Chapter 355: Stone Gate Chamber of Commerce Opportunity

"But..." Third Master Gan began, displeased, but his sleeve was tugged by Steward Zhao.

Did he still want to settle this peacefully?

He let out a heavy sigh, turned, and said, "A-Jin, you go."

The guard behind him immediately turned and went downstairs to the Beisong Pharmacy.

During this time, He Lingchuan didn't speak much to Third Master Gan. He asked the proprietor for the best wine and poured it himself, drinking alone.

He exuded the air of his former days in Blackwater City. Third Master Gan tried to speak several times but was cut off by him, forced to suppress his anger and sit down.

This time, it took longer. About two incense sticks' worth of time passed before the guard returned.

"Is it done?"

"It's done." The guard whispered a few words into Third Master Gan's ear. The hunting dog was dead, and the hunter had extorted a large sum of money from them.

By this point, Third Master Gan's patience had nearly run out. He said in a deep voice, "Young Master He, can we talk now?"

He Lingchuan asked him an unrelated question: "What about the evil spirit on the long-tusked boar?"

"What evil spirit?" Third Master Gan was displeased. "You don't slander people like that."

He Lingchuan looked at his expression; he seemed genuinely unaware. "Why do you keep this long-tusked boar as a hunting companion? Everyone else uses hunting dogs, and some train golden leopards."

A hunting companion is a partner that helps with hunting.

Thinking about it, it seemed the commoners on the street couldn't see the ghostly face on the long-tusked boar either.

Why was it that only he, He Lingchuan, could see it at a glance?

"I found it as a cub once when hunting in the mountains. It looked nice, so I just kept it," Third Master Gan said, not understanding why he was asking these questions. "What's the fun in keeping the same hunting companion as everyone else? Being unique is what I pursue. A white wild boar is rare enough."

"Was there any incident a few months ago?"

"What do you mean?" Third Master Gan was annoyed by all these inexplicable questions. "Let's handle the important business first."

He Lingchuan smiled pleasantly. "So, Third Master Gan is already the head of the Gan family?"

Third Master Gan mumbled, "I suppose so." This kid's words were truly irritating.

He Lingchuan glanced at Steward Zhao, who offered a polite, accompanying smile.

"Alright, let's talk business then." He Lingchuan sat up straight, cleared his throat, and said, "I've decided to find another merchant caravan to go to Lingxu City. I won't trouble the Gan Merchant Association anymore. That's all."

Everyone listening was stunned. Third Master Gan couldn't hold back anymore and slammed his fist on the table. "Are you playing with me?!"

Steward Zhao had practically dragged him here, repeatedly emphasizing that he should be polite, and he had endured silently, being pushed around, only for this result?

"Yes, your attitude isn't good," He Lingchuan said with a smile. "I'm not satisfied."

After all, he was the client. He hadn't asked Third Master Gan to kneel and call him "dad" only because he found the child unfilial.

"You refuse a toast," Third Master Gan's face flushed crimson. "Grab him and search for the pass!"

Steward Zhao cried out, "Third Master, you mustn't!" but didn't lift a hand.

The guards behind him hesitated. Third Master Gan roared, "Go! You brat, you killed my elder brother and stole the pass, and now you dare to come here flaunting yourself and swindling people? I have every right to arrest you and hand you over to the authorities!"

The restaurant was noisy, and a crowd had already gathered below. Third Master Gan wasn't foolish; he immediately raised his voice to let the crowd downstairs enjoy the drama.

The street below indeed buzzed with excitement, but not because Third Master Gan was trying to arrest someone. It was because he had personally announced the death of his elder brother!

First Master Gan was dead!

The pillar of the Gan Merchant Association had fallen.

This news spread like wildfire, like a drop of water in hot oil, exploding and propagating wildly.

Upstairs, Third Master Gan was still unaware. He Lingchuan reminded him, "They can't defeat me." With that, three throwing knives shot out in a triangular formation, thudding into the pillar behind Third Master Gan.

One by his neck, one above his head, and one by his temple.

Third Master Gan was terrified. He cautiously recoiled, stood up, and took two steps back before saying, "This is Gan family territory. If I don't nod, you won't leave Wuze County, and no inn or post station will dare to shelter you!"

He Lingchuan smiled, "We'll see."

Having said his piece, Third Master Gan turned and thumped down the stairs.

Steward Zhao bowed to He Lingchuan, offered an apology, and followed Third Master Gan.

He Lingchuan beckoned a waiter to refill his wine jug, acting as if nothing had happened.

Seeing Third Master Gan, he felt as if he were looking at his former self.

When his original self ran rampant in Blackwater City, his backing was far stronger than Third Master Gan's. On the other hand, He Lingchuan clearly saw the seemingly amiable Steward Zhao digging a pit for Third Master Gan to fall into.

When Steward Zhao introduced He Lingchuan, he only mentioned that the Spider Queen had given the pass to this young man, but he didn't say a word about his past of killing bandits, nor that the caravan was able to get out of the swamp entirely due to the terms he had negotiated with the Spider Queen. From these two points, He Lingchuan had not only avenged Master Gan but was also the savior of the entire caravan.

Third Master Gan naturally assumed that He Lingchuan had merely swooped in, taking advantage of the situation.

But who could blame him? If it had been Master Gan, he certainly wouldn't have been so easily deceived.

Steward Zhao had indeed figured out Third Master Gan's temperament.

The spider on him also jumped back onto He Lingchuan's table, indicating that its mission was complete.

He Lingchuan tapped the table. "How about you run another errand for me? I think that Third Master Gan is going to cause trouble." He was the most authoritative on how scions like him thought. If they couldn't win openly, they would most likely resort to mischief in secret.

