Chapter 240: The True Purpose

The Fu family has many dogs.

Their rise to power was still somewhat recent, so whether good dogs or vicious dogs, the Fu family still held the leashes in their own hands.

And the pack in this courtyard were the "vicious dogs."

They were the largest salt smuggler gang within the city.

Ruthless, fearless of death, and generous with tributes.

Salt smugglers start as desperate men, but to grow big, they cannot lack a backer.

For such "vicious dogs," had it been the Fu or Song families, even if used, they would have kept them within the hands of vassal families.

Holding them oneself easily dirties the hands.

The smuggler's leader was named "Iron-Backed Gai"; though tall, he was somewhat hunchbacked.

In his early days smuggling salt, he was chased by imperial soldiers and took five cuts on his back, yet they failed to split him open and kill him, earning him this nickname.

Back then he was not yet powerful; even if he found the name grating, he could not stop others from insisting on calling him that.

Later, when Lady Fu Shuanghui came to Zhan City, needing money on one occasion, she subdued him.

After that, Iron-Backed Gai's private salt could be transported directly via the canal throughout Southern Jiaozhi.

It would never be inspected.

It was also after that that he recruited soldiers and horses, wiped out several other private salt gangs, and became number one in Zhan City.

After Wen Bin escaped two life-threatening calamities, Ninth Master sent a message ordering Iron-Backed Gai to secretly investigate Xu Yuan's background.

Upon Ninth Master's inquiry, Iron-Backed Gai signaled his subordinates with a glance to bring several more jars of fine wine, while telling Ninth Master what he had discovered.

The secrets of River Works Alley were hard to investigate, but Xu Yuan's origins were easy to find out.

After listening, Ninth Master grabbed another wine jar, drinking while frowning in thought.

Moments later, he asked another question: "What is the whereabouts of the dragon-serpent my sister seeks?"

"This is unknown to anyone," Iron-Backed Gai said. "I personally led my brothers to investigate at Yu Well Village; it is very certain that the dragon-serpent has already left.

As for its whereabouts... if anyone knows, it can only be that Xu Yuan."

Ninth Master's thick eyebrows shot up, and he declared decisively: "My sister's revenge must be taken!"

"Young Lady is our reborn parent!" Iron-Backed Gai pounded his chest so hard it shook the sky: "With just one word from Ninth Master, I, Old Tie, will lead the brothers through mountains of blades and seas of fire!"

"I heard you have a technique called Blood Salt Spirit?"

"Yes," Iron-Backed Gai said. "However, these manufactured evil spirits are difficult to reach above the Seventh Grade."

"That is because your methods are shallow," Ninth Master took another drink of wine. "You go prepare the materials first; since I have come, I will certainly take Xu Yuan's life before leaving!"

"Yes!"

That night, Iron-Backed Gai arranged for four young women to accompany Fu Chongjiu, but he drove them all away.

"Such mortal flesh and blood, do they deserve my Dragon Essence?"

Fu Chongjiu, over thirty years old, is still a virgin.

Even a Princess he looks down upon; his target is the Princess!

For men cultivating the Dragon Transformation Art, the first ejaculation is extremely important, as the bloodline it carries is the most potent.

Thinking of the Princess, Fu Chongjiu's hatred for Xu Yuan grew even stronger in his heart.

He has been stuck at the Sixth Grade for five or six years.

He only waits for Lady Fu Shuanghui to eat that dragon-serpent, then he will eat Lady Fu Shuanghui, smoothly advance to the Fifth Grade, and then marry the Princess!

In his teens, he was already making corresponding arrangements.

Secretly observing the younger brothers and sisters in the family to see which ones possessed extraordinary aptitude.

He cared for them greatly, protecting them in every way.

Each one regarded him as a confidant elder brother.

When he struck, they would have absolutely no defense.

Unfortunately, most of these younger brothers and sisters died halfway.

The Dragon Transformation Art is not so easy to cultivate!

The most promising was Lady Fu Shuanghui; Fu Chongjiu invested the most in her.

That reverse scale, the theatrical puppet, the fishing net, the Realgar Longzhu Waidan—each item was incredibly precious.

These were all the capital Fu Chongjiu had wagered!

