Chapter 98

Under the scorching sun, in a not-so-large tavern in Hongshan County, there were quite a few guests, mostly burly men with broad backs, bare-chested, sweating profusely, eating, drinking, and laughing boisterously.

"Brother Buqi, today we owe it all to your righteous words. My brother's matter could be resolved thanks to you. For this, I toast to you!" Lu Shaohui's voice echoed in the tavern, and with him were naturally Lu Buqi and Lu Puxin.

After leaving the inner fortress, it was nearly noon. Lu Buqi returned to the inn but did not see Long Buli or Buhui. Invited enthusiastically by Lu Shaohui and Lu Puxin, he came to the well-known Xilai Tavern in Hongshan County.

Before him was a table full of Hongshan specialties, various stir-fries, braised dishes, and pastries, accompanied by fragrant wine that could be smelled from miles away. Lu Buqi ate and drank heartily, satisfying his craving for alcohol that had been aroused during his escape.

Lu Buqi did not indulge in alcohol, but he still hoped to have a drink. His alcohol tolerance was proportional to his appetite. At least for this pure brew, which was estimated to be around 20 degrees, Lu Buqi could handle 20 kilograms without feeling dizzy.

"Brother Buqi, where do you plan to settle down?" Lu Puxin was a very sincere person, not just drinking and talking without thinking about practical matters.

Lu Buqi shrugged lightly: "It doesn't matter where, but I prefer a larger place with a courtyard, where I can practice martial arts regularly."

Lu Puxin nodded: "Yes, the path of martial arts is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you retreat. That's right. I'll ask around for you to see if there are any large houses for sale. Also, if you want to open a blacksmith shop, I'll find a suitable location for it."

Lu Buqi understood that in this unfamiliar place, it would be difficult to find a suitable place. He raised a large bowl: "Then I thank Brother Puxin!"

"Brothers, no need to be so formal!" Lu Puxin said, but his expression showed that he was very pleased. He clinked bowls with Lu Buqi and drank a large bowl of wine: "Eat some more..."

From the way they addressed each other, it was clear that although they had only known each other for a few days, the three of them had become good friends.

Lu Buqi also knew that although Lu Puxin and Lu Shaohui were like grandsons in the Lu family, in the entire Hongshan County, they were absolute figures whose influence could shake the county.

When they first entered the Xilai Tavern, Lu Shaohui, who had just been slapped by Lu Zhang, could make the entire tavern, with its two or three dozen fierce-looking men, bow respectfully and call him "Sir Hui" with just a shout.

Then, when Lu Shaohui and Lu Puxin both expressed that Lu Buqi was their brother and wanted to open a blacksmith shop in Hongshan County, those men, who clearly had shiny new weapons, still said they needed to replace their weapons.

The tavern owner, very cleverly, gave Lu Buqi a wooden plaque with the word "VIP" carved on it, covered in a layer of silver-white powder that emitted a unique fragrance. The owner's intention was that holding the wooden plaque would grant a 20% discount.

This made Lu Buqi think of the membership cards from various industries in his previous life, and he couldn't help but smile. It seemed that the concepts of business were similar across different civilizations.

"I see that the Xilai Tavern's decoration and environment are average, and the food is not the best. Why is the business so booming?" From the subtle pain in the owner's expression when he gave the VIP wooden plaque, Lu Buqi understood that this was not something everyone had.

"Brother Buqi, don't underestimate the Xilai Tavern. There's a reason why so many martial artists gather here," Lu Shaohui replied: "Many merchants and families entrust tasks here, such as escorting, transporting, and even killing... The Xilai Tavern is therefore known as the Mercenary Tavern."

Lu Buqi was enlightened: "That makes sense..."

Lu Puxin laughed: "Actually, with Brother Buqi and the two girls' strength, if you became mercenaries, you could live quite comfortably!"

Lu Buqi pinched his nose: "I still prefer to forge iron and practice martial arts. By the way... Brothers, can you estimate how much it would cost to buy a good house in Yangze County and set up a blacksmith shop?"

