Chapter 85: Zhao Guangxi Goes Bankrupt, Shopkeeper Position Vacant
That night.
All the experts drawn from Wanlong Pounding House and the water station patrolled the desolate streets, occasionally bursting into suspected dens of Guo Lu Society and greenwood outlaws to make arrests.
The water station side only dispatched one first-rate expert, led by Jade Faced Duck Zhou Qing, along with Lin Shou Zhuo, He Qiang, and others.
The Wanlong Pounding House side dispatched multiple first-rate experts; Zheng Shicheng spared no expense, mobilizing troops and generals, even borrowing men from other pounding houses, vowing to avenge the severed ear.
There were hundreds of them, a vast crowd.
Most were grouped in tens, not far from each other; at the slightest disturbance, a signaling arrow would whistle through the sky, and within seven or eight breaths, teams from left and right would come to reinforce.
When the moonlight was at its brightest.
Yue Ting watched Bai Manlou and Xiao Qingchou boldly enter this place.
After confirming several times that there were no ambushing Guo Lu Society brothers nearby or on the flanks, he was stunned.
“Just you two?”
Bai Manlou said, “To deal with you lot, two are enough.”
With that, Bai Manlou’s sword light flared, Xiao Qingchou wielded a firearm, like autumn leaves sweeping in with murderous intent, charging into the crowd.
Soon, the sharp clashes of weapons and screams of agony rang out.
Primordial Great Umbrella Yue Ting abandoned his umbrella and fled, blood seeping from his shoulder, silently slipping into a dog hole in the wall.
Bai Manlou ignored him.
Bai Manlou hadn’t smelled that faint fragrance on Yue Ting; he must be a smart one who cherished his reputation or recognized the dangers of the paste fire.
A signaling arrow exploded in the sky.
Dense shadows came darting from all directions.
Bai and Xiao acted with extreme decisiveness.
The ground around their feet was filled with groans.
But there were only two outcomes: light wounds or instant death.
It was unclear where exactly those who wailed hysterically, heart-wrenching to hear, and curled up desperately fleeing were hurt or injured.
Suddenly, Xiao Qingchou’s eyes lit up, as if spotting a familiar face; he pointed at a group of slacking water carriers lagging at the rear and said,
“That one seems to be He Qiang.”
Among the group of water carriers, He Qiang was organizing weapons and devising tactics, but he suddenly noticed the other water carriers’ faces turning ghostly pale.
Lin Shou Zhuo seemed to think of something, his expression odd; he hid in the crowd, even stepping back a few paces, not advancing.
He Qiang’s hairs stood on end instantly; his qi and blood surged wildly, his body expanding ferociously like an inflating balloon, bristles erect like steel needles, veins writhing madly.
Just like a raging black boar!
He whipped around, saw Bai Manlou and the other, startled but not panicked; a mad glint flashed in his eyes as he charged!
Bastard!!! Break for me—
Then he was successfully captured.
Xiao Qingchou gripped He Qiang’s left shoulder blade with one hand, Bai Manlou his right.
Both thrust in their strength, surging into He Qiang’s body to probe his meridians and bones, confirming his qi and strength.
He Qiang instantly deflated like a punctured fish bladder, his whole body slumping limply, unable to muster any strength.
Xiao Qingchou’s eyes showed relief.
“I knew it—you’re not him! Good, good…”
Bai Manlou smiled, released his grip, turned, and charged toward other foes.
“I thought you were some hero; turns out you’re a waste.”
The two departed.
He Qiang’s legs buckled, nearly sliding to his knees; propping against the wall corner to stand, his face flushed white then red, he gnashed his teeth.
“Outrageous bullying!”
The other water carriers, seeing this, finally breathed a sigh of relief and rushed over to check He Qiang’s injuries.
Meanwhile, Lin Shou Zhuo felt the cold gloves on his arms, his mind wandering aimlessly.
His earlier decisive retreat and protective maneuvers for the group.
Somehow resembled… Chen Shun’an?
“Damn, I’ve been too influenced by Old Chen!”
Lin Shou Zhuo’s heart tightened.
By dawn, the screams had completely ceased.
Ordinary folk appeared on the streets, peering about curiously.
Yue Ting emerged from who-knows-where, brushed the dust off himself, his shoulder sword wound like a badge of honor.
