Chapter 585: Business

This proposal was ultimately passed; after all, there were no other good solutions. Thus, everyone counted heads together.

Eight people per side. Since Tang Zhao's side adopted a conservative strategy and added luck to their own, allowing their people to enter the passage first and proactively choose to avoid combat, the survival rate for both sides remained quite high.

This is where the benefit of a chaotic battle becomes apparent. If one chose to fight to the death, there would be no need to count heads; the survivors would be clear at a glance. As it stands, one has to distinguish the living from the dead one by one.

Because the end time was moved up, the battle between Fang Weiran and Xing Qing ended early. The two fought to a draw with minor injuries, and their sharp weapons were not broken.

As for the battle on Xing Cang's side, it was just going through the motions, so they naturally ceased fighting in a dull manner. Xing Cang sustained a small injury, but Tang Zhao couldn't help but speculate whether he had cut the wound himself—if the inspection had been any later, it would have healed.

There were no other serious battles. Aqin was trapped by Xingzi's Magpie Bridge, and Mai Shiyu and Xinglao calculated against each other, both remaining safe. Aside from that, no intense fighting occurred.

In the end, Changfa Manor had one person severely injured: the unlucky Xing Jiu.

Xing Jiu had been fine, running all the way without incident. Upon exiting the passage, he happened to run into the high-spirited Xinglao. Seeing the opponent complacent and unguarded, he was momentarily struck by the desire to perform a meritorious deed and impulsively launched a sneak attack, only to kick an iron plate and be sent flying by a Golden Bull. It was fortunate his reaction was quick enough to block with his Sword Image, a thick book, which finally dissipated some of the force, allowing him to keep his life.

Xing Wu, who appeared a few steps behind him, ran fast; not only did he keep his life, but he also circled around to provide emergency treatment to Xing Jiu using Sword Art, allowing Tang Zhao's team to survive in full.

In the end, only one person died on both sides, a certain Sword Guest from Sunset Manor.

It was Xing Qi who made the move, which is to say, Wei Zhangle.

Tang Zhao was slightly stunned, then suddenly realized: indeed, only Wei Zhangle had to make a move.

Wei Zhangle's sword is extremely strong in certain aspects, a very typical "First Sight Kill," but it is also something that requires strict secrecy. If those who have been struck by it regain consciousness and realize the mystery, passing the intelligence on, it would greatly weaken the effectiveness of his sword. Furthermore, Changle was impersonating Xing Qi this time, and his Sword Intent and Sword Art were fundamentally different from Xing Qi's. Once the opponent realized this, or mentioned it to someone who knew Xing Qi, it would arouse suspicion and even bring the integrity of Changfa Manor into question.

The underlying character of Wei Zhangle is caution; he would not leave a threat unaddressed. If he didn't move, fine, but if he did, it would naturally be to eliminate future trouble. Since the opponent had already been struck, they could hardly defend against an assassination.

It was precisely because of his caution that Sunset Manor lost one person, which just happened to help his own side win according to the head-counting rule.

The dust has settled!

"Manying... you didn't propose this rule just after seeing the result, did you?" With the outcome decided, the Shadow-Skimming Old Ape grumbled with some displeasure.

Pipa sneered, "You didn't say that before; you only say it now that the result is clear? Everyone agreed to it; do you want to go back on it?"

The Shadow-Skimming one was just muttering; it simply disliked Heart Shadow and had nothing to do with Sunset Manor, nor was it worth arguing over. With Manying speaking up, it had no need to dwell on it further.

Thus, the result was set, and Sunset Manor had lost a round in a muddled fashion.

In fact, at this moment, the result was already clear to Tang Zhao and his group. Because it was best-of-three, at least one of the remaining two rounds would definitely not be lost.

Of course, that does not refer to Tang Zhao's round.

Winning the next round would naturally be even better.

"Outrageous! Why did we lose? Did you bunch of dog slaves not give your all? Did you all go and slack off?"

Wu Shayu finally flew into a rage upon returning to his shed. Several Sunset Manor Sword Guests knelt on the ground, not daring to let out a breath. However, the outside help he had hired didn't buy this. Xinglao and Xingzi were already full of fire; seeing Wu Shayu's anger, they sneered, joined hands, and walked away. Since they had already lost, there was no need to think about the final payment, so they simply didn't stay there to be insulted.

Wu Shayu was so angry he nearly choked, yet he couldn't afford to offend Anxing Manor. Even if he chased after them now, he wouldn't gain anything, so he could only curse loudly in the shed.

It was fortunate that these two had drawn the hatred firmly, leaving him only to curse and not think of venting his anger on his own sword slaves for the moment. After he had cursed for a while, a Sword Guest beside him said slowly, "Sunset Master, do not worry about these things. It is a small matter; the key is to look at what comes next."

Wu Shayu looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was the White-haired Swordsman Xing Qi, who had been watching from the sidelines. He was not from Anxing Manor but an outside helper from another place, with a background no less than Anxing Manor's. At this moment, he spoke in a measured tone, looking as if he had everything under control.

Wu Shayu was infuriated by his demeanor and said, "You speak easily—this is a small matter, what is a big matter? Is it a big matter only when your master loses another round?"

Xing Qi said proudly, "My master will not lose; my master is invincible."

Wu Shayu was speechless. He wanted to retort, but this was no time to boost others' morale and destroy his own. Besides, the strength of Xing Qi's master was unquestionable, and he also believed this round was a sure win. He said, "If your master is so powerful, why didn't he come earlier? He counts as an Abyss Envoy, right? If he had come and stood on my side, we would have won directly, and there would be no need for that stupid rule later."

Xing Qi did not take his bait, only emphasizing, "My master will appear at the critical moment. The next round is a guaranteed win."

Wu Shayu said sullenly, "Even if he is guaranteed to win, I still have to appear, and this old body of mine may not be up to the task."

Xing Qi said, "If the Sunset Master does not wish to appear, you do not have to."

Wu Shayu said, "Easier said than done... wait, you mean..."

Xing Qi said with full confidence, "Do not worry, everything has been arranged."

After the first match, there was a significant break, mainly used to clean the venue and prepare for the next match. For the Sword Fighters and the audience who had been sitting in the stands for nearly two hours, it was also a gap that could be used to attend to business.

In the stands, after the results were announced, there was an uproar. Cries of "rigged" were incessant, nearly shaking the stands to collapse, but there were also those who were overjoyed.

In the Tiger-Subduing Master's private box, Liu Shusheng slapped the table and laughed, saying, "Good, good, good! To think this round was actually won. Best-of-three, Changfa Manor has great prospects."

The Tiger-Subduing Master, who had previously favored Sunset Manor, was naturally very displeased and said, "They only won one round; the outcome is not yet decided. I said Gui Rong would not lose. After the next round, it will be a one-to-one tie. And it's not as if the Sunset Master can't win..."

He remembered the rumors that the Sunset Master had already suffered a stroke, and he had just seen it—the old man was already in a wheelchair, clearly looking like an old coffin-dweller. Saying he could win was a bit of a stretch, so he immediately changed the subject: "Why did you come to see me? To talk business? Or to find a VIP seat to watch the match?"

That Liu Shusheng smiled and said, "Pardon my abruptness. I am indeed here to discuss a big business deal with the Tiger-Subduing Master. Originally, I intended to discuss it at the Deep Shadow Society, but today's occasion is more suitable. Because it is quiet."

Just as he said, at this moment, the stands had practically become a natural networking venue. Different people had entered all the private boxes, chatting and laughing. Some boxes were already empty, their owners visiting other boxes—some for socializing, some for business.

The Tiger-Subduing Master secretly felt he had miscalculated. When he came, he hadn't considered that there would be such a grand occasion, so he had brought Xing Biao, a Sword Guest whose appearance was intimidating and good for show. Had he known he would be discussing business, he should have brought Xinglu, who managed the household and business affairs daily.

One must know that as he has aged over the years, he has become increasingly greedy for pleasure, spending his days in Yulang City indulging in debauchery, leaving the family assets to be managed by the Sword Guests. If it weren't for the fact that he still firmly controlled the Recording Circle and held the lifeblood of the sword slaves, he would have been sidelined long ago.

Although he didn't even know how much money he had at home right now, he wouldn't turn away business that came to his door, so he asked, "Is this for the Sword Washing Seed business, or to buy Tiger Chief?"

The Tiger-Subduing Master still remembered that his manor's specialty was Tiger Chief, a potent medicine for nourishing yin and tonifying yang. This kind of medicine was always in short supply.

Liu Shusheng coughed dryly and said, "Tiger Chief... we do want to buy some. But what I want to buy more is another divine medicine."

He lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Wangliang Mountain has divine pills and miraculous medicines that can prolong life."

The Tiger-Subduing Master grinned and said, "Nonsense, do you think Wangliang Mountain is a fairyland that can refine immortal pills? This place is just particularly daring in its experiments, producing some Strange Pills with special effects. If I had such medicine, I would want to..." He stopped here, suddenly stunned.

Liu Shusheng observed his expression and knew he was in the know. His expression became slightly serious as he said, "Let me be direct. I am here this time on the orders of a true noble from Jingcheng. This noble has eyes and ears everywhere, and his power is beyond what ordinary people can imagine. If his requirements can be met, he will not be stingy with his rewards."

The Tiger-Subduing Master chuckled, "Among those who come to the Deep Shadow Society to trade, how many have thin family fortunes? Even the most noble of nobles comes here hiding their head and tail, not even daring to report a name."

Liu Shusheng remained calm and said, "Wealth is an external possession; the truly worthwhile reward is something that can be met but not sought. For example... leaving this place that never sees the sun, going to the bustling world to obtain a proper official position, and enjoying the rest of one's life in comfort."

He really understood!

The Tiger-Subduing Master's heart pounded; this hit exactly on his secret wish. As he grew older, he increasingly detested the black-and-white tones of Wangliang Mountain, the desert sand, and the sweltering weather...

Being a carefree local emperor in an outlaw land is meaningless after a while. Among his hundred or so subordinates, few are to his liking, and if he wants a beauty, he has to go outside and buy one. His means of entertainment are all things discarded by others; an emperor is not necessarily an emperor, and the "local" part is truly rustic.

If he could go to the bustling world in the south to be an official, enjoying glory, wealth, and freedom, who would want to suffer in this shallow pond of turtles?

It's just that Wangliang Mountain is not a place one can come and go as one pleases; the Abyss Envoy he serves is watching him at all times. The Imperial Court over there is even less tolerant of people from Wangliang Mountain washing their reputations clean. If a noble could mediate between the two sides, negotiate with Wangliang, and operate within the Imperial Court, there would definitely be a chance to get ashore.

Could it be that the opportunity he was waiting for was right before his eyes?

Unfortunately, the person Liu Shusheng was looking for was not him. The Tiger-Subduing Master pondered for a moment and said, "If you are asking what specialties Wangliang Mountain has for prolonging life, there are none on the surface. I can only tell you some rumors I have heard. Whether they are true or false, I cannot guarantee."

Liu Shusheng immediately caught on and said, "As long as there is real news, that alone counts as a great merit. The conditions are easy to discuss; that noble person promised more than just one quota."

The Tiger Subduing Master lowered his voice and said, "Have you heard of the Long Life Society?"