Chapter 83
Chapter 83
Once the Count of Xuanwu's Estate fully acquired Gold Mountain Island, the Hidden Yuan Society would no longer be able to openly demand debt repayment from them. Even if they went mad and insisted on collecting the debt, the Count's estate could simply use Gold Mountain Island as collateral to borrow money from the Heavenly Path Society. After all, the Hidden Yuan Society wasn't the only organization that dealt in large sums of money.
The old master of the Lin Clan continued.
“However, the Gold Mountain Island dispute most likely involves not only the Count of Jinhai's Estate, but also Zhang Chong, Zhu Rong, and even His Majesty the King. This means we are not just facing a single opponent.”
To any observer, the Count of Xuanwu's Estate had no chance of winning this battle. But from the moment Yan Wuqi visited Zhang Chong at the Prefect's Office, Shen Lang had been devising a way to turn the tide in the Gold Mountain Island dispute.
“There are two problems in the Gold Mountain Island dispute that even I haven't figured out how to solve yet. If we can overcome those two, we can surely win.”
The old master of the Lin Clan bowed.
“If you have any orders, Young Master, this humble one will do everything in my power to assist you and the Count in winning this fateful battle.”
The Count recalled how Shen Lang had brought Jin Mucong in as a co-author when he wrote *Boundless Wind and Moon*. When he had asked Shen Lang for the reason, Shen Lang had replied that it was a strategic move for the Gold Mountain Island dispute. The Count of Xuanwu sighed and said.
“Lang, you never should have married into our family. Your talents are wasted here. You should have been advising the King.”
“Mulan is my queen. I am always hers, whether in bed or out of it...”
Shen Lang stopped short and quickly shut his mouth.
*Too far, I went too far. Once I get started, I just can't stop. The man in front of you isn't your college roommate, he's your father-in-law.*
However, his father-in-law was still reeling from shock and didn't react to Shen Lang's words. Shen Lang quickly changed the subject.
“Father-in-law, why did Grandfather borrow so much money?”
*Grandfather?*
The Count came back to his senses. He was talking about his father. He sighed.
“My father hired an army of three thousand men and prepared a fleet, but they were all annihilated...”
*Good heavens.*
Shen Lang was stunned to hear this.
*What kind of man was the previous Count? What was he trying to do, buying three thousand mercenaries and a fleet? That's an amount only a small nation could afford, not something a mere Count could splurge on. And to have three thousand mercenaries and a fleet completely wiped out... my, my, how much did all that cost?*
No wonder Count Jin Zhuo had lived frugally for twenty years and still couldn't repay the debt. Shen Lang had originally intended to ask how much the estate owed, but there was no longer a need. Once a debt reaches a certain level, it becomes just a number.
In any case, no matter how much money was owed, it wouldn't hinder Shen Lang from living a life of luxury. Weren't there people who owed tens of billions yet lived in villas, drove Rolls-Royces, and slept with celebrities? If they won the Gold Mountain Island dispute, what was a little debt? Nothing at all.
“Father-in-law, do you know what a person should do when they owe a colossal amount of money?”
“If you have something to say, just say it.”
“You should never think about how to repay it. Instead, you should spend more lavishly and live even more extravagantly.”
The Count said quietly.
“Shen Lang, I'm afraid such a heroic path is beyond a common man like myself.”
“Father-in-law, you're a good man, but you're too hard on yourself and too lenient with others. A man... needs to know how to look out for himself.”
Shen Lang felt it was a pity that he couldn't pass on his life experience to his father-in-law, who was just too upright a person.
“Lang, why don't you skip the banquet this time? You yourself said that a man must know how to look out for himself. Though you are formidable, it will be difficult to face a house full of enemies.”
“You don't think they'll actually hit me, do you?”
The Count broke into a cold sweat.
“I suppose not.”
“Then there's no need to worry.”
“But they will stop at nothing and cross every line to slander you.”
“If it's just a matter of crossing lines and slander, I'm not afraid at all. I can't even imagine losing at something like that. Father-in-law, I'll write you a pledge to accept punishment if I don't win. As long as no one lays a hand on me, no matter how many enemies there are or what tricks they use, I will win. If I lose today, I'll change my surname.”
