Originally, he wanted to wait outside the examination room, but those young doctors and nurses under Shen Bixin kept sneaking glances this way.
In line with the principle of “don’t get Bixin Hall’s patients killed,” Ji Qinglin took the Coal Boss—who kept staring at the nurse uniforms—on a stroll through the back courtyard.
The little courtyard behind the clinic was quite tastefully decorated—it was clear Shen Bixin liked peace and quiet.
Before long, Shen Bixin brought Yu Ye out.
“Don’t worry, your precious disciple is perfectly fine.”
Ji Qinglin let out a sigh of relief and asked:
“Bixin, has there been any movent in West Chang District lately?”
“What, here to gather intel? I recall we’re not even part of the sa Comrce Guild.”
“Co on, that’s harsh. I’m the one who picked this place for you, rember?”
Shen Bixin lit another one and explained:
“On the surface, nothing much, but behind the scenes, every group’s gearing up to profit from the Cultivation Tournant.”
“Trying to get a cut from the Xindong Street Comrce Guild, huh?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Bangkok’s always been like that—never leaves a freebie unclaid. With the Xindong Street Comrce Guild being such a big fish, no one’s willing to back off the table.”
Hearing this, Ji Qinglin actually relaxed:
“That’s good to hear. Just watch—when the ti cos, they’ll be too busy fighting over the fish to even eat it. By the way, those two ‘Masters’ from the Pei family—any recent moves?”
Yu Ye asked in confusion:
“You an the Pei family ‘Masters’?”
Shen Bixin explained:
“Pei Ruohai and Pei Ruotao, President and Vice President of the West Chang District Comrce Guild. Their business started with Haizhe Temple, and they usually dress like monks, so besides their Comrce Guild roles, outsiders also call them ‘Masters.’”
Yu Ye’s apricot eyes widened slightly, curiosity piqued:
“A temple counts as a business? And they can even run a Comrce Guild?”
Ji Qinglin laughed:
“Of course. Temples are businesses too—and super profitable ones at that.”
Shen Bixin replied:
“Other than hearing they’re holding a mobilization eting for the Cultivation Tournant, no other news. Why, sothing going on?”
Ji Qinglin nodded, looking a little helpless:
“Got targeted by assassins again. Most likely from another Comrce Guild. After thinking it over, I figure the top suspects are those two ‘Masters’ from West Chang District.”
Shen Bixin snuffed out her cigarette with her chanical arm and shrugged:
“I probably can’t help you investigate that. But I’ll go ahead and offer a mont of silence for the assassin coming after you.”
Ji Qinglin forced a smile:
“No concern for my safety at all?”
“You’re the kind of guy nobody needs to worry about.”
“Fine, then let
ask sothing you *do* know: who’s currently the strongest Elder in West Chang District?”
After a bit of thought, Shen Bixin replied:
“If we’re talking just Elders, then probably Yoshima Shinichi from the Six Arts Hall. He was already the young hall master there before starting his cultivation journey. With deep pockets and smooth sailing on his path, he’s now likely the closest one to becoming President. Why do you ask? Don’t tell
you’re planning to challenge the hall?”
“Even if I were really picking a fight, I wouldn’t do it on soone else’s turf. Just preparing for the worst. Do you know what techniques he uses?”
“I’ve only heard bits and pieces. But disciples from the Six Arts Hall co to
for treatnt all the ti—there should be one here today. I can call one out so you can ask yourself. That way if you run into Yoshima Shinichi and get beat up, you won’t bla
for not helping.”
“...”
Soon, Shen Bixin brought out a brawny man with his arm in a cast.
“You looking for ?”
Ji Qinglin greeted him warmly:
“Heard good things about the Six Arts Hall and wanted to beco a disciple there, but I’m curious about the skills of your young hall master, Yoshima Shinichi. Thought I’d ask around first.”
The brawny man got excited as soon as he heard this:
“Sothing like that even needs thinking? Our young hall master’s strength is beyond question. Just look at what happens to those who challenge the hall!”
“Could you be a bit more specific? Like, what exactly is he capable of?”
Originally cautious, the brawny man seed to open up. He sat next to Ji Qinglin and started bragging about their young hall master. Even though he was just an Elder, he hyped him up like he was one of the Nine Champions.
Ji Qinglin tried to keep a polite smile while extracting useful info. Yu Ye, posing as a quiet companion girl, sat silently at first but eventually couldn’t take it and interjected:
“If he’s really as strong as you say, why is he still just an Elder?”
“Hey! What kind of question is that, miss? Our young hall master is only held back by age. He’s totally capable of becoming a President or even one of the Nine Champions soday!”
Ji Qinglin smoothed things over:
“Thanks for all the info—I’ll go sign up tomorrow.”
“That’s the spirit! You’ll see for yourself!”
That disciple from the Six Arts Hall left the courtyard still amped up. Ji Qinglin gathered his thoughts. Even if the other Comrce Guilds played rough during the Cultivation Tournant, they’d still follow so surface-level rules. It wouldn’t be an all-out brawl with Presidents and Elders storming in like street punks.
So the biggest threats weren’t the Presidents or Vice Presidents—but the Elders from other Comrce Guilds.
The strongest branch Elder from Xindong Street was probably Bai Qiucheng. He was tough, but Ji Qinglin already had a plan for him.
“Yu Ye, go ask Bixin for so blood and bandages.”
Yu Ye furrowed her brows:
“Master, what are you planning?”
“Before we head back, gotta dress the part. Otherwise, those assassins won’t buy it. Push the Night Owl out into the courtyard. Before the Cultivation Tournant, we’ve got to seriously polish our acting skills.”
——————
Sha Zizai and his crew had been taking turns on watch at the hotel, waiting for Ji Qinglin to return or for Huang Silang to send word that the mission was a success.
As night fell, the master and disciple pair finally ca back—but this ti, there was no roaring from the Night Owl.
When a taxi pulled up in front of the General Store, the “injured” Ji Qinglin quickly jumped out and rushed inside.
Though it was all very fast, Sha Zizai’s sharp eyes still caught sothing off.
“He’s hurt! And it looks like it’s affecting his movents too.”
“No way, Boss! Could it have been Huang Silang?”
“Not sure. Yang, get in touch with Huang Silang and ask if it was him.”
But their ssage didn’t get a reply right away, and the trio started to think maybe Huang Silang had been taken out by Ji Qinglin.
Over an hour later, they finally got a response from Huang Silang:
“The assassination attempt ends here. It’s too risky to continue.”
Sha Zizai saw it and knew for sure Huang Silang had made the move—and even managed to injure Ji Qinglin. Getting teammates like this was a rare opportunity.
He imdiately tried to persuade him:
“If you can really finish him off, I’ll add another fifty percent to what we agreed on before!”
But Huang Silang was being cautious:
“Judging by today’s results, killing him wouldn’t be hard. But doing it without blowing my cover? That’s the tricky part. If I go again, I risk exposure—so I’m dropping out.”
Sha Zizai suggested:
“We can team up. Let us take the final shot.”
“No way. I don’t trust you guys.”
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