Chapter 34: Was It You Who Killed Them?
“You know, you almost destroyed our Chunhe Hall. That’s the hard work of my parents over half their lifetime.”
Chen Rui’s expression darkened, and he sneered coldly, “Compensation? What are you going to use to compensate us?”
Seeing how quickly he slipped into character, Chen Ming felt quite gratified.
To be honest, he had been a bit worried that this elder brother of his was too soft-hearted to manage a shop. But now it seemed he had underestimated him.
Zhou Quan wore a bitter expression and said, “Manager Chen, I had no choice. Jin Yuansheng is such a powerful force—I really couldn’t afford to offend them…”
Chen Rui slammed the table. “You can’t afford to offend Jin Yuansheng, but you can afford to offend our Chen family?”
Zhou Quan glanced at Chen Ming and involuntarily shuddered. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Jin Yuansheng gave me five hundred taels to frame you. I’ll also add all my own savings—another five hundred taels—as compensation…”
That made a total of one thousand taels.
Chen Rui remained unmoved. “Are you trying to send off a beggar?”
Zhou Quan was on the verge of tears. “Then how about this? I’ll sell my house too. It should fetch three or four hundred taels, making it one thousand five hundred.”
Chen Rui only sneered in response.
Zhou Quan hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Fine. I’ll sell the farmland back in my hometown too—two thousand taels. That’s everything I own. I really can’t give more.”
Chen Rui raised three fingers. “Three thousand taels. As long as that amount is paid, we’ll let the matter drop.”
Zhou Quan’s face changed dramatically at those words. He blurted out, “Three thousand taels… I really can’t come up with that!”
Chen Rui couldn’t be bothered to argue. He lifted his teacup and said, “See the guest out.”
Two strong maidservants stepped forward and began dragging him out.
Just as he was about to be hauled out of the hall, Zhou Quan let out a pig-like shriek. “I’ll pay… I’ll pay… three thousand taels…”
Chen Rui raised his hand, signaling the two maidservants to let go, and said to him, “Shopkeeper Zhou, those were your own words—three thousand taels.”
“I said it!”
Zhou Quan sobbed as he spoke, tears streaming down from heartache.
Three thousand taels—all the money he had earned over the years, now gone in an instant.
Chen Rui pressed him, “When will you pay?”
“Give me a few days…”
“Five days.”
“Five days is too short.”
“Then seven days.”
Chen Rui spoke in a tone that brooked no argument, “After seven days, if I haven’t seen the money, I don’t know what my younger brother might do.”
Zhou Quan’s expression froze. “I will… I definitely will.”
The reason he had come to apologize in person was because he had heard a certain rumor.
Just over a month ago, Old Ghost Xiao of Wanli Gambling House had schemed to cheat Chen Rui out of money and came to demand repayment, only to be thrown out by Chen Rui’s younger brother.
That same night, Old Ghost Xiao’s men came to apologize and even paid compensation.
Not long after, Old Ghost Xiao died mysteriously.
They said it was suicide—but who would believe that?
As for who had done it, it was self-evident.
When Zhou Quan heard that rumor, it was like falling into an icy abyss.
What he had done was no different from Old Ghost Xiao.
With the temperament of Chen Rui’s younger brother, who knew if one night he’d show up at his doorstep and slit his throat. Killing his whole family wasn’t out of the question.
Those three thousand taels were his life money.
He had already decided that after paying the compensation, he would never do business in Qingfeng City again.
……
After Zhou Quan left—
Chen Ming said, “That man is pretty tactful.”
Chen Rui thought to himself, Isn’t it all because of you, Ah Ming?
After Old Ghost Xiao’s death, everyone in town now knew that the second son of the Chen family was ruthless and merciless, killing without hesitation.
Because of that fearsome reputation, business dealings had become a lot smoother.
He looked at his younger brother, his face filled with guilt. “Ah Ming, you handed the money to me, yet I let you down. We lost five hundred taels on this deal.”
Chen Ming smiled and said, “Didn’t we just earn it back? A full three thousand taels—six times the profit.”
Chen Rui gave a bitter smile. “He only paid out of fear of your retaliation.”
“What’s this yours or mine? We brothers are one. I walk the path of martial arts to safeguard this family. You do business to earn money and support my cultivation.”
Chen Rui was shaken.
He lowered his head in shame. “I was short-sighted, Ah Ming. Don’t blame me. Honestly, I was afraid I’d be a burden to you.”
Chen Ming smiled gently. “When I was imprisoned and you spent all the family savings to ransom me, did you think I was your burden then?”
