Xuanqing Guard

Everything went just as Ma San expected—Feilong was just putting on a show, all to squeeze more money out of him.

Figures. A lowlife like that couldn’t possibly care about so-called loyalty or patriotism. For the right price, he’d screw over his own family without blinking.

So when Ma San agreed to double the price for the goods compared to last time, Feilong grinned and had Zhang Lie unlock the board locks on Ma San.

"Big Brother Feilong, can I get my storage bag back now?"

"Oh, that? Haha, let me check for you." Feilong looked like he was disappointed he didn’t get to pocket it, then ordered someone to bring over a plain-looking storage bag.

Ma San didn’t bother questioning Feilong about the refined traces on his storage bag’s array. At least it had been returned fast enough, and it hadn’t been opened. He took out a healing elixir from it, swallowed it, and finally the pain in his lungs eased.

"Heh, Brother Ma San, you’re really loaded! Zhang Lie wasn’t even that ruthless, but you pop an elixir for such a minor injury—damn, makes people jealous."

"Big Brother Feilong, you’re joking. Zhang Lie’s moves were anything but gentle—just two strikes and I almost lost half my life. My organs still feel like they’re burning up. If I didn’t have an elixir on me, there could’ve been lingering damage. But honestly, ordinary pills like these, we’ve got plenty. If you ever need some, we can bring over a batch next time. Price is negotiable."

"Haha, I’ll remember that, Brother Ma San. If you forget next time, I’ll have to remind you myself."

The two of them chatted casually like old friends, as if Ma San hadn’t just been tied to a stone pillar and nearly killed moments ago. It was as if nothing had happened.

"Big Brother Feilong, when can you get the goods together? Any chance of getting General Spirit Stones?"

"General Spirit Stones? Heh, Brother Ma San, let me be straight with you. Right now, General Spirit Stones and magical artifacts are top-priority military stock. From storage to transfer, it’s all guarded by military guys. Every single one is tracked. Anyone tries anything funny, they’ll get caught instantly. The stuff in circulation on the black market now is all old garbage, and even that’s hard to get. And you want a big batch? No way."

"What about pig iron?"

"About the same. The mines are watched all day. Maybe a small amount can be sneaked out, but for bulk, no chance. But don’t stress—pig iron we’ll keep working on. For now, we’ve got a batch of grain that’ll meet your needs. Same as last time—it’s old stock, but perfectly edible. Quantity’s roughly the same, maybe a bit less. Want it?"

"I’ll take it!"

Ma San wasn’t about to get picky. Food was essential—even old grain, as long as it was edible, he had to secure it. As long as he could get it across the border into Barbarian Territory, it’d be premium goods there, no doubt.

Feilong grinned and nodded, continuing, "If you want it, pay sixty percent up front in silver coins. Then wait for my message. I’ll arrange it as fast as I can."

Even after getting fleeced for the down payment, Ma San didn’t complain. He still believed Feilong was fairly reliable. But he couldn’t just sit around waiting forever.

"How long do I have to wait?"

"If things go well, two or three days. Worst case, not more than ten. But to be clear—we’re only responsible for gathering the goods. You’ll have to arrange transportation yourself."

"No problem on my end."

"Alright, deal. In a bit, Zhang Lie will work out the details with you. I’ll take my leave. As soon as there’s news, you’ll be the first to know."

Feilong didn’t linger, acting every bit the big boss. He left the details to Zhang Lie. After all, Zhang Lie’s cultivation was no joke, much higher than Feilong’s—a lot safer and more natural to have him handle Ma San directly.

As soon as Feilong left, Zhang Lie led Ma San out of the gloomy room. Outside, it was already dark, but it looked like they were still inside Guangshun City.

"You’ll stay in this courtyard for now. Once we have news, we’ll let you know. By the way, about the sixty percent up front Brother Feilong mentioned—are you paying now?"

"Heh, I’ll pay right now." Ma San didn’t hesitate and pulled out a stack of silver notes from his storage bag, laying them in front of Zhang Lie. He then waved his bag, smirking: "There’s plenty of valuable stuff in here. If your Brother Feilong decides to keep it for himself, he’d make a killing."

Zhang Lie sneered, "If we wanted you dead, of course we’d take your storage bag. But letting you live and keep doing business—then we stick to the rules, no funny business."

Ma San nodded, a little surprised by Zhang Lie’s reply—he’d only been testing him. Now, his last concern was gone. Still, looking at Zhang Lie’s face, his stare was full of hidden meaning. After all, this guy had tried to kill him several times. There was no way Ma San didn’t hold a grudge. Right now he could fake a smile, but if he ever got the chance, he wouldn’t mind twisting Zhang Lie’s head off himself.

After getting the money, Zhang Lie left, but assigned several men to guard the courtyard—no way they’d just let Ma San wander off. Ma San didn’t say a word about it, just ate something quietly, then went back to the house to meditate and heal. Zhang Lie had roughed him up badly—one elixir wasn’t enough to fix it. Recovery would take three or five days, minimum. Might as well tend to his wounds and wait for Feilong’s message at the same time.

Meanwhile, Ma San had no clue that the Feilong he thought he’d figured out was right then smiling ear to ear, reporting every detail of the day’s events using Thousand-Mile Sound note after note. Zhang Lie, just back, was by his side.

"Back already?"

"Here. The money." Zhang Lie took out the "advance payment" collected from Ma San and laid it on Feilong’s table. Not a single note missing.

"He didn’t suspect anything?" Feilong took the cash without counting it, storing it in a lockbox. The money would be logged; everything had to go by the book, so nothing looked shady if anyone investigated.

Zhang Lie shook his head, "No, looks like he’s settled in to wait for news."

"Lord Shen’s orders are to keep a close eye on Ma San. He’s not to leave our sight until he’s got the goods and left."

"Yeah, I know. I’ve got men covering his courtyard twelve hours a day, nonstop—he’s not going anywhere. But are we really just going to let them walk with the goods like last time? You haven’t heard anything else?"

Feilong spread his hands: "How would I know? I do as I’m told from upstairs. As for the full plan—someone like me isn’t in the loop. But Wang Jian probably knows more—just doesn’t always share."

"Whatever. If that’s it, I’m heading off."

Zhang Lie left, while Feilong continued sifting through intel, sending updates by Thousand-Mile Sound. Unlike Zhang Lie, he never bothered with things outside his pay grade—just handle his own business. However the others played their games, not his problem.