Chapter Forty-Four: Master Huang

“Then I’ll have to talk to the bandits of Hat Mountain and see if I can do business with them.”
Qin Zhen’s reply was completely unexpected!
Even Old Master Huang was taken aback.
Liu Quan instinctively wanted to make a move, seize Old Master Huang and use the opportunity to escape from the Huang family.
But Qin Zhen stopped him: “He’s not Old Master Huang, don’t make a move.”
As soon as these words were spoken, not only was Liu Quan left dumbfounded, but even the people of the Huang residence were caught off guard.
“How did you know he’s not Old Master Huang?”
A vigorous voice came from outside the room.
An elderly man with a rosy face and white hair, surrounded by servants, slowly walked in. Looking at his features, he bore a six or seven part resemblance to the old man beside Qin Zhen, though his expression was gentler and far less fierce.
“A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall; I dared to kill a bear, but he’s not afraid.” Qin Zhen said in a deep voice, “Someone who doesn’t value his own life could never amass such a vast estate!”
It was a trap.
A trap set the moment Qin Zhen stepped into the Huang residence.
“Hahaha!”
The real Old Master Huang laughed heartily, clapping his hands in admiration.
“Truly a hero who slew a bear! Young and capable, extraordinary indeed! Such courage, such insight—excellent, excellent!”
“Grandfather, I say he’s just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse!” Beside Old Master Huang, a beautiful girl of sixteen or seventeen pouted, her brows arched with arrogance, clearly looking down on Qin Zhen, the poor boy.
Old Master Huang clapped lightly, and the fierce servants withdrew.
The white-haired old man from earlier also quietly took his leave.
“As you said, if I didn’t value my life, I could never have built up such a vast estate.” Old Master Huang patted the girl’s hand, and she dutifully helped him to his seat, while a dozen club-wielding servants watched closely.
He raised his hand, inviting Qin Zhen to sit.
But Qin Zhen remained standing, wary.
“It’s said fishing is difficult, yet suddenly a master fisherman appears after so many years—it naturally arouses suspicion.”

Old Master Huang spoke with deep meaning: “Young man, you are no ordinary person.”
“You are even more extraordinary, Old Master Huang.” Qin Zhen cut straight to the point, “Have you finished testing me?”
“Almost.” Old Master Huang lifted his teacup, “From now on, just work well with Jue’er.”
“Old Master Huang, I’ll state it once more: I am cooperating with the steward, not acting as a dog.” Qin Zhen was probing Old Master Huang’s attitude as well.
These so-called family clans, in truth, were nothing but local tyrants!
Utterly domineering!
He had come to the county town to find a way to deal with the bandits of Hat Mountain; if he were to kneel and act as a dog, why bother killing Scar Brother in the first place? At least working for Scar Brother meant earning a wage, but Old Master Huang wanted him to lead his fishing village as a household servant.
What nonsense!
“What are you, to speak to my grandfather like that?!” Huang Mei’er scoffed.
“Mei’er, mind your manners.” Old Master Huang stopped her, and she glared at Qin Zhen in frustration.
“Cooperation it is, then, as you wish.”
Old Master Huang waved dismissively.
“You may leave.”
Qin Zhen entered the Huang residence for no apparent reason, and now left just as inexplicably.
“Is Old Master Huang crazy?” Outside the gate, Liu Quan couldn’t help cursing, “Is he just messing with us? Zhen’er, you’re sharp, tell me what Old Master Huang is really thinking?”
“If I knew what he was thinking, wouldn’t I be Old Master Huang myself?” Qin Zhen was at a loss.
He suddenly felt that coming to the county town might have been a mistake.
The people here had hearts darker than the mountain bandits, and none of them seemed normal.
“We have to hurry back to the village; we can’t stay in this wretched place any longer.”
Just as they reached the city gate, they saw Chief Constable Chen had been waiting for a while.
“The county magistrate wants me to go with you to Golden Sands Beach to deal with some matters.”
Qin Zhen glanced at the five or six officers behind Chief Constable Chen, suppressed his complaints, and nodded.

Although Scar Brother was dead, Qin Zhen still played his part, feigning concern, “The people under Scar Brother are fierce; are you sure it’s safe with so few men?”
“They’re just a bunch of thugs, nothing to worry about!” Chief Constable Chen drew his saber confidently, the crisp sound of the blade leaving its sheath was pleasing to the ear, “I have a blade—do they? If they truly have no sense, you’ll see how I cut through them like chopping vegetables!”
Of course, they had blades—and several at that! Only now, they were all in Qin Zhen’s possession.
Naturally, this was something Qin Zhen kept to himself.
Just before setting out, Chief Constable Chen seemed to remember something and said to Qin Zhen, “By the way, the county magistrate really likes your fish and asked me to thank you.”
Because he was arranging the shop, Liu Quan did not return with them, but stayed in the county town with his crew.
On the way back, Qin Zhen couldn’t help but recount the matter of Old Master Huang.
“Ah!”
Chief Constable Chen laughed, “You don’t know, our steward and Old Master Huang have been at odds for ages, always quarreling! I reckon Old Master Huang’s little performance today was just to warn you and, incidentally, to warn our steward as well.”
“Aren’t they family?” Qin Zhen asked curiously.
“The emperor has sons and daughters aplenty, but they still fight each other bloody!” Chief Constable Chen sneered, “The Huang family is the biggest clan in these parts, with many offspring. The more people, the more they fight over inheritance. Our steward is part of the Huang family, but unfortunately from a lesser branch. If you do business with the steward but leave out the Huang family, Old Master Huang is bound to be displeased.”
“So it’s my fault?” Qin Zhen was stunned.
How could a broken family in a poor mountain village, maybe a hundred people, have so much drama?
“Don’t worry.” Chief Constable Chen was unbothered, “Isn’t there still me? If not me, then the steward; if not the steward, then the county magistrate! A hundred fish—what kind of business is that? For us, it’s something; for Old Master Huang, it’s nothing! He’s got much bigger deals going!”
He changed his tone, “But you’re bold, daring to talk back to Old Master Huang in front of so many! You’ve got guts! If the county magistrate hears about it, who knows how amused he’ll be!”
“The county magistrate and Old Master Huang don’t get along?” Qin Zhen raised an eyebrow.
Chief Constable Chen looked at him deeply, but said no more.
Qin Zhen could guess the reason himself.
Can a strong dragon and a local serpent ever truly get along?
“Just keep your mind at ease; in this world, you can’t trust anyone—only money is reliable! If we make money honestly, nothing beats that!” Chief Constable Chen patted Qin Zhen’s shoulder, speaking earnestly, “Listen to your old brother: don’t worry about useless things. Earn money, marry eighteen wives, and you’ll be doing the county a favor! You have no idea—these years of war have left countless widows in our county, families still have to pay taxes, it’s a real hardship…”