Chapter 640: Can You Manage That?

"Is this Flat Pavilion?"

After Shen Yu followed the young man he had met halfway to the outside of Flat Pavilion, he looked around with some uncertainty. No matter how he looked at it, this place resembled a slum.

The people around were sallow and emaciated; the children didn't even have shoes, only able to drape themselves in random rags and play and frolic with bare feet.

On the surrounding streets, waves of foul stench assailed the nostrils, and flies and insects were everywhere, impossible to drive away.

After passing through this noisy crowd and pushing open the door to a dilapidated house that leaked wind from all sides, everything seemed to suddenly open up.

It looked dilapidated from the outside, but the inside had long been tidied up; not only did it look spotless, but a delicate fragrance also wafted toward them. It was as refreshing as the faint scent of a maiden, filled with temptation.

According to the young man met halfway, once the Flat Pavilion trade ended, this place would immediately return to its dilapidated state.

By then, no one would be able to tell that a grand gathering had once taken place here; they would only think it was still that low, dirty, and broken slum.

The next Flat Pavilion gathering would change locations, and the specific location would be told to them when the invitations were sent out.

Flat Pavilion had only been held twice so far, and this was the third time, but it had already become famous precisely because they granted every request.

As long as you could pay the corresponding price, they would help you perfectly complete any request you put forward.

At this moment, many people had already gathered here; some wore masks, while others had disguised their appearances. But some were also walking through the crowd openly, not afraid of being seen by others at all.

Some of these people stood coldly to the side, some sat alone in corners, and others were chatting with each other to see if they could trade what they had for what they needed.

Flat Pavilion was not a charity, and their demands were also extremely difficult, the kind that made it hard to choose. Therefore, if a trade could be made privately, that would naturally be for the best.

For example, there was once a wealthy merchant whose family fortunes had declined who wanted wealth that could never be exhausted in a lifetime, wanting to make a comeback.

Yet the demand Flat Pavilion put forward was for him to offer up his own family, sending his wife, children, and elders into Flat Pavilion without a single one left behind.

From then on, his wife and children would be people of Flat Pavilion, to be disposed of as they pleased.

In the end, he agreed. Having once experienced wealth, having experienced a life of luxury, for someone who now could only eat cheap food and had to suffer the pain of hunger every day, such days were a torment.

They thought every moment about being able to make a comeback; their desire for renewed glory far exceeded that of ordinary people, so he agreed without a second thought.

As a result, after his wife, children, and family were all sent into Flat Pavilion, Flat Pavilion immediately gave him an extremely considerable sum of wealth.

And they guaranteed that as long as he spent it, there would be more. Flat Pavilion had promised him wealth that could not be exhausted in a lifetime, and they would certainly keep their word.

Originally, this person was ecstatic, thinking he had profited. But the result that was unacceptable was that after he accepted the wealth and the trade was concluded, his wife and daughter had their clothes removed and were wantonly insulted in front of everyone.

The people of Flat Pavilion, and even the guests present, could do anything they wanted to them, and it would not cost a single cent.

Never underestimate the bottom line of a human; if people let go, they are truly worse than beasts. On the scene, it was like a carnival where humanity was extinguished.

Everyone present might never forget that day; that man's wife and daughter, and even his elders, were tortured by others in various ways, without a single piece of good flesh left on their bodies.

Drenched in blood and mangled, they couldn't even let out shrill wails because their voices were hoarse. One could only tell those people were still alive from their bodies twitching in pain.

Flat Pavilion would not let them die, so they continued to suffer torture, and only endless mocking laughter echoed in their ears.

Everyone watched that man's twisted face, appearing regretful, appearing desperate, as he rushed up like a madman wanting to save his family, only to be blocked by the people of Flat Pavilion.

The trade was complete; his wife, children, and elders all belonged to Flat Pavilion.

In the end, this person finally could not bear it and committed suicide on the spot.

The wealth Flat Pavilion gave him was truly wealth that could not be exhausted in a lifetime. After all, until he died, that wealth was still there, and not even a single copper coin had been moved.

Everyone also saw that Flat Pavilion's trades struck directly at the human heart, and the trade-offs involved were difficult to choose.

However, Flat Pavilion did not stop private trades; if these people's requests were so easy to fulfill, they wouldn't have come to them.

Therefore, private trades were nothing more than self-deception. If they weren't allowed to communicate, how could they be made to give up completely, and how could they be made to know that only Flat Pavilion could truly help them?

Every one of them had their own purpose, walking into this place while harboring dreams that were fundamentally impossible to complete.

Flat Pavilion could help them complete their dreams, complete things that were previously out of reach, but only by paying a little price.

If there is a harvest, there must naturally be a sacrifice; this is a fair trade, and they naturally understood that.

