Chapter 82: Profiting Under a False Banner

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Profiting Under a False Banner

Over the past few days, he had figured something out.

Li Xingchao was a calculating man. If he chose to step forward and protect him, he definitely had an ulterior motive; he wanted something from him.

Although Fang Xu didn’t yet know what he wanted, it would be a waste not to borrow the Seventh Prince’s prestige for free. He had originally planned to sell the Blood Food Shop in town directly to Xing’s, but right now, there was a better option.

"Rong, I’m a straightforward person, so I’ll get straight to the point," Fang Xu said directly after both sides took their seats.

Xing Rong smiled faintly. "Fang, I like straightforward people the best."

Fang Xu nodded. "To be honest, I’m friends with Young Master Yun and have won the favor of the Seventh Prince. I should be able to run this Blood Food business myself.

"However, I have already obtained an Immortal Sect pass from the Ascension Association. I have to participate in their assessment at the end of the year, so I really can’t spare the energy to manage a Blood Food Shop."

Hearing this, Xing Rong was slightly shaken. He was good friends with the direct lineage heir of the Yun Family, favored by the Seventh Prince, and might even become a disciple of the Ascension Association!

"Fang, you truly are a promising young man!" Xing Rong complimented, her face full of smiles.

Fang Xu waved his hand and chuckled. "I only mention this to tell you that I have a say in the Blood Food business in Fenglin Town.

"I plan to take a stake in that Blood Food Shop and let Xing’s manage it. I’ll take a twenty percent cut of the profits each month. What do you think?"

Twenty percent? Xing Rong frowned slightly, seemingly pondering whether such a cut was worth it.

Seeing her hesitate, Fang Xu added, "You must not be from the Direct Lineage of the Xing Family, right?"

Xing Rong froze for a moment before nodding. She was indeed not from the Direct Lineage of the Xing Family. Because of this, even though Qinghe County—which she managed—brought massive wealth to the family every year, she was never highly valued by them. She could only quietly remain in a small place like Qinghe County.

"If you want to be valued by your family, as long as either the Yun Family or the imperial family supports you, your future..." Fang Xu intentionally trailed off.

Reading people was a crucial skill. In his past life in the military, psychology had been a required course for special missions. From Xing Rong’s expressions, Fang Xu could tell she was an ambitious woman. She would never be content remaining a mere Shopkeeper of a Blood Food Shop in Qinghe County. Knowing a person’s desires was the only way to better control them. By bringing out the prestige of the Yun Family and the imperial family, Xing Rong would surely understand the weight of the situation.

"Twenty percent is a bit much," Xing Rong said slowly. "I do wish to befriend an outstanding young man like you, Fang, so please give me an honest price."

Fang Xu shook his head. "Twenty percent is the absolute lowest. Do you think the Yun Family isn’t worth this price, or do you think the imperial family isn’t?"

Hearing this, Xing Rong’s expression shifted slightly, and she immediately smiled bitterly. "You’re making this very difficult for me, Fang.

"However, twenty percent exceeds my authority. How about this: a ten percent cut, and I can also promise to give you five hundred catties of tier-one Blood Food every month," Xing Rong said through gritted teeth.

Five hundred catties of tier-one Blood Food cost a thousand taels of silver. She had ways to whitewash this amount through the profit margins, but anything more would be difficult to handle.

"Deal!" As soon as she finished speaking, Fang Xu agreed readily.

In truth, his bottom line had been ten percent. The building itself wasn’t worth much, and he was borrowing the prestige of two powerful factions for free. Getting a ten percent profit for nothing was already a great deal. With the opening of the Tilan Mountain ruins, the number of Martial Artists in Fenglin Town would remain high for a long time to come. The Blood Food business would naturally boom, making ten percent a significant sum.

Seeing Fang Xu agree so readily, Xing Rong paused for a moment before a look of joy appeared on her face. Trading ten percent of the profits for a chance to get closer to the Yun Family and the Seventh Prince was by no means a losing deal. She mused that this Fang Xu was still young after all!

