellow leaves carpeting the ground in the corridors of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, on the martial arts stage, and behind the railings.
Su Mengzhen did not go to see Xie Huailing again. There was no need to spell things out; a wise person would understand.
The wooden door to the warm chamber was tightly shut, preventing even a breath from escaping. No sound of the outside world, no whispers of prying eyes, could be heard within. A vibrant begonia bloomed in a corner, but behind its leaves, the figures of several menacing and chilling figures rendered even the begonia devoid of its own beauty. The air was stagnant, like solidified grease, a mixture of the scent of ink and paper, and an intense, unbearable pressure. The negotiations had reached their final round.
The two men sitting opposite each had their own thoughts. One was a man who had traversed the martial arts world and was known as the most loyal and righteous man in the land. The other was a man who was incredibly wealthy and whose wealth could rival that of a nation.
Su Mengzhen sat upright in the main seat, his pale face appearing even more chilled in the daylight, two eerie flames burning quietly in his deep-set eyes. He revealed no emotion, his sickly air completely concealed, sitting like an unyielding pine tree in the dead of winter. Opposite him, Fan Fenyan—the representative of the "living god of wealth," the "Tao Zhu of Lu"—had long since lost his usual shrewd smile, replaced by a profound weariness and solemnity. The teacup before him had long since gone cold, a slight chill lingering on his fingertips, clearly indicating a heated argument had just taken place.
“…Master Su,” Fan Fenyan sighed, his voice carrying the weariness Su Mengzhen had given him, a weariness born of despair, “your establishment’s conditions are truly harsh. Jucai Tower is my father-in-law’s life’s work. Before it has even established a firm foothold in Bianjing, you want to hand over 30% of the shares and the right to inspect the core accounts, and you also want to define such a clearly defined sphere of influence… This is tantamount to placing the lifeline of my Zhu family in the capital on your whim. Forgive my frankness, but these terms are unacceptable.”
Fan Fenyan had never imagined that he would be pushed to this point before coming to the capital. He was already over thirty, yet he had been severely rebuffed by Su Mengzhen, who was not much older than Zhu Qiqi. If it weren't for his father-in-law's request that he couldn't back down, he would have even considered doing Su Mengzhen a favor to befriend him. Unfortunately, now was not the time, and unfortunately—they might not even be able to become friends.
Su Mengzhen took a sip of tea, tapped his fingers on the table, and said, “That is not true. The Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion has already offered the Zhu family an unprecedentedly generous deal. If it were according to the conditions previously offered by Master Fan, I would not be sitting here. There has never been a case in the world where someone would endorse another's words and receive only 20% of the profit, while remaining completely unaware of the situation. And there will never be another case like this in the future.”
Fan Fenyan smiled, shaking his head helplessly, but still refusing to back down, saying only, "Su Lou's mind is irreversible, and so am I. Isn't this the situation we all didn't want to see?"
He pretended to give up and said regretfully, "In that case, I can only take my leave and go back to tell my father-in-law to find someone else."
"Please hire someone else"—that sounds so casual. In this capital city, who else can endorse Jucailou? If it's not Jinfeng Xiyulou, then it can only be Liufenbantang.
“Master Fan.” Su Mengzhen’s voice was not loud, but every word was clear. “Since we can’t reach an agreement on the cooperation, let’s put it aside for now. I heard about an old matter today that concerns the Zhu family’s reputation. After much consideration, I feel that I must be frank with you, Master Fan.”
He slightly raised his hand. Yang Wuxie stepped forward and gently placed a thin booklet and several yellowed contracts on the table in front of Fan Fenyan. The paper rubbed together, making a soft "rustling" sound, barely audible yet remarkably like thunder.
Fan Fenyan's face remained unchanged, but his eyes were sharp as needles as he scanned the list of items on the page—it was a copy of the "special" goods list of Jucailou in a certain year and month. It clearly pointed to a huge amount of stolen goods that had been handled by Huaruixian and could not be exposed to the light of day. There was also a portrait with a vaguely discernible face, which was the appearance of the dwarf in red!
The air in the warm pavilion seemed to freeze instantly, the warmth of the agarwood incense replaced by a chilling cold. Fan Fenyan's fingers tightened subtly beneath his wide sleeves, his knuckles turning white. Before coming to the capital, he had calculated everything, but he hadn't expected Su Mengzhen to be able to unearth this old story that the Zhu family considered top secret and had long since erased. Hua Ruixian's hidden move had become a sharp blade used by Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou to pierce the Zhu family's throat.
However, it was also mentioned that it was "before coming to the capital".
"Master Su..." Fan Fenyan's voice deepened, revealing the shrewdness typical of a businessman and the cold hardness he now felt when cornered. "That's quite a tactic! But it's all empty talk. A few pieces of paper of dubious authenticity, and you think you can tarnish the reputation of my Zhu family? My Zhu family acts with integrity, and this Hua Ruixian died more than ten years ago. To say that the Zhu family is still colluding with her is a pipe dream!"
