Chapter 93 - 87: Underestimate

Chapter 93: Chapter 87: Underestimate

In the northwest corner of South City was one of its more prosperous squares, filled with all sorts of shops.

Deep within the market square, there was a residential compound composed of several nested courtyards, each three or four layers deep.

This was the home of a prominent family in South City, whose master was surnamed Xu.

The Xu Family had operated in South City for several generations, building up the influence they now possessed.

Inside one of the courtyards, which was outfitted with sandpits, stone locks, wooden racks, and other training equipment, a number of men were training with fiery enthusiasm.

Some of these men were disciples of the Xu Family, but most were guards and Martial Artists hired by the Xu Family at great expense.

No one would have imagined that the Xu Family, always so low-key in South City, possessed such hidden depths.

In another, quieter courtyard.

The Patriarch of this generation of the Xu Family, Xu San, was rolling two stone balls in his hand. "Is it confirmed?" he asked. "The City Defense Army is in South City because of Captain Ding’s death?"

"Yes."

The household servant before him replied with a bowed head, "Captain Ding was assassinated last night in an alley in Jufu Square. The City Defense Army came today to pressure the South City Bureau into catching the killer."

"As long as they’re not coming for us, it’s fine."

Xu San said slowly, "Ding Zhidou’s skills were not weak. Who in South City could have killed him?"

He frowned in thought.

"According to the forensic doctor from the South City Bureau, Captain Ding was ambushed. His eyes were blinded with lime powder, and then he was killed by a single sword thrust through the throat," the household servant said.

The Xu Family had operated in South City for many years. Though they kept a low profile, their network of informants was everywhere.

They even had men planted inside the South City Bureau. They might not learn the most confidential matters, but they would quickly hear about any major moves.

The death of Ding Zhidou was no secret, so naturally, they had easily found out the details.

"Ding Zhidou was too arrogant and his actions made him hated. Someone has wanted him dead for a long time."

Xu San mused, "To use a dirty trick like lime powder for an ambush... the killer’s skills must be inferior to Ding Zhidou’s."

"Patriarch, South City is in turmoil. Should we pause our business for now?" the household servant asked in a low voice.

The former Sima, Hu Yuxing, was assassinated; the Minister and Chief Clerk resigned one after another; and now a Captain from the City Defense Army has died in South City.

"When is the Outer City ever not in turmoil?"

Xu San mused, "Wang Guan is nothing but a dandy. That Su Mu does have some skill, but he’s too young, still wet behind the ears. He’s not a threat.

"The real problem is that we had just managed to build a good relationship with the Hu Family, and now the Wang Family has suddenly stepped in and snatched the position of South City Sima from them. We have to start all over again and build a connection with the Wang Family."

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, silently cursing the Hu Family.

The influence of the four great families of the Inner City was, in fact, weighted differently in the Outer City.

In South City, for example, although the other three families had some power, the Hu Family had always been the most influential.

The position of Sima in the South City Bureau had always been held by the Hu Family.

Although the Xu Family hadn’t completely aligned themselves with the Hu Family, they had sent plenty of silver to Hu Yuxing in the past.

Who would have thought the Hu Family would be so pathetic, that they would let the Wang Family snatch the Sima position right from under them.

"We continue the business."

After a long moment of contemplation, Xu San said slowly, "He’s just a dandy. As long as we cater to his tastes, it won’t be a big problem. Send him some silver and beautiful women, and we just need to be more careful with the shipments."

After thinking it over and over, he decided that a spoiled rich kid and a boy who was still wet behind the ears posed no threat to the Xu Family.

In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to give up the immense profits at hand.

......

"Miss Luo, you’re here?"

Su Mu arrived home under the moonlight and was pleasantly surprised to see Luo Anning standing under a tree in the courtyard. It was a scene straight from a poem: the moon rising over the willows, a rendezvous after dusk.

"Must you be so formal with me?"

Luo Anning slowly turned around. Under the moonlight, her beauty was pure and unparalleled.

Su Mu: "..."

For a moment, he almost thought this Luo Anning was an impostor. ’Our relationship isn’t that intimate, is it?’

"You can call me by my name directly, or call me Sister Ning," Luo Anning continued, her small face as earnest as ever.

Su Mu breathed a sigh of relief. This was the Luo Anning he knew.

"Sister Ning."

Su Mu readily complied, cupping his hands in a salute. ’Ah, older sisters... so good, so wonderful...’

"Sister Ning, did you come looking for me because you have a mission?" Su Mu asked.

"No."

Luo Anning shook her head, her expression turning serious. "I came to ask you a single question."

’Does asking one question require such a serious mood?’

Su Mu couldn’t help but become serious as well. "Please, ask."

"Are you trying to play both sides, keeping a foot in each boat to profit from both?" Luo Anning asked, her large eyes fixed on Su Mu.

"Huh?"

Su Mu’s first reaction was that Luo Anning had found out about him writing a poem for the Xiang Family. But he immediately realized that he and Luo Anning weren’t romantically involved. Even if he did have some connection to the Xiang Family, it wouldn’t be a case of having a foot in two boats. Besides, there was nothing going on between him and the Xiang Family to begin with.

"Sister Ning, I don’t understand what you mean," Su Mu said with a frown.

"With your skills, even if you are ultimately eliminated from the Taiping Bureau, you would still have many other options. You certainly don’t have to rely on my Luo Family.

"If you have chosen the Wang Family, I can understand..." Luo Anning said.

Su Mu had a moment of realization. So that was it.

"Sister Ning, you think I’ve been getting too close to Wang Guan, that I’ve thrown my lot in with the Wang Family?" Su Mu chuckled and said, "You overestimate Wang Guan, and you underestimate me."

Luo Anning blinked, not saying a word. She just continued to watch Su Mu, as if waiting for his explanation.

"My relationship with Wang Guan is purely that of a superior and a subordinate. If you want to talk about who’s helping whom, I am the one helping him. He has never helped me."

Su Mu continued, "I have never made any deals with the Wang Family, nor have I ever received any benefits from them."