184: Chapter 184: Purchasing a Shop

Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, second-floor private room.

Xiao Ran continued to sip his tea, looking at the street scene outside the window.

The streets of the Sword Qi Great Wall were always crowded with people; Cultivators, Mortals, vendors, Loose Cultivators... all sorts of people mixed together, creating an incredible bustle.

He suddenly thought of the desolate appearance of the places outside the Sword Qi Great Wall, and then looked at the street before him, woven with a constant flow of people.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnect in his heart.

It was like comparing a remote, impoverished countryside to a top-tier metropolis.

They simply didn't seem like products of the same era.

While Xiao Ran was lost in thought, hurried footsteps came from downstairs.

Steward Qian Tong pushed the door open and entered, his Face beaming with smiles, and fine beads of sweat hanging from his forehead.

"Honored guest, sorry to keep you waiting, the Zhao family has agreed!"

He shouted as soon as he entered, as if afraid Xiao Ran would get impatient and run off.

Xiao Ran set down his teacup, remaining composed.

"What did they say?"

Steward Qian Tong sat down opposite him and lowered his voice.

"The Zhao family said the storefronts can be sold, but regarding the price, the Zhao family's Young Master wants to talk to you personally."

Xiao Ran raised an eyebrow: "Which Young Master?"

Steward Qian Tong smiled and said: "Young Master Zhao Lingyun. He is currently in charge of the Zhao family's most prosperous commercial street."

Hearing this name, Xiao Ran's expression froze for a moment.

Zhao Lingyun, that Zhao family Young Master whose thunder he had stolen at the Wan Hua Pavilion.

Last time at the teahouse, Zhao Lingyun had acted very level-headedly, knowing who to befriend and who to offend.

This request for a Face-to-Face meeting was likely about more than just the storefronts.

"Fine, when?"

Steward Qian Tong hurriedly said,

"Young Master Zhao said he's hosting a banquet at Zuixian Restaurant tonight and wishes to have a word with our honored guest."

Xiao Ran nodded: "Then tonight it is."

Steward Qian Tong was overjoyed and quickly stood up.

"I'll go reply to Young Master Zhao right away. Honored guest, please rest for now; I'll send someone to pick you up in the evening."

Xiao Ran waved his hand: "No need, I'll go myself."

Steward Qian Tong nodded repeatedly and left in a hurry.

Xiao Ran leaned back against the chair, watching the sun gradually sink in the west.

This Zhao Lingyun... interesting.

Last time I dealt with him using the identity of Li Bai; I wonder how this Young Master Zhao will react seeing me with my true Face this time.

...

Night fell, and the lights began to glow.

Zuixian Restaurant was located at the busiest intersection of the Sword Qi Great Wall, a three-story pavilion with upturned eaves, brackets, and elegantly carved beams and painted rafters.

Two strings of red lanterns hung in front of the building, bathing the entire street in a crimson glow.

This was the most high-end restaurant in the Sword Qi Great Wall; those who could host banquets here were mostly wealthy or influential.

As Xiao Ran stepped into Zuixian Restaurant, a servant in green clothes quickly came forward to greet him.

"How many in your party, guest?"

"A table reserved by Young Master Zhao."

The servant's eyes lit up: "You are Young Master Zhao's honored guest? Please follow me."

Clearly, Zhao Lingyun had already given word in advance.

The servant led Xiao Ran to the third floor and pushed open the door to the innermost private room.

The room wasn't large, but the decor was extremely elegant.

There was a rosewood round table, several chairs, and a landscape painting hanging on the wall depicting the magnificent scenery of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

A pot of orchids sat by the window, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance.

Zhao Lingyun was already there.

He sat by the window, holding a cup of tea, looking at the night view outside.

Hearing the door open, he turned his head.

Their eyes met.

Zhao Lingyun froze for a moment, then suddenly stood up, his eyes widening into circles.

"Young Master Li?"

Xiao Ran smiled: "Young Master Zhao, I hope you have been well."

Zhao Lingyun stared at him for three breaths, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.

There was no malice in that laughter; it was more like he had encountered something interesting.

"I knew it! I knew it!"

He slapped his thigh.

"That Li Bai at the Wanhua Assembly had an extraordinary bearing, was proficient in the four arts, had a Soul Transformation Stage cultivation, and was only in his twenties—how many people like that could there be in the entire Northern Territory?"

"Xiao Ran of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, hahaha, so it was you!"

Ever since Xiao Ran had entered the Wanbao Pavilion, he had stopped hiding his identity.

An impressive background was an excellent bargaining chip.

Using the name Li Bai before had merely been for the sake of showing off.

Xiao Ran cupped his hands: "Young Master Zhao has a keen eye."

Zhao Lingyun hurriedly came forward, taking Xiao Ran's hand to lead him further in.

"Sit, sit, sit! If I'd known it was you, why would I even talk about price? I could just give you the shops for free!"

Zhao Lingyun poured him tea, chattering away.

Xiao Ran picked up the teacup and took a sip: "Young Master Zhao overpraises me."

Zhao Lingyun waved his hand: "Don't call me Young Master Zhao, just call me Lingyun."

"We've crossed paths before, and from now on, we're friends."

Xiao Ran looked at him and nodded inwardly.

This person was indeed clever; he knew who was worth befriending.

He set down his teacup and said seriously: "About the matter of the shops..."

Zhao Lingyun gave a grand wave of his hand: "Those three shops in the east of the city have a market price of three hundred thousand Spirit Stones. You only need to give me two hundred thousand; the rest is on me to seal our friendship."

Xiao Ran: "Young Master Zhao, you're letting me take quite an advantage here."

Zhao Lingyun shook his head.

"The fact that you, Xiao Ran, are willing to come to the Far North Land to open a shop is showing respect to our Zhao family. What does this small favor matter? We'll have plenty of opportunities to cooperate in the future."

Xiao Ran thought for a moment, then took a cloth bag out of his storage ring and pushed it in front of Zhao Lingyun.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand. I can't let you take a loss."

Zhao Lingyun glanced at the cloth bag and didn't refuse, accepting it with a smile.

"Respectable!"

"From now on, those three shops in the east of the city are yours."

He took a Jade Slip from his robe and handed it to Xiao Ran.

"This is the title deed, keep it safe."

Xiao Ran took it, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and after confirming everything was correct, stored it in his storage ring.

Zhao Lingyun raised his teacup.

"Come, let's use tea instead of wine. I wish Brother Xiao a prosperous business!"

Xiao Ran also raised his teacup: "Thank you."

The two of them drank it all in one go and smiled at each other.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Lingyun suddenly lowered his voice.

"Brother Xiao, there's something I must remind you about."

Xiao Ran looked at him: "What is it?"

Zhao Lingyun said: "The people from the Sword Sect have been looking for you!"

Xiao Ran's heart stirred, but he remained calm on the surface: "What are they looking for me for?"

Zhao Lingyun shook his head: "I'm not exactly sure."

"But that lot from the Sword Sect are incredibly arrogant; it's likely not for anything good!"

Xiao Ran thought for a moment: "I understand, thanks for the reminder."

Zhao Lingyun waved his hand.

"Don't mention it. Your business is my business."

"If the Sword Sect people give you trouble, let me know. Although I can't beat them in a fight, the Zhao family still has some Face in the Far North Land."

Xiao Ran smiled and agreed: "Alright."

The two chatted for a while longer before Xiao Ran stood up to take his leave.

"Come by often!"

Zhao Lingyun stood at the door, watching his back disappear into the night, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Xiao Ran... interesting."

He murmured softly to himself and turned back into the room.