Chapter 828: Chapter 615: Internal Filling - Part 2
The old shopkeeper knew that he had encountered an expert and that further concealment would be futile, so he braced himself and complied, "When does the distinguished guest require it?"
"The sooner the better, preferably within an hour."
"The time is too tight, come to pick up the goods in one and a half hours," the old shopkeeper gritted his teeth, deciding to go all out.
"Fine, one and a half hours it is. Here is the deposit." Placing a large chunk of full-weight silver pieces on the countertop, the deal was considered done.
Before leaving, Xiang Fengchen turned his head towards the old shopkeeper with furrowed brows and joked half-threateningly: "Old shopkeeper, you’re a smart man. We’ve come to you privately because we don’t want to be linked to the Earl Mansion. If anyone slips up and displeases the noble lord of the mansion..."
"I wouldn’t dare! Absolutely wouldn’t dare!" The old shopkeeper’s stiff facial muscles twitched a few times. Being a person from Fushou Manor, he was fully aware of the deterrent power of the three words ’Earl Mansion’.
Perhaps in order to reassure the four of them, the old shopkeeper also volunteered some information. According to him, this wasn’t his first time doing business with the Earl Mansion, and a few days ago, someone had bought a batch of goods from him, who also had relations with the Earl Mansion.
"Who was it?" Nalan Shuo asked calmly.
"It was Mr. Liu from Changle Workshop; he has a cousin working as a menial in the Earl Mansion. Whenever something rare or strange is needed in the mansion, it is he who handles the procurement."
The topic was too sensitive, and a slight slip in conversation could easily give the old shopkeeper something to hold onto, so Yang Xiao and Jiang Qingluan chose to remain silent and observe, leaving it to the two seasoned figures of the world of martial arts, Xiang Fengchen and Nalan Shuo, to handle the conversation.
In no time, the two skillfully played good cop and bad cop and managed to extract the details about Mr. Liu. Coincidentally, this man was currently working as a Supervisor at the Land Temple, the ninth "Land Temple" that had started construction just a month ago.
After leaving the incense candle shop, Jiang Qingluan took out an old book from her bosom, which Chang Chuchu had recently purchased. It contained a map of Fushou Manor.
"On a cloudy day, at a rainy hour, in front of the Immortal Temple, judgment of right and wrong is clear. It seems that the Immortal Temple mentioned is this ninth Land Temple. Now it’s inevitable that we have to go." Xiang Fengchen roughly determined the location of this ninth Land Temple on the map, and they began to search in that direction.
They bought some wine and meat along the way, and to avoid going hungry at night, Yang Xiao specifically bought some dried meat that staves off hunger and packed a portion to bring back for the three who stayed behind.
They had agreed with the incense candle shopkeeper to deliver the goods in one and a half hours, which is three hours in total. Considering the travel time back and forth, if they moved quickly, they would have enough time to return to the Earl Mansion before dark.
It seemed like a long time had passed, but from this moment it was actually less than three days since they had arrived in this world, and they had already lost four teammates. This rate was much harsher than any mission they had previously encountered.
About half an hour later, the four of them found the ninth Land Temple to the northwest of the manor. From afar, the Land Temple was not just in its initial stage but was almost nearing completion, with a size and style almost identical to the first Land Temple outside the manor.
A perimeter wall had been built around the Land Temple, which looked tall and thick, made with solid materials, forming a courtyard.
The courtyard gate was wide open, and looking in from the gate, the black temple doors were shut tight. Just as Yang Xiao and his companions approached for a closer look, they were stopped, "What are you doing here? Don’t you know the rules? We’re not short of people today, if you want work, come earlier tomorrow."
The man who drove Yang Xiao and his group away was holding a stick in his hand. He was not particularly tall but his eyes were full of Evil Qi, and with broad shoulders and a solid stance, he was obviously a trained fighter. This man reminded Yang Xiao very much of a martial master from the Earl Mansion.
To avoid spooking the quarry, Yang Xiao and the others left and split into two groups to gather information nearby, especially about Mr. Liu from Changle Workshop.
Soon, they learned that Mr. Liu was dining at the Yingke Building. Mr. Liu was in charge of hiring people to do miscellaneous dirty and tiring jobs at the construction site every day. Relying on this small amount of authority, he had been skimming money from workers’ wages.
The man was said to rely on the backing of his cousin in the Earl Mansion and had made quite a bit of silver over the years, but he was known to be a miser, unwilling to part with a single penny.
When Yang Xiao found him at the Yingke Building, the man was enjoying himself with a couple of ordinary dishes and drinking happily in a slightly drunken state.
Considering various factors such as identity, age, and gender, the group decided that Yang Xiao should approach Mr. Liu to gather information.
Yang Xiao first ordered a few substantial dishes at the counter, along with a pot of fine wine. Then, he carried the food and wine and sat down beside Mr. Liu without any pretense.
"Mr. Liu, I’m borrowing a spot at your table," Yang Xiao said with a smile as he poured Mr. Liu a full cup of wine.
"Who are you..." Mr. Liu’s eyes were bleary, and when he opened his mouth, alcohol fumes spilled out.
"I’ve long heard of Mr. Liu’s fame from Changle Workshop, and seeing you today, you indeed live up to your reputation. I hope Mr. Liu will do me the honor of a chat," Yang Xiao said, humbling himself before Mr. Liu.
Yang Xiao was, of course, unknown to Mr. Liu, but the extra spread of fine food and wine definitely caught his attention. As the saying goes, one does not slap a smiling face. Mr. Liu was in a good mood today and was happy to have someone butter him up, "What’s your name?"
"I am surnamed Ji, named Ji Bozhang," Yang Xiao placed a dish of fish in front of Mr. Liu.
"Ji Bozhang, what’s your business with me?"
"I heard that to work in the temple, one must first pay respects to Mr. Liu at the docks. I have a few brothers with no other skills except for their strength, and I hope Mr. Liu can do us a favor," Yang Xiao subtly slid a small chunk of silver pieces secretly across.