He paused, a flicker of resentment at being outmaneuvered and a deep calculation in his eyes. He lowered his voice, his tone laced with threat: "Even if it were true, so what? The world of martial arts is treacherous; everyone has their share of unspeakable troubles. Coincidentally, just a few days ago, I met a friend who told me that Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion might not genuinely want to do business with us. I didn't believe him then, but now I do. Fortunately, this friend made it clear that no matter what 'trouble' the Zhu family encounters, they are willing to do their utmost to help. Pavilion Master Su, show some mercy when you can, don't push your luck too far!"
It goes without saying that the person was Di Feijing.
Su Mengzhen listened quietly, his face expressionless, like a sculpture of ice. Only the fire in his deep-set eyes flickered violently when Fan Fenyan mentioned "another force," as if it had been thrown into boiling oil. The last shred of illusion he held for their past brotherhood was shattered. Xie Huailing's face during their casual conversation lingered in his mind—Hua Wucuo, his brother who had risked his life for him, had ultimately been betrayed.
Everything became clear. Di Feijing knew all this even better than him, and right there he turned the tables on him. He had planned to use the copy to put Fan Fenyan, who didn't entirely believe Di Feijing, on guard, and force him to hand over the "living god of wealth" to the Six and a Half Hall. Now that Hua Ruixian was surely dead, nothing could be found out.
A thousand turbulent waves surged within his chest, tearing at his lungs and bringing a familiar, chilling pain. Su Mengzhen swallowed the churning blood in his throat; coughing was not the right thing to do at this moment. He did not erupt in anger, did not question, and did not become passive.
His voice became calmer, his gaze sharp as lightning: "Master Fan, why are you so agitated? I have something to say."
.
"I'll just say what I have to say. If you're not doing anything, go find some work to do."
The bustling cityscape of Bianjing drifted in through the wooden windows, a few wisps of wind slipping through. In the private room on the second floor, Xie Huailing was practically dragged in by Zhu Qiqi, her face still bearing the thick, unyielding weariness of someone forcibly pulled from the couch. She clung to the doorframe, desperately resisting being pulled in completely, but her strength was no match for Zhu Qiqi, and she was eventually pressed onto a wooden chair.
Zhu Qiqi blushed and said, "I need your help with something, that's why I came to pull you out. Besides, you wouldn't be able to leave the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion without me, so please help me with this first!"
"Nobody wants to go out at all," Xie Huailing said expressionlessly. She should have been lying in her room, waiting for Su Mengzhen's negotiation results.
Xie Huailing looked around the private room with a headache. Besides them, there was another person in the room who turned around upon hearing the sound.
He wore a faded blue cotton shirt, slightly worn at the edges, loosely draped over his body. Far from looking shabby, it accentuated his unconventional and dashing air. Tall and upright, he stood there like a lone pine tree on a cliff, exuding a natural elegance. His face was exceptionally handsome, with an indescribable charm in his brows, concealing a wisdom that understood the ways of the world and a touch of compassion—clearly no ordinary person.
Needless to say, Xie Huailing knew this person's name. It wasn't that she was quick-witted, but rather that Zhu Qiqi's voice was so cheerful and undisguised, just like a bird: "Shen Lang, this is the Huailing I told you about. Her cousin is the Master Su of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, 'The First Blade of Dream Pillow Red Sleeves'!"
After introducing Shen Lang, she spoke to her, what a good girl who prioritizes looks over friendship: "Huailing, this is the Shen Lang I told you about."
What could Xie Huailing say? He could only say, "I've long admired your name. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now; if there is, I'll be going now too."
After she finished speaking, she tried to get up again, but Zhu Qiqi pressed her back down.
Zhu Qiqi speaks almost like a machine gun, and a whole bucket of beans came pouring out:
It turned out that when Shen Lang was wandering the world, he encountered an old woman from the mountains who gave him a hot meal when he was starving. The old woman's only son, A Niu, was a righteous man who stood up for a bullied laborer at the Bianjing docks, offending a minor manager at the Six and a Half Hall's southern market. That manager, called "Black Loach" Li San, relying on the power of the Six and a Half Hall, actually kidnapped A Niu, demanding an exorbitant sum of money as compensation and refusing to let him go home, causing the old woman to cry until she went blind.
Upon hearing this, Shen Lang found it difficult to swallow his food. Unable to bear the sight of this, he took his leave and went straight to the capital. After several inquiries, he finally found clues at Jucai Tower and located Li San and his "mudfish den".
"Huailing, that old woman is so pitiful, and the manager of the Six and a Half Hall is so unreasonable. Let's help her." Zhu Qiqi was indignant, her almond eyes wide open, and she grabbed Xie Huailing's arm and shook it repeatedly.
Xie Huailing tried to pull her hand away, but couldn't, so she gave up and half-opened her eyes: "Then let me ask you, do you want to save people first, or do you want to think about Shen Lang first?"
