With nothing better to do, the two people in the room started learning how to brew tea.
For about half an hour, they enjoyed a peaceful time indoors.
Suddenly, Big Stone, who was keeping watch outside the inn, rushed in with news, “Cen Futong is coming, he’s on his way up the mountain.”
Shi Chun immediately instructed Wu Jinliang, “Go meet him, but keep a low profile. Try not to let Bian Weikang and his people see you.”
Although they reckoned that couple shouldn't be out and about, it was best to be cautious.
“Alright.” Wu Jinliang agreed and called Big Stone to help identify the person.
Currently, Big Stone shouldn’t be directly involved in this transaction due to his ties with the Bowang Pavilion.
After a short while, the door opened.
Wu Jinliang entered first and nodded at Shi Chun.
Following him was a young man clad in luxurious clothes.
He had an ordinary appearance and average height but carried the air of someone used to a carefree life.
His eyes held a touch of arrogance, indifferent to those around him.
He wasn’t alone; two other well-dressed men followed him.
From the way they casually took their seats, rather than being aides, they seemed like merry companions.
Cen Futong didn’t sit but instead roamed around the room, inspecting the surroundings.
All three of them appeared somewhat short on inner strength, likely due to overindulgence.
Shi Chun greeted with a polite gesture, “I’ve long heard of Brother Cen’s reputation. Meeting you today truly is a sight to behold.”
Cen Futong casually flipped through a book on the table, “Legends of Mountains and Seas,” and tossed it back before turning to question, “Who are you?”
Shi Chun replied, “I am Shi Chun,” inviting him to sit down.
“Shi... Si Chun?” Cen Futong paused, confused.
The room immediately burst into laughter, Cen Futong and his companions laughing so hard they almost lost their breath.
Shi Chun maintained a smile, but his eyes darkened slightly.
He hated it when people mocked his name, a behavior he usually wouldn’t tolerate, especially in the Exile Lands.
After much effort to stop laughing, Cen Futong waved a hand, showing no interest in prolonged chitchat or Shi Chun’s name, directly asking, “You’re the one who invited me?”
Shi Chun responded with a practiced gentle smile, “Yes.”
Cen Futong raised an eyebrow, “Promising me a hundred thousand gold?”
Shi Chun nodded, “That’s right.”
Cen Futong eyed him skeptically, “Is there really such a deal?”
His two friends also stood up and moved to either side of him, eagerly watching.
Shi Chun explained, “I wish to establish myself in Sky-Illuminating City and heard Brother Cen is influential here. I’d like to be friends.”
“Well, you’ve found the right person.”
“In this city, Brother Cen might not rule everything, but everyone gives him respect.”
Cen Futong’s two friends chimed in, showering him with praise.
Cen Futong seemed to enjoy the flattery, showing a proud expression while acting modest, “No, no, it’s only because everyone respects me.”
His friend on the left patted his shoulder and winked at him, “Hosting a party at the Graceful Cloud Pavilion tonight?”
It was a clear hint that after making a fortune, one should treat friends to a celebration.
Cen Futong quickly turned to Shi Chun, “If you’re sincere, Brother Shi—ah, you’re getting a bargain with that surname, aren’t you? Brother Chun, if you’re truly sincere, we’ll surely become friends.”
The hint was clear; he wanted to see the money first.
Shi Chun hesitated, glancing at the other two friends, and suggested, “The tea pavilion outside Carefree Pavilion is a nice place. Would you two like to enjoy it?”
His intention was clear—asking the two to leave.
He felt that Old Dong hadn’t handled things well, letting two more people in on the matter.
“Oh, are you afraid we’ll rob you?”
“Cen, are we not welcome here?”
His friends replied sarcastically.
About to speak of brotherhood, Cen Futong was interrupted by Shi Chun, “Some deals are meant for just one person. Do the three of you agree?”
The three paused.
Shortly after, Cen Futong told his friends, “Go on, take a walk. I’ll see what he’s up to. If he’s playing games, I’ll teach him a lesson.”
His friends relented, leaving reluctantly.
Shi Chun signaled with his eyes.
Wu Jinliang peeked outside and returned with a nod, confirming they had indeed left.
Cen Futong observed for a moment and demanded, “Now can we see the money?”
Shi Chun asked, “Did you hear about someone spending fifty thousand gold to free a courtesan at Graceful Cloud Pavilion today?”
Cen Futong seemed impatient, “Just heard about it. What of it?”
