80: Timely help

A week later, inside the study of Jin Wanguan at the headquarters of the Four Seas Merchant Guild.

This guild president, who was usually shrewd and calculating—known as the "Golden Abacus"—now looked like an aging lion trapped in a cage. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was disheveled, and he stared intently at the open ledger on his desk. The shocking red numbers on it were like venomous snakes biting at his heart.

"Three hundred thousand... a gap of exactly three hundred thousand gold coins! Those vampires at Longchang Hao are still desperately making runs on us, and the payments for goods from various places are being pressed hard... The goods stuck in the warehouse can't be sold off for a while..." Jin Wanguan suddenly swept the ledger to the floor, letting out a low growl of suppressed despair. "Damn this storm! Damn that unfilial son!"

At the thought of his useless son, Jin Buhuan—who not only suffered from a strange disease requiring sky-high prices for medicinal ingredients to sustain his life but had also incurred a massive debt of five hundred thousand gold coins at a casino controlled by the Cao Gang just a few days ago! This was truly the last straw that broke the camel's back!

"Master..." The old housekeeper stood to the side, looking troubled, and reported cautiously, "The Cao Gang... Gang Leader Li of the Cao Gang sent word. He said they could lend us money for the emergency, but... the monthly interest is four percent. Or... or they want us to help them completely take over an industry of the Hundred Flowers Palace, like 'Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion'. They are willing to offer eight hundred thousand gold coins, which, although far below the market price, but..."

"Four percent interest?! Why don't they just go and rob someone!" Jin Wanguan trembled with anger. "Take over Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion? That would mean completely falling out with the Hundred Flowers Palace! I, Jin Wanguan, have been in business my whole life and have never done such a thing as kicking someone when they are down or resorting to robbery!" More importantly, he vaguely felt that once he was completely tied to the Cao Gang's war chariot, the Four Seas Merchant Guild might never have a day of independence again.

Just as the atmosphere in the study became stagnant and despair spread, a trusted manager hurriedly knocked and entered.

"Master, there is a young man named Qin Feng outside asking for an audience. He says... he can help Master solve the current problem."

"Qin Feng?" Jin Wanguan frowned, having no impression of the name. At this moment, he was distracted and in no mood to see some unknown person. He waved his hand impatiently, "I won't see him! Just say I'm busy!"

However, the manager did not leave immediately. He hesitated for a moment and added, "Master, that person also said... he said he has the antidote to the Young Master's 'Yin Marrow Cold Poison'..."

"What?!" Jin Wanguan felt as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. He suddenly sprang up from his chair, his eyes bursting with unbelievable light. "You... what did you say? An antidote? Quick! Invite him in quickly! No! I will go and welcome him personally!"

Any business crisis or funding gap seemed less important in the face of his son's only chance at life. He stumbled out of the study and reached the reception hall at his fastest speed.

In the hall, a young man dressed in green cloth clothes, with a handsome face and a calm temperament, was standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the furnishings in the hall. It was indeed Qin Feng.

"Your Excellency is Young Master Qin, Qin Feng?" Jin Wanguan suppressed his excitement and tried to maintain the demeanor of a guild president, but his voice still carried a trace of trembling.

"I am Qin Feng. Greetings, President Jin." Qin Feng turned around, cupped his hands in a salute, and looked calmly at this businessman who was in a desperate situation.

"Young Master Qin, please sit down!" Jin Wanguan hurriedly greeted him and asked impatiently, "The servant just sent word that you have the antidote for my son's cold poison? Is this... is this true?" His eyes were full of hope and fear, afraid of hearing a negative answer.

Qin Feng did not answer directly but took out a small warm jade bottle from his bosom and gently placed it on the table. "This is the 'Crimson Sun Calamity-Dispelling Pill', specifically for counteracting Yin Marrow Cold Poison. President Jin can find a trustworthy physician to verify it."

This Medicinal Pill was exactly what his blue intelligence from a few days ago had pointed to—in the hands of a retired Alchemy Great Master in the West Lake City black market, there happened to be a cherished finished product. Qin Feng had spent a lot of effort and a portion of gold coins to purchase it. To him, the value of this pill was far greater than using it to exchange for direct gold coins.

With trembling hands, Jin Wanguan picked up the jade bottle and pulled out the stopper. A burst of hot, pure Yang medicinal fragrance that refreshed the spirit instantly filled the air. Although he was not proficient in the Dao of Alchemy, he was widely experienced. Just from this medicinal fragrance and the natural pill clouds on the pill, he knew that this pill was definitely not an ordinary item and was very likely the right cure!

