124: If you don't take bribes, how can I take bribes? If I don't take bribes, how can the Grand Secretariat take bribes?

"Aiya, aiya, I truly failed to recognize the significance, failing to recognize a straight flush."

"Let me drink another cup to apologize to Lord Zhou."

In Zhou Yan's small courtyard, the two sat opposite each other at a stone table, upon which sat a pot of fine wine.

Zhou Yan scrutinized the fellow sitting opposite him, who looked like a Q-version midget.

He wore luxurious brocade robes and at first glance looked like a chubby child, yet he sported a large beard.

Overall, he resembled a Q-version portrait of the God of Fortune.

This fellow was the one who knocked on the door just now, and the fact that he arrived silently and undetected spoke volumes.

"Fellow Daoist, we don't know each other, do we? How could I have offended you?"

[Hui Butan]

[Race: Yao Race]

[Cultivation: Nascent Soul Early Stage]

[Affiliated Force: Lianxing Pavilion]

His surname is Hui, and he's from the Lianxing Pavilion. Could it be that people from the Black Market have tracked me down?

But then again, this new panel is really comfortable. It easily identified the target. Now I really need to give the game a good review.

"Fellow Daoist, please stop feigning ignorance. In fact, I learned of your information the moment you left my establishment."

Speaking up to this point, Hui Butan deliberately observed Zhou Yan's expression changes.

Zhou Yan calmly continued drinking the Spirit Wine he brought, showing no panic despite his actions being exposed.

This further confirmed his judgment.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hui Butan of the Hui Family Yao Race. I currently manage the Lianxing Pavilion's Branch Pavilion in the West Jiangnan Circuit."

"Furthermore, that Black Market is one of the establishments I manage."

"Ah, of course, of course, I am absolutely not here to demand accountability."

"I just feel there might be some misunderstanding between us. Everything is negotiable, completely negotiable."

Watching Hui Butan ramble and make himself look flustered, Zhou Yan couldn't figure out what the other party truly wanted.

But he understood that a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, who was also a major merchant, must have deep intentions in everything he did. At least, this current appearance had to be feigned.

But... "Fellow Daoist, since you know everything, you should be aware that I caused you a loss of nearly two million Spirit Stones, right?"

"You aren't angry; instead, you've come to beg for my forgiveness, even bringing such excellent Spirit Wine."

Zhou Yan was currently drinking Grade Four Spirit Wine, definitely Nascent Soul level, which was beneficial for the growth of his Qi and Divine Sense.

Relying on the effect of Cooking Skill LV5, he knew immediately upon tasting that this wine was not simple to brew. The cost of the Materials alone likely exceeded ten thousand.

"Lord, what are you saying? You truly humble me."

"Although the Black Market is legal, it is somewhat questionable in nature."

"If Lord Zhou hadn't put himself at risk to actively expose this hidden darkness, I, as the manager, wouldn't have realized the importance of the issue."

"If I fail to curb and correct this, I will surely make a mistake."

"As for those Spirit Stones, they were merely normal losses during the investigation process. The blame cannot be placed on Your Lordship."

"Not to mention, the main reason was that the Pawnshop Owner wanted to kill someone and steal their goods. Later, he was killed himself due to unequal distribution of spoils, losing not only Resources and Spirit Stones worth two million Spirit Stones but also his life."

"Your Lordship was upholding the law impartially from beginning to end. It was I who failed to manage the Black Market properly and almost harmed you. That is why I resorted to this humble measure to meet Your Lordship, apologize, and ease the relationship between us."

"Moreover, if Your Lordship feels this isn't formal enough, I will come to your door tomorrow to offer a humble apology. Whatever Your Lordship says to do, I will do."

What... what could Zhou Yan say to this?

Originally, Zhou Yan had blackmailed their funds in a scheme, and even considered returning to rob them again after the Secret Realm, but the opposing boss suddenly showed up.

However, the reason for showing up wasn't to demand repayment or revenge, but to apologize, and a Nascent Soul Stage expert was apologizing so humbly.

Could it be that the Civil Servant benefits in Great Yu are this good?

However, since Hui Butan had been talking for a long time, Zhou Yan needed to respond, or the conversation would stall.

"Ahem, well... I accept your apology."

"But what happened to that Pawnshop Owner? Elaborate, since he was murdered, and as an Imperial Censor, I cannot remain ignorant. This falls somewhat within my jurisdiction."

Hearing Zhou Yan mention this, Hui Butan maintained his honest appearance, but a hint of mercantile shrewdness flashed across his eyes.

"This is a long story, but I'll keep it short."

"After Your Lordship left my establishment that time, he sent people to hunt you down."

"He both abused the authority of the staff to arbitrarily mark guests and sent people to assassinate them, which greatly violated our rules. Therefore, from that moment on, he was no longer one of us."

"My lawful and compliant legitimate business absolutely does not tolerate such pests. We..."

"Alright, alright, I understand. Can you continue now?"

"Haha, my apologies, Your Lordship, I got a little carried away."

"It's my first time meeting a Lord from The Capital, and I was momentarily stunned, so I couldn't help but try to perform well in front of Your Lordship. It was indeed too exaggerated of me. Please forgive me."