He showed no intention of sitting; he wanted to see money.
Shi Chun calmly replied, “I am the one who paid to free her.”
“…” Cen Futong was taken aback, scrutinizing him, “You?”
He couldn’t believe it.
Was this the man who dared to claim a woman desired by Lu Taizhen and now wished to give him money? What was happening?
Suddenly, he felt a threat, warily scanning his surroundings.
Ordinarily, he had little concern for his safety in this city, but someone who dared defy Lu Taizhen was different.
Shi Chun stated, “That woman is with me. I want to ask Brother Cen to deliver her to Lu Taizhen.”
Cen Futong froze, bewildered, “You spent that money to give her to Master Lu?”
Lu Taizhen owned extensive spiritual plant fields in the area, and people usually called him Master Lu out of respect.
Shi Chun affirmed, “Yes. I want to establish myself here and don’t wish to be at odds with him, so I need Brother Cen's help.”
Cen Futong was willing to oblige but couldn’t understand, “Why don’t you give her to him yourself? Why involve me?”
Shi Chun smiled, “How would Brother Cen get that ten thousand sandalwood gold otherwise? I’ll sell the woman to you cheaply, just twenty thousand gold.”
“What? Sell her to me for twenty thousand?” Cen Futong thought he misheard; he couldn’t possibly afford that.
Ignoring his shock, Shi Chun feigned surprise, “Isn’t that what you implied? That courtesan didn’t want to spend good days with Master Lu; instead, she wants to be with a pretty young man. Brother Cen, what kind of person are you? Naturally, you'd be on Master Lu’s side and, annoyed by this, had me gather five thousand gold to ransom her out. Bian Weikang owes me five thousand gold, and Xiang Lan'er’s contract is in my hands. If you want her, twenty thousand gold.”
Cen Futong raised an eyebrow, anger in his eyes, “You’re playing with me?”
Shi Chun stated, “That’s five thousand gold. I didn’t just pick it up from the ground. If there’s no profit, why would I get involved in this? Of course, you could sell her for thirty, thirty-five, or forty thousand. It’s entirely up to you. After all, Master Lu was originally ready to pay fifty thousand.”
“…” Cen Futong paused, his thoughts flickering.
The promise of being given ten thousand gold seemed to have transformed into paying twenty thousand.
Wu Jinliang, listening from the side, barely held back a mischievous grin.
He finally understood why Shi Chun had said their profit margin couldn’t be too high—the real trick was here.
Shi Chun continued, “From what I hear, your uncle handles minor affairs like this. Honestly, while it’s to avenge Master Lu, it’s ultimately helping your uncle. A forty-thousand price tag is reasonable. If it’s too high, there’s no incentive to covertly manage the transaction.”
Cen Futong’s eyes glowed with interest, clearly considering the proposal as he paced the room.
Shi Chun followed his steps, adding, “The key is that Master Lu likes that courtesan. If she ends up with another young man, it’s a loss for Master Lu and for us, right? Of course, if Brother Cen truly doesn’t want this profit, then I have nothing to say. After all, I won’t lose out either. Bian Weikang promised to repay double the borrowed amount later. It’s merely a matter of making a little more or less money for me.”
Cen Futong suddenly stopped, turning to Shi Chun, speaking softly, “Will this plan work? Although Bian Weikang has been expelled from his sect, he’s still Bian Jixiong’s son. If things go south and Master Lu is embarrassed, we’ll be in trouble.”
Shi Chun whispered back, “It’ll be fine. Tomorrow, Bian Weikang is taking the courtesan back to Wukang Mountain. I’ll accompany him, and along the way, I’ll find a chance to separate him from her. You can then seize her quietly. She has some cultivation, so bring skilled help to avoid any commotion. Afterward, I’ll tell Bian Weikang she left on her own and passed on a message…”
He reiterated the plan he had previously shared with Wu Jinliang to deceive Bian Weikang.
Cen Futong chuckled, then worried again, “But she’d still be alive with Master Lu. What if she causes trouble?”
Shi Chun waved his hand dismissively, “No need to worry, Brother Cen. With her in your hands, you decide what happens. Bian Weikang’s explanation applies equally to her. I paid to ransom her because someone arranged it. Someone was angry at her fanciful ideas and wanted her left penniless as a lesson. You can subtly let her know—how could Bian Jixiong ever accept a brothel girl as his daughter-in-law? Plus, with her contract in your hands, what’s she going to do but resign herself to fate?” (Chapter end)