Chapter 488 - 223: Business and a Mission
Chapter 488: Chapter 223: Business and a Mission
In a private room at the teahouse.
A gentle breeze drifted through the open window, carrying away some of the summer’s scorching heat.
Wisps of smoke curled up from the incense burner, its faint fragrance both soothing and refreshing.
But the atmosphere inside the private room was anything but relaxed; in fact, it was rather tense.
Fang Shuwen’s expression was calm as he toyed with the teacup in his hand, quietly observing Xu Zhiyin, who sat across from him.
Xu Zhiyin’s lips were pressed into a thin line, her expression grim.
The old man behind her looked slightly nervous, his gaze darting between Fang Shuwen and Xu Zhiyin, a faint sheen of sweat visible on his forehead.
As for the other man and two women, the standing pair—one man, one woman—seemed completely oblivious, as if they couldn’t sense the heavy atmosphere in the room at all.
The woman in the white-veiled conical hat, however, clutched the hem of her skirt, seemingly sharing in Xu Zhiyin’s tension.
The reason for Xu Zhiyin’s demeanor could be summed up in one simple fact: she was furious with Fang Shuwen.
After they had entered the private room, Fang Shuwen had said just two sentences.
The first was, "Can the Young Tower Master make decisions for the Golden Bell Tower?"
After receiving an affirmative answer, and after Xu Zhiyin brought up the matter of the Sword God Palace’s price, Fang Shuwen delivered his second sentence: "I want a fifty-percent stake in the Golden Bell Tower."
At that, Xu Zhiyin nearly lost her composure.
It was only because Xu Zhiyin had been involved in the Golden Bell Tower’s business from a young age, had met all sorts of people, and possessed a deep well of experience.
Anyone else in her place would have started cursing him out on the spot.
And so, the private room had descended into a heavy mire of silence.
By now, nearly a quarter of an hour had passed.
Fang Shuwen’s patience was wearing thin. He set down his teacup and said softly,
"It seems the Young Tower Master cannot, in fact, make decisions for the Golden Bell Tower. Next time, you can send someone who can.
"Or, I will have all the contents of the Sword God Palace sent to the Eastern Domain.
"This deal is off."
With that, he stood up, preparing to leave.
"Wait."
Xu Zhiyin could no longer remain silent. She gave Fang Shuwen a weary look.
"Fifty percent is too much. You have no idea what kind of profits that represents. You’re making an outrageous demand."
"Then what does the Young Tower Master think a Sword God Palace is worth in terms of a stake in your Golden Bell Tower?"
Xu Zhiyin held up one finger.
"Ten percent."
Fang Shuwen put down his teacup and made to stand again.
"Hero Fang, you name a sky-high price, and I make a lowball offer.
"If we can’t agree, we can negotiate slowly. Don’t be in such a hurