C5 Cooperation

Huah Yunfei was in no rush to speak. He sauntered over to the round table, fan in hand, and took a seat opposite the two young ladies. Finding the most comfortable position, he poured himself a glass of wine and savored a sip. "The aroma of this wine is intoxicating, truly a delight for the senses. Not bad at all."

Next, he picked up the vermilion sandalwood chopsticks and sampled a bite from each dish on the table, chewing thoughtfully. Having finished his meal, he paid no mind to the astonished onlookers and rose, patting his now rounded belly, and offered Great Boss Wu a harmless smile.

"The fare at Wind Pavilion never disappoints. No matter how often I indulge, it never grows old. Brother Wu, you invited me here to make an acquaintance. I've enjoyed the wine, savored the dishes, and met the person. Unless there's something else, Yunfei has other matters to attend to and must bid you farewell."

"This... This..." Great Boss Wu, with a smile plastered on his face, found himself at a loss for words.

His reason for inviting Huah Yunfei wasn't merely for a meal and drinks; there was something more pressing, though he was clueless as to what it might be. Thus, he turned to the bamboo-hatted girl who had remained silent throughout.

"Young Master Huah, please hold on a moment. We indeed have a favor to ask of you this time."

The voice that followed was melodious and soothing, reminiscent of a babbling brook or the gentle strumming of a zither.

"If a friend of mine, Huah Yunfei, is in need, I will spare no effort to assist. However, I, Huah Yunfei, have never had friends who lurk in the shadows."

Huah Yunfei observed the girl as she stood and tipped her hat forward.

Upon hearing his words, she silently removed her hat.

"I am Xie Feiyu, pleased to meet you, Young Master Huah."

The girl bowed with a fist-in-palm salute and introduced herself. Huah Yunfei paused for a moment, then reciprocated the gesture.

Previously, he had never put much stock in nebulous concepts like 'temperament.' To him, a person was either naturally handsome or not, and beauty or lack thereof was plainly evident in one's features.

However, the young man before him, Xie Feiyu, left Huah Yunfei at a loss for words. The youth's oval face, starry eyes, jade-like nose, and slightly furrowed brows, which hinted at a faint worry, were so captivating that one couldn't help but want to reach out and gently smooth the creases in his delicate brows.

"I wonder how I might be of assistance to Miss Xie?" Huah Yunfei inquired.

Upon entering the room, Huah Yunfei had suspected that Xie Feiyu was likely the leader among the three associates of the Great Boss. When Xie Feiyu had stood up, the dimpled girl beside him rose as well, further confirming Huah Yunfei's hunch.

He had orchestrated many things just to identify and negotiate with the leader, fully aware of his own family's precarious situation. After being thrust into the Ghost Cry Cave by Liu Suichun, Huah Yunfei had narrowly escaped death, creating a deep-seated feud with the Liu family head. Subsequently, he had rejected Liu Suichun's demand for the premium Five Elements Spirit Stone and retaliated by killing Uncle Liang, Liu Suichun's confidant.

Such actions had undoubtedly damaged the county magistrate's reputation, and Huah Yunfei knew that those who had done so were now all dead. The Sunn family's beloved daughter, once the wealthiest in God Burial City, had been executed along with her entire family by the county magistrate on charges of treason, simply for refusing to marry his foolish second son.

Wang Man Tian, the restaurateur who had the audacity to demand payment for Young Master Huah's banquet, was slain on the spot by the magistrate, accused of plotting an assassination.

Huah Yunfei's decision to auction the Five Elements Spirit Stone at the Endless Depository was also motivated by a desire to forge a connection with Great Boss Wu. Now, with someone of such stature seeking his acquaintance—someone even Great Boss Wu treated with deference—Huah Yunfei was not about to let the opportunity slip by.

"Xie Feiyu wishes to collaborate with Young Master Huah," Xie Feiyu stated with a serene smile, unfazed by Huah Yunfei's recognition of her true gender.

"Collaborate? In what manner?" Huah Yunfei asked, his brow furrowed. If Xie Feiyu needed his help, he could name his price and make bold demands. In doing so, safeguarding his Huah family from the Liu County Magistrate's harassment would surely be within easy reach.

Collaboration, however, is a different matter. It implies that even though the other party may need something from you, they are well aware that you also have needs that they can fulfill. With this in mind, Huah Yunfei couldn't very well make exorbitant demands.

"We're aware that Young Master Huah and the son of the Liu County Magistrate have had some disagreements, but to my knowledge, they're minor issues," Xie Feiyu interjected suddenly.

