Chapter 6, Jiao Bone (Part 2)

Tang Qianlin glanced at the bundle without opening it: "If this is the bundle given to you by that bald man in the tavern, it contains dragon bones, but only one of them is genuine"

However, there is another group known as "strange merchants". To put it nicely, they are individuals engaged in unconventional trade. In the realm of the underworld, these strange merchants specialize in selling peculiar and bizarre items that ordinary people neither need nor have any interest in, such as dragon bones

Since ancient times, merchants have been collectively referred to as "shangjia". Those who travel to sell are called "shang", while those who sell from a fixed location are called "jia". Both types of individuals engage in ordinary business, selling various items needed by the common people in their daily lives

Yi Mochen smiled and said: "The Liao Capture is indeed as fair as rumored. If we must speak of fairness, let us go back further; it was you who took the initiative to provoke the disciples of the Eight Phases Gate and engaged them in combat. This matter has nothing to do with me. If you had not fought with them, how could I have killed those three people and framed you? Therefore, in the end, what you owe me are two lives. By the way, there is also the favor of collecting your senior brother's corpse, which I have yet to account for."

Yi Mochen sighed and turned to say: "Because you refuse to do business with me, in a few minutes, a large contingent from the Security Bureau will arrive, and you and your son will be doomed, just that simple"

Tang Qianlin said: "Using their own methods to return the favor, I will be the same person as you are; if you are honest with me, I will be open with you; if you frame me, I will scheme against you"

Is that so? Yi Mocheng got up, found a mirror, and looked at himself in it, saying, "I have always thought that I look honest and simple-minded..."

Yi Mochen was not concerned about Tang Qianlin's mockery, but instead smiled and said: "It is quite remarkable that I have managed to hold out against a whole nation by myself until today"

"Indeed, it is this group of scoundrels," Yi Mochen said casually. "They have established a new department to gather the things I was originally interested in through various means. Due to the high bids, many people have started to turn around and do business with the Japanese."

Yi Mocheng said while walking behind: "You know that the ones you killed were all from the Eightfold Gate. You came from within the borders and probably don't know about the Eightfold Gate in the Northeast, right?"

Yi Mochen approached Tang Qianlin and said, "I would like to make a deal with you..." Just as he finished speaking, Yi Mochen shook his head and added, "No, three deals."

Tang Qianlin picked up the corpse of Chu Lekang and started to leave, while Yi Mocheng beside him remarked: "Are you really planning to carry a corpse through the streets like this?"

Tang Qianlin frowned and said: "Inviting my son to dinner was your own choice, therefore, I do not owe you any money, only a life."

Yi Mochen immediately said: "Eat, feel free to eat, no matter how much you eat, I will not count it as part of the transaction, nor will I consider it a favor."

Wait a moment! Yi Mochen gestured for Tang Qianlin not to be anxious, "Who said it was even? I did frame you, but I only framed you, not your son. Moreover, I didn't just help you leave; I also helped both of you. Adding to that, with the meal I treated your son to, you owe me a sum of money and a life."

Tang Qianlin shook his head slightly: "I do not know."

Tang Qianlin sat steadily, observing the residence with a calm demeanor, assessing which areas would be easy to escape from and which places would be suitable for temporary concealment

Tang Qianlin picked up a pastry from the table and handed it to his son, who had been eyeing it for a long time, and continued, "What kind of business do you want to do with me? I owe you two lives, so let's conduct two transactions. Once the transactions are completed, we will part ways."

The so-called "jiao bone" refers to the bones of the jiao dragon in legend, which are said to be incredibly hard. However, legends are merely legends; in reality, the true jiao bone is the bone of a giant python, commonly known as the mountain jiao, which measures six zhang in length and has soft feet on its abdomen. Tang Qianlin took the bone from Yi Mocheng's hand, stating, "The bones of the mountain jiao originally possess some elasticity, but this is far from sufficient. Therefore, they need to be soaked in a medicinal solution for several years before they can finally transform into what we refer to as jiao bone."

Yi Mochen took out his pocket watch and glanced at it: "Time is running short, let us go to my place first, to settle your senior brother's remains, and then we can talk slowly."

Yi Mochen noticed that they had not yet made a move, and took a step forward to ask: "Are you going to fight or not?"

Yi Mochen picked up the bone and examined it closely: "How can it be distinguished?"

Tang Qianlin immediately went to search through his bag: "I will take the antidote pills"

Tang Qianlin frowned: "Are you saying that the Qinglong Temple is in Fushun?"

Tang Qianlin looked at Yi Mocheng and nodded, indicating that Tang Zicheng was not wrong

Tang Qianlin shook his head and said, "Please continue."

Yi Mochen cast a sidelong glance at Tang Qianlin and said, "You know nothing, yet you brought your whole family to the Northeast?"

Tang Qianlin asked: "Why should I do business with you?"

Yi Mochen smiled and said: "Those who can become a hunter are said to possess exceptional wisdom, keen observation, and are different from ordinary people. May I ask, Brother Tang, based on your observation, what do you think I do?"

Tang Qianlin glared at Yi Mocheng, who immediately said: "I am sorry, I know you are very sad, but I am only discussing the matter itself and did not intend to target your senior brother."

Tang Qianlin remained standing still, watching Yi Mocheng, who was humming a tune as he walked ahead: "Answer me."

Tang Qianlin smiled and said, "Please speak."

One hour later, Tang Qianlin and Tang Zicheng were already seated on the sofa of the luxurious mansion located in Songpu District, Harbin Special City, owned by Yi Mocheng

Yi Mochen took a sip of wine and said: "Before your senior brother died, he mentioned the words 'Qinglong Temple.' Do you know what that place is?"

After speaking, Tang Qianlin continued: "Just now, I clarified your doubts for you, so now you owe me a favor."

