Chapter 157: 147 Cold, Part 1

Fine rain like smoke, hazy and fluttering.

Lotus Leaf Pavilion of the Huang family.

Lotus Leaf Pavilion is a unique architecture of the Great Spirit.

Huge, lotus leaf-like flat floors, layered one upon another, supported below by relatively slender stone pillars.

From afar, it looks like a series of stacked lotus leaves.

Huang Zhenyi, in a Taiji robe, the pure white robe fluttering gently in the breeze, lightly tugged.

The wind carried a dampness.

This dampness usually made him feel comfortable in the nose, but the news just delivered made his mood suddenly sour.

He stood on the terrace of the second level of Lotus Leaf Pavilion, holding a cup of freshly brewed Golden Needle Dew Leaf Tea.

This is a high-quality tea, with market value equivalent to gold.

But at this moment, he had no mood to drink.

“What’s the situation at Golden Wing Pavilion?” Huang Zhenyi frowned and asked. “Xiang Ling sent people asking for help, Tianxiang National Beauty House was destroyed last night, Dream Boat Association set on fire—a series of events happened within just two hours.”

He slowly turned around, looking at the three behind him.

The three were the top elders and strongest figures of the Huang family now.

The Huang family has two Ninth Grade, two Eighth Grade, and three Seventh Grade ranks.

They also have direct marital ties with the Super Grade Elder Thousand Mountain One Sword Tan Xiao.

Such power, such influence, who in the entire Wushan would dare to underestimate?

The three standing before him were, respectively, the patriarch Huang Yixi, who had not long ago broken through to Ninth Grade.

The other two were the Eighth Grade elders Huang Huixian and Huang Lanxin.

Upon receiving the major news happenings in the city, they knew something was amiss, and rushed to Huang Zhenyi immediately.

The White Eagle Xiang Ling of Golden Wing Pavilion collaborated with the Huang family in human trafficking, and Dream Boat Association brought them huge benefits in connections.

Among the Huang family’s five pillar industries, Dream Boat Association and human trafficking combined were one of them.

So no matter what, this sector should not encounter issues.

“Father. I’ve asked around at Xiang Ling’s side; she has been placed under house arrest by the new envoy. Xiang Ling was discovered using the power and intelligence of Golden Wing Pavilion to benefit our Huang family.”

Huang Yixi had quite some private connections with Xiang Ling, known by the high ranks of the family.

Five years ago, Huang Zhenyi passed the position of patriarch to his son Huang Yixi.

The latter did not disappoint him, persuading Xiang Ling to use the forces and intelligence of Golden Wing Pavilion to aid the Huang family’s growth.

In just a few years, they compensated for the losses caused by Huang Yuzhen to the family industry, and seemed poised to reach higher summits.

Unexpectedly now….

“Golden Wing Pavilion is indeed formidable…” Huang Zhenyi sighed.

This sigh was not without reason.

The previous envoy was aloof and uninterested in trifling matters, indulging in personal enjoyment only.

Thus had little impact on the whole Wushan.

Even the gradual corruption of the Double Eagle’s dead troops happened unbeknownst.

Later, the envoy had to retire due to old age, and a new one replaced him.

But this newcomer is not so easy to deal with.

“Father, Xiang Ling has been with me for years, helping our Huang family considerably; if we don’t save her, how will we stand in Jianghu in the future?”

Huang Yixi frowned and said.

“Golden Wing Pavilion is formidable, is Sea Dragon easy to mess with? The escalating confrontation between Eastern and Western Sects above is intense. The Eastern Sect’s tactics are too harsh, collectively rejected by various other forces, we…”

“Caution in speech!” Huang Zhenyi interrupted fiercely. “As long as the Imperial Tutor remains, Eastern Sect is orthodox.”

“What should we do now? Shall we watch our industry collapse completely?” Huang Yixi unconsciously raised his voice.

Now young and vigorous, a martial arts prodigy, he became the highest force in the Huang family after reaching the Ninth Grade.

Even his father Huang Zhenyi is no match due to aging.

With stronger power, naturally, the tone is tougher.

