Chapter 175: Peace Brings Wealth

Chapter 175: Harmony Brings Wealth

Just as Cao Cang was closing the door of Fei Liu Ge,

He Zang Jia, who had hurried over from the eighteen-step slums, happened to ascend the Bronze Tower and entered a hall named Ting Feng Ge.

The hall’s name meant “Listening to the Wind,” yet within lay a dazzling display of gold and jade, an aura of wealth overwhelming.

Before their eyes stretched an endless array of Ming-style classical furniture, with paintings and antiques in abundance, not a trace of cold metallic machinery’s chill to be seen.

The walls on both sides were adorned with exquisitely framed Ming treasure notes. From their editions, they spanned from the eighth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty to the eleventh year of Jiaqi today, each generation meticulously preserved.

The overall style could be summed up in one word: vulgar!

Yet it was precisely this suffocating vulgarity that made He Zang Jia, a first-time visitor, feel uneasy, his usual unyielding demeanor momentarily dimmed.

“Hey, our protagonist has finally arrived. Tiger Head, you’ve done something remarkable tonight!”

The speaker was a short, plump middle-aged man in a bright yellow robe, seated in a lounge chair and beckoning to He Zang Jia.

“Don’t just stand at the door—come sit.”

He Zang Jia inhaled deeply the vulgar air before striding over and bowing respectfully.

“The Wen card’s ‘Tiger Head,’ He Zang Jia, pays respects to the Wind Marshal!”

“We’re not strangers—no need for such formalities.”

Jin Sheng Huo’s smile was warm, devoid of the arrogance of a “Thousand Doors Eight Generals,” more like a kindly elder inviting him to sit.

“This Ting Feng Ge isn’t a place I frequent often. Let’s treat this as a visit between guests—no need to be restrained.”

Jin Sheng Huo joked, “You might not know, but Hongya Mountain is merely a symbol of status. Living here isn’t exactly comfortable. The rooms are small and dilapidated; even stretching lazily feels cramped.”

“I used to treat this place as a refuge, hiding here only when trouble arose. Funny enough, all three of our Pai Xi generals moved in here tonight.”

Before He Zang Jia could settle, he straightened abruptly, clasping his hands and speaking gravely, “It’s all Tiger Head’s fault. Please, Wind Marshal, punish me.”

“We’re all family—don’t take it so seriously.”

Jin Sheng Huo sighed softly, gently patting He Zang Jia’s wrist.

“Someone like you, who values loyalty and risks everything for your subordinates, is rare in our Pai Xi these days. If everyone were like you, I’d gladly stay in Ting Feng Ge forever.”

He Zang Jia bowed deeply, “Tiger Head is ashamed. My recklessness and overconfidence nearly caused disaster. Without my relative’s help, I’d have perished at Luohan Temple today.”

Jin Sheng Huo’s smile faded slightly as he patted the armrest.

“Rest assured, even if no one else saved you, would our Pai Xi’s three generals simply watch you die? Though Luohan Temple’s influence runs deep, the Sichuan-Yu Gambling Association doesn’t bow to power!”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Their exchange, one echoing the other, created an atmosphere both heartfelt and harmonious.

When He Zang Jia finally sat, Jin Sheng Huo laughed, “Tiger Head, you know what I do—trade information. How come I’ve never heard of your relative, the Wuqi widower?”

“We weren’t close before. If he hadn’t encountered trouble in Chengdu, he wouldn’t have sought me out.”

“But his surname is Li, and yours is He.”

“Distant cousin.”

Jin Sheng Huo chuckled, “So you’re not that close?”

“Blood ties may be shallow, but our bond runs deep—as close as brothers.”

A gleam flickered in Jin Sheng Huo’s puffy fish-bubble eyes, “Your relative has offended many. Be careful.”

“Years ago, the Agrarian Alliance cast me out for my lack of ambition. It was Pai Xi who took me in.”

He Zang Jia smiled obsequiously, “He’s my relative, so he’s part of Pai Xi. With you here, how could he and I suffer injustice?”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you.”

Jin Sheng Huo spoke solemnly, “Since we’re family, don’t bear burdens alone. If I can’t resolve it, the Fire Marshal will. If even he can’t, Old Tuozi has countless ways to flee.”

He Zang Jia’s heart stirred—he understood the hint.

“My cousin and I aren’t troublemakers. This time, Luohan Temple’s deceit drove us to act.”

“Young men need passion to succeed.”

Jin Sheng Huo’s expression bold, he declared, “In my youth, I and the Fire and Tuozi Marshals carved our path with blood and valor to reach where we stand today.”

He Zang Jia’s face showed reverence, “Rumors save lives, gossip destroys them. I often use your story to inspire myself.”

“Those are old tales—talking more would make us laugh.”

Jin Sheng Huo shifted tone, “What of your cousin? Those bald monks won’t hold back in their revenge.”

He Zang Jia sighed, “He’s just a brute who knows nothing but fighting and killing. Now we’ve stirred up such a mess, and I don’t know what to do.”

“Don’t panic, Zang Jia. There’s no such thing as a dead end in this world—it’s just an excuse for cowards!”

He Zang Jia played along eagerly, his face alight with excitement, “Please, save my cousin and me.”

“Earlier you said it well—you’re part of Pai Xi, so your relative is too.”

“If your cousin joins Pai Xi, I’ll spread the word and take credit for tonight’s events. If the Buddhist sect seeks revenge, we’ll all face it together!”

“My lord, I’ve heard Luohan Temple’s backers are formidable. I don’t want to drag my brothers into this.”

“A strong dragon can’t overpower a local serpent. Whoever dares harm our kin is an enemy of Pai Xi—I’ll kill them one by one.”

It seemed the three Pai Xi Marshals were determined to recruit Li Jun, using this as a chance to openly claim Luohan Temple’s territory.

“Brother Jun is truly gifted—he saw through this. Is it true, as he said, that prolonged illness breeds wisdom? Tsk, tsk—it takes being deceived terribly to gain such insight.”

He Zang Jia marveled inwardly, his face showing gratitude, “Thank you, Wind Marshal. If my cousin hears your words, he’ll be moved to tears!”

“Family speaks with one voice. I, Jin Sheng Huo, wish only to see enemies bleed, not brothers weep.”

He Zang Jia stared at the passionate, rotund figure before him, at a loss for words.

No wonder others become Marshals while he remains a Tiger Head.

He still had much to learn!

As He Zang Jia marveled, Jin Sheng Huo squinted and said, “Actually, I’ve another matter to discuss with you today.”

“Please, my lord.”

“We placed you as ‘Tiger Head’ because you were young and impulsive, with shallow roots in Chongqing. A grand reputation would invite envy.”

“But tonight’s performance has changed our view. Keeping you as ‘Tiger Head’ would be a waste—and the brothers below would curse us for poor judgment. So…”

Jin Sheng Huo paused, sliding two dominoes from his sleeve into his palm.

A red dot, four white dots—clearly a winning pair.

“From this day forth, you are Pai Xi’s ‘Harmony Card’!”

Jin Sheng Huo sat upright, clasping his fists in respect, “Harmony above all!”

He Zang Jia rose, bowing deeply, “Harmony brings wealth!”