Back at the Xia Mountain villa, Jiang Chen recounted his day's experiences to Chongxuan Sheng, omitting only the discovery regarding Zhang Yong.
He had always felt an inexplicable familiarity with Zhang Yong, a sensation that had persisted even back in the Celestial Residence Secret Realm.
For reasons he could not articulate, Zhang Yong's gaze today had struck a chord of shared sorrow within him.
He instinctively felt reluctant to share this with others, the reasons for which he himself could not clearly explain.
During his conversation with Chongxuan Sheng, Shisi was also present, standing silent vigil at his side.
Although Old Master Chongxuan had recalled Shisi to the Marquis's Mansion after her recovery to use her identity to remind Chongxuan Sheng of clan over self, the latter's trust in Shisi remained unwavering, and they were inseparable upon her return.
This had freed Jiang Chen to take on Chongxuan Sheng's so-called social engagements while still focusing on enhancing his own strength.
These past days, Chongxuan Sheng had been occupied with three matters: first, the relentless pursuit of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, conducted in the shadows; second, the suppression and seizure of various businesses held by Chongxuan Zun; and third, the collaboration with the Four Seas Trade Alliance.
The intent had already been finalized with Qing Xi; only the details remained.
Though the two parties had nearly come to blows in the Yang territory before, faced with immense profits, even Fu Miao had to put on a smile.
Cooperation between the two would always be guarded, a coloration determined by their initial contact.
Yet at least in the current stage, within the Yang territory, each was the best choice for the other.
In today's Yang territory, those who could provide official influence were few: the Tian family, the Gao family, and the Chongxuan family—with the Chongxuan family, which had led the outcome of the Yang war, at the forefront. And across the entire State of Qi, after falling out with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, perhaps only the Four Seas Trade Alliance could pick up the slack.
The reputation of the Four Seas Trade Alliance in the Yang territory had already been sullied; thus, the form of this cooperation was the establishment of a joint chamber of commerce named "Virtue Victory," which would share the Yang territory business.
This joint venture would be led by Chongxuan Sheng, with a sixty-forty split with the Four Seas Trade Alliance.
The Chongxuan family's current influence in the Yang territory was their greatest asset, while the Four Seas Trade Alliance would contribute various materials and other channels.
With Chongxuan Sheng in control, and since the Yang territory was now Qi soil, the new venture's standards would be much higher, focusing initially on building a reputation.
Of course, before the new venture could establish itself, they first had to drive the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce out of the Yang territory.
Xu Fang had died outside the Green Stone Palace to atone for his sins; as that "invisible hand," the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce would inevitably suffer a blow.
But the extent of that blow—whether the entire hand would be severed, only a few fingers cut off, or merely a few taps on the palm—remained the crux of Chongxuan Sheng's contention with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce during this period.
These struggles were inevitable within the larger framework, yet specific and minute in action.
A simple example: during such tense times, the official connections of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce would naturally fall silent. Chongxuan Sheng could seize this opportunity to investigate the businesses under the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce. Problems would certainly be found; the only question was their magnitude.
What Chongxuan Sheng was doing was guiding the investigation's direction, magnifying those problems, ideally steering them all toward the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce itself. Meanwhile, the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce had to quickly sever ties, minimizing or eliminating those problems. It was a matter of who could act faster and more precisely.
The only thing the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce could be grateful for was probably that the Qi Ruler had not yet taken any stance on the Green Stone Palace matter. Though the blade of beheading was most terrifying before it fell, the period before the fall offered at least some room to struggle.
After hearing Jiang Chen recount Jiang Wuqi's words, Chongxuan Sheng pondered for a long while before speaking.
"Jiang Wuqi is warning me."
"Does he have a good relationship with Jiang Wuyong?" Regarding the internal relations of the Qi royal family, Jiang Chen truly knew nothing.
