Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 857 - 87: Trading and Gains (2/2)
Chapter 857 -87: Trading and Gains (2/2)
After the steward of the gambling den, Song Laoliu, acknowledged, he turned and went into the secret room. Since Wang Anfeng came here seeking help from the local underworld snakes of this city, he naturally had to abide by their rules. He glanced at the secret passage embedded into one side of the wall and then withdrew his gaze.
The guards of the gambling den, who were normally fierce and intimidating, eagerly and flatteringly cleared a space for him to settle in and then prepared fine tea, respectfully bringing it over.
Especially the person serving the tea seemed like they were facing a big black cat that intruded into their mouse hole, trembling step by step, too frightened to show any neglect, fearing that even a slight displeasure would have them thrown into the Ministry of Punishment’s dungeon, exchanged for a credit in the ledger.
If following Wang Anfeng’s nature, naturally he wouldn’t want to embarrass anyone, but now that he was dressed as a Jianghu hero, and the people opposite were not kind-hearted, he wouldn’t expose any flaws and rightfully took the main seat.
He picked up the tea, blew on it slowly, and then took a sip, seemingly not worried at all about any poison being added inside.
Knowing himself to have the Mixed Yuan Body martial arts from Medicine King Valley, impervious to any poison, the martial artists in the gambling den saw his calmness as a sign of his high skill and bravery, feeling more awe in their hearts, only wishing for this dreaded person to leave soon, barely daring to take a deep breath.
Wang Anfeng sat calmly at the top position, occasionally sipping tea; the tea barely qualified as superior rank, typically stored by wealthy families, while modestly prosperous households tend to be thrifty with it. It was apparent these people were extremely afraid of him, offering whatever good things they had.
While slowly drinking tea, Wang Anfeng quietly observed this gambling den. His previous visit was rushed, but now, taking a closer look, he found apart from inducing confusion and entrapping consciousness in gambling, evident everywhere were exquisite items, extremely particular.
On one side of the table was a tin wine jug from the grand food nation, the porcelain bottles although Great Qin white porcelain, yet adorned with exotic designs, each was a valuable item.
It seemed that even though Blind Old Wu feared death, unwilling to walk publicly amongst people, he wouldn’t refrain from flaunting his wealth in secretive places, preferring to showcase how much silver he earned, embodying an eccentric personality.
Shortly after, Song Laoliu turned back out, carefully closing the wooden door. With Wang Anfeng’s keen hearing, he could discern the sound of mechanisms shifting, clearly showing the complexity of that door. After Song Laoliu came out, he lowered the previously raised felt curtain and stood respectfully aside.
Wang Anfeng raised an eyebrow and placed the half-drunk teacup on the nearby table.
The old voice heard before resounded again, colored with much helplessness and frustration, slowly saying:
“Lord Yan Ling, what instruction do you have this time?!”
Wang Anfeng pretended not to hear the frustration within, tapping unconsciously with his right finger on the table, and said: “It’s not a matter of instructions, only that I have always known Old Mr. Wu has many informants and talents bordering on supernatural, thus there’s something I don’t understand, and wish to inquire about.”
Blind Old Wu didn’t buy into the flattery, merely sneered coldly.
Wang Anfeng chuckled, leisurely said:
“Of course, this isn’t coercion, but a transaction.”
Speaking, he drew out a silver note from the envelope given by Wuxin, placed it on the table, and pushed it forward; it was a silver note of one hundred taels, quite valuable, reflecting a change in Song Laoliu’s expression.
Gambling dens generally profit from ‘rake,’ more gamblers, more rake.
To them, a silver note worth one hundred taels isn’t insignificant and not easily ignored.
Wang Anfeng smiled and said:
“This is merely a deposit, upon success, there will be additional gratitude.”
Song Laoliu whispered a few words by the wall, the old voice fell silent for a while, then chuckled: “A deposit of one hundred taels in silver note, Lord Yan Ling’s generosity is indeed impressive, Old Blind respects that, truly respects that.”
Wang Anfeng smiled and said: “It’s nothing to worry about.”
Anyway, it’s Wuxin’s money being spent, not worrying.
Report spending as much as spent to Wuxin.
Hearing the old voice fall silent once more, Wang Anfeng tapped the table, and said: “So how about it, is Old Mr. Wu taking this silver or not?”
Blind Old Wu said:
“Owners of gambling dens naturally love money; since real silver is delivered to my doorstep, of course, there’s no reason not to earn this money, naturally, it must be earned.”
“However, I wonder what Lord Yan Ling intends for Old Blind to accomplish this time? Despite your strong martial arts and public office background, wealth is abundant, really unsure where you could require us ‘mice.’ Certainly not to do dirty work of killing and covering up?”
Finished speaking, he chuckled aloud.
Wang Anfeng said:
“Certainly not; I wish to ask Old Mr. Wu to find someone.”
“Just to find someone?”
“Just to find someone.”
Blind Old Wu fell silent for a moment, and said: “Then Old Blind has some questions; who is so valuable that finding one person earns one hundred taels for a deposit, totaling two hundred taels silver, even a Escort Agency would consider this a major escort.”
Wang Anfeng slowly said: “A dead person.”
“A dead person?”
