Chapter 48: The Visit of the Magnate
Qin Feiyang swept his gaze over the handful of servants, the smile on his face vanishing abruptly.
With a thunderous roar, his palm struck out, true energy surging forth like a dragon.
With a series of muffled crashes, the servants spat blood and were sent flying through the air. Outside, a crowd had gathered; those unable to dodge were bowled over in a heap. Instantly, the place was filled with cries of pain.
Jiang Wei and Mu Fei were both dumbfounded.
True energy!
He was actually a Martial Master!
Everyone else stood, stupefied, like wooden statues.
After his transformation, Qin Feiyang’s face was rather pale, his whole being exuding the air of a scholar. So, all present had assumed he was just an ordinary man, incapable of even trussing a chicken. When they saw the servants rush at him, they had even been worried on his behalf. They had never expected this was someone who concealed his strength so deeply.
As everyone reeled in shock, Qin Feiyang turned his gaze to Jiang Wei.
In a flash, he stepped forward, landing before Jiang Wei, his hand like an eagle’s claw, seizing Jiang Wei by the throat.
“Ah… Big brother, spare me! I was wrong just now, I apologize, I beg your pardon…” Jiang Wei let out a shrill scream, panic-stricken, struggling to pry open Qin Feiyang’s fingers.
Meanwhile, Mu Fei ducked into the crowd, trying to escape.
“Stay right there,” Qin Feiyang said coolly.
“He didn’t see me, he didn’t see me…” Mu Fei muttered to himself, squeezing desperately towards the exit.
“Mu Fei, do I need to repeat myself?” Qin Feiyang spoke again.
Mu Fei’s body trembled; obediently, he emerged from the crowd, standing there with hands clenched together, nerves stretched taut.
Qin Feiyang said indifferently, “I am a reasonable man. If each of you gives me one hundred thousand gold coins, this matter is settled. Otherwise, I’ll strip you naked and send you running through the streets.”
“One hundred thousand!” Not only were Mu Fei and Jiang Wei thunderstruck, even the onlookers were left gaping in astonishment. Reasonable? This was outright banditry!
Qin Feiyang’s lips curled with faint mockery. “What? Can’t afford it?”
Mu Fei pleaded, “Big brother, a hundred thousand gold coins is impossible—could you lower the amount?”
Jiang Wei nodded hastily. “Yes, yes, please have mercy and let us off this once. I promise, if I see you again, I’ll give you a wide berth.”
“Don’t get tangled with me again. Now get lost!” Qin Feiyang released his grip, and Jiang Wei collapsed to the ground.
He hadn’t truly intended extortion—after all, Jiang Wei was Luo Qingzhu’s cousin. Out of respect for her, he had to show some restraint.
Mu Fei bolted from the Treasure Pavilion as if fleeing for his life.
Jiang Wei, unable to stand, shouted furiously at the servants, “What are you waiting for? Help me up!”
They rushed over, helped him up, and hastily retreated.
“Young man, you did the right thing letting them go.”
“Yes, the two of them are young masters of the Mu and Jiang families. Even as a Martial Master, you can’t afford to offend them.”
“You’d best leave quickly. They’re notorious for bearing grudges and will surely return with reinforcements.”
The crowd offered their advice.
“Thank you all for your concern,” Qin Feiyang said, cupping his hands in gratitude. Turning to a staff member nearby, he said, “Please take me to see the Pavilion Master.”
“To see the Pavilion Master?” The staff member frowned. “May I ask your name, sir? Did you make an appointment with him?”
“Ah, it’s Young Master Jiang! Forgive me for not greeting you sooner!” A burly man in black hurried over.
He had been upstairs, but upon hearing the commotion below, he’d come down to check, only to find that this young master had arrived.
Coming to Qin Feiyang’s side, he glared at the staff member. “This is Young Master Jiang, a distinguished guest of the Pavilion Master. Show some respect!”
The staff member’s expression changed instantly. He bowed repeatedly. “I failed to recognize you, Young Master Jiang. Please forgive my earlier rudeness.”
“It’s nothing,” Qin Feiyang said with a smile and followed the man in black upstairs.
“I didn’t expect that—he’s actually the Pavilion Master’s honored guest.”
“No wonder he looked down on Mu Fei and Jiang Wei.”
“But wait—are there any Jiangs in Black Bear City?”
The crowd murmured in confusion.
On the second floor, in a private suite, a man in purple robes was sipping tea leisurely. But the moment he saw Qin Feiyang enter, he spat out a mouthful in surprise.
Qin Feiyang’s lips twitched as he teased, “Pavilion Master, I know you missed me, but there’s no need to get so excited—I’m flattered!”
His words almost made the man in purple cough up blood.
He truly wanted to ask: Where did you get the idea that I was excited? Or that I missed you? Is it really so good to be this self-absorbed?
He exhaled deeply, then waved to the man in black, “You may go.”
“Yes, sir.” The man in black bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind him. It was the first time he’d seen the Pavilion Master so flustered, his face flushed with suppressed laughter he dared not show.
The man in purple returned to his seat and asked weakly, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come asking me for silver anymore? Why are you here now?”
Qin Feiyang was taken aback. He sat across from the Pavilion Master. “So you think I’m here to extort you?”
