Shopkeeper Feng poured tea for Li Banfeng. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I can't quite say what's inside this phonograph. A merchant from Greenwater Bay resold it to me.
He asked for 180,000. I inspected the item; the brand was genuine, the craftsmanship was good, and it was ninety percent new, so it was worth the price.
I didn't haggle and took the item. Who would have thought something would happen within three days of it being in my home?
When I went to look for the merchant again afterward, it turned out he had already left Yaowang Ditch.
Most residents of Greenwater Bay are wealthy, so it's not too difficult to track someone down. I asked a friend in Greenwater Bay to investigate his background.
Later, I learned that this person was originally from a modestly wealthy family in Greenwater Bay. By aligning with the Lu family, he later secured several major deals, earned a lot of money, and moved into a large mansion. However, shortly after moving into his new residence, over a dozen family members died mysteriously.
I suspect this incident is related to the phonograph, but I can't produce any evidence. Even if I could, it would be useless. If I had found something strange about the phonograph before the transaction, I would have told him to leave immediately. But once the deal was done, it was too late to say anything. I can only blame my own poor judgment."
"Can you tell me the name of this merchant?" Li Banfeng asked.
Shopkeeper Feng shook his head. "No, I can't. I know his name, but I can't tell you. Just as I accepted your Snake-Marked Pill, I would never tell the buyer your name. These are the rules of a businessman."
Li Banfeng didn't press Shopkeeper Feng, as he had done nothing wrong in this matter.
"You've told me quite a few things, so I should still compensate you." Li Banfeng took out 2,000 yuan and offered it to Shopkeeper Feng, but he pushed the money back.
"Boss Li," he said, "I wronged you in this matter. If I were to accept money from you again, I would be acting improperly."
Shopkeeper Feng absolutely refused to accept it. Li Banfeng then directly asked about the next matter: "I want a travel permit to go to the outer provinces. Do you have any connections?"
"To the outer provinces..." Shopkeeper Feng frowned. "This isn't easy. I'll have to make some inquiries. You'll have to wait a couple more days; it's unlikely to get news within a day or so."
As long as there were connections, Li Banfeng could wait, but he needed to clarify the price.
"Shopkeeper Feng, what's the price for a travel permit?"
Shopkeeper Feng stroked his beard. "Boss Li, I won't hide anything from you. I can arrange this without making a profit myself, but if it's less than twenty million, I'm afraid it won't be possible."
So it really was that much; Yu Nan had told the truth. But Li Banfeng still wanted to ask why. "Why is a travel permit to the outer provinces so expensive?"
Shopkeeper Feng chuckled. "I'm a businessman; I only talk business. If I could accumulate twenty million, I would certainly make a trip to the outer provinces.
The outer provinces have many good things that Pro Province doesn't, and Pro Province also has many good things that the outer provinces don't. A round trip could earn a large profit. Twenty million would definitely be recouped, and if the business is handled well, multiplying it several times over would be no problem."
*That's right,* Li Banfeng thought, *why didn't I think of it? There's big business here!*
I also have a portable residence; I can take all the rare treasures from Pro Province to the outer provinces.
After this deal, I won't have to work like a dog anymore!
Money. Li Banfeng really needed money now!
He took out a red pill and handed it to Shopkeeper Feng. "Please take a look at this for me," he said.
Shopkeeper Feng examined it carefully for a long time. He nodded slightly and said, "This is a Profound Blaze Pill, top grade. Boss Li, are you planning to sell this pill?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "If the price is right, naturally I'll sell it."
Shopkeeper Feng took out a handkerchief, placed it on the coffee table, and then put the pill in the center of the handkerchief.
This was his rule: for any unsettled business, the item had to be openly displayed.
"Boss Li," he said, "this pill can sell for 200,000 on the market, but I can't purchase it outright.
My shop is a general store; for such precious pills, I can't guarantee a quick sale. I can only take it on consignment.
If you trust me, leave the pill here. If the deal goes through, I'll take a two percent commission. If it doesn't, I'll return the item to you. Do you think that's acceptable?"
"Acceptable!" Li Banfeng agreed immediately. He then took out the only purple pill he had and handed it to Shopkeeper Feng.
"Could you take another look?" he asked. "What's the origin of this pill?"
Shopkeeper Feng examined it for a long time. He returned the pill to Li Banfeng. "My eyes are not keen enough; I don't recognize this pill," he said. "When I encounter an expert, I'll ask for you."
