Seeing Yang Kai remain composed, Gongsun Hong nodded inwardly.
After sipping a few mouthfuls of tea, Gongsun Hong said, "I've read your letter of introduction, and I already know the purpose of your visit. But you claim to be from the First Inn — do you have any proof of identity?"
"Of course." Yang Kai smiled faintly and produced the jade token the proprietress had given him, extending it toward Gongsun Hong.
Gongsun Hong took it and infused a trace of power into it. In the next instant, the jade token blazed brightly.
Gongsun Hong's expression shifted slightly. He turned to look at Yang Kai, his features twitching almost imperceptibly. "Your proprietress is Madam Lan?"
"That's right!" Yang Kai had no idea what secret was hidden inside the jade token that had allowed Gongsun Hong to recognize the proprietress's identity so instantly, but judging by his reaction, the man seemed rather wary of her...
That made things easier. Yang Kai was secretly delighted. He wasn't afraid of Gongsun Hong being wary — as long as the man had something to fear, collecting this ten million in compensation would be simple.
"Madam Lan has come to this place?" Gongsun Hong asked.
"Yes!"
"When did she arrive? I didn't receive any word about it."
"Just a few days ago," Yang Kai replied with a smile. "The proprietress prefers to keep a low profile. Even the First Inn's reopening was nothing more than hanging up a signboard — no grand fanfare whatsoever."
Gongsun Hong's expression became somewhat unnatural. He gave a light cough. "Madam Lan's way of doing things... yes, truly modest enough." It was unclear what he had recalled, but the corner of his eye twitched visibly.
After a pause, he added, "The reopening of the First Inn is a significant event. I should have gone to pay my respects. But since Madam Lan didn't want it widely known, she must have her reasons."
Yang Kai chuckled. "As a mere servant, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to pry into the proprietress's affairs."
Gongsun Hong nodded slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop as though weighing something. After a long moment, he said, "I was unaware of the matter described in your letter of introduction. Could you tell me why someone from the Nine Star Blessed Land would start a fight inside the First Inn — and actually destroy the place?"
Yang Kai shook his head. "I'm not at liberty to disclose that. If Shopkeeper Gongsun wishes to know, you're welcome to ask the proprietress directly."
Gongsun Hong smiled and raised a hand. "Drink, drink..."
Yang Kai took a polite sip, then turned to face him. "Shopkeeper Gongsun, I've come here under orders to collect compensation. Our proprietress has said that the Nine Star Blessed Land enjoys a fine reputation, and that Judeyuan rakes in wealth by the day — a bit of compensation shouldn't be much of a burden. I still have other places to visit, so time is tight and the task is heavy. Shopkeeper Gongsun, could we perhaps settle this account first?"
Gongsun Hong looked intrigued. "You have other places to visit as well?"
"Naturally..." Yang Kai rattled off the names of several shops in rapid succession.
Gongsun Hong was visibly astonished. "Don't tell me there were many who started fights in the First Inn?" Behind those shops lay forces no less powerful than Blessed Lands.
"Quite a few, indeed," Yang Kai nodded. "To be frank with you, Shopkeeper Gongsun, the reason our proprietress brought us to this Star Market is specifically to collect debts. She said no one will escape — everyone must pay. If they cooperate, fine. If they refuse, she'll go to their headquarters and have a proper conversation. She also said that all the great Hollow Heavens and Blessed Lands share common roots and there's no need to let a small matter like this sour everyone's mood."
Gongsun Hong's brow furrowed slightly, his mood impossible to read.
Yang Kai glanced around the shop. "Judeyuan is such a large establishment — you must bring in quite a bit of revenue each year. Shopkeeper Gongsun, ten million may not be a trivial sum, but for Judeyuan it shouldn't be much of a strain. If it's convenient, could you help me out? It would let me return to the proprietress and report sooner."
Gongsun Hong nodded. "Since you're from the First Inn and have brought Madam Lan's token, this matter is likely genuine, and I should provide compensation. However..." His tone shifted. "This is still only your account of events. I'll need to send word back to our headquarters and make a thorough inquiry into what actually happened. If it's as you say, the Nine Star Blessed Land will certainly not deny the debt."
Just as expected — things were never that simple. If he could collect ten million just by chatting casually, it would make the Nine Star Blessed Land look far too terrified of the First Inn. But this was well within expectations, so Yang Kai wasn't disappointed. He nodded. "That's reasonable. I just wonder — how long will it take for Shopkeeper Gongsun to send word back and get an answer?"
"One month!" Gongsun Hong declared. "I'll give you an answer in one month!"
Yang Kai rose and clasped his fists. "Then I'll trouble you, Shopkeeper Gongsun!"
"Safe travels — I won't see you out." Gongsun Hong gestured toward the door.
Stepping out of Judeyuan, Yang Kai immediately spotted Luo Haiyi standing not far across the street. He waved to her, and she hurried over, lowering her voice to ask, "My lord, was everything taken care of?"
"So-so." Yang Kai nodded — this trip had more or less achieved the desired result. "On to the next one!"
Shop after shop consumed the rest of the afternoon, and by the time he was done, he'd only managed three. Besides Judeyuan, one of the other two was backed by a Blessed Land and gave essentially the same response as Gongsun Hong — they needed to send word back to headquarters for a thorough inquiry before they could provide an answer.
The third was backed by a second-tier power, and without the backbone of a Blessed Land, their reaction was quite different. Upon learning that someone from the First Inn had come to collect compensation, they were visibly flustered and ingratiating, treating Yang Kai with great courtesy. But in the end, the outcome was the same.
Night fell, and the Star Market remained bustling with activity. Yang Kai had spent the entire afternoon running around and engaging in exhausting pleasantries. He was rather worn out, so he sent Luo Haiyi back to rest and told her to meet him again tomorrow.
Before parting, the two exchanged means of contact and agreed to continue the following day. Luo Haiyi naturally agreed without objection.
Returning to the First Inn, Yang Kai was surprised to find it lively and crowded. The main hall was packed with guests, everyone raising cups and exchanging toasts. He blinked in surprise...