The emergence of this matter made many people see a glimmer of hope.
Zhu Family.
The once bustling and lively mansion is now deserted, with even most of the servants having disappeared.
The pathway is littered with broken branches and fallen leaves, with no one to clean up, making it appear quite desolate.
Zhu Zihao is sitting in the main hall, sipping tea.
The tea leaves are loose tea costing three taels of silver per pack, with a bitter and astringent taste. In the past, not only Zhu Zihao, but even his steward wouldn't drink this.
But now, Zhu Zihao seems to relish it, with a satisfied look on his visibly thinner face.
Zhu Chengwan, however, doesn't share this composure and is excitedly pacing back and forth in the hall.
"Great, great, it's an excellent kill. This finally relieves my anger."
As Zhu Chengwan walks, he mutters to himself.
Zhu Zihao, seeing this, puts down his teacup, "Alright, stop pacing, you're making me dizzy."
Only then does Zhu Chengwan stop, but he still excitedly says to his father.
"Dad, isn't this the opportunity you mentioned that is about to come?"
"Hmm, although it's still lacking, it should be almost there. Chengwan!"
"Dad, what is it?"
"In a while, change into a servant's clothes, then take these gold notes and go out the back door to the Dingtai Martial Arts Hall and hand them personally to Zhao Ya."
As he speaks, Zhu Zihao takes out a thick bundle of gold notes from his chest.
Zhu Chengwan's eyes widen at the sight.
"You... aren't we already empty? Where did you get these gold notes?"
Zhu Zihao chuckles, "Joking, after managing the family for so many years, how could I not leave some backups?"
It's not surprising that Zhu Chengwan is so shocked because the Zhu family is indeed emptied now.
Ever since Wei Hongbin entered the city, the Zhu family has become a fat sheep, repeatedly exploited by Wei Hongbin and his followers until utterly bare.
Now, they can't even afford servants, and even Zhu Zihao has to eat coarse food.
This miserable state has also drawn comments from outsiders.
So it's understandable Zhu Chengwan is surprised upon seeing this bundle of gold notes.
He takes the bundle of still warm gold notes, not counting them but knowing they're worth a lot, and says with a bit of pain.
"Dad, do we need to give so much? At least leave some for living expenses."
"Just go when I tell you to, why so much nonsense." Zhu Zihao glares at him and scolds.
Silenced, Zhu Chengwan can only follow Zhu Zihao's instructions, change into a servant's clothes, pocket the gold notes, and slip out the back door.
After he leaves, Zhu Zihao continues to enjoy his tea.
Only he knows that the bundle of gold notes given to Zhu Chengwan is just half of his little stash; the other half is hidden in an extremely secret place, intended to be the Zhu family's capital for recovery after this matter is over.
But he doesn't dare reveal it and even intentionally appears so miserable to quell Wei Hongbin and others' greed.
However, in the matter of giving money to Zhao Ya, he exhibits utmost generosity.
Because this is not a bribe, it's an investment, an investment concerning the future of the Zhu family.
It's worth spending as much as necessary for this.
That's also why he sends his only son Zhu Chengwan for the task.
At least get acquainted first.
While the Zhu family is taking action, an unexpected guest arrives at the Dingtai Martial Arts Hall.
Shang Luoluo laughs and chats with Meng Shiwen for a while, then goes over to Zhao Ya and starts examining him.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zhao Ya is somewhat puzzled.
Shang Luoluo chuckles, "No reason, just want to see what the person who dared to beat up Wei Hongbin's subordinate in the street looks like."
Zhao Ya also smiles, "Have you finished looking?"
"Finished."
"How is it?"
"Quite handsome." Shang Luoluo says with a charming smile.
Hearing this, Miao Shaocheng not far away shows a trace of sadness.
Xu De sighs slightly when he sees this.
He certainly knows what's on Third Senior Brother's mind, but looking at the brightly smiling Shang Luoluo, Xu De is very clear.
