At the door, Zhang Jian hesitated slightly, while a group of female attendants behind him each carried a jade disc, their heads lowered.
These were not Zhang Jian’s personal maids.
The young masters of the Zhang Family were never served by maids since childhood, to prevent them from being corrupted or weakened by women, or developing a lack of assertiveness.
These female attendants dared not lift their heads to look around, as the Zhang Family was extremely strict in this regard.
Gazing at the dishes on each jade disc, Zhang Jian felt a hint of helplessness in his eyes. It was obvious what Zhang Yi intended by sending him to personally deliver the food and wine.
This was using the beauty trap on him.
With a brief moment of hesitation, Zhang Jian stepped over the threshold, noticing Gu Xiu’Er resting with her eyes closed. He was the first to speak:
"Miss Gu, it seems you are looking quite well!"
Upon hearing his voice, Gu Xiu’Er opened her expressive eyes, her fair and delicate face remained calm as she said, "Young Master Zhang Da, it seems Uncle Zhang never taught you how to interact with a young lady in her prime?"
A trace of a mocking smile appeared on her lips; she saw through Zhang Jian’s intentions at a glance.
Zhang Jian waved for the female attendants to set down their jade discs.
His eyes turned to Gu Xiu’Er; indeed, she was a very clever young lady.
Having escaped from Zhang Yi’s grasp showed her cleverness and ability to adapt, proving her to be quite insightful.
Zhang Jian hadn’t expected to deceive her.
To deal with such an intelligent person, the only way was to crush with overwhelming power.
Zhang Jian smiled and said,
"Miss Gu, you are very smart. Surely a smart person like you knows what will happen next?"
A touch of amusement appeared in Gu Xiu’Er’s bright eyes.
"Young Master Zhang, you really shouldn’t waste your efforts with me; you won’t find out anything useful!"
"Your Zhang Family faces dual pressure from the Shangyuan Sect and the Gu Family, and your chances are not great!"
"At present, the only cards you hold are my master and me. You should know my status, the legitimate daughter of the Patriarch Gu. Indeed, I have some value, but not as high as you might think, and there are many things I do not know!"
Zhang Jian realized how tight-lipped and careful Gu Xiu’Er was, knowing he was unlikely to get anything useful from her.
Moreover, with her special status, it wasn’t appropriate to use certain means directly.
Gu Xiu’Er sat calmly beside the table, using bamboo chopsticks to pick at the delicious dishes. Her graceful manner and beauty were captivating.
Zhang Jian shook his head and said,
"I actually think quite the opposite. I’ve heard about the predicament your Gu Family is in. Consider this: if our Zhang Family sides with the Yu Family, could the Gu Family withstand such a loss?"
Gu Xiu’Er smiled charmingly.
"Young Master Zhang, don’t make empty threats. Anyone might side with the Yu Family, but definitely not your Zhang Family!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian blinked, gazing at Gu Xiu’Er.
He didn’t ask further; with a smart person, there was no need to press.
"Gu Xiu’Er, my father told me earlier that the Gu Family is an ideal marriage alliance for the Zhang Family. I was indifferent to it at first, but now I see there is a bit of interest!"
Hearing this, Gu Xiu’Er’s complexion changed, her chopsticks momentarily frozen in the air. Zhang Jian laughed heartily at her reaction and then turned to leave.
...
City west, Zhang’s Paper Mache Shop
At this time, two exceptionally unique guests arrived at the entrance of the shop. Seeing these two, Paperman Zhang, with a slightly stooped figure, hesitated momentarily before smiling and coming forward.
"Do the two guests need to buy some paper yuanbao? Our shop holds all burial supplies and also offers Dharma Artifacts specially blessed by a master from the Phoenix Perch Temple. Buy more and get a discount!"
Entering the shop, the two guests glanced around the layout. One of them, a handsome middle-aged man with a clean-shaven face, said:
"We aren’t buying Dharma Artifacts, but we are paying the same!"
Upon hearing this, Paperman Zhang frowned looking over.
The handsome middle-aged man continued gravely, "We want to make a deal with you, to buy a life, to purchase someone’s life!"
Paperman Zhang looked at them with an inexplicable gaze, saying:
"What are you talking about? I don’t understand at all!"
The scholar in the green clothes beside the handsome middle-aged man slightly fluttered his folding fan. His calm eyes were fixed on Paperman Zhang as he said:
"I’ve heard that in Shanyang County, there was once a folk craftsman named Zhang Chuan, whose paper-cutting skill was unmatched. He navigated the Path of Yin and Yang, used paper to command and control souls, striking fear into many. Quite a few Jianghu masters have fallen under his hands!"
"But unfortunately, twenty years ago, faced with family turmoil and pursued by foes, he was forced to flee far to Fengyang. The Gu Family spent considerable effort finally confirming that this master remained in the small place of Fengxi County!"
Listening to the scholar’s in-detail recounting of his history, Paperman Zhang frowned.
"What exactly do you want?"
Turning back around swiftly, Paperman Zhang made the paper child at the door and the tall paper figures inside the shop follow suit, staring intently at the two.
At this moment, the eyes of these paper figures started to ooze with blood, becoming a pair of illusory blood-red pupils, as if fierce ghosts were trapped within, ready to devour.
These two were guests from Fengyang County, the handsome middle-aged man being the West Wind Swordsman Wang Yuanlang.
The other one was a specialist invited by the Gu Family of Fengyang, named Ji Ming, whom Wang Yuanlang referred to respectfully as Mr. Ji.
Finding this strange Zhang Chuan was thanks to Ji Ming’s skills.
Under such eerie changes, Wang Yuanlang couldn’t help but feel a chill seize him, instinctively gripping the sword at his side, with his Innate Gang Qi naturally emanating.
The Paper Mache Shop suddenly dimmed, a bloody hue surfaced, posing an immense terror.
"No need to be angry, senior. I’ve heard your rule is that as long as the benefits are ample, you don’t choose sides!"
The green-clad scholar slightly waved his folding fan. The fan’s ribs were covered in intricate texts, with a celestial sound faintly emanating, breaking through a line of darkness.
Seeing the jade fan in the scholar’s hand, Paperman Zhang’s eyes moved, and after a moment of contemplation, he halted his actions.
Wang Yuanlang quickly waved, and someone from outside brought in a large redwood box.
"We dare not neglect the senior’s rule!"
Paperman Zhang glanced at it, his expression softening, and then said.
"These are fine items; you are indeed very generous!"
"Who do you want dead? I’m curious, with your skills, who in Fengxi County could oppose you?"
As Paperman Zhang’s eyes looked over, they appeared profound, with his eye sockets filled with a bloody red hue.
"Poisonous Hand Zhang Yi!"
"People of the Zhang Family?"
Paperman Zhang shook his head, "No way!"
His words were forceful.
"Why?" Ji Ming’s eyes flashed. "Is it because the Zhang Family has Dragon and Tiger Qi?"
"There’s no reason, it just cannot be done!"
Ji Ming frowned and said, "What if we just want some reconnaissance?"
"What’s the difference between reconnaissance and assassination?"
Paperman Zhang sneered.
Reconnaissance is indeed a form of hostility; no overlord would allow disrespectful probing. Discovering any secrets easily leads to enmity.
"Of course, it’s different. Because for reconnaissance, we still pay the same price! Plus, we add one more piece of information!"
"The whereabouts of your young grandson!"
Ji Ming laughed sinisterly.