Both sides harbored their own thoughts, each feeling they hadn’t lost out in this transaction. The agreement was finalized quickly.

"Rong, let me take you to see the Blood Food Shop." After the agreement was drawn up, Fang Xu stood and led Xing Rong and her entourage to the Blood Food Shop in town.

The shop had originally been built by the Zhang Family. After Lu Zhiyuan took over, he had extensively renovated it. Since it hadn’t been in use for long, it was still very new. Xing Rong was very satisfied with what she saw. She immediately stated that she would arrange for personnel to come over, clean up, stock the goods, and open for business as soon as possible.

"I have one more presumptuous request," Fang Xu suddenly said. "I have a sister-in-law who used to help out in this shop. After you open, could you reserve a position for her so she has something to do?"

Wang Family was currently staying at Zhiyuan Hall without any source of income. It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford to support her, but he would leave Fenglin Town sooner or later. He had to prepare a backup plan for Wang Family.

"That’s easy. Rest assured, Fang," Xing Rong agreed with a nod, not hesitating in the slightest. She had to pay wages to the staff she hired anyway; it didn’t matter who received the money.

After inspecting the shop, Xing Rong followed Fang Xu back to Zhiyuan Hall, showing no intention of leaving. As they conversed, Fang Xu could discern her true intentions: she simply wanted him to provide an introduction so she could pay her respects to the Seventh Prince, Li Xingchao.

But how could he possibly have that kind of influence?

He could only make an excuse. "You know the current situation in Fenglin Town. The Seventh Prince is stationed here and is completely tied up with work all day. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sought my help.

"Once this busy period passes, I will definitely help introduce you."

Hearing this, Xing Rong was somewhat unwilling to give up. "I’ve heard that the Crown Prince is also in Fenglin Town. If the Seventh Prince is busy, could you help introduce me to the Crown Prince?"

Xing Rong was no fool. Having given away ten percent of the profits and five hundred catties of tier-one Blood Food, she needed to see some sort of return.

Fang Xu knew that if he continued to make excuses, it would inevitably arouse her suspicions. He nodded in agreement. "I can go and report this to the Crown Prince, but I can’t be certain if he will have the time."

Xing Rong immediately stated that there was nothing pressing at the shop in Qinghe County, so she could wait in Fenglin Town. Helpless, Fang Xu could only bite the bullet and agree.

After seeing Xing Rong off, Lu Qingluo frowned at Fang Xu. "Using the Yun Family’s name might not be a big issue, but when it comes to Li Xun..."

Fang Xu pondered for a moment. "It’s fine. I’ll go meet with Li Xun."

Hurrying from Zhiyuan Hall to the Government Office, Fang Xu met with Li Xun and immediately got straight to the point, telling him about the Xing Family’s desire to pay their respects.

Li Xun frowned. "The Xing Family? The Xing Family of Huangzhou?"

Fang Xu nodded and quietly waited for Li Xun’s response.

"The Xing Family of Huangzhou..." Li Xun muttered, beginning to recall the Xing Family’s basic information.

In his memory, the Xing Family was only considered a third-rate family in Huangzhou. They mainly operated a portion of Huangzhou’s Blood Food business. The head of their family seemed to be at the same realm as himself—a veteran Martial Master at the Perfection stage.

To his father, a faction like this was, at best, a paltry scrap of meat.

However, considering that since arriving in Fenglin Town, he had not only accomplished nothing but also hit walls at every turn, if he could help his father subjugate the Xing Family now, it would count as a small contribution. Every little bit counted. Although the Xing Family’s overall strength wasn’t great, they were still considered a wealthy family and might be of some use in the future.

"I understand. You did well in this matter," Li Xun nodded in agreement, praising Fang Xu in passing.

He found that Fang Xu was becoming more and more sensible. This kind of person was truly not bad.