Gu Yao and Chi Changye glanced into the shop. Many people gathered inside, discussing something around a group of boxes. They couldn't figure out what the shop sold.
Seeing Gu Yao's puzzled expression, Tian Feirong knew he wasn't familiar with such things. Uncomfortably clearing his throat, he explained the rules of the shop.
"See those boxes? They block divine senses, making it impossible to see what's inside. It's a gamble—spend a hundred spirit pearls to open a box, and whatever's inside, whether it's worth more or less than a hundred spirit pearls, is yours. It's all about luck."
"There's another game: open six boxes, and others place bets on which box contains the highest-valued item. There are other variations. Shall we take a look inside?"
Gu Yao understood. It was just gambling. Regardless of the location, there were always gamblers. Profit favored the house, the hidden boss behind the shop. Gu Yao wasn't interested, about to decline when a voice interrupted.
"Oh, isn't this Young Master Gu Yao? Didn't expect you to come to a place like this for entertainment. Looks like life is treating you well after being married off. Given your fondness for men, your aunt should have found you a man sooner." The emphasis on "married off" indicated the speaker's malicious intent.
Turning around, they faced the newcomers. Tian Feirong was displeased. These two, relying on the fact that the Fang family married into the Gu family, acted like big shots. Gu Yao had undoubtedly faced difficulties because of them.
Chi Changye stared coldly at the duo, a hint of murderous intent in his eyes. Gu Yao sneered, realizing these were two lackeys abusing their position.
"Hey, isn't it the two lapdogs? Why not follow Gu Xing and Gu Chen closely? Oh, wait, I forgot, you're here to serve them in a different way." Gu Yao mocked.
"Brother, this isn't right!" Fang Donglan stared at Chi Changye with interest. "Didn't Gu Xing say Gu Yao married an ugly freak? Who is this man? Did Gu Yao, after being married, find another pretty boy? Hey, what's your name? Let me tell you, following this scumbag won't bring you any benefits. My aunt is the second wife of the Gu family. Why not come with me? I'll treat you well."
Tian Feirong, initially angered, found their audacity amusing. These troublemakers boldly approached him, thinking they could flaunt their power. Fang Donglan, not as attractive as her aunt, had the audacity to claim she wanted him. The onlookers were stunned by her boldness—she was trying to snatch a man right on the street.
Fang Dongxiong frowned. He intended to mock Gu Yao but didn't expect his sister to fancy Gu Yao's man. Wasn't this the ugly freak from before?
Accustomed to seizing things from Gu Yao, they assumed the man given by Gu Xing and Gu Chen wouldn't be powerful. Without much thought, Fang Dongxiong commanded his lackeys, "Didn't you hear what the young lady said? Tie up that man and take him back!"
"Yes, Young Master Fang." The lackeys approached with malicious intent, looking at Chi Changye. Since the young lady had her eyes on this white-faced man, they had to take him away.
"Thinking of snatching from us? Do you, surnamed Fang, consider this your family's territory?" Tian Feirong scoffed, waving his hand. "Stop them!"
Despite having lackeys, they couldn't match the guards of the Tian family. The guards swiftly subdued the Fang family lackeys. Onlookers enjoyed the spectacle, and the shop manager, a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, stepped forward.
"Who dares to cause trouble in front of our shop?" The manager's aura surged, immediately quieting the spectators. In the face of a formidable cultivator, the Fang siblings found themselves in a difficult situation.
"Turns out it's Young Master Tian. My apologies if we've offended. I wonder what happened here?" The manager bowed to Tian Feirong, giving face to the Tian family. As for others, he simply ignored them.
Tian Feirong pointed at the Fang siblings, saying, "Manager Fu, it's not us causing trouble; it's them. They immediately tried to snatch the person I brought. I thought this place had become the Fang family's territory."
Fang Dongxiong glared at Tian Feirong, then addressed Manager Fu, "Manager Fu, my uncle is the second master of the Gu family. We're just taking away someone from the Gu family. Isn't that within reason?"
