Chapter 345 - 262: Void Stone (2)

Chapter 345: Chapter 262: Void Stone (2)

Tang Wen understood the logic as well.

It was just like the global stage in his past life—the world’s two superpowers could never truly form an alliance.

All Bai You Ruo wanted was the formal standing it would grant her.

The Bai Family was in the midst of a succession struggle.

If Bai You Ruo could announce that she had secured a Fourth Grade ally for the family, it would be a huge achievement.

"You’ve hit the jackpot, kid!"

As the two of them were talking,

Hu Qi and the other Fifth Grade experts returned.

As for the fate of the Huang Family’s Fifth Grade expert, little needed to be said.

"What?" Tang Wen looked confused. ’What jackpot?’

THUD!

A dark stone fell before him.

Across from him, Shi Lei’s eyes were filled with envy. "A Void Stone. Ever heard of it? That old fellow Huang San’Er actually had a Void Stone on him! Quick, probe it with your Spiritual Power and see how big the space inside is, and what he kept in there."

He was envious, to be sure.

But Huang San’Er had been killed entirely by the hands of the Tiger Race’s Fifth Grade experts.

No matter how shameless Shi Lei was, he couldn’t just snatch it.

"So this is a Void Stone?" Tang Wen placed the stone in his palm, intrigued.

As his Spiritual Power probed it, he suddenly discovered a space the size of a main hall.

Piled inside were a number of things.

Gold, silver, silver notes, food, medicinal herbs, furs...

The items were useful, to be sure, but they were hardly surprises or treasures.

Tang Wen took everything out.

Everyone, including the White Tigers, looked on with disinterest, not giving the items a second glance.

Shi Lei scoffed, "Looks like that fellow Huang San’Er traded his entire fortune for this Void Stone. You really lucked out."

"Haha, I guess this trip wasn’t for nothing."

Tang Wen secured the stone on his person.

’With the Void Stone, my... dalliances... ahem, my clandestine activities will be much more convenient.’

After some discussion, Tang Wen decided to see things through to the end.

He would first take Bai Ningbing and her group back to his own territory.

As for Bai You Ruo, she spoke up, "I’ll return to White Stone City and bring back our family’s experts."

The journey was long, and it wasn’t safe for her to go alone.

Tang Wen thought for a moment, then looked over at Hu Jiu, who was currently eating a piece of meat.

Hu Jiu immediately lifted his furry tiger head and raised a paw. "I’ll go, how about it?"

"White Stone City has ten different kinds of fine wine," Tang Wen dangled.

Hu Jiu glanced at him, then turned his gaze to Bai You Ruo.

She said, "We have all sorts of rice wine, yellow wine, white spirits, and beer. Senior White Tiger can drink to his heart’s content."

"In that case, I’ll make the trip."

"Elder Tang, it’s not wise for a White Tiger to travel alone."

A Forbidden Guard spoke up.

Tang Wen gave her a gentle smile. "Then why don’t you accompany him?"

"Very well." She thought for a moment before agreeing.

For the return journey, they split into two groups.

Their pace slowed considerably.

Hu Qi had to conjure a gale to carry Bai Ningbing and the dozen or so other people along.

Naturally, they couldn’t travel very fast.

Fortunately, there was another White Tiger Guard in their group.

The three Fifth Grade experts from the Wind Division took turns, traveling day and night. After a few days, they finally reached the outskirts of Ganshan City’s territory.

Another day passed, and the party finally saw Ganshan City.

Tang Wen went into the city and found Li Zi and Liu Bing, handing over the task of guarding Bai Ningbing and the others to them.

Li Zi, the Sect Leader of the Thief Sect, thought they should hide the prisoners within the city.

Liu Bing, on the other hand, argued it was better to hide them outside the city, on his own territory.

For example, in one of the mines or other camps under Tang Wen’s control.

In the end, Tang Wen made the decision. "Do as Liu Bing says. Use drugs to restrict their mobility. Don’t give them any chance to cause trouble!"

Liu Bing asked for clarification, "Young Master, do you mean to make them so weak they can’t even stand? If we do that, I’m afraid it might cause irreversible damage."

"That’s fine. Just do it."

Tang Wen would not leave himself with any potential threats.

Even if the Bai Family didn’t take these people away to be executed...

...he wouldn’t let them live either.

’Bai Ningbing allied with the Huang Family. That means she stands against me.’

Before he left, Liu Bing added another report, "Young Master, Madam Lin’s father and brother have fully recovered. The courtyard where Madam Lin is staying has also been repaired."

He waved him away.

A fire ignited within Tang Wen.

This whole affair had kept him on the road for nearly ten days.

Now that he was back, it was time to relax.

He summoned a female Close Guard. "Go to what was once Zhao Zhe’s estate, find Madam Lin, and tell her I will be visiting her tonight."

