Just a Dead Man

Translator: CinderTL

Before long, Deputy Leader Sun Lianhai of the Ginseng Gang arrived briskly. His laughter echoed before he even appeared. "Hahaha, Brother Xu, your esteemed presence graces us. My apologies for not welcoming you from afar."

Xu Sanyan didn't put on airs and stood up, "Greetings, Gang Leader."

"Hey, don't call me that. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Sun," Sun Lianhai said with a round, slightly plump face, dressed in a deep purple robe, exuding the warm demeanor of a businessman.

"Brother Sun," Xu Sanyan clasped his hands politely.

After they sat down and exchanged pleasantries, Sun Lianhai asked, "Brother Xu, are you looking to buy some precious medicine?"

Xu Sanyan nodded, "Yes, the more the better. Price is not an issue. Please, Brother Sun, do me this favor."

Sun Lianhai frowned slightly, "Let me offer a word of caution. Although precious medicine is beneficial, it's best for martial artists to consume it sparingly."

Xu Sanyan was puzzled, "Why is that?"

"Martial arts cultivation is about refining oneself. Relying on precious medicine for nourishment might speed up progress in the short term, but over time, it could lead to a weak foundation, making further advancement difficult. For those in the Inner Qi Realm, one dose a month is sufficient," Sun Lianhai advised kindly.

Xu Sanyan nodded silently, understanding now.

But he was different. He had a cheat, so he didn't have such concerns.

"Thank you, Brother Sun. But it's not just for myself. To be honest, I have a sworn brother at home who is bedridden due to paralysis. Only precious medicine can sustain his life. Sigh… circumstances force me."

Xu Sanyan sighed with feigned distress, completely forgetting that he had already consumed the three doses of precious medicine Wu Jue had prepared for his son.

Sun Lianhai's expression turned serious, filled with respect, "I see. Brother Xu, your deep loyalty and righteousness are truly admirable. How about this: I'll allocate two doses of precious medicine to you each month. One to sustain your brother's life, and one for your cultivation."

Xu Sanyan shook his head, "I'm afraid that's not enough. How about three doses a month?"

Sun Lianhai hesitated, pondering for a moment before saying,

"That's a bit difficult. The precious medicine around Dragon Abode Mountain has been nearly exhausted. We only get less than ten doses a month. The county magistrate and others take six or seven doses, and the White Horse Gang and our own people also need them. Two doses are already the limit."

Xu Sanyan pulled out a banknote and handed it over, "Brother Sun, think of a way."

Sun Lianhai pressed Xu Sanyan's hand, "Brother, it's not about the money."

Xu Sanyan frowned, "I'll pay double the price."

Seeing his persistence, Sun Lianhai thought for a moment and said, "Sigh, I'll do my best. Let's see how many doses we can gather next month. As for the double price, that's unnecessary."

"Thank you," Xu Sanyan clasped his hands.

Then, they exchanged money and goods, with Xu Sanyan purchasing two doses of precious medicine at nine thousand taels each.

Just as Xu Sanyan was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Brother Sun, do you know where there are cultivation sects in the Qi Kingdom?"

Sun Lianhai tilted his head in thought, "I've heard that the Qi royal family has a few patrons who are said to be legendary immortals. But as for the truth of it, that's beyond the knowledge of a mortal like me."

Xu Sanyan nodded and clasped his hands in farewell.

The situation in the cultivation world was still unclear, but judging from the Blood Demon Body of the Ma family's ancestor, it probably wasn't peaceful.

The Blood Demon Body craved blood and slaughter, and Foundation Establishment required human hearts. It was truly heinous to the extreme.

When Xu Sanyan returned to the headquarters of the Guanshan Blade Association, the sky was already slightly dim. Song Qian was sitting at a desk, looking at the account books, his face beaming with joy.

Seeing him arrive, Song Qian greeted him with a broad smile, "Brother Xu, guess how much the Moon Gazing Pavilion earns each month?"

"How much?"

