Chapter 727: Tang Family Trading Firm

Rong Shili studied him carefully. "Are you a jianghu person?"

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "No."

"Then you're just highly skilled in martial arts?"

"You could say that."

Rong Shili nodded, but taking in Chen Changsheng's immaculate appearance, he grew confused again. "You don't have a speck of dirt on you. You clearly didn't fight your way out, so how exactly did you escape?"

"You have plenty of time to puzzle that out. Take your time."

Chen Changsheng smiled. "We still have a very long road ahead of us."

Rong Shili asked, "Where exactly are we going?"

"In a big circle."

"A circle."

"Yes."

Even in the end, Chen Changsheng didn't tell him exactly where they were headed, or what kind of big circle they were taking.

Perhaps he worried the truth would make Rong Shili anxious.

Because this road really was very, very long.

Originally, Chen Changsheng had planned to rest by the river for the night.

But Rong Shili was worried about pursuers, so the two of them pressed on.

Chen Changsheng walked at a leisurely pace, which drove Rong Shili frantic with anxiety.

"You're far too carefree!"

Chen Changsheng smiled. "They won't catch up."

Rong Shili sighed. "Are you really not worried? If they catch up, we'll both die."

"Since This Chen was able to bring you out of there, do you really think I can't evade them?"

Though Rong Shili knew this made perfect sense, he still couldn't help but worry.

The two walked from the dead of night straight through to dawn.

Along the way, Rong Shili guided Chen Changsheng. Even though many years had passed, he still knew exactly which stretches of the border were left unguarded.

Under his guidance, they successfully crossed into the King of Wei's territory.

"Whew..."

Only then did Rong Shili let out a long breath, feeling slightly more at ease.

"I need to sleep for a bit..."

Rong Shili was exhausted beyond measure.

Seeing how dead on his feet he was, Chen Changsheng said nothing.

Rong Shili simply collapsed under a tree and fell asleep.

Seeing him sleep so soundly, Chen Changsheng hoisted him onto his shoulder and kept walking.

Although the journey was bumpy, Chen Changsheng cast a spell to ensure Rong Shili wouldn't wake up.

Compared to Prince Kang's territory, the King of Wei's domain was far better.

At the very least, the borders here weren't nearly as chaotic.

Chen Changsheng carried Rong Shili all the way until he arrived before a city. The city's name—Longyue.

Ever since the world descended into chaos, many cities had changed their names.

After entering the city, Chen Changsheng asked around. He learned that the place was originally named Zhongyang City. Later, after the King of Wei raised his banner and claimed kingship, his consort had passed through, seen the bright moonlight, and renamed the city Longyue.

The King of Wei doted on his consort and allowed the change.

Chen Changsheng strolled through the city for a bit, his footsteps ultimately stopping before a trading firm.

It was named the Tang Family Trading Firm.

Chen Changsheng paused when he saw the name.

Then he stepped inside.

Inside, a shopkeeper sat flicking counting rods.

Seeing someone arrive, he stood up to greet him.

"Good sir, please step right in..."

The shopkeeper's words stopped halfway. He let out a startled cry. "Oh my! Good sir, why are you carrying a person?"

Chen Changsheng set Rong Shili down on a chair.

He then looked at the shopkeeper. "This Chen came in to confirm something."

The shopkeeper paused. "Please speak, sir."

Chen Changsheng asked, "Is your boss Young Master Tang, or Miss Yun?"

The shopkeeper froze.

His expression changed instantly. He quickly stepped forward. "Sir, please come upstairs to speak."

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng understood.

It was exactly as he thought.

The Tang Family Trading Firm in Longyue City was indeed the Tang Manor's property.

The shopkeeper hurriedly led him upstairs.

Upon arriving, servants immediately brought out tea and pastries.

The shopkeeper cupped his hands. "This humble one is Qi Monkey. May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

Chen Changsheng said, "This Chen is named Changsheng."

The shopkeeper froze again.

"Chen Changsheng?"

Seeing his agitated reaction, Chen Changsheng asked, "Is something wrong?"

The shopkeeper paused. "Mister, please wait a moment."

He had already changed his form of address.

He hurried into another room to fetch something.

Shopkeeper Qi dug a portrait out of a pile of items.

He poked his head out to glance at the green-robed Mister sitting outside.

Only then did he confirm it.

"It really is that Mister..."

Shopkeeper Qi found it unbelievable.

The person in the portrait was completely identical to the man sitting outside.

After all, it had been seven or eight years since he received this portrait.

Shopkeeper Qi hurriedly walked back out.

"Mister, apologies for the wait!"

Shopkeeper Qi took a deep breath, then respectfully cupped his hands. "The Tang Manor's seventeenth shopkeeper, Qi Monkey, greets Mister Chen."

Chen Changsheng quickly stood up. "Shopkeeper Qi is too polite."

Shopkeeper Qi was deeply thrilled.

The Tang Manor's shopkeepers scattered across the world all held a portrait like this. The young miss had previously issued an order: if they ever encountered this Mister, they were to treat him with the utmost respect, fulfill his every request, and report it immediately for a heavy reward.

Chen Changsheng asked, "How did you know it was This Chen?"

Shopkeeper Qi replied, "All twenty-some of us shopkeepers have your portrait."

Chen Changsheng was momentarily stunned, but he quickly understood.

"No wonder..."

Recovering his senses, he asked, "Twenty-some shopkeepers?"

Shopkeeper Qi nodded. "This humble one is the shopkeeper dispatched to Longyue City. I manage the branch, receive goods, and handle business contacts."

Chen Changsheng paused before asking, "There is only one shopkeeper per city. Is that right?"

"That's right," Shopkeeper Qi nodded.

Chen Changsheng realized the scale of it. "Has the business already grown this large...?"

It was truly unexpected.

Shopkeeper Qi asked, "Is this Mister's first time in Longyue City?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "Yes, I've only just arrived. I originally planned to wander around a bit, but I saw a familiar signboard and came in to ask. I didn't expect it to really be yours."

Shopkeeper Qi replied, "Isn't that perfect timing?"

He smiled. "I will immediately order someone to arrange lodgings for Mister. You can stay here for now, and later, I'll show you around Longyue City."

Chen Changsheng replied, "That's not necessary..."

"This Chen won't be staying long. I might even leave tomorrow, so making do with an inn will be fine."

"How could that do?"

Shopkeeper Qi said, "An inn would be doing Mister a disservice. The trading firm actually has quite a few estates in Longyue City. I'll have someone clean one out right away so Mister can move in. Please wait a moment."

With that, he hurried downstairs, not even waiting for Chen Changsheng to refuse.

"Shopkeeper Qi..."

Chen Changsheng called out, but couldn't stop him.