"Everyone, I am a manager of Flat Pavilion; you may call me Bai Song!"

As a middle-aged man walked out, the messy crowd instantly quieted down, and everyone's gaze turned toward him in unison.

That fervent appearance was as if a lecher were looking at a peerless beauty, wishing they could melt him.

Everyone was very clear that the person before them could help them realize the dreams in their hearts, even if those dreams seemed absurd.

"Today's Pinglou trade is hosted by me; everyone, tell me your requests, and Pinglou can satisfy everyone's wishes!"

"Manager Bai, let's skip the small talk. I want the Feiyu Sword Sect's sect-guarding mental cultivation method, the Feixu Technique. I wonder if you can get it?"

As soon as Bai Song's voice fell, a man in brocade clothes wearing a mask spoke up. At the end, this person added another sentence.

"And you must guarantee that after the Feiyu Sword Sect finds out I have practiced it, they will not pursue this matter!"

"Young Master of the Shao'an Chamber of Commerce, you practice the Luo Yu Sword Technique. If you have the Feixu Technique to assist you, it will surely be like a roc rising on the wind in a single day; this choice is not wrong."

"You!" Originally, he wore a mask precisely because he was afraid of people knowing; if people knew he was coveting someone else's sect-guarding Cultivation Method, the Feiyu Sword Sect would kill people.

At that time, once they made a move, it wouldn't be just one or two people killed; perhaps the entire Shao'an Chamber of Commerce from top to bottom would be slaughtered clean.

So, after his identity was exposed in a single sentence, there was a tremor in this person's voice. But by now, he had to bite the bullet and continue asking.

"Just tell me if you can get it or not? And you must ensure the people of the Feiyu Sword Sect won't pursue it!"

"I can, but Pinglou wants all the wealth of the Shao'an Chamber of Commerce. Can you manage that?"

"What? You, you want all my family's wealth?" For a moment, the young master hesitated; that was the family business of several generations, how could he hand it over?

But now his identity had been revealed; I'm afraid it wouldn't be long before the news of him coveting the Feiyu Sword Sect's sect-guarding Cultivation Method spread, so it seemed he had no choice now.

"Young Master, as long as you agree, Pinglou will immediately hand over the Feixu Technique, and no one will ever pursue it. However, you cannot keep a single copper coin!"

"This, this... fine, I agree!" After hesitating for a moment, the young master raised his head and then nodded affirmatively to the other party.

Although the wealth of the Shao'an Chamber of Commerce was important, in such a high-martial World, martial power was eternal.

The Luo Yu Sword Technique he had obtained by chance had already given him quite a reputation, and he could be considered an expert, but he was always lacking something.

Only by obtaining a Cultivation Method like the Feixu Technique, with the two complementing each other, could he ride the wind and truly step into the ranks of martial experts.

As long as he had the strength to suppress a region, even if he had nothing, money spent would naturally return.

Thinking of this, the young master nodded, reaffirming his determination. He even felt a bit smug about having made such a decision.

Those in this world who achieve great things are all resolute people, and only those who possess the courage to burn their bridges can accomplish a great cause.

However, after seeing these things, Shen Yu shook his head; he could already be entirely certain that Pinglou was a place that devoured people.

The young guild leader before him thought his transaction was flawless, but he would never think of the principle that "the poor study while the rich practice martial arts."

He had grown accustomed to obtaining the resources he wanted just by opening his mouth, with ginseng, lingzhi, and all kinds of tonics flowing in endlessly, which was why he could reach his current realm; he would never imagine what it would be like if wealth were to leave him one day.

Are there few cases in the pugilistic world of a hero being defeated by a single copper coin? Even if he obtained the Feixu Technique, without the support of massive resources, he would likely never achieve anything.

A young master accustomed to fine clothes and gourmet food, suddenly left with no wealth at all—reality would give him a resounding slap in the face.

Soon he would know that without wealth, he is nothing.

By then, Pinglou would be his last straw, and he would definitely come to Pinglou again. And at that time, Pinglou would squeeze out the very last bit of value from him.

Are the things in Pinglou really so easily obtained? Look at that person from before who offered up his wife and children for wealth; he committed suicide right here without even being able to take the wealth away.

Yet no one can say anything, as it was a fair trade with goods and money cleared; who can you blame if you couldn't bear it and committed suicide?

Pinglou not only wants their things, but is also playing with human hearts.

However, what Shen Yu was more curious about was how this place could exist in the Capital. By rights, Pinglou had already traded twice, which should have attracted many people's attention.

Could it be that the Imperial Court, the Capture Gate, or even the Black-Clad Guard had not noticed? Or perhaps, even they have something they want to obtain here at Pinglou?

