Chapter 10: The Double Inferiority Complex (Part 2)

  Li Yuanba disagreed, shaking his head and saying: "You call me lazy and illiterate? That's clearly a eunuch's words!" As he spoke, he raised his hand and pulled out the Golden Mallet of the Drumming Vessel, striking it loudly in front of him.

  In the deafening thunder, a bundle of thick and sharp golden light was splashed out by the double hammers, like a lightning knife with a majestic momentum that shook the mountains and seas.

  "Rumble!" The light was turbulent and the smoke rose, the gatehouse of Guanluo Pawnshop collapsed instantly, the stones and wood were broken all over the ground, and even the two stone lions at the door could not escape the disaster, being struck by lightning and shattered into pieces.

  Xiao Si glanced at the gatehouse that had almost been reduced to rubble, and then looked at the four big men who had nearly been beaten by the eunuchs, and couldn't help but give them a thumbs up.

  Very yellow and violent - a perfect combination of two evils, indeed unbeatable in the world!

  At this time, the escort agency was in an uproar, with dozens of escorts and porters rushing out with weapons in hand, their faces filled with anger and indignation. When they saw the situation outside the door, they were all shocked.

  The first old man was Guan Dongtian, the current leader of the Guan Lao Bureau and sworn brother of Duan Shentian.

  He furiously pointed at Xiaosi and shouted: "You little dog, don't be too arrogant!"

  With Xiao Si's four bodies accompanying him, and the two unparalleled young masters of the Qingcheng Sect, he naturally had nothing to fear.

  He smiled and said: "I just like to bully Guan Luju, what can you do?"

  Li Yuanba suddenly let out a loud whistle, and instantly, large numbers of fully armed imperial guards rushed out from both ends of the street, standing in neat rows behind him.

  "General Li, Guan Luobu has always been loyal and law-abiding, with a reputation that precedes him. You can't behave recklessly under the Emperor's feet!"

  Xiao Si sneered and said, "Following the law? Not necessarily! Today I'm going to capture the rebel Duan Zhen Tian. Anyone who dares to obstruct or interfere will be treated as an accomplice!"

  Just as the words were spoken, a thunderous voice came from the hall, saying: "Director of the Escort Bureau, what evidence do you have to dare to slander me as a rebel? If you don't explain yourself today, I'll risk my old bones to seek justice!"

  Duan Zhen Tian's complexion was wan and weak, and he was supported by two of his most trusted disciples as he walked out unsteadily.

  He has resigned as the head of the Guanlu Bureau and is now a supply officer, staying in the bureau to recover from his injuries and spend his old age.

  Xiao Si cursed in a low voice, "Under the bright sky and sunlight, you're pretending to be surprised, saying 'Isn't this Duan Zhuang, the leader of the Duan family? Your injury hasn't healed yet, why aren't you lying in bed? If something happens to you, I'll be in big trouble.' However, it's good that you're getting out of bed and taking a walk. It's just that someone should accompany you. Otherwise, if you get dizzy and lose your way, it won't be fun."

  Duan Zhen Tian's face sank like water as he said: "Director Diao, what brings you here? And why do you want to mock me?"

  "I don't dare, I don't dare." Xiang Xiao Si smiled and said: "I know that Director Duan has a big face and many friends everywhere he goes, so even if he goes to the wrong place, it's no big deal. For example, Qinling or Waugang Mountain are both great places with beautiful scenery, perfect for relaxation and leisure. Whether there's something going on or not, it's always good to take a stroll."

  Duan Zhentian's expression changed slightly, and he heard that Xue Xiao Si had something to say. He had secretly sent his trusted disciple Ma Chao Tian to contact Shan Xiong Xin to rob the silver ingots, but it had been more than half a month since then without any news. Later, he heard that there had been a fierce battle between the two sides on the Fen River, but for some reason, Shan Xiong Xin suddenly retreated at dawn, with many suspicious points remaining.

  Now that I've heard Xīao Sì's words, could it be that this little brat has grasped something to use against me?

