CREAK.

CLICK. CLACK.

Two old, weathered wooden doors slowly creaked open, and a guard in a short blue tunic cautiously poked his head out, scanning the surroundings.

A moment later, seeing nothing amiss outside the back door, he waved to someone behind him.

"Come on out. No one’s here."

Then, two guards emerged from the residence, each carrying a burlap sack on his back. They glanced left and right.

Seeing that the coast was clear, the tense looks on their faces finally eased a little.

"Old Liu, don’t wander off. Just guard the door from the inside. Remember to open it for us when we get back."

"Hurry up and stop wasting time."

"Let’s use the cover of this cloudy, rainy weather to get rid of these two wretched maids."

"Alright."

The two guards nodded, said no more, and headed directly for the north city gate.

After they were gone, the guard surnamed Liu shut the wooden door, muttering curses under his breath.

"That makes five of them now."

"Hmph, why isn’t that old bastard Xiao Yuan dead yet..."

Though his voice was low, it was heard clearly by Chen Yi and Liu Lang, who were hidden in the shadows outside the door.

Liu Lang wore a strange expression. He glanced at Chen Yi’s calm face out of the corner of his eye and said hesitantly,

"The Liu Family’s second young master must have been rebuffed at the Marquis’s Mansion today. He’s probably still fuming."

Chen Yi glanced at him and nodded. "A good thing."

"Huh?"

"Stop ’huh’-ing. Lead the way."

Chen Yi didn’t elaborate. After giving the order, his gaze followed the two guards disappearing into the distance.

Faintly, he could still smell the thick, fading scent of blood.

’The fifth one today...’

’Heh, it seems Liu Wen was thoroughly infuriated by the old master.’

’Which is also good.’

’Those whom heaven would destroy, it first drives mad.’

’This Liu Wen is destined to die in Shu State!’

Although Liu Lang didn’t understand why he called it a "good thing," he knew that Chen Yi was displeased.

In fact, Liu Lang also despised young masters from noble families like Liu Wen, who treated human life as if it were grass.

Even though he was a member of the Bright Moon Building, he didn’t take part in just any job, nor did he kill just anyone.

For instance, when he had gone with the Illusory Sound Sect to plunder the Xiao Family’s medicinal supplies.

He hadn’t even intended to draw his blade against the Jianghu escorts, disdaining to bully the weak.

Otherwise, Shen Huatang of the Celestial Sect would never have left alive.

But Liu Wen was a different story. He got angry at the Xiao Family during the day and took it out on his own servants at night. How was such behavior any different from the Evil Demonic Dao of the Jianghu?

「A few moments later.」

The two arrived at the eastern rear residence, one walking in front of the other.

Liu Lang composed himself, confirmed that no one was around, and pointed to a wooden building not far away.

Chen Yi nodded in understanding and pricked up his ears to listen.

"...That old fool! He’s at death’s door, yet he dares to scold me?"

"My visit was a show of respect, but you?"

"I showed you respect, and you’re just shameless!"

"And that Xiao Wan’er, daring to refuse my generous offer!"

"Given the Xiao Family’s current situation, how dare you? Huh?!"

The faintly heard voice caused a trace of killing intent to gradually surface in Chen Yi’s eyes as he looked at the wooden building.

He then waved his hand, signaling for Liu Lang to knock on the door.

KNOCK. KNOCK KNOCK.

The crisp sound silenced the shouting inside the wooden building.

Liu Wen asked coldly, "Who is it?"

Liu Lang lowered his voice and replied, "Liu Er."

"Has your master arrived?"

Chen Yi stepped forward slowly, strands of killing intent piercing through the antique wooden door with his every step, pressing in on those inside.

"I hope Young Master Liu will forgive my late-night visit."

Before he finished speaking, the wooden door creaked open inward, as if to welcome him.

Chen Yi strode inside without hesitation.

Liu Lang followed, glanced around, and gently closed the door.