“I…”
Chen Rui felt a surge of emotion, his nose stung, and it felt like something was stuck in his throat.
Chen Ming encouraged him, “I have someone teaching me martial arts. But big brother, you have to figure out business on your own. Taking a small loss is like paying tuition. I believe that before long, you’ll be the manager of the biggest firm in Qingfeng Prefecture.”
He truly meant those words.
Judging by today’s performance, Chen Rui was absolutely a qualified businessman.
As long as Chen Ming could become the strongest martial artist in Qingfeng Prefecture, his big brother would naturally become the biggest firm’s manager.
Chen Rui declared with excitement, “Alright! I will never let you down, Ah Ming.”
The two brothers clasped hands tightly.
……
…………
Seven days later, Zhou Quan indeed delivered the three thousand taels as promised—a silver note redeemable at the Four Seas Bank.
After receiving Chen Ming’s promise that all grievances were settled, he left the Chen household with a sense of great relief, having resolved never to set foot in Qingfeng City again.
Those three thousand taels had cost him dearly—nearly half his life.
Chen Rui split the money, giving one thousand taels to Chen Ming, and depositing the remaining two thousand into the apothecary’s public account.
This time, the shop’s reputation had been preserved thanks to a benefactor’s help.
Afterwards, Chen Rui brought gifts to that benefactor’s home, thereby establishing a valuable connection.
Now with capital and Chen Ming’s growing reputation, he was able to build ties with many people who had once trained at the Huo Residence.
The apothecary’s business finally began to thrive.
Though Jin Yuansheng was a large enterprise, it still couldn’t dominate Qingfeng City completely.
Meanwhile, through the connection of Hong Mingquan’s wife, Chen Ming got acquainted with several of Huo Chengkun’s registered disciples.
All of them were Ninth Grade martial artists and had once shared a good relationship with Hong Mingquan.
After some inquiries, they learned that something really had happened to the Huo family’s funeral procession.
Nearing Xiaoshui, they had encountered a group of horse bandits, suffering heavy casualties.
The few who survived were currently recovering at the Xiaoshui Sect.
Among the survivors, Hong Mingquan was not one of them.
When Madam Li heard the news, she fainted on the spot.
Chen Ming felt a chill run through his entire body.
Something about this situation was very suspicious.
Hong Mingquan must have known something, which was why he made arrangements beforehand and entrusted his wife and son to him.
Suddenly, he recalled that elderly woman mentioning the “Sword Canon.”
Could it be because of that?
Chen Ming didn’t know—and didn’t want to know.
Better not to get involved and risk bringing disaster on himself.
……
Half a month later, Hong Mingquan’s remains were brought back.
Madam Li and Hong Zilin moved out of the Chen household.
Hong Mingquan had property in the city, and the mother and son transported the coffin back home to hold the funeral.
Chen Ming felt deep sorrow over Hong Mingquan’s death.
Two days after the funeral—
That night, a pebble pierced the paper window and landed on the table.
Wrapped around the pebble was a slip of paper.
Upon unfolding it, he saw it was from that blue-clad young lady again.
Chen Ming grabbed his saber and stepped out into the back alley.
There, he saw a graceful girl clad in night attire. In a cold voice, he said, “I thought you wouldn’t come again.”
Zhong Shuyu snorted. “Until I defeat you in swordplay, I will never be satisfied. En garde!”
With that, she launched her attack.
Perfect timing!
Chen Ming was already simmering with rage.
Facing her sword, he advanced instead of retreating.
Clang, clang—two blades clashed.
He had already seized the initiative.
It was clear that Zhong Shuyu had improved significantly since a month ago.
But Chen Ming had improved even more.
He held nothing back. His long saber roared like a violent wind, his attacks as relentless as a torrential storm.
Soon, Zhong Shuyu couldn’t hold out any longer.
After about thirty moves—clang!
With a cry, Zhong Shuyu lost her grip and her longsword flew from her hand.
Chen Ming’s saber was now at her throat. Seeing the sharp, icy intent in his eyes, her body stiffened.
She dared not make a move.
“Was it your group who ambushed the Huo family’s funeral procession?”
So what if it was?
Zhong Shuyu wanted to say that, but in the end, she didn’t dare.
She had a strong feeling that if she admitted it, he really might kill her.
Her lips trembled. “It wasn’t.”
Only then did Chen Ming withdraw his saber.
Zhong Shuyu gave him a fierce glare, didn’t even bother to retrieve her sword, leapt onto the rooftop, and quickly vanished from sight.
Chen Ming watched her disappearing figure and sighed.