Chapter 236: Weighing Human Relations and Social Customs

Xu Fengnian finally caught up with the Fish Dragon Gang before entering Liuxia City. The journey, spanning one night and two days, was not pleasant. After being severely wounded in his Qi Sea by that woman, his more than three hundred acupoints were in turmoil. Afterward, he discovered she had even implanted many foreign qi currents, sharp as sword qi, making their extraction incredibly difficult and painstaking. To avoid delaying his "sword nurturing" and to remove those repulsive, impure qi currents, Xu Fengnian nearly went mad. It was as difficult as finding a few ants or flying cicadas in the vast Yanhuiguan Pass.

Still, it delayed his "sword nurturing" by a day, causing Xu Fengnian to curse throughout the journey. Yet, fortunately, this extremely delicate and mentally taxing task was akin to carving chess pieces on Wudang Mountain using the techniques from the "Green Water Pavilion Jiazi Sword Practice Record." It offered an ineffable benefit for deeply exploring the mysteries of the Grand Yellow Court. The Grand Yellow Court was like a sword blank; Old Man Li in the sheepskin robe refined his "Two Sleeves Green Snakes" with immense force, while the latter was like the water quenching at the finishing stage of a famous sword. Both were indispensable.

After reuniting with the Fish Dragon Gang, Xu Fengnian stopped the basic secret technique of the Grand Yellow Court, which involved gently tapping his teeth and ringing the "Heaven Drum" in his ears. Young Wang Dashi was overjoyed. Liu Nirong and Gongsun Yang, who had presumably already bought the bowstrings, both nodded to Xu Fengnian.

Liuxia City was a vibrant metropolis, no less splendid than Liangzhou, a major city in the heartland of Beiliang. For the members of the Fish Dragon Gang, who had seen nothing but desolation since leaving Daoma Pass, it dispelled all their anger and hostility, making them feel as if they had finally come alive again.

Xu Fengnian carried a forged letter from the former Arms Supervisor. The handwriting was identical, though the content had been altered. The seal was genuine, and even the ink pad was a valuable item taken from the martial official's desk. Most people would not imagine that a coarse general would be fond of the precious scarlet ink from Eight Treasures Studio. This further solidified the "absolute authenticity" of the secret letter. According to the letter's description, Xu Fengnian had transformed into the esteemed nephew of a respected scholar-guest at the general's mansion, still bearing the surname Xu.

Xu Fengnian naturally knew the rendezvous address. After entering the city, he asked for directions and led the Fish Dragon Gang to a residence that exuded the style of a Jiangnan official-merchant. After the doorman presented the secret letter, a gaunt old man in rich silk robes emerged, his steps hurried. Upon seeing Xu Fengnian, they first bowed to each other. The old man instructed the doorman to settle the Fish Dragon Gang and their horses, then warmly took Xu Fengnian's arm, stepped over the threshold with him, and laughed heartily, "This old man and Old Brother Qi have been friends for many years! Your sister-in-law's Frost-Killed Eggplant is absolutely peerless. Even now, thinking of it makes my mouth water. There's no such delicacy in Liuxia City!"

Xu Fengnian replied awkwardly, "Auntie's eggplant is really too spicy and salty. It's a good thing Uncle Zhu can eat it."

The slender old man squinted, smiled, and nodded slightly, tightening his grip on Xu Fengnian's arm. He chuckled, "Only spicy and salty dishes truly go well with rice! Are Old Brother Qi and your aunt still well?"

Xu Fengnian sighed with a somber expression, "Auntie's health is generally fine, but Uncle's old lung ailment from his youth never fully healed. He coughs non-stop whenever it's rainy, which is truly worrying."

The old man was silent for a moment, then his voice grew softer as he said, "This old man has some snow lotuses here. Take them back to Old Brother Qi later. Stew them with rock sugar and drink the broth; it nourishes the stomach and lungs."

Xu Fengnian made to bow in gratitude, but the old man quickly supported him, feigning anger. "Child, we're family. Why are you acting like a stranger?"