"At that time, in order to warn us about our mistakes, you temporarily took some Resources and Spirit Stones. Just as you were planning to return them to us, they were stolen by a group of thieves, and the mastermind was precisely that Pawnshop Owner."

"He had previously appraised one of Your Lordship's Treasures, and it was this Treasure that triggered the greed of the Appraiser responsible for the valuation at the time."

"Later, he snuck back in and saw those Spirit Stones and Resources. His original greed turned into murderous intent, causing him to assassinate that person in one fell swoop."

"At that time, the Black Market was somewhat chaotic, so no one noticed. He absconded with that Magic Treasure and the Spirit Stones and Resources he stole from Your Lordship."

"Later, he disappeared, and we haven't been able to find him, which is another area where I must apologize."

"Those Resources and Spirit Stones were originally what you intended to return to us, but they were intercepted by our own people, so naturally, the blame cannot fall on you."

"However, since we lost the deposited item, we must certainly compensate you. The pawnshop's collateral price at the time was roughly over a hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones."

"I've brought the money with me—a full two hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones, as compensation. Your Lordship, please count them."

Looking at the Storage Pouch pushed in front of him with a small opening, Zhou Yan's expression changed.

"This... this compensation is very fair."

Zhou Yan silently put away the Storage Pouch, then changed the subject.

"That Pawnshop Owner indeed had issues with misconduct, but that Appraiser is still wrong for murder and theft. I hope he can be brought to justice soon."

"Although you have some questionable and non-compliant areas, the overall comprehensiveness of your goods and the affordability of the prices are commendable."

"I was merely performing my official duties, so naturally, I wouldn't get angry over the stolen money and Magic Treasure. After all, a prime minister's heart can hold a boat, and as an Imperial Censor, I must also possess magnanimity."

"Furthermore, your active compensation shows responsibility towards your customers, which is commendable. Let's let bygones be bygones regarding the previous incident. As for that Appraiser, treat it as a case to be handled."

"Very well, very well. Thank you for your understanding, Your Lordship. I shall take my leave now and not disturb your rest."

Watching the other party vanish instantly, and noticing the sudden appearance of another bottle of Grade Four Spirit Wine on the table, Zhou Yan was still somewhat dazed.

What was this? A Wealth-Giving Boy?

Although he returned this time to deal with those who had schemed against him, wasn't this Black Market the victim? Why was he suddenly trying to gain presence?

Moreover, he blamed the Pawnshop Owner for the things Zhou Yan stole, and even helped eliminate the owner.

Confused, so he slept. Once the status refreshed, everything would be fine.

Meanwhile, deep within the Black Market Underground Palace, Hui Butan had instantaneously teleported back.

He sat in his room, with Guardian Zhao right beside him.

"Your Lordship is back. What did that... Saint say?"

"Naturally, the matter is settled." Hui Butan sat down casually, as if he had dealt with a trivial issue.

"It's finished just like that?" Guardian Zhao was puzzled.

Looking at the unsatisfied Guardian Zhao, Hui Butan grew annoyed.

"What do you mean, 'It's finished just like that'? It's as if you won't be happy unless you get a good beating."

After glaring at Guardian Zhao, he stood up again and paced around the room.

"Also, we gave him two million Spirit Stones this time. Later, record three million in the accounts. Keep thirty percent for yourself, and give the rest to me."

"This... maybe I shouldn't take my share. I feel a bit uneasy."

"It's right to be uneasy! I was uneasy when I first started too, but you can't be uneasy all the time!"

"If you don't take it, how can I take it? If I don't take it, how can the Great Yu Main Pavilion take it? If the Main Pavilion doesn't take it, how can you and I advance?"

"You must understand, these Prodigies love to descend the mountain to punish the wicked and eliminate evil when they have nothing better to do. Therefore, the Pavilion long ago established a rule that a certain amount of Emergency Funds can be allocated for such incidents."

"Thus, this is all completely reasonable and compliant. Since we managed to help that little friend cover the difference of over a million Spirit Stones, then earning a million Spirit Stones is our own skill."

"If you go out in the future and are still this naive, how can you become a Branch Pavilion Master? Do you want to be a Guardian for life?"

Looking at the suddenly agitated Hui Butan, Guardian Zhao was speechless.

If it weren't because eliminating him would cost more and be less worthwhile than giving him thirty percent, this old fellow would definitely have gotten rid of him.

The reason for letting him take this money was just to make him shut up, wasn't it?

Forget about promotion; being able to land safely is what matters more.

"This time, we owe the Joyous Union Sect a favor. Fortunately, we learned the true identity of that Fellow Daoist. If we had truly treated him as a Grade Seven Official, it would have been real trouble."

"Now that he has taken the money, given the temperament of Righteous Path individuals, it won't be easy for him to come back and extort us again, at least not in the short term."

Hui Butan watched Guardian Zhao accept the Spirit Stones while speaking. Only when he saw the Spirit Stones enter the other party's Storage Pouch did he reveal a satisfied smile.

Thus, the Lianxing Pavilion Branch Pavilion gained stability, Hui Butan and Zhou Yan acquired Spirit Stones, and everyone had a bright future.