Chapter 101: Ten Thousand Taels of Silver

The salt guild was a forbidden entity. Throughout countless years of feudal rule, salt had always been under state control. Yet, the Three Flavors Residence dared to act so boldly, maintaining clandestine ties with the salt guild. This was akin to bargaining with a tiger—nothing short of courting death.

Li Zisheng felt a pang of bewilderment within his heart.

"Do you know where Ling'er is?"

"Are you done yet? Hurry up and hand over what Miss Ling’er entrusted to you," the woman’s tone grew impatient, her demeanor slightly agitated.

"Are you aware of the crime of colluding with the salt guild?" Li Zisheng declared with righteous indignation. Within the White Tiger Hall, his identity was well known—he was a relative of Elder Zhang, a man of considerable standing. Thus, such a rebuke was not unwarranted.

The woman was taken aback by Li Zisheng’s stern attitude.

"Speak! Do you realize the gravity of colluding with the salt guild? Even the Three Flavors Residence behind you won’t be able to protect you. I am inclined to believe you once knew Ling’er. I will give you one chance—let Ling’er meet me personally, or I shall report this matter to the imperial court and demand a thorough investigation."

The woman’s expression twisted in uncertainty, yet she found no retort.

"Very well, very well," she said, leaving with a trace of vexation.

No sooner had she departed than Ba Liang hurried over.

"Young master, young master, we’re still on the Three Flavors Residence’s turf. Are you not afraid that by speaking so boldly, they might act desperately and have us killed?"

Ba Liang spoke with genuine concern, but Li Zisheng merely responded with a faint smile.

"It matters not. The White Tiger Hall would never dare. Nor would the Three Flavors Residence."

"And Miss Ling’er—might she harbor resentment?" Ba Liang’s worry lingered, though he understood the situation clearly enough. Li Zisheng must have his own plans.

"She is not the one who sent this woman; she was only babbling nonsense here. But this mention of the salt guild’s affairs is worth pondering. It seems turmoil brews even within the Three Flavors Residence."

Ba Liang did not grasp the source of his master’s confidence, but since Li Zisheng assured him all was well, he felt no reason to fret further.

Though unaware of the hour, fatigue overcame them both, and they retired to rest.

---

"Rubbish! Nonsense! How could you blab about Li Zisheng like this? Do you even know who he is?"

In a brightly lit main hall, the woman who had sought Li Zisheng stood in the center, facing Yan Hong, the White Tiger Hall’s leader, who sat in the seat of authority.

"Sis, I only wanted to help you. Ling’er abuses her status at the Three Flavors Residence, tyrannizing others. If it were me, I’d have killed her outright—unlike you, so indecisive, taking all that nonsense from the little vixen Ling’er," the woman replied with a hint of grievance, her voice trembling with a tearful tone.

"What can I say about you?" Yan Hong looked at her sister with helplessness.

"Yan Bai, do you know why I brought you back?"

"Because you missed me, of course," Yan Bai answered with a mischievous grin.

"Foolish talk. The Grand Elder’s illicit dealings with the salt guild have been discovered by the Elders’ Council. The council is in chaos. For now, because the Grand Elder holds great power and there is no concrete evidence, they cannot depose him. That’s why I brought you here—to protect you from being targeted within the council."

"But this time, that little Ling’er claims to have obtained incriminating evidence from the salt guild. I’m still figuring out what to do. Who knew you—well, I suppose it’s my fault for trusting your nature—would blab about it," Yan Hong sighed, a bit helpless.

"Still, you say Li Zisheng knows about this salt guild evidence, and Ling’er even left it with him? Tell me exactly what happened," Yan Hong said, showing no anger toward her sister. Though a mess was made, she merely scolded lightly before moving on.

After sending her sister away, Yan Hong gestured toward the shadows.

"Go. Kill the entire Zhang family. Leave no one alive."

"But, Hall Leader?"

"No matter. Be swift and silent. Don’t let the Blackskins find out."

"Yes, Hall Leader."

Yan Hong sat in the center of the hall, her brows furrowed.

"Li Zisheng is indeed a man of deep cunning. To learn of the salt guild matter through my foolish sister is unexpected. Yet, it is not entirely bad. The Zhang family is the last living witness. Once they are gone, the Grand Elder will have no evidence against him. Even if the proof exists, it won't matter. But to think that little Ling’er acted so swiftly."

"Someone!"

"Hall Leader."

---

"Quick, bring Master Lin here."

Yan Hong gave the order. By now, the moon hung high in the sky, the hour near midnight. Surely, the Grand Elder had already met with Deng Qing.

Li Zisheng, unaware of the unfolding events, slept soundly through the night.

Though he did not know the exact time, his long-honed biological clock roused him early. As usual, he took out his small cloth pouch containing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Having lost the natural ink of his homeland, he now had to use pure ink for practice. The little jar of ink he possessed had lasted a long time, a gift from his father.

Each day, he wrote only a few characters as exercise; the rest of his practice involved writing water strokes on the desk and floor.

"Young Master Li? Young Master Li?" came a soft knock.

"Come in."

To his surprise, it was Yan Hong.

"I didn’t expect you to be so leisurely and refined, Young Master Li. Your calligraphy truly surpasses ordinary men—vigorous and powerful. A rare masterpiece indeed."

Li Zisheng ignored the praise and asked bluntly, "What do you want from me?"

"Very well. I didn’t expect someone so young to be so perceptive. Truly a dragon among men. No wonder you are the heir of Li Si—calm in crisis, unruffled by trouble. A genius among geniuses," Yan Hong flattered again.

Caught by her words, Li Zisheng showed no sign of unease. The White Tiger Hall oversaw punishments for the Three Flavors Residence. Though not the strongest investigative force, they had powerful backing and were not to be underestimated. It was only natural they knew he was Li Si’s descendant.

"Do you know why I have come?" Yan Hong asked.

"Of course. The price," Li Zisheng replied.

"Ten thousand taels of silver," Yan Hong said, gesturing to emphasize the sum.

Li Zisheng’s heart stirred. Though he was not greedy, ten thousand taels was an immense fortune. For most families, a few hundred taels meant wealth. Ten thousand taels could easily secure an official post through donation, granting a leisurely position free from burdensome duties.

A life of ease awaited.