Baili Chenfeng slowly stood up and said in a deep voice, "The city lord of this city passed away three days ago. He was a follower of the Tantric religion, and his greatest hope was to be liberated by using a vase used by a Living Buddha after his death—that is the reason."
The city lord of Baili City, Baili Wenming, is dead?! I was shocked. Although the reason wasn't very good, it was enough to shock the whole world!
Volume 1, Chapter 2: The Changes at the Exhibition (2)
Section Two: The Young Lady's Decision
What kind of person is Baili Wenming?
"He is the most famous and most mysterious person in the martial arts world in the last five hundred years."
"If it's so famous, how can it be mysterious?"
"He became famous at the age of twenty, founded Baili City at the age of thirty, and developed it into the most powerful organization in the martial arts world at the age of forty. Everyone in the martial arts world with ears has heard of his name, but no more than ten people have actually seen him. It is said that he is not tall, likes to wear gray clothes, and is skilled with a sword."
"But there are countless people like that in the martial arts world."
"good."
"So, what kind of place is Baili City?"
“There is a city on the water, named Baili, but its name is only known and its trace is never seen.”
"What's the meaning?"
"No one except the people of Baili City knows the meaning of these words."
You don't know either?
"I am not from Baili City."
Feng Qiansu is indeed not from Baili City; she is from the Gong family.
She was only five years old when my father took her in outside the Gong family's gate. But even then, her mind was already filled with all sorts of stories from the martial arts world.
This illustrates two things: first, someone had told Feng Qiansu these things; second, she has an excellent memory.
My memory is pretty good too.
The conversation above took place two or three years ago, but as soon as Baili Chenfeng mentioned the word "city lord," it immediately jumped into my mind without missing a single word.
Then, I really wanted to ask Baili Chenfeng a question: Your city lord is dead, what does that have to do with me?
I don't know him at all!
People die every moment in this world. If everyone had to use the agamuffin (a type of ancient Chinese vessel) to perform rituals for their salvation, the vessel would probably have been worn down to dust long ago.
Moreover, for ten consecutive years, the Gong family's invitations had only reached the Luoyang branch in Baili City; they didn't even know where the city gates were. Given such blatant contempt, it was already quite dignified of me not to set off firecrackers upon hearing of the old man's death.
Just then, Feng Qiansu suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Baili, the gilded silver vase with three-pronged vajra design is a family heirloom of the Gong family and has never been lent out. However, your city lord's status is extremely special. Perhaps the young lady could make an exception for this and let her consider it before making a decision, what do you say?"
I frowned, glancing at Feng Qiansu with a hint of displeasure, but mostly with surprise.
—She's not the type to make decisions on her own, so what's wrong this time?
Well then, Baili Chenfeng is a guest after all, and I should refuse him when there are no outsiders present.
Having made up my mind, I asked the guests to rest first and be well-rested for the grand song and dance feast of the next two days, and then watched them leave with a smile.
Everyone seemed disappointed, yet no one was foolish enough to challenge Baili City. But it didn't matter; my goal had been achieved. I was merely using them to spread the word that the Gong family's treasures remained unparalleled, and that I would lead the Gong family to new heights. That was all. Whether the deal went through or not, and with whom, was none of my concern.
I walked gracefully out of the exhibition hall. The two people walking in front of me were Xiao Zuo and Baili Chenfeng. That bastard suddenly turned his head and stared at me. I immediately raised my head and put on a posture that was the most noble to me but the most contemptible to him. Who knew that the bastard suddenly leaned close to Baili Chenfeng's ear and said something. The two of them laughed together.
A chill ran from the soles of my feet to my forehead. I was certain he was talking about me, and it certainly wasn't anything nice! If someone could tell me what that bastard had just said, I'd do anything for them, except offer myself to them.
Just as things were getting heated, Feng Qiansu's voice suddenly came from behind: "Young Miss."
I turned my head, and her expression was very serious: "We need to talk."
I knew what she wanted to talk about, so I decided not to give her the chance: "I will never lend you an Aquarius!"
I wouldn't lend it to Baili Chenfeng just because he's on good terms with that bastard.
—After what just happened, Xiao Zuo has gone from being a bastard to a complete scoundrel in my eyes.
I've never felt such intense disgust for anyone before. Let me put it this way: I feel like vomiting the moment I see him, and I'd do anything to make sure I vomit on his head!
Feng Qiansu clearly didn't know how deep my feud with Xiao Zuo had become; otherwise, she would have understood how difficult it would be to persuade me. However, she didn't understand, so I could only listen to her endless rambling.
Of course, there was another important reason why I tolerated her: she was usually cold and aloof, but she seemed very interested in this matter and even pleaded for her for the first time ever!
However, when Feng Qiansu said, "In less than three days, everyone in the martial arts world will know that even Baili City has borrowed treasures from the Gong family. At that time, the Gong family's reputation will surely rise to a higher level," my heart, which had been growing impatient, suddenly calmed down.
When she said, "Opportunities to make Baili City owe favors don't come often. The young lady is just starting to take charge, and there's no guarantee that she'll need their help in the future," I listened very carefully.
When she said, "If the young lady is willing to lend out the treasure, it will surely become a legendary tale in the martial arts world," the phrase "lending jade treasures is a good thing" popped into my head as if by some strange twist of fate.
Then I interrupted her and said in a calm tone, "Alright, let me think about it before making a decision."
The next day, I agreed to lend my ancestral priceless treasure, the "Gilded Silver Vase with Three-pronged Vajra Pattern." However, for safety reasons, Baili Chenfeng must travel with me and fifty iron cavalry led by General Feng to escort the treasure to Baili City.