"Do you know that you almost destroyed our Chunhe Hall, the fruit of my parents' lifetime of effort?"
Chen Rui's face darkened, and he sneered, "Compensation, what do you have to offer?"
Chen Ming was quite relieved to see him getting into the role so quickly.
To be honest, he was initially worried that this elder brother was too soft-hearted and might not be suitable for managing the store. Now it seemed he had underestimated his brother.
Zhou Quan looked distressed and said, "Manager Chen, I had no choice. Jin Yuansheng's influence is too vast; I can't afford to offend them..."
Chen Rui slapped the table, "You can't afford to offend Jin Yuansheng but think you can afford to offend our Chen Family?"
Zhou Quan glanced at Chen Ming, shivered, gritted his teeth, and said, "Jin Yuansheng gave me five hundred taels to frame you. I will add all my savings, another five hundred taels, as compensation..."
Altogether, it was one thousand taels.
Chen Rui remained unmoved, "Is this beggar's money?"
Zhou Quan was on the verge of tears, "Then I'll sell my house, estimating it would be worth three to four hundred taels, making it fifteen hundred altogether."
Chen Rui just sneered.
Zhou Quan hesitated for a moment and sighed, "Fine, I'll sell the farmland from my hometown too, making it two thousand taels. This is my entire fortune; I truly can't offer more."
Chen Rui extended three fingers, "Three thousand taels. Only with this amount will the matter be settled."
Zhou Quan's face changed drastically and he cried out, "Three thousand taels... I really can't manage that..."
Chen Rui didn't waste words, picked up his tea cup, and said, "See him out."
Two strong maids stepped forward and dragged him away.
As he was about to be dragged out of the hall, Zhou Quan screamed like a pig being slaughtered, "I'll...I'll give the three thousand taels..."
Chen Rui raised his hand, signaling the maids to release him, and said, "Manager Zhou, you said it, three thousand taels."
"I said it!"
Zhou Quan spoke while tears of pain rolled down his cheeks.
Three thousand taels, all the money made over the years, gone just like that.
Chen Rui interrogated, "When will you pay?"
"Give me some time..."
"Five days."
"Five days is too short."
"Then seven days."
Chen Rui spoke in a tone that brooked no argument, "After seven days, if the money is not seen, I can't predict what my younger brother might do."
Zhou Quan's expression froze, "I will... I surely will."
The reason he chose to come forward and apologize was because of a rumor he'd heard.
A little over a month ago, Old Ghost Xiao from Wanli Gambling House planned to swindle Chen Rui's money, came to collect debt but was beaten out by Chen Rui's younger brother.
That night, Old Ghost Xiao's men came to apologize and even paid compensation.
A few days later, Old Ghost Xiao mysteriously died.
They said it was suicide; who would believe that?
Who did it, was naturally understood without saying.
Zhou Quan, after hearing this rumor, was scared as if plunged into an ice cave. What he did was no different from what Old Ghost Xiao did.
Given Chen Rui's brother's nature, it wouldn't be surprising if one night he came creeping to his door and slaughtered him. It wasn't impossible to expect him to kill his whole family.
This three thousand taels were indeed money to buy his life.
He had already decided that after paying, he would never again do business in Qingfeng City.
…
After Zhou Quan left.
Chen Ming said, "This person is still quite sensible."
Chen Rui thought, isn't it just because of Erlang's infamous reputation?
Now after Old Ghost Xiao's death, it is well known in the neighborhood that the Chen family's Erlang is ruthless, taking lives easily.
Because of this brutal reputation, he found doing business much smoother.
He looked at his brother, feeling guilty, "Erlang, you handed the money to me, and I let you down, losing five hundred taels on this deal."
Chen Ming laughed, "Isn't it still a profit? A full three thousand taels, six times the profit."
Chen Rui smiled bitterly, "But that was because they are afraid of your revenge."
"What's yours or mine. We brothers are one unit; I practice Martial Dao to safeguard the family. You earn money through business to provide for my Martial Dao resources."
Chen Rui was stirred, lowering his head in shame, "I misunderstood, don't blame me, Erlang. I was afraid I was holding you back."
Chen Ming smiled slightly, "When I was locked up in prison and you spent all our savings to bail me out, did you ever think I was a burden to you?"