Song Qian laughed heartily, "The brothel and the gambling den together bring in one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver a month! After giving half to Zhu Yong, we're left with about seventy thousand taels!"

"That much?"

Xu Sanyan was stunned. After deducting various daily expenses, they could still keep forty to fifty thousand taels.

However, most of it would soon belong to the White Horse Gang.

Song Qian smiled and said, "The gambling den is even more profitable than the brothel. Those gamblers, once they're in the heat of it, will bet anything—wives, daughters—and when they lose, they're sent straight to the brothel."

Xu Sanyan had also heard of this. Once someone was addicted to gambling, it was nearly impossible to quit. No matter how much wealth they had, they would lose it all.

Xu Sanyan hadn't come to look at the account books. He poured himself a cup of tea and asked, "Gang Leader, may I ask where Deputy Leader Song has gone?"

Song Qian put away his smile and looked up at him, "Some private matters. Brother Xu, is there something you need?"

Xu Sanyan shook his head, "Nothing important, just curious."

He was worried that after the White Gang Leader killed Song Qian, Deputy Leader Song would seek revenge, so he wanted to gather some information beforehand.

Song Qian, of course, had no idea that his life was nearing its end. He was still immersed in the joy of their recent gains.

When they had taken down the Moon Gazing Pavilion and the Yelang Society, they had also acquired a few martial arts manuals, which were now placed on a nearby bookshelf, not yet organized. Xu Sanyan walked over and casually flipped through them.

"Flowing Water Moon"

This was a saber technique, light and agile, like the moon reflected in water, elusive and hard to grasp.

"Light Body Steps"

A footwork technique, adept at short-distance movements. He hadn't learned any footwork techniques yet, so he opened it and took a look.

Just then, a loud voice came from outside,

"Gang Leader, Deputy Leader is back."

Xu Sanyan stood by the bookshelf, holding the manual, and slightly turned his head to look outside. A woman in green robes appeared.

She had a slender straight sword hanging at her waist, her face beautiful but with a hint of cold severity, her expression serious as she stared at Xu Sanyan.

Song Qian stood up and laughed, "Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Xu Sanyan, and this is my sister, Song Zhu."

"Greetings, Gang Leader Song."

Xu Sanyan smiled warmly. He was always polite to beautiful women, after all, they were pleasing to the eye, and who didn't like that?

It was just a pity that she probably wouldn't live much longer. Even if Bai Wuxia didn't kill her, Xu Sanyan wouldn't let her go either.

Song Zhu was like a night-blooming cereus, beautiful but fleeting.

"Hmph, Gang Leader Xu's reputation is indeed grand. As soon as you entered the city, I heard that you led the takeover of the Moon Gazing Pavilion and the Yelang Society. Truly impressive," Song Zhu said with a sharp tone, clearly displeased about something.

Xu Sanyan shook his head and chuckled, "Gang Leader Song, you flatter me."

Then he turned to Song Qian and said, "I won't disturb your sibling reunion. Farewell."

With that, he turned and left.

There was no need to argue with someone who was about to die.

After Xu Sanyan had gone far, Song Qian scolded, "Since Brother Xu arrived, things have been much better for the gang. Be more polite to him."

Song Zhu pouted indifferently, "Now all the brothers in the gang are probably thinking of making him the gang leader. I wonder if the Guanshan Blade Association is still surnamed Song or Xu."

Song Qian shook his head, no longer dwelling on the topic, and pulled Song Zhu to ask, "How did the investigation go?"

Song Zhu nodded and said in a low voice, "It's almost certain. Someone saw it with their own eyes."

Song Qian pounded his fist excitedly, "Hahaha, our luck has finally turned, brother and sister. Once the gang stabilizes, we'll go together."

"Mm," Song Zhu nodded.

Xu Sanyan stood outside the courtyard wall, his eyes flickering slightly, then he left silently.

He had always been curious about where Song Zhu had gone. Every time he asked, Song Qian would change the subject and refuse to elaborate. There was indeed a secret hidden there.

(End of the Chapter)

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