Volume Five: Destitution and Despair Northern Gaze at the Cloud Monument Chapter Ten: The Deal

Ten days later, Su Geweng, accompanied by Su Mengling and Zhuo Hua, headed toward the City Lord’s mansion. Alongside them were four horse-drawn carriages, each laden with the Su family’s land deeds, grain account books, caravan ledgers, and, of course, heavy chests of gold.

News of the Su family’s decision to liquidate their assets had spread like wildfire days before. Merchants and commoners throughout the city had caught wind of the event and gathered early at the gates of the City Lord’s residence, eager to witness this momentous transaction shaking Moonview City.

“Look, look! The Su family’s convoy is here!” a lean man in simple clothing pointed toward the carriages approaching from the eastern street.

“Impressive, indeed! I heard those carriages carry the Su family’s land holdings, shop ledgers, and all their deeds,” a woman in her forties chimed in from behind.

“That’s not all! Did you see the last two carriages? The deep ruts in the wheel tracks mean they’re heavily loaded. They might be stuffed with gold!” an elderly man in his sixties, standing beside the woman, said with envy.

“Grandpa, grandpa, what is gold?” a small boy on tiptoe tried to peek inside.

“Foolish child, gold is money! Just one ingot of gold could buy your entire family!” the woman playfully ruffled the child’s hair.

“Wow! The Su family must be really rich!” the young child exclaimed, echoing the silent awe of every adult around, eliciting nods of agreement from the crowd.

“Hmph!” Amid the crowd, a stout merchant had remained silent until now. Hearing the child’s words, he finally spoke coldly, “After tonight, they’ll be no different than you all—or perhaps even worse!”

His words instantly attracted a following, sparking a chorus of speculation about the Su family’s impending downfall.

“Stop!” Su Bo’s voice rang out, long and firm. The carriages came to a simultaneous halt, quietly standing before the City Lord’s gate.

“Master, we have arrived,” Su Bo bowed his head and stood respectfully by the carriage.

“Understood,” an elderly man slowly stepped down from the carriage. His complexion was poor, and he looked many years older, clearly worn by sleepless nights.

“Master, please take it slow,” Su Bo reached out to steady him, but the old man gently pushed his hand away.

“I can walk on my own,” he said stubbornly.

As soon as Su Geweng’s feet touched the ground, he ordered, “Go fetch the young lady and Young Master Zhuo.”

Su Bo nodded promptly and turned toward the second carriage.

“Wait,” Su Geweng called him back. “If the young lady refuses to come down, so be it. Besides, she always causes trouble wherever she goes.”

“Who says I’ll cause trouble?” a clear, bright voice came from inside the carriage. A delicate face appeared, then leapt lightly to the ground. She immediately turned, reaching out to take Zhuo Hua’s hand.

“Big brother, be careful. Today is your big day. Nothing must go wrong.” Su Mengling smiled sweetly, linking her arm through Zhuo Hua’s.

As Zhuo Hua stepped out, he glanced around uneasily at the crowd. Lowering his head, he pointed to the arm entwined with Su Mengling’s and whispered, “Ling’er, there are so many people here, you shouldn’t—”

Su Mengling looked up at him with wide, questioning eyes. “I don’t care what others say. Do you, big brother?”

“No, no, it’s not that!” Zhuo Hua hurriedly waved his hands.

“Let go of me!” Su Geweng’s sharp voice rang out from nearby.

“You’re sixteen or seventeen now, yet you don’t watch your manners in public. Pulling and tugging on the street—what kind of decorum is that?” His voice was low but carried unmistakable authority.

Su Mengling reluctantly released Zhuo Hua’s arm, mumbling complaints under her breath.

At that moment, the City Lord’s main gate creaked open. A figure resembling a butler emerged, striding toward the Su family.

“Master Su, please come in. The City Lord has been expecting you,” the butler said with a flattering smile, ushering the group inside.

Su Bo quickened his pace to catch up with Su Geweng. “Master, what about the carriages?”

Before Su Geweng could answer, the butler pointed eagerly toward the wide-open side gate. “Carriages enter through the side gate, straight to the central courtyard.”

He then urged a nearby servant, “Hurry and bring the carriages in! Show some urgency!”

The group entered the City Lord’s mansion in silence, arriving at the lush garden courtyard.

There, the City Lord himself, Yān Mùyún, adorned in full regalia and heavy makeup, awaited them.

“Ah, Brother Su! You have come as promised! What an honor!” Yān Mùyún greeted them with a string of pleasantries.

“Brother Yan, spare me the formalities. I have brought everything. Where is the Qi-stabilizing pearl?” Su Geweng’s tone was calm but cold.

With two sharp claps, Yān Mùyún’s servants carried a finely crafted box about three feet square.

“Open it!” Yān Mùyún said proudly, one hand on his hip, the other pointing at the box.

“Yes, sir!” The servants carefully opened the ornate wooden chest, revealing a smaller wooden box inside.

Su Mengling leaned forward to see but rolled her eyes. “Uncle Yan, surely you’re not going to give us a tour of your collection of boxes?”

“Not at all! Keep opening!” Yān Mùyún seemed in good spirits, ignoring her teasing.

