Heaven's Silence

Chapter 66 – Business

Faced with Wen Chaoshen's account, the members of the Seven Kill Hall reacted like dogs whose tails had been stepped on, cursing and shouting incessantly. Many drew their weapons, ready to chop Wen Chaoshen into pieces at Seventh Master's command.

However, seeing this scene of outrage, Wen Chaoshen's lips curled into a slight smile.

Rumors have limited power; only the truth cuts like a sharp knife.

Their reaction just proved he was right.

As for their threats to kill him?

What a joke.

Without Seventh Master's order, would they dare to act?

With blades at his neck, Wen Chaoshen felt the cold touch of death and knew that a single slip could send him to the afterlife, but at this moment, his heart held no fear.

Only excitement.

He realized one thing: the fate of these self-proclaimed extraordinary martial artists was now firmly in his hands.

Seventh Master, leaning on his cane, locked eyes with Wen Chaoshen. He saw the sharp eyes that didn't belong to a young man, his brows slightly furrowed, the lines on his face twisting.

"Bai Lang, sheath your sword."

"Even if it's nonsense, let him finish."

His voice, though not loud, reached every ear in the hall, and the previously noisy and hostile room fell silent.

For these martial world people, anyone who could lord over them commanded immense respect.

Seventh Master was such a person.

The cold sword at Wen Chaoshen's neck reluctantly withdrew.

Wen Chaoshen shrugged his shoulders, smiling as he spoke to Seventh Master:

"Thank you for your patience, Seventh Master. It seems that the Seven Kill Hall's success in Kuhai County isn't just luck; there's indeed a reliable leader here."

Seventh Master showed no emotion at the compliment, tapping his cane as he spoke slowly:

"Alright, let's get to the point."

"You mentioned bringing business to the Seven Kill Hall. What kind of business?"

Wen Chaoshen lifted his chin slightly:

"A big business."

"I can help the Seven Kill Hall establish a beneficial relationship with the new Magistrate."

His words sparked whispers among the crowd. Most, after seeing Wen Chaoshen's attire, dismissed his words with disdain and ridicule.

Seventh Master, standing on the steps, glanced around with a similarly dismissive tone.

"Help the Seven Kill Hall establish a beneficial relationship with the new Magistrate?"

"Based on what?"

"Just your words?"

He had worked with Liu Jinshi for years and knew the vast gap between martial outlaws and government officials. When Liu Jinshi needed them, they were partners; when he didn't, they were expendable, easily wiped out by the officials' troops.

Though Kuhai County was more remote and impoverished than most of Qi Kingdom, its remoteness meant Guanghan City's commander had allocated a few hundred troops to the Magistrate.

These weren't ordinary men; they were professionally trained, skilled with various weapons, most in the Blood Refining Realm, some even in the Light Feather Realm. If it came to a fight, the Seven Kill Hall's ragtag group wouldn't stand a chance.

Thus, officials generally looked down on organizations like the Seven Kill Hall. If not for Liu Jinshi needing dirty work done, they wouldn't even have a seat at the table.

To connect with officials, it depended on whether the officials wanted it.

Someone like Wen Chaoshen, dressed plainly, not even wealthy, making such claims was laughable.

Facing Seventh Master and the crowd's skepticism and ridicule, Wen Chaoshen smiled calmly and said:

"I understand you don't believe I have such skills and abilities, but that's fine. I can prove it to you."

"When you believe, I'll come back to discuss business with Seventh Master."

Seventh Master tapped his deer-head cane, nodding slightly, curiously studying Wen Chaoshen:

"How will you prove yourself?"

Discover the complete story on pawread.com

Wen Chaoshen lowered his head with a smile, took a deep breath, and spoke of another matter:

"Does Seventh Master remember a name, Cheng Feng?"

At this name, Seventh Master pondered for a moment, then frowned.

"Cheng Feng..."

"What does he have to do with this?"

Wen Chaoshen replied calmly:

"The person troubling Cheng Feng likely has some status in Kuhai County. I guess he has ties with Liu Jinshi or at least some spare wealth. If Seventh Master gives me his name and details... I'll handle him for you."

Hearing this, Seventh Master understood and chuckled:

"So, this is what it's about..."

"After all this, you're here to make a name for Cheng Feng."

Wen Chaoshen shook his head:

"No, business is business. Helping Cheng Feng is between him and me, but what I'm discussing now is between me and the Seven Kill Hall."

"Seventh Master, don't mix them up."

The old man in black stared at Wen Chaoshen, his mocking smile fading slightly.

"Even if you can deal with that person, it doesn't prove you can help the Seven Kill Hall establish ties with the new Magistrate, does it?"

Wen Chaoshen replied earnestly:

"That depends on how I deal with him."

"If I provoke the issue, and it escalates, but the new County Lord sides with me, wouldn't that prove I can help the Seven Kill Hall?"

Seventh Master was silent for a moment, his voice softening:

"Actually, if you can truly bring this big business to the Seven Kill Hall, it could end more amicably."

"The person hired us to trouble Cheng Feng. If the Seven Kill Hall has new, bigger business, we can forgo Cheng Feng's money."

"No need to make it so tense."

Wen Chaoshen chuckled and said:

"Without the Seven Kill Hall, he'd find others. The martial world is full of snakes and rats; throw some money, and many thugs would jump at it. It's just to annoy, not kill Cheng Feng, unlikely to trace back to them."

"But I genuinely want to handle Cheng Feng's matter."

"Unrelated to business."

"And thinking it over, it seems there's no downside for you, Seventh Master."