Chapter 486 - 20: News

A few days later.

Tavern.

"Young Master Zhu, this way, please."

A servant led Zhu Ju to a private room where a portly, middle-aged man was already waiting.

The man was dressed in a long robe and wore a square cap. His small eyes glinted with worldly-wise shrewdness.

"HAHA..."

Upon seeing Zhu Ju, the man laughed, stood up, and greeted him warmly.

"Heroes truly do emerge from the youth. For Young Master Zhu to be managing such a large family enterprise at your young age, your future achievements will be limitless."

"I am Zhou Shou, and I handle various external matters for the Zhou Mansion."

"Steward Zhou," Zhu Ju said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"I’ve long heard of your great reputation!"

"You’re too kind," Zhou Shou said with a wave of his hand.

"Please, have a seat, Young Master Zhu."

He then turned to the servant standing nearby.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pour the tea!"

"Thank you," Zhu Ju said, nodding as he sat down across from him.

"I wouldn’t have come here without a reason. I am here today to discuss the sale of those two shops."

"I see." The smile vanished from Zhou Shou’s face as he spoke in a serious tone.

"These have been turbulent years. With bandits outside and civil unrest within, times have been hard for the Zhou Family as well."

"As for the acquisition..."

"I’m afraid we’ll have to renegotiate the price."

Zhu Ju frowned.

’The world had never been truly peaceful, but as a top family in Taiyuan Prefecture, the Zhou Family would not be affected.’

’No!’

’In fact.’

’The more chaotic the world becomes, the more wealth is concentrated. The Zhou Family probably wishes for even greater chaos.’

’Just like now.’

’He had to sell his family’s assets to save his own skin, while the Zhou Family could seize the opportunity to acquire them for cheap.’

’The saying, "Wine and meat spoil behind rich gates, while on the road lie the bones of the frozen," was not just a figure of speech here.’

’As one of the ’lesser’ wealthy, Zhu Ju had seen with his own eyes the extravagant lifestyle within the inner courtyard of the Zhou Mansion.’

SIGH!

Letting out a soft sigh, aware that he was in a position where he had to yield, Zhu Ju spoke slowly.

"Then in your opinion, Steward Zhou, what price can you offer?"

"Well..." Zhou Shou hesitated, his small eyes darting about.

"How about eight thousand taels of silver?"

Eight thousand taels?

Zhu Ju’s expression darkened.

This was thirty percent lower than he had expected, a price so low it was practically a steal.

"That’s far too low!"

Zhu Ju said in a suppressed voice.

"This time last year, someone offered fifteen thousand taels, and the Zhu Family didn’t sell."

"Heh heh..." Zhou Shou chuckled lightly.

"Times have changed. Recently, many people have approached the Zhou Family to sell their assets. If not for my past acquaintance with the Zhu Family, I might not even be able to offer eight thousand taels."

"What price did you have in mind, Young Master Zhu?"

"Fifteen thousand taels," Zhu Ju said.

"Those two shops are located on a bustling commercial street and have been operated by the Zhu Family for many years. Whoever takes over can turn a profit immediately."

"Besides, I’m not just selling the shops; the contracts for the servants and employees inside are included in the sale..."

"People aren’t worth much; sometimes they’re even a liability," Zhou Shou said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Fifteen thousand taels... even if I were to agree to that price, the Zhou Family would never approve."

"My people are all experienced," Zhu Ju began.

"The personnel, the supplies, the distribution channels, all together..."

"Ten thousand taels!" Zhou Shou interrupted, saying,

"Out of respect for Master Zhou, I’ll offer ten thousand taels of silver. This is a show of the Zhou Family’s sincerity."

"If Young Master Zhu finds this unsuitable, you are free to find another buyer."

"Hmm?"

As if he had heard something, Zhou Shou’s hand paused. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly stood up.

"Young Master Zhu, please wait a moment. I have a small matter to attend to. I’ll be right back."

"Very well."

Zhu Ju nodded.

"Go ahead, Steward Zhou."

...

Zhou Shou went to the next room, knocked lightly on the door, and only after receiving permission did he carefully push the door open and enter.

"Young Miss."

Inside the room,

Zhou Ruxuan was resting her chin on her hand, gazing into a bronze mirror in front of her.

But the mirror did not reflect her appearance; instead, it showed the scene in the adjacent room.

"Mm."

Zhou Ruxuan’s brows furrowed slightly. She looked at Zhu Ju in the mirror, her eyes filled with confusion.

"What’s going on with the Zhu Family?"

"To answer your question, Young Miss," Zhou Shou said, cupping his hands.