"Indeed."

"Yet, to my surprise, due to these trivial matters, the Liu County Magistrate has submitted a memorial to my uncle, Wu Tang, falsely accusing Hua Manor of illicitly selling banned military equipment."

"Selling banned military equipment in secret is a crime punishable by the execution of the entire family," Huah Yunfei said through clenched teeth.

Wu Tang, the Prefect of Wu County and the direct boss of the Liu County Magistrate, was someone Huah Yunfei knew wouldn't spare Hua Manor. However, he hadn't anticipated such swift and drastic measures.

"Fortunately, Xie Feiyu is aware that Young Master Huah's Hua Manor has not engaged in such activities. Xie Feiyu has already informed my uncle, so Young Master Huah can be at ease."

He had preemptively addressed the potential concerns of the other party without even having to ask.

Having lived two lifetimes, Huah Yunfei couldn't help but admire Xie Feiyu's breadth of spirit and approach to handling matters.

"So, Young Master Xie, what is it that you wish to ask of me?"

Xie Feiyu remained silent, casting a glance at Great Boss Wu beside him. Understanding the cue, Great Boss Wu respectfully bowed to both Xie Feiyu and Huah Yunfei before excusing himself and descending the stairs.

The conversation that followed was evidently too sensitive for even Great Boss Wu to overhear.

"Have you ever heard of the Chaos Egg, Young Master Huah?" Xie Feiyu inquired.

"Of course, I'm familiar with the Chaos Egg. The Records of Natural Oddities describe it as the progenitor of Spiritual Energy, essential for laying a foundation with boundless potential applications. Sadly, I've never heard of anyone actually finding one."

Huah Yunfei regarded Xie Feiyu with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Young Master Xie, are you suggesting that you need my assistance in locating the Chaos Egg?"

Xie Feiyu shook his head faintly.

"If you can complete the task I'm about to propose, I, Xie Feiyu, am willing to gift you a Chaos Egg."

"Quite the offer! What would you have me do, Young Master Xie?"

"First, I want you to become the Golden Stone Token of Wu County."

"The Golden Stone Token of Wu County?" Huah Yunfei exclaimed in surprise.

The esteemed Golden Stone Token was a position just half a rank below a seventh-grade county magistrate.

Furthermore, the Golden Stone Token oversaw the mining and metalworking within the county. Given Wu County's vast lands, sparse population, and rich mineral resources, the authority of this role could even eclipse that of a minor county magistrate.

"I accept," declared Huah Yunfei.

For someone without renown like himself, the prospect of becoming the coveted Golden Stone Token of Wu County seemed utterly impossible.

However, with the backing of Xie Feiyu and the support of Wu County's Governor, coupled with his own keen perception, the role of the Golden Stone Token might not be out of reach.

As Huah Yunfei's words hung in the air, a voice echoed up the stairwell, mingled with the Gale Pavilion waiter's attempts at dissuasion.

"What a bold claim! The esteemed position of Wu County's Golden Stone Token is not something a mere child can handle," the voice chided.

Before the echo faded, the door to the top floor swung open, revealing an old acquaintance, Liu Suichun, who respectfully ushered in an elderly man. The man's white hair, eyebrows, and beard that cascaded down to his chest, coupled with his rosy, youthful complexion, gave him an air of sage-like wisdom.

Strapped to the old man's back was the Ancient Pinewind Sword, its sheath adorned with ten upper-grade Spirit Stones, each the size of a longan fruit. Recognizable among them were a Thunder Spirit Stone, a Wind Spirit Stone, a Yin Spirit Stone, and a Yang Spirit Stone.

The other Spirit Stones were beyond the ken of ordinary folk, unseen and unheard of.

Upon seeing Huah Yunfei and his companions, Liu Suichun's face broke into a smile. "Today, I have the honor of hosting Master Bai Yun and have chosen the top floor of the Great Gale Pavilion for the occasion. I'm in good spirits, so I'll overlook this interruption. Now, would the rest of you please leave?"

As he spoke, he glared at Huah Yunfei with a menacing threat, as if Huah Yunfei were nothing more than an insect trapped in his hand.

Huah Yunfei's spirits lifted upon seeing Liu Suichun. He had been eager to gauge the mettle of Young Master Xie Feiyu, and here was someone practically offering himself up for a demonstration.