Just as the harvest was in sight, a wild brat suddenly appeared and killed his good sister!

Fortunately, the message returned by his sister mentioned an ancient dragon-serpent.

And Xu Yuan is likely the only person who knows the whereabouts of that dragon-serpent.

Then revenge for his sister must be taken!

These past few days, Xu Yuan has been purchasing various items for the alchemy room.

He also hired craftsmen to renovate the house.

He Youxing has not summoned Xu Yuan for several days, and Xu Yuan was too lazy to offer a warm face to a cold rear.

Instead, Wan Yun quietly came once to inform Xu Yuan: "Lord Xie has returned to Luocheng."

"Returned to Luocheng? What for?"

"Moving things up and down," Wan Yun said, somewhat worried for Xu Yuan. "I heard Lord He wants to be transferred, and Lord Xie thinks there is a chance to succeed Zhang Zhanglv."

Xie Qingman's greatest backer is currently in the Northern Capital, but that backer has also introduced her to some connections in Luocheng.

Wan Yun said: "You prepare early. If Lord Xie truly succeeds as Zhanglv... I will do my best to mediate for you."

"I thank Brother Wan in advance."

Champa currently has four patrol inspectors, two of whom are Lord Xu's "good brothers."

But in truth, Wan Yun himself did not have much confidence.

Recently, Xie Qingman has also become somewhat distant toward him.

If Xie Qingman truly becomes the Chief of Discipline, there will be no shortage of people seeking to join her; Wan Yun fears he might not even be able to save himself.

After Wan Yun left, Xu Yuan simply went about his business as usual.

He simply did not believe Ma Tianshou would truly allow Xie Qingman to become the Chief of Discipline of Champa.

During this period, Xu Yuan had also grown considerably, able to understand a few more aspects of officialdom.

When He Youxing first came to Champa, Old Yan secretly explained to Xu Yuan that He Youxing had someone behind him supporting him, forcing Ma Tianshou to compromise.

He Youxing was a candidate Ma Tianshou could also accept.

But what Ma Tianshou wanted most was, of course, for every branch office under his command to have its principal position filled by his own people.

Only then would the Southern Jiaozhi Southern Office be as solid as iron.

Now that He Youxing is leaving, it has given Ma Tianshou another opportunity.

You Xie Qingman want to pick the ripe peaches?

Dream on.

What outstanding achievements do you have in Champa to show for it?

Don't say you have a backer; does Ma Tianshou not have one?

If he didn't, his begging bowl would have been kept indefinitely at the Northern Capital General Office.

After seeing Wan Yun off, Xu Yuan called for Lang Xiao Ba: "Take a few brothers and come with me; Third Lady's Guild is receiving goods."

Xu Yuan had ordered a bronze furnace through Third Lady's Guild.

Third Lady's Guild is full of Rank Dan Xiu; although none are above the Sixth Grade, they know all the various ways and tricks of the Dan Xiu inside out.

When Xu Yuan arrived at the door, Great Wei Wei Huoshi hurriedly came out personally to welcome him.

"My Lord, the item has already arrived; it is in the back courtyard. I will lead you there."

"Good."

Lang Xiao Ba followed behind his own Lord, walking with head held high and chest puffed out.

The last time he came to Third Lady's Guild, he was met with all sorts of cold treatment.

Now look; Great Wei Wei Huoshi is scurrying out to welcome him.

They don't even dare to stand straight in front of Lord Xu.

Lang Xiao Ba felt that these martial arts guilds and societies were simply cheap; once the Lord gave them a beating, they became obedient and sensible.

Xu Yuan, however, could not smoothly reach the back courtyard, because as soon as he entered, two craft artifacts started causing trouble.

Xu Yuan soothed them for a while, whispering a promise to the two: "In a short while, I will certainly invite Auntie Wang to meet with you."

Only then did the two ancestors of Third Lady's Guild resume their work.

The bronze furnace ordered from Third Lady's Guild was of superior quality; after inspecting it, Xu Yuan was very satisfied: "How much silver?"

"How could we possibly accept the Lord's silver? Consider it our tribute to you."

"Nonsense!" Xu Yuan glared; this was also a matter of commercial Dao cultivation, and he could not simply let it go for free.

(End of this chapter)