Chapter 115: The Strategy

If Shui Linglong still did not understand after hearing all this, she would truly be a fool. One had to realize that for a major martial arts sect like the Bright Moon Manor, which boasted a vast number of disciples, weaponry was always in dire need. The frequency and volume of replacements were staggering. Naturally, Shen Wan-san was not short of money; what he lacked were first-class blacksmiths. Across the land, most skilled craftsmen and decent blacksmiths were employed by the imperial government. Very few remained in the pugilistic world, which is why major sects often assigned individuals specifically to scout for such talent. Bright Moon Manor was no exception.

"You will need to play your part well when the time comes!" As they approached the door, Han Tan-yi suddenly stopped and whispered a reminder. He was terrified that some oversight might lead to a flaw or a disaster, which would be far too costly. Shui Linglong simply nodded gently without speaking. After all, the crowd was thick and the atmosphere chaotic; the more she said, the greater the chance of a slip-up. At that moment, inside the tavern, the main hall was packed with drinkers, filling every corner. There were even some martial artists mixed among them, with long swords and broadswords resting on the tables. This was perhaps exactly what Han Tan-yi wanted; the bigger the commotion, the higher the chances of his plan succeeding.

They walked slowly, for moving too fast would seem contrived. In truth, such concerns were somewhat redundant. A tavern is a place for drinking; while not everyone was completely intoxicated, after a few cups, most were in a hazy state and would naturally pay no attention to newcomers. If anyone did, it would likely be the waiter, who hurried forward with a smile that carried a hint of apology: "Dear guests, I am terribly sorry. Our tavern is a bit small, and it is exceptionally crowded today. I am afraid I cannot accommodate you immediately. If you do not mind, please wait a moment while I make some arrangements."

Whether a business deal succeeds may not be paramount, but the attitude one shows toward people is crucial. As the saying goes, "Even if the deal fails, the friendship remains." One must not let others feel offended. Moreover, drinking is not like other activities; people who come here expecting to be satisfied will be unhappy if they are not. If they encounter someone with a short temper, they might start complaining or cause unnecessary trouble. Of course, within the sphere of influence of Bright Moon Manor, few dared to act recklessly; after all, one had to show some respect to Shen Wan-san.

"Waiter, just go about your business. We didn't come here to drink!" Timing was everything, and he needed to get straight to the point rather than wasting time bickering with the waiter. As soon as he spoke, the waiter’s expression shifted, as if he suspected they were here to cause trouble. His demeanor became more solemn. Of course, he would not fall out over this immediately; he merely adjusted his mood and asked in a probing tone, "If you aren't here for drinks, may I ask what your business is? If I can help, I will certainly try my best. If not, Manor Master Shen of the Bright Moon Manor here in Yingyang City is a hospitable man and would surely be happy to assist you!"

This was a calculated remark. On the surface, it sounded like a kind gesture, but in reality, it held a deeper meaning. The name Shen Wan-san was not brought up for no reason; it was a veiled warning: you are welcome to cause trouble, but consider the existence of Bright Moon Manor first and whether you have the capability to pull the whiskers of a tiger. This was a common tactic used by businessmen in Yingyang; even if Bright Moon Manor did not have the leisure to manage such trifles, the name still carried an air of intimidation.

"Heh, you hit the nail on the head, waiter. My sister and I have come from beyond the Great Wall. We are here to earn some silver. First, I want to sell the long sword in my hand, and second, I want to strike a deal with Bright Moon Manor!" Han Tan-yi’s words had a much greater effect than the waiter's. The words "beyond the Great Wall" held an inherent allure. Imagine, in a place where one usually only saw locals, the sudden appearance of outsiders was quite a curiosity. Furthermore, words like "selling a sword" and "doing business with Bright Moon Manor" touched upon the affairs of the martial arts world, which the drinkers were always eager to hear. In an instant, the attention of everyone was drawn to the three of them, their gazes unified and fixed.

The waiter could not control such a scene. He had originally intended to use the name of the Bright Moon Manor to scare the pair, but it seemed to have little effect. He fell silent. However, someone was bound to step forward. In the corner sat a middle-aged man who had been a mysterious presence. Drinking is supposed to be about atmosphere, and it is usually best done with a few friends, enjoying a game or a toast. Yet, he had been drinking alone in the corner. If not for Han Tan-yi’s words, he likely wouldn't have stood up, but he walked over now: "Brother, would you mind letting me have a look at the sword in your hand?"

It was not an unreasonable request, and Han Tan-yi had no intention of refusing. Besides, this was part of his plan. Anyone can talk, but a place like Bright Moon Manor would likely place more value on strength. Therefore, this sword, Qinghong, was the best proof. The middle-aged man maintained an air of arrogance, likely due to his special status and the habits fostered by his position. Of course, he had the capital for it; the feeling of looking down on others is addictive, a fact no one could easily deny. However, his expression changed quickly. When he took the sword, he felt a weight that caused his hand to sink, though he recovered instantly. While heavy, it posed no real difficulty for him.

He unsheathed it in a flash. Perhaps due to the weight, the middle-aged man felt a surge of curiosity. The Qinghong sword was indeed no ordinary object. The cold blade reflected light with striking clarity. Anyone in the martial arts world with a modicum of knowledge about weaponry could easily see that this was a masterpiece; even just touching it felt extraordinary.

"This is indeed a fine sword, though it is unsharpened and cannot draw blood, which is a pity. If you want to sell it, how much silver do you want? And what kind of business do you wish to conduct with Bright Moon Manor?" As a connoisseur, his words held a hint of disparagement, but his eyes remained fixed on the blade, unable to look away. After all, the lack of an edge was not a major issue; the form of the sword was set, and any competent blacksmith could sharpen it with a bit of quenching. He was somewhat perplexed: how could a person capable of forging such a fine sword leave the blade unsharpened, intentionally leaving it incomplete?

"The sword is the gentleman among weapons. A gentleman values harmony, and a blade that is too sharp and radiates too much murderous intent ruins the artistic conception; that would be less than beautiful. As for the sword, I only want three thousand taels of silver. As for what business I wish to conduct with Bright Moon Manor, I wonder if you are authorized to decide that?" Han Tan-yi did not rush to take the sword back, and his tone remained calm, as if he were discussing something mundane. The astonishment of the surrounding drinkers seemed to have nothing to do with him.

"Three thousand taels of silver is not a large sum; I can certainly authorize that. But as for the business, you should speak with our head clerk directly!" As the sword returned to its scabbard, the middle-aged man’s expression returned to its calm, composed state. His words were simple, but to others, they carried a different weight. Three thousand taels of silver was an astronomical figure for an ordinary person—something many could not earn in a lifetime. Yet here, it was dismissed as if the price were too low.

"Very well. Then follow me. If your craftsmanship is truly exceptional, never mind the business—if you can catch the eye of our Manor Master, the silver will be a trivial matter." One had to admit that while it was just a sentence, it was even more shocking than the three thousand taels. To be connected with Bright Moon Manor meant that, as the man said, money would indeed be a trivial matter. Han Tan-yi had not expected things to progress so smoothly; he was momentarily stunned, but he quickly adapted. He turned to Shui Linglong and asked in a consultative tone: "Since they are so insistent, let us go and see Bright Moon Manor. We can conduct our business and take the opportunity to admire the majesty of the greatest sect in the Central Plains. It won't have been a wasted trip beyond the Great Wall."