Approaching Liu Suichun, Huah Yunfei greeted him with a respectful bow. With a smile as warm as a spring breeze, he said, "Young Master Liu, it's a pleasure to see you again. However, I must apologize; I'm currently dining with friends, and I prefer not to be interrupted while eating. So, would you mind taking your charlatan of a master and leaving us in peace?"

"You dare to tell me to leave?" Liu Suichun, red with rage, swung a slap at Huah Yunfei.

Huah Yunfei appeared to have anticipated the attack. As Liu Suichun's hand came forward, Huah Yunfei swiftly countered with his Green Cloud Fan, striking Liu Suichun's hand so hard that it shattered half of his right hand. The fan's momentum continued unabated, striking Liu Suichun's face and knocking several molars out of his mouth.

After the scuffle, Huah Yunfei was quick to clarify, "He struck first, as everyone here can attest. I was merely acting in self-defense."

No one seemed to understand the concept of self-defense, except for the venerable Master Bai Yun, who was hopping madly, pointing at Huah Yunfei's nose and berating him, "How dare you call me a fake master? In what way am I a fraud? I demand an explanation. If you're spouting nonsense, I'll make sure you learn your lesson."

Huah Yunfei turned to face Master Bai Yun, offering a wry smile, "You're the one who asked me to speak up. Now that I have, you can't hold it against me."

"Just look at yourself. The only item of value you possess is the sword on your back, and even that's a sham. The sheath is crafted from inferior red sandalwood disguised as purpleheart, and the Spirit Stones adorning it are counterfeit. The sword's spine is made of substandard ink iron, while the blade is fashioned from low-grade white copper. It's astonishing how you've managed to pass off this collection of scrap as the Songfeng Ancient Sword, almost convincingly so."

Upon hearing Huah Yunfei's words, Master Bai Yun ceased his agitated hopping, his complexion turning deathly pale. His mouth hung open as he stared at Huah Yunfei, his eyes wide with terror, as though he had just seen a ghost.

Meanwhile, Liu San, who had been dazed by the confrontation, erupted in fury, "Huah Yunfei, you are the first person in God Burial City to dare raise a hand against me. I will have your life for this!"

In a flash, Liu San had unsheathed his sword and lunged at Huah Yunfei with a furious thrust.

With a metallic clang, the gift from the old man, a mid-grade Spirit Weapon nearing the caliber of a Supreme Weapon, was finally drawn.

The lightning spirit energy within Huah Yunfei instantly activated the Sharpness of the Lightning Snake talent!

A silver gleam flashed, and Liu San's mid-grade Green Spirit Sword was severed.

A chill crept up the right side of Liu San's neck as Huah Yunfei's Spirit Weapon came to rest on his shoulder, its edge pressing against his throat.

Liu Suichun's face twisted into an expression of extreme displeasure.

"It's all a misunderstanding. I heard Young Master Huah was hosting a gathering on the rooftop and wanted to share a little jest with him, but I never anticipated..."

Liu Suichun spoke with a bitter edge to his voice.

"That was quite an overzealous jest."

"I'll be more mindful in the future."

...

Suddenly, a boisterous shout erupted from below.

"How dare you assault my third young master! Bring me my men, seize everyone on the rooftop, shackle them, and throw them in the dungeon to avenge the young master!"

This was followed by the sounds of soldiers rampaging and shouting, intermingled with the cries and pleas of the waitstaff.

The moment had come to assess the capabilities of the two young women.

Huah Yunfei watched with an amused smile as the two girls remained seated at the round table, observing his performance.

Xie Feiyu glanced at the dimple-cheeked girl beside him and said, "Xie Yu, it's your turn."

The dimple-cheeked girl named Xie Yu pulled a golden token from her bosom and, with it in hand, began escorting Liu Suichun and Master Baiyun downstairs.

Within moments, the noise from below had hushed into silence.

After a moment, a sharp voice belonging to a middle-aged man cut through the air, "My name is Liu Li, the County Magistrate of Burial God County. I was unaware that the family of Wu County's Prefect was present and apologize for any disturbance. I would like to offer my apologies in person, if I may..."

He was interrupted before he could finish by the voice of Xie Yu, "There's no need. My master prefers to enjoy a private gathering with friends. We'd rather not be disturbed by others."

Shortly after, the middle-aged man's voice returned, tinged with embarrassment, "I... I understand."

Then, the sound of numerous footsteps receding filled the air.

Once Xie Feiyu ascended the stairs again, she turned to Huah Yunfei with a smile, "Does Young Master Huah find our handling of the situation to his satisfaction?"