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Chapter 240: Touring Jiangnan with Two Consorts, Brother Jiang Sure Knows How to Enjoy Life
Chapter 240: Touring Jiangnan with Two Consorts, Brother Jiang Sure Knows How to Enjoy Life
When Jiang Feng arrived at the main cabin of the ship and introduced himself, he also learned the identity of Duan Rui.
The only son of the Duan family's elder, not yet thirty years old, but already in control of half of the family's business. He has led the Duan family to greater prosperity, purging internal corruption and fostering external collaborations.
"So it's Young Master Jiang! Jiang Feng of Jingzhou, renowned for your benevolence and generosity. Your younger brother has heard of your reputation, and though we are on opposite ends of the country, I feel like we've known each other for a long time. What a pleasure it is to finally meet you in person!"
Duan Rui's chubby face lit up with admiration, "But I never expected Brother Jiang to be skilled in martial arts as well. Touring Jiangnan with two consorts by your side, you truly live a carefree and unfettered life. I am envious beyond words!"
Yao Yue and Lian Xing's expressions changed instantly, and even Jiang Feng was left stunned, nearly wanting to cover Duan Rui's mouth. Hadn't he just introduced Yao Yue and Lian Xing? Why would he say such a thing?
However, Duan Rui's smile was warm and his eyes shone with genuine admiration. It was clear that his previous words had come from the heart.
Duan Rui was merely a wealthy merchant, similar to the former Jingzhou Jiang family and the Shu Zhong Wu family, who did not practice martial arts and only hired martial artists for protection. Therefore, he was not well-versed in the ways of the martial arts world.
To people like him, knowing about the Four Dragons of Poyang Lake or the Murong family of Jiangnan was already the extent of their knowledge. How could they possibly be aware of top-tier experts like Yan Nantian or the Yihua Palace, names that only circulated within small, elite circles?
So, when Duan Rui saw Jiang Feng strolling arm-in-arm with Yao Yue and Lian Xing, he naturally assumed that the two women were Jiang Feng's consorts. Moreover, his words were full of praise and an obvious attempt to curry favor.
After all, with Jiang Feng's exceptional martial arts skills, handsome looks, and ample wealth, it would only be natural for these two beautiful and elegant women, unknown to him, to be his consorts, right? Perhaps they weren't even his official wives, and by addressing them as such, he might even please them, right?
Duan Rui mentally applauded his own wit!
However, Jiang Feng was worried that the two women would slap Duan Rui, and quickly interjected, "Brother Duan has misunderstood. These two ladies are not yet my consorts."
"Not yet?" Duan Rui blinked and nodded in understanding, immediately following up with a suggestive smile, "I understand now!"
You understand nothing!
Jiang Feng was left speechless, but Lian Xing let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Since your family business is so extensive, don't you pay tribute to that so-called 'Flip the River Dragon'?"
She completely sidestepped the previous topic.
Yao Yue's face remained cold, but she chose to remain silent, indicating that she didn't want to bother with someone who lacked understanding of the martial arts world.
"Of course, we do!" Duan Rui replied, "As merchants, how could we possibly risk our lives against such formidable figures? We regularly send offerings to the Four Dragons of Poyang Lake."
Duan Rui continued with a hint of anger, "I never expected that the Flip the River Dragon would still send his men to waylay us!"
Jiang Feng's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Duan Rui, noticing a hint of sadness in his eyes.
With a shared glance, Duan Rui and Jiang Feng understood each other. Indeed, as a fellow prominent merchant from Jingzhou, Jiang Feng could easily guess what had happened.
Duan Rui let out a bitter laugh, "It's a shame for my family, and I've ended up becoming a joke to Brother Jiang."
Jiang Feng nodded, "Such things have happened since ancient times. Brother Duan, try not to take it too hard."
"I'll abandon this trip and head back immediately," Duan Rui said, his tone resolute. "Let's see what they have to say about this!"
Lian Xing smiled, "Do you have any proof?"
"Of course," Duan Rui replied, "They need to communicate with the Flip the River Dragon, exchange letters, and send messages. There will always be traces of such activities, and evidence can be found."
Lian Xing smiled and said, "I'll have you bring back an ID card."
"Who's ID?" Duan Rui asked.
"Flip the River Dragon's!" Lian Xing laughed.
...
And so, the large ship changed course, turning away from the Yangtze River and into the waters of Poyang Lake.
"Brother Jiang, that Flip the River Dragon has been ruling over this lake for over a decade. The lake is deep and the forests are dense, and his water fortress is impenetrable..."
Duan Rui still looked apprehensive as he pulled on Jiang Feng's hand and said, "If things don't go as planned, we must not linger and fight!"
Jiang Feng patted Duan Rui's shoulder and assured him, "Don't worry, my light work is quite good. If things go south, I'll make sure to get you out of here safely."
Duan Rui's face turned from green to white as he glanced at Jiang Feng and then at their surroundings. "Then... shouldn't we send the others away first?"
Jiang Feng laughed heartily and shook his head. "Where could they possibly hide in the middle of the lake?"
As they were talking, the large ship had already arrived outside a heart-shaped island in the middle of the lake, which served as the lair of the Flip the River Dragon.
Two fast boats sped out from the reed marsh, one heading left and the other right, towards the large ship. A burly man with a knife stood at the left boat's head, while a man with a whip around his waist stood at the right, shouting, "Halt! Who are you? Identify yourselves!"
"The master of Yihua Palace is here. Flip the River Dragon, open your doors and welcome her!" Jiang Feng's voice was not loud, but his internal energy projected his words across the small island, ensuring everyone could hear them clearly.
"Yihua Palace?"
"Yihua Palace!"
Some had heard of Yihua Palace, while others had not. Some showed disdain, while others trembled in fear, for Yihua Palace was often associated with the deaths of formidable martial artists in legends.
Even those who had never heard of Yihua Palace before knew that the speaker was undoubtedly a highly skilled internal artist.
As for the Flip the River Dragon and his men in the mountain fortress, they were completely dumbfounded.
He was merely a local bully on Poyang Lake, known for robbing and pillaging. Although his martial arts skills were decent, and he had a large number of followers, allowing him to maintain a peaceful relationship with the nearby martial arts sects and aristocratic families, it did not mean he considered himself a top-tier expert...
"Yihua Palace?" The Flip the River Dragon stood up abruptly. "Is this for real? Why are they here for me? What's going on?"
"Boss, they came on a boat owned by the Duan family!" His advisor, the 'Dog-headed Army Adviser', reported, drenched in sweat.
"The Duan family?" The Flip the River Dragon rolled his eyes. "Could it be that the Duan family has joined forces with Yihua Palace and no longer intends to pay up?"
The Flip the River Dragon smacked his lips. "Damn, the Duan family is quite a juicy target, but I can't afford to offend Yihua Palace. If the Duan family doesn't want to pay, then so be it. After all, the merchant caravans of the Luo family, the Murong family, the Nangong family, and other major aristocratic families don't pay either."
"It's not that..." The Dog-headed Army Adviser was speechless. "Boss, that boat belongs to Duan Rui, the eldest young master of the Duan family. It's the same one he usually uses to transport goods."
"Duan Rui?" The Flip the River Dragon blinked. "That name sounds familiar... Oh, right..."
"We've already taken money from Duan Rong and Duan Lin. We were supposed to take care of Duan Rui on the road!" The Dog-headed Army Adviser hastily reminded him.
"That's right!" The Flip the River Dragon slapped his palms. "Duan Rui... Yihua Palace?"
The Dog-headed Army Adviser nodded vigorously. "Duan Rui! Yihua Palace!"
(End of Chapter)
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