Master of Strange Dao

Yu Ziqing looked at the invitation card, feeling somewhat speechless.

It stated that about ten days ago, Duke Lin's condition had worsened. Now, upon hearing Yu Ziqing was in town, they invited him to the Duke Mansion for a chat.

Along with the invitation, several carts of gifts were sent.

The gift list alone was several pages long.

All of them were valuable items.

About ten days ago, wasn't it just a few days after he had entered Dali?

Others might not know Duke Lin's condition, but Yu Ziqing certainly did.

This guy, Gong Tianlin, just wanted an excuse to openly invite him to the Duke Lin Mansion.

Lin Fu, standing aside, secretly smiled wryly. He wished to facilitate a connection for the Gu Family Head.

However, the Gu Family Head said that this sweet rain, if the Gu Family got involved, would bring disaster, not blessing.

If they traded a small amount for personal use, naturally, there would be no issue.

But they absolutely could not be the first to make a deal.

So today, while manners were well observed, with a personal visit to Yu Ziqing to save face, they would not be overly enthusiastic.

Now seeing the people from the Gong Family arrive, Lin Fu suddenly understood that perhaps he was too familiar with Yu Ziqing, thus oversimplifying matters.

Yu Ziqing took the invitation card and glanced at Lin Fu.

Lin Fu immediately smiled and said.

"Young Master Qing, since Lord Gong invites, you should go. Cece can stay here, as my young miss has been longing to see her for a long time."

"Ah, alright, then I won't disturb Miss Gu."

Yu Ziqing left the Gu Family, and at the door, a jade chariot pulled by four Red Flame Dragon Horses was already waiting.

Upon entering the jade chariot, its interior was spacious, like a room.

Gong Tianlin sat inside, having prepared tea while waiting.

Seeing Yu Ziqing, he immediately stood up and saluted.

"Gong Tianlin of the Gong Family, at your service."

This declared his identity and attitude; he came not as the Minister of Personnel, but as an ordinary member of the Gong Family.

"Qing Ziyu from Jinlan Mountain, at your service."

Yu Ziqing felt relieved. If Gong Tianlin had spoken using his status from the outset, he would have turned and left.

Facing each other, they drank three cups of tea before Yu Ziqing put down his cup and suddenly said.

"Forgive me for asking this, but shouldn't Duke Lin's health have recovered?"

Gong Tianlin's gaze slightly sharpened; he understood that the truth of his father's recovery might escape others but definitely not those from Jinlan Mountain.

Otherwise, why would Yu Ziqing ask if it should have recovered?

Should have recovered meant he could appear in public now.

Should not have recovered meant he must continue hiding in the mansion, occasionally coming out to feign recovery, only to face sudden issues, forcing him back inside.

Similarly, if he should have recovered, then Yu Ziqing would now be willing to go to Duke Lin's mansion.

"More or less, it should have recovered."

"Oh, congratulations then." Yu Ziqing cupped his hands.

Duke Lin had been scheming for years, fishing for a big catch, and now seemed like the time to reel it in.

So, recovery should be expected.

Otherwise, no matter how much was said, the old duke would still be bedridden, barely hanging on.

Thus, today's invitation served dual purposes: to give Duke Lin a reason to be considered fully recovered and able to show face.

Moreover, it subtly advertised that new sweet rain had arrived while giving Yu Ziqing some face.

Both men understood each other's intentions.

If Yu Ziqing had come to the Imperial City of Dali, it meant he had sweet rain and was ready to trade.

Accepting Gong Tianlin's invitation to treat Duke Lin's suddenly "worsened" injuries meant he was willing to provide some sweet rain to Gong Tianlin.

Gong Tianlin gifting an array of meeting presents, including a hidden Void Escape Scroll, was his way of showing sincerity and setting a price.

Yu Ziqing stepping onto the jade chariot indicated the price was agreeable.

Of course, the meeting gifts were just gifts and not part of the trade.

Yu Ziqing was quite satisfied with the price, as well as the presents.

As for what benefits Duke Lin and Gong Tianlin could obtain using the sweet rain, that was up to their capability.

After all, they were all cunning merchants, preferring to work with whoever provided the most satisfying collaboration.

Currently, his cooperation with Duke Lin seemed quite enjoyable.

Yu Ziqing and Gong Tianlin exchanged just a few words, but both were quite satisfied.

The jade chariot traveled all the way to Duke Lin's mansion, even opening the main gate—a gesture of full respect and sincerity.

It should be noted that usually, aside from a few distinguished guests making official visits, the main gate would only be opened when Duke Lin dressed grandly for an important court meeting.

Even weddings and daughter marrying off rarely warranted opening the main gate.

Gong Tianlin led personally as just a regular Gong Family member, guiding Yu Ziqing to a study room.

Upon entering, an elderly man with a robust spirit greeted him, laughing before speaking, full of vigor.

"Hahaha, you must be the young prodigy of Jinlan Mountain, Young Master Qing Ziyu."

"Duke, you flatter me. I am just a junior; you can simply call me by my name." Yu Ziqing bowed courteously.

"What junior and senior nonsense, I'll just call you Brother Qing." Duke Lin walked with a dragon's gait and a tiger's pace, appearing even healthier than Gong Tianlin. He gestured invitingly: "Have a seat, no need to stand on ceremony, or worry about all those unnecessary protocols—I never liked those messy rules."

Gong Tianlin stood by calmly, though slightly twitching at the eye, maintaining his submissive demeanor.

His father was at it again.

Calling others brother without considering his feelings?

What, should he call him uncle?

Gong Tianlin was inwardly mortified. He knew his father too well. If he joined in calling him brother, his father would likely retaliate, asking if he was expecting a brotherly recognition.

Thankfully, he had prepared in advance, acting just as an ordinary family member today.

"Duke..."

"Call me old brother—enough with the formalities."

"..." Yu Ziqing smacked his lips. Such conduct from Duke Lin made him somewhat uncomfortable.

"Very well, is elder brother preparing to go out and stretch his body?"

"Recovered enough, it's time to go out for some activities."

"Oh, how much do you need, elder brother?"

"How much can you provide?"

"One hundred drops of original liquid, a thousand drops of sweet rain."

Duke Lin's eyes widened, taken aback by such an amount.

However, when considering the increasing demand and that most had already been used, this quantity seemed more compared to before, but not objectively substantial; it could be completely consumed in a single day, and over half within seven days.

"I can take it all in. What do you want in return?"

"Let's stick to the original price—equivalent value items, I want to choose, and if there are Broken Tiles, they can be used directly." Yu Ziqing pondered and decided not to raise the price.

Keeping to the original pricing seemed sufficient.

Any higher risked pushing people to desperate measures, as one couldn't corner those risking Devilic practices.

The balance required making it painful yet affordable.

Those with wealth and power could afford more use, even resorting to pure original liquid.

Those lacking funds could use less, opting for diluted sweet rain.

And Duke Lin, upon acquisition, would definitely not inflate prices.

They sought other resources using these items, not merely profit from resale; that would be too trivial.

"No problem." Duke Lin also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, finding people of Jinlan Mountain wonderfully honest. He certainly didn't believe they were unaware of the current scarcity of sweet rain.

His continued survival and successful angling heavily relied on them.

Therefore, business was business, but gratitude was separate. He had painstakingly investigated a particular matter.

"Aside from the transaction, there is one more thing. I believe you will find it extremely intriguing, younger brother."

"What is it?"

"I stumbled upon a piece of information regarding the incident a few years ago when you were abducted."