"I..."
Chen Rui's chest surged with emotion, his nose tingled as if something was stuck in his throat.
Chen Ming encouraged him, "I have a teacher for martial arts, but as for you running a business, you can only learn by yourself. Consider small losses as tuition fees. I believe that before long, you will be the greatest shopkeeper in the whole Qingfeng Commandery."
He said this genuinely.
Judging by today's performance, elder brother Chen Rui is indeed a competent businessman.
As long as he becomes the strongest martial artist in Qingfeng Commandery, then it goes without saying that his elder brother will become the greatest shopkeeper.
Chen Rui spoke emotionally, "Alright, big brother will not let Erlang's expectations down."
The two brothers clasped their hands tightly together.
…
......
Seven days later, Zhou Quan really brought the three thousand taels as promised, in the form of silver notes redeemable at Four Seas Bank.
After receiving an assurance from Chen Ming that all grudges were settled, he left the Chen Family as if relieved of a heavy burden, determined never to set foot in Qingfeng City again.
This three thousand taels tore him up inside, costing him half his life.
Chen Rui allocated one thousand taels to Chen Ming, with the remaining two thousand taels going entirely into the public account of the pharmacy.
This time, preserving the reputation of his family's pharmacy was thanks to the help of a benefactor.
He later visited with gifts, establishing a connection with that contact. Now with capital, and leveraging Chen Ming's reputation, he could connect with many who had learned martial arts at Huo Mansion.
The business of the pharmacy finally started to flourish.
Although Jin Yuansheng's business was large, it was impossible for them to have Qingfeng City entirely under their thumb.
Chen Ming, on his side, also took advantage of Hong Mingquan's wife's connections and got to know several of Huo Chengkun's registered disciples, all of whom had Ninth Grade cultivation and previously maintained good relationships with Hong Mingquan.
After some inquiries, it was found that indeed the Huo family's funeral procession had met with trouble. They encountered a group of bandits near the Xiao River, suffering heavy casualties.
Among the few who survived, none was Hong Mingquan.
When the Li clan heard this news, she fainted on the spot.
Chen Ming was also chilled to the core upon hearing this.
This incident was very odd. Hong Mingquan must have known something, so he made arrangements in advance, entrusting his wife and children to him.
He suddenly recalled the "Sword Manual" mentioned by that old lady.
Could it be because of this?
Chen Ming did not know, and also did not want to know. Lest he invite trouble.
…
Half a month later, the remains of Hong Mingquan were brought back.
Li clan and Hong Zilin also moved out of the Chen Family. Hong Mingquan owned property in the city, and the mother and son transported the coffin back home to hold the funeral.
Chen Ming lamented over Hong Mingquan's death.
Two days after the funeral.
At night, a stone pierced through the window paper, landing on the table, wrapped in a note.
He took it out to see, it was that blue-clad girl once again.
Chen Ming took his knife and went out, arriving in the back alley, where he saw the girl dressed in night clothes, her figure elegant, coldly saying, "I thought you wouldn't come again."
Zhong Shuyu snorted, "I won't be satisfied until I defeat you with my sword. Watch my sword."
With that, she attacked.
Come on!
Chen Ming, already filled with anger, faced the incoming sword, advancing not retreating.
Two clashing knives.
He had already seized the initiative.
It was evident Zhong Shuyu had made considerable progress compared to a month ago.
However, Chen Ming had progressed even more.
He didn't hold back, wielding the long knife like a gust of wind, his attacks as fierce as a storm.
Soon, Zhong Shuyu could no longer hold out.
After thirty or so moves, with a clang.
Zhong Shuyu let out an ouch, her long sword falling from her grip.
Chen Ming's sharp edge paused at her throat, and she encountered the piercing chill in his eyes, her body tense, not daring to move recklessly.
"Was it your group who attacked the Huo family's funeral procession?"
So what if it was?
Zhong Shuyu initially intended to say this, but ultimately dared not say it aloud. She had a premonition that if she admitted it, he might really kill her.
Her lips trembled slightly, she said, "No."
Only then did Chen Ming put away his long knife.
Zhong Shuyu glared at him hatefully, not even picking up the sword on the ground, leaped to the rooftop, and quickly vanished from sight.
Chen Ming watched her leave, sighed deeply.