Episode 18: Shen Family Trading Company
The next morning, Duan Tianyi quietly returned to his residence without waking anyone. That night, he thought a lot and gained a lot of understanding of this world.
"Tianyi, have you returned?"
As soon as Duan Tianyi sat down, Yang Mufeng's voice came through, clearly sensing that he had returned. The door opened, and a bright smile greeted him. Yang Mufeng was uncomfortably aware of being stared at, his ears burning.
"I've never seen this face before. What's so good about it?"
Yang Mufeng said gruffly.
Duan Tianyi gave a mischievous smile, looking up and down Yang Mufeng with deep meaning.
"Don't speculate without permission. I regard Miss Shenxiang as my sister-in-law. She is also a person with a tragic fate."
"How is it? Is there a problem?" Duan Tianyi said with a light laugh.
"Indeed, it's a bit strange. She was forcibly taken here, and the entire clan was killed."
"I also learned some things. It seems that there is a huge secret on him, involving a rare and extraordinary treasure."
"It's really like that. However, I heard her meaning, that treasure seems not to exist."
"That's not so simple. Almost everyone in the city knows that Shenxiang has problems. Only I and you two were kept in the dark. I think, in time, someone will come to look for us."
"For that treasure?"
"Right. Those powerful forces won't let it go easily. The reason why that place appeared last night was just an exchange of benefits among those forces. Otherwise, you know, an ordinary beauty couldn't be worth such a high price. You were just an anomaly last night, disrupting their plans."
"Then we are in quite a dangerous situation now, aren't we?" Yang Mufeng was somewhat astonished, not because he was afraid, but because he was worried that it might affect Shenxiang. This girl who had just escaped from the cage, how could he bear to send her back there again?
"Maybe not. You were so imposing last night. The entire shamal city was speculating and suspecting that you were from a super force. At present, they probably won't act easily."
"The truth will eventually come out. What should we do next?" Yang Mufeng knew that Duan Tianyi had more ideas and directly asked.
"Wait and see. There's no other way. After all, we are not familiar with this world. I think it's necessary for us to visit the Shen Family Merchant Association today."
"Damn it, have you revealed your true self? I knew you were still thinking about that lady. But it's really quite captivating. Just think of her alluring figure, it makes one's blood boil." Yang Mufeng looked at Duan Tianyi with a malicious look.
"Shut up, I just want to buy something. How could you have such dirty thoughts?"
Duan Tianyi punched Yang Mufeng in the chest and smiled lightly.
"What's wrong? Didn't you already buy the cultivation method and techniques yesterday?"
"No, I have tried it, but I can't cultivate. I don't know if it's because of our physical constitution." Duan Tianyi's eyebrows slightly furrowed and said softly.
"Could it be because we are not from this world?"
"Perhaps. I'm not sure. Anyway, the Shen Family Merchant Association can be considered as an obligation we owe. Let's ask them, it shouldn't be a problem." Duan Tianyi said.
Both of them felt a bit heavy-hearted. Being transported here was already an anomaly. If we can't cultivate anymore, it will be a huge blow to us. It means we will always live at the bottom of society. They were all proud people. These things couldn't happen. In the previous world, they were the dragons and phoenixes among people. Even after crossing over, they still wanted to be above others. This was their most basic pursuit of life. Three people walked side by side on the street, namely Duan Tianyi, Yang Mufeng, and Shen Xiang. To avoid drawing attention, Shen Xiang was dressed up as a young aristocrat, wearing a green robe and holding a colorful folding fan. He walked between the two. Yang Mufeng also made some modifications and wore black armor, looking very imposing and professional, as if he were a professional bodyguard. Duan Tianyi still wore his ordinary clothes, looking rather dull.
Shen Xiang was very happy. She never expected to meet two such kind big brothers like this. The girl's nature gradually emerged, and she became lively and cheerful. When she saw Shen Xiang early in the morning, Yang Mufeng was startled. In just one night, Shen Xiang's aura had become much stronger, at least reaching the level of an eighth or ninth grade Yuanshi. This made the man who couldn't practice cultivation sigh in amazement.
The Shen Family Trading House was not very luxurious, but the area it occupied was quite large. It was located near the center of the Shaman City, covering an area of more than ten miles. There were numerous pavilions and buildings. It was close to the street, with more than thirty large shops crowded with people, very lively. These were all Shen Family's properties.
Girls always like lively places. They ran around, happiness filling their faces, smiling charmingly, attracting many people to stop and watch. If it weren't for the boy's attire, they would probably have caused a commotion.
In front of a magnificent golden gate, the three stopped. Two warriors in black armor stood at the entrance, looking very imposing. This was the main gate of the Shen Family Trading House, truly deserving to be one of the three major forces in the Shaman City.
"Please announce that Duan Tian has a matter to see Shen Lady." Duan Tianyi walked over and bowed slightly to the two guards, whispering softly.
"Stay there! Look at your stupid look, does Shen Lady only want to see someone like you who is a dullard?" One of the warriors shouted, looking up at the sky, not even glancing at Duan Tianyi.
