Chapter 463: Chapter 2: Black Wind Stronghold

"Oh!"

Fang Zheng looked up, his eyes flickering slightly, and spoke slowly:

"No need to stop them, let them in."

"This..." The visitor looked hesitant, then clasped his fists and bowed:

"Yes!"

......

Not long after.

A handsome young general led three people to the grand hall.

The young general’s name was Yuan Zhongdao, a disciple of Fang Mansion’s late nurse, Xiang Xiu. Despite his young age, he had already completed his Qi Refining, practicing the top-tier Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill. With his talent...

Within a few years,

he could become a Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist like Lu Zhi and others.

"My Lord."

Entering the grand hall, Yuan Zhongdao clasped his fists and bowed:

"The people have been brought!"

"Haha..." There was no need for an introduction, as a burly elder behind him already laughed and stepped forward:

"I am Zhu Gui, known in Jianghu as Cloud Vajra. I’ve long heard of Young Master Fang’s great name, and today, seeing you in person, it truly lives up to the reputation."

"So it’s Second Master Zhu." Fang Zheng gestured with his hand:

"Please, have a seat."

"Very kind."

Zhu Gui gave a signal to the two behind him, then sat down on the right side of the hall, casually sweeping his eyes across the whole field.

His mood immediately sank.

Before coming, in his impression, Fang Mansion was merely a small local landlord, hardly a climate.

But now...

The head of Fang Mansion, Fang Zheng’s aura was restrained, making it difficult to discern the depth of his cultivation.

The three across were all experts, especially the woman with a half-mask, who surprisingly made him feel a sense of warning.

If not because of formidable strength, then she must have cultivated some secret technique.

Moreover, outside on the training ground were hundreds of strong men practicing martial arts, their breaths were connected, capable of forming a battle array with military killing techniques.

Even the young man leading the way possessed the cultivation base of Minor Circulation.

Unexpectedly,

even in shallow waters, a flood dragon could be nurtured!

Since Fang Mansion holds such power, he might need to amend his words given before, lest he becomes a laughingstock.

"Young Master Fang."

Zhu Gui’s eyes shifted, and he spoke:

"Coming without trouble means no trip to the Three Treasures Hall, my visit is for money!"

"Oh!"

Fang Zheng’s eyes moved slightly:

"What do you mean?"

"Has Black Wind Stronghold set its sights on what little I have?"

His tone was calm, even carrying a hint of amusement, but as the words fell, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed.

Yang Meng’s beautiful eyes contracted, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, her aura instantly linked with the hundreds outside.

Military killing technique!

An overwhelming sense of murderous intent enveloped the entire hall.

With the backing of hundreds of breaths, even a Flawless Martial Artist would be cut down by her sword here!

Zhu Gui’s eyes contracted, and the two accompanied him turned pale, their True Qi burgeoning.

"Young Master Fang jests."

Zhu Gui shook his head and said:

"Since the establishment of Black Wind Stronghold by the Village Chief, a code has been set: we do not take unjust wealth, walking the path of righteousness."

"For us to seek fortune, both parties need to be willing."

Fang Zheng smiled without speaking.

Though it sounded nice, under the name of Black Wind Stronghold, how many would dare refuse them money?

It’s only necessary to cloak it as a protection fee.

Similar to Fang Mansion’s dominance over Gu’an County, Black Wind Stronghold also occupied part of Zhaonan Prefecture, with their Village Chief being a Great Mage.

The Flawless Martial Artist,

is a top-tier expert among martial artists.

A Great Mage,

is the strongest among mages.

Compared to a Flawless Martial Artist, a Great Mage is rarer, often having greater strength.

Village Chief Black Wind Ascendant of Black Wind Stronghold excels in magic, possessing a Treasure Gourd capable of releasing Bone-Eroding Soul-Devouring Wind and Doomsday Earth Sand.

Once the wind and sand are unleashed,

none can withstand it!

It can even slay enemies from a hundred zhang away.

Second Master Zhu Gui, too, is no weakling, being a Flawless Martial Artist. The title Cloud Vajra indicates his exceptional lightweight skill and strong physique.

If not for Fang Mansion’s unexpectedly formidable power, even forcefully taking over, who would dare say a word?

"Young Master Fang."

Zhu Gui’s eyes flickered, speaking slowly:

"I’ve long heard that the Fang Family’s porcelain and silk are extraordinary, selling well throughout the Nine Provinces, and even in the Capital City, they are sought after."

"It’s said our Village Chief has a few outfits tailored from Fang Family silk."

"However..."

"Gu’an County is, after all, located remotely, making the transportation of goods inconvenient, and current surroundings unsettled, it seems inevitable to encounter bandits."

"Who dares!" Lu Zhi’s eyes widened, shouting:

"In Zhaonan Prefecture, who dares meddle with our Fang Mansion’s business?"

"Second Master Zhu may not know." Shangguan Duo clasped his hands, speaking slowly:

"Our business deals with dignitaries and high officials; robbing us offends not only Fang Mansion."

"But also the buyers!"

Anyone who is a buyer of Fang Mansion is not to be easily provoked.

"Is that so?"

Zhu Gui lowered his brows: 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"If it were a peaceful era, it wouldn’t matter, but now, it’s uncertain. Even the Emperor’s birthday tribute has been dared to be robbed."

"As for businesses, it’s even harder to ensure safety."

"Indeed."

Fang Zheng nodded slowly:

"That’s not untrue. In recent years, bandits have knitted across the trade routes, which are indeed poorer compared to before."

"Young Master Fang is a wise person." Zhu Gui clasped his hands:

"Our stronghold, though modest, maintains some connections with people on the road. If Young Master Fang is willing, we can escort the goods, ensuring their safety en route."

"We merely ask for three-tenths profit from the goods."

"Three-tenths?" Yang Meng snorted coldly:

"You really dare ask for that much!"

For instance, in the case of porcelain, selling the goods includes the kiln’s manufacturing cost, the wages of porcelain artisans, transportation costs, along with store rent, sales wages, and miscellaneous bribes.

Among this,

the cost of transporting goods is just a very small portion.

In the end, their takeover of the escorting asks for three-tenths profit, which is akin to Fang Mansion working for others.

"Three-tenths is too high."

Fang Zheng shook his head:

"Please forgive me, but Fang cannot agree."

Black Wind Ascendant’s strength is formidable, rumored to be backed by a Master, and thus cannot be offended.