Upon hearing this, Xiang Fengchen nodded repeatedly, his complexion visibly improved. "Right, you’re correct, I might not be able to do it, but that doesn’t an the elder can’t either. Since this person is able to obtain the Divine Turtle Shell, his thods are naturally only stronger, not weaker than mine. We haven’t lost yet, there’s still a chance!"
"Exactly, so our top priority now is to use the Divine Turtle Shell to divine the whereabouts of the elder during the Three Yin Days. Forgive my frankness, if we can locate the elder before the Earl Mansion, we still stand a chance. If we’re too late, I’m afraid it would be beyond our abilities to redy the situation." Yang Xiao spoke in a low, gravelly voice, but each word landed clearly in the ears of those present.
Yang Xiao was also aware of the reason why the elder refused to et them previously; by hiding the information in the Divine Turtle Shell, it was also a test for them. After all, if even the Divine Turtle Shell was beyond their capability to use, then eting in person would be pointless, and worse, it might even spoil things.
Furthermore, initially providing counterfeit information while the elder observed from the shadows was also a way of testing them. He too was uncertain whether this group would betray him and bring the Earl Mansion’s people to capture him.
The situation was extrely urgent, and Yang Xiao believed that such a test was more than enough. The next eting would be the ti for a face-to-face encounter.
Moreover, he was convinced that the elder must have a way to turn the tables.
Ti was not on their side. The group hurried back, for they still needed to retrieve the agreed-upon items from the incense candle shop. Upon arrival, the old shopkeeper was personally waiting. Seeing them, he imdiately closed the shop door and then led the four of them to the back hall, to a small, dark room used for storing incense candles. The shopkeeper went in alone and erged monts later holding two large bundles.
The items were wrapped in oil paper. Xiang Fengchen didn’t hesitate, he opened the bundles for inspection on the spot. One contained a bundle of wax candles and a bundle of incense. Strangely, the candles were white while the incense had a faint red hue; upon closer inspection, a subtle odd sll could be detected.
The other large bundle was filled to the brim with Square-Holed Paper Money, neatly stacked and looking very new. "Honored guest, I made these with my own hands. While the ti was urgent and the hour slightly off, they haven’t seen the light, containing plenty of malevolent energy."
Xiang Fengchen was an old hand in the world of martial arts; he knew that for such fatal undertakings, word of mouth wasn’t reliable. He squatted down, randomly pulled out a few pieces of Paper Money, pinched them, slled them, and then stood up, nodding his satisfaction.
"Not bad, these are what I asked for." Xiang Fengchen took out a large silver ingot from his chest and handed it to the old shopkeeper. Yang Xiao noticed that this was a whole ingot, with the official seal of the Earl Mansion stamped beneath.
As expected, the old shopkeeper dared not accept the Official Silver. Seeing this, Xiang Fengchen forcefully shoved the silver ingot into the shopkeeper’s hands, seizing the opportunity to grasp the old shopkeeper’s hand in the process. As soon as his palm was seized, the shopkeeper’s expression imdiately changed, becoming panicked and uneasy.
"With so much yin energy on your hands, it seems that you’ve been involved in quite a few grave-digging deals, haven’t you?" Xiang Fengchen said with a smile that was not a smile, exuding a strong aura that pressured the old shopkeeper to the point where he dared not raise his head.
"You... you jest, sir. Just a humble craftsman... barely earning a living." The old shopkeeper looked more miserable than if he were crying.
"Since you’re a craftsman, you should know the rules. The shadow market has no bargaining price; what is said is final. I’ve brought the silver, why would you refuse it?"
"Do you think the money from the Earl Mansion is tainted?" Xiang Fengchen snorted coldly.
This remark shocked the old shopkeeper who replied anxiously, "Dare not, dare not. It’s well known that the Earl Mansion is charitable. To be able to work for the Earl Mansion is a blessing I’ve cultivated over several lifetis; how could I possibly ask for compensation?"
"If you respect the Earl Mansion, then accept the silver ingot. I don’t have any scattered silver pieces on today. In three days, bring the silver ingot to the Earl Mansion’s back door, knock and say your na. I will co out to settle the remaining amount." Xiang Fengchen’s words were clear.
Watching this unfold, Yang Xiao understood and couldn’t help but admire Xiang Fengchen. Indeed, he was a seasoned man of the world of martial arts. He knew the perils involved. This old shopkeeper was no ordinary man; daring to run a shop dealing with the shadow market transactions, he must possess so abilities. Hence, his group might not be able to keep him in the dark.
Once
Witnessing this, Yang Xiao understood and couldn’t help but admire Xiang Fengchen. Indeed, he was a seasoned man from the world of martial arts. He was aware of the dangers inherent to their line of work. This old shopkeeper was no simple character; daring to engage in shadow market dealings, he surely had his capabilities. It was unlikely that they could fool him.
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