170: Plan B

"You are wrong again." Zhong Xiaoran looked at the rows of tiled houses below the building, his hands gripping the railing tightly, a sharp, cold light flashing in his eyes.

"Besides the money we can see, there is also the reputation of my Zhong Family.

We cannot possibly kill all those Loose Cultivators we've already offended.

We are riding a tiger and find it hard to get off; if we still can't catch him and let the immortal water be sold..."

"Word will spread from ten to a hundred, and even if we carry out that matter later, it will be just as humiliating!

A mere Qi Induction Realm pipsqueak is only hiding in the shadows by relying on the large population of Hengan City.

I'm going back now to ask your Eldest Uncle to end his seclusion, along with your grandfather and several Clan Elders. Even if he is in the Ningquan Realm, he must die!"

Zhong Yunzhou's eyes widened; he hadn't expected this answer.

It was just a small medicinal formula. For their Zhong Family, it wasn't their main business and was dispensable, yet now the whole Family was being mobilized.

Facing Third Uncle's turning gaze, Zhong Yunzhou swallowed hard.

After two consecutive wrong answers, he knew that his next words would determine whether he could continue to stay by the side of this 'Shadow Patriarch.'

He recalled Third Uncle's emphasis from beginning to end—profit.

After a moment of deliberation, Zhong Yunzhou looked up:

"Third Uncle, I will take men and continue searching in the east and north of the city, while you, Grandfather, and the others lie in wait elsewhere.

If we still haven't caught him within twenty days, then our Zhong Family will let go completely and ignore it.

We cannot delay the cultivation of Grandfather and the Clan Elders. When the time comes, we'll carry out that matter; it's better to mend the fold late than never!"

"Do you really think so?" Zhong Xiaoran asked, his eyelids drooping with a pressure like the calm before a storm.

Zhong Yunzhou nodded decisively:

"Reputation is something that can be earned back, but once time is gone, it's truly gone.

It's so chaotic outside, and we don't know if anyone else is coming. Our Zhong Family's main business must strike first to gain the advantage.

Future matters are uncertain.

If this person defects to the Huang Family or the City Lord, we will be very passive. Continuing to wait around carries too much risk."

Zhong Xiaoran's face cleared like the sun coming out after clouds, and he laughed toward the sky:

"Hahaha! Good!

You have thirty percent of my brains. Remember, look at everything in terms of pros and cons; don't ask about good or bad.

You are the first in the Zhong Family's younger generation to reach Qi Induction. In your actions, you must understand sacrifice and set a good example.

It doesn't matter if we lose this time; we'll just take it back with interest next time. Most importantly, you must have a view of the big picture.

Go and make the arrangements. I will personally go and invite your grandfather."

"Yes!"

After his nephew left, a ruthless light shone in Zhong Xiaoran's eyes:

"Still calling yourself 'Old Medicine'?

You'd better not show your face and stay a rat for the rest of your life. Otherwise, I'll play you to death!"

...The west wind blew hard; midsummer was passing, and the nights were beginning to grow cool.

Jiang Hanwen finished the tea in his cup and took out the storage ring.

The lamplight shone on the surface of the silver ring, creating a halo of light.

By yielding profits to the Loose Cultivators this time, he deliberately made them unhappy with the Zhong and Huang Families. The same method could be used to continue instigating trouble in the west and south.

Those who had never tasted the immortal water wouldn't feel much; even if Jiang Hanwen were caught, it would be nothing more than post-dinner gossip.

But once they were involved and profited from the immortal water—whether through cultivation or reselling it for money—

Having possessed it and then losing it would breed resentment. This is human nature.

This resentment would make a portion of the Loose Cultivators his natural allies.

Next, these unreliable allies would become Jiang Hanwen's propagandists, spreading word of the Zhong Family's tyranny and the Huang Family's cunning.

When that time came, the person selling the medicine would naturally appear.

Now he still needed to carry out the second step: continue sowing discord.

However, the Zhong Family's reaction was very subdued. For a Great Family that started as bandits to be so well-behaved, there was a problem.

The path ahead was unclear; should he continue to act?

For him, there was always only one answer to such a question: wait.

He didn't need to do anything; time would help him annihilate everything.

He blew out the Everburning Lamp and returned to the underground to continue practicing his saber techniques.

Being busy making money was so he could buy good things at the auction, but if making money became risky, it was time to let go promptly.

Safety has always been the first principle.

Ten days passed amidst the angry curses of the Loose Cultivators.

Jiang Hanwen tidied his clothes and, wearing his Scarface disguise, walked out of the tunnel.

If Plan A didn't work, there was still Plan B.