He swaggered up to the pounding house gang members carrying corpses and tending the wounded.
Yue Ting said, “Last night, the Guo Lu Society mob came out in full force, allied with greenwood riffraff, catching us off guard… We defended fiercely, fought them bloody, paid a heavy price, and finally drove them off. Got it?”
The crowd was stunned, then caught on, responding in unison.
“That’s exactly what happened.”
……
Zhao Mansion, back courtyard, study room.
The room door was open, the clacking of the abacus strikingly clear in the night.
Zhao Guangxi had been tallying accounts all night.
Expenses from the Lingguan Intercepting Meeting, principal and interest from various small loans, water fee accounts from the well shop, and the recent dividend from Zheng Shicheng.
“Still some losses for now, but in two months it’ll turn profitable; within half a year, accounts will balance. This deal’s worth it.”
Zhao Guangxi satisfiedly set down the ink brush, closed the stack of account books like a small mountain, and pulled out a tobacco pouch with a crane leg stem.
Being a landlord is tough—looks glamorous, with grand halls and pavilions, luxuries beyond the common man.
But the pressure of cash flow, probes from hostile factions, feeding the brothers below—all rely on him.
“I, Zhao, am truly a good landlord.”
Zhao Guangxi sighed to himself, a touch smug.
Suddenly, a chill wind blew, flickering the candle.
Zhao Guangxi’s gaze steady, he said, “Door’s open for you, yet you insist on wall-crawling thievery—you Martial World drifters really lack manners.”
“Heh, habit.”
A mild voice came; a figure appeared in the study.
“Landlord Zhao, such refined taste—others savor long nights with beauties in arm; you? Rattling abacus beads all night.”
Zhao Guangxi looked up at the visitor, not much surprised.
“Are you the Ritual Hall Master of Guo Lu Society? May I know the Hall Master’s esteemed name, and the purpose of your visit today?”
“Just call me Money Grabber.”
The Ritual Hall Master bowed politely, exuding Confucian grace.
Hearing the nickname ‘Money Grabber,’ Zhao Guangxi instantly went on alert.
His money bag suddenly felt unsafe.
And ‘ritual’ implied ritual gifts or presents.
Money Grabber chuckled, “Here today to borrow some travel expenses from Landlord Zhao for a bit of spending.”
Zhao Guangxi laughed.
Gangsters rampant in Shu Land, emperors of their turf—yet a Guo Lu Society Hall Master so broke he had to borrow from him?
Money Grabber rubbed his hands, grinning sheepishly.
“Truth be told, brothers headed north to the capital in haste, skimped on everything, even hit up a few for handouts just to cover travel fees barely.
Capital living’s no cheap joke—you know, Landlord Zhao. Everything costs silver: brothers’ pills and dietary supplements, lodging and meals, informant payoffs…
Money everywhere, poor Red Fifth Master’s jacket—patched where torn, torn where patched, nearly a Hundred-Patch Elder; one more wear and it’d be undignified!”
Zhao Guangxi shook his head. “Fine, how much?”
Money Grabber made a scissors sign.
Two thousand silver taels?
Zhao Guangxi nodded calmly—not too much.
“Twenty thousand taels,” Money Grabber said softly.
Zhao Guangxi nearly lost it, almost smashing a cup as signal to summon dozens of mansion guards to chop him into mince.
Twenty thousand taels?
That’s my life he’s after!
Seeing Zhao Guangxi’s look, Money Grabber hurriedly explained.
“A loan—this is a loan, not a handout.”
Hah, like throwing meat buns to dogs—money lent to you Guo Lu Society ever coming back?
“In return, if Landlord Zhao has grudges or eyesores, us Guo Lu Society brothers stand ready to settle them for you.”
Black gloves?
Zhao Guangxi shook his head. “Hall Master misunderstands. My water station already dominates the capital, black and white in pocket—who I dislike, I wipe out. No need for your hands.”
“I beg to differ. Water station’s a big fish in a mud pit, all sorts of constraints, broken bones still connected by sinew—it’s all favors.
How’s that our out-of-towners? We act clean, no strings. Otherwise, does Landlord Zhao not want Zheng Shicheng dead?”
“This…”
Zhao Guangxi’s eyes showed hesitation.