The Female Martial Artist was from the Seven Kills Hall, and her temperament had long since been forged.

Upon hearing the order, she didn’t utter a sound, ask why, or even show a hint of curiosity.

She simply went to carry it out.

Tang Wen instructed the kitchen to prepare a feast for Hu Jiu, then stood up and headed for Shui Yun’s residence.

"Was your trip successful, Junior Brother?" Miss Shui poured him a cup of tea with her own hands.

With no one else in the room, Tang Wen pulled her into his arms and kissed her for a long moment.

Only when they were both breathless did they part, and he began to recount his journey.

He told Shui Yun everything, down to the last detail—the plans, the aftermath, and even the Void Stone he had acquired.

By now, their relationship couldn’t be summed up by simple terms like "lovers" or "fiancés."

It was far more complex. They were, in essence, a union bound by mutual interests.

They were bound together more tightly than any ordinary married couple.

Shui Yun listened intently. When she heard that everything had been handled, she let out a sigh of relief.

They shared a tender moment and finished a pot of tea before she had to get busy again.

This time, she was busy with her Cultivation.

Shui Yun had been stuck at the Veteran Extraordinary Realm for a long time.

She had recently sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough. If she hadn’t been worried about Tang Wen, she would have entered seclusion long ago.

The beauty left the room, leaving Tang Wen alone.

Outside the window, the sun was setting.

He pushed the door open and left, concealing his presence as he made his way to what was once Zhao Zhe’s estate.

The grounds were immaculate, all signs of previous disrepair swept away. Any areas that needed fixing had been mended.

As he walked further in, Tang Wen saw several servants diligently pulling weeds.

They quickly bowed their heads in greeting upon seeing him arrive.

A short while later, he arrived before a small villa.

Smoke curled from the villa’s chimney as maids bustled in and out.

It was much livelier than his last visit, when only Madam Lin and her servant had been toiling away.

"The Young Master is here!"

The Female Martial Artist at the door called out.

The villa door was pushed open and a beautiful woman hurried out. Her waist was slender and graceful, and her hands were still dusted with flour.

Blushing, she walked up to Tang Wen and said softly, "I’ve been so looking forward to your arrival."

"I’ve been busy. What are you making today?"

Lin Shi did not shy away, carefully taking Tang Wen’s arm. She whispered, "There are many dishes, but I’m making dumplings. Venison filling."

Tang Wen chuckled. Looking at her lovely, fair face, he asked deliberately, "Why venison?"

"Don’t you like it, Young Master?" Lin Shi watched him carefully, her expression apprehensive.

"How could I not like something Madam made with her own hands?"

Lin Shi breathed a sigh of relief. "Venison is nourishing. It’s perfect for a cold day like this."

"Haha, is that so? Then I’ll be sure to replenish my strength today." Tang Wen was very pleased with her answer.

In front of the maids and female guards, he gave that full moon of hers a light pat.

Lin Shi was both mortified and delighted. Her body went weak as she leaned against him, and they walked forward pressed tightly together.

Her situation was much improved from Tang Wen’s last visit.

The guards and maids were once again fawning over her, and she was no longer so cut off from information.

She knew that Tang Wen had accomplished great things and had become an Elder of the White Tiger Tribe.

After confirming the news was true, she found herself hoping every day that Tang Wen would come.

Later, when she learned her father and brother had been brought to the city for treatment, she yearned for his visit day and night.

After all, only when Tang Wen came could she ask him to let her see her father and brother.

A "fire dragon" heating system warmed the room, and a wave of heat washed over them as they entered.

But there were few people inside—only two pretty maids and Lin Ya Huan, whom he had met on his last visit.

"Young Master!"

"Lin Suowei greets the Young Master."

Tang Wen paused for a second, then recalled his joke from last time. "From now on, your name is Lin Hua."

"Yes! Thank you for granting me this name, Young Master." Lin Ya Huan lit up with joy.

After all, even a lowly maid wouldn’t want to be called "Lin the So-Called." It was a terrible name.

First, Lin Shi helped Tang Wen off with his coat, then said shyly, "Since you left, Young Master, I’ve had some idle time... so I made a couple of outfits for you. I don’t know if they’ll fit."

"How thoughtful of you. Let’s try them on, then."

When he went into the inner room and saw the clothes, he found they were a set of winter pajamas.

Tang Wen chuckled. After changing, he came out to find the table laden with food and wine.

Many of the dishes had been prepared that afternoon, simply waiting for his arrival.

Tang Wen took the host’s seat, and Madam Lin sat down intimately close to him.

Lin Ya Huan also took a cushion and knelt on the floor, having found her proper place.

"Hss!" Tang Wen set down his cup. "This wine certainly has a unique flavor."