Chapter 271

"Are you nearby hunters? I can give you three hundred taels of silver, please help us with a matter, and afterwards I will additionally give you two hundred taels of silver. By the way, my name is Ji Qinghuan, you can call me whatever you like." Ji Qinghuan appeared calm, even sizing up Chen Wuji with a glance.

Chen Wuji chuckled, "Anyone with eyes can see we're not ordinary hunters, yet you're talking business with us?"

"Precisely because you're not ordinary hunters, I want to discuss this business with you. You can trust me; what we can offer you far exceeds your imagination, not just money." Ji Qinghuan said.

She was very confident, possessing a pride that, despite being a prisoner, she still held the initiative.

Chen Wuji feigned curiosity, "What else can you give me? By the way, you just said it's you guys."

"If you agree to the business just mentioned, I can tell you what comes next. But if you have doubts, I think there's no need to continue talking, or we could directly discuss how much silver our two lives are worth to you." Ji Qinghuan said.

Chen Wuji picked up a grilled fish, took a leisurely bite, and said indifferently, "But you haven't told me what you can give me; how can I trust you? Besides, I don't see anywhere on your bodies to hide several hundred taels of silver."

A long dress with leaks all over, even if you stuffed every corner, couldn't hold two or three hundred taels of silver; this woman's talent for smooth talk is impressive.

Earlier Chen Wuji had only guessed, but now it's almost certain.

This woman is the leader of this group.

"You can rest assured on this point; as long as you nod, the silver will be delivered to you at any time." Ji Qinghuan glanced at Chen Wuji, "I believe you are a smart and pragmatic person; we enjoy dealing with someone like you, cooperation for mutual benefit—perhaps this is your chance to change your fate."

"Say something useful." Chen Wuji forcefully swung his right hand, leaving a clear cut on Ji Qinghuan's neck with the horizontal blade, blood slowly spreading along the edge.

Ji Qinghuan furrowed her brows, enduring the pain as she continued, "We can not only give you silver, but also power and status; you could become one of the wealthiest and most influential people in Nan Jun."

"Who are you people?" Chen Wuji asked.

"We're like you, just more numerous and wealthier." Ji Qinghuan said this, a hint of pride appearing on her face, her eyes glowing.

Chen Luozi walked over holding a blood-stained horizontal blade, glancing at Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji understood, "Wushuang, watch over those two; if they dare to move, cut them down!"

"Yes!"

Wushuang clasped his fists in acknowledgment, then suddenly drew another horizontal blade from behind his back.

However, he did not place the blade at their necks; he simply stood to the side.

Chen Wuji and Chen Luozi walked to the lakeside.

"Wuji, they're not Qiang people; they're from Hezhou." Chen Luozi said in a low voice.

Chen Wuji's eyes widened in surprise, "Did we kill the wrong people?"

"Not necessarily wrong." Chen Luozi said, "They're here specifically to wait for the Qiang people, to cooperate with them, then take the opportunity to exterminate the Qiang and seize Yunan."

"This group comes from a place called Yeniao Shan Zhuang; the six men are all wandering vagabonds, locals of Yunan, who have stayed in Yunan and don't know what Yeniao Shan Zhuang is really like."

"Only that woman is truly from Yeniao Shan Zhuang; the woman beside her is her maid! A few days ago she came to Yunan, using a ten‑tael silver ingot engraved with a special mark to summon them, venturing deep into Shenxian Ling to await the arrival of the Qiang people."

Chen Wuji rubbed his cheeks, "The world is in chaos, so naturally there are many ambitious people."

"Their tactic of welcoming the Qiang into Nan Jun then turning on them feels oddly familiar, as if some fool had used it before. Jiu Shu, do you think this tactic would work?"

"Just the foolish daydreaming of an idiot." Chen Luozi snorted, "If they were capable of dealing with the Qiang, why go through all this? Simply repelling the Qiang would let them easily take Yunan."

"But some fools believe it wholeheartedly, even fanatically." Chen Wuji recalled the look in Ji Qinghuan's eyes when she said those words.

"They don't treat commoners' lives as lives at all; they're basically a bunch of cold, heartless trash. The Qiang haven't arrived yet, but it looks like our enemies are about to gain another one." Chen Wuji gave a helpless chuckle; this wasn't a matter of his willingness, but something unavoidable.

He must protect Xifang Cun and Yunan, which inevitably means confronting them.

Yeniao Shan Zhuang might as well be called Yegou Shan Zhuang.

Assuming they could succeed, when they actually do, how much of Yunan's populace would remain?

The Qiang are good at plundering.

In their eyes, money, grain, and population are all supplies that must be seized.

"Any other news?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Luozi shook his head. "No more. That kid knows only limited things; he's been kept by Yeniao Shan Zhuang, paid to stay in Yunan City, gathering intel for them and occasionally preparing things."

Chen Wuji nodded, returned to the fire side, "Ji Qinghuan, you still have one chance."

"We're just discussing business; as long as the deal can be made, that's enough. Why are you so interested in my identity, brave sir? When the time comes for us to be open with each other, we'll tell you." Ji Qinghuan smiled confidently.

"I can only tell you, we are very strong; cooperating with us, you will definitely not lose out. But provoking us will certainly not be a good thing. However, today's incident is a misunderstanding; I will explain it clearly to my superiors."

Chen Wuji backhanded a slap, "Speak human words, stop talking nonsense with me."

A crisp sound rang out, and Ji Qinghuan's face bore a clear slap mark, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth—showing how forceful Chen Wuji's slap was, her face almost got knocked off.

"Prize open her mouth!" Chen Wuji ordered coldly, "Find a sharp Knife; for every nonsense word she says, cut off a piece."

"Yes!"

Chen Luozi walked over sinisterly, "Gentlemen, let's change the venue for our talk; don't disturb our Leader's enjoyment of eating fish, it'll ruin his appetite."

Ji Qinghuan was directly dazed by Chen Wuji's slap.

This trick of hers usually works unfailingly; why didn't it work this time?

That's several hundred taels of silver, and he isn't moved at all?!

Ji Qinghuan didn't want to leave, but she had no choice; Chen Wushuang and a few others forcibly dragged her to the nearby shack, and not long after, a heart-rending scream rang out.

Having been single for many years, Chen Luozi would rather pay fines to the Court than marry; he truly lacks any tenderness toward women.