Chương 83: Targeted

Outside the Song Manor. Although Zhan Sheng claimed he didn't want to get involved in martial world disputes, as a martial artist, who wouldn't want to find an heir for themselves? Even if not to bring glory to their ancestors, at least they would have someone to look after them in their old age and carry on their legacy! Therefore, while not overly desperate, Old Zhan was still on the lookout for a good seed.

A few days ago, catching a glimpse of Xiong Ba's incredibly formidable physique genuinely excited the old man! Moreover, it was rare to find a simple-minded, honest-looking bear of a man with an ordinary face! It was simply too perfect! In Zhan Sheng's opinion, keeping someone like that around was reassuring. He wouldn't have to worry about his precious daughter being deceived by a scoundrel. Bringing home a little pretty boy like Song Que would only invite disaster!

Because of this, Old Zhan had tried to edge closer to get acquainted and ask a few questions. But who knew that Xiong Ba only remembered his Young Master's words? Aside from driving people away, he ignored everyone! If he didn't know this old man was a neighbor, he would have beaten him and chased him off long ago. So these past few days, watching Song Que walk past his house, Old Zhan felt the urge to stop him and get to the bottom of things.

Today, unable to hold back any longer, he finally resolved to call him over. In Old Zhan's mind, this was an opportunity Song Que could only dream of! There was absolutely no reason for him to refuse, which was why he had announced it so arrogantly. But who could have predicted...

"That is impossible." Hearing Song Que's blunt refusal, Zhan Sheng was stunned, then immediately flew into a rage! This kid must be jealous that his subordinate found a fortuitous opportunity, so he's trying to obstruct it! This completely aligns with his playboy, fickle nature!

"How can you be so selfish, kid?! Don't you consider him a friend?! Why are you hindering his future?! Whatever I teach him is the same as teaching you!" Hmph. Future? Grandee Song sneered inwardly.

"If Senior were willing to teach both of us brothers An Jin, we would naturally be deeply grateful! But for Xiong Ba to take you as his master is impossible."

"Teach you?! Dream on!"

"Very well. Then if Senior has nothing else, this junior will take his leave." Since there was no room for negotiation, Song Que wasn't going to waste time arguing with him. He straightforwardly bid his farewell.

"You...!" Ignoring Old Zhan's fury, Song Que turned on his heel and walked away cleanly, without the slightest hesitation. This old man had a prejudice against him; even a blind person could see it. For him to make such an unreasonable request today, Song Que naturally didn't need to give him any face. It wasn't that he was petty, or that Old Zhan refusing to teach him made him lose face and thus decline. It was because Song Que simply didn't trust Zhan Sheng! He had personally experienced Xiong Ba's aptitude.

It chased right after his own cheat-like abilities; it could be described as terrifying! Furthermore, this kid had a simple personality and obeyed his loved ones without the slightest doubt or question. If Song Que told him to kill someone right now, he guaranteed the kid wouldn't ask a single question! Handing over such a massive, deadly weapon to Zhan Sheng? God knows what he would do with it!

If this old man pumped that foolish bear's head full of ideas about loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and persuaded him to assist the Southern Suppression (Zhennan) Army... Song Que would be left crying! Even if it were just that, it wouldn't be too bad. Worse, he could be used as a mindless killing tool, completely lacking his own thoughts! It wasn't impossible! Song Que never hesitated to view others with the utmost malice.

The intent to harm others should not exist, but the intent to guard against others must! He, Song Que, trusted no one! As for his 'future'? With Grandee Song personally teaching him, Xiong Ba would absolutely not be inferior to anyone in the future! With the Tesseract, he had that much confidence! You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. In the past, Old Zhan was an important step in his plans. But now, times had changed.

He was no longer the mediocre, powerless person he once was. To put it bluntly, Song Que's value had skyrocketed, and the social circles he interacted with rose along with it. An Jin wasn't some incredibly hard-to-find secret; many people knew it! If they could befriend a rising star like him just by pointing out the techniques of An Jin, he believed many people would happily oblige! Let alone anyone else, Wu Yi's eldest uncle, Wu Tian, would absolutely guide him without hesitation!

Because of this, Song Que was no longer desperate to seek Old Zhan's favor. Being repeatedly rebuffed and treated with disdain, he naturally had a temper of his own!... Watching Song Que walk away, Zhan Sheng couldn't utter a word for a long time before huffing angrily and stomping back into his house.

"Father, what are you so angry about? Careful, you'll break all the furniture!" Watching her father slamming tables and chairs with loud bangs, Zhan Xiaoxiao glared at him angrily.

"Hmph! It's all because of that bastard kid! What a selfish, self-centered brat! He got lucky and achieved a little something, and now his nose is pointing to the sky! He'll soon learn his lesson!"

"You mean Little Song? What did he do to make you angry again?"

"Hmph!

'Little Song'? Since when are you two so close?! Just call him a little pretty boy, a lowlife, a fickle scoundrel! He's nothing good anyway!"