  He slowly opened his mouth and said: "Joke, Lao Fu has never had any dealings with the rebels of Wagan Village, what's the point of going there?"

  Xiao Si nodded and said, "That must be my mistake. In these times, people's hearts are not what they used to be, everywhere is full of fake liquor, fake paintings, and fake antiques, now even letters have someone counterfeiting them. Wu Ji brother, Yuan Ba brother, it seems we've found the wrong person, when we get back we should ask that little kid who delivered the letter, maybe he's an imposter too!"

  Duan Zhen Tian's heart was shaken, but he remained calm and said: "Chief Xia, since you've come, why the hurry to leave? The Guanluo Escort Agency has always been welcoming guests from all over the world, making friends with people from afar. When have we ever been arrogant and slow to receive esteemed guests? Please, come in!"

  The crowd of guards at the Guanluo Guard Bureau was stirred up, thinking that Duan Zhentian intentionally wanted to give those few guys a show of his power. Everyone gripped their knives and guns tightly, waiting for the two sides to clash at any moment.

  Who would have thought that Xiao Si would smile slightly and say, "I'm afraid I've disturbed the leader of the Duan Clan!" And with Li Yuanba and Changsun Wuji, they swaggered into the Guanluo Escort Agency and took their seats in the flower hall.

  The maid presented fragrant tea and pastries and retreated, Guan Dongtian and Duan Zhentian exchanged a glance, and closed the hall door.

  Duan Zhen Tian coldly looked at Xiao Si, lifted the cup lid and said: "Xiao General Escort, this is authentic Wuyi Da Hong Pao, please!"

  Xiao Si put down the cup and saucer, unmoving, and sized up the flower hall: "Chief Escort Duan, this garden of yours is both large and beautiful, not much inferior to an imperial palace. It must be worth a lot of money, right?"

  Duan Zhen's eyebrows rose and he hummed, but didn't speak. Xiao Si continued on his own: "I was thinking, what if one day disaster strikes from above, the imperial guards rush into the escort agency like wolves and tigers, looting and beheading... wouldn't this beautiful garden be destroyed? What a pity, it's really too much of a pity."

  Chang Sun Wuji continued, "Actually, Duan Zong doesn't need to worry too much. It's just a matter of being searched, right? I say - the more you copy, the higher your official position will be. Rather than letting Yuan Bao, my junior fellow disciple, make a scene, it would be better to invite General Yuwen to take action, and let the fat water flow into our own field."

  Li Yuanba angrily said: "Shut up! Don't spout nonsense. You'll never understand the things that are on Master's mind!"

  "Enough of your nonsense," Guan Dongtian sneered. "My Guanluo Pawnshop has been operating in Chang'an City for decades, can it be overturned by a handful of insignificant people? I'm afraid someone will not recognize the situation and lift a rock to hit their own foot."

  Xiao Si coughed and said: "Brother Xiong, I see your letter as if it were your face. Since we parted at Tongguan Pass, three years have passed in the blink of an eye, and my longing for you has grown even stronger... Ah, what was written below? Let me take it back home to read carefully and memorize it thoroughly, and then I'll come back tomorrow to recite it to Chief Duan."

  Duan Zhen Tian's cup paused at his lips, and he slowly said: "Chief Xia, what do you want to do?!"

  Xiao Si said with a strange expression: "I didn't think anything, just recite a few sentences for you to listen. After finishing, we'll immediately slap our buttocks and leave, guaranteeing not to delay General Duan's rest."

  Duan Zhen Tian's eyes were bright and spirited, where was the slightest sign of weakness? He said in a cold voice: "How much do you want?"

  Chang Sun Wuji indignantly said: "General Duan's words are wrong, a great man who is wealthy and noble cannot be licentious, how can he yield to Kong Fangge?"

  "What's money? Money is nothing! I don't love money, what I cherish is this garden."

  Guandong Tian was furious and laughed back: "This garden is worth at least 500,000 taels of silver, I'm not afraid of the wind blowing my tongue off!"