While Liuxia City was not as exorbitantly expensive as the imperial cities of two dynasties, it still required sixty to seventy thousand taels of silver to purchase a decent residence. Old Man Wei's mansion was a grand five-courtyard estate, progressing through three main sections, which would cost no less than one hundred and fifty thousand taels. If such a mansion were in Tai'an City, it would be the envy of many high-ranking officials of the third rank who had served for years. Bypassing the spirit screen and rock garden, they proceeded inward along the central axis. On either side were the accounting office and a private school. The main hall was lavish, and further inside, another courtyard led to a flower hall for banquets and music, likely featuring a small pond filled with lotuses – a common feature of Jiangnan official-merchant residences, characterized by deep, elegant, and serene courtyards. Noticing the armchairs in the main hall, which didn't quite fit the Jiangnan style, Xu Fengnian smiled and said, "Uncle Wei truly cherishes the past, otherwise he wouldn't use these 'Southern Tang Beauty Rests.'"

The old man urged Xu Fengnian, Liu Nirong, and Gongsun Yang to sit, and only after the three guests had settled did he rest himself in a "Beauty Rest," chuckling sincerely, "I suppose I won't be able to return to my roots in this lifetime, but one must always remember where they come from, mustn't they?"

The old merchant, who owned over a dozen shops in Liuxia City, had just sat down. His polite small talk with Liu Nirong and Gongsun Yang was noticeably colder compared to his warmth towards Xu Fengnian, his "kinsman." He soon stood up, saying, "I'll go personally inventory the goods. I must get a good price for the Supervisor-General, otherwise, I'll lose face. No need to see me off; please make yourselves at home."

Two young and pretty maids remained in the hall to serve, naturally gravitating more towards Young Master Xu, who seemed more like a relative of the master. As soon as the tea cooled even slightly, they demurely and eagerly asked Young Master Xu if he wanted a fresh pot.

In the accounting room, Old Man Wei looked out the window towards the main hall. As if recalling something, he pulled the secret letter from his sleeve, behind the backs of the three accounting managers. He dabbed it with saliva, then scraped his yellowed fingernail over the seal. Wiping it with his saliva-moistened fingertip, he sniffed it, then breathed a sigh of relief. Placing the secret letter back into his sleeve, he nodded, murmuring, "This is the scent. This business deal is definitely solid."

Old Man Wei, who had built a substantial foundation in Liuxia City, squinted and dozed for a moment, then smiled knowingly. "Since he really is Old Brother Qi's distant nephew, and he's traveled thousands of li with such hardship, shouldn't I, as his uncle, invite a courtesan from the Golden Phoenix Pavilion back to the residence? I just don't know what his preferences are. If he prefers something light, it would save expense and trouble. The two maids, Qiushui and Chunlong, in the main hall are quite good. This old uncle is too old to indulge anymore, so why let the good water flow into other fields?"

Before entering the city, Liu Nirong had warned the gang members to be extremely cautious when living under someone else's roof and to avoid any mishaps once settled. In truth, her concerns were excessive. Having traveled north, the Fish Dragon Gang had long lost the initial high spirits they had when leaving Liangzhou. This journey into Beimang had exposed them to the arrogance and treachery of general's children, allowed them to personally experience the cruel methods of government soldiers, and shown them the martial artists flying about as they snatched secret manuals. They had long been disciplined into submission. Especially the three young men who had entered Yanhuiguan Pass with Liu Xiu, their vivid descriptions, full of spittle, of that woman's fair legs and heavy breasts, and how she had kicked a burly man, leaving a huge crater, had further terrified the Fish Dragon Gang members.

