Chapter 54 The Main Branch of the Su Family is in Our Hands

While the Su family was still discussing whether to keep a few eggs to hatch chicks and how many garments could be cut from the new fabric, another small tremor stirred Fengyun City.

The Lone Blade had taken a trip into the city. He did not commit robbery, but whatever goods he wanted, the shopkeepers handed over to him without hesitation. Once he placed his "Parting Moon" blade upon the counter, no one dared to haggle over prices.

Bai Yuan was one of those who dared not negotiate.

And how infuriating it was.

"Master, the Lone Blade is truly shielding the Su family!" The main hall of the Bai residence was brightly lit. Standing before his master, Bai Yuan omitted how eagerly he had handed over the goods to avoid humiliation. "Just what kind of background does this Su family have, that even the Lone Blade can be brought into their fold?"

Bai Kui sat majestically in a pearwood carved armchair, cradling a three-or-four-year-old boy in his arms as delicately as if holding his own precious eyeballs. Yet his words remained fierce and uninhibited, "A single sack of grain and rice made you break into a sweat? How do you expect to accomplish great things? The next time the Lone Blade comes, give him whatever he asks for."

"Does Master still wish to recruit him?"

"There are not many people in Fengyun City who can strike terror into the hearts of others, and every single one of them is a rare talent. If I don't snatch him up, what if someone else does? Wouldn't I be the one who loses in the end?" Bai Kui cast a sidelong glance, instructing, "Regardless of whether he is willing to come or not, keep offering these small favors. Over time, it will accumulate goodwill. Even if he ultimately doesn't serve me, he won't openly make an enemy of me. Calculated this way, we lose nothing. If we don't give, that would be a massive loss. The Lone Blade's identity and origins are unknown, and his temper is erratic. Wielding half a 'Parting Moon' to roam Fengyun City, it is unwise to cross swords with him under any circumstances."

Bai Yuan lowered his head in acknowledgment, "This subordinate understands. Should we also send some gifts to the Su family? This subordinate always feels that that family is not as simple as they appear. First, Huo Ziheng was willing to re-enter Fengyun City for their sake, and now they have the Lone Blade running errands for them..."

Bai Kui narrowed his tiger-like eyes and nodded, "Go handle it."

"Yes!"

After Bai Yuan withdrew, Bai Kui looked down at the little ancestor in his arms, pouting playfully, "Daddy's good son! Did you have fun playing today? Since you like smashing silver, tomorrow Daddy will open the treasury, and you can smash whatever treasures you like! Hahaha!"

The little boy yawned and said listlessly, "No fun, I'm bored of it. Tomorrow I'm not smashing silver, I'm smashing people."

"Very well! Daddy will line up the servants in the estate and have them form a queue for you to smash!"

"I want to smash people on the street!"

"Good! Truly worthy of being my son, so domineering from a young age!"

The servants in the hall kept their heads lowered, none daring to utter a word.

Aside from the Bai residence, the Watching Magpie Tower and the Wan Estate also received news in succession.

Their reactions varied.

The Watching Magpie Tower chose to wait and watch the developments without making a single move.

Over at the Wan Estate, Wan Fu was as agitated as an ant on a hot pan.

"No wonder he went back on his word at the last minute; it turns out he too has fallen under the Su family's spell! Truly bizarre and baffling!" Wan Fu paced back and forth across the hall with his hands behind his back. Growing irritated, even the sizzling sound of the burning candles grated on his nerves.

Aside from an unsightly expression, Sixth Master Wan carried a hint of deep contemplation. "Even Poison-Impervious fell into a trap at the Su family. It seems our previous estimations were correct; the person hidden behind the scenes has already exceeded our ability to control. It's a pity that though we sent several teams of scouts to keep watch, no one has yet caught a glimpse of their true face... As for that little baby of the Su family, however, I always feel there is something rather strange about it."

Wan Fu dismissed it indifferently, "Just a nursing baby of a few months old, how is it worth our energy? Sixth Uncle should not overthink it. The most pressing matter is still the person behind the scenes. Right now, the reclaimed fields of Northern Tu Mountain stretch out one after another, and those lowly wretches, emboldened by having someone to back them up, are slapping us across the face without fearing death! If this matter cannot be resolved, how are we to answer to the Guild Master?"

