Blood sedge

Chapter 1189 The Good Merchant Hides His True Colors (Part 3)

Even now, Tang Afu's merciless sword is still pointed at Shen Dongshan behind Kui Qi. Through the slightly trembling blade, it is not difficult to see his emotional agitation and inner turmoil.

"Wu Shuang, what are you doing?" Tang Afu, who was usually calm, rarely showed a resentful look. He stared at Wu Shuang, who had an awkward smile, and said in a frighteningly cold voice, "This is a personal matter between him and me. It has nothing to do with you!"

At this moment, many people around were already secretly speculating about the relationship between Wu Shuang and Shen Dongshan.

Sensing something amiss, Xie Xuan quickly exchanged glances with Xiao Zhirou, Yun Zhuiyue, and Xun Zhen, and then decisively ordered: "Disciples of the Wise Prince's Mansion, the Valley of Heartbreak, Dragon Elephant Mountain, and the Western Martial Sect, please step back!"

After receiving the tacit approval of their sect leader, the group reluctantly accepted the order, and dozens of people, filled with curiosity and endless imagination, walked out of the council hall one after another.

In a short while, apart from Xie Xuan, Xiao Zhirou, Yun Zhuiyue, and Xunzhen, only Liu Xunyi, Su He, Pan Yuyin, Tang Afu, Wu Shuang, Shen Dongshan and his guards, who were at the center of the vortex, remained in the hall.

"I know you two have a grudge, which is why I didn't stop you when you attacked," Wu Shuang advised with a smile. "Now that you've done your fighting and cursing, why not listen to what Master Shen has to say?"

"What do you mean?" Tang Afu frowned, and asked in a deep voice, "Are you going to protect him?"

“I’m afraid this matter is not up to me.” After saying that, Wu Shuang cast a meaningful glance at Liu Xunyi, who was deep in thought, and said, “The mastermind behind you is right here, far away but right in front of you. It is none other than Master Shen.”

"Oh, is it so?"

In fact, Liu Xunyi had already guessed the answer the moment Shen Dongshan appeared. The reason he ignored Tang Afu's actions was that he was waiting for Wu Shuang to step forward and make a statement.

Because he simply couldn't understand how Wu Shuang, who had always lived a carefree and unrestrained life, could have a secret affair with Shen Dongshan, whom he had no connection with whatsoever.
Some were baffled, while others saw the clues in the small details. Just like Xie Xuan and Xun Zhen at that moment, they inadvertently exchanged a glance, their brows furrowed with an indescribable solemnity.

"Brother, what exactly happened?" To avoid causing Liu Xunyi to misunderstand, Xunzhen preemptively asked Wu Shuang, "You and Master Shen..."

“Miss Xunzhen, please allow me to explain the situation slowly.” Shen Dongshan interrupted Xunzhen’s question, his gaze sweeping around before slowly settling on Pan Yuyin. He asked with concern, “They say a girl changes a lot as she grows up, and my niece Pan has truly become more and more beautiful. If we walked down the street, I’m afraid I wouldn’t recognize her at all. How are your parents and brothers?”

The Pan family used to be the richest family in Yingchuan, and they had dealings with Shen Dongshan, who was also a merchant. Especially after Pan Chuba was murdered, when the Pan family wanted to sell their belongings and move away, Shen Dongshan spent tens of millions to take over all of the Pan family's businesses in Yingchuan. His bid was far higher than that of other bidders, and even higher than the actual value of the Pan family's assets. This was definitely a great favor to the Pan family.

Therefore, when faced with Shen Dongshan's warm greetings, Pan Yuyin bowed respectfully and said, "My family is well, thanks to Mr. Shen's concern. If it weren't for Mr. Shen's kindness in giving us the gold back then, the Pan family probably wouldn't have been able to get through that ordeal. I will remember Mr. Shen's great kindness forever."

Pan Yuyin originally intended to address Shen Dongshan as "Uncle Shen," but then she thought of Tang Afu, with whom she had an irreconcilable feud, and Tang Afu and Liu Xunyi were as close as brothers. Caught between these two relationships, Pan Yuyin didn't want to get too close to Shen Dongshan to avoid causing misunderstandings for Liu Xunyi, yet she dared not forget his kindness, lest she be unbecoming of a person of moral character. Therefore, she displayed a strange demeanor that was both respectful and distant, polite but lacking in enthusiasm, and her words revealed her hesitation and unease.