After all, he was a guest alone in a foreign land; if he threw a punch, he had to guard against a kick.

The spider rubbed its large eyes, and He Lingchuan sensed its displeasure:

"Why aren't you paying me for my work?"

"Of course, I'll pay."

He Lingchuan immediately asked a waiter to bring a fresh fish.

The fish was still thrashing even out of water, but that didn't stop the spider from eating it. He Lingchuan watched as the tiny creature injected venom into the fish; after a moment, the fish stopped moving.

Only then did the eyeball spider begin its meal.

Fully fed and satisfied, it slipped away.

Not long after, someone else came upstairs.

He Lingchuan recognized him at once: this was the "Second Master" he had glimpsed through the eyeball spider.

There were few guests on the second floor. The Second Master scanned the room, immediately fixed on He Lingchuan, and approached him.

"Excuse me, are you Young Master He?"

He Lingchuan said indifferently, "And you are?"

"My name is Shi, from the Stone Gate Merchant Association," the Second Master replied with a smile. "I have something to discuss with Young Master He. May I sit down while we talk?"

He Lingchuan gestured for him to "please" sit.

Coincidentally, the Second Master sat in Third Master Gan's previous seat. As he sat down, his gaze swept over He Lingchuan's waist, pausing for a moment before he quickly settled.

"We had a deep friendship with Guild Master Gan. Upon hearing of his unfortunate demise, we came to pay our respects," the Second Master said, shaking his head sadly. "The Gan family was at its peak. Alas, who can foresee the ways of the world?"

Hearing this, He Lingchuan understood why he was only arriving now; he had first gone to the Gan family to offer condolences, which was proper etiquette.

He deliberately asked, "Has Old Madam Mao woken up?"

"She has woken up and taken her medicine. I heard she fainted twice from crying earlier. Now, Second Master Gan is attending to her; his eyes are also swollen from weeping. Old Madam Mao was overwhelmed with grief, so we only saw her once."

He answered fluently, with details, clearly indicating he had genuinely been there.

"The Second Master is very thoughtful," He Lingchuan said, giving him an opening, and deliberately sighed. "I've been sitting here for over an hour, and I haven't even had a chance to set foot in the Gan residence."

Both He Lingchuan and the Second Master were well aware of why He Lingchuan was sitting there and why the Second Master had come.

The Second Master no longer feigned surprise. Although the young man before him was only seventeen or eighteen, he was not as impatient as others his age; otherwise, he could have directly asked, "Are you also here for the pass?"

So he got straight to the point: "I heard Young Master He is looking for a reliable merchant caravan to travel to the capital of the Demon Country?"

"Yes. I've only been in the county for less than two hours, Mr. Shi. Your information is very well-informed."

"Then I'll boldly recommend myself," the Second Master chuckled. "Our Stone Gate Merchant Association has operated the route from Wuze to Lingxu City, the capital of Beijia, for nineteen years. Aside from the first year, which coincided with internal strife in the Demon Country, the subsequent eighteen years have been smooth, with no loss of life. Among all merchant associations in Wuze County, this is a unique record."

He Lingchuan smirked slightly. "I'm not just looking for an escort. I need the convenience of a merchant caravan for customs clearance and other matters. If something comes up, the caravan must cooperate with me—that needs to be clear. Also, I'll only pay the remuneration after we've completed the journey to Lingxu City."

"And your purpose in going to Lingxu City?"

"Sightseeing."

The Second Master chuckled. The young man's pretense was so unconvincing. "How much danger is involved?"

"No real danger, just going to investigate some things."

"Not looking for trouble with anyone?"

"I have no such intention," He Lingchuan smiled. "I'm someone who avoids trouble myself."

The Second Master pondered.

He didn't know much about this young man, but the Demon Nest Swamp pass was with him, and this was an opportunity not to be missed.

Even if they escorted him and let him use the Stone Gate Merchant Association's name to move around, how much danger could there be?

Besides, merchant caravans usually transport passengers on long-distance round trips; why would they pry into their affairs?

No risk, no reward.

"No problem, it's settled then," the Second Master laughed heartily. "I'll be going on this trip too."

"Oh?" He Lingchuan chuckled. "Aren't you afraid I'll default on the payment?"

Both parties understood that the "remuneration" he spoke of wasn't money.

The Second Master exclaimed, "Distinguished guests from Songyang Prefecture are all prominent figures. Why would they default on a small merchant association like ours?"

Actually, they would. Important figures weren't necessarily above defaulting on small payments.

He Lingchuan's gaze dropped to his waist. "How did you figure that out?"

"The style and material of the scabbard on Young Master He's waist are quite unique. It's specifically given by Songyang Prefecture to first-class distinguished guests," the Second Master's gaze also rested on the scabbard. "Young Master He's treasured blade must be extraordinary. May I ask which master crafted it?"

"Li Fubo." After Li Fubo had helped He Lingchuan plant the Floating Life Blade, he had casually given him a scabbard, without mentioning it was a symbol for distinguished guests. Unexpectedly, this scabbard had saved him a lot of trouble and explanation thousands of miles away.

The Second Master was moved. "It was actually personally crafted by the Chief Grand Artificer of the Central Forge in Songyang Prefecture?"

Seeing his surprise, He Lingchuan became humble. "Master Li just happened to have some free time those few months."

The Second Master wouldn't take that seriously. If anyone could invite him, how would Li Fubo ever have free time? Moreover, Young Master He said "a few months"—Master Li Fubo spent months forging this one blade for him!