372: Taolu Yulong

"Heh," Fairy Zhiyun chuckled softly, though there was no warmth in her eyes. "Isn't that just perfect?"

"If that day truly comes, the vast assets of the Money Gang might just end up with a different surname."

"Even if things come to light, it will be Zhong Linger's own doing. What does it have to do with us?"

Vast Emptiness Master nodded slightly but then sighed softly. "That may be true... but the risk is still significant."

"Now that we've aligned ourselves with the Ji Family, our original business truly isn't much to look at anymore."

"But..." He paused, his voice dropping lower. "Don't forget that trip to the ruins last time. We... almost didn't make it back."

Upon hearing this, the slight ease on Fairy Zhiyun's face vanished completely.

She fell silent for a moment, gazing down at the bustling streets below, her eyes somewhat vacant.

"Indeed," she replied in a low voice, with a hint of self-deprecation that was hard to detect. "In their eyes, aren't we... also just handy tools that aren't worth pitying once discarded?"

You stopped paying attention to their conversation and turned your focus toward Zhong Linger.

Zhong Linger led Yang Yan, not back to the Jiang Clan Merchant House, but directly toward the Money Gang Headquarters.

Yang Yan followed by her side, his expression somewhat gloomy. Finally, he couldn't help but whisper, "Linger, that Immortal Master Yulong is a notorious lecher. You... should have less to do with him."

Zhong Linger didn't stop. She turned her head and gave him a soft, gentle smile:

"Big Brother Yang, I understand your feelings. But here in Tianshu City, we only have Foundation Establishment cultivation. Without a Golden Core Senior looking after us... I fear that one day we'll wake up and simply vanish without a sound."

Yang Yan's throat tightened, and a look of frustration and self-reproach appeared on his face. "It's all because of my incompetence! My cultivation is too low to protect you... but I swear, I will Cultivate diligently and soon..."

Zhong Linger didn't respond further, only patting his shoulder lightly as a form of comfort.

The two soon arrived before the grand gates of the Money Gang. Zhong Linger stopped and said warmly, "Brother Yang Yan, wait here for a moment."

Yang Yan's lips moved, but he ultimately nodded and silently stepped aside, standing straight by the gate like a loyal guard.

Upon learning of Zhong Linger's visit, Immortal Master Yulong actually came out to welcome her into the parlor personally.

"Linger greets Senior," Zhong Linger bowed, a natural hint of flirtatiousness in her eyes.

She handed over a qiankun ring, her voice softening even more. "This is this year's tribute. Please have a look, Senior."

As she spoke, she stepped forward gracefully. When she handed over the ring, she leaned slightly forward, her beautiful, affectionate eyes gazing intently at Immortal Master Yulong.

Immortal Master Yulong's face was full of smiles. His gaze swept over her fair face and slender figure several times. When he reached out for the ring, his fingertips seemed to brush lightly against the back of her delicate hand as if by accident.

"Linger, you're becoming more and more capable, and more... endearing," he laughed, his eyes fixed on her chest.

Zhong Linger blushed at just the right moment, quickly withdrawing her hand like a startled fawn. She lowered her head and whispered, "Senior... please don't tease Linger."

Immortal Master Yulong's smile deepened. He reached out with two fingers and flirtatiously tilted up her small chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Linger, every time I see you running around for that merchant house, my heart... truly aches for you."

Watching the back-and-forth between Zhong Linger and Immortal Master Yulong, you couldn't help but shake your head with a smile.

"Truly, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. She can put on a thousand different faces in front of different men."

Just as the words left your mouth, a sharp light flashed in your eyes, and a thought struck you like a bolt of lightning.

There's a way.

You immediately suppressed your aura to the Early Golden Core Stage. With a flash of movement, you appeared at the Money Gang Headquarters in the next instant.

Inside the hall, Zhong Linger had her head half-lowered, looking shy yet inviting. Immortal Master Yulong leaned in closer with a grin, his fingers brushing against her cheek.

Your voice calmly broke the ambiguous atmosphere.

"Fellow Daoist Jade Dragon."

The two turned their heads at the sound, only to see a figure standing at the doorway with hands behind his back, though they hadn't noticed when he arrived.

Immortal Master Yulong was stunned at first. His Divine Sense swept over you, and upon realizing you were only at the Early Golden Core Stage, his expression immediately soured, and his tone became unfriendly:

"Your Excellency has come uninvited and trespassed into my Money Gang... are you not taking this seat seriously?"

He wasn't afraid of you.

First, this was Tianshu City, where death matches were strictly forbidden; no one dared to act recklessly.

Second, you were at the 'Early Golden Core Stage'.

You smiled and waved your hand. "Don't take offense, Fellow Daoist Jade Dragon. I come with no ill intent; I only wish to... exchange a few pointers with you."

"Exchange pointers?" Immortal Master Yulong's brow furrowed, and then he understood.

He had seen this sort of thing many times.

While Tianshu City prohibited killing, it allowed duels specifically to resolve grudges and disputes between various factions.

The Money Gang had used this method to solve problems quite often.

"Which family or sect are you from?" he asked in a deep voice.

You had long since prepared your story. You immediately sighed, a look of helplessness appearing on your face:

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist, when Hall Master Jiang He first established the Jiang Clan Merchant House, I also provided great assistance, contributing both money and effort. At the time, he personally promised that half of the merchant house's future profits would go to me as equity..."

"Who would have thought that while I was away traveling these past few years, Hall Master Jiang He would pass away. This Jiang Clan Merchant House has now become an ownerless business... and I even heard that Fellow Daoist's Money Gang has been looking after it."

You looked at Immortal Master Yulong, your tone hardening. "Therefore, I've come specifically to demand an explanation. How should my fifty-percent share be settled?"

There was no witness to this matter, and Hall Master Jiang He's bones were likely already cold. According to the rules, such messy accounts were usually settled with fists.

Hearing this, Immortal Master Yulong subconsciously glanced at Zhong Linger beside him.

Zhong Linger immediately took the hint. Her eyes reddened, and in a Chu Chu and pitiful manner, she pulled at the corner of Immortal Master Yulong's sleeve, her voice choked with sobs:

"Senior, please be the judge! Hall Master Jiang He never mentioned this while he was alive, and the merchant house's records show no such payments... This person, this person must have seen that the merchant house is prospering and come to extort us!"

She acted with such sincerity, as if she had suffered a monumental injustice.

Immortal Master Yulong patted the back of her hand to reassure her. When he turned to look at you, a sneer of arrogance was already on his face.

"Words alone are no proof. However, since you've come according to the rules, this seat shall also accept according to the rules."

He paused, his tone casual, as if deciding on a trivial matter.

"How about this. By the old rules, we shall exchange pointers. If you win, half of the Jiang Clan Merchant House's future profits will be yours. If you lose... go back to wherever you came from and never speak of this again."

You laughed inwardly; the fish had taken the bait.

"Fine," you agreed decisively. "It's a deal."

"Splendid." Immortal Master Yulong stood up and flicked his sleeve. "To the courtyard, please."