"It's just a small matter, nothing to mention," Shen Dongshan said with a wave of his hand and a smile. "I have always respected Master Pan's character, and I am very pleased to be able to do something for his descendants."

Although Shen Dongshan repeatedly said it was "not worth mentioning," he actually accepted Pan Yuyin's gratitude.

After speaking, Shen Dongshan turned his gaze to Xie Xuan, who was silently scrutinizing him, and cupped his hands, saying, "Second Master Xie... Oh! No, no, no! Today I should call you Master Xie! It's been a long time, how have you been?"

"This old man of mine can barely hold on for a few more years, but Mr. Shen is radiant and full of energy, growing younger with each passing year." Xie Xuan rose to return the greeting and offered some compliments to Shen Dongshan.

"Hey! Please don't tease me, Master Xie. In the past few years, my teeth have become loose and my temples have turned gray. I can't hide my old age anymore!"

Shen Dongshan chatted and laughed with Xie Xuan as if they were old friends, as if Tang Afu, who was glaring at him angrily, did not exist at all. His calm and composed demeanor alone was far beyond what ordinary people could match.

"Valley Master Xiao! Saint Master Yun!" Shen Dongshan bowed to Xiao Zhirou and Yun Zhuiyue, who were watching from the sidelines, and said loudly, "Both of you are renowned figures in the martial arts world. I have long admired you, but unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to get to know you properly. Meeting you here today is quite a fortunate coincidence."

"Master Shen, there's no need for modesty. In the past, only renowned figures like Luo Tianjin and Jin Fuyu could sit at the same table as you. How could we heretics possibly be worthy of your attention?" Yun Zhuiyue had never had a good impression of Shen Dongshan, who reeked of money. In addition, Xiao Zhirou and Tang Afu were as close as mother and son. Yun Zhuiyue had no intention of associating with Shen Dongshan, either publicly or privately. She was even too lazy to put on an act. Her sarcastic remarks, which were laced with sarcasm, gradually made the atmosphere in the hall somewhat awkward.

Looking at Shen Dongshan, who seemed to have been treated coldly, he appeared quite used to such situations. He was neither angry nor embarrassed, but simply smiled and turned his gaze to his final target, his true objective for this trip: Liu Xunyi.

"A grand anti-traitor rally completely changed the landscape and structure of the Central Plains martial arts world. Nephew Xunyi leaped over the dragon gate, becoming the most sought-after figure in the martial arts world. He not only cleared his name but also gained immense power, undoubtedly making him the biggest winner in this upheaval." At this point, Shen Dongshan glanced meaningfully at the indifferent Xiao Zhirou and the hostile-looking Yun Zhuiyue, and continued with a half-smile, "Nephew Xunyi has endured many hardships, tempered by adversity, and finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. He rose from the ashes, showing much like his father in his prime..."

"Shen Dongshan, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want!"

As expected, before Shen Dongshan could finish speaking, Yun Zhuiyue's sinister and chilling threat suddenly arrived, startling the unsuspecting Shen Dongshan so much that his body trembled.

Right now, Liu Xunyi and Xiao Zhirou have finally managed to forget Luo Tianjin and Yun Zhuiyue's sinister past actions, but Shen Dongshan just happens to bring up the very thing he shouldn't have. Publicly, this easily stirs up Liu Xunyi and the Prince Xian's Mansion's resentment towards Yun Zhuiyue, and privately, it easily evokes Xiao Zhirou's feelings of sadness or even old feelings for Luo Tianjin. How can Yun Zhuiyue feel at ease?

“Lord Yun!” Xie Xuan’s expression turned serious. “Master Shen’s words are true. Xunyi is the flesh and blood of the Northern Sage King. It is only natural that he is of the same lineage as the Northern Sage King. This is not nonsense.”

"The fact that Lord Xie was so eager to help Shen Dongshan out of that predicament suggests that their relationship... is quite unusual." Yun Zhuiyue retorted sarcastically, "Could it be that you received some benefits in private and were deliberately putting on an act here to cooperate with him?"