"How about leaving it with you for consignment too?" Li Banfeng asked.
Shopkeeper Feng shook his head. "No, I can't. My shop dares not accept items of unknown value. If something goes wrong, I won't be able to compensate you."
Li Banfeng detested arbitrary rules, but he greatly appreciated Shopkeeper Feng's rules.
The principles of the world were that simple: when things were made clear in a few words, there were naturally no misunderstandings.
Having asked all the important questions, Li Banfeng prepared to buy some fuel and oil for the phonograph.
Shopkeeper Feng asked Chunsheng to prepare these miscellaneous items, while he invited Li Banfeng to stay a while longer.
Shopkeeper Feng felt guilty about the phonograph and wanted to offer Li Banfeng some compensation.
"Boss Li, you've asked what you needed to ask, and I've said what I needed to say," he began. "There's one more thing I know a bit about; I wonder if you'd like to hear it?"
"Whose business?"
"The matter concerning the Geng family's pharmacy and the Yu family's textile shop."
Why would Shopkeeper Feng bring this up on his own?
Li Banfeng remained expressionless and nodded slightly.
Shopkeeper Feng instructed Chunsheng to bring over an incense burner.
A red copper incense burner was placed on the table. Shopkeeper Feng struck a match, lit the incense, and a faintly fragrant smoke filled the inner room.
Li Banfeng's nose was very sensitive. He carefully distinguished the scent of the smoke and didn't detect any danger.
Shopkeeper Feng chuckled. "Boss Li, no offense intended, but I'm doing this to prevent eavesdropping."
Using incense to prevent eavesdropping?
Li Banfeng gained some more insight.
Shopkeeper Feng refilled the teapot and began to speak about the Geng and Yu families.
"I suppose Boss Li has heard rumors," he said. "The Geng family and the Yu family are in a dispute. Some say it originated with Boss Qin, but in reality, the conflict between these two families began the year before last.
In the past two years, the Geng family's pharmacy allied with the Jiangxiang Gang, and their business became increasingly arrogant. They coveted Shopkeeper Yu's textile shop and had long wanted to take over her territory.
Shopkeeper Yu is a strong-willed person and always refused to give up her shop. The Geng family often sent people to cause trouble, and Shopkeeper Yu suffered many losses in the past two years.
Last year, Rong Jin'an, a guard affiliated with the Geng family, went to the textile shop to cause trouble and beat two of the Yu family's textile shop assistants to death.
Last month, Rong Jin'an smashed up the Yu family's textile shop, injured several people, and harassed two female assistants at the shop.
Shopkeeper Yu had suppressed her anger for too long. Using Boss Qin's incident as an excuse, she killed Rong Jin'an, which was reasonable.
The Geng family's eldest young master tricked Boss Yu to Wangchun Tower and killed over a dozen of Boss Yu's assistants; this was also within reason.
Next, the Geng family's pharmacy was burned down, and Geng Zhiwei's whereabouts are unknown. Now the Geng family is frantically searching for Shopkeeper Yu, claiming they will tear her into ten thousand pieces. This matter is a bit strange."
"The Geng family is convinced that Shopkeeper Yu did this?" Li Banfeng asked.
Shopkeeper Feng nodded. "They are convinced. From a logical standpoint, it certainly seems like Shopkeeper Yu would have done it, but I believe someone else is involved."
Li Banfeng took a sip of tea. "Why do you say that?"
"Because this matter is strange," Shopkeeper Feng explained. "Boss Yu and Rong Jin'an had a feud, so seeking revenge on Rong Jin'an is reasonable.
But Shopkeeper Yu and Boss Qin usually had no dealings, so after getting revenge, there was no need to rescue Boss Qin.
Furthermore, burning down the Geng family's pharmacy is not something Shopkeeper Yu is capable of. Not to mention whether she has the ability, she simply doesn't have the inclination for such a thing.
Shopkeeper Yu doesn't act so ruthlessly or so extremely. She always knows when to stop. If she could truly be ruthless, she wouldn't have suffered so many losses over the years."
Li Banfeng put down his teacup and asked, "Shopkeeper Feng, who do you think did this?"
Shopkeeper Feng looked at Li Banfeng, shook his head, and said, "I can't say for sure. But I have something here I'd like Boss Li to see."
After speaking, Shopkeeper Feng took out an envelope and handed it to Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng opened the envelope, pulled out a piece of paper, and saw three names written on it:
Xiang Guicheng, Martial Cultivator, Third Tier, Red Baton of the Second Branch, Medicine King Hall, currently at Luyuan Inn.
