Chapter Thirty-Two: Posturing in Zuojin City

"Boss, are we really going to let this kid off with thirty thousand shi of grain?" someone asked after watching Xu Feng depart.

"What do you mean 'let him off'? He said he'd pay it back with interest when the time comes. Think of it as a business deal. This kid is quite interesting—he actually dared to hold me hostage."

Red Lotus, currently shedding her previous delicate demeanor, stood with her hands behind her back, every inch the formidable leader.

"A business deal brought right to our doorstep. That’s a rarity."

"I’ve heard of this kid. There’s a 'Ghost-Faced Man' who has appeared at the foot of the mountain recently, killing people everywhere and stirring up a storm in the martial arts world. But the common folk are applauding him; everyone who dies at his hands is a wicked villain."

Hearing this, Red Lotus’s eyes darted around, as if she had thought of something. She then gave an order.

"Prepare yourselves. I intend to go down the mountain. I’ll leave the affairs of the mountain to you all for now."

The others looked miserable. Their leader was powerful and kind to her subordinates, but her playful nature was something that would never change. If there was something fun to be had, she would never miss it.

***

At the first light of dawn, Xu Feng had already returned to the Feng residence and changed into his normal attire.

According to the prior agreement, the bandit leader would arrange for the grain to be delivered to the Feng residence this morning. He needed to find someone to receive it and explain the situation; since it was borrowed, it would naturally have to be paid back, and this needed to be made clear to the Feng family.

Just as he stepped out of his courtyard, he ran into Feng Yuzhi.

"Humph, I thought you went out to borrow grain? Instead, you were just playing the coward at home. I knew you didn't have the capability. In the future, don't go around making such bold claims."

Feng Yuzhi looked at Xu Feng with disappointment. Xu Feng ignored her and went straight to find the head of the Feng family.

"Old Master, the grain has arrived. You should arrange for someone to take delivery."

Hearing this, Master Feng was clearly startled and looked up in disbelief. Today was the final deadline; if he couldn't produce the grain, his life’s work would effectively be over. He had been restless with worry, so Xu Feng’s early morning news came as a complete surprise.

"Is this true?"

"Father, I think you've lost your senses. A piece of trash like him couldn't possibly have the capability to do what Master Zuo could not."

Feng Yuzhi felt that her father was panicking and grasping at straws. She would sooner believe that the stone lions at the gate could move than believe Xu Feng had managed to borrow thirty thousand shi of grain.

"Report! Master, a dozen carts have arrived outside. They say they are from Red Maple Mountain to deliver the grain and are asking you to send someone to receive it immediately."

Before Feng Yuzhi’s words had even faded, a servant arrived to report. This left the old master unable to maintain his composure, and he stood up from his chair in shock.

"Quickly, go and see!"

Xu Feng was very satisfied with the speed of Red Maple Mountain; the bandits were indeed true to their word.

"Grain from Red Maple Mountain! Brother Zuo truly didn't let us down!"

"???"

Xu Feng hadn't expected Feng Yuzhi to be so brain-dead. Her blind trust in Zuo Jincheng made her say this without a second thought. Yet, this was clearly his own accomplishment. If he hadn't personally gone to Red Maple Mountain, how could Zuo Jincheng have possibly brought back so much grain?

"Brother Xu, did you really borrow this grain?"

In contrast, Feng Yumian trusted Xu Feng unconditionally. Zuo Jincheng had returned wounded from his outing yesterday; he didn't look like someone capable of borrowing grain. As for his so-called friends, who knew if they were reliable? By comparison, Xu Feng was far more trustworthy.

"Of course. Our Feng family’s crisis can be considered resolved, provided we return the grain later."

"I knew Brother Xu would never let people down. Only those with eyes but no vision would treat you as a piece of trash. In my eyes, you are far more reliable than that hypocritical Zuo Jincheng."

Feng Yumian spoke loudly on purpose, drawing everyone's attention. The servants and maids of the manor were whispering about whether Xu Feng had truly borrowed the grain. No matter how they looked at it, the whole thing felt unrealistic. They had never heard of Xu Feng having connections in that circles.

"Yumian, don't listen to his nonsense. How could he possibly borrow so much grain? Why would Red Maple Mountain give a kept man any face?"

"Don't tell us you traded a poem or two for this grain. If you ask me, you just stole Brother Zuo’s credit. Do you really think we’re all blind?"

Feng Yuzhi was adamant, convinced she had uncovered the truth. The surrounding maids and servants all wore expressions of sudden realization; they would rather die than believe Xu Feng had borrowed the grain. But the idea that he had stolen Zuo Jincheng's credit seemed much closer to the truth.

Feng Yumian was so angry she stepped forward to argue, but Xu Feng waved his hand, completely unbothered.

"Let her say what she wants."

What was even more disappointing was that even Master Feng did not believe the grain had been borrowed by Xu Feng.

"Yuzhi, remember to send someone to notify Master Zuo and invite him to the manor as a guest. Since he helped us so much, how can we show no appreciation?"

After watching for a moment, Xu Feng stopped paying attention to the crowd and returned to his small courtyard alone.

"Brother-in-law, I believe you. Don't pay any mind to them; they are blind." Feng Yumian followed him, trailing along happily.

"Oh? Why is it that while everyone else doubts me, you stand firmly by my side?"

"That’s a secret. I can't tell you yet."

Seeing the young girl’s mysterious expression, Xu Feng couldn't help but stroke his chin. Could it be that she had noticed something? He quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought.

"That shouldn't be possible. Every time I leave, I am extremely discreet. Surely no one could have noticed."

***

Zuo Jincheng’s injuries had recovered somewhat. When he heard that Feng Yuzhi had come personally to invite him, he was slightly puzzled.

"Yuzhi, regarding the grain, I’m afraid I..."

"Brother Zuo, your foresight is miraculous! I was just about to tell you this surprise, but it seems you already knew. The Red Maple Mountain people delivered the grain this morning—thirty thousand shi, not a catty short."

"..."

The expression on Zuo Jincheng’s face shifted several times in a few seconds, transitioning from initial perfunctory politeness to confusion, and finally settling into a mask of calm. He struck a pose of total confidence and didn't forget to open his folding fan.

"As long as it was delivered, good. I was worried that Red Maple Mountain might delay the important matter."

"My father asked me to invite you to the manor as a guest. Have your injuries healed, Brother Zuo?" Feng Yuzhi stepped forward, her face full of concern—an attitude starkly opposite to how she treated Xu Feng.

"My injuries are mostly healed, don't worry about it. Let's go take a look at the grain first."

Zuo Jincheng was also feeling nervous inside, wondering what on earth Red Maple Mountain was doing. His later mention of having a "friend" contact Red Maple Mountain had been nothing but empty words; who could have imagined that the grain would actually arrive!