The Count scolded Shen Lang angrily.
“You scoundrel! What an unfilial son. How heartbroken would your parents be if they heard you say that?”
*Sigh! My father-in-law is no fun at all. He can't take a joke. I don't know how my mother-in-law puts up with him.*
Shen Lang’s expression turned serious.
“At the engagement banquet tonight, if I don't beat them into the dust, everyone will think our Jin Clan is a pushover. In fact, I'm so excited at the thought of facing countless enemies that my hands are twitching.”
As a master of posturing, Shen Lang had never cared who his enemies were or how many there were. He only cared about where their faces were, where the cheeks he was about to slap were.
*Hahaha, hehehe.*
The Count stared at his son-in-law in silence again. The young man seemed to be lost in a strange pleasure from which he could not escape.
“It's alright, Father-in-law. The engagement banquet for that wretched couple will be starting soon. I should go bathe, change, and get ready.”
Hearing this, the Count couldn't hide his surprise.
*Get ready? Does a man need to get ready?*
If Jin Mucong had said such a thing, he wouldn't have lived to see this day. Shen Lang stepped out the door and said again.
“Oh, by the way, Father-in-law. Which organization did our family borrow money from?”
“The Hidden Yuan Society.”
“Then please prepare yourself. The Hidden Yuan Society will send someone over in about forty-five minutes. Whatever he says, just nod in agreement, but in your heart, think of it as utter nonsense.”
With that, Shen Lang went off to bathe, change, and groom himself. Tonight, he had to be the most handsome man in the room.
Shen Lang had prepared an extremely ornate silk robe, a jade belt, and a gold crown. The outfit had cost him one hundred and ninety gold coins. In Earth's currency, that was tens of thousands of dollars. *I may come from a poor background, but I know how to spend money when it counts.* Besides, when he had proposed this attire, both his mother-in-law and Mulan had agreed at once without any displeasure. Only Jin Mucong had muttered something.
“I haven't had new clothes made in over a year and a half.”
His mother-in-law frowned at him and said.
“Are you not aware that our estate is in financial difficulty?”
*We're in a state of austerity, yet you spend one hundred and ninety gold coins to make clothes for Shen Lang? Isn't that excessively extravagant? The total cost of all the clothes I've worn in my entire life doesn't exceed ninety gold coins.*
But his mother-in-law's next words made Jin Mucong run away with tears in his eyes.
“Look at yourself. You wearing pretty clothes would be a waste of the clothes!”
***
Now, Shen Lang was dressed in a silk robe embroidered with gold thread, a belt adorned with white jade and gold trim, and a jade crown carved from jadeite and gold, the likes of which he had never worn in his life. One phrase could describe Shen Lang's appearance: 'a prince charming straight out of an Eastern romance comic.' He was so handsome that he seemed to radiate light wherever he went.
Mulan was completely captivated by the sight of him. Her gaze grew hazy, and her heart beat faster. Xiao Bing also stared at Shen Lang for a long time, then began to feel regret.
*Why did I refuse to sleep with him that night? If I hadn't, I might be pregnant by now. But if I were to have a child, would it be a boy or a girl? What should we name our child?*
Mulan asked Shen Lang.
“Husband, are you going to crush the groom's spirit today?”
“No. I'm going to crush the spirit of every man there. I will become an untouchable god that Xu Qianqian can never hope to reach, putting a cruel end to this ill-fated connection between us!”
For a moment, Mulan didn't want to talk to him anymore. The image of the cool, handsome man before her was completely shattered. Dressed in splendid clothes like a legendary prince and princess, Shen Lang and Mulan boarded a magnificent carriage and headed for Zhang Jin and Xu Qianqian's engagement banquet.
***
The Count of Xuanwu was a little anxious. He trusted Shen Lang, but he anticipated a very grim situation tonight. As mentioned before, this engagement banquet was a signal of their intent to advance on the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. For Shen Lang to enter that place meant being surrounded by enemies on all sides. No matter how skilled Shen Lang was, he wouldn't be able to fend off all their attacks. Just then, Jin Zhong's voice came from outside.
“My lord, an honored guest from the north has arrived.”
