Hole Heart, already in the urn unconsciously

"Hello, young Gu Master, is there anything I can help you with?" Jia Fu walked to the center of the crowd and asked kindly.

The young Gu Master was somewhat flattered and bowed again. He glanced at the surrounding clan members and, summoning his courage, explained the whole situation.

"So that's what happened!" Jia Fu nodded after hearing the story. He then asked Jia Jinsheng beside him, "Brother, is this true?"

Jia Jinsheng turned away, snorted coldly, and did not look at him.

Jia Fu began to ponder.

The surrounding crowd remained silent, not daring to disturb his thoughts, all eagerly awaiting his judgment.

In essence, it was a case of commercial fraud by Jia Jinsheng. However, the young Gu Master was also at fault. If he had not been blinded by greed, he would not have been deceived.

If Jia Fu were determined to protect his brother, even the Gu Yue clan leader would be helpless against him due to his fourth-rank cultivation.

After pondering for a while, Jia Fu finally spoke, "I understand the situation now. The fault lies entirely with my brother, causing this young man to suffer a loss by purchasing counterfeit goods. This is truly regrettable!" As he spoke, he clasped his hands and bowed to the young Gu Master.

"Master Jia Fu!" The young Gu Master was greatly surprised and hastily tried to decline, "You are a fourth-rank Gu Master, and I am merely a second-rank. This is really unnecessary!"

Jia Fu waved his hand, "Hehe, this matter has nothing to do with Gu Master cultivation. I always address the matter, not the person. A mistake is a mistake. On behalf of the merchant team, I apologize to you. As for compensation, let's double the amount. You lost 250 primeval stones; I will compensate you with 500."

He was true to his word, and immediately, a servant beside him took out five money bags and handed them to the young Gu Master in front of everyone.

Each bag was full, containing 100 primeval stones.

The young Gu Master accepted the bags, feeling so overwhelmed that he couldn't say a word.

"But, young brother, I also have some advice for you." Jia Fu added kindly, "The Black Boar Gu is very rare and can fundamentally increase a Gu Master's power. Although it's only a first-rank Gu, it's hard to find on the market. Once it appears, it's usually immediately bought, and the price is around 600 primeval stones. Expecting to buy a Black Boar Gu for just over 200 primeval stones is unrealistic."

"I understand!" The young Gu Master bowed deeply to Jia Fu, utterly convinced.

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Master Jia Fu is wise!"

"Remarkable, truly worthy of Master Jia Fu!"

"As a fourth-rank Gu Master, he doesn't bully the weak. Master Jia Fu is indeed a model of righteousness."

"Not at all, not at all." Jia Fu smiled, clasping his hands in all directions and said humbly, "Our Jia family conducts business based on integrity, never deceiving anyone. My brother is just young and loves to prank others, but he has a kind heart. I hope everyone can be understanding."

The cheers grew even louder.

"Hmph!" Jia Jinsheng's face turned ashen, and he stomped his foot angrily before turning and entering the tent. Then he walked through the tent and exited through the back curtain.

Fang Yuan, who had been watching coldly, felt assured at this point, "It seems the shadow wall left by the Wine Master can be sold now."

The Wine Master used the Shadow Voice Gu to record the disgrace of the fourth generation leader of the Gu Yue clan.

Before his death, feeling resentful, he used the Shadow Voice Gu on a stone wall, creating a shadow wall.

The image on the shadow wall continuously replayed, showing the most real scene of that time to the world.

Following the principle of maximizing benefits, Fang Yuan had long wanted to sell this shadow wall. He believed that the other two clans in Qing Mao Mountain, the Bai family village and the Xiong family village, would be very interested in it.

However, it was inappropriate for him to sell the shadow wall personally. His cultivation was still too weak. Taking the shadow wall to other villages could result in him being silenced.

Even if the transaction succeeded and he returned safely, there were no secrets under the sun. Once the high levels of the Gu Yue clan learned about it, at best, he would be expelled from the clan.

According to Fang Yuan's plan, he still needed to use the Gu Yue clan.

Therefore, the safest method was to sell it to a merchant in the caravan. These merchants were outsiders and did not participate in the power struggles in Qing Mao Mountain, making them the ideal choice.

In another day, this caravan would set off, leaving Gu Yue village and heading to Xiong family village, then to Bai family village.

Selling to them would minimize the risks, making it the safest and most prudent approach.

...

"Another drink!"

"Where's the wine?"

"Bring it to me quickly! Are you afraid I can't pay?"

Jia Jinsheng banged on the mushroom table and roared.

"Master Jia, your wine!" The waiter hurriedly brought the wine.

Jia Jinsheng immediately grabbed the bamboo cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Good wine!" He laughed heartily, his voice both desolate and hoarse.

With a bang, he slammed the cup on the table and shouted again, "Bring me another cup, no, bring me as many as you have!"

The waiters in the tavern dared not offend him and complied.

Fortunately, the tavern was already packed. Not only were the mushroom tables and stools fully occupied, but even the surrounding walkways were crowded. Jia Jinsheng's drunken outbursts, though loud, were not particularly conspicuous in the noisy tent.

Jia Jinsheng drank cup after cup, trying to drown his sorrows. He had his back to the crowd, and no one noticed that he was shedding silent tears as he drank.

Who could understand his pain, who could understand his sorrow?

Pitiable people often have something hateful about them, and vice versa.

Everyone has their own story.

Among the brothers, he was the youngest, the most handsome, and resembled their father the most, thus receiving their father's affection. But, fate played a cruel joke on him, giving him only a lowly Ding talent.