The second persona, the Woodcutter of the Zhuang Family, was online and starting to sell tranquility tea!

Just like before, he raided the shops one by one, settling payments and goods on the spot.

Originally, several shops hadn't finished digesting the last batch of goods and didn't really want to buy.

But as soon as they heard Jiang Hanwen say that there might be no tranquility tea in the future because he would be in a fierce battle...

After considering for a moment, they all comforted him, saying safety was important and not to act impulsively.

In reality, fearing that the Woodcutter wouldn't fight Zhuang Kongming to the death, they all generously opened their purses to support him and bolster his resolve.

However, none of them were easy marks; this time the price was pushed down to seventy taels per catty.

Jiang Hanwen put on a look of "anxiety" and sold it even at seventy taels.

Jiang Hanwen originally planned to sell twenty thousand catties and then just wait for the auction for the remaining time.

But by coincidence, members of the Zhao Family from Black Rock City were also at the Huang Family's pharmacy discussing business.

As an "old friend," Huang Hai did a small favor and introduced Jiang Hanwen to Zhao Hechang.

As expected of the Zhao Family, once the number one Family of Black Rock City, they were wealthy indeed, buying ten thousand catties of tranquility tea from Jiang Hanwen in one go.

Jiang Hanwen walked out of the Huang Family Firm and bid a warm farewell to Huang Hai.

"Brother Huang, don't bother seeing me out."

"Brother Woodcutter, I won't keep you this time, but we must have a drink next time."

"Alright, go on back."

Jiang Hanwen blended into the crowd, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.

What good people, knowing he was short on money lately and supporting him with cold, hard cash.

A full thirty thousand catties. After subtracting costs, he made a small profit of two million taels; that should be enough money for the auction.

At the entrance of the Huang Family Firm.

Seeing Jiang Hanwen disappear, the smile on Huang Hai's face faded, and he inwardly cursed himself for being foolish, having bargained for too high a price last time.

Next time, if the mysterious Woodcutter could survive the power struggle with Zhuang Kongming, his Huang Family would offer seventy taels at most.

Beside him stood a middle-aged Man in his forties, his hair neatly combed, wearing a bright yellow brocade robe, with a round face and a large mouth, looking like a Maitreya Buddha.

"Manager Huang, Hengan is truly a blessed land.

First there was tranquility tea, then immortal water. You've done quite well these years," Zhao Hechang said with a smile.

"Just barely scraping by," Huang Hai said, his chin pointing in the direction Jiang Hanwen had left:

"Do you think he can come back alive?"

"I don't think it's a big problem. An open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.

It's just a pity for Zhuang Kongming; one moment he's repairing the city, and the next his home is being robbed." Zhao Hechang shook his head slightly:

"The Zhuang Family relies entirely on Zhuang Kongming alone. I don't think they'll go far."

Huang Hai nodded in agreement.

"A single tree cannot support a house. I heard his daughter has also returned, but she's not at the yamen; she's helping at home.

The son is a waste. Do you think he'll let his daughter take over the position?"

...Both of them thought the Woodcutter would become the new master of the Zhuang Family, but they would never have imagined—

That the so-called Woodcutter had already been completely discarded by someone just for the sake of a "grand sale" of tranquility tea.

While the two were chatting, an excited announcement broke the mild pleasantries.

An attendant rushed up to them and said excitedly:

"The Patriarch wants you to go over there!"

Huang Hai's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to get up, he suddenly looked at Zhao Hechang. They exchanged a glance, and he said meaningfully:

"Manager Zhao, your information is quite well-informed!"

"Likewise, likewise. I wonder if Brother Huang Hai is willing to do me a favor?"

Zhao Hechang was clearly a member of the Zhao Family, yet facing the much weaker Huang Family member, his face showed not a hint of arrogance but instead a touch of fawning.

Huang Hai was silent for three breaths before slowly speaking:

"I can take you to the residence. As for whether Young Master Qin wants to see you, that's his business."

"Whether it works or not, I will remember this favor." Zhao Hechang cupped his hands, feeling a sense of relief in his heart.

Others might not know, but their Zhao Family knew very well that their history was not clean. Now, in the entire Yunmang Commandery, except for these auctions with backgrounds that could still thrive,

All others, without exception, were either robbed or placed under control. There was no such thing as doing business.

This auction was extremely important to their Zhao Family!

If it weren't for this, why would he have come to beg Huang Hai?

After leaving the Huang Family Firm, Jiang Hanwen did not go home but went straight to Tianyuan Residence to find Gong Qing.

The two of them had a big business deal of nine hundred thousand to settle!