Standing to one side of the main hall, long sword in hand, Liu Wen stared at Chen Yi with his narrow eyes, a smile appearing on his effeminate face.

"Black Tooth?"

Chen Yi glanced at him, took off his bamboo hat and placed it on the table, then nodded calmly. "The very same."

He then looked at the long sword in Liu Wen’s hand and gestured toward it. "Is this Young Master Liu’s way of saying I’m not welcome?"

Liu Wen paused, then sheathed his long sword and said with a smile and a cupped-fist salute, "The name Black Tooth is as famous as a clap of thunder. You are most welcome."

A man’s reputation is like a tree’s shadow.

Even though he was a direct descendant of the Jing State Liu Family and had plenty of ways to deal with Black Tooth and the Bright Moon Building.

But right here, right now, his cultivation was far inferior to Black Tooth’s.

Naturally, he wouldn’t put himself in danger.

Of course, more importantly, Liu Wen was somewhat curious about what business this Bright Moon Building elder had for him.

Seeing this, Chen Yi nodded. "I have long admired Young Master Liu as well. Seeing you today, you are truly a dragon among men."

Listening to their exchange of compliments, Liu Lang secretly grimaced.

He didn’t know whether Liu Wen truly welcomed "Black Tooth."

But he knew for a fact that his boss had no favorable impression of Liu Wen.

’Hard to believe the boss could say something like "a dragon among men" to his face.’

With these thoughts in mind, Liu Lang pretended he hadn’t heard anything and turned to stand guard at the door, facing outward.

After a few more pleasantries, Chen Yi and Liu Wen took their seats one after another.

"So, Elder Black Tooth, what business do you have with me? If it’s about Liu Jing’s death, I’m not interested."

Hearing Liu Wen’s blunt words, Chen Yi understood that he was indicating he knew the real reason for Liu Jing’s death.

At the same time, it was a subtle reminder and a threat—he wasn’t as easily fooled as Liu Jing.

Chen Yi paused for a moment. "I have a business deal I’d like to invite Young Master Liu to participate in."

Liu Wen thought, ’Just as I expected,’ a hint of disappointment showing on his face.

Still, he understood how the Bright Moon Building operated, so he asked, "What kind of deal?"

"The Xiao Family."

"If it’s a trivial matter like dealing with the Xiao Family Medicine Hall, I’m not interested."

"Such a minor deal would be beneath notice and naturally wouldn’t be worthy of your attention, Young Master."

Liu Wen raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Let’s hear it."

But to his surprise, Chen Yi just shook his head and said, "My apologies, Young Master Liu, but the Bright Moon Building has strict rules."

"If you wish to participate, you must show your sincerity."

Liu Wen froze, looking at him with a strange expression. "Are you saying I have to pay silver first just to find out the details of this deal?"

"Precisely. However, I can guarantee that after you hear it, you won’t care about a little bit of silver coins."

"...And what if I’m not interested in getting involved?"

"The silver coins will not be returned."

"..."

Liu Lang almost burst out laughing.

The Black Tooth he knew was certainly greedy, but he’d never demanded money upfront without revealing anything at all.

’How is this any different from extortion?’

But on second thought, he more or less understood his boss’s plan.

’After all, this is about something as huge as burning the summer grain of the Dingyuan Army’s three garrisons. If he just came out and said it, Liu Wen would inevitably become suspicious.’

’This seemingly "mysterious" demand for silver coins could later be justified as simple "caution."’

Sure enough, after meeting Chen Yi’s gaze for a moment, Liu Wen took a stack of silver notes from his robes and placed it on the table, saying with a smile,

"I hope your Bright Moon Building won’t disappoint me."

"We won’t."

As he spoke, Chen Yi picked up the stack of silver notes, thumbed through a few, but then placed them back on the table. "Not enough."

Liu Wen stared at him, stunned. "Two thousand silver... is not enough?"

Chen Yi shook his head, unmoved. "Indeed, it is not enough."

