Chapter 43: Still Missing a Plant

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Ye Eleven arrived at the small tavern.

This tiny, quiet little tavern was simply called "The Tavern."

At this moment, the owner was not present; only the girl who liked to disguise herself as a boy remained inside.

She sat cross-legged behind the counter, with a pot of wine and a plate of peanuts before her, happily sipping the drink, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Hearing footsteps, the girl stood and looked up, seeing once again the young boy named Ye Eleven returning, wounded as usual.

"My father always says you’re not cut out to be an assassin," the girl smiled, two small dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth, giving her a cute appearance.

"But I will become the most formidable assassin in the world," Ye Eleven replied with unwavering determination.

"Huh?"

The girl showed a hint of surprise.

The last time Ye Eleven was severely injured, she hadn’t expected him to recover so quickly.

This time, he came looking for trouble again, still battered, but it was clear his wounds were only superficial, not serious.

It seemed Xu Shuangyi had held back this time.

"Why do you say that?" Ye Eleven asked.

"Nothing. I just can’t bear to hide this from you. My father probably won’t accept you into the tavern. I already explained the reason," she said.

Ye Eleven took out the jade pendant and handed it to her.

"Can you tell me how much this pendant is worth in silver?" he asked.

The girl glanced at it once before placing it on the counter.

"Junk. Worthless."

At first, Ye Eleven had some doubts, suspecting Xu Mu was deceiving him. So, he wanted to ask the tavern owner for clarification.

Now, he felt a bit guilty. Why had he doubted Xu Mu? Xu Mu was a gentleman, kind-hearted—it was impossible for him to lie.

"If, say, an employer tried to trick me into an assassination with counterfeit money, but I discovered it, what would the tavern’s rule say I should do?" Ye Eleven asked.

"Anyone who dares to deceive the tavern with fake money is doomed to die. But, well, you’re not officially part of the tavern..."

Before she finished speaking, Ye Eleven turned and left.

"I understand."

He was determined to join the tavern and become a qualified assassin.

Now that Liang Shucheng had deceived him, almost causing him to kill Xu Mu, he resolved to follow the tavern’s rules and go after Liang Shucheng.

But barely a few steps outside the tavern, he realized he didn’t even know where Liang Shucheng lived.

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Yet he made up his mind—he would find Liang Shucheng and end him with his own hands.

How dare someone deceive the future number one assassin in the world?

He must die!

...

Inside the study room of the Xu residence.

Xu Mu carefully examined the list he had Xu Shuangyi obtain. Every name on it belonged to someone either wealthy or influential.

"How much does the Drunken Cloud Pavilion earn annually?" Xu Mu asked.

"Including the Xu family’s distillery, about a thousand taels per year, far less than the profits of Jin Hua Xuan," Xu Shuangyi replied.

These earnings still never reached the Xu family in the capital but were carved up by the local aristocrats.

The biggest share went to Zhao Mingshan, the governor of Liangzhou.

The Xu family’s unique brewing method made their wine famous throughout the land.

Liangzhou, located in the northwest of the Great Xia, was a harsh, cold region.

With a population of eight million, the demand for alcohol was considerable.

Though the Drunken Cloud Pavilion had only one branch in Liangzhou, earning just over a thousand taels a year was pitifully low.

"Has the brewing method been leaked?" Xu Mu asked.

"The brewing method hasn’t been shared, but most of the Xu distillery’s wine ends up at the Immortal’s Retreat," Xu Shuangyi said.

"That makes sense. Brewing is one of the Xu family’s lifebloods. No matter how far your foster father is, he would never let the method spread. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be struggling," Xu Mu said coldly.

Xu Shuangyi had never heard Xu Mu call his foster father “father”; he usually referred to him as “your foster father” or “that old man.”

Yet now, he actually called him “that old bastard”?

"Who owns the Immortal’s Retreat?" Xu Mu asked.

"The Zhao family."

Zhao Mingshan was truly insatiable. Not only did he lead the local aristocrats in carving up the Xu family’s profits in Liangzhou, but he also took the wine brewed by the Xu distillery directly.

"Arrange something for me—send out invitations to all the wealthy and powerful in Liangzhou, inviting them to gather at the Drunken Cloud Pavilion. Tell them the Xu family has prepared a tremendous surprise and to bring plenty of silver," Xu Mu smiled.

"What are you planning?" Xu Shuangyi asked.

"Of course, a big move. We only have a bit over twenty thousand taels now, and just the two of us training costs a fortune. I’m not like you—I only need to be beautiful. There are over thirty mouths to feed in the residence, and we’ll recruit more people and expand the business. Where doesn’t require money?"

Xu Mu seemed to be complimenting Xu Shuangyi, calling her beautiful as a flower.

But to Xu Shuangyi, it sounded anything but flattering.

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Xu Shuangyi instinctively felt Xu Mu was about to scheme and swindle money again.

But how could he possibly scam money by gathering all the Liangzhou aristocrats at once?

Still, Xu Mu made a valid point—only those in charge know how costly even the smallest expenses are.

Previously, Xu Shuangyi only needed to take money directly from the household accounts.

Now she had to manage the books herself, but she truly had no clue about business.

Making money was never easy, and she found herself admiring her foster father’s abilities more and more.

From what she could tell, Xu Mu’s skill at making money was not bad either.

After Xu Shuangyi left, Xu Mu pondered for a while.

He already had a plan for tomorrow but still needed an insider.

He had to find someone wealthy and influential, someone well-established in Liangzhou.

Liu Ji—that kid was perfect!

With a wave of his hand, Xu Mu pulled out eight thousand taels, just to have a meal with Xu Shuangyi.

That boy was the only son of the Prince of Liangzhou, extremely rich.

Unlike him—a mere illegitimate son, despised everywhere.

Xu Mu’s identity was already exposed, though many still doubted, suspecting he might have only had a brief connection with Xu Shuangyi through his mother.

But those truly at the top definitely knew who he really was.

He had to visit the Prince of Liangzhou’s residence.

Xu Mu ordered a carriage and arrived at the grand entrance of the Prince’s mansion.

The gate was magnificent and imposing, flanked by two enormous stone lions, radiating authority.

Xu Mu dismounted and approached the side gate, bowing respectfully to the gatekeeper inside.

"Who are you looking for?"

"I am Xu Mu. Please inform my lord that I wish to request an audience with the Prince."

"One moment, please."

The gatekeeper entered the mansion and soon returned, jogging back.

"Please come in."