281 A Transaction (2/2)

”Where's the expert you raised?”

”Experts are used for more complicated matters, something as small as that can easily be resolved by some money. Take off your clothes.”

The last statement was more like an order, and Gu Shenwei hesitated before untying his cape and taking off his shirt. His wounds were only wrapped in cloth, which had started to bleed again.

If most people, including men, saw the Dragon King's crisscrossed scars, they would gasp in horror. However, Xiao Fengchai did not even flinch, or perhaps she just concealed it well. Her hands were also very stable as she wiped the blood, poured on the medical powder, and carefully wrapped up the three wounds.

”To tell the truth, I am a bit surprised. The Dragon King actually trusted me so quickly.” Xiao Fengchai put down the items in her hands and sat down across from Gu Shenwei.

”I don't trust anyone; I just think this deal is worthwhile.”

”Well, the Dragon King's deal is very attractive to me, but since Dragon King heard my conversation with my second brother, you should know that we also have a deal.”

”What does the Second Young Master Meng want the Great Snowmountain to do for him?” Gu Shenwei had already thought of who the man was—Meng Mingshu, the second young master of the Meng family of North City. He vaguely remembered seeing this person from afar a few years ago. Xiao Fengchai's calling him ”second brother” enabled him to finally grasp that vague glimmer of memory.

”The Meng family has business all over the Western Region, but these businesses will fall into Meng Mingkuan's hands sooner or later.”

Meng Mingkuan was the eldest young master and the heir of the Meng family. Everyone in the Western Region knew this name.

”The second Young Master Meng must not be too happy.”

”Who said that he wasn't? They are brothers of the same womb. The first-born gets everything and the younger one gets nothing at all.”

”Does the Second Young Master want to be the boss?”

”He is not that cruel.” There was an edge in Xiao Fengchai's voice. ”He only wants what he deserves. The Shu-lik country is one of Meng family's most important business partners. There are five banks there. I hope... we hope that the Dragon King will shut down these banks' business until my second brother comes to their rescue.”

The Meng family controlled more than half of the Western Region's transactions. Offending the Meng family meant that, in the future, one could only secretly transfer the golds and silvers for a high price. Other than the Dragon King, you could not find any other person who would dare to do this kind of thing.

”How do I benefit from this?”

”The same as before, 20%. Even 20% of the Meng family's total wealth in the Shu-lik country is a big fortune. I'll even give a concession of 10% for doing business with me.” Xiao Fengchai's face revealed a strange smile, which made the cold numbers seem heart-warming.

”I will think about it.” Gu Shenwei only wanted to find a temporary hiding place. He did not intend to participate in the conspiracy and the feud within the Meng family so soon.

”I am not in a hurry. Please have some rest. I will take care of the things outside,” said Xiao Fengchai. As she walked up to the stairs, she suddenly stopped, saying, ”I'm sleeping right upstairs. Let me know if there's anything you need.”

This might have been a hint, but Xiao Fengchai's face seemed too serious. Gu Shenwei only nodded without saying anything.

Early in the next morning, Gu Shenwei went upstairs and jumped out through the window. Xiao Fengchai was still sound sleep. She muttered something at the noise.

After nearly 20 days of struggling in Jade City, Gu Shenwei felt that it was time to negotiate. He certainly could not just appear and speak the words. It was best to leave this task to a party with great influence in the entire Western Region.

Gu Shenwei wandered around all day with his real face, listened to the residents chatting, and ate some food. Not until nighttime did he cross the border walls and enter North City.

There was an ordinary-sized temple in North City, with only one main hall and four or five rooms. Aside from the abbot, only two monks resided there.

Gu Shenwei was looking for them.

The Four Truths Temple held a special status in Jade City and throughout the Western Regions. Agreements signed there were sacred and could not be violated. Since Master Lianhua was a Holy Monk, it would be the best if he could bring up the negotiation.

Gu Shenwei walked around the temple and found no signs of ambush, so he climbed over the wall and entered.

Monks mingled with jianghu charlatans. It baffled Gu Shenwei. He thought for a long time and felt that there must be some hidden reason that he had to get to the bottom of.

He quietly walked around in the yard. The abbot slept soundly, snoring sonorously; while no sounds came from the opposite room. He had come here a few days ago, and had gotten to know Lianhua and Lianye who lived here. But at that time, he had not shown himself.

Gu Shenwei knocked on the door but he suddenly felt that something was wrong. He stepped back two steps and took hold of the Five Peaks Saber. The room was too quiet, even a Holy Monk should have made some noise.

The door shattered into pieces without warning, and a suffocating gust of wind rushed out.

Gu Shenwei did not retreat; he swung his saber as fast as lightning. A silver ball emerged in his hands, hitting all of the wooden pieces flying at him. In that instant, a monk charged through the broken doors and attacked.

The killer retreated to the opposite side of the courtyard. The monk stood in the same place, swinging left and right like a drunkard. Both men moved in the air. The monk's large robes fluttered and spread widely; he looked like a giant gray bat under the moonlight.

”What happened?” a strange voice asked from behind Gu Shenwei.

The sleeping abbot had been woken up by sounds of the broken door and came out to see what was going on.

Gu Shenwei turned around with a palm and struck the abbot's neck. The fat monk collapsed softly.

The monk heard these sounds and growled. Like a fierce tiger, he pounced across the yard and single-handly smashed the pillars into half.

Gu Shenwei hid again at a distance. This strange monk was clearly Monk Lianye. He had no scars on his body, but his expression was both sorrowful and panicky. He did not use his eyes to see, but rather, he turned his head sideways to listen; he was obviously blind.

The monk relied on listening to the wind to find the enemy, but Gu Shenwei slowed his breathing and remained completely motionless.

”Dragon King, I know it is you.” The tone of Lianye's voice seemed to contain deep hatred. ”Was it not enough to kill my senior brothers, but you have to come and destroy the body as well?”

Gu Shenwei turned to look around. There was a flag on the South wall. Although he could not see the shape and color, he knew that it was definitely the Black Blood Flag of the Dragon King of the Great Snowmountain.