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Xu Yanwei was not an expert in negotiation, but that that day was just a disaster. Dragon King patiently listened to her nagging, nodding absently, just like one of those patronizing old women listening at the feet of their masters.
In the end, Xu Yanwei gave up. Since the first time she met Dragon King, back when he was still called ”Slave Huan”, none of her moves had ever succeeded.
”That's all.” Xu Yanwei took a long sip of tea to soothe her dry throat, ”Dragon King, do you think it is useful?”
To Xu Yanwei's surprise, Dragon King nodded, pondered for a while before asking her: ”Is Jin Quan a guest of Pleasure Alley?”
”Yes, he is. He has been with Xiao Ju for almost half a year now. He used to say that he would redeem himself and start a life with her, but I have not seen him recently. I keep telling Xiao Ju, she can't take the words of her guests seriously.”
Despite her hoarse voice, Xu Yanwei wanted to go on, but Gu Shenwei interrupted her and ordered her, ”Find out what Jin Quan is busy with and inform me immediately.”
”No problem.” Xu Yanwei brightened again, jumped up to move, but as she took a step, she turned around again and said softly: ”Dragon King, I don't have money.”
Xu Yanwei left the Residence of Dragon King very satisfied. She had obtained other ten thousand taels, enough to cover the expenses for another month. If only the luck of the brothel turned, she was sure that money would not be a problem soon.
Although she was only in her early twenties, Xu Yanwei believed she was past her prime: the old tricks she had once used were pathetic would not work anymore, so she decided to become a Procuress and to devote herself to teach and foster a new generation of famous prostitutes.
The twenty thousand taels from Dragon King was a good start.
In only two months, three at most, the money could double, she thought happily. As she arrived at Pleasure Alley, she immediately jumped into action and in less than four hours, she had all the news Dragon King needed.
Gu Shenwei was especially interested in Jin Quan. He had discovered long ago that he was First Young Master Meng's housekeeper.
Now he wanted to know whether Jin Quan could be bought, but the news he received from Xu Yanwei was even better than expected.
Jin Quan had not actually abandoned Miss Xiao Ju, but he had been preparing to leave for a long trip to deal with some important matters.
Xu Yanwei was extremely excited with her newly acquired ten thousand taels, and proved herself better than her younger brother at finding out some news, almost guessing the real intentions of Dragon King. She ran from brothel to brothel, to call on Procuresses and gossip with them. After gathering information, she reached this conclusion: it was First Young Master Meng himself who was ready to leave for a long trip, Jin Quan was only following his master to help him in his business.
First Young Master Meng, Meng Mingkuan, was almost impeccable. He was going to inherit a huge property, but he could not demand as much from his subordinates as his father had. They were loyal to their master, but at the same time, they also wanted to enjoy their lives.
When they were indulging with the women of Pleasure Alley, there was no man who could keep his mouth shut. Although everyone was confident that they had not revealed the whole situation, a few words were enough for a clever prostitute, only, most of the time, they did not care about these kinds of information. All they really wanted was to extort more money from their guests.
Gu Shenwei and Maid Lotus made an effort to keep on the investigation under wraps without leaving any trace. Finally, in the New Moon Hall, in the Meng's residence, they received the most explicit piece of information: in three days, Meng Mingkuan would leave for Shu-lik.
The machetemen of Tuo Nengya's subordinates had seriously damaged the Meng family's network of the merchants, especially those from Shu-lik, which was almost completely paralysed.
Shu-lik was the largest country in the Western Region, and its importance could not be overlooked. First Young Master Meng had received two orders from his father. First, to bring a big sum of money to alleviate the economic crisis. Even though the losses were only temporary, they could not damage the Meng family's reputation and prestige. Second, to buy over some ministers from Chaozhong, and sort out the story for this grievous plunder.
Meng Yuzun had already smelled the conspiracy in Shu-lik: he suspected that someone must have been secretly collaborating with Dragon King, otherwise, the looting would not have been successful and the event would have been void of evidence.
The Meng family already had many steady supporters in Shu-lik. Now it was their turn to stand for the Meng family.
Meng Ziyun hoped that the news of his eldest son leaving Jade City for Shu-lik remained a secret, but he was also worried for his safety. Therefore, he made sure to prepare on both sides.
Golden Roc Fort sent to Shu-lik thirty killers and one hundred machetemen, who were hired in name to protect Meng family's property, but whose task was in fact, to protect First Young Master Meng along the way.
Meanwhile, many of the machetemen in South City had begun to stir restlessly, hanging around Dragon King's surveilling, which made Old Meng have no more illusions the matter. He also wanted to give the impression of a surprise attack against Dragon King. In this way, he thought, he would trap Dragon King in his residence, leaving him without the energy to do anything else.
But once he understood the facts, all the events at the Meng's residence and the Golden Roc Fort became just clear evidence to Gu Shenwei.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kill. That very night, Gu Shenwei and Maid Lotus started to formulate a plan and the following day they set out to prepare.
As First Young Master Meng had the close protection from Golden Roc's killers, whose assassination methods could be predicted. However, since The Agreement between the two killers could not be broken, they decided to adopt a less conventional method.