Shen Qinghuan held Linfeng’s hand, his gaze briefly sweeping over Zhang Yulian’s stubborn profile before glancing at the crowd gathering outside the teahouse. He spoke lightly, “There are too many eyes here. Let’s first settle at an inn.”
Turning to Zhang Yulian, he spoke warmly, “Miss Zhang, keep watch over your shop for now. Tomorrow I will send someone to visit, and we can discuss the partnership.”
Zhang Yulian nodded with tears in her eyes, bowing deeply. “Thank you for saving me, Young Master. I will wait for your news.”
Two carriages departed the teahouse, heading straight toward Jinzhou City.
At the intersection of Central Street stood the Yuelai Inn, the largest inn in Jinzhou. Its vermilion doors bore gilded plaques, and all who came and went were elegantly dressed guests.
Shen Qinghuan got off the carriage and instructed, “Chuntao and Dongmei will stay with me in the premium rooms. Linfeng and Wang Hu, stay behind to watch the luggage. The rest of you come with me to the Brokerage House to pick a rural estate.”
The waiter, seeing the imposing group, hurriedly led the way. “Young Master, please come inside! We still have five premium rooms left, all by the windows. I’ll prepare hot water for you immediately.”
Once settled, Shen Qinghuan called Zhuifeng. “Your light-footed skills and keen observations will be useful. Come with me to the Jufu Pavilion Brokerage House.”
Zhuifeng’s figure flickered, and he appeared at the steps, his eyes bright. “Rest assured, Young Master. I noticed it when we passed by earlier. Jufu Pavilion is at the end of the street. It’s the largest brokerage house in Jinzhou, and there must be a suitable rural estate.”
As soon as they entered Jufu Pavilion, the lean owner, Zhou, approached. Seeing Shen Qinghuan’s distinguished presence, he quickly offered tea. “Young Master, are you looking to acquire property? We have everything from mansions to rural estates, all in the best locations of Jinzhou!”
“I want a rural estate not far from the city, peaceful and elegant, with a vegetable garden and a well, clear boundaries, no disputes.”
Shen Qinghuan spoke directly, tapping the table lightly with his fingers.
Zhou’s eyes brightened. He hurriedly unrolled a set of blueprints. “Young Master, look at this ‘Xiyun Manor’! It’s five li from the city, backed by hills and facing a creek, with three courtyards and over twenty rooms. The vegetable and fruit gardens are complete. The previous master was a scholar, and it’s been maintained very elegantly. Government documents are all in order, no neighbor disputes. The asking price is three thousand taels of silver.”
Shen Qinghuan looked down at the blueprint, his gaze lingering on the creek and the garden. “What’s the current condition of the estate? Can one move in immediately?”
“Move in anytime!” Zhou pounded his chest. “The previous master moved out last month. The servants have been cleaning daily, bedding and furniture are all complete. One could move in with just a suitcase!”
Shen Qinghuan said no more. He took three thousand taels of silver from his sleeve. “Prepare the documents. Let’s transfer ownership now.”
Zhou, overjoyed, hurriedly ordered his clerks to handle the paperwork.
Within half an hour, the transfer documents, stamped with official seals, and the keys to the estate were in Shen Qinghuan’s hands.
“You are very straightforward, Young Master!” Zhou handed over the keys. “The back door of Xiyun Manor leads to the mountain path, and the creek is just outside. You will find it comfortable living there!”
Shen Qinghuan secured the documents and keys, then said to Zhuifeng, “Back to the inn. We’ll move early tomorrow morning.”
As they reached the entrance of Yuelai Inn, a group of burly men blocked the doorway. At their head was Li San, the same man whose hand had been broken earlier that morning. His arm was bandaged, and his face was still bruised. Behind him was a fat man with a face full of scars—Li Bao, the notorious tyrant of Jinzhou.
“This kid! Li Master! Not only did he break my hand, he ruined our plan!” Li San pointed at Shen Qinghuan, gritting his teeth.
Li Bao narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Shen Qinghuan with a vicious tone. “Boy, you dare meddle in my business in Jinzhou? Bold! If I don’t tear you apart and feed you to the fish today, I’m not Li Bao!”
Onlookers stepped back, murmuring among themselves.
“Oh my, Li Bao came himself. This young master might be in trouble!”
“Li Bao is the sworn brother of the prefect and has dozens of henchmen. The young master only has a few people!”
“Last time Miss Zhang’s shop was robbed, it was Li Bao. Now the young master helped her. Li Bao will surely retaliate!”
“The young master looks formidable, but can he handle their numbers? I hope he’s safe!”
Inside the inn, Chuntao, hearing the commotion, rushed out, pale with fear. “Master! Be careful!”
Linfeng and Wang Hu also emerged immediately, standing before Shen Qinghuan, hands on their weapons, alert.
Shen Qinghuan stepped forward slowly, a cold smile on his lips. “I spared your life this morning. You dare bring reinforcements this afternoon?”
“You’re the one looking for death!” Li Bao roared, swinging his hand. “Attack! Hit them to death! If anything happens, I take responsibility!”
The henchmen charged with sticks. Wang Hu struck first. With a clap of his iron-sand palm, the foremost thug flew backward, hitting the ground with a groan.
Linfeng drew his sword. In the flash of steel, several sticks were cut in half instantly.
Zhao Feng and Chen Wu attacked with blade and sword, screams of pain echoing with every strike.
Su Wen’s Taiji techniques used softness to overcome strength, dodging attacks while throwing the thugs to the ground.
Li Niu, with tremendous strength, grabbed two men by their collars and slammed them together, leaving them dazed.
Zhuifeng, light-footed as ever, moved behind Li Bao in a flash and kicked his knee. Li Bao cried out and fell to the ground, struggling, only to be pinned down by Zhuifeng’s foot.
Seeing the situation turn, Li San tried to run but was grabbed by Shen Qinghuan by the collar and flung to the ground.
Shen Qinghuan stepped on his back, his voice icy. “I told you to leave this morning. You didn’t listen. Now you dare come back?”
“Master, have mercy! Mercy!” Li San knelt, panicked, banging his head on the ground. “I failed to recognize greatness. I won’t dare again! Please spare me!”
In less than half an incense stick’s time, dozens of thugs were beaten, faces bruised, collapsed on the ground crying, none able to rise.
The citizens clapped and cheered.
“Well done! That was so satisfying!”
“This young master is truly brave! Li Bao and his gang are finally beaten!”
“Jinzhou will finally have peace, no longer fearing Li Bao’s oppression!”
“You saved the people. Truly, the living Bodhisattva of Jinzhou!”
Shen Qinghuan looked down at Li Bao and Li San kneeling in surrender. His voice was cold. “Leave! Tell the prefect of Jinzhou, if you dare commit crimes again, next time it won’t just be broken legs!”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Li Bao and Li San kowtowed repeatedly, struggling to their feet, fleeing with their subordinates, not even daring to pick up their fallen sticks.
The townsfolk approached, bowing to Shen Qinghuan in gratitude.
“Master, we will never forget your great kindness!”
“If you need anything, just ask. We will help!”
“From now on, anything in Jinzhou, just call, and we’ll be there!”
Shen Qinghuan bowed lightly. “A simple act. Everyone, disperse.”
The citizens expressed more gratitude before slowly leaving.
Chuntao approached, worried. “Master, are you alright? Any injuries?”
“I’m fine.” Shen Qinghuan shook his head. “Everyone return to the inn and pack. Tomorrow morning, we move to Xiyun Manor.”
Night deepened. Yuelai Inn returned to calm, but Shen Qinghuan knew this conflict was only the beginning.