"Such a big attitude! The guard dogs have such an air. I really want to see it for myself. How powerful is your Shen Family Trading House really?" Yang Mufeng was furious, stepping forward and grabbing the warrior's collar with his left hand, making him tremble uncontrollably. He then slapped his mouth with his right hand, dropping more than ten teeth covered in blood. He didn't have the good temper of Duan Tianyi. How could he tolerate such an arrogant fellow?
The other black-armored warrior was so scared that he almost collapsed to the ground, crawling in and running inside.
"Such a big nerve! Are you trying to challenge the dignity of my Shen Family?" Suddenly, a clear voice came from inside, melodious yet filled with anger. However, in an instant, a girl wearing tight red combat armor, surrounded by a patterned animal skin, walked out of the gate, holding a blue short sword over a foot long pointing at Yang Mufeng.
"Shen Biyao? No, it must be her sister, Shen Bixia, who is known as one of the two Bies in the Shaman City?" Yang Mufeng felt a slight confusion in his mind, put down the black-armored warrior, and stood proudly in front, towering over the young girl by at least one head.
"Hello! It's all a misunderstanding. We just want to pay a visit to Shen Biyao, the eldest sister." Duan Tianyi, fearing that something might happen to Yang Mufeng, hurriedly said.
"Regardless of who you want to meet, anyone who injured us in front of my Shen Family Trading House will be punished," the young woman shouted, her feet moving, her body like lightning, holding the sword and stabbing towards Yang Mufeng who was less than ten feet away.
Duan Tianyi, seeing her so unreasonable, said nothing more and retreated, shaking his head. At this time, Yang Mufeng smiled lightly, not paying any attention to that sharp sword strike.
Suddenly, a black light flashed in the girl's eyes, a clear voice rang out, the blue short sword had somehow fallen to the ground, the girl covered her wrist with one hand, looking at the mysterious and tall young man in front of her with a difference, unable to say anything for a moment.
"Can we go in now?" Yang Mufeng, as if nothing had happened, smiled lightly and revealed a row of white teeth.
At this time, many people had gathered in front of the Shen Family Trading House, pointing and gesticulating. The girl's cheeks were slightly red, feeling very embarrassed.
"It turns out to be Brother Duan and Brother Yang. You really made it easy for me to find you!" At this time, a tall black-armored warrior stepped out, grinning at Duan Tianyi and Yang Mufeng.
"Wild Wolf Brother!"
"The big boss has been looking for you all night, and there's no news at all. I never expected you to come to us voluntarily. This is truly a great blessing!" Wild Wolf laughed loudly, then bowed to the young girl beside him. "Second Young Lady, these two are the important people the big boss is looking for."
"Humph!" The girl snorted in her nose, angrily waving her sleeves off.
"The way this merchant house welcomes guests is really special!" Yang Mufeng sneered, clearly having a bit of dissatisfaction in his heart. He was a person who could love or hate without hesitation, and was never good at hiding his emotions.
Wild Wolf also seemed a bit embarrassed. He was not good at speaking, and could only return an innocent smile.
Just as they entered the gate, a middle-aged man came face to face, with a kind smile, walking with a majestic gait, followed by two women. One was Shen Biyao, whom they had seen before, and the other was Shen Bixia, who had just been bullied by Yang Mufeng and was about to cry.
"Those two are Brother Duan Tian and Brother Yang Feng, I've heard a lot about you. Thank you for your help, but today you were so rude. I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed," the middle-aged man smiled softly.
"I'm not, I'm not. It was just a small favor. Thank you for coming to greet us personally. It's an honor," Duan Tianyi smiled lightly, nudging Yang Mufeng with his elbow. Yang Mufeng and Shen Xiang also bowed slightly.
"Shibiao, apologize to the three honored guests!" Shen Jian shouted angrily.
Shen Bixia reluctantly bowed to the three guests, her eyes red, clearly having been scolded by Shen Jian before.
"Second Young Lady, there's no need for too much courtesy. As they say, no fighting without acquaintance. We're not the kind of people who won't give in when we're right. Let's just move on," Duan Tianyi was very rational and calm in such a situation. He handled the matter in a well-organized manner.
"Come in!"
The exterior of the Shen Family Trading House was ordinary, but the interior decoration was extremely luxurious. Even Duan Tianyi and Yang Mufeng, who were used to seeing big scenes, were slightly astonished. Of course, this world was not the one they had lived in before. Some differences were understandable.
The hall for receiving guests was extremely magnificent, with precious animal skin carpets on the ground, and the seats and furniture were made of top-quality wood, the tea sets were made of precious ancient jade, crystal clear. Above the main hall hangs a huge landscape painting. Duan Tianyi is proficient in archaeology and also has some knowledge of poetry and painting. At a glance, he could tell that this piece was extraordinary, with pure techniques and profound. If placed in the world of the past, it would undoubtedly be considered a masterpiece by a master-level artist. For a moment, he was completely captivated by this piece.
"So Mr. Duan is also skilled in calligraphy and painting!"
"Of course not, of course not."
"This was given by an old acquaintance from the past. Now he has become a prominent figure in Yuan Xiong Kingdom. Maybe one day you will also encounter him. He is Lin Shang, the painting immortal of the Ziyun Sect."