Chu Lekang had not finished speaking when he gasped his last breath

Tang Qianlin nodded silently, while Tang Zicheng beside him picked up a piece of pastry but did not take a bite, merely watching Tang Qianlin.

Tang Qianlin coldly stared at the seated Yi Mocheng and said: "You framed me and then helped me and my son to leave, so we are even now, and we owe each other nothing. I can leave now"

Yi Mochen turned and said: "It's refreshing. There is a bundle on the table; take a look and see what is inside."

Tang Qianlin said coldly: "I did not kill them"

Yi Mochen reseated himself and opened the bundle: "Only one of these pieces is real? Which one?"

Tang Qianlin asked: "So what are you doing now?"

The man fell to the ground, wailing in agony. The other two exchanged a glance and, with a roar, charged at Tang Qianlin with their knives. However, in an instant, both were brought down, so quickly that even the two disciples who were struck did not see what had happened, only realizing that they had inexplicably been injured and had fallen to the ground.

Tang Qianlin ignored him and continued walking forward

Yi Mochen was taken aback and leaned closer to Tang Qianlin, saying: "Hey, who among us is the unscrupulous businessman?"

Tang Zicheng appeared quite reserved, as he had never seen such a luxurious residence, and the table was adorned with many beverages and snacks he had never encountered before

Standing aside, Yi Mochen remarked: "I have never understood why every person burdened with secrets, before dying, does not first get to the point? Why must they utter a few meaningless words, only to roll their eyes and die when they finally reach the crux of the matter"

Tang Qianlin said lightly: "Japanese?"

Indeed, it is now called Zhuzhou. During the Tongzhi era, my grandfather led three brothers to the frontier to engage in the medicinal herb trade, accumulating this family fortune, which has been passed down to my generation.

"I have already placed your senior brother's corpse in the cellar." Yi Mocheng, dressed in a more casual outfit, walked down the stairs, carrying the bundle left by the bald man. "I know you are a hunter, but I would like to confirm it once more."

Yi Mochen nodded: "Yes, it is Fushun City next to Fengtian. Didn't your senior brother even tell you this?"

Tang Qianlin nodded: "I understand, and then? Please get to the point."

I know you are eager to find out who exactly caused your senior brother's death and what happened. I can assure you that as long as you help me, I will do my utmost to assist you. " Yi Mochen fixed his gaze on Tang Qianlin's eyes, "Interestingly, I am also investigating the Qinglong Temple. I once organized a team to explore the Qinglong Temple, but unfortunately, they were all brutes and not professionals, so we lost quite a few people along the way. By the time we reached Fushun, only five people remained, and ultimately, only one of those five returned alive.

Tang Qianlin glanced at the corpse of a disciple beside him, noticing that the person had been slashed across the throat. He realized that it was done by Yi Mocheng, and thus asked, "Why did you kill them to frame me? What is your purpose?"

Tang Qianlin explained: "To manufacture weapons or armor"

Tang Qianlin hesitated for a moment and could only nod his head

Tang Qianlin said lightly: "This does not require keen observation; there are four words that express this: 'the appearance is born from the heart'"

Tang Qianlin, carrying his bundle, hurried forward. Upon turning the corner, he discovered Chu Lekang sitting against the wall, already covered with a layer of accumulated snow.

Just as Tang Qianlin was about to speak, a disciple thought he had seized the opportunity and lunged forward with a knife. Tang Qianlin swiftly changed his stance, seized the disciple's wrist, and with a pull and a twist, dislocated his arm, followed by a kick that sent him flying.

"Senior Brother, where are you injured?" Tang Qianlin asked with concern, "What happened?"

Tang Qianlin nodded and said: "The household registration is in Jianing, Hunan."

Yi Mo Chen said: "I am a foreign merchant. As someone from the martial world, you should know what this means, right?"

Yi Mochen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and clapped his hands, saying: "Impressive, you can tell at a glance"

Tang Qianlin finally revealed a smile, finding this Yi Mocheng quite interesting. He introduced himself, saying: "My surname is Tang, my given name is Qianlin, and this is my son Tang Zicheng. May I ask your esteemed surname and given name?"

Tang Qianlin answered without hesitation: "A scheming businessman who does not rise early for profit."

Tang Qianlin smiled and said: "It turns out that unscrupulous merchants can also stumble at times."

"It is useless." Chu Lekang grasped Tang Qianlin's wrist, "It is the poison of the Japanese; I won't live long. Listen carefully, Qinglong Temple is a trap, you must not..."

Tang Qianlin had not yet spoken, while Tang Zicheng, who was eating snacks beside him, pointed to the piece at the far end and said: "Only this piece is genuine, the others are merely ordinary python bones"

Tang Qianlin asked: "What exactly do you want to say? Do not beat around the bush."

Yi Mochen set down his wine cup: "Before I mention the Qinglong Temple, I must first introduce you to the Japanese organization that is competing with me for business, which is called the Secret Search Division."

Yi Mochen also smiled broadly

Tang Qianlin continued to mock: "Is this how you comfort yourself?"

Yi Mochen nestled into the sofa and said, "I like people like you. Now, let us discuss business."

I am surnamed Yi, originally from Hunan, and I am a descendant of the Duke of Hengyu from the Ming Dynasty

Chu Lekang said with difficulty: "I have been poisoned"

Tang Qianlin stared blankly at his deceased senior brother and let out a long sigh

Yi Mochen poured himself a glass of wine and sipped slowly: "Originally, my business here was going smoothly, but in the past two years, some issues have arisen, and someone has taken my business."

Yi Mochen nodded: "What is the use of this?"

Is that so? Yi Mochen deliberately stood on tiptoe to look at the four people lying motionless in the snow in the distance, "Then how did they die?"