Gu Yao sneered, "Such arrogance. The Fang family meddling with the affairs of the Gu family, and we were just about to have some fun inside the shop. Do you also want to interfere?"
"Ah, Young Master Gu Yao," Manager Fu had heard about Gu Yao gaining freedom with the Longevity Sect token. He had disdain for the entire Gu family but also feared the token. Gu Yao's actions were indeed wise, ensuring his survival. "And this must be Young Master Chi, right? Since you both came to our place for some entertainment, Manager Fu welcomes you. Please, along with Young Master Tian, come in."
"Thank you." Gu Yao paid no attention to the Fang siblings, pulling Chi Changye along as they entered the shop. Although Chi Changye's injuries had slightly improved, it wasn't suitable to take action here. Dealing with the Fang siblings was straightforward.
Watching Gu Yao bring his chosen man into the shop, Fang Donglan anxiously said, "Brother, why did you let them go? With Aunt and Uncle here, what can they do in a small shop?"
Manager Fu, still outside, heard this and looked down at the siblings. "Regardless of being from the Fang family, even if Patriarch Gu Zhiming were here, don't think you can take someone from me. If you want a man, there are plenty on the street!"
Tian Feirong laughed heartily, giving a thumbs up to Manager Fu. Manager Fu shook his head, finding it amusing that these Fang family members were throwing a tantrum like children. It wasn't the first time he dealt with their troublemaking. Did the Fang family really think they could walk freely in Fengyang Town just because they married into the Gu family?
"Tian Second Young Master," Gu Yao whispered to Tian Feirong, "If we want to teach the Fang siblings a lesson here, how much silver would it take?"
With Manager Fu's keen ears, he overheard and looked at Gu Yao in surprise. Today was the first time they interacted, and Gu Yao's behavior was completely different from the rumors. It was interesting, and even Chi Changye, with his inscrutable demeanor, gained Manager Fu's attention.
Chi Changye also heard and looked at Tian Feirong. If Gu Yao wanted to do this, he would support it. Currently, it wasn't suitable for them to reveal themselves.
Before Tian Feirong could respond, Manager Fu had already called someone over. He told Gu Yao, "Not much, just two hundred spirit pearls. He'll help you find someone to give the Fang siblings a hard time. It won't arouse suspicion, and it won't be traced back to you."
Tian Feirong remained silent, watching Gu Yao.
Gu Yao glanced at the person. He looked very ordinary, easily forgettable in a crowd. Without hesitation, Gu Yao agreed, "Two hundred spirit pearls it is. As long as the job is done."
If it were when he first left the Gu family, he might have needed to consider. Now, he didn't hesitate. It was just two hundred spirit pearls, and he could earn them back. Right now, he prioritized his own satisfaction.
Gu Yao handed over two hundred spirit pearls on the spot. The man took the pearls, leaving with a few words. He assured Gu Yao that he would be satisfied with the results.
As Manager Fu had said, if it were young masters or misses from the Gu family, they might hesitate. Dealing with the Fang family was no big deal. Even if the price was higher, they would risk it. The Fang family thought that marrying into the Gu family meant they could swagger around Fengyang Town?
It was initially a temporary measure to enter the shop, but now that they accepted Manager Fu's arrangement, they had to play along. Manager Fu asked his assistant to serve them, and then he left.
Walking past a certain point, Gu Yao suddenly felt a twinge in his brow. His eyes flashed with a hint of strangeness as he turned to a pile of boxes, saying, "Let's play a round right here. What about you, Brother Ye?"
"Listen to Young Yao." Chi Changye responded indifferently.
Gu Yao reluctantly took out two hundred spirit pearls, spending four hundred in total. He mentally noted this expense on the Fang siblings and the twins Gu Xing and Gu Chen. It's not like these spirit pearls would stay peacefully in his storage bag. Turning to one of the boxes, he wondered what treasures lay inside.
"Alright, I'll join in." Tian Feirong wasn't one to fall behind, taking out a hundred spirit pearls. "Assistant, tally up the bill."
"Coming! Please choose, all three of you!"