A servant gingerly opened the smaller box to reveal a single translucent pearl resting inside.

“Just this shabby pearl is worth ten thousand taels of gold?” Su Mengling pushed through the crowd, craning her neck to examine the Qi-stabilizing pearl, disappointment clear on her face. “I thought it would glow with vibrant colors, but it’s so ordinary.”

“Girl, do you think this pearl is like the trinkets your children play with? Don’t speak nonsense if you don’t understand,” Yān Mùyún scowled at Su Mengling, his disdain plain.

“Master Yuan, please inspect it,” Su Geweng gestured politely to Zhuo Hua.

Su Mengling bounced excitedly, pulling Zhuo Hua to look at the pearl. “Big brother! Big brother! What do you think of this pearl? If it’s no good, we won’t take it.”

Zhuo Hua reached out to touch it, but Yān Mùyún immediately stopped him. “Wait! The Qi-stabilizing pearl is precious—look only, do not touch.”

Su Geweng pointed at Yān Mùyún sharply. “How dare you be so rude to Master Yuan?”

Yān Mùyún crossed his arms and gave Zhuo Hua a sidelong glance, sneering, “In business, there are no masters or subjects, only buyers and sellers. Rules are rules. Until payment is made, it’s mine. If I say no touching, then no touching.”

Zhuo Hua withdrew his hand, straightened his posture, and remarked calmly, “A very ordinary fourth-grade mortal pearl, crafted with rather crude technique.”

“See! I told you it’s just ordinary! Girls have a natural gift for judging pearls and gems,” Su Mengling declared, finding an ally in Zhuo Hua, and defiantly looking Yān Mùyún in the eye.

“Such arrogance! You won’t find another pearl like this anywhere in West Qi Continent. How dare you say the craftsman’s work is poor? This pearl is the masterpiece of a renowned artisan!” Infuriated at the insult to his goods, Yān Mùyún bared his teeth and snapped at them.

“No one in my presence can claim to be a master craftsman,” Zhuo Hua retorted with rare confidence.

“Are you buying or not? If not, then forget it. Don’t waste my time here,” Yān Mùyún said sharply, about to close the box and end the deal.

A hand pressed firmly on the box, and Su Geweng looked up at Yān Mùyún. “I’ll buy it. Let’s proceed.”

“Daddy!” Su Mengling stomped her foot in protest.

“Geweng, this pearl isn’t worth that price,” Zhuo Hua urged.

“Now is not the time to debate the pearl’s value. Master Yuan, the longer you delay returning to the Cloud Palace, the longer the people suffer under the tyranny of the Dark Clan. Which is more important: money or lives?” Su Geweng repeated firmly, “Let’s begin the transaction.”

Yān Mùyún smiled warmly, nodding with a hint of respect. “Brother Su, you truly have the world’s welfare at heart, caring for the people more than those so-called ministers obsessed with power!”

An hour later, the goods were exchanged, documents signed, and the transaction complete.

Yān Mùyún tapped the delivery receipt in Su Geweng’s hand and reminded, “Brother Su, keep this paper safe! If you lose it, there’s no proof this pearl belongs to you. Don’t forget the customs of Moonview City!”

Su Geweng folded the receipt neatly into quarters and slipped it into his breast pocket. Bowing slightly, he said, “Thanks for the reminder, Brother Yan. I take my leave.”

With a wave, Su Mengling and Zhuo Hua, clutching the small wooden box, turned to leave.

They hurried out of the City Lord’s mansion. By then, the crowd had dispersed, the streets desolate and empty. A cold wind swept through, as if carrying a mournful farewell song for those parted by fate.

They came with a fleet, they left with nothing.

Back at the Su residence, barely seated in the hall, Su Geweng urged Zhuo Hua, “Master Yuan, hasten to absorb the Qi-stabilizing pearl. I fear delay may invite unforeseen troubles.”

“Oh? Why such concern, Geweng?” Zhuo Hua asked, puzzled.

“I simply do not trust Yān Mùyún’s character,” Su Geweng said, stroking his beard, anxiety etched on his face.

“Very well! I shall now assimilate the pearl.” Zhuo Hua nodded, reached into the small wooden box, and took out the Qi-stabilizing pearl. Following the previously learned method of Qi cultivation, he tried to push the pearl into his abdomen.

Strangely, where the pearl typically slid smoothly into the cultivator’s body with a gentle push, this time it stopped half an inch from Zhuo Hua’s body, refusing to move forward no matter how hard he pushed.

“What’s wrong?” Su Mengling asked, concern etched on her face as Zhuo Hua sweat profusely.

“My cultivation has been nullified; I am now like a beginner. The first attempt to merge the Qi-stabilizing pearl often requires several tries. Let me rest briefly and try again,” Zhuo Hua panted.

While Su Mengling wiped his sweat and comforted him, “Big brother, don’t worry. With your skill, you’ll succeed next time.”

Just as Zhuo Hua struggled to incorporate the pearl, a commotion erupted outside the Su residence. Dozens of officers in official uniforms burst through the gates. Their leader held a scroll aloft, standing in the courtyard, shouting, “By order of the City Lord, arrest all members of the Su household. Those who resist will be executed without mercy.”