"I want this year's exam questions; I wonder if you can manage that?"

Just as Shen Yu was deep in thought, someone suddenly shouted aloud, their eyes revealing a look of hope.

This person had half-white hair, and although they covered their face with a mask, they looked to be at least forty or fifty years old. The clothes on their body were patched, clearly indicating their family background was not very good.

It seemed to be another existence driven mad by the examinations; in order to pass the imperial exam, they dared to pay any price.

"Certainly! A mere trifle!" Looking at the person before him, the Pinglou manager Bai Song just smiled lightly, his voice filled with temptation.

"We can give you the exam questions, and even guarantee your name is on the list, allowing you to stand out from the crowd."

Hearing Bai Song's words, the other party immediately revealed a look of surprise and joy. They had heard from others that since Pinglou had promised, they would definitely be able to do it. That proved they would definitely be able to pass the exam.

"But what can you give us?" Just looking at them quietly like that, that gaze seemed capable of piercing through the human heart, giving people a deep sense of oppression.

At this moment, this old scholar even felt a sense of inferiority welling up in his heart; he felt as if he truly had nothing. His family was as poor as a church mouse, he had no wife or children, and there was nothing he could offer.

Finally, after watching the old scholar for a while, Bai Song suddenly smiled slightly: "How about this, the thing we want is very simple: we want your conscience!"

"Conscience?"

"Correct. You have had great ambitions since you were young, aiming to follow Chen Xing in hopes of passing the exam one day to realize the aspirations in your heart, and you even passed the scholar exam while still a youth."

"It is a pity that your luck was poor; since then, you have repeatedly failed the exams, wasting half your life, and in the end, you have achieved nothing. You can only huddle in the village as a poor, pedantic teacher, so you are unwilling to accept this; day and night, you want to achieve fame and success."

"Moreover, you grew up eating food provided by the hundred families; those simple folk helped you since you were young, and your heart is full of gratitude toward them. If it weren't for them, you would have long since starved to death by the roadside, like wild grass on the path."

"Especially that original teacher of yours; upon learning you had a talent for reading, he didn't even charge you any tuition, hoping only that you could achieve fame and success one day."

"So you hope that one day you can pass the exam to repay those villagers who helped you, to repay your teacher, and you especially do not want those who look forward to you passing the exam to be disappointed."

"Very good, although you have no worldly possessions, you are a person who knows how to repay kindness!"

Nodding slightly toward the old scholar, Bai Song then said in the blink of an eye: "The thing we want is very simple; you only need to personally kill the villagers who once helped you, and kill your teacher."

"As long as you do these things, the matter we promised you can be done immediately."

"I, I..." The sudden demand caught the old scholar off guard.

He longed to pass the exam day and night, longing for it so much that he could have such a dream every day. But to ask him to kill his teacher, to kill those villagers who helped him, he really found it difficult to do.

Yet he was also unwilling to see those pairs of disappointed eyes after each exam; every time he had to take the exam, it was the villagers who helped him scrape together the money.

Their hopes were very simple: they just hoped he could pass, could become an official, and could make their contributions pay off. However, his repeated failures had long since disappointed them.

Even though the Capital was not far from their village, only a two or three-day walk, the expenses were still huge for him. For a village that was not wealthy, it was also no small sum.

By now, he seemed like a pathetic worm clinging to these villagers to suck their blood; this time, to scrape together the money to come out for the exam, he had even suffered cold looks while begging from house to house.

Seeing the old scholar appearing hesitant, Bai Song did not force him, only saying indifferently: "Whether you are willing or not is up to you; we never force anyone, and Pinglou never forces a sale!"

While speaking, Bai Song casually threw a packet of poison, throwing it right at the old scholar's feet: "This is a packet of Gut-Piercing Poison; as long as you put it in the water source, your entire village will not survive."

"The choice is in your hands; the exam is about to begin, so you should consider it carefully. The opportunity is in your hands, you must seize it!"

"Doesn't Pinglou claim to be able to do anything? What if you can't do it?"

Just at this moment, someone suddenly shouted; this person was not disguised and was not wearing any mask, just walking over openly and aboveboard.

This appearance made the others gasp; this was clearly someone coming to smash the place.

However, Bai Song was not annoyed by this, instead arching his hands toward him: "If we cannot do it, from then on you can make any condition to Pinglou, even if it is a demand for the entire Pinglou to pledge loyalty to you, that is no problem!"

"Good, then I want you at Pinglou to kill Shen Yu; can you manage that?"

"Shen Yu?" After hearing this name, a strange look flashed through Bai Song's eyes, and then he looked up to stare directly at the other party: "We can, but can you really fulfill Pinglou's requirements?"