Silk Pavilion specialized in selling fabrics and traded the same products as the Xu Family but at a much smaller scale.
Though Lin Mo, the owner, did not hold the same level of wealth as the Xu Family, it was still a well-known line of businesses with smaller branches extending to over a dozen or so cities. They had wealth and their competitor was the Xu family.
Seeing Shen Lang and Tian Thirteen step foot into the pavilion, the shop assistant immediately came forward and greeted them respectfully. “Greetings, Esteemed Guests. Please, have a look at our quality of fabrics. Here, we have listed out a new type of clothing made from the finest of cotton. If you feel it, the texture is fine and soft.
The shop assistant had sharp eyes. He saw at first glance that Shen Lang had no money and hence offered to sell cotton rather than silk, their main line of production.
Shen Lang looked at the shop assistant. “Tell your master that I want to create a business with Silk Pavillion. It’ll at least earn him five thousand gold coins every year.”
The shop assistant staggered back. He donned an eager smile on his face while despising the other party inwardly.
If you could earn five thousand gold coins a year, why do you look so poor?
“Esteemed Guest, please don’t joke around.” The shop assistant laughed.
Tian Thirteen popped in and smiled eerily. “I am Tian Thirteen of Black Warrior Gang. Ask your master to talk about business.”
The shop assistant immediately coughed.
The Black Warrior Gang was a well-known notorious gang throughout Xuanwu City. They were groups of people who had set up a gambling house, brothels, and even a house for assassination and murder. Though they commit crimes, they could never be charged for their evil deeds for they worked under the loopholes of the law.
The shop assistant was led to believe Shen Lang had been blackmailed on behalf of the Black Warrior Gang.
Then, a chubby shopkeeper hurriedly walked out. “Esteemed Guests, it is an honor to have you visit us! You, hurry and prepare these Esteemed Guests good tea!”
The shop assistant dared not loiter around. He quickly brewed a pot of fragrant tea and carefully poured a cup of tea for Shen Lang and Tian Thirteen.
“Esteemed Guests, what matters brings you to this place? I recall Master once said that he long wished to make acquaintance with the young masters of Black Warrior Gang. I hope you won’t place our first impression as a sign of disrespect.”
Thereafter, he pushed a box containing twenty gold coins towards Shen Lang and Tian Thirteen.
Tian Thirteen chuckled and leaned back. “This shopkeeper really regards me as someone to fear, but you don’t need to. This friend of mine here wishes to make business with the Lin Family, not to extort.”
“Business?” The shopkeeper questioned.
Tian Thirteen nodded.
“I am unable to do it on our master’s behalf?”
“You can’t.”
“Esteemed Guests, then I ask you to wait patiently. I will head over immediately to call our Master. You, entertain our Esteemed Guest”
… … …
Patiently awaiting for Lin Mo’s arrival, Shen Lang and Tian Thirteen ate their snacks and drank their tea quietly.
Half an hour later, a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothing appeared. He was the owner of Silk Pavilion and one of the richest men in Xuanwu City.
“So, the Esteemed Guests would like to speak to me about businesses?”
Lin Mo had no fear of Tian Thirteen. Behind him was a powerful backing and moreover, his son was recently accepted into the Tiannan Military Academy with good standing as he strove to become a military officer.
Who then would dare to mess with the Lin Family?
“Yes, it’ll be a big business and has the potential to make five thousand golds yearly.”
Lin Mo frowned. He despised this kind of exaggerated youth who looked unreliable.
“Speak.”
Shen Lang continued. “I have a recipe that I’d like to sell to Boss Lin for two thousand gold coins.”
Lin Mo’s face turned gravely ashen. “My time is precious. I’ve no time to waste with this nonsense. Send these two Esteemed Guests off!”
Even Tian Thirteen was shocked.
A request of one thousand gold coins was already ridiculous. Two request one thousand more… it was truly an embarrassment. He soon regretted bringing him to Silk Pavilion.
Lin Mo rose from the seat, ready to leave, not bothering to give Shen Lang the opportunity.
Tian Thirteen looked at Shen Lang coldly. “You’re seeking death!”
Seeing the situation suddenly turn awry, Shen Lang hurriedly pulled out a piece of silk and placed it on the table. “Boss Lin, do you see the color of this silk? What do you think? Is it not worth two thousand gold coins?”
Lin Mo turned around, eyes falling on the silk the size of a handkerchief.
Dumbfounded, Tian Thirteen looked at Shen Lang.
Is he out of his mind? How can a small piece of silk be worth two thousand gold coins?
Lin Mo’s body quivered. His eyes twitched and his countenance morphed weirdly.
Grabbing the silk, his hands trembled. “Impossible… how is this possible…? It’s golden… how is this possible?!”\n