A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 179 - 148: The Underworld Runs on Connections

The sturdy seat made of Huanghuali wood landed heavily on Feng Shao Ling's back, smashing to pieces.

He staggered and almost fell flat on his face.

He Jingfeng spared Broker Feng of Yihai Prefecture some face and didn't smash it on his head.

Zheng Heng quickly backed away, shouting:

"He Qilang! What are you doing? Don't break the peace!"

But he didn't make any move to stop it.

"What madness are you up to, He Jingfeng, you son of a bitch?"

Feng Shao Ling was inexplicably hit hard, and anger swelled in his chest.

As a fellow offspring of the Thirteenth Branch, who hasn't been pampered since childhood? Who has ever been wronged like this?

"What are you shouting for? This is my young master's ship, and you want to turn the world upside down? If you're really that bold, jump overboard and swim to Black River County; I'll be sure to congratulate you!"

When it comes to being a quintessentially bad youth, He Jingfeng truly has never lost to anyone, with just a glance, he indifferently said:

"I met Brother Bai of Black River County and felt like old friends; how dare you speak ill of him behind his back! Moreover, after the four families—Su, Mao, Han, and Fang—it's next your Feng Family. Your Old Master nearly got scared to death by Ninghai Zen, and yet now you're defying? Do you really think that with Brother Bai dead, Ninghai Zen will still keep his broken promise not to step into Yihai Prefecture again? As if Ninghai Zen could ever be bound by rules? If he enters the city, how many more families from the Thirteenth Branch will fall? Fool thinking you can just watch from afar and clap hands in joy. Ask your family's elder, can he guarantee this fire won't burn him too?"

Zheng Heng felt deeply disturbed, knowing the inside story of Ninghai Zen's rampage years ago; it seemed because the Su Family's eldest deceived using vile tactics, secretly harming a familiar face of Ning Wudi, which resulted in unleashing a furious dragon causing havoc.

"He Qilang makes a reasonable point, Old Feng, calm down, we all know each other for quite a while, no need to strain the relationship over these petty things."

Feng Shao Ling's face went bright red, but he was reluctant to act out, especially in this bitter winter; swimming across the river for an hour would exhaust his Qi Blood.

"Is he the only one with brains, He Qilang? Saying things is one thing, but why the need to resort to violence!"

With that, he flung his sleeves and left.

Zheng Heng loudly urged:

"He Qilang, this time you truly acted impulsively! Broker Feng's Hundred Words Tower is booming, and I've heard they are negotiating with Celestial Water Prefecture's Hidden Pavilion."

After saying this, he lowered his voice:

"You'll need them eventually, is it wise to offend him severely over an outsider from Black River County? You know that Feng Family's Thirteenth Branch has sparse descendants, in the future, Feng Shao Ling may be the one enforcing family rules as the elder."

He Jingfeng was indifferent, he said calmly:

"My eldest brother has the demeanor of a Daoist Official!"

Zheng Heng was at a loss for words, among the peers of the Thirteenth Branch, He Jinghong was indeed a distinguished talent.

It's highly likely he will pass the Dao Trial, be recognized by the Dragon Court, and gain entry into the top ranks.

But, why do you keep blabbering about this all the time, damn it?

Unable to continue, Zheng Heng gave a forced smile, exchanged pleasantries, turned around, and went back to the cabin searching for Feng Shao Ling. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Uncle Yang frowned:

"Seventh Young Master..."

He Jingfeng's expression became stern:

"I know what I'm doing. People like Zheng Heng and Feng Shao Ling can be expected to add splendor, but never to lift you out of trouble; such relationships are like low-grade celadon, collecting more is still useless.

On the other hand, when Brother Bai had not yet made his mark, he reciprocated even for a bowl of rice, a testament to his character, worthwhile for deep friendship.

Get me pen, ink, paper, and brush, I want to write two letters."

Uncle Yang was momentarily stunned, then responded promptly:

"Seventh Young Master, do you plan to reveal this information to your Brother Bai?"

He Jingfeng tightened his fox fur coat, gazing far at the vast smoke of Nu Yun River:

"Not just that. I also want to write a letter to my father, persuading him to contact Hidden Pavilion to see if they can pay to remove the bounty on Bai Qilang."

Uncle Yang's face twitched, shaking his head repeatedly:

"That's absolutely impossible, Seventh Young Master is thinking too simply, Hidden Pavilion takes orders and charges considerable fees, calculated daily. Whether anyone claims the bounty or not, each day it's posted, they earn silver.

Your Brother Bai is under a bounty of a thousand gold coins, the one fueling the flames behind possesses immense wealth, needless to say, the He Family…would never pay such a high price to help an outsider."

There was another concern that Uncle Yang did not speak out.

That was despite Ninghai Zen's fierce reputation, ultimately owing a huge blood debt to the Thirteenth Branch.

Turning around to support his disciple would surely provoke dissatisfaction from other families.

Absolutely not a worthwhile deal!

He Jingfeng smiled subtly:

"It doesn't matter if my father agrees or not, this letter must be written, letting outsiders know my stance, making sure Brother Bai hears about my good intentions."

Uncle Yang took a deep look at this Seventh Young Master of the He's main branch, bowed and said:

"Seventh Young Master's skill in placing bets has quite the bearing of the Old Master."

The He Family is in the pawnshop business, and their rise was all thanks to a rare encounter.

A Lazily Taoist came knocking on a rainy night, wanting to swap a clay ball for ten taels of gold.

The shop assistant mistook him for a troublemaking hooligan, intending to beat him out with sticks.

Unexpectedly, this Lazily Taoist had some skill, his legs seemed rooted in the ground, his body like forged copper and iron, eight men pushed but he did not budge an inch.

This incident caught the attention of the ruling Old Master He, who instantly wrote a ticket and offered ten taels of gold.

The Lazily Taoist came back the next day, wanting to exchange a clay ball for gold.

Old Master He agreed again.

For ten consecutive days, ten clay balls were exchanged for a hundred taels of gold, causing quite a stir in Yihai Prefecture.

Until the thirtieth day, Old Master He risked all his family wealth to take the Lazily Taoist's pawn.