23: Just a dead man

Not long after, Ginseng Society Deputy Gang Leader Sun Lianhai walked over quickly, his laughter preceding his arrival, "Hahaha, Brother Xu, what an honor to have you! Please forgive me for not coming out to meet you sooner."

Xu Sanyan did not act high and mighty; he stood up and said, "Greetings, Deputy Gang Leader."

"Hey, don't call me that. Just call me Old Brother Sun if you don't mind." Sun Lianhai had a round, slightly fat face and wore a deep purple long robe, looking like a amiable businessman.

"Old Brother Sun," Xu Sanyan said politely, cupping his hands.

The two sat down and exchanged pleasantries for a moment, then Sun Lianhai said, "Brother Xu wants to buy precious medicine?"

Xu Sanyan nodded, "Yes, the more the better. Price is not an issue. Please help me, Old Brother Sun."

Sun Lianhai frowned, "Old Brother will say one more thing: while precious medicine is good and slightly beneficial to Martial Artists, it's still best to consume less of it."

Xu Sanyan was puzzled, "Why?"

"Martial Artists Cultivate to refine themselves. If you rely on precious medicine for nourishment, although your progress might be a bit faster now, over time, your Foundation might become unstable, making it difficult to advance further. Generally, for Inner Qi Realm Cultivation, one plant a month is enough," Sun Lianhai advised kindly.

Xu Sanyan nodded silently, so that was how it was.

But he was different; he had a cheat, so he didn't have such concerns.

"Thank you, Old Brother, but I'm not just doing it for myself. To be honest, I have a sworn brother at home who is paralyzed and bedridden, unable to move an inch. Only precious medicine can sustain his life. Alas... circumstances force my hand."

Xu Sanyan feigned a troubled sigh, completely forgetting that he had eaten the three precious medicines Wu Jue had prepared for his son.

Sun Lianhai's expression turned serious, filled with respect, "So that's it. Brother Xu is truly devoted and righteous, which is admirable. How about this, I'll set aside two precious medicines for you each month—one to sustain your brother's life and one for your Cultivation."

Xu Sanyan shook his head, "I'm afraid that's not enough. How about three plants per month?"

Sun Lianhai hesitated for a moment, then pondered and said,

"That's a bit difficult. The precious medicines in the outer areas of Dragon Lushan are almost all harvested now. We only get less than ten plants a month, and the county magistrate and others take six or seven. The White Horse Gang and our own people also need them. Two plants are already the limit."

Xu Sanyan took out a silver note and handed it over, "Old Brother, please think of a way."

Sun Lianhai pressed down on Xu Sanyan's hand, "Brother, it's not about the money."

Xu Sanyan frowned, "I'll pay double the price."

Seeing his persistence, Sun Lianhai thought for a moment and said, "Sigh, Old Brother will try his best. Let's see how many precious medicines we can harvest next month. As for double the price, there's no need."

"Thank you," Xu Sanyan said, cupping his hands.

Then, the two exchanged money and goods, selling him two precious medicines at a price of nine thousand taels each.

Just as Xu Sanyan was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Old Brother, do you know if there are any Immortal Cultivation Schools in Qi Country?"

Sun Lianhai tilted his head and thought for a moment, "It is said that several of the Imperial Family's revered figures in Qi Country are Immortals from legends. Whether it's true or not is not something a Mortal like me can know."

Xu Sanyan nodded, cupped his hands, and bid farewell.

The situation in the Immortal Realm was still unclear, but looking at the Maa Family Old Ancestor's Blood Demon Body, it probably wouldn't be peaceful either.

The Blood Demon Body was bloodthirsty and murderous, and Foundation Establishment also required human hearts, which was extremely malicious.

By the time Xu Sanyan returned to the Guanshan Saber Society headquarters, the sky was already slightly dim. Song Qian was sitting at a table looking at the account book, his entire face beaming with a smile.

Seeing him arrive, Song Qian greeted him with a wide smile, "Brother Xu, guess how much Wangyue Tower earns each month?"

"How much?"

