Chapter 110

Two days later, Wumei Tower reopened, and Wu Chengyu sat by the second-floor window just as before, glancing at the Daoist scriptures but often losing focus; the girls passing by downstairs attracted his gaze more, though today he looked at them somewhat furtively.

A Ku didn't know why, but she insisted on coming to Wumei Tower, and Wu Chengyu couldn't refuse, so he brought her along. Just now, when he looked at the girl in pink on Wuque Bridge and was slightly distracted, the teacup beside him inexplicably changed to scalding hot tea, and his tongue was still numb at this moment.

Fortunately, A Ku was more interested in the kitchen, spending most of her time there; not only that, she took the initiative to work and became the kitchen's red-case cook, wielding her cleaver to sever tendons and break bones, which made the head chef Wu Jinshui look at Wu Chengyu with a hint of sympathy.

The matter of Shi Tong was concluded, and the news had surely been transmitted back to Hangzhou, but this strange tale was already known throughout Gusu's streets and alleys, with many versions more bizarre than Shi Tong's death circulating.

For example, it was said that a flower-stealing bandit had come to Gusu City; he didn't like women, only men, and they had to be sons of wealthy families with delicate skin and tender flesh—anyone he fancied would eventually die from having their yang harvested to supplement his own yang.

It was rumored that Shi Tong had been described as the finest among men, with skin like congealed fat and eyes like autumn waters, a rebirth of Song Yu and a reincarnation of Pan An.

Others said it was a female thief who knew medicine, intending to use the heart's blood of those playboys to refine pills; this pill was extraordinary, curing palace cold, menstrual pain, infertility, and even childhood paralysis.

As the instigator, Wu Chengyu hadn't expected men could actually be this useful, or rather, could be used in this way.

After letting his thoughts wander for half a day without finishing a single page of the Daoist scripture, Wu Chengyu had nearly given up, planning at most to just put on a show.

Just as he was spacing out, Wu Jinshui suddenly walked over: "Twenty-One, Fourth Uncle sent word just now asking you to go to De Yue Lou right away."

"Alright, keep an eye on A Ku for me."

"No need to watch her; who would dare do anything to her? But she just ate two pig trotters, so I'll put it on your tab."

"......"

De Yue Lou was the most famous restaurant in Gusu City, universally recognized as the best among Gusu's restaurants; only high officials, nobles, and local great clans could enter, and Wumei Tower was a notch below it.

The various clans of Gusu City would come here to hold meetings whenever they had matters to discuss.

When Wu Chengyu arrived at De Yue Lou and announced himself as a Wu Family disciple, he was then led up to the second floor; the middle of the second floor was a hall, with different private rooms on either side, and at this moment the doors of every private room were open, each containing a representative of a great clan of Gusu City.

Wu Chengyu quickly found his own family's elders; the private room was called Tingyu Xuan, with two tables inside, and three people sat around the large central table.

The head of the Main House, the eldest of the Zheng generation, Wu Zhenghong, who was also the next Family Head of the Wu Family; the head of the Second House, seventh of the Zheng generation, Wu Zhengfan; and the head of our own Third House, fourth of the Zheng generation, Wu Zhengliang.

The Family Head had not come out from Wu Family Slope, and the three of them together could decide most matters of the Wu Family.

Wu Chengyu's status in the Wu Family was special; seeing him come over, the three elders were quite enthusiastic, inviting him to take a seat, not entirely treating him as a junior.

Wu Chengyu first bowed to the three uncles, then sat at the small table beside them, where there were also three people, all assistants who usually ran errands for the three uncles.

Wu Zhengliang first explained to Wu Chengyu: "I asked you to come because the Shi Family has sent people again." As soon as he spoke, he gave a slight wry smile and couldn't help but glare at Wu Chengyu.

Now only Wu Chengyu knew about him killing Shi Tong, and today's matter was actually brought about by Wu Chengyu himself.

Wu Chengyu understood at once, and also silently thought that the Shi Family reacted truly quickly; an event from three days ago, transmitted from Gusu back, and Shi Miyuan immediately sent people over again—modern transportation, back and forth, counting reaction time, this speed was already quite fast.

Could Shi Tong's strange death and the matter of contacting the Jin Kingdom envoy be placed in Gusu? Shi Miyuan probably wouldn't be so incautious.

Wu Zhengliang continued: "It is said the person who came is Shi Tong's younger brother, but in the Shi Family he is even more valued than Shi Tong."

"He came this time ostensibly to handle the previous disputes between Shi Tong and the various clans of Gusu, so he called us, the heads of these families, over."

"But he definitely came to Gusu for things we don't know about; it's not that simple."

"I'm afraid there might be some accident later, so I specially called you over to see what plans the other side has next."

"Logically he shouldn't turn against the clans of Gusu, but the Shi Family has become increasingly overbearing in recent years, especially since Shi Tong died in Gusu."

"Later, you should act according to the situation; if any change occurs, feel free to take action, but not to fight the Shi Family—rather, control the situation on the scene and don't let major complications arise."

Wu Chengyu nodded silently while observing the surroundings of the restaurant; outside in the alley, many people had now gathered, all capable, some even carrying weapons—apparently all the clans had brought bodyguards, after all, everyone was suspicious of Shi Tong's death.

Not long after, they heard the sound of several people coming upstairs; the leader's footsteps were very forceful, giving an impression of clear and firm purpose, and behind him were four others; by Wu Chengyu's experience, three of them had quite good martial arts, and one could hear their stances were solid.

Only the fourth person had extremely light footsteps; Wu Chengyu's hearing was astonishing, so he could distinguish them—others simply couldn't hear that person's footsteps at all.

This lightness skill, in Wu Chengyu's eyes, had already reached the level of entering the hall and entering the chamber—an absolute master, at least a lightness skill master.

But Wu Chengyu was very confident, especially after exchanging blows with Hong Qigong; this person's lightness skill probably still couldn't match his.

When these people reached the hall in the exact center of the second floor, they did not enter any private room, but stood before the hall to greet the various clans of Gusu.

"Shi Chang of the Shi Family of Hangzhou; I pay my respects to all the kind and benevolent elders of Gusu; I offer my greetings to you all."

Shi Tong, Shi Chang—it seemed the Shi Family drank Kai Zhang like water, Wu Chengyu muttered to himself.

But he had to admit that this Shi Chang was far stronger than Shi Tong.

Shi Tong wore his emotions on his face; when he wanted to harm someone, his treacherous schemes were written all over his face—arrogant, overbearing, and utterly impolite.

Moreover, his complexion was greenish, his eye sockets dark, looking like he lacked kidney essence—how could he be a clan disciple favored by Shi Miyuan?

This Shi Chang was different; not tall, but strong in build, and one could tell he had some martial arts skill.

Although he inevitably had a bit of arrogance, Shi Chang's manners were very proper; the only flaw was a pair of triangular eyes, but those triangular eyes also held a firm gaze, making him look very shrewd.

This was the quality a great clan disciple should have; someone like Shi Tong was purely a wastrel—every family had a few like him, they could be kept around, but when something truly happened, they wouldn't be used.

Thinking here, Wu Chengyu felt something was off; Shi Miyuan's peace with the Jin Kingdom concerned his political life, and the matter of secretly welcoming the Jin Kingdom envoy seemingly shouldn't have been assigned to Shi Tong.

(Chapter End)