Sixth Master Wan pondered, a sharp gleam flashing repeatedly in his depths. "Since we cannot eliminate them, we must find a way to bring them over to our side!"

"That won't be an easy task either. At present, quite a few parties besides our Twelve Docks are eyeing the Su family and trying to win them over. Coupled with the rift between us before, the Su family is unlikely to warm up to us."

"Have you forgotten? The main branch of the Su family is in our hands."

Reminded, Wan Fu slapped his thigh in excitement, "Ah, right! How could I have forgotten about this! That fellow Su Liang is currently a tenant farmer on my Wan Estate! If we promise him a tiny bit of petty profit and send him to persuade Su Xiang's family, Su Xiang will surely have to think very carefully about it!"

The Wan Estate possessed countless fertile fields and thousands of tenant farmers.

Usually, the tenant farmers lived at the foot of Southern Tu Mountain, less than five miles away from the Wan Estate, right next to the Wan family's fields.

Because of the large number of tenant farmers gathered in one place on a considerable scale, the foot of Southern Tu Mountain had also become a famous tenant village, commonly known as Southern Tu Village.

Under the bright moonlight of the summer night, the low-lying sheds of Southern Tu Village stood closely together, submerged in the silent serenity of the night, accompanied only by the rising and falling chorus of frogs and insects.

The oppressive gloom here was denser than anywhere else.

...

The moon set and the sun rose.

Northern Tu Mountain ushered in yet another brand-new day.

Country folk were accustomed to rising early to work. Even if there was nothing pressing to do, they would still get up early according to their routine.

Stepping out of the main room, the men washed up and chatted idly in the courtyard, the children romped and played around the yard, and the women, having finished their breakfast, pulled up stools to sit in the shade, holding the newly acquired fabric and discussing in low voices how to cut and sew garments.

Each occupied with their own tasks, yet the scene permeated warmth and tranquility everywhere.

"Ah, iya, wa en... wa, wa en, play..." The baby's soft, milky voice chimed in between, trying hard to articulate words, and each attempt invariably drew a round of laughter.

Tianbao was not discouraged in the least. Since her mouth was idle anyway, she would slowly learn through practice.

Wearing her older brothers' old clothes, she used her hands and feet to crawl from one end of the courtyard to the other. This was a game she played every single day ever since she learned to crawl, and no one was allowed to help her up.

"Our Tianbao wants to learn how to talk now. Such a clever little spirit, coming up with whims out of nowhere, though it's still a bit early." Old Madam Su followed closely behind the little baby step by step, ready to pick her up the moment her granddaughter grew tired of playing.

Old Man Su chuckled happily, "The little lass is an impatient one, hahaha!"

Hearing him say this, the old madam grew displeased again, "When Tianbao learns to speak, don't you dare fight me for the privilege of carrying her!"

Tianbao shifted her little bottom, turned her head back, and shouted at her grandfather, "Big, big, ca—carry!"

Old Man Su instantly understood that his granddaughter was coming to his rescue. In the golden morning light, the old man smiled so broadly his face wrinkled up, "Carry, carry, carry! Grandpa will carry! Old woman, look at that, our Tianbao fancies having her grandpa carry her!"

Amidst this harmonious joy, another knocking sound rang out at the courtyard gate.

Old Madam Su smiled as she went to open the door. It was still very early, and anyone knocking at this hour was likely a neighbor living nearby.

The door swung open, and an unfamiliar face appeared before her eyes.

Unrecognized and never seen before, Old Madam Su froze for a moment, instinctively narrowing the gap of the door slightly as she suspiciously sized up the visitor through the crack. "Who are you? What is your business?"

The visitor was dressed in plain cloth, around fifty years of age, and not particularly well-attired, yet standing at the Su family's doorstep, he carried an air of condescending judgment.

Hearing the inquiry, the man frowned slightly, though the expression vanished instantly. Then he smiled amiably, "Is this the family of Su Xiang from Great Pagoda Village?"

Even so, Old Madam Su still caught the subtle arrogance hidden in the depths of the man's eyes.

When she spoke again, her tone was no longer polite, "I asked who you are! Giving your name before entering someone's home—don't you even know this basic rule? When people from the Twelve Docks came to smash the place up, they at least announced where they came from first!"

Inside the courtyard, the family members thought: "..."

Mother, there was really no need to bring that up.