If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

The shopkeeper paused for a moment, then a smile spread across his face.

He reached out to take the ingot, but stopped abruptly as soon as his fingers touched the silver surface.

Zhou Yang's hand remained pressed on the gold ingot, motionless.

"Shopkeeper, I've changed my mind."

Zhou Yang spoke casually, his tone as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.

The shopkeeper's smile froze on his face, and sweat broke out on his forehead again. Just as he was about to speak, Zhou Yang had already taken the gold ingot back and slowly weighed it in his palm.

"I saw everything that just happened."

Zhou Yang's gaze swept around the money exchange before finally settling on the manager.

"Tongyuan Money Shop, what a huge sign! The guards are fighting, thugs are causing trouble—is this a business or a shady operation?"

The shopkeeper's expression changed, and his lips moved, but no sound came out.

Zhou Yang remained calm and continued, "This Master Li says his money is tainted, that's easy to handle, just report it to the authorities. But instead of reporting it, you're trying to kick him out, what kind of logic is that?"

"Young master, you've misunderstood..."

"Misunderstand?"

Zhou Yang chuckled and interrupted him.

"This Mr. Li just said that his brother deposited five thousand taels of silver at Tongyuan Money Exchange. Five thousand taels is no small sum. Such a large amount of silver, with an unclear origin, and your money exchange not only doesn't investigate, but also helps cover it up?"

The shopkeeper's face turned pale instantly.

Zhou Yang's voice wasn't loud, but it felt like needles piercing the shopkeeper's ears.

"Colluding with local thugs, accepting bribes, and disrupting the financial order of the capital region. Are these charges enough to shut down Tongyuan Money Shop?"

No, it's not...

The shopkeeper was speechless. He tried to explain, but found that the more he tried, the worse it got.

Zhou Yang put the gold ingot back into his sleeve and stood up.

"Fine, I'm too lazy to argue with you."

He straightened his sleeves and walked towards the door.

"The Shuntian Prefecture government office is at the East Market entrance, and the Northern Garrison Command is south of the Drum Tower. You can choose which one I go to."

Upon uttering the words "Northern Garrison Command," the shopkeeper's legs went weak, and he knelt down.

In the capital, the name of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was like a summons from the King of Hell. Ordinary people would avoid them at all costs, let alone businessmen like them. Once they were targeted by the Northern Garrison Command, they would be severely injured, if not killed.

"Young master, please wait! Young master, please wait!"

The shopkeeper, disregarding all decorum, scrambled to Zhou Yang's feet and grabbed his leg.

"I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. I have offended you, young master. Please, sir, show mercy!"

Zhou Yang looked down at him, his face expressionless.

"Please show some mercy?"

He gave a cold laugh.

"You were so determined to help that Master Li just now, why have you changed your mind now?"

The shopkeeper's face turned red, and his forehead banged against the ground repeatedly.

"I was foolish! I deserve to die! Young master, please forgive my mistake, whatever you wish me to do, I will do as you say!"

Zhou Yang did not speak.

He silently looked at the shopkeeper kneeling on the ground, his gaze as if he were looking at an ant.

After a long while, he finally spoke:

"My request is very simple."

He held up two fingers.

"First, my silver notes are fully redeemed with zero loss."

The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, afraid of being too slow in agreeing.

"No problem, no problem! I'll personally exchange it for you!"

"second."

Zhou Yang raised his second finger and smiled slightly.

"That Mr. Li from earlier, I demand three hundred taels of silver in compensation from him."

The shopkeeper was stunned.

"this……"

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Zhou Yang's gaze turned cold.

No, no!

The shopkeeper realized what was happening and quickly waved his hand. He turned around and shouted at the guards at the door:

"Go! Bring Li Tianba back to me! Now!"

The guard hesitated for a moment, then took off running outside.

Zhou Yang stood still, slowly adjusting his cuffs.

The money exchange was eerily quiet, save for the manager's rapid breathing. Several accountants huddled behind the counter, barely daring to breathe. The guards who had been kicked over by Zhou Yang lay on the ground, groaning, too weak to even get up.

Sunlight streamed in through the doorway, falling on Zhou Yang and casting a long shadow.

A short while later, a commotion arose at the doorway.

"Let me go! What are you doing! I need to see your manager!"

Li Tianba's voice came from outside, sharp and shrill.

Two guards grabbed his arms and dragged him in. Li Tianba's collar was pulled askew, his hat was gone, and his once shiny hair was now a mess plastered to his forehead.

"you--"

Li Tianba was halfway through his sentence when he saw the shopkeeper kneeling on the ground and froze.

"Old Zhang? What are you doing?"