"The shop won't cost much, but the key is the size and location of the house. If it's a house with about 20 rooms and a good location, it would probably cost 30 million knives!" Lu Puxin paused, looking at Lu Buqi: "If Brother Buqi is short on money, I can lend you the money!"

"What lending?" Lu Shaohui grinned: "Don't make me laugh. Brother Buqi is my savior and has helped me so much. No matter whether it's a 20-room or 30-room house, it's on me, Lu Shaohui!"

The three of them drinking in the tavern were already the focus of attention. Many idle people were listening to their conversation. Hearing this, several martial artists couldn't help but exchange glances, thinking how powerful Sir Hui was, willing to give away a 30 million knife house.

Lu Buqi was also surprised. Based on his previous calculations, 10 million knives were roughly equivalent to 100 million yuan in China, and 30 million knives were 300 million, enough to buy a large seaside villa.

A year ago, Lu Buqi had only 10,000 to 20,000 knives and was considered a person with some spare money. Now, in Hongshan County, he was dealing with millions. Life was indeed full of surprises.

Thinking Lu Shaohui was drunk, but seeing his clear eyes, he didn't seem to be babbling.

Lu Shaohui seemed to see through Lu Buqi's doubts: "Brother Buqi, I still have some savings. You can use it with peace of mind."

But Lu Buqi did not want to accept such a large gift. After all, saving Lu Shaohui was not just a coincidence. Even if they hadn't appeared, Lu Shaohui and Lu Puxin would not have died in the wilderness. He shook his head lightly: "Thank you, Brother Shaohui, but I'll handle the house myself... Although I don't have that much cash, I have quite a few heart cores. You should have ways to exchange them for money, right?"

Lu Puxin nodded: "Hongshan County has a clear ban on private heart core transactions. In the Merchant Office, there are dedicated people responsible for purchasing heart cores. The lowest-grade first-stage heart core can be exchanged for 3 million knives, and a sixth-stage heart core can be exchanged for 15 million knives. Although the value is lower than the black market, it is safer and more stable. Moreover, for every 100 million knives worth of heart cores sold by an individual, they can receive 10 Essence Blood Pills or Grain Essence Pills."

Lu Buqi was slightly surprised: "There are also pill rewards?"

"Yes, these Essence Blood Pills and Grain Essence Pills are very good. They are pills that Ninth Master brought back from the Yunze Sect. A single pill can keep a Blood Boiling Realm martial artist from hunger and thirst for half a month and is very beneficial to the body. Regular consumption greatly increases the chances of breaking through to the Blood Boiling Realm."

Lu Puxin explained in detail to Lu Buqi and smiled: "Very tempting, right? These pills are not available in the general black market. Only those who have cultivated the Mystic Path can go to the Mystic Cultivation Hidden Market to buy them. Therefore, many martial artists also hunt spirit beasts in various mountain regions during their free time, both to earn money and to exchange for these Essence Blood Pills and Grain Essence Pills."

"Alright, I'll have to go to the Merchant Office..." Lu Buqi thought to himself. It turned out that Ninth Master was indeed a Mystic Cultivator, no wonder his strength was so terrifying, able to stand on equal footing with the First Master, Fourth Master, and Fifth Master, and even have the upper hand, with a proud and aloof attitude.

Lu Shaohui, who seemed to be considering something, then said: "Brother Buqi, no matter what, I will give you the house. Otherwise, people will say I, Lu Shaohui, am not a man of my word."

"It seems that Shaohui is really serious this time!" Lu Puxin looked at Lu Shaohui with surprise: "Then I'll add to the gift and get Brother Buqi a larger shop."

Feeling Lu Shaohui's determined gaze and hearing Lu Puxin's words, Lu Buqi did not refuse: "Then I will accept your kindness."

Lu Shaohui and Lu Puxin exchanged glances and grinned: "That's right. I also hope that one day, when your blacksmithing skills surpass Master Lixing, you can forge a few good weapons for me, which would be worth the cost."

"You're a good calculator. Even if you want me to forge, I'll do it first. The shop is a gift from me!" Lu Puxin also looked forward to the future, raised his wine bowl, and naturally drank a large bowl.