Chapter 39: Getting New Quarters
The door of the carriage swung outward, breaking the seal of the cramped cabin as fresh, bustling city air from Crimson Vale city rushed inside the carriage.
Lu Feng was the first to step down, his boots clicking sharply against the polished cobblestones of the Grand Transport Agency’s courtyard. Behind him, Han Lin and Ye Chenxue descended with practiced grace, their eyes scanning the expansive, high-walled plaza.
Lin Laifu hopped down from the vehicle right behind them, smoothing out the rumpled fabric of his fine silk tunic with an air of self-importance.
"Well, here we are at the main branch," Lin Laifu announced, gesturing broadly to the sprawling guild complex around them. "A bustling hub, wouldn’t you say? Now, regarding our plans for your stay in Crimson Vale, I suggest we waste no time getting you settled. My personal transport is waiting just outside the courtyard gates."
After a brief discussion confirming that Lin Laifu would indeed lead the way to his personal accommodations, the loan shark guided Lu Feng and his companions away from the noisy transport hub and toward a sleek, heavily reinforced carriage bearing his private merchant crest.
However, before they reached his primary residence, Lin Laifu leaned forward and tapped loudly on the partition wall. He instructed the driver to take a detour, telling him to stop by one of his commercial properties situated directly along their route.
The carriage rattled smoothly through the vibrant, upscale merchant district for a short while before pulling to a smooth halt in front of a wide, neatly maintained storefront adorned with hanging jade lanterns and polished wooden displays.
Lin Laifu stepped down first, gesturing for his guests to follow. He led Lu Feng, Han Lin, and Ye Chenxue directly into the shop, while his female companion chose to remain behind in the comfortable cushions of the carriage, preferring not to test her luck with Ye Chenxue’s silent, deadly glares again.
"Welcome to one of my humble mercantile ventures," Lin Laifu said with a proud grin, sweeping his arms out to showcase the interior. "This shop belongs entirely to me. Whenever you have a need or an item for purchase—whenever you require anything at all for daily use—you can always come directly to this location to acquire it."
Lu Feng cast a lazy, sweeping glance over the neatly arranged shelves. He offered a faint, dry smile. "I appreciate the gesture, Master Lin, but I think if I ever need anything, I would rather just directly contact you."
Lin Laifu laughed heartily, taking the comment as a compliment to his status. "Ah, dealing straight with the boss! I respect a man who values efficiency."
For the next while, the loan shark eagerly spent time walking them through the shop, pointing out and showing off the many different things he sold. There were rows upon rows of various items, ranging from decorative crafts to practical household goods.
However, because Lin Laifu was fundamentally a mundane merchant with zero ties to the hidden sects of the cultivation world, his inventory consisted strictly of normal, everyday luxuries: finely carved jade pots, polished brass kettles, intricately woven silk dresses, delicate silver necklaces, and carved jade bracelets.
After giving them a thorough tour of the first shop, Lin Laifu ushered them back outside and led them just a few doors down the paved street.
He pointed enthusiastically toward a warm, two-story establishment emitting the rich, savory scents of slow-roasted meats and spiced wine.
"And right over here is another property I happen to own," Lin Laifu declared, puffing out his chest with unconcealed pride. "It’s a fine restaurant. Want to know how I acquired it? The actual owner of the place came to my loan bank a year ago, took out a substantial financial loan, and ultimately couldn’t pay it back. My bank seized the establishment as collateral for the unpaid debt, and now, it legally belongs to me. You and your ladies are more than welcome to dine here anytime you come visiting this specific area of the city."
After lingering a little longer to discuss various other commercial holdings and properties he supposedly owned—clearly trying every trick in the book to flaunt his vast accumulated wealth—Lin Laifu finally shepherded them back into the carriage.
With a snap of the reins, they departed the bustling commercial district and headed deeper into the residential tiers toward his private estate.
When the carriage finally slowed to a stop and the doors were pushed open, Lu Feng and his ladies couldn’t help but be genuinely surprised by what met their eyes.
Lin Laifu’s residence was not just a standard city townhouse. It was actually a sprawling mini-estate, complete with high perimeter stone walls and multiple small, elegant buildings scattered neatly throughout the interior courtyard.
The layout was designed to house not only Lin Laifu himself, but also his personal guests and his core workers—the trusted managers, clerks, and guards he left in charge of his various shops, loan offices, and commercial ventures across the city. They all resided together within the secure boundaries of this private mini-estate.
As soon as they alighted from the carriage, Lin Laifu reached into his pouch and pulled out a handful of currency. He paid the driver the standard transport fare of two silver coins, but deliberately added a third shiny coin as a generous bonus.
The driver’s eyes lit up with genuine gratitude, bowing deeply as he pocketed the extra tip. "Many thanks, Master Lin! Safe travels!"
With the transport dismissed, Lin Laifu led his guests through the grand arched entryway of the estate, proudly giving them a guided tour of the grounds. He pointed out the different residential buildings designated for his various workers, showing how orderly and well-maintained his compound truly was.
Finally, he guided them toward the rear section of the mini-estate, stopping in front of one of the larger, more luxurious two-story buildings.
"And this, Young Master Lu, will be where you and your ladies will be residing for the entire duration of your stay with me," Lin Laifu informed them, stepping aside to let them inspect the pristine structure.
He then pointed to an even grander, highly ornate mansion looming just a short distance away across a paved courtyard garden.
"And that building right over there—the biggest one within my small manor—that is my own personal place of residence. My own house," Lin Laifu added with a satisfied grin.
Lu Feng looked over the spacious building assigned to them, noting the clean rooms, sturdy wooden framing, and secure doors. He turned back to the merchant with an appreciative nod.
"Thank you for the arrangement, Master Lin," Lu Feng told him evenly. "We want you to know that we will be sure to pay the fees that we owe you for your trouble."
Lin Laifu waved a dismissive hand, laughing off the formality as he nodded in return. "Oh, do not worry about that right now, Young Master Lu. We can talk about business and settle all of that when we sit down and eat together."
He gave a knowing wink, hinting clearly that in a short while after they had a moment to unpack and freshen up, they would all gather over at his own main building to dine together and enjoy the evening.