She saw through Zhu Qiqi's girlish thoughts, and Zhu Qiqi blushed and stomped her foot, saying, "Oh dear, what time is it? Saving people is the priority! Besides, more people means more help. Your cousin is Master Su."
Shen Lang spoke up at the right moment, easing the awkwardness somewhat: "Miss Xie, Qi Qi is kind-hearted and indeed eager to save people. I am outnumbered and outmatched. Although 'Mudfish Nest' is a small gang, it belongs to the Six and a Half Halls and has many henchmen. Forcing my way in might not be safe and could even endanger A Niu's life. Since we are in the capital, I hope you can give me some guidance."
His gaze was honest and earnest, not feigned. Xie Huailing glanced again at Zhu Qiqi's expectant face and sighed silently in her heart: Trouble, a huge problem. She hadn't even sorted out her relationship with Su Mengzhen yet, and the murky waters of the Six and a Half Hall were the last thing she wanted to get involved in right now. She knew Zhu Qiqi wanted to use the influence of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, but what else could she do but call Su Mengzhen out now?
Xie Huailing leaned back lazily in her chair, reluctantly turning her head: "I wouldn't call it giving some pointers, but I do have a method. This matter is really not difficult, and there's no need to trouble my cousin."
She held up two fingers and said, "The most common and inescapable strategy in the world can be summed up in eight words."
Zhu Qiqi was puzzled and her eyes darted around as she was about to ask more questions when Shen Lang blurted out, "A feint to the east while attacking the west, a way to lure the tiger away from the mountain."
"That's all there is to it." Xie Huailing nodded, looking at the ant-like crowd on the street outside the window. "That Li San manages a mess of gambling dens and acts absurdly. He's nothing more than greedy and lustful, plus a bit of ruthless bluster. His 'muddy den' must be quite meticulous during the day, but even the most cunning can make a mistake, let alone someone like him."
Shen Lang's eyes brightened slightly: "What the young lady means is..."
Xie Huailing dipped her fingertips in tea and drew watermarks on the table: "I've heard from the maids about the gambling dens in the south of the city. Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou has tried to seize many places from Liu Fen Ban Tang, but they never considered it. They only wanted one word: 'chaos.' All kinds of chaos exist here, and there are hardly any good people there. Such a place only needs a little seed to ignite a whole area. There's no need to hurt anyone. Just a little money is enough to create a disturbance, making Li San think that someone is causing trouble and damaging his reputation, so he can send someone to investigate."
Shen Lang said, "This is a feint."
“Not bad.” Xie Huailing continued drawing, and a small diagram appeared on the table. “Let’s talk about ‘Mudfish Nest’ again. With the chaos in the southern part of the city, ‘Mudfish Nest’ won’t be much better. When the men are sent away, we can go to the kitchen of ‘Mudfish Nest’ and with just a fire, we can make Li San busy and unable to take care of himself.”
Shen Lang added, "This is a feint."
He continued Xie Huailing's last words: "Even if we don't know where A Niu is being held, we'll have plenty of time to rescue him. And with the scene so chaotic, if Li San discovers A Niu is missing afterward, there'll be no one to hold accountable. This is a classic case of 'attacking the west.'"
Xie Huailing looked at Shen Lang approvingly. Not bad, he saved her the trouble of saying two words.
Zhu Qiqi patted her chest, her eyes shining: "This method doesn't sound difficult, so what are we waiting for? Let's get started. I'll take care of this."
She wanted to take pictures of Xie Huailing, but Xie Huailing avoided her. The woman had exhausted all her energy: "Then you should go quickly. I've come up with an idea. I'll wait for you at the nearby theater."
Zhu Qiqi leaned closer, frowned at Xie Huailing, and asked, "Aren't you going?"
Xie Huailing asked her a profound question: "Do I need to know martial arts before I go?"
Zhu Qiqi then remembered this, touched her head in annoyance, and stepped back to Shen Lang's side: "I didn't think of it for a moment, then you can wait for my good news at the theater!"
Xie Huailing stood up and dusted off non-existent dust from his clothes: "Then please make yourselves at home."
She started to walk out, but stopped at the door, turned back to look at Shen Lang, her eyes devoid of emotion, filled only with suspicion of Zhu Qiqi's character: "I trouble you, Young Master Shen, to keep a close eye on her and not let her act rashly. Otherwise, I'm afraid..." She didn't finish her sentence, her gaze sweeping over Zhu Qiqi's face, which was filled with excitement and eagerness, the unspoken meaning self-evident.
Zhu Qiqi muttered, "I know, I know, I'm not stupid!"
That's not necessarily true. Having received Shen Lang's assurance, Xie Huailing said no more and disappeared at the top of the stairs.
However, things were about to go wrong. Half an hour later, Xie Huailing, who was taking a nap in the theater, was woken up for the second time.
Hearing Shen Lang say that "Qiqi had a fight with me, ran away on her own, and got kidnapped," she couldn't help but ask, "What mistake did I make? And what use are you anyway?"
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