“And I’ll toss in a tip for Landlord Zhao.
That half-brother of yours, also one of Wuqing County water station’s nine landlords, lately cozying up to some Five Rivers Branch consul—close enough to threaten your promotion…”
Zhao Guangxi immediately agreed.
“Deal! But I don’t have that much cash; it’ll take months in batches. Five thousand taels first this time.”
“No problem, no problem…”
Money Grabber nodded satisfiedly.
For the moment, both got what they wanted, thoroughly pleased.
Incense ties are fake.
Interests are real.
“Zhao here also wants to discuss: before you target Wanlong Pounding House or anyone from water station, could you tip me off privately? Like yesterday’s Lingguan Intercepting Meeting—left me very passive.”
Money Grabber shook his head.
“Sorry to disappoint, Landlord Zhao. ‘Big Black Hat’ said this capital trip prioritizes the big picture above all—even our lives come second. No room for personal favors.”
“Oh, does Landlord Zhao know Zheng Shicheng’s dens, his properties in Wuqing County or even the capital?”
Zhao Guangxi said, “Open and hidden, three or four spots, like Goldfish Alley… Wait—don’t tell me Zheng Shicheng dared slip out quietly?”
By the end, Zhao Guangxi looked shocked.
Money Grabber nodded. “Zheng Shicheng left the mansion long ago. Tian Xuan Saint holds Zheng Mansion, with immortal family treasures disrupting qi.
Red Fifth Master and us forced our way in, but no Zheng Shicheng—just a shell. He’s likely fled deep, to some hidden spot. We hit Goldfish Alley spots too—no sign of him.”
“Then I’m powerless to help.”
Moments later, Money Grabber drifted away.
Still no door—through window to rooftop, leaping high and low.
Not a single mansion guard noticed.
The maidservant guarding outside the study dozed with a lantern.
Until daylight grew, Zhao Guangxi gradually learned of last night’s string of massacres—blood and guts, many dead.
Even Zhao Guangxi was secretly appalled.
At breakfast, Zhao Guangxi’s family of five gathered.
Zhao Guangxi said to a curvaceous woman,
“Wife, pawn all these coral bonsai, gold plates, jade bowls—pretty but useless stuff in the house.”
The woman was stunned.
Zhao Guangxi, weary and half-dead looking, sighed.
“Eat pickled veggies for months—our house… is going bankrupt.”
……
Past midnight, in Chaodou Hutong, San Dezi and Scarred Liu were woken by screams and signaling arrows from the county, sleepless all night.
Wife timid, children scared.
Fortunately, after rising at night, they saw Chen Shun’an at the alley entrance, smoking dry tobacco.
Gutter leaves clogged with green moss; Chen Shun’an guarded the long night alone, while outside the alley raged battles and grudges the wind couldn’t carry in.
At that moment, in Scarred Liu and San Dezi’s eyes, Chen Shun’an was like a heavenly god descended.
Just after breakfast, Lin Shou Zhuo returned, still radiating killing aura.
He brought shocking news—
Last night, heavy casualties in the county—not just black market’s Yin Qian Cui dead, but Wanlong Pounding House and even water station side suffered badly!
Including figures like Well Shopkeeper, Shopkeeper Li!
“Verified: those dead shopkeepers had dirty hands! Tied to black market Yin Qian Cui—embezzling water fee accounts, low buy high sell, luring water carriers to burn hibiscus paste fire.”
Lin Shou Zhuo stayed outside, lest he scare courtyard women and children.
Everyone stood in the hutong passage.
By now, Lin Shou Zhuo hid nothing, telling San Dezi, Scarred Liu, and others about the hibiscus paste fire too.
At this, all including Chen Shun’an were shaken.
Those dead shopkeepers were acquaintances—even shared drinks at the same table once!
Lips gone, teeth cold; shared fate!
But fortunately, learning Guo Lu Society brothers truly targeted the paste fire, no innocents slaughtered.
San Dezi, Scarred Liu, and others slightly relieved.
Dead friends, not this poor Daoist.
We never touched that stuff anyway—who they kill, whatever.
Still, Chen Shun’an seemed to think of something, expression odd.
“So, doesn’t that mean lots of vacancies opening up? Even shopkeeper spots?”