Song Qian happily said, "The brothel plus the gambling den brings in one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver a month. After deducting half for Zhu Yong, we can still have about seventy thousand taels left!"

"That much?"

Xu Sanyan was stunned. Even after deducting various daily maintenance expenses, they could still have forty or fifty thousand taels left.

However, most of it would quickly become the White Horse Gang's.

Song Qian said with a smile, "The gambling den makes even more money than the brothel. Those gamblers, with their eyes red from losing, dare to bet anything—wives and daughters are even gambled away and sent directly to the brothel."

Xu Sanyan had also heard of this; once a person became addicted to gambling, it was very difficult to quit for life. No matter if you had a mountain of gold or silver, you would lose it all.

Xu Sanyan had not come to look at the account books this time. He poured himself a cup of tea, "Gang Leader, may I ask where Deputy Gang Leader Song has gone?"

Song Qian put away his smile, looked up at him, and said, "Some private matters. Does Brother Xu have something to discuss?"

Xu Sanyan shook his head, "Nothing in particular, just curious."

He was worried that after Gang Leader Bai killed Song Qian, Deputy Gang Leader Song would seek revenge on him, so he wanted to understand the situation beforehand.

Song Qian naturally had no idea that his life was short, and was still immersed in the joy of his gains.

When they destroyed Wangyue Tower and Yelang Society, they also obtained several Secret Manuals, which were placed on a nearby bookshelf, not yet arranged. Xu Sanyan walked over and casually flipped through them.

"Flowing Moon"

This was a saber technique, light and agile, like the clear moon in water, making it elusive.

"Light Body Steps"

A movement technique, good at short-distance maneuvering. He hadn't learned any movement techniques yet, so he opened it and looked.

Just then, a loud shout came from outside the door,

"Gang Leader, Deputy Gang Leader is back."

Xu Sanyan stood in front of the bookshelf, holding a Secret Manual, and turned his head slightly to look out the door. A woman in green appeared.

She had a slender, straight saber hanging at her waist, and her beautiful face carried a hint of sternness. Her expression was solemn as she stared at Xu Sanyan.

Song Qian stood up and laughed loudly, "Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Xu Sanyan, and this is my younger sister, Song Zhu."

"Greetings, Deputy Gang Leader Song."

Xu Sanyan smiled amiably. He had always been very polite to beautiful women, as they were pleasing to the eye, and who wouldn't like that?

It was just a pity that she probably wouldn't live much longer. Even if General Bai Wuxia didn't kill her, Xu Sanyan wouldn't let her go either.

Song Zhu was like an Epiphyllum that bloomed in an instant, each glance a fleeting moment.

"Heh, Xu Gang Leader's reputation is truly great. As soon as I entered the city, I heard that Xu Gang Leader led people to annex Wangyue Tower and Yelang Society. Truly remarkable." Song Zhu seemed displeased about something, speaking with a sharp tone.

Xu Sanyan shook his head and chuckled, "Deputy Gang Leader Song overpraises me."

Then he turned to Song Qian and said, "I won't disturb your siblings' reunion. I'll take my leave."

With that, he turned and left.

There was no need to argue so much with a dying person.

After Xu Sanyan had walked away, Song Qian reprimanded, "Since Brother Xu arrived, the gang's days have been much better. You should be more polite to him."

Song Zhu pouted dismissively, "Now, all the brothers in the gang must be thinking of having him as the Gang Leader. I wonder if this Guanshan Saber Society is named Song or Xu."

Song Qian shook his head, no longer dwelling on the topic, and pulled Song Zhu, asking, "How was the investigation?"

Song Zhu nodded and whispered, "Almost certain. Someone saw it with their own eyes."

Song Qian pounded his fist heavily, his face full of excitement, "Hahaha, you and I, siblings, our luck has turned! Once the gang stabilizes, you and I will go together."

"Mm," Song Zhu nodded.

Xu Sanyan stood outside the courtyard wall, his eyes shifting slightly, then he quietly left.

He had always been curious about where Song Zhu went. Every time he asked, Song Qian would change the subject and refuse to say more. There was indeed a secret hidden within.