A girl like her is absolutely not someone Third Senior Brother can handle.
Perhaps only someone like Junior Brother can tame her.
Zhao Ya naturally notices the strange expression on Miao Shaocheng's face and can't help but sigh in his heart.
He had been hiding in the crowd, afraid of just this kind of awkward situation.
Unfortunately, upon seeing Shang Luoluo, usually thick-skinned and talkative Third Senior Brother suddenly became introverted.
Hiding in the distance, he doesn't even dare to go up and greet, not daring to take a second look at Shang Luoluo.
"You didn't come to our Martial Arts Hall just to praise my looks, did you?" Zhao Ya stops thinking about this and asks.
"Sort of, I received some news that during this time, Wei Hongbin has sent people to privately engage with many martial arts schools."
After saying this, Shang Luoluo looks at Zhao Ya, wanting to see his reaction.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Ya shows no surprise at all.
"Hmm, I know, thank you, Miss Luoluo."
"Oh, why are you reacting like this?" Shang Luoluo asks, puzzled.
Zhao Ya chuckles with a sigh, "Then what kind of reaction do you think I should have?"
"At least a bit surprised or angry, your reaction makes me feel unfulfilled." Shang Luoluo says.
"Is this surprising? Actually, from the moment Wei Hongbin stayed still, I suspected he would do this, and as for anger..."
Zhao Ya calmly says, "Actually, if these martial arts halls truly join him, it's a good thing. After all, being bought off by interests now is better than being stabbed in the back at a critical moment."
Shang Luoluo stares at Zhao Ya, and after a long pause, she sighs softly, saying, "Sometimes I really want to peel off your skin to see if there's an old fox living inside."
"Is that a compliment on my intelligence or a jab at my slyness?" Zhao Ya laughs lightly.
"What do you think?"
"I think it's definitely a compliment." Zhao Ya says, looking solemn.
"Narcissist." Shang Luoluo teases with a laugh.
"Make sure to give me the list of martial arts halls that have contacted Wei Hongbin later." Zhao Ya says seriously.
"Aren't you indifferent?"
"Nonsense, I need to know who they are to take precautions."
Shang Luoluo gives the list to Zhao Ya, who takes a look before passing it to Shen Dao.
After Shen Dao reads it, his expression turns grim.
"So many?"
"As expected." Zhao Ya replies.
"After all, for most martial arts schools, as long as Wei Hongbin promises not to disturb them, they would naturally choose to sit on the fence."
"So what should we do?" Shen Dao asks.
"Actually, I should thank Wei Hongbin, because any martial arts hall not on the list means they will be our strongest allies."
"Connect with them and join forces. Even if we can't defeat Wei Hongbin, at least we can cause a mighty upheaval." Zhao Ya says coldly.
Everyone falls silent for a moment upon hearing this, then nods.
"I, Shaocheng, and Xu De will contact these martial arts halls." Shen Dao volunteers.
"Good, make it quick. I reckon Wei Hongbin is about to make a move soon."
Zhao Ya beat up that cavalry captain in the street today not just to vent his anger or make a statement.
He was testing.
If Wei Hongbin were to angrily retaliate by sending people after him, it would prove he was not yet ready.
So he still needs to maintain the situation this way.
But since he's still ignoring it, showing no intention of coming after him in force,
It only proves he's almost done setting his board and is about to checkmate; he naturally doesn't bother with a pawn crossing the river.
Zhao Ya can even imagine Wei Hongbin's mocking expression upon hearing the news.
To this, Zhao Ya only smiles coldly in silence.
Sometimes, a small pawn can trap the old general.
Shang Luoluo, watching Zhao Ya with interest and seeing the cold smile at the corner of his mouth, finally can't help but speak.
"My father asked me to give you a message: he urged you not to act impulsively. Now, where Wei Hongbin resides is loose on the outside but tight within; even he can't get beyond the second hall. It's clear this Wei Hongbin has set up a trap, just waiting for any martial artist daring enough to enter and be caught."