“Yes, a gambler, about thirty years old, from one of these three places: Shanyuefang, Sanyuefang, Shanlefong. Has a solitary mother at home, frequently gambles with dice, no real friends, has debts, has been missing at least a day and night.”
“I need Old Mr. Wu to quickly uncover this person’s identity.”
This time, Blind Old Wu’s silence lasted even longer than before. Wang Anfeng leaned against the carved chair back, curling the fingers of his right hand, gently tapping on the armrest. The crisp sound echoed one after another, weighing heavily on one’s heart, as if pressing a black stone.
He knew in his heart that Blind Old Wu was probably weighing the pros and cons in his mind, considering whether to proceed. Even someone like Li Hu knows the dangers of the Jianghu and avoids it lightly, let alone this old Jianghu?
After a long time, a deep sigh came from the other side of the wooden door. It seemed that Blind Old Wu raised his hand and patted the armrest before saying:
“This matter, old Blind Wu will take it on.”
Wang Anfeng was not surprised, or rather, Blind Old Wu’s response was expected.
The latter was considered an informed figure in this area. Just looking at the Ministry of Punishment’s movements today, anyone could discern the importance the Ministry placed on this matter. Blind Old Wu surely had a record, perhaps even long been on the Ministry’s blacklist. Facing such a situation, knowing the danger, all he could do was begrudgingly accept.
Otherwise, today Wang Anfeng would leave, and perhaps tomorrow someone would knock and investigate the leak. The old saying goes, once the truth is revealed, Wang Anfeng knows who he is, but the knife in his hand doesn’t recognize people.
Those words just now were indeed a threat.
Wang Anfeng’s mind turned at this point, realizing it, he smiled and nodded, saying, “Then I will wait for Mr. Wu’s good news.”
“Just not sure how long it will take?”
Blind Old Wu said, “What Yan Ling gave is extremely detailed, it won’t take long. The only issue is how to contact you, sir.”
Wang Anfeng’s expression remained unchanged. After thinking for a moment, he said:
“Zhang’s Inn in the north of the city.”
“I have an informant there. Once you arrive, just tell them you’re looking for Doctor Wang, and you’ll meet him. No need to conceal anything; telling him is just like telling me.”
Blind Old Wu didn’t doubt this and said:
“Since that’s the case, old Blind Wu accepts.”
“It will take at most five days to list all qualified individuals in Liangzhou City and send it to you.”
“But after all, we are just ordinary folks trying to make a living, with limited abilities. Should a similar matter arise again, please avoid coming. Cough, it’s one thing for the brothers under me to toil a bit, but it won’t be good if it messes up your matters, sir.”
Wang Anfeng tapped the table and said:
“Since you have spoken, Mr. Wu, of course, I understand.”
The conversation ended there. The person behind the wooden door did not speak further. Wang Anfeng leisurely finished a cup of tea, then stood up and bid farewell. Blind Old Wu also did not respond, as he had probably gone to a darkroom inside. Wang Anfeng merely smiled, unconcerned.
After leaving the alley, Wang Anfeng exhaled a deep breath of turbid air and faintly heard the heavy closing of the wooden door and the hurried rattling of chains behind him. It seemed those gamblers were waiting impatiently and hurriedly sealed the entrance as soon as he emerged, fearing he might make a comeback.
Wang Anfeng chuckled, raised his hand, and touched his brow.
After this matter, when leaving Liangzhou City, he planned to write a detailed letter to Wuxin, detailing the situation here. He probably wouldn’t mind casually handling this ‘abundant with hidden potential’ gambling den.
Those ordinary gamblers would likely be caught and jailed for a month.
As for the infamous Blind Old Wu in Li Hu’s eyes, he might have to spend his remaining days in prison. Given his decades of business, Wang Anfeng didn’t believe he was free of innocent lives on his hands. Gambling is harmful, causing countless families to break apart.
After walking a few steps, Wang Anfeng suddenly felt that from Blind Old Wu’s perspective, his actions seemed a bit like discarding him once used, burning the bridge after crossing. Not exactly in the spirit of Jianghu chivalry.
But seeing the lively common folk on either side due to Wuxin destroying the gambling den, he thought it was better to dismantle this rotten wooden bridge full of mud and blood.
Moreover, he hadn’t done much. He merely happened to write a letter to a friend, who happened to be an arrest officer in Liangzhou, and casually mentioned it in passing.
That’s all.
Wang Anfeng cleared his throat lightly and kept walking forward, his gaze still sweeping over the shops on either side. He had been somewhat regretful about not finding the ‘Seven Flavor House’ mentioned by Wuxin on his way here, so he decided to take a different route back and look for it.
With some progress now, Wang Anfeng felt more at ease. He used the advance payment from the Ministry of Punishment, paid by Wuxin, to buy many desserts from the dazzling Seven Flavor House, wrapped them, held them in his arms, and ate a piece while walking back.
Not a moment passed before his expression changed slightly, as if surprised, slightly excited, with various emotions flashing in his eyes, returning quickly to calm. He tossed the half-bitten rouge cake into his mouth, slowly chewed, swallowed, and wiped the crumbs from the corner of his mouth with his thumb.
Mr. Ying had just proactively contacted him.
Shi Huaidie has already discovered the whereabouts of ‘Qiong Qi,’ who is within Xianping County.
PS: The second update of the day is presented……
3200 words.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eew𝒆bn(o)vel.com
