Chapter 62: Boss Yu, What Do You Say?

Teacher Yao was no man of this world.

In life, the old scholar must have been a Wine Cultivator of considerable standing.

Why he lingered in the mortal realm after death, however, remained a mystery.

"Seventh Master, let’s set that aside for now. Boss Qin’s affliction is lifted. He ate a few bowls of rice and is sleeping soundly," Yu Nan interjected, finding Li Banfeng increasingly inscrutable.

Little Fatty Qin was indeed deep in slumber, and Li Banfeng didn’t wish to disturb him.

That evening, Li Banfeng claimed he was sharing the side room with Little Fatty Qin, but in truth, he hid the key outside the courtyard and slept in his Mobile Home.

Awakening the next morning, Li Banfeng checked his pocket watch. It was early, not yet seven. He considered dozing off again but felt parched. As he emerged to find water, he was met with a chilling sight: two or three dozen figures stood in the yard, radiating palpable malice.

Li Banfeng initially assumed it was the Jiangxiang Gang coming for revenge. On closer inspection, however, the group was a motley assortment of young, old, and infirm, armed with a haphazard collection of daggers, machetes, and iron bars.

These were employees of the Yu Family Cloth Shop, two of whom Li Banfeng recognized.

What was this all about?

Yu Nan stood at the center of the group, a grey top hat perched atop her head, clad in a grey vest. The familiar dark-red ladies’ pipe was clenched between her teeth, and a revolver was tucked into her waistband.

Guns in Prolo State?

This was a first for Li Banfeng.

He wondered if Feng’s General Store carried such things.

Li Banfeng approached to inquire about the situation. Yu Nan responded, "Geng Zhiwei, the eldest son of the Geng Family Pharmacy, has sent an invitation to dine. He wishes to settle matters amicably.

I’m bringing the brothers and sisters to the feast today. If we can reach an understanding, this matter will be resolved."

A genuine chance for negotiation?

Was this the way of the Wulin world?

Li Banfeng surveyed the assembled company, surprised. "A meal? Surely you don’t need so many people for a simple dinner?"

Yu Nan, pipe clenched in her teeth, smiled faintly. "Reasoning with a blade at your throat. Even if logic prevails, you need steel to back it up. Without a show of force, we have no bargaining power."

Li Banfeng discerned another layer of meaning: they would talk if they could, but fight if they must.

He glanced at the workers. "Your cloth shop employees are quite dedicated. They can’t earn much, yet they’re willing to risk their lives for you."

Yu Nan’s expression was one of pride. "They are my sworn brothers and sisters, the flesh and blood of Yu Nan.

If I have a bowl of rice, they won’t go hungry. If I have a coat, they won’t freeze. I bear their burdens, and they stand with me in mine."

Li Banfeng still didn’t fully grasp the dynamic between them. This was partly why he couldn’t find work in Prolo State.

The Yu Family Cloth Shop was more than just a store. It was a gang personally overseen by Yu Nan, a true gang in the Wulin world, known as the Yu Family Gang.

In ordinary times, Yu Nan was the shopkeeper, and the others were employees.

But when danger loomed, Yu Nan was the gang leader, and the others were her disciples.

A store like this could never hire outsiders like Li Banfeng.

The Yu Family Gang was weak. The only one who can pose a threat was Yu Nan, a First Level Smoke Cultivator.

Even so, having a gang was better than having none.

In all of Prolo State, every business, from the grandest deals to the smallest transactions, had gangs backing them. Even the bun shop Little Fatty frequented had the backing of the Bun Gang.

Someone like Li Banfeng, who operated independently without gang affiliation, had to seek out perilous trades like the Bitter Mist Mountain if he wanted to earn a decent wage.

Yu Nan clasped her hands in a fist. "Seventh Master, please take care of Boss Qin while he recovers. I must take my leave."

Li Banfeng turned to Yu Nan. "Shopkeeper Yu, can’t you just not go?"

Yu Nan raised her pipe and took a deep drag. "I understand what you’re implying, Seventh Master. I know Geng Zhiwei may have ill intentions.

If he were to stab me in the back, I could evade him.

But he has openly sent me an invitation. If I refuse, it would be tantamount to tearing down the Yu family flag. I would never be able to hold my head high in Yaowang Gulch again."

"You speak truly," Li Banfeng nodded. "So, I ask again, can’t you just not go?"

Yu Nan offered a wry smile. "I could swallow my pride, but what about the honor of all my brothers and sisters? Would they simply throw that away?"

"Honor must be upheld," Li Banfeng agreed. "So, can’t you just not go?"

Yu Nan pulled the cigarette from her pipe and placed it in Li Banfeng’s mouth. "Seventh Master, whether I want to or not, I must go today. This is the Wulin world."

With that, Yu Nan led her band from the courtyard.

Today, she wasn’t restraining herself. The two buttons on her vest were undone—whether by her own hand or bursting open, it was hard to tell.

Her trousers were somewhat loose, but the curves of her full hips were still visible, capturing the gaze of every man behind her.

"She certainly has presence," Li Banfeng murmured, watching Yu Nan’s departing figure. "But what exactly is the Wulin world?"

Yu Nan, with her thirty-three followers, arrived at Wangchun Restaurant.

Wangchun Restaurant was the largest establishment in Yaowang Gulch, and more than twenty of Geng Family Pharmacy’s employees were waiting to greet them at the foot of the building.

Seeing that they were outnumbered, Yu Nan felt somewhat relieved.