“Are you not?” The man in purple frowned.
“I’m actually quite kind,” Qin Feiyang said with a faint smile, taking out a bamboo scroll and placing it on the table.
“Your kindness can go to the devil,” the man in purple muttered disdainfully, but he stood, took the bamboo scroll, and opened it.
“Oh? High-grade martial skill?”
He looked at Qin Feiyang in surprise.
Qin Feiyang nodded, “Indeed, but it’s not a gift for you. I’d like you to auction it for me.”
“Auction it?” The man in purple was stunned for a moment. “Are you sure?”
Qin Feiyang nodded.
“Very well. Li Si, come in here.”
The man in purple called toward the door.
The man in black re-entered, bowing. “What are your orders, Pavilion Master?”
“Auction this,” the man in purple said, tossing him the bamboo scroll.
“Quickly,” Qin Feiyang added.
Li Si caught the scroll, gave Qin Feiyang a thoughtful look, and strode away.
“Hao Tian, for you to part with even a high-grade martial skill, your background must be extraordinary,” the man in purple remarked with a smile.
“Must you always try to fish for information?” Qin Feiyang said helplessly. Dealing with someone like this, he had to be on guard at all times or risk falling into a trap.
“All right, all right, I won’t ask anything. Come, let’s have some tea,” the man in purple said, chuckling. This youth was sharp indeed.
“Jiang, get out here!” About half an hour later, a furious shout echoed from outside.
The hand holding the teacup paused briefly, but the man in purple continued to sip his tea, watching Qin Feiyang for a reaction.
But Qin Feiyang sat there calmly, as though he hadn’t heard a thing.
“Hao Tian, it sounds like someone is calling you outside,” the man in purple reminded him.
“Black Bear City is full of barking dogs. If I had to investigate every time one barked, I’d never have a moment’s peace,” Qin Feiyang said coolly.
The man in purple was momentarily speechless.
“Jiang, weren’t you arrogant just now? Why are you cowering inside now?”
“Don’t think hiding means you’re safe. I’m waiting at the door. If you have any guts, you’ll never come out again.”
Mu Fei and Jiang Wei were outside, shouting brazenly, putting their spoiled nature on full display. Behind them stood two burly men, arms crossed, eyes contemptuous—clearly the muscle of their respective families.
“They’ve even brought their clans’ Martial Elders. Looks like they mean business this time.”
“We’re in for a good show.”
The passersby and Treasure Pavilion customers crowded around, chattering animatedly.
After a while, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” said the man in purple.
The man in black entered, carrying a storage pouch, presenting it to the man in purple. “The martial skill has been auctioned off; the gold is all here.”
“Give it directly to him,” the man in purple gestured toward Qin Feiyang.
The man in black approached Qin Feiyang with a smile. “Young Master Jiang, here are one hundred thousand gold coins. Please check.”
“So much!” Qin Feiyang exclaimed.
“It actually sold for one hundred and ten thousand gold coins, but we take a commission,” the man in black explained.
“One hundred and ten thousand, and you take a ten-thousand-coin commission? Isn’t that excessive?” Qin Feiyang couldn’t help but wince. He knew the Treasure Pavilion’s commission policy: ten percent of the auction price. So, for a hundred thousand, the fee was ten thousand. In fact, one hundred and ten thousand should have meant an eleven-thousand-coin fee, so they’d actually given him a discount.
But right now, he was in dire need of gold coins—even a loss of a hundred would pain him, let alone a thousand.
“Enough complaining,” the man in purple said irritably. “If you want to exchange it for Qi Gathering Pills now, I’ll give you the market rate.”
Qin Feiyang agreed, “Alright, exchange it all.”
“All of it?” The man in purple was startled, then shook his head with a wry smile. “At this rate, you’ll end up buying out my entire stock of Qi Gathering Pills.”
He glanced at the man in black. “Go and make the exchange.”
“Yes, sir.” The man in black bowed and left.
Soon after, another knock echoed at the door.
“Who is it?” the man in purple asked.
The door opened, and two middle-aged men entered one after the other.
The man in purple was momentarily taken aback, then glanced meaningfully at Qin Feiyang before stepping forward with a cupped-fist salute. “Patriarch Mu, Patriarch Jiang, what brings you here today?”
Patriarchs!
Qin Feiyang’s heart skipped—a clear reminder that before him stood the heads of the Jiang and Mu families.
Patriarch Jiang smiled. “To be frank, Brother Pei, we’ve come to ask a favor.”
Patriarch Mu glanced at Qin Feiyang, lowering his voice. “Brother Pei, is this a convenient time?”
“Of course,” the man in purple replied. “Brother Hao Tian is no outsider—please speak freely.”
The two exchanged a glance of surprise, then nodded politely to Qin Feiyang, who returned the gesture with a smile.
Patriarch Jiang turned to the man in purple. “Brother Pei, regarding the high-grade martial skill just auctioned, do you have any copies? If so, we’d be willing to pay handsomely for one.”
Patriarch Mu nodded in agreement.
However, the man in purple’s face darkened. “Brothers Mu and Jiang, you know the rules of the Treasure Pavilion. We would never make copies behind the owner’s back. Isn’t your request a little out of line?”
At this, the two patriarchs were left speechless.