The "goods" Shen Zhao mentioned were naturally the weapons and pills he personally refined.
In this life, reborn, Shen Zhao was surprised to find that he had actually integrated all the cultivation he had learned in his previous nine lives. He could even directly use all kinds of creation-level and even Dao-level skills.
Alchemy, forging, playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting – he knew everything, useful or useless, and all his skills had reached the ultimate level of the system.
Furthermore, billions of items in the system's store were dormant in a spatial barrier. However, except for some items used in his previous life, the rest were restricted and could not be extracted unless the spatial barrier was broken.
According to their division of labor, Feng Xiunian provided the materials, Shen Zhao was responsible for refining the finished products, and He Yishou looked for sales channels. Shen Zhao took four, and Feng and He each took three of the profits, which was a win-win for everyone.
This was also the reason why Feng Xiunian and He Yishou were willing to follow Shen Zhao. It wasn't just because they feared his strength, but also because they wanted to embrace this money-making god. In the past few months, they had earned more than they had in the past few decades.
Therefore, when the Red Dragon Gang proposed to establish a foothold in Qingyang City, it was equivalent to touching Feng Xiunian and He Yishou's cake. How could they possibly agree?
Moreover, Shen Zhao didn't want to change the current underground power structure of Qingyang City, so regardless of Chen Ruhai's attitude, this dinner was destined to see him out.
He just hadn't expected Chen Ruhai, of all people, to provoke this guy. He definitely hadn't inquired about Shen Zhao's situation before coming. This was a classic case of someone in the underworld being utterly clueless.
No, not even as good as a dog. He deserved to be beaten.
Shen Zhao sat leisurely at the table, yawning as he looked at the iron cage arena in the center, modeled after MMA from his previous life. He couldn't help but reveal a satisfied expression.
In this life, Shen Zhao planned to live freely and with style, and no one would be allowed to stop him from doing what he wanted.
He'd had enough of the previous nine lives, where he was high and mighty, decisive in killing, controlling the lives and deaths of others, yet still couldn't control his own destiny.
Only by experiencing soul-crushing despair could one truly understand the essence of freedom.
At least for now, Shen Zhao was very satisfied with his current situation. He'd deal with the future when it came.
Living a life like a game, simple is best.
At this moment, He Yishou asked, "Brother Shen, when do you plan to open your establishment? Although we don't rely on this to eat right now, we still need to put on a show, right?"
Feng Xiunian, smoking a cigarette beside them, also said, "That's right, Brother Shen. You've set up such a large place, you should open it. At least recruit a few people to fill it out. If that doesn't work, should I call a few people over from my military ranks?"
Shen Zhao waved his hand, saying, "No need for you two to worry. It will open when the time is right. Just handle your own affairs."
He Yishou stood up and said, "In that case, Brother Shen, you can get busy. We'll go back and prepare."
Saying this, he extended his withered hand and patted Feng Xiunian beside him, signaling him to get up as well.
The two men left Shen Zhao's residence and wandered aimlessly on the streets.
Because the two of them were "famous" in Qingyang City, the passersby they encountered all avoided them.
Feng Xiunian shrugged, lit the unfinished cigar from before, and after exhaling a cloud of smoke, pointed at the City Lord's Mansion not far away and said to He Yishou, "Have you heard? That pair of siblings from the Lu Family, Lu Xuanji and Lu Chen,
have become Inner Disciples in less than three years after joining the Qingyun Sect. Their future is bright, it's truly enviable."
He Yishou chuckled, crossed his hands, and stuffed them into his sleeves, saying, "What does the Lu Family have to do with us? We're not in the same world, after all.
I, the old man, just want to live a few more years and enjoy the good life in this world. That's enough for me. Who cares about geniuses? As long as one is happy."
Feng Xiunian nodded, "Yes, what does it have to do with us? What I wanted to say is, in a few days it's Lu Zhantian's fortieth birthday. Since his precious children will be there,
there will surely be many people from the sects coming to pay their respects. Do you think we should take the opportunity to get to know some people and settle the matter of sales channels?"
He Yishou replied, "With the weapons and pills Shen Zhao produces, are you still worried about not having supply channels?"
Feng Xiunian said, "More channels mean more money. We can't put all our eggs in one basket. What if the Guangyuan Auction House stops doing business with us?"
"If we can just get in with the Qingyun Sect, our fortunes will be endless."
He Yishou stopped, pondered for a moment, and nodded. "You're right. Let's send them a generous gift when the City Lord's Mansion hosts a banquet and get to know those high-society types."
The two reached an agreement and decided to return to their respective bases to prepare.
Just as they turned to leave, a voice suddenly called out to them, "Hey, you two, which way to the City Lord's Mansion?"
Feng and He turned around.
They saw a carriage not far away, and a handsome man holding a folding fan, looking at them.
The man was indeed good-looking, but his tone was very unpleasant.
"Who are you? Don't you have any manners? Is this how you ask for directions?"
Being a man of the streets, Feng Xiunian had no love for these self-important rich kids.
The handsome man heard this and smirked, then jumped down from the carriage. Striking a pose he clearly thought was impressive, he chuckled, "Apologies, but the Xia Family always travels with this attitude."
"Xia Family? Which Xia Family?" Feng Xiunian, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, crossed his arms, his one eye flashing with a sharp light. "Is there even a Xia Family in Qingyang City?"
The man's face immediately darkened at these words. He snapped open his folding fan and said, "You really are a country bumpkin who's never seen the world. You don't even know the Xia Family of the Purple Abyss Imperial Capital?"
Feng Xiunian's temper flared up. "Kid, I advise you, if you don't know how to speak, don't try to act all high and mighty. I don't care how your family is in the Purple Abyss Empire, but I have to remind you of something: do you know what it means to be a local bully?"
The man sneered, "Daring to insult my Xia Family like this… it seems if I don't teach you a lesson today, others will think the Xia Family has fallen. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance. Both of you, come at me together!"
Feng Xiunian immediately rolled up his sleeves, determined to teach this dim-witted fellow a lesson.
Just as he was about to strike, He Yishou stopped him, whispering, "I've heard of the Xia Family. They have considerable influence within the Purple Abyss Imperial Capital. We can't afford to provoke them with our meager resources. Let's just endure this."
Feng Xiunian said, "Old man, this isn't like you. This little brat won't be satisfied unless he gets beaten up. Let me take his father's place and give him a good lesson."
He Yishou replied, "Alright, let's avoid causing trouble. We should discuss this with Brother Shen and see what he says."
Then, He Yishou said with a smile, "I apologize, young friend. My friend has had a few too many drinks today, and his words may have been offensive. Please forgive him.
You're looking for the City Lord's Manor, right? Let this old man point you in the right direction…"
Before he could finish, the young man on the other side interrupted him directly: "Now you know better? But it's too late. I, Xia Toutou, always keep my word. If I said I would teach you a lesson, then I will. It'll help you remember that the Xia Family is not something you can mess with, you insignificant little creatures!"
After saying this, he pointed at the two of them and said, "What are you waiting for? I allow you to attack together. Begin."
Even He Yishou, despite his usually calm demeanor, found this attitude hard to swallow.
He whispered something to Feng Xiunian, then immediately walked over to Xia Toutou. "Alright, since Young Master Xia wants to spar and offer guidance, I, your humble servant, will go first."