Old Man Wei, who had spent his life calculating, was meticulously cautious. He first sent his steward to discreetly inquire. After his "nephew" nodded and Miss Liu of the Fish Dragon Gang tacitly agreed, people were arranged to take the Fish Dragon Gang members in batches to a brothel in Liuxia City for drinks after the dinner. The brothel was not the city's most high-class establishment, not because Old Man Wei couldn't afford it, but because he feared trouble. Brothels were inherently the most unreasonable places. While he had considerable wealth, in Beimang, money could make the world go round only if it first passed through the hands of the influential and powerful. Doing business with these individuals was one thing, but if disputes arose over women in a brothel, people would turn hostile faster than flipping a page. Old Man Wei didn't want to get involved in any messy affairs for the sake of his connection with the Arms Supervisor's office. After all, he was doing business in Liuxia City, not Liangzhou.

The Wei residence, whether intentionally or not, arranged Liu Nirong and Xu Fengnian in separate rooms next to each other, one courtyard removed from the other Fish Dragon Gang members. Xu Fengnian was bathed and dressed by two delicate maids, and the young lord showed no shame about it. However, the two maids, unused to such tasks, were thoroughly embarrassed. After changing into fresh clothes, Xu Fengnian left his room and knocked on the adjacent door. Liu Nirong opened it, remaining silent. She sat by the window, gazing at the pond, a cool breeze caressing her face. Compared to their previous journey through the desert, it truly felt like being in a paradise. Xu Fengnian picked up a pear, took a bite, and asked, "Still sulking because the Fish Dragon Gang went to a brothel?"

Liu Nirong shot a fierce glare at this scoundrel who spoke of visiting brothels as casually as eating.

Xu Fengnian laughed, "Good thing I'm not in the Fish Dragon Gang, or you, the future gang leader, would've surely angered me to death. After surviving such a perilous journey to Liuxia City, they're practically bursting with pent-up frustration. My dear Liu Daxiu, you're a woman, so of course you wouldn't understand, but is it easy for us men?"

Liu Nirong retorted angrily, "Then why don't you go do such vulgar things?"

Xu Fengnian was instantly overcome with sadness, his face full of misery. Liu Nirong was utterly bewildered. After a moment of staring at each other, she seemed to discover a shocking secret, and for the first time, a sympathetic look appeared in her eyes as she whispered, "Are you... incapable?"

Xu Fengnian bit into the juicy pear, both annoyed and amused. "Whether I am or not, what's it to you?"

Liu Nirong's expression was exceedingly strange, as if she had confirmed that fact. She very considerately changed the subject, asking, "Now that we've reached Liuxia City, there shouldn't be any more problems, right?"

Xu Fengnian nodded, "Generally speaking, with Wei Feng's capability, this transaction can be considered a success. You'll also receive his discreet support when you return to Liangzhou."

Liu Nirong said indignantly, "Since he has the ability, why didn't he help us sooner?"

Xu Fengnian calmly retorted, "Is he your father, or are you his daughter-in-law? Why should he spend money and favors to help? Don't tell me this business deal means anything to Wei Feng. To an old fox who isn't short on money, if the Fish Dragon Gang couldn't deliver the goods to Liuxia City themselves, they shouldn't even think about getting close to him in the future. He's a prominent local gentry figure in Liuxia City, after all. Do you truly believe that an arms supervisor from Liangzhou who is out of office is some kind of supreme deity? It's merely a matter of maintaining appearances. If it succeeds, everyone's happy and makes money. If it doesn't, Wei Feng simply loses out on a negligible 'incense money' profit. At the end of the day, business isn't just about the goods; it's also about weighing people's capabilities. If your Fish Dragon Gang wants to live comfortably, ultimately, you need to prove yourselves. Become the top gang in Liangzhou, and Wei Feng might just come begging to you, 'Grandma Liu.'"

Liu Nirong looked disheartened.

They stared at each other in prolonged silence. She, who had been lost in thought, suddenly followed his gaze downward, only to realize he was looking at her legs.

Liu Nirong, mortified and enraged, snapped, "You pervert, where are you looking?!"

That fellow, surprisingly, slammed the table indignantly, startling her. Impudently, he declared, "Is it against the law?"