He suddenly looked up at Qin Feng with a complex gaze: "Young Master Qin, I cannot thank you enough for such great kindness! It's just... Young Master must have heard about my current situation. This pill... I'm afraid I can't provide the equivalent amount of money for the time being..."

Qin Feng waved his hand and said calmly, "President Jin, you've misunderstood. This pill is not for sale."

"Then what does Young Master mean?"

"I am a Deacon of the Hundred Flowers Palace, Qin Feng."

Jin Wanguan's pupils shrank slightly, and he immediately understood the other party's intention. Hundred Flowers Palace! He was actually from the Hundred Flowers Palace! Countless thoughts flashed through his mind: shame, caution, and a hint of realization.

Qin Feng continued, "I heard that President Jin has been having a hard time lately and the guild is facing difficulties. Although my Hundred Flowers Palace has had some misunderstandings with your guild, we are not unreasonable. This pill is a token of our Hundred Flowers Palace's goodwill, hoping to alleviate your son's suffering. I only hope that President Jin and the Four Seas Merchant Guild will not be manipulated by others in the future to suppress my Hundred Flowers Palace."

Jin Wanguan's face turned red. Although the other party didn't point it out explicitly, the meaning was clear. The previous actions of his Four Seas Merchant Guild were indeed coerced by the Cao Gang, which was a low blow.

"Deacon Qin is truly noble. I... am ashamed!" Jin Wanguan bowed deeply, his heart filled with mixed emotions. The other party had not only sent a life-saving pill but also given him such a graceful way out. This favor was too great.

"President Jin, there's no need for this." Qin Feng helped him up and changed the subject, "As for your guild's current financial predicament, I might also be able to offer a little help."

As he spoke, he took out the Imperial Bank gold card given by City Lord, which contained one hundred thousand gold coins, and placed it on the table.

"This is one hundred thousand gold coins, interest-free, given to President Jin for your emergency."

"What? An interest-free gift?" Jin Wanguan was shocked again. One hundred thousand gold coins, while not enough to completely fill the guild's hole, was enough to solve the current run on the bank, stabilize the foundation, and win some breathing room! This was truly providing help in the hour of need!

"Deacon Qin, this... how can this be? I am unworthy of such a generous gift!" Jin Wanguan felt as if he were dreaming. Not only did the Hundred Flowers Palace not take advantage of his misfortune, but they also sent one great gift after another?

"President Jin, don't be in a hurry to refuse." Qin Feng smiled slightly, his smile carrying a hint of deep meaning, "This money is, of course, not given for nothing. I have a condition, or rather, a cooperation proposal."

"Deacon Qin, please speak!" Jin Wanguan said solemnly. There is no such thing as a free lunch; he knew this well.

"It's simple." Qin Feng's gaze was calm but carried a kind of unquestionable power. "From today onwards, the Four Seas Merchant Guild will stop all suppression of the Hundred Flowers Palace's industries and form a commercial Alliance with my Hundred Flowers Palace. In certain specific Domains, such as the supply of medicinal ingredients and some luxury goods channels, we can prioritize cooperation and share resources. Together, we will deal with... certain ill-intentioned forces."

He didn't explicitly mention the Cao Gang, but Jin Wanguan understood perfectly.

Jin Wanguan fell silent. This meant he would have to stand completely on the opposite side of the Cao Gang. The Cao Gang was powerful, and Li Kui was a Late Stage Martial King... the risk was enormous.

But he looked at the life-saving pill on the table, the emergency gold card, and then thought of the Cao Gang's predatory four percent interest and their wild ambition to annex his industries, as well as the sincerity and boldness shown by the Hundred Flowers Palace at this moment... He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his heart.

A moment later, Jin Wanguan suddenly looked up, the shrewdness and decisiveness of the past returning to his eyes. He slapped the table hard: "Fine! Deacon Qin is straightforward and full of sincerity! I, Jin Wanguan, am not someone who doesn't know what's good for me! Previously, I was confused and deceived by others! From now on, my Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Hundred Flowers Palace will be allies! We shall advance and retreat together!"

He picked up the gold card, feeling its weight. This was not just money; it was a promise, a bond that tied him to the Hundred Flowers Palace.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate, President Jin."

"It's a pleasure to cooperate, Deacon Qin!" Jin Wanguan firmly shook Qin Feng's hand, a smile of relief mixed with determination finally appearing on his face.

He knew that from this moment on, the landscape of West Lake City would change. And the Four Seas Merchant Guild had found an unexpected way out of its desperate situation. By pulling the rug out from under them, the Cao Gang's Alliance had been torn wide open by Qin Feng.