Huang Zhenyi shook his head.

“Huixian, arrange people to report to the prefect and inquire about the situation. Such a major case, they need to provide an explanation.”

“Yes.” Huang Huixian nodded solemnly. She was over sixty, and even as an Eighth Grade, her true strength may not be much.

If capable of defeating Sixth Grade, it’s already commendable.

So she knew well, the Huang family now, outwardly flourishing, internally not as strong as before.

“Most of Tianxiang National Beauty House is our collaboration with Golden Wing Pavilion, naturally handled by us. However, there’s also a part of Sea Dragon in Dream Boat Association, Lanxin, contact them to see their arrangements.”

Huang Zhenyi continued assigning.

“Yes.” Huang Lanxin nodded.

Afterwards, Huang Zhenyi looked at his son Huang Yixi.

“I thought the new envoy would mind his own business, but now it’s clear, still needs addressing.

Youngsters, really don’t understand….”

“Father, I’m concerned about unforeseen issues at Xiang Ling’s side.” Huang Yixi reminded.

“Contact Sea Dragon, since this new envoy skips discussions and directly ruins, let him understand. Here is Wushan, not his Tan Yang!”

Huang Zhenyi’s eyes flashed with a sharp gleam.

“Father, what to do?” Huang Yixi immediately energized.

“No rush, the most urgent should be Cyan Horn of Sea Dragon; without Dream Boat Association’s stable population source, he can’t explain to those above. Hence, he will surely resolve the matter quickly.

We dread the higher-ups of Golden Wing Pavilion, they do not fear.” Huang Zhenyi smiled.

Everyone suddenly comprehended. Previous worries gradually eased.

“One who understands me, Huang Zhenyi is.”

A sudden soft, male voice entered everyone’s ears.

Creaaak.

The meeting hall door slowly opened, a robust and tall figure swiftly appeared.

The figure moved to the center of the meeting hall, stopping, revealing the entire form.

This was a handsome man, slightly over six feet tall, with muscles knotted all over his body and black hair cascading over his shoulders.

Truly handsome, not in the slightest fake.

Because his face was utterly androgynous, extremely delicate.

Phoenix eyes, a high nose, smooth skin, and pink lips. Altogether akin to an exceptional beauty.

If this face were on a woman, she would surely be the top courtesan of a music house.

Yet, on such a burly, strong man, it exuded a striking sense of contradiction.

“Old friend Cyan Horn, years have passed, yet you still look so radiant.” Huang Zhenyi unconsciously stroked the white whiskers on his chin, speaking with a complex mood.

He was not surprised that the other party could directly enter the heart of the Huang family.

Because this person had the capability.

“Greetings, Lord Cyan Horn.” Huang Huixian and Huang Lanxin bowed respectfully to him.

“Uncle Cyan Horn.” Huang Yixi was more intimate, his face showing a faint relaxation.

“You all are impressive. It’s been a while, and now you’ve become like this….” Cyan Horn had a pure white silk robe draped over him, revealing half of his fair shoulder and one arm.

“Since I took the position of Sea Dragon ten years ago, time flies by, and Yixi has grown so much…” Though he appeared only in his twenties, his tone was like someone in his fifties or sixties, full of worldly experience.

“Who wouldn’t say so. This time you’re here for the new Spirit Envoy at the Golden Wing Pavilion, right?” said Huang Zhenyi.

“Naturally.” Cyan Horn smiled, his dazzling face a bit blinding.

“The Spirit Envoy does have connections above. You can’t touch them, so leave it to me.”

“Then, for Xiang Ling’s share, you take sixty, I take forty,” Huang Zhenyi suggested.

“Friendship is friendship, business is business; such a division is fine by me,” Cyan Horn responded with a smile. “But you must cooperate with me to surround and kill this person.”

Huang Zhenyi frowned and did some calculations.

“It’s just a newly advanced Ninth Grade; that’s feasible. However, a word of caution, this person is associated with the Celestial Maiden Tong Chapter that Tan Yang exposed. Who would have thought that Tong Zhang would also be a senior member of the Golden Wing Pavilion?”

