Master, your connections are truly vast!
Bai Qi secretly gave a thumbs up, but wasn’t surprised.
Years ago, when Master Ninghai Zen confronted the Seventeenth Lineage, he single-handedly stirred up a bloody storm in Yihai Prefecture, almost becoming an infamous criminal hunted by Dragon Court.
It was the Pai Bang Leader who found the Master and stepped in to diate.
It’s said they had a conversation that nobody else knows about.
The final result was that Chen Xing persuaded Ninghai Zen to settle the blood feud with the Thirteen Lineage, after they had wiped out four families, and erase all grievances.
"Hongming’s business actually belongs to Li Yuan, yet he acts as an absentee shopkeeper, fully engrossed in Wagang Village as the Kiln Head, pondering the art of weapon forging.
In the past, with Zhu Jiren taking care of things, it was leisurely.
Now that the Zhu Family has backed out, many issues have surfaced.
If you ask , Li Yuan isn’t cut out for business.
Back then, to fight for a reputation, he opened his own Soldier Craftsman Workshop... Poor Miss Duan, dealing with a bunch of rough n at a young age, swinging a hamr and forging iron every day."
Chen Xing shook his head and said.
"Master knows Duan Xiaowan?"
Bai Qi rembered the Young Lady in Cyan Clothes, who wielded the Black Wind Cloud-Sweeping Hamr with astonishing strength, very well.
"I’ve t her once. Zirong seems very interested, often idling with nothing to do, going to Hongming to help, serving as an unpaid long-term worker."
Chen Xing smiled slightly, glancing at the silent Xu Zirong beside him.
"So, she’s Brother Zirong’s sweetheart? I should’ve addressed her as sister-in-law earlier."
Bai Qi was slightly taken aback, looking at the tall Xu Zirong, and recalling the short Duan Xiaowan who barely reached his chest, with a sweet and gentle voice, he thought:
"Who would’ve thought a burly man would have such a taste."
Xu Zirong coughed twice, quickly explaining:
"Don’t listen to the Instructor’s nonsense, Brother Bai. I just get itchy hands when I see a hamr..."
Bai Qi looked convinced and nodded:
"No need to hide it from Brother Zirong, I have the sa itch. Last year, at the Big Punishnt Kiln in Wagang Village, when the urge ca, I couldn’t resist, and started hamring fine steel. Master Li happened to notice and took in to learn the craft."
Seeing Bai Qi not making fun of him, Xu Zirong was quite touched. The mischievous boys at the Inheritance Hall always joked about it, making him feel embarrassed.
But the son of the richest man suddenly raised an eyebrow, carefully scrutinizing his counterpart.
Judging by his tall posture, lively eyebrows, and extraordinary deanor, being Master Li’s successor, the Young Master of Hongming...
"And I, apart from the silver I need, have nothing! I’ve lost too much already!
If Brother Bai were to wander in front of Miss Duan every day..."
Xu Zirong inexplicably felt a sense of crisis.
"When there’s no woman in your heart, practicing martial arts cos naturally. Brother Zirong might not know, but in our Tongwen Hall, there’s a major rule: before mastering divine techniques, Pure Yang must remain intact."
Bai Qi, with keen insight, used a few light-hearted words to dispel Xu Zirong’s worries.
He wouldn’t engage in such "a horse pulled by a small cart" things.
Turning it around, however, might be another story.
"Is that so..."
Xu Zirong breathed a huge sigh of relief, then glanced at Chen Xing.
"What are you looking at! That’s Tongwen Hall’s rule. I was expelled by Ninghai Zen a long ti ago, no need to follow it!"
Chen Xing chastised with a cold face.
What a clueless fellow!
"Master didn’t refute... Could it be that Tongwen Hall really has such a rule?"
Bai Qi mused internally:
"There’s no such clause about avoiding won in the promise I made!"
Xu Zirong shrank his neck and changed the topic:
"Miss Duan’s cargo ship was seized? Why didn’t she tell !"
He rolled up his sleeves, looking eager to stand up for his beloved.
"Isn’t it a sha, your father runs businesses so well, almost as renowned as the Female Wealth Deity of Celestial Water Prefecture, yet you accomplish nothing?"
Chen Xing ruthlessly criticized.
"As the saying goes, ’A county magistrate is not as good as the current manager.’ Pai Bang has connections in Celestial Water Prefecture; you Xu Family are the Local Bullies of Weinan Prefecture, too far to reach, so why should anyone give you face?"
Xu Zirong instantly beca deflated, like an eggplant hit by frost.
"Good grand-disciple, why do you think Hongming’s cargo ship was suddenly detained by Pai Bang?"
Chen Xing asked deliberately.
"I’ve discussed it with Miss Duan, and it’s likely related to the Zhu Family and Zheng Family.
A boatload of goods doesn’t account for much wealth. Hongming just received a big order from the Seventy-Two Bandits of Fulong Mountain, and then this happened. It’s likely aid at ruining their reputation.
Last ti at the He Mansion’s mourning hall, I saw Zhu Jiren getting chummy with Zheng Xuanfeng. If they join forces to take down Hongming, it’s understandable.
One is a busted business partner; the other an opposing rival... Lords of the Thirteen Lineage always enjoy playing such sneaky tricks."
Bai Qi spoke calmly and thodically, softly:
"In business, it’s all about personal reputation, favor, and appearances.
If the Master could have a word with the Pai Bang Leader and release the cargo ship, everyone would be happy.
If the Leader doesn’t give face, I’ll visit Yuanyang Temple and plea in person with Daoist Chongxu Zi.
However, the situation might not look good, creating a minor grudge between both parties.
In the future, I’ll definitely settle this when the opportunity arises."
Chen Xing clapped his hands in praise:
"What impeccable sense of personal reputation, favor, and appearances. Ah Qi, your understanding is comndable.
Since you rarely stay in County City, don’t bother with such small troubles, Master will take care of it for you, so it doesn’t hinder your training."
Sensing Xu Zirong’s hopeful gaze, Bai Qi tily spoke:
"Master, let’s bring Brother Zirong along.
A gentleman delights in seeing others succeed, and I think Brother Zirong and Miss Duan make a fine match, a perfect pairing."
Brother Bai speaks so well, it’s like sipping fine wine!
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