"And why do you care?! Hurry back to your room!" Seeing her father start cursing, although Xiaoxiao was curious about what happened, she didn't dare ask more. She just rolled her eyes at him and ran back to her room, leaving Old Zhan alone to vent his anger on the furniture, continuing to mutter incoherently as he slapped the table.... What Zhan Sheng thought now was no longer Song Que's concern. He was currently at the entrance of the Sea of Clouds Pavilion, requesting to see Yun Shan to ask some questions.

The messenger hadn't been gone long before Old Yun enthusiastically came out to greet him from afar:"Haha, Young Master Song! A rare and honored guest! I wonder what brings you to seek this old man today?"

"Chief Manager Yun, this junior has come today with a favor to ask." Good! It's good that he has a favor to ask! Doesn't that mean he owes more favors, making us closer? Yun Shan couldn't ask for more! He wished Song Que had a favor to ask him every single day!

"Easy to say, easy to say! Let's head up to my room to talk."

"You lot, pay attention! If you see Young Hero Song arrive in the future, invite him up to my room immediately! No need to report, understand?!"

"Understood, Chief Manager!" Old Yun never missed an opportunity to farm favorability points with Song Que. But Grandee Song bought into it! You respect me a foot, I respect you a yard!

"The Chief Manager is too polite."

"Haha, it's only proper! In Qinghe County, who dares to look down on Young Master Song? It's just these servants who have poor eyesight." Following Old Yun, the two quickly arrived at the top floor. After inviting Song Que to sit and enjoy some tea, Yun Shan asked:"I wonder what Young Master Song needs my help with?"

"It's like this: my cultivation requires a massive amount of medicinal herbs and tonics. Going around the county to collect goods is too troublesome. Therefore, I wish to commission the Sea of Clouds Pavilion to regularly collect them for me. What does the Chief Manager think?"

"Haha, I thought it was something major! That's just a small matter! The Sea of Clouds Pavilion has channels to procure large quantities of various pills that solidify the foundation and nourish the origin! The effects are excellent! How much do you need, Young Master Song?" Hearing Old Yun's words, Song Que hurriedly waved his hand:"Just ordinary medicinal herbs or tonics are fine, they don't need to be top-tier. Chief Manager, please help me purchase 5, 000 taels of silver worth first."

Although confused by his decision, Yun Shan readily nodded:"No problem! I will use the fastest time to gather enough for you, Young Master Song."

"Thank you, Chief Manager. In the future, I will likely commission the Sea of Clouds Pavilion long-term for this task."

"That couldn't be better! We will give you the most preferential, lowest price!" He had thought it would be a favor, but it turned out to be a business deal, and a large one at that! Yun Shan chatted with Song Que even more enthusiastically. With his business concluded, Grandee Song happily kept him company.

"I wonder where Brother Jiu went today? I haven't seen him around."

"Ah, bad timing. A'Jiu went to restock goods today. He probably won't be back until tomorrow."

"Is he going to Yellow Leaf Town?" Song Que's eyes lit up as he asked curiously. But Yun Shan only smiled and shook his head:"He went to other neighboring towns. The roads to Yellow Leaf Town are too difficult to travel. We only make a trip there every few months."

"That's a pity. Actually, that place isn't bad at all. If trade could be improved, it wouldn't be so poor," Song Que sighed regretfully.

"Young Master Song is righteous. It's a pity the roads through Huanglian Mountain are treacherous and infested with bandits. Without solid strength, very few merchant convoys dare transport goods through there." There was never a shortage of people in this world who wanted to reap without sowing. Song Que could only sigh. The bandits of Huanglian Mountain had been wiped out several times in the past, but it never took long for a new group to gather. Furthermore, these people operated far too ruthlessly.

They didn't just rob; they killed! Over time, people stopped daring to pass through there, and the bandits ended up living in abject poverty. If they didn't all have criminal records, they would have long since fled back to find legitimate work. At this point, Yun Shan remembered something important and hurriedly warned him:"I almost forgot! Young Master Song, I recently heard a rumor concerning you. I was actually planning to seek you out to warn you."

"What rumor? Could the Chief Manager please enlighten me?"

"It's about Zheng Junqing. I don't know if you've heard, but this person had a very wide network in the underworld. His fleeing here wasn't a desperate, blind run; he was planning to seek shelter with his sworn brother! This person is named Xu Shicai, the Chieftain of the Black Iron Stronghold!"

"Now that you've killed his brother, Young Master Song, this Xu is spreading the word that he seeks revenge against you! You need to be extra careful!" So there was this complication! However, compared to the benefits he obtained from Old Zheng, everything else was just passing clouds! Grandee Song didn't pay much mind to Xu Shicai:"Thank you for the warning, Chief Manager. If he dares come looking for me, I wouldn't mind eliminating a menace for the people of this county."

"Do not be overconfident, Young Master Song. Although I am certain he wouldn't dare enter the city, you must still remain vigilant. This person is incredibly mysterious. I have only met him once. His external hard-body kung fu is very difficult to deal with." For Old Yun to be so wary, Song Que secretly took note and raised his guard. Outwardly, he politely thanked Yun Shan for the information.