Chapter 964: Poisoned Swan

Proofreader: Papatonks

Zhuo Fan chuckled with a resigned shake of his head, “Eldest young master is taking a stab at City Lord Baili Jingyu? But anyone would want to aim above their status, because everyone wants to have swan meat every day, only to realize in the end they had grown overconfident in their skills. Eldest young master, haven’t you wished of being a toad as well?”

“Ha-ha-ha, please don’t joke, sir, my toadie attempt ended in failure. She is the princess of southern lands, and there’s no way she’d look at someone from a mere merchant clan. Actually, business is like courting, the process showing results when each side has similar values while the talks would fail if the balance is tipped. From then on, I not once tried to engage in such businesses.” Wu Ranze showed a self-deprecating smile. 

Zhuo Fan’s eyes glinted, “So you went after Murong Xue with the intent for business. I can see why you failed. But the defeat that time doesn’t seem to have taught you a lesson; your toad impulses are still there. Just that if by some chance you get to taste that lovely swan meat, wouldn’t you suffer in the end by finding out it’s poisoned?”

“What?” Wu Ranze was stunned.

Zhuo Fan grinned, “You’ll know soon enough. In any case, thank you so much. I’ll eagerly await our next cooperation.”

“You’re most welcome. It’s my company’s honor to have such dealings with a valued guest such as yourself. I hope the next time we collaborate, we’ll become closer!”

“We sure will, although I can’t say for sure if we’ll meet again, ha-ha-ha…” With a weird grin, Zhuo Fan gave him a long look and carried young Sanzi as he went for the commercial line, “Eldest young master, till next time, ha-ha, I hope we’ll see each other next time, though it might prove difficult…”

Whoosh!

The pitch-black portal swallowed him as he gave one last vague smile to Wu Ranze, leaving him standing there in doubt.

[What did he mean by that?]

A frantic elder ran before him, “Eldest young master, Miss Murong Xue’s carriage is about to arrive. I know your proposal failed last time, but business was still possible. Our branch in the southern lands needs the Murong name to work.” 

“I know that. Now that the business with one valued client has been concluded, it’s time for the next.” Wu Ranze sighed and the whole group flew towards the city gate.

There was a huge crowd at the gates, with Baili Jingyu looking prim and proper in the lead and Serene Shores Trading chairman Wu Jingtao standing beside him, neither arrogant nor servile.

Rumble~

Loud noise grew bigger and bigger as a carriage drawn by three 3rd level spiritual beasts rushed towards the city at breakneck speed.

Zhuo Fan would’ve definitely flinched at such a view, since it was the same carriage that saved his son. 

Ahe-hem…

Baili Jingyu coughed as the carriage slowed down. He put on a beaming smile, eager to welcome the new guests with the others close behind.

Hooo!

With a pull on the reins, the carriage slowed to a halt and a seventeen-year-old girl jumped out.

Looking at the sea of people, Zhui’er chuckled and looked back, “Young miss, by the looks of it, you’ve got another pursuer here.”

“Just some commoners, Zhui’er. Go right in.”

“Can’t, the people are blocking the road. Unless you want to trample them.” Zhui’er shook her head.

Baili Jingyu rushed over, simpering at Zhui’er then saying, “Welcome, welcome, Immortal Healer Murong! I am Baili Jingyu, the lord of this humble city. I’ve heard so much about you, that when I learned of your passing through here, I grew so excited that I could barely sleep in hoping to meet you. Now that we finally get to talk, would it be possible to allow me a glimpse of your fair face, my lady?” 

[Obscene!]

[Immoral!]

[Swine!]

Such were the colorful thoughts of the people around him, knowing he was hitting on her for his own greed. Though none had the stomach to voice it. 

While this guy here didn’t give a hoot about the city’s state, he was its lord and had some kind of dignity that shouldn’t be called into question so easily.

Then again, was Murong Xue a nobody? Would she just take his words? Of course…

“Is Serene Shores Trading Chairman, Sir Wu here?” Ignoring him completely, a melodic voice came from within the carriage.

The lecher instantly got hot and bothered the minute that soothing voice pierced his ears.

Wu Jingtao stepped forward and cupped his hands with dignity, “Miss still remembers me? I am most honored. How may I be of help? I’ll do all I can for Miss Xue!” 

“It’s nothing much, just that I want to hurry back to northern lands, being travel-worn and wishing to use your company’s commercial line. Would it be possible?”

“Of course, no problem at all. I wholeheartedly approve of Miss’ request!” The one to speak was not Wu Jingtao, but Baili Jingyu, striking the perfect image of a local thug, “If this old man can’t lend you the commercial line, I will have the official line at your disposal instead. It should be far more convenient!”

Zhui’er’s face twitched when she heard the city lord’s outrageous attitude of an upstart. 

[How the hell did he even become a city lord to begin with? He’s nothing but a thug.]

[With his type in every city, there’s no point of the four lands alliance, not when the Sword Star Empire would eat itself from the inside.]

Wu Jingtao gave him a look.

[This fool is like a whiny child that wants attention, so I’ll give it to him.] 

“Since City Lord said so, I of course allow it. It shall be at Miss’ disposal when she wants it, ha-ha-ha…”

Giving Wu Jingtao a look, Baili Jingyu nodded in excitement. 

[The old coot knows when to play along.]

“Then thank you Sir Wu and… City Lord.” Murong Xue had to pause there for a second.

Baili Jingyu beamed like a sun at noon, “It’s nothing at all, he-he-he…”

Whoosh~

Just then, several people flew down before the carriage.

Wu Ranze signaled his father that Zhuo Fan left and bowed to the carriage, “Miss Murong, it’s been a while. I welcome you to Goldbough City!”

“Young master Wu, hello, have you been well lately?”

“Thank you, miss, for your thoughts.” Wu Ranze showed his signature dead smile. 

The voice from the carriage came after a long pregnant pause, “Young master Wu is still the same. I hope your company will grow even bigger in the southern lands.” 

“Thank you, miss, for your thoughts.” Wu Ranze smiled.

Murong Xue shook her head.

[The eldest young master Wu still only cares about money, it’s the only thing he sees. He has no emotion whatsoever, just like before.]

Murong Xue felt disappointed, having felt something for him last time. But after finding out his character, disappointment hit. After all these years, this man had not shown a single change, not one ounce of growth, becoming such a letdown to her.

Baili Jingyu saw Wu Ranze being all friendly with her and felt envy. He butted in, of course, “Miss Murong, you’ve come such a long way to Goldbough City, allow me to present you with a gift.”

“It won’t be necessary, thank you City Lord!” Murong Xue shot him down flat.

Baili Jingyu didn’t know when to quit, pushing it, “Miss, you must accept my gift. As the City Lord, I vow to not disappoint miss!”

“You all know who my young miss is, right? You think just anything will catch her fancy?” Zhui’er mocked.

Baili Jingyu gave a dumb degenerate giggle, opening a box to reveal a black rock, “Miss, this is a very rare item that in your lifetime you’d never experienced such…” 

His words got cut off as a black mist was coming out of his pores from his frozen body.

Bam!

He was then having violent seizures, collapsing and thrashing on the ground with foam at the mouth as black smoke oozed out of his body. In mere moments, his entire body turned pitch-black and hardened.

It was as if he was becoming the same black rock he was trying to gift, the same rock that had now rolled next to his stiff body.

Everyone cried out in panic, with Zhui’er shouting, “Miss, h-he…”

Whoosh~

A figure in white suddenly appeared, coming out of the carriage and standing before Baili Jingyu…

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