"A mere Jiang Wuyong is nothing; his disgrace is not uncommon." Chongxuan Sheng shook his head. "Jiang Wuqi is warning us not to do anything more to the Green Stone Palace—he just cannot say it outright."
"The deposed crown prince is a thorn difficult to pull out for the current crown prince, but for princes like them who have failed to secure the position, it is a weapon to restrain the current crown prince."
Even without this explanation, Jiang Chen could understand, so he only asked: "Does he know about our involvement in the Xu Fang matter?"
"Probably just speculation, but speculation is enough." Chongxuan Sheng sighed. "Our operations against the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce can only stop here for now."
"How were the results?" Jiang Chen asked.
Chongxuan Sheng tossed a booklet into Jiang Chen's hands. "These are the statistics from this period; see for yourself."
Though he had been mentally prepared, after flipping through it, Jiang Chen was still startled by Chongxuan Sheng's effectiveness. "In Linzi alone, eighty-seven shops under the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce have been shut down?"
"This was mainly thanks to the Four Seas Trade Alliance beating a drowning dog. Of course, because we were prepared beforehand, we were the fastest to get the fat meat. All who could operate independently as dark pieces have been sent out, with no surface connection to us. Even so, the share we took openly is already substantial." Chongxuan Sheng still felt some regret. "Eating any more would be too conspicuous."
Jiang Chen knew that most of Chongxuan Sheng's dark pieces who could operate independently were former subordinates sent by his uncle, Chongxuan Chuliang, and were highly trustworthy.
"So we let Su She go?" Jiang Chen mused. "Someone like that, once offended, should be beaten to death."
Xu Fang's experience had left a deep impression; Su She was absolutely not a person who could forget humiliation. At no time could one be careless with such a person.
"This is not just you and I who understand; Qing Xi understands too!" Chongxuan Sheng said.
Indeed, the Four Seas Trade Alliance would not easily let go of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, but leaving a major threat like Su She to be dealt with by others—even if that other was Qing Xi—was not Chongxuan Sheng's style.
Even with Jiang Wuqi's warning, avoiding the Green Stone Palace was enough.
Jiang Chen thought for a moment. "Yi Wu Wang?"
The situation was now overwhelmingly favorable, and the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce was preoccupied with itself. Before Chongxuan Zun left the academy, the only one who could be called troublesome was Yi Wu Wang.
Chongxuan Sheng nodded. "After all, he is the greatest in the Heaven-Piercing realm since ancient times. We must leave some room and show him due respect!"
As he spoke, he suddenly turned to ask, "Have those bald donkeys from the Suspended Temple contacted you lately?"
Chongxuan Sheng's father had later changed his name to Chongxuan Futu, Futu meaning Buddhist temple.
Thus, Chongxuan Sheng had always detested Buddhism.
The reason he had treated Monk Jingli so impolitely in Green Sheep Town was partly due to this.
Having experienced that trip to the Duke of Bowang's Mansion, Jiang Chen naturally knew this.
"Actually, no," Jiang Chen said.
He suddenly realized that he had been spending his days in the Four Great Houses, so even if the old and young monks had truly come looking for him, it would have been inconvenient...
Chongxuan Sheng had only mentioned it on a sudden thought.
"For some reason, I have been feeling a bit dazed these days."
After a hesitation, Chongxuan Sheng finally said what he truly wanted to say: "Come with me out tonight."
The words seemed somewhat difficult for him.
Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh. "Where are we going? Is there somewhere that makes even you embarrassed?"
"To the ruins of the Kurong Temple," Chongxuan Sheng said.
The Kurong Temple.
Once the second-greatest Buddhist sect in the Eastern Region after the Suspended Temple.
The former cultivation place of the deposed crown prince, Jiang Wuliang.
Leveled by imperial decree after Jiang Wuliang's tragic deposition.
Also the place where Chongxuan Futu had suppressed his killing intent, and where he and Jiang Wuliang had become close friends.
Jiang Chen stopped laughing.
This was indeed a place that, for Chongxuan Sheng, was not easy to speak of.