The Count of Xuanwu was shocked. For the estate, an honored guest from the north could only mean one thing. The Hidden Yuan Society! When Shen Lang left, he had specifically told the Count that someone from the Hidden Yuan Society would visit, even predicting they would arrive within three *ke*. He never thought Shen Lang's prediction, right down to the timing, would be so accurate. Just how brilliant was that boy?
But the Count soon realized. Shen Lang hadn't made a wild guess; he had based his prediction on the timing of Xu Qianqian and Zhang Jin's engagement banquet.
“Show the guest in!”
A moment later, a man with an ordinary face and figure, dressed in undyed silk clothes, entered.
“Mo Xiu of the Hidden Yuan Society pays his respects to the Count of Xuanwu.”
He bowed politely. The Count said to him.
“Master Mo, greetings. Have you been well? I sent the gold coins some time ago. Has your society received them?”
“They were transported by sea, so we received them over ten days ago and have them in storage.”
“Then, what brings Master Mo here this time?”
“As Your Lordship is already aware, our Hidden Yuan Society's Shu Tingyu has come to Xuanwu City to attend Zhang Jin's engagement ceremony.”
Any other noble would have feigned surprise at his words, asking if such a thing had really happened, but the Count disliked pretense and asked directly.
“Is your society changing its stance by doing so?”
“That is absolutely not our intention. There are dozens of vassals in the Great Yan Dynasty, and hundreds of ancient noble families with fiefs. Our mutually beneficial relationships are firmly established, and we have no intention of ever changing our stance.”
“And yet, your society is displaying a rather puzzling attitude at the moment, is it not?”
Mo Xiu gave a bitter smile.
“Wherever there are people, there is conflict. Our Hidden Yuan Society is no exception. Now that the new administration appears to be on fire, at least on the surface, there has been some turmoil within our society, leading to the formation of factions. However, I implore you, Count of Xuanwu, to believe that our Hidden Yuan Society remains unwavering in its support for the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.”
The Count of Xuanwu was about to ask more questions, but Shen Lang's words came to mind.
*Whatever he says, just nod in agreement, but in your heart, think of it as utter nonsense.*
And so, though it was not his forte, the Count followed his son-in-law's advice and responded to Mo Xiu with feigned cordiality.
***
Inside Zhang Jin's residence.
There were still two *ke* left before the engagement ceremony began. Xu Guangyun asked a servant.
“Are all the preparations to deal with that scoundrel Shen Lang in place?”
“My lord, everything is ready.”
When Zhang Jin had returned to his residence, he had asked Zhang Chong if he should observe certain boundaries when dealing with Shen Lang and Jin Mulan tonight. Zhang Chong had retorted with a single question.
“Did Shen Lang observe any boundaries when he dealt with you? When kids fight, it's normal to cross the line.”
Zhang Jin understood.
“Tonight, I will trample on Shen Lang and Jin Mulan, defeat the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, and make them infamous.”
Tonight, the Xu Clan would have its revenge.
As darkness fell, a troop of cavalry escorted Shen Lang and Jin Mulan's carriage. They rode with a peculiar rhythm, quickly arriving at Zhang Jin's residence.
“My lady, don't be nervous in a little while.”
“I understand.”
“I know my stunning good looks might put a lot of pressure on you, but don't worry. Judging by appearances alone, you and I are a perfect match, so don't you dare belittle yourself. Just carry yourself like the number one beauty you are.”
Mulan momentarily turned her face away.
“You must remember at all times that you are the greatest beauty in Xuanwu City, Lu River Commandery, and all of Tiannan Province.”
“Yes, rest assured, husband. I will hold my own so as not to bring you any shame.”
“That's the spirit. I'm going to make every man there so jealous they'll spit blood. By my side is such a beautiful and noble wife with a sizzling body and high martial skills. We haven't even slept together, but it's not like anyone else knows, right?”
Mulan could bear it no longer and placed a lily-white hand on Shen Lang's waist. She had promised not to hit her husband, but she never said anything about pinching. Shen Lang couldn't avoid her hand, but he stiffened his back and sucked in his breath, barely managing to pull his waist free from Mulan's jade-like demonic claw.