Chapter 187: The Mastermind Behind Wan Tong, Acquiring a Maid
Chapter 187 – The Mastermind Behind Wan Tong, Acquiring a Maid
Unfazed by Chen Changsheng’s cold demeanor, Qian Fangkong offered no offense. Instead, he respectfully began his introduction.
“The Wan Tong Chamber of Commerce was founded 1,500 years ago. Today, our reach spans three great domains: the Eastern Wasteland, the Western Continent, and the Middle Heavens.”
“The number of peak experts within our ranks totals—”
“Halt.”
Chen Changsheng cut him off before he could finish.
Sweeping his gaze over the portly merchant, Chen Changsheng smiled. “A merchant guild seizing three continents in a mere 1,500 years.”
“Your personal methods are certainly formidable, Qian Fangkong. However, the true foundation of your success must be the entity standing behind you.”
“My time is limited, so let us dispense with the pleasantries. Who is your backer?”
Qian Fangkong offered a strained smile, providing no answer.
Upon receiving reports that a mysterious mighty figure had shattered the Sword Conference, Qian Fangkong had initially only intended to dispatch an envoy to test the waters.
After all, judging from this Senior’s methods, he had no true desire to forge a blood feud with Wan Tong.
Yet, before he could act, a sudden decree descended from the highest echelons.
The command was absolute, containing merely four words.
“Grant their every request!”
Thus, he had rushed over personally with utmost haste.
Wan Tong had clearly encountered a true titan.
……
Time trickled by. Chen Changsheng’s gaze bored into Qian Fangkong like a blade, while the portly merchant stood silently beneath the pressure.
After a long while, Chen Changsheng broke the suffocating silence.
“If you refuse to speak, so be it. Tormenting a subordinate is beneath me.”
At those words, Qian Fangkong’s tightly strung nerves finally snapped slack.
Had the Senior pressed the issue, he truly had no idea how to answer.
“Many thanks for your grace, Senior!”
“Save your breath. Accomplish three minor tasks for me instead.”
“Please command me, Senior.”
“First, spare the Xuan Bird clan and secure a sanctuary for them to rebuild.”
“Second, deliver a message to your backer. Tell them Chen Changsheng has returned. The debts of the past remain unpaid.”
“Third, dispatch your forces to level Mount Buzhou. If this slaughter continues, the Western Continent’s demon races will truly face extinction.”
Hearing these demands, Qian Fangkong glanced at Tian Xuan and respectfully cupped his fists.
“Senior, the Xuan Bird clan has suffered catastrophic casualties. Aside from a few stragglers, the vast majority have already been sold.”
“Reclaiming all of them will be exceptionally difficult.”
The corner of Chen Changsheng’s mouth curled upward.
The merchant’s hesitation was entirely understandable.
After orchestrating their near-extermination, releasing the survivors was tantamount to nurturing a future blood feud. No sane cultivator would leave such a weed to grow.
“I understand your hesitation. Your fears are grounded in logic.”
“How about this? I shall act as guarantor. The Xuan Bird clan will not seek vengeance against Wan Tong for 3,000 years.”
“Should they break this oath, I will personally wipe their bloodline from existence.”
“What say you, President Qian?”
Realizing Chen Changsheng had yielded this much ground, Qian Fangkong knew refusing would be courting death.
“Senior jests. Such a trivial matter hardly requires your personal guarantee.”
“Give me half a month. The Xuan Bird clan will be restored to their ancestral lands.”
“Excellent. Then it is settled.”
Chen Changsheng stood and stretched lazily.
“You are dismissed. I have pressing matters to attend to, and no time for idle chatter.”
“Senior, please wait!”
Before Chen Changsheng could walk away, Qian Fangkong called out.
The merchant dragged the youth who had accompanied him forward, smiling ingratiatingly.
“While I dare not guess Senior’s grand designs, I noticed you travel without an attendant.”
“If Senior does not find her lacking, I wish to offer my daughter to serve by your side.”
“At the very least, she can pour tea and draw water for you.”
“What is your name?”
Chen Changsheng asked, looking down at the flustered, trembling girl.
Startled by his voice, the dazed girl snapped to her senses and hurriedly bowed.
“Answering Senior, I am Qian Baoer.”
“Do you wish to follow me?”
“I do not—”
Qian Baoer blurted her true thoughts instinctively, but Qian Fangkong forcefully yanked her sleeve.
Snapping awake, Qian Baoer realized she had nearly thrown away a heaven-defying Fated Chance.
“I do!”
“Hahaha!”
Chen Changsheng let out a bark of genuine laughter.
“A sharp girl. Since you wish to, you may follow.”
“These two lads beside me are insufferably stubborn. Being around them all day is enough to rot my mind.”
“Perhaps having a girl around will spare me a few burst blood vessels.”
“Say your farewells to your father. Our destination is the Northern Desert; you will not return to these lands anytime soon.”
Without another word, Chen Changsheng turned and walked toward the deathly pale Chen Shisan.
This stubborn mule remained unyielding as ever, refusing to make a single sound despite his shattered bones.
If no one intervened, the fool would probably grit his teeth in silence until he dropped dead.
……
An hour later.
Qian Fangkong had departed, and Chen Changsheng was leading his three young followers across the plains.
Yet, bizarrely, the trio of youths were trapped in a suffocating silence.
Finally, after bearing the quiet for an entire hour, Chen Changsheng reached his limit.
“Enough!”
His sudden outburst forced all three to halt in their tracks.
Chen Changsheng’s mouth twitched as he glared at the mute trio. “You are all in your prime. You should be burning with lofty ambitions.”
“When passionate youths gather, the words should flow like a boundless river.”
“So why is it that you speak even less than an old man like me? Does this oppressive silence not bore you to tears?”
Unfazed, Qian Baoer smiled sweetly. “Is Senior bored? Shall Baoer perform a dance to amuse you?”
“That is not what I meant. I am asking, do none of you possess a single shred of curiosity?”
“Are there no questions you wish to ask me?”
Hearing this, the silent Tian Xuan bowed respectfully. “Senior’s grace to the Xuan Bird clan is as weighty as Mount Tai. How could I dare pry into Senior’s divine affairs?”
“Tian Xuan speaks the truth. Senior will naturally reveal whatever he wishes. It is not Baoer’s place to pry.”
Both Qian Baoer and Tian Xuan’s underlying message was identical.
Your status is too transcendent. We are utterly unqualified to ask you anything.
Their rigidly cautious behavior left Chen Changsheng feeling utterly helpless. He shifted his gaze toward Chen Shisan.
“Sir, do not look at me.”
“You know my nature. I have never been a man of many words.”
Chen Changsheng: “…”
I must be losing my mind. Why on earth did I expect this mute mule to initiate a conversation?”