Chapter 340 - 163: A Sudden Rise, A Gallant Ride, Extortion to the Bone, The 8 Absolutes of Jianghuai, The Flood Dragon Monarch’s Allegiance

Chapter 340: Chapter 163: A Sudden Rise, A Gallant Ride, Extortion to the Bone, The 8 Absolutes of Jianghuai, The Flood Dragon Monarch’s Allegiance

In the past, a meeting like this would have required the utmost caution.

But now...

Ji Xiu arched an eyebrow, his smile never faltering as he looked at Chen Jing.

Chen Jing’s brow, however, had already darkened like a thundercloud. Without a word, he swung his arm, slapping Chen Chuan so hard the young man went flying.

"I am speaking with Nephew Ji! What right do you have to interrupt?"

Chen Jing’s tone was glacial, his face a mask of bitter disappointment.

"It’s because of disgraceful whelps like you—defeated, yet unable to swallow their pride—that my Fishing Trade and Nephew Ji have had so much needless friction!"

"Our third brother traveled all that way for revenge. Duan Chenzhou could have killed him on the spot, but he let him go."

"A man of his character—would he really need to sneak around on a moonless night just to kill a cripple?"

"You seize on baseless rumors and immediately pin the blame on Nephew Ji! Who taught you to behave like this? Get out of my sight! You’re an absolute disgrace!"

"If you continue to show such disrespect for your betters, then in three days, when the Mansion Courtyard begins its spring session, the Prefecture Student slot we’ve secured will not be going to you."

The slap, empowered by True Qi delivered from afar, left Chen Chuan completely stunned. He couldn’t understand. Here, at their own doorstep, the Lineage Master had been so aggressive, seemingly ready to put this Ji Family’s Son in his place...

So why the sudden, dramatic change of heart!

Even though he was bewildered...

...the viciousness in Chen Jing’s words still frightened Chen Chuan into silence. Even with his gums bleeding from the slap, he didn’t dare utter a single sound.

He was a direct descendant of the main family branch, a so-called young master of the Fishing Trade and a burgeoning talent.

But he wasn’t the true Young Master, not Chen Jing’s biological son—his elder cousin, the one who held a seat in the Mansion Courtyard and was a promising candidate for Prefecture Official.

If push came to shove, the decisive and formidable Master Chen... would certainly not go easy on him.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ji Xiu’s eyes at Chen Jing’s ruthless methods, but it quickly turned into grudging admiration.

’If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to put on such a false, polite front after swallowing such a bitter pill, no matter how dire the circumstances.’

Still, it was a testament to the man’s unfathomable cunning and profound methods. He could change his demeanor as quickly as one flips a page.

Once you’ve offended someone like that, it’s nearly impossible to ever smooth things over.

So...

’Of course, I have to seize this golden opportunity! I’ll use the might of the Marquis’s Mansion as my shield and milk this for every possible benefit!’

’We’ll never be friends anyway. If I don’t bleed him dry and extort him for all he’s worth, how could I possibly justify all the bitterness and hardship I’ve endured—drifting like rootless duckweed—to get to where I am today?’

"Nephew Ji," Chen Jing said, his face a mask of righteousness now that Chen Chuan was silent. "You tell me. How should I deal with this wretch? I’ll do whatever you say!"

"That won’t be necessary, Master Chen. This had nothing to do with me in the first place. Making such an ugly scene is unbecoming."

Ji Xiu waved his hand, a pleasant smile on his face.

"Before I came, the Young Lady Heir herself was praising you, Master Chen. She said your roots in Jiangyin Prefecture run deep, and that at Eight Dock, you reign supreme. She also mentioned that for the past two years, you have generously supplied the Marquis’s Mansion with Spirit Fish and are held in high regard."

"So..."

"I came here today for two reasons. First, to make your acquaintance, Master Chen. And second, I was hoping you could make things a little more convenient for me. I need to be able to come and go from the docks as I please, to travel the river without restriction and catch the Spirit Fish needed for the Young Lady Heir’s recuperation."

Seeing the "sincere" look on Ji Xiu’s face, Chen Jing’s eyes narrowed. He fought back the urge to slap the little bastard, but the thought of Xiao Mingli made him force a smile. With a grand wave of his hand, he feigned a magnanimous air.

"Nephew, what are you talking about!"

"I felt a kinship with you the moment we met, and besides, we both serve the Young Lady Heir. As for Eight Dock—tomorrow, I will inform all the Ferry Leaders, Fishery Owners, and ship captains. I’ll tell them that seeing you is the same as seeing me in person!"

"At any pier you visit, your status will be equal to my own!"

"How does that sound?"

At first glance, it seemed Chen Jing was bestowing a great honor upon Ji Xiu. But in truth, this was all Xiao Mingli’s will. If he refused, he would be slighting the Beicang Marquis’s Mansion.

’Besides,’ Chen Jing thought, ’I’ve run Eight Dock for years. Countless fisheries and businesses pass through my hands. Even the Ferry Leaders owe their positions to me.’

’This brat will have a title with no real authority. If he wants the fame, what’s the harm in giving it to him?’

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Chen Jing’s smile never wavered.

"Also, I heard that you, Nephew, received a Prefecture Student qualification thanks to a recommendation from Commander Gu of the Northern Garrison Command. My own son, unworthy as he is, happens to be a strong contender in the upcoming Prefecture Official Examination."

"Once you’re in the Mansion Courtyard, I’ll be sure to introduce you. My son can help you prepare so that at the next Prefecture Official Examination, you can take the top spot in one go..."

Before he could finish, Ji Xiu broke into a wide grin and waved him off.

"Ah, we can discuss all that later, Master Chen."

"But when I’m catching Spirit Fish, taking a boat is inconvenient. It restricts my movements."

"Do you happen to remember the Fishing Trade’s former Tributor, the Great Flood Dragon, Cangming Monarch?"

Chen Jing’s expression froze. A terrible premonition suddenly surfaced in his mind, and a vein began to twitch at his temple.

’Cangming Monarch?’

’That bastard came from the Water Monarch’s Mansion, took my Fishing Trade’s offerings, and then, the two-faced traitor, defected the moment it reached Anning County! How could I possibly forget!’

’The treacherous beast!’

He cursed inwardly, but seeing the malicious smile on Ji Xiu’s face, Chen Jing’s heart suddenly lurched.

’This brat can’t be planning to...?’

"That Flood Dragon is a friend of mine," Ji Xiu said, his expression utterly sincere. "I often travel the open seas. With its help, catching Spirit Fish and other marine treasures would be as if I had divine aid!"

"So, for the sake of our service to the Young Lady Heir... a man as wealthy and generous as you, Master, surely wouldn’t mind housing one more Flood Dragon at the docks? It could even protect the area and ensure favorable weather, right?"

"And in its spare time, it could help protect the Fishing Trade’s fleets, could it not? Killing two birds with one stone. Just like before."