"Lord Yun, please be careful with your words, thank you..."

"Why does Master Shen address me as his nephew?" To avoid escalating the conflict, Liu Xunyi promptly interrupted Xie Xuan and Yun Zhuiyue's argument. "This relationship... is rather confusing to me."

Shen Dongshan smiled slightly and explained, "Your father and I are close friends and have always addressed each other as brothers. Given this relationship, it wouldn't be too much to call Young Hero Liu 'nephew,' would it?" After speaking, he deliberately glanced at Xie Xuan, his expression showing a hint of seeking credit.

After all, Xie Xuan was one of the people who most wanted to firmly bind Liu Xunyi and Luo Tianjin's father-son relationship, and even their honor, disgrace, benefits, and losses.

"Why did you help me, Master Shen?" Liu Xunyi seemed unwilling to dwell on the formalities and asked directly, "It can't be as simple as you and Alliance Leader Luo being close friends, can it?"

"Nephew Xunyi, you speak so frankly, I admire you!" Shen Dongshan laughed heartily and said frankly, "A businessman who wants to broaden his business must make many friends. Right now, without the help of a powerful figure like Nephew Xunyi, I'm afraid Dongshan Trading Company's business in Luoyang... and even in Jiangzhou, Xiangxi, Hexi, and the Northeast would become very difficult. Therefore, I trouble Young Master Wu to act as a go-between, hoping to make friends with Nephew Xunyi."

"Make friends?" Liu Xunyi asked calmly. "I'm an old acquaintance of Mr. Shen, but your words today sound rather distant."

“Hey! Acquaintances are acquaintances, and friends are friends. The two should not be confused.” Shen Dongshan corrected him seriously. “Acquaintances are just casual acquaintances with no ties between them. But friends are those with whom you share happiness and benefit each other.”

Shen Dongshan possessed the shrewdness of a businessman at heart. He only talked about "sharing the good times" but never about "sharing the bad times." He only talked about "mutual benefit" but never about "sharing the risks."

Ultimately, Shen Dongshan saw friends only as having mutual exploitation value, lacking any sense of loyalty or willingness to go to great lengths for them. Therefore, when faced with Liu Xunyi's veiled sarcasm in his question, Shen Dongshan felt no shame whatsoever; instead, he considered it perfectly natural and justifiable to be opportunistic and sycophantic.

Upon closer examination, it does align with his consistent business-oriented approach.

"Before your true identity was revealed, my nephew Xunyi was a henchman in the Prince Xian's mansion, deeply trusted by the Prince of the North. He must know that my relationship with your father is extraordinary." Shen Dongshan's thoughts shifted, and he again brought up Luo Tianjin, intending to further close the distance between himself and Liu Xunyi. "The Prince of the North has wielded immense power in the Central Plains martial arts world for many years, and I have silently supported him for just as long. During this time, whatever he commanded, I obeyed without question, handling it with utmost respect and dignity. Of course, the Prince of the North is a man of high moral character and has never mistreated me..." The reason why Dongshan Trading Company's business in the north was able to thrive was entirely due to his patronage and protection. Over the years, Shen had long regarded the Northern Sage King as a confidant, especially after the martial arts tournament, when he rose to become the revered leader of the martial arts alliance. At that time, Shen and he had already reached an alliance concerning the future of both families; this cooperation was enough to bring them even closer, making them inseparable friends. Unfortunately, before anything could even begin, the Northern Sage King… Alas! This matter ended without resolution, and Shen feels deeply pained whenever he thinks of it…”

"Master Shen!" Xie Xuan was worried that Shen Dongshan might accidentally reveal some secrets he shouldn't have, so he quickly interrupted his lament, "The deceased is gone, and the past is the past. There's no need to bring it up again."

"Although the Northern Sage King is no longer here, it is fortunate that the Sage King's Mansion has welcomed back Nephew Xunyi. It is also a blessing from heaven that you have inherited your father's business." Shen Dongshan understood Xie Xuan's concerns, so he stopped being coy and sincerely expressed his feelings to Liu Xunyi, "I have come here hoping to continue the friendship I had with your father. As long as Nephew Xunyi does not mind my wealth, I am willing to assist you as I did with the Northern Sage King. I will do everything in my power to help you and support you in everything I can."

……