Zhong Desong, Ascetic Cultivator, Second Tier, Sage of the Second Branch, Medicine King Hall, currently at Qingtang Teahouse.
Du Hongxi, Nightmare Cultivator, Second Tier, Scout of the Second Branch, Medicine King Hall, currently at Xianle Dance Hall.
As Li Banfeng looked at the paper, he listened to Shopkeeper Feng say, "Three masters from the Jiangxiang Gang's Medicine King Hall have been dispatched specifically to handle the matter of the Geng family's pharmacy. These three masters are currently ambushing near the Yu family's textile shop, waiting for Shopkeeper Yu to appear.
Branch Leader Shi Boyu and his trusted confidant Sun Xiaoan remain at the branch headquarters, ready to provide support at any moment."
"What is 'branch headquarters'?" Li Banfeng asked. There were too many new terms, and he was momentarily confused.
Shopkeeper Feng knew Li Banfeng was from the outer provinces and patiently explained, "The Jiangxiang Gang has twenty-two halls in Pro Province. Medicine King Hall is one of them, and it has eight branches under it. The main branch and the second branch are in Ligou, while the other six branches are in Waigou.
The branch headquarters is where the branches gather for discussions. Each branch has one Branch Leader, one confidant, one Red Baton, one Sage, and one Scout. These are all the branch's leaders.
Each leader has over twenty disciples under them, so a single branch has about 120 people."
High cultivation, large numbers. Li Banfeng had never thought the Jiangxiang Gang would deploy such a large force.
"What are the cultivation levels of the Branch Leader and the confidant?" Li Banfeng asked.
"That's not clear yet."
Li Banfeng looked at the descriptions for Sage Zhong Desong and Scout Du Hongxi and asked, "What kind of Daoist sects are Ascetic Cultivation and Nightmare Cultivation?"
"Nightmare Cultivators can command ghosts and monsters. Scout Du Hongxi has over a dozen ghosts under his command, ready to be dispatched at any moment.
The sect of Ascetic Cultivation is special; they can endure suffering that others cannot."
Li Banfeng scratched his head. This Ascetic Cultivation was a bit hard to grasp.
What kind of ability is enduring suffering?
Shopkeeper Feng refilled Li Banfeng's teacup. "Boss Li," he said, "I know this matter has nothing to do with you, but I also heard that the Jiangxiang Gang has recently been searching everywhere for people from the outer provinces. I'm not sure why.
I just want to remind you that Yaowang Ditch hasn't been peaceful lately, so please be extra careful."
Li Banfeng understood Shopkeeper Feng's meaning. Yu Nan had rescued Qin Xiaopang, but Qin Xiaopang had no dealings with Yu Nan, instead having close ties with Li Banfeng.
Coupled with the Jiangxiang Gang searching for people from the outer provinces, Shopkeeper Feng suspected the matter was related to Li Banfeng.
But in fact, these were two separate matters.
The Jiangxiang Gang blamed Yu Nan for burning down the Geng family's pharmacy, and for this, they had dispatched an entire branch.
The search for outsiders was an order given by Xiao Zhenggong to the entire Jiangxiang Gang, the purpose of which was the Copper Lotus.
The Jiangxiang Gang probably hadn't realized yet that these two matters were carried out by the same person.
But not realizing it didn't mean they couldn't find out.
If Shopkeeper Feng could see clues on Qin Xiaopang, the Jiangxiang Gang wasn't foolish; they would certainly follow Qin Xiaopang's clues. It would only be a matter of time before they discovered his true identity.
Considering the private investigator Daboyins who came looking for him earlier, the Jiangxiang Gang might already be very close to the truth.
It was a good thing he hadn't stayed hidden in Yujia Village and a good thing he had returned to Ligou.
If the Jiangxiang Gang discovered he was the one who burned down the Geng family's pharmacy and also stole the Copper Lotus, they would surround Yujia Village at all costs. By then, he wouldn't be able to escape even if he had wings.
Now Li Banfeng had two choices before him:
The first choice was to buy enough food, prepare enough drinking water, and hide inside the portable residence without coming out.
This choice seemed very safe, but would it work?
[31 seconds from now] Chapter 912: Initial Layout for Entering the Sect
[2 minutes ago] Chapter 510
[5 minutes ago] Chapter 826: Little Jian's Dilemma
[12 minutes ago] Chapter 825: Goodbye, Rest Easy Brother
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