"Ever since Master Zhu died, the Zhu Family has been run by this Young Master Zhu Ju. The Qingyi Gang has been short on silver coins lately, so they’ve started targeting the people below them. They’ve extorted tens of thousands of taels of silver from the Zhu Family, forcing Zhu Ju to sell his shops."

"Oh?" Zhou Ruxuan raised an eyebrow.

"Are they only targeting the Zhu Family?"

"Not exactly," Zhou Shou replied, shaking his head.

"It’s just that the other families still have their connections to the Qingyi Gang. They pay less, and they’re given more time."

"Hmm..."

"From what I understand, Guo Jie of the Qingyi Gang seems to be on good terms with the people from two other Cloth Workshops. He’s likely trying to suppress the Zhu Family deliberately. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have offered such a low price."

"I see." Zhou Ruxuan nodded and then asked,

"What is Zhu Ju’s Cultivation level?"

"He disliked Martial Arts since childhood. Not long ago, his father died, and he himself had a near-death experience. He only started practicing Martial Arts after luckily surviving," Zhou Shou explained.

"Because his foundation was laid well, he has already achieved Grade Entering. However, to only reach Grade Entering at his age... it will be difficult for him to achieve much."

"Is that so?" Zhou Ruxuan’s eyes showed her doubt.

That day, her mind had been bewildered by Ma Yuanzhi’s Mind Enchantment Talisman, causing her to naturally feel a sense of closeness to the person in the room.

At that time,

Ma Yuanzhi was killed, and only a masked man in black was present. The Mind Enchantment Talisman naturally transferred its effect to that person.

And now...

"Zhu Ju?"

Zhou Ruxuan pressed her lips together, feeling that inexplicable sense of closeness as her beautiful eyes flickered back and forth.

’Could it be you?’

Theoretically, it shouldn’t be him.

Although Ma Yuanzhi was seen by others as unskilled and ignorant, much of that was a deliberate disguise on his part.

An Eighth-Grade Mage under the age of twenty, while not a stunning prodigy, was still quite remarkable.

The one who killed Ma Yuanzhi certainly couldn’t be weak.

Zhu Ju...

...had only just achieved Grade Entering.

"Uncle Shou."

"I am here."

"Go with his price," Zhou Ruxuan said slowly.

"Fifteen thousand taels!"

"Hmm?" Zhou Shou looked up in surprise, then cupped his hands.

"Yes!"

An extra few thousand taels of silver was not a small sum, but for the Zhou Family’s most beloved young miss, it was a decision entirely within her power to make.

*

*

*

"Young Miss!"

"Young Miss, you’re back."

"..."

As Zhou Ruxuan walked through her family’s courtyard, the greetings that usually felt warm and friendly today, for some reason, only made her feel irritated.

"Young Miss."

A maidservant hurried forward.

"The Master is looking for you."

"Father is looking for me?" Zhou Ruxuan was taken aback.

"I understand."

...

The Study.

Zhou Ruxuan properly curtsied before the Patriarch of the Zhou Family, Zhou Huaishan.

"Father."

"Mm."

Zhou Huaishan put down the item in his hands and studied his daughter carefully, a look of doting affection on his face.

"I hear that aside from visiting the shops, you’ve spent all your time cultivating in the Martial Arts Hall. The Martial Arts Path requires a balance of work and rest. I know you want to become stronger, but this approach may very well be counterproductive."

"Yes," Zhou Ruxuan replied.

"I understand."

"Sigh." Zhou Huaishan sighed.

"I’ve thoroughly investigated the incident from that day, but I couldn’t find the insider. Fortunately, you are safe and sound."

"I heard you gave Zhu Ju an extra few thousand taels of silver?"

"Father," Zhou Ruxuan said, looking up.

"I just felt sorry for him. His mother died young, his father is gone now too, and he’s being bullied for no reason."

"I don’t mean to blame you," Zhou Huaishan said with a wave of his hand.

"On the contrary!"

"From now on, you should get closer to him. Don’t be stingy with silver coins; treat it as making a friend."

"Ah!" Zhou Ruxuan was stunned.

"Why?"

She knew her father’s personality well. While not entirely an opportunist who only acted for profit, he always prioritized benefits in his dealings.

The Zhu Family...

...had nothing of value for the Zhou Family to exploit.

"I just received some news."

Zhou Huaishan’s expression was grave.

"Not long ago, a Fourth-Grade True Inheritance from the True Martial Sect came to Baiyun Temple outside the city and accepted a person as a disciple."

"That person..."

"...is Zhu Ju’s personal handmaiden."

Fourth Grade!

The color drained from Zhou Ruxuan’s face.