78: undercurrent

Steward Rong led Qin Feng and Xiao Chun to settle down in the Hundred Flowers Villa before heading to the meeting hall. Inside, a woman in her thirties, dressed in a crimson-purple long dress and exuding an elegant and noble aura, was already waiting. Her face was beautiful, but her brow held a trace of imperceptible fatigue and sharpness. Her aura was deep and profound—she was at the Peak Mid-stage Martial King level! She was significantly stronger than Hua Qianying from Star South City.

"Deacon Qin, this is the Lord of our West Lake City branch, Su Yuetang, Lord Su," Steward Rong introduced respectfully.

"Qin Feng greets Lord Su," Qin Feng cupped his hands in a salute, neither humble nor arrogant. Xiao Chun also hurriedly followed suit.

Su Yuetang's gaze fell on Qin Feng, scrutinizing him, but it was mostly warm with a hint of expectation. "I have long heard that a young talent has emerged from the headquarters, becoming a Gold-Medal Deacon at only seventeen. Seeing you today, you indeed possess an extraordinary bearing. Welcome to the West Lake City branch." Her voice was soft yet carried an inherent authority.

"Lord Su overpraises me; this Junior does not deserve such honor," Qin Feng said modestly.

"Sit down." Su Yuetang gestured for them to take their seats, gently rubbing her temples. She got straight to the point: "Since Deacon Qin is a strong reinforcement sent by the headquarters, I won't beat around the bush. Our West Lake City branch is currently in a difficult situation."

She paused and began to detail the situation:

"Our Hundred Flowers Palace has four main properties in West Lake City: the 'Thousand Gold Workshop' casino, two brothels—'Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion' and 'Red Sleeve Courtyard'—and the 'Pear Garden' theater. In the past, these properties provided substantial annual revenue for the branch and even the headquarters."

"Currently, including myself, the branch has two Martial Kings. The other is Elder Zhao Mang, an Early Stage Martial King who oversees the 'Thousand Gold Workshop'. We have eight Grand Martial Masters responsible for various properties and daily defense, along with several Martial Masters and Martial Artists."

"However, over the past six months, our properties have been continuously encroached upon, and troubles have been constant." Su Yuetang's tone grew solemn. "West Lake City appears prosperous and peaceful, but in reality, its factions are deeply intertwined. Besides the Cao Gang, which controls water transport and acts overbearingly, and the City Lord's Manor (overseen by a Martial Emperor who generally doesn't interfere in specific power struggles), the city is mainly controlled by three major forces that balance each other out:"

"1. Four Seas Merchant Guild: With businesses across the southeast, they have the most abundant financial resources. The president, Jin Wanguan, a Mid-stage Martial King known as the 'Golden Abacus,' is skilled in calculation and controls nearly half of the city's legitimate trade, such as medicinal herbs, Ore, silk, and banks."

"2. Green Robe Tower: A mysterious Gang organization. The identity of the Lord, Leng Yue, is a mystery, and their cultivation is unfathomable (rumored to have reached Peak Martial King). They do anything for money and are neither strictly good nor evil. Their reach extends into all walks of life, making them formidable."

"3. Wonderful Sound Workshop: On the surface, it's a music workshop, but it has a deep background. The F Fang Master, Su Xiaoxiao (same surname as Lord Su, but no relation), has an unknown cultivation level (at least a Martial King). She is proficient in music and is on good terms with many high-ranking officials and literati. Their intelligence network is omnipresent, and their influence cannot be underestimated."

Su Yuetang smiled bitterly. "Our Hundred Flowers Palace branch originally survived quite well in the gaps between these three major forces, relying on our unique resources and background. But recently, for some reason, the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Green Robe Tower seem to have reached a certain understanding and have begun to join forces against us. Meanwhile, the Wonderful Sound Workshop has maintained an ambiguous neutrality, watching from the sidelines."

"The Four Seas Merchant Guild mainly uses its commercial advantages to suppress our supply chain, raising our procurement costs and maliciously undercutting prices to steal our customers. The Green Robe Tower is even more sinister; they not only spread unfavorable rumors but also secretly threaten, assassinate, or kidnap the managers and top performers of our properties. This has caused widespread panic and a serious loss of core personnel. Our 'Thousand Gold Workshop' casino and 'Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion' have been hit the hardest."

"Our people are exhausted from running around, yet they see little results. Elder Zhao Mang cannot easily leave the casino, and I need to coordinate the overall situation, so I lack a Clone to help. Property revenues have plummeted. If this continues, the branch may find it hard to survive."

She looked at Qin Feng with hope in her eyes. "The headquarters sent you here for two reasons: first, to strengthen our high-end combat power; and second, hoping to use your youthful vigor and the abilities you showed in Star South City to help us break the deadlock. We need to find out why the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Green Robe Tower suddenly joined forces, and then stabilize or even reclaim our lost properties and interests. Perhaps you could try to contact the neutral Wonderful Sound Workshop."

After listening, Qin Feng quickly analyzed the situation. The Four Seas Merchant Guild was using commercial suppression, while the Green Robe Tower was stabbing them in the dark—one overt and one covert. Together, they were indeed difficult to handle. The intelligence and influence of the Wonderful Sound Workshop might truly be the key to breaking the situation.

"Lord Su, I have a general understanding of the situation," Qin Feng said after a moment of deliberation. "Since I've just arrived, I need some time to familiarize myself with the specifics. For now, the Thousand Gold Workshop and Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion are the priorities. Please have someone organize the detailed accounts, personnel lists, and specific troubles encountered recently for these two properties—especially those related to the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Green Robe Tower—and give them to me."

"Good! Steward Rong, see to this immediately!" Su Yuetang was decisive and immediately gave the order, then said to Qin Feng, "Deacon Qin, if you need anything, just ask. The branch's resources are at your disposal."

"I will do my best," Qin Feng stood up and cupped his hands in acceptance.

The situation in West Lake City was indeed more complex than expected. The three major forces each had their own characteristics, and with both overt and covert attacks, it was hard to guard against them. For him, this was both a severe challenge and an excellent opportunity for tempering. To establish himself and break the deadlock here, martial force alone would likely not be enough; he would also need strategy and clever means.