“Don’t worry, the Celestial Maiden currently has no time to care about this side….” Cyan Horn smiled mysteriously.

“And… maybe it won’t be long….”

He didn’t finish, but the implication left the others with endless imaginings.

*

*

*

Golden Wing Pavilion, Wushan Headquarters.

Zhang Rongfang sighed deeply, gazing at the vast amounts of gold and silver treasures, classical texts, and ancient books piled before him, feeling a slight lament inside.

’In this world, if you really want to get rich quick, you have to rob…’

Apart from the collectibles and jewels that were hard to appraise, there were over three thousand taels of gold alone here.

Converted to silver coins, it would be over thirty thousand taels.

There were also approximately twenty thousand taels worth of silver notes. Altogether, it exceeded fifty thousand.

These amounts might be hard for ordinary people to calculate in terms of value. But if measured against the current prices in Wushan Prefecture.

The market price for one pig was fifteen taels, so this money could buy 3,300 pigs.

And when converted to slave labor, the best price for a robust adult male workforce was about three hundred taels.

This money could buy 166 of the best laborers!

In other words, if one had the intent, this money could serve as the solid foundation for a powerful family’s rise.

Turning around and walking out of the treasure chamber, the guards quickly locked the main doors and secured them with combination locks.

He looked at the drizzle and mist clouding the sky outside, a spark of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

He had previously cleared out Celestial National Beauty House and Dream Boat Association, but had found no experts.

However, his actions had already alarmed Sea Dragon and the Huang family. Now that their interests were greatly compromised, they would definitely seek ways to deal with him.

At this moment, he needed to take the initiative and strike first.

Leaving the treasure chamber, he returned to the rear garden of Ten Thousand Miles Manor, the headquarters.

Qingsu and Weili were whispering softly here.

Seeing him approaching, they quickly saluted him.

“My Lord.”

“No need for formalities. What’s the situation outside?” Zhang Rongfang asked.

“The Huang family has already reported to the authorities, but Chief Constable He Xinhong has been quite perfunctory and not proactive. He merely took his team for a stroll nearby and then returned,” Weili laughed.

“The Huang family is usually arrogant and never gives him face, so it’s no wonder he’s half-hearted,” added Qingsu.

“What about the Prefect?” Zhang Rongfang inquired.

“The Prefect, Yue Hanquan, is backed by the Yue family and has not made any statements, remaining neutral. Their stance can be guessed; as long as it doesn’t have too large an impact or affect the common people, it doesn’t concern them,” Weili replied.

Zhang Rongfang nodded, as he had expected.

His brother-in-law, being involved in business matters, was one of Prefect Yue Hanquan’s capable subordinates and occasionally mentioned this head of Wushan during family meals and idle chats.

“What about Sea Dragon?” he pressed on.

“Sea Dragon hasn’t made any moves for now, but there are signs of experts gathering,” Qingsu noted.

“It seems they are preparing to act,” Zhang Rongfang sighed.

“This world indeed operates this way. The tree desires peace, but the wind will not cease; I seek tranquility, yet people will not let me.”

After a brief pause, he continued,

“In a moment, Qingsu, you should retreat first. Let Duan Valley accompany me with his men.”

Duan Valley, after offering his pledge sincerely, could be trusted for now, but he wasn’t enough on his own.

The Huang family, Sea Dragon, neither force was easy to contend with.

“My Lord needn’t worry. Now that we’ve decided to follow you, at crucial moments, life and death matter not; we’ll do our best!” Qingsu expressed with clasped fists.

“You’re still young; it’s not worth dying now,” Zhang Rongfang chuckled.

The entire Golden Wing Pavilion in Wushan, he intended to thoroughly purge. This was Duan Valley’s chance to shine.

The fugitives were clear-cut, and discerning between enemies and allies took but a glance.

With the intelligence network headed by Double Eagles he had now consolidated, once these people fled, they wouldn’t escape reckoning in the future.

This was also why Duan Valley had decisively begged for mercy. He knew the terror of the Golden Wing Pavilion’s intelligence network too well.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep