Chapter 132: A Failed Negotiation

Cheng Feng did the math: twelve rooms in the middle courtyard, thirty in the main rear courtyard, and fifteen in the secondary courtyard. Counting all the side rooms front and back, that made fifty-seven rooms in total. And that wasn't even counting the six rooms by the kitchen and the fifteen rooms for the servants. Wouldn't it be exhausting to manage?

Fortunately, Cheng Feng planned to buy some servants to attend to his future wives and concubines, so a residence this large was definitely enough.

Cheng Feng finally asked the ultimate question for every buyer: "Shopkeeper, how much silver will this cost?"

The Shopkeeper cupped his hands and said, "I have already spoken about the silver, Young Master. Haggling is unnecessary. However, for a deal of this size, I must ask you to wait a moment; the Lin family is already on their way."

Cheng Feng felt a wave of confusion upon hearing the Shopkeeper's words. He had originally assumed this purchase would be like previous transactions, where the price was determined through bargaining, but he hadn't expected the Shopkeeper to make such a request. Was he to meet the seller directly?

Before long, a group of people slowly appeared. They rode tall horses and wore magnificent attire, appearing quite imposing. The leader was a middle-aged man with a burly build and a dignified expression; he was clearly the Head of the Family for the Lin family. He walked up to Cheng Feng, smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Master Cheng, I have long heard of your great name. To finally meet you today is truly a great honor."

Cheng Feng also returned the smile, but his body sent out a warning to him. He felt that every gesture the man made was full of power, his breathing and footsteps were steady and forceful, and there were faint traces of blood-red in his eyes. He was at least at the peak of the Blood Refining Realm, or perhaps even on the verge of breaking through it.

He thought to himself that this Lin family head's strength was indeed extraordinary; no wonder he could lead such a massive family.

The Shopkeeper introduced them with a beaming smile: "This is the head of the Lin family, Lin Xiong, who caught the notorious Blood Wolf Gang off guard half a year ago."

He then introduced them to Lin Xiong: "This is Young Master Cheng, who has been looking for a large residence to settle his family for months without finding anything suitable. Since you happen to be selling your residence, why don't you two find a place to discuss the specific details?"

Lin Xiong looked at the man who had the strength to buy the Lin family's residence in South City.

Just looking at his appearance, he was indeed handsome, with a firm gaze, measured manners, and long, steady breath. His strength should be slightly weaker than his own. Such a young Blood Refining Realm expert?

No matter how he thought about it, he had never seen him before. Could it be that another dragon had emerged in the last two years?

While chatting and laughing with Cheng Feng, they walked to a nearby teahouse. The Shopkeeper was clearly well-prepared, as they sat down and were served tea immediately.

Lin Xiong asked casually, "Where does Young Master Cheng hold office?"

Cheng Feng asked curiously, "Does one need to look at background just to buy a house?"

The Shopkeeper stepped in to smooth things over: "The Head of the Lin family is likely just impressed by your youth and talent, Young Master Cheng, and wants to make a friend."

Lin Xiong lived in North City, so it was normal for him not to know about certain things.

But the Shopkeeper certainly knew that the Hong Sect, which had been in the limelight recently, was backed by this very Young Master Cheng.

With the Tieshan Martial Arts Hall as his backing, Wang Tieshan had already put out the word: "No bullying the young with the old, or I will step in myself."

One could see how protective he was of his own.

This was why Liu Xiansheng of the Green Bamboo Gang had tacitly accepted the matter, and later, the Hong Sect had not sought to Expand, which effectively calmed the situation down.

How could they have known that Cheng Feng was just stabilizing his territory? Wang Tieshan hadn't even discussed this with Cheng Feng, but since he was his Closed-door Disciple, he couldn't just stand by and watch him be bullied by someone older.

Lin Xiong had also beaten the Blood Wolf Gang into submission in North City. If these two were to clash, it was hard to say who would win!

It was just that neither side could be offended right now, so it was best to just discuss the business calmly.

The Shopkeeper sighed inwardly: "Is it easy for me to earn a living?"

Cheng Feng clearly didn't know that Wang Tieshan had given him such great support.

He watched silently as the Shopkeeper smoothed things over: "Is the Shopkeeper a shill?"

Only Lin Xiong could tell that the Shopkeeper didn't want the two sides to clash. Lin Xiong didn't care either; he was on the verge of a breakthrough and just needed the silver to buy medicinal ingredients. Nothing was more important than his own breakthrough.

Ever since Lin Xiong had diverted funds to purchase the Tiger Bone Pill, the Lin family's coffers had been almost completely emptied.

Later, he was ambushed halfway, but he managed to save his life. After taking the Tiger Bone Pill at great risk, he felt his breakthrough was still just a little short, and he also had to deal with the harassment from the Blood Wolf Gang, plus the County Magistrate had been visiting recently.

This made Lin Xiong feel that a crisis was imminent.

He had no choice but to sell the residence to scrape together the silver for his breakthrough.

And the news had to be kept as secret as possible.

Cheng Feng's face turned livid after hearing Lin Xiong's words; he was truly infuriated by Lin Xiong's shameless behavior.

He took a deep breath, tried to remain calm, and then said, "Head of the Lin family, what is the meaning of this? Do you take me for a three-year-old child? You want me to pay the silver first, but I can only move in after a month, and I have to handle the transfer procedures myself after that month? You are clearly playing games and trying to welsh on the deal!"

Lin Xiong was left speechless by Cheng Feng's words. He knew he had indeed gone too far, but he had no other choice now.

He lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, then looked up into Cheng Feng's eyes and said sincerely, "Young Master Cheng, I know what I'm doing is indeed excessive, but I am forced by circumstances. I am in urgent need of money, and the people from the Blood Wolf Gang could show up at any time. I have no choice but to sell the residence to you while keeping the news hidden, and then find a way to resolve the other matters."

Cheng Feng would not be moved by such tricks. What did his problems have to do with him?

His silver didn't fall from the sky! Seeing the stalemate, Cheng Feng prepared to turn on his heel and leave.

He had thought the Lin family head was decent just a moment ago, but this was it?

His scheme was so transparent that even the people at the city gate could hear it.

The Shopkeeper was also anxious; if this deal went through, the commission alone would be twenty taels!

Seeing Cheng Feng about to leave, the Shopkeeper seemed to suddenly remember something important; he hurriedly leaned into Lin Xiong's ear and whispered a few words.

After hearing this, a look of hesitation appeared on Lin Xiong's face. He looked at the Shopkeeper with a suspicious gaze, as if asking, "Will this really work?"

After all, this was not his usual style of doing things! However, considering the predicament the Lin family was currently facing, Lin Xiong dared not easily assert that he would definitely succeed.

After a moment of internal struggle, Lin Xiong finally made up his mind. He gritted his teeth and shouted ruthlessly, "Young Master Cheng, please stay!"

Cheng Feng felt a bit dizzy upon hearing this shout. But he still stopped and turned around, asking vigilantly, "Head of the Lin family, what else is there?"

Lin Xiong forced a smile and said with a somewhat strained tone, "I have long heard that Young Master Cheng has a special fondness for beauties. My Lin Mansion has specially cultivated a few beauties; I wonder if Young Master Cheng would be willing to step over and take a look?"

Cheng Feng glanced at the Shopkeeper, who was standing to the side and smiling obsequiously, and replied without hesitation, "I appreciate the Head of the Lin family's kindness, but I have other urgent matters to attend to and truly cannot go. I hope the Head of the Lin family will forgive me." Having said that, he turned and left, not giving Lin Xiong another chance to speak.

Watching Cheng Feng walk out without looking back, a flash of gloom crossed Lin Xiong's eyes. Did he really think having a master behind him could protect him for a lifetime?

We shall see!