However, Geng Zhiwei himself had not come out to welcome her, which displeased Yu Nan.

Still, Yu Nan understood that in Geng Zhiwei’s eyes, they could never be equals. She would inevitably suffer some indignity at today’s feast.

A little indignity was acceptable, as long as the matter was resolved.

Yu Nan strode into the restaurant, followed by only two guards. Geng Family Pharmacy’s accountant stepped forward. "Shopkeeper Yu, please hand over your weapons."

Yu Nan recognized the accountant. She smiled. "I’m just a weak woman, carrying a gun for self-defense. Surely I wouldn’t frighten Young Master Geng."

The accountant clicked his tongue. "Shopkeeper Yu, we’re here to settle things peacefully, not to cause trouble. You should know the rules of the road."

Yu Nan was indeed familiar with the rules, but today, she had to bring the gun with her.

"Your young master chose the place, and your young master chose the time. Your young master even arrived first. How do I know if he’s carrying any weapons?"

The accountant frowned. "Shopkeeper Yu, we’re old friends. What you’re saying is meaningless.

You’re a First Level Smoke Cultivator. Our young master has no cultivation whatsoever. If we were to fight, we would be the ones to suffer!"

Yu Nan smiled coldly. "I will not part with this gun. If I can’t bring it up, I won’t go up."

"Look at this…" The accountant was at a loss when a voice called from above:

"Don’t make things difficult for her. A pistol is nothing. If Shopkeeper Yu wants to bring it up, let her bring it up."

It was Geng Zhiwei speaking.

The accountant turned to Yu Nan. "Shopkeeper Yu, our young master has conceded. You may bring your pistol, but those two with you…"

Yu Nan glanced at the two guards behind her. The two guards handed their weapons to the other workers.

Each side yielded a step, avoiding further confrontation. In Yu Nan’s eyes, Geng Zhiwei was also a man who followed the rules.

Arriving on the second floor, she saw that only one table was set in the vast hall. Geng Zhiwei had reserved the entire Wangchun Restaurant. Seeing Yu Nan ascend the stairs, Geng Zhiwei, while eating watermelon, rose to greet her.

Two guards stood beside Geng Zhiwei, as well as Jia Quansheng, the Young Master Jia who had tried to extort Serpentine Pills from Little Fatty Qin. He was the origin of this entire mess.

As things stood, Yu Nan was confident she could handle the situation.

"Shopkeeper Yu!"

"Young Master Geng!"

"Please!"

They took their seats and exchanged a few pleasantries. Geng Zhiwei had his men pour wine. "Shopkeeper Yu, drink this cup, and we’ll put the past grievances behind us."

Yu Nan knew things wouldn’t be so simple. She held her glass. "Young Master Geng, let’s lay all our cards on the table. You say we’ll put the grievances behind us. What conditions are attached?"

Two plates of watermelon sat on Geng Zhiwei’s table. He picked up another slice and took a bite. "If it were just me, I’d let it go out of respect for Shopkeeper Yu.

But Rong Jin’an was a member of the Geng Family Pharmacy. He vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead. This concerns the reputation of the Geng Family Pharmacy. The hundred-odd people who work for the pharmacy wouldn’t accept it if I let it go just because of Shopkeeper Yu.

Moreover, my brother Quansheng suffered losses in this matter. Several of his men were injured by that Fatty Qin. So, this isn’t just my problem."

The greasy-faced Jia Quansheng ate a piece of watermelon and wiped his mouth. "Shopkeeper Yu, I have to answer to my men as well."

Yu Nan didn’t want to look at Jia Quansheng. He was just there to support Geng Zhiwei.

"Young Master Geng, there’s no need to beat around the bush. State your conditions."

Geng Zhiwei picked up another piece of watermelon and spoke as he ate. "Shopkeeper Yu is forthright. I have three conditions. If Shopkeeper Yu agrees to them, the matter of Rong Jin’an and Qin Xiaopang will be settled!

First, the Yu Family Cloth Shop will remain under Shopkeeper Yu’s management, but we at the pharmacy will receive a fifty-percent cut.

We won’t take it for nothing. If the Yu Family Cloth Shop encounters trouble, it will be a matter for the Geng family. Whoever provokes Shopkeeper Yu provokes the Geng family. From now on, our Geng family flag will fly in front of your Yu Family Cloth Shop. Shopkeeper Yu, what do you say?"

Yu Nan’s face twitched. Geng Zhiwei clearly intended to take over the Yu Family Cloth Shop.

This condition was difficult to accept, but if she refused, Yu Nan’s shop would no longer be able to operate in Yaowang Gulch.

A fifty-percent cut was too large. She would negotiate that later.

Yu Nan didn’t commit. "Young Master Geng, please continue."

Geng Zhiwei smiled and set down the watermelon rind. "I’ll take that as a yes. Shopkeeper Yu, after this incident, I’ve come to admire you. I admire your beautiful appearance, especially your carefree and passionate nature.

I’m willing to take you as my Sixth Concubine. If you agree, we’ll hold a banquet at Wangchun Restaurant and consummate our vows tonight. What do you say?"

Yu Nan bit her lip, her face turning pale. "Please continue."

"Alright, I’ll take that as a yes as well. For the third matter, my family is a little upset about the Rong Jin’an incident. I’m worried that you’ll have a hard time in the future.

How about this? Today, after we’ve exchanged vows, you’ll take off your clothes, and I’ll whip you in public. My family can vent their anger, and you won’t suffer any more grievance in the future. I’m doing this for your own good. What do you say?"

End of Chapter