Throughout his life, he had been oppressed and squeezed by his brothers. He was unwilling to accept this and wanted to resist, but his talent limited him.

Their father, sensing his end approaching, wanted to divide the family property. He assigned each pair of brothers to lead a merchant team, promising to divide the property based on their achievements.

Jia Jinsheng wanted to earn the family property and recognition in his own way. However, he did not expect to become his brother Jia Fu's stepping stone once again.

From the moment Jia Fu appeared, he knew he had been outsmarted. This whole incident was a plot from the beginning. But what could he do? Ever since joining this caravan, he had been firmly suppressed by Jia Fu. The enormous gap between fourth-rank and first-rank left him powerless to fight back.

"Jia Fu!" He squeezed the name through his teeth, his eyes burning with hatred. He was truly unwilling to accept this!

"Do you want to deal with your brother? I can help you." A voice came into his ear at this moment.

Jia Jinsheng was stunned for a moment. When he turned his head, he noticed someone sitting beside him, though he hadn't seen them come in.

He shook his head a few times and blinked, finally seeing clearly.

Who else could it be but Fang Yuan?

"It's you!" He glared at Fang Yuan, somewhat annoyed. "I remember you! The lucky kid who managed to get a Toad Gu from my casino! Are you here to mock me?"

Fang Yuan looked at Jia Fu, his gaze cold as water. "I have a big deal for you. If you want to achieve better results and gain more of the inheritance, you might want to hear me out."

Jia Jinsheng's face showed a mix of surprise and suspicion. He straightened his back and sat up. "How do you know about the inheritance?"

This matter was kept secret, impossible for outsiders to know, yet Fang Yuan had hit the nail on the head.

"These trivial matters in the Jia family village are not secrets to those who are observant in the world." Fang Yuan sneered, recalling memories from his previous life.

The head of the Jia family was a legendary figure who started from scratch, rising through the ranks with his merchant team, and revitalizing Jia family village. Feeling his end approaching, he decided to divide his vast estate. He assigned each of his children to lead a merchant team, promising to divide the estate based on their achievements—the better the results, the more they would inherit.

However, his eldest son, Jia Fu, and second son, Jia Gui, were both exceptionally capable. They competed for six or seven years without a clear winner until the head of the Jia family passed away. He left behind a vast estate, and Jia Fu and Jia Gui's internal conflict escalated, bringing in external forces, leading to a large-scale Gu battle. In the end, both perished, and the once-thriving Jia family village quickly declined, leaving the world sighing.

Jia Jinsheng narrowed his eyes, skeptical of Fang Yuan's explanation. He thought to himself: Last year, father announced the rules for dividing the estate. It's already the second year. There are no secrets in this world. It's not surprising if this matter leaked out.

His real concern was whether this was another trap set by Jia Fu. However, no matter what, listening first wouldn't hurt.

Fang Yuan didn't speak immediately. He glanced around. This tavern was the same one he had entered at noon. The shopkeeper's unique management had made it almost full in the evening, the tent filled with noisy voices and crowded with people.

Talking here was actually safer than in a secluded place, as it avoided eavesdropping by some Gu insects.

He beckoned to Jia Jinsheng, "Come closer."

Jia Jinsheng snorted coldly in displeasure but leaned forward.

After hearing Fang Yuan's proposal, Jia Jinsheng's brows furrowed deeply. He looked at Fang Yuan with a cold glint in his eyes, "This deal involves the three major villages of Qing Mao Mountain. As merchants, we avoid getting involved in local power struggles. Hmph, are you here to trap me on Jia Fu's behalf?"

Fang Yuan anticipated his suspicion and didn't explain. He stood up to leave. "Hehe, if that's the case, I'll talk to your brother instead."

Jia Jinsheng narrowed his eyes, watching Fang Yuan. Just as Fang Yuan was about to leave the tavern, he couldn't sit still anymore. He got up and chased after Fang Yuan, catching up to him outside the tent. "Don't go, we can talk more."

Fang Yuan put his hands behind his back, glanced at him sideways, and said coldly, "I know you have doubts about me, but you are already being crushed by your brother and are almost completely defeated. If you believe me, there's still a chance. If you don't, there's no hope left. It's up to you to take this gamble."

Jia Jinsheng's expression changed. He corrected, "Jia Fu is just older. I never acknowledged him as my brother! But you're right, I'll take this gamble."

Fang Yuan's expression became serious. "Two thousand primeval stones, no bargaining."

Jia Jinsheng smiled bitterly. "The price is too high, and this deal is risky."

"The higher the risk, the higher the reward." Fang Yuan shook his head, his attitude firm. "If you sell it to those two villages, you'll definitely make a lot more."

Jia Jinsheng nodded, a serious look appearing on his face. "I believe that. In recent years, the Bai family village has grown rapidly and produced a top talent, Bai Ningbing, with great prospects. The power structure of Qing Mao Mountain is changing, and the dominance of the Gu Yue village is shaking. If I sell to the Bai family, I can earn at least double!"

Hearing Jia Jinsheng's thorough understanding of the situation in Qing Mao Mountain, Fang Yuan couldn't help but reassess him. He thought, "This Jia Jinsheng does have a background and has been influenced by his family. He's not a useless dandy."

Jia Jinsheng sighed. "Whether this is a trap or not, I'm in. I agree to your deal, two thousand primeval stones. But I need to see the goods first."

"Of course, follow me." Fang Yuan smiled and immediately turned to lead the way. Jia Jinsheng was already hooked, and everything was under his control.