  Xiao Si gave Li Yuanba a look and sighed, "In that case, I'm helpless. Old Duan, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I really can't!"

  Li Yuanba slammed the golden mallet to the ground and said, "Capture the rebel traitors, alleviate the emperor's worries, I will not shirk my duty!"

  Chang Sun Wuji complained, "Young Master, you're too reckless! How can you go around smashing things with a hammer? Don't you know that this garden will soon be ours? Not to mention digging holes in the ground, even smashing a single flower or blade of grass is heartbreaking."

  Duan Zhen Tian's facial muscles twitched, and he slowly said: "This garden is the property of the Dong family, and no one has the right to dispose of it. Last time I lost 100,000 taels of silver in a bet, now I'm penniless. I can only thicken my old face and scrape together from all sides, at most I can come up with another 50,000 taels."

  Xiao Si let out a sigh and said, "Old Duan, you've spoken words that almost brought tears to my eyes. Alright, the garden will be exchanged for 500,000 taels of silver, which will still belong to you. Who would have thought we'd become acquainted through fighting?"

  Duan Zhen Tian said in a deep voice: "At most 100,000, no more! I'd rather be jade shattered than leave intact tiles!"

  Xiao Si shook his head and said, "Old Duan, this time to help you, we have to bear the responsibility of Guanluo Guard Bureau. What if things are exposed and the imperial court is furious? My head, Yuanba brothers' official hats, and Wuji brother's buttocks will definitely be punished together. Can't our three heads, official hats, and buttocks add up to 500,000 taels of silver?"

  Chang Sun Wuji muttered: "Xiao brother, why did my butt get hit?"

  Xiao Si sneered, "The leader of Qingcheng has a mighty reputation, yet he's raised a good-for-nothing who shelters traitors. If the old man doesn't break your legs, I suppose he'll break Duan Zhengchun's instead?"

  Duan Zhen Tian was shocked, only to realize that the young master in front of him, who was speaking with such a frivolous tone, was actually the biological son of Qing Cheng's sect leader. He might be able to crush ten Guan Luo Pai with just one hand!

  He hesitated for a moment and said: "I can borrow 100,000 from Mr. Dong, no more than that."

  Xiao Si was skeptical at first, and so in the next hour or so, both sides continued to meet in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere, fully expressing their respective positions and viewpoints, and finally reached a consensus with a deal of 300,000 taels of silver.

  During this period, Li Yuanba and Zhangsun Wuji played the roles of red and white faces respectively, thoroughly demonstrating the fearless spirit of Qingcheng's double villainy, greatly promoting the progress of peace talks, and ultimately achieving fruitful results.

  After the meeting, Xiang Xiao Si and Duan Zhen Tian, representing both parties, signed a draft agreement and jointly expressed their respect for the contract and their commitment to fulfilling it, lest they face divine retribution.

  Li Yuanba, Chang Sun Wuji and Guan Dongtian as witnesses, jointly solemnly pressed their fingerprints on the agreement.

  When the dust settled, Duan Zhen Tian handed over 70,000 taels of silver on the spot and promised to pay the remaining 230,000 taels of silver within a month as agreed upon in the contract.

  Xiao Si put away the silver ticket, and in the name of his ancestors, he vowed that as soon as he received the final hush money from Duan Zhen Tian, he would immediately burn the secret letter on the spot.

  Duan Shentian gave a full affirmation and warm welcome to Xiao Si's attitude, and personally escorted the three distinguished guests out of the inn.

  Xiao Si left the Guanluo Guard Bureau and handed the silver ticket to Li Yuanba, saying: "I'm going out for a long trip, you help me keep an eye on that surnamed Duan, don't let him run away. These 70,000 taels of silver are considered your and Wuji's hard work fees and relocation fees."

  Although it's a bit painful, I don't want the kids to be taken advantage of by wolves. Judging from the performance of Qing Cheng and Shuang Jian today, there will be many opportunities to use these two guys in the future. Giving them a little sweetness now is also necessary.

  That's what the old man said - drop a lit match and you'll get a burning forest.

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