"Let me be blunt. The deal involves six hundred thousand silver coins. If you wish to know the details, Young Master, it will cost at least ten thousand silver coins."

Liu Wen stared at him blankly for a good while, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"Six hundred thousand... A huge deal indeed!"

With that, Liu Wen stood up and returned to the side room.

After he left, Liu Lang forgot about watching the outside and turned his head toward Chen Yi, his lips moving as he silently mouthed a question:

"Didn’t you say three hundred thousand?"

Chen Yi shot him a glare, signaling for him to shut his mouth and turn back around.

Liu Lang turned back resentfully. This time, he truly couldn’t figure out what his boss was planning.

’He can’t possibly be trying to get Liu Wen to fork over another thirty thousand gold, can he?’

HISS...

’Damn, the boss is really something else.’

’To casually talk about a deal worth three hundred thousand silver.’

「Before long.」

Liu Wen returned with the full amount in silver notes and placed them on the table. A sinister, effeminate smile touched his lips as he said,

"If you dare to deceive me, you know the consequences."

Chen Yi noncommittally put away the stack of silver notes, mentally chalking it up as repayment for the money previously given to Black Tooth.

Then, without further delay, he leaned close to Liu Wen’s ear and whispered a few words.

Liu Wen’s eyes shot wide open. He snapped his head to the side to look at him. "Truly?"

Chen Yi sat up straight and nodded slightly. "If Young Master Liu is interested, you’re in on this deal."

The smile on Liu Wen’s face gradually turned strange.

It was a mixture of shock, ruthlessness, and madness, among other things.

This time, he was genuinely stunned by the deal Black Tooth had described.

’How dare these people?’

’They’re actually going to burn the summer grain of the Three Towns? Aren’t they afraid of being hunted to the ends of the earth by the Xiao Family?’

Because of this, however, Liu Wen finally understood why Black Tooth had demanded ten thousand silver coins from him.

A deal of this magnitude would bring about a fatal disaster if it were even spoken of, let alone carried out.

Thinking of this, Liu Wen tried hard to suppress the complex thoughts in his mind.

"A deal like this is indeed beyond my expectations."

"I just don’t understand why you came to me, Elder Black Tooth."

Chen Yi had long anticipated his reaction and said in a calm tone,

"This matter is of great importance. With the help of the Liu Family, our chances of success will naturally be greater."

At this, Chen Yi paused, looked him directly in the eye, and continued, "Furthermore, this matter will benefit you."

"Once it is done, whether you wish to marry the Xiao Family’s eldest young lady or have other plans, your efforts will be doubly effective."

Liu Wen said in surprise, "You know I want to marry Xiao Wan’er?"

"If the Bright Moon Building didn’t have its sources, how would I dare come and trouble you, Young Master?"

Liu Wen nodded, understanding in his heart that "Black Tooth" was right.

He knew very well what would become of the Xiao Family after this deal was done.

The summer grain of the Three Towns burned, the Dingyuan Army short on silver and food, the Xiao Family driven to desperation, and accountability from the Imperial Court...

Under all this pressure, the Liu Family would have an opportunity to exploit.

At that time, whether he chose to loot a burning house or offer charcoal in a snowstorm, the goal of his trip could be accomplished.

"But even if I don’t participate, you and the Bright Moon Building will still go through with this deal, won’t you?"

Chen Yi chuckled. "Young Master Liu, you ask a question you already know the answer to."

"If I’m not mistaken, by tomorrow, news of your humiliation at the Xiao Family residence will have spread throughout Shu State City."

"Add to that the fact your second uncle was rejected when he went to the Xiao Family to propose marriage... what do you think people in Shu State will say about you? What rumors will spread about the Jing State Liu Family?"

Liu Wen’s face fell, and he glared at him coldly. "That’s no reason for me to participate!"

"Don’t you want to personally send the Xiao Family to their graves?"

"As far as I know, the likelihood of the Jing State Liu Family’s Patriarch position falling to your elder brother... is much greater!"