Chapter 77

Today, there are six major sects and nine surnames that are the top forces in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Each of these forces has its own large commercial enterprises, capable of conducting business across provinces, earning vast amounts of money every year.

Among them, a few commercial enterprises can operate across provinces, much like Toslara, almost forming a monopoly in the industry.

The Cao family's World Trade is one of these. Its silk is sold throughout the entire Great Zhou, unmatched in quality, and is highly sought after by countless people.

Although Luo Province is the base of the Chu family, the World Trade still has several stores here, known as the Brocade Pavilion.

One of these is in Linfeng City.

Linfeng City is the third-largest city in Luo Province, situated by the Grand Canal, with a thriving business scene.

Cao Yiyi and Gu Yang walked into the bustling Brocade Pavilion, took out a token, and said, "Have the manager come and see me," before heading straight to the inner room.

Soon, a shrewd middle-aged man hurried over. Upon seeing Cao Yiyi in person, he had no doubts and knelt down, saying, "This subordinate, Yan Xing, greets Miss."

Tea was already served. Cao Yiyi didn't even look at the manager, picked up the teacup, gently skimmed off the foam, and asked, "How much silver is currently in the Brocade Pavilion's account?"

"Miss, there is a total of 53,470 taels..."

"Take out 50,000 taels; this Miss has a use for it."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xing immediately broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "But..."

"Hmm?"

Cao Yiyi paused her action, put the teacup back, glanced at him, and said coolly, "I don't like repeating myself."

Yan Xing's lips moved a few times, but in the end, he said, "Yes—"

Gu Yang watched from the side, feeling uncomfortable for Yan Xing. Meeting this young miss was truly a stroke of bad luck.

In several simulations, he had also joined noble families, and he imagined his situation would be similar to Yan Xing's.

Before long, Yan Xing brought over a stack of silver bills, placed in a small purple sandalwood box, and presented it to Cao Yiyi.

Cao Yiyi didn't even count it, took it, and said, "The silver needles from Beishan are not in season. Don't serve them to guests in the future."

With that, she got up and left.

She was referring to the tea she hadn't touched.

Yan Xing dared not speak, escorting her to the door and watching the man beside her disappear.

...

Next, Gu Yang and Cao Yiyi visited several other Brocade Pavilions in Luo Province, taking all the money from their accounts.

The largest amount was 580,000 taels, which was supposed to be handed over to the trade company next month.

Now, it all went to Gu Yang.

This trip netted them a total of 750,000 taels.

Luo Province had only a few stores, and they had taken almost all the liquid funds from their accounts. Getting this much money was already a pleasant surprise.

Then, Gu Yang left Cao Yiyi at the Brocade Pavilion in Luo City.

As for how to leave her, he simply knocked her out. He also instructed the people at the Brocade Pavilion to keep an eye on her, as Cao Xu would soon come to Luo City.

After that, Gu Yang left with the money.

Su Qingzhi and the others were still waiting for him. He had promised to return in two days, but it was already the fourth day. If he didn't return soon, they would start to worry.

On the way back, he spent another day, visiting cities along the way to the Four Seas Bank, exchanging silver bills for gold and silver, and recharging them into the system.

After exchanging all the silver bills, his system balance reached 9.3 million.

Gu Yang traveled day and night, and early the next morning, he finally returned to the campsite.

"Where are they?"

Upon arriving, he didn't see Su Qingzhi and the others, and his heart sank.

Sure enough, something had happened.

From the traces on the ground, they must have left not long ago. There were many footprints and some bloodstains on the ground.

Not far away, there were long wheel tracks.

Gu Yang's expression became serious.

Although he and Su Qingzhi's group had only known each other for a short time in reality, in the simulations, they had often faced life and death together.

In his heart, he already considered them companions.

"Three days late, and an accident really happened."

He felt a bit angry.

In the previous simulation, he had brought Cao Yiyi to meet Su Qingzhi and the others. Although they successfully obtained 300,000 taels, Cao Yiyi caused a lot of trouble along the way.

She made Su Qingzhi angry, which led to Shen Baiyi's appearance. Then, Shen Baiyi discovered that he was cultivating the "Phoenix Dance of the Nine Heavens"...

After that, the first-rank of the Shen family came to hunt him down, chasing him for several months. In the end, with no place to run, he had to use a life-risking move to fight to the death.

So, Gu Yang didn't bring Cao Yiyi back, but took her to get the money first.

As a result, three days late, an accident happened.

Although he had mentally prepared for major trouble after getting 750,000 taels from Cao Yiyi, he didn't expect that Su Qingzhi and the others would be in trouble.

Who could it be?

Did the first-rank of the Lin family come?

Or someone else?

Gu Yang didn't rush to track them down. He first carefully observed the surroundings, confirming there were no notes or signals, then left the area, found a secluded spot nearby, sat down cross-legged, and opened the Life Simulator.

To find people, the system was more effective.

[At 22 years old, you have reached the third-rank cultivation. You defeated three second-rank with one strike, topping the Hidden Dragon List and becoming famous throughout the world.]

[You left Ping Prefecture with Su Qingzhi and Xu Ruomei, and on the way, you went alone to retrieve the Shadow Thief's treasure. Upon returning, you found that Su Qingzhi and the others had disappeared. You followed the wheel tracks and soon found their trail.]

[As soon as you approached, you were discovered. The one who attacked was Liu Zhe, the ninth on the Heavenly Pride List. You fought for dozens of moves without a clear winner, and then another second-rank joined the battle.]

[You fought two at once and quickly fell into a disadvantage. After a dozen moves, you were cornered. You used a life-risking move, severely injuring Liu Zhe, but you also died on the spot. You died at 22 years old.]

It was the Liu family!

After confirming who the enemy was, Gu Yang felt relieved. At least Su Qingzhi and the others should not be in mortal danger.

Liu Zhe, a Heavenly Pride, personally came to capture them, definitely not to kill them out of anger.

Zhang Xiaohai and Zhixing should also be fine. If they were really killed, the Liu family wouldn't have taken their bodies away.

As for Xu Ruomei, she is the disciple of the Sword Palace's master. Even if Liu Zhe had a hundred reasons, he wouldn't dare to harm her.

Knowing where they are makes things easier.

When he breaks through to the second-rank, he can settle old and new grudges together.

After choosing the reward for this simulation, Gu Yang started another simulation, beginning his push to the second-rank.