The shopkeeper ignored him, keeping his head down and his voice trembling:

"Master Li, you caused trouble at the money exchange and offended this young master. He's demanding three hundred taels of silver as compensation for his emotional distress."

"What?!"

Li Tianba's eyes widened, and the fat on his face trembled.

"Why should I pay for something he's just a poor, penniless kid? Old Zhang, are you out of your mind?"

His voice echoed in the empty money exchange.

"Master Li!"

The shopkeeper suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with pleading.

"Please don't make things worse! This young master... is not someone to be trifled with!"

Li Tianba wanted to say something, but then he saw Zhou Yang looking at him.

That gaze was as calm as a stagnant pool, yet it sent chills down his spine.

He recalled the scene of Zhou Yang kicking over the guards. That strength was not something an ordinary person could possess. With that kick, all three guards were sent flying, crashing into the counter and too afraid to move.

What kind of skill is that?

It's at least the level of projecting internal energy outwards.

This kind of person is a top expert even in the capital, so how come he would appear here?

Li Tianba swallowed hard; his throat felt dry.

Three hundred taels...

His voice lowered.

"I didn't bring that much money with me."

"They're available at the money exchange."

Zhou Yang spoke calmly.

"Didn't Master Li just say that your brother has five thousand taels of silver in savings? Withdrawing three hundred taels shouldn't be difficult."

Li Tianba's face turned a deep liver color.

His brother did indeed have some silver deposited, but it wasn't his money. He came today hoping to use his status to get some money from the money exchange. He never expected to run into such a snag.

That silver was my brother's capital for doing business, and every transaction was accounted for. If he took out three hundred taels without permission, he would definitely get a beating and scolding when he got back.

But if they don't pay, this scoundrel will definitely make a big scene. Then, his brother's dealings with Tongyuan Money Shop will be exposed. Once those shady businesses are revealed, both brothers' lives will be in danger.

"I……"

Li Tianba clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh.

Three hundred taels was a huge sum of money for him.

But if we don't compensate, the consequences will be even more serious.

"good!"

Li Tianba gritted his teeth and squeezed out the word.

"I'll pay for it!"

The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief, quickly got up, went to the counter to get three hundred taels of silver notes, and presented them to Zhou Yang with both hands. His hands were trembling slightly, and the silver notes made a soft rustling sound.

"Young master, here are three hundred taels of silver notes. Please count them."

Zhou Yang took the banknote and casually stuffed it into his sleeve without looking at it closely.

He knew that the shopkeeper wouldn't dare to tamper with such matters.

"very good."

He nodded and turned to walk towards the counter.

"Now, it's time to get down to business."

The shopkeeper dared not delay and quickly followed, personally taking out a red lacquered wooden box. Inside the box were ten gold bars, each about the thickness of a little finger, gleaming brightly and shimmering with a warm luster under the light.

"Young master, here are a thousand taels of gold bars. Please count them."

Zhou Yang picked up a gold bar and weighed it in his hand. Its heavy weight pressed against his palm, and a cool sensation came from his fingertips.

This is a good thing.

He put it back and closed the lid.

"Good quality."

He tucked the wooden box into his coat, and a bulge appeared under his coat, but it didn't look out of place at all.

I got everything I was entitled to.

Zhou Yang turned and walked towards the door. His steps were unhurried, as if he were taking a stroll in his own backyard.

Li Tianba stood there, his face ashen, but he didn't say anything more. His eyes were fixed on Zhou Yang's back, his fists clenched until they turned white.

Zhou Yang stopped when he reached the door.

He didn't turn around, but simply said:

"Shopkeeper, I've got it."

"From now on, it's the rule for me to come."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared outside the door.

Inside the money exchange, there was a deathly silence.

The shopkeeper slumped to the ground, his body drenched in cold sweat. His legs were so weak that he couldn't stand up for a moment.

Li Tianba's expression changed repeatedly, until finally it turned ashen.

He finally realized that he had messed with the wrong person today.

Three hundred taels of silver bought me a lesson.

This lesson was too costly.

The street was bustling with people, the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and the noise of vehicles mingling together. Zhou Yang's figure blended into the crowd and soon disappeared from sight.

He touched the gold bars and silver notes in his pocket, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

One thousand taels of gold bars and three hundred taels of silver notes.

This trip was quite fruitful.

"Those who pay extra never lose out."

He muttered to himself and walked briskly forward.

At a tea stall on the street corner, a middle-aged man in gray put down his teacup, his gaze following the direction in which Zhou Yang disappeared.

"This young man is interesting."

He muttered to himself, a playful smile playing on his lips.

The waiter next to him asked in a low voice, "Should we follow them and see?"

"No rush."

The middle-aged man shook his head and picked up his teacup again.

"The fish has just entered the water; let it swim a little longer."