Chapter Thirty-Three: I Did Not Kill Him

More than half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Following Jiang Chen’s instructions, Lin Qingxuan sold off the stock of River Moon White at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, one jar at a time, making a good amount of silver. Yet, due to the recent fatal incident, the tavern had remained closed for over a month. This could not go on; after all, the Drunken Immortal Tavern was a crucial asset to the Lin family. Even if Lin Qingxuan could remain patient, the old patriarch would never watch the tavern collapse without intervention.

On this day, Lin Qingxuan, rarely seen outside his own domain, paid a visit to Jiang Chen’s home to discuss the matter.

“You need to find a solution fast. The old master is pressing me, and I can’t stall any longer,” Lin Qingxuan said, pouring himself a cup of tea and grumbling between heavy breaths. He recounted, word for word, all the demands and urgings from his family elder.

“Selling wine is a good idea; we’ve got regular customers now and can sell more than a dozen jars of River Moon White each day. But if you think about it, that barely keeps me afloat. The Drunken Immortal Tavern is the real cornerstone.”

Jiang Chen listened quietly, waiting until Lin Qingxuan finished before speaking in a calm, measured tone. “Within three days, I guarantee the Drunken Immortal Tavern will reopen, and on the first day, it will be packed to the brim, bustling and lively.”

“Really? You’re not joking with me?” To Lin Qingxuan, after what had happened, even having a few patrons upon reopening would be a blessing. He had never dared to dream of the tavern thriving, teeming with guests from the very first day, not even in his wildest imaginings.

Jiang Chen smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. “When have I ever lied to you?”

“That’s true, but how will you make people forget what happened? Even now, some avoid the tavern altogether. You can’t just force them in at knifepoint, can you?”

“Of course not. I’ll have them flocking willingly to the Drunken Immortal Tavern, holding banquets. If there aren’t dozens of tables set, I won’t be satisfied.”

Jiang Chen’s confidence was unwavering. Lin Qingxuan, uncertain what scheme he had in mind, vented his frustration a bit more before Jiang Chen politely ushered him out.

“You’re heading out?”

“Exactly, so I won’t keep you for dinner. Go home and get ready for the reopening.”

After Lin Qingxuan left, Jiang Chen and Gu Jun set out together for Tiger Head Mountain, outside the city. According to their agreement, he was to deliver the money he had earned to the bandit chief, Huang Si Cai.

Business was business; promises must be kept. Even when dealing with bandits, Jiang Chen adhered strictly to his word. Moreover, he planned to bring back the remaining medicinal herbs, and knew he had to offer Huang Si Cai some incentive.

They arrived smoothly at Tiger Head Mountain. This time, Huang Si Cai greeted Jiang Chen as though he were a living fortune, grinning so widely it seemed drool would spill from his lips. He was supposed to command hundreds of men, yet he had not a shred of dignity—truly contemptible.

“Good, good, Jiang Chen, you keep your word, I’m very pleased. But it’s only three thousand taels of silver—isn’t that a bit short?”

Huang Si Cai’s eyes never left the silver, shamelessly hoping to squeeze more from Jiang Chen.

Gu Jun objected, “We agreed last time on a seventy-thirty split. You just sit here on the mountain and get thirty percent for nothing—how could you not be satisfied?”

His words stirred anger among the surrounding bandits; some already had their hands on their sword hilts. If things went awry, violence could break out at any moment. For these ruthless men, honor meant nothing.

Jiang Chen remained as composed as ever. “Chief, don’t forget, there are still a dozen crates of medicinal herbs up here, yet to be dealt with. I’ve come today to take them down the mountain, so I can exchange them for more silver.”

“If you want the silver to keep flowing, I doubt you’d cut off the source, would you?”

Huang Si Cai was shrewd enough to see reason. He chuckled, “No, no, I was just teasing. If you want the herbs, send for them quickly. If they stay here any longer, they’ll rot.”

“It’s settled then—next time, the split stays seventy-thirty.”

“Agreed.”

After settling matters with Huang Si Cai, Jiang Chen and Gu Jun prepared to descend the mountain, but were suddenly confronted by a bandit who leapt forward and pointed accusingly at Jiang Chen.

“Chief, don’t let him leave!”

Huang Si Cai scowled, “Is that how you address our benefactor? Tu Sheng, are you asking for a beating?”

Tu Sheng hurried to explain, “Chief, when I went down the mountain with Zhao Lao San and the others, we ran into some refugees and wanted to grab some food and money, but were stopped by this guy and his companion.”

“Zhao Lao San and two others died there. This guy was wearing a soldier’s uniform and riding a horse—I’m certain of it!”

Huang Si Cai was startled by this. He cared little for the occasional casualty—those in his trade were used to it. Anyone who returned unharmed from a raid ought to light incense in sincere thanks to the heavens. Deaths outside were common, but Jiang Chen riding in uniform raised his suspicions.

“Brother Jiang, you see, it’s not that I don’t trust you. Since my man claims you killed our people, perhaps you should explain yourself before everyone, so they’ll be convinced.”

“Otherwise, my brothers are fiercely loyal—if someone kills one of us, they’ll demand blood for blood.”

Gu Jun, sensing danger, quickly shielded Jiang Chen behind him.

Jiang Chen’s expression did not change. “It’s all a misunderstanding. Why not ask Brother Tu Sheng—was I the one who killed those three?”

“Though it wasn’t you, it was your companion!”

Jiang Chen’s lips curled into a smile. “How can you be sure he was with me? I swear I’ve never met that man. He killed your fellows because you tried to rob him, isn’t that right?”

“You even tried to rob me, didn’t you?”

Huang Si Cai glanced at Tu Sheng, who was suddenly tongue-tied and unable to respond.

“See? I told you it was a misunderstanding. You’d better apologize to Brother Jiang.”

Huang Si Cai stood and delivered a swift kick to Tu Sheng’s backside, making him yelp in pain and quickly bow his head in apology to Jiang Chen.

Gu Jun finally relaxed, but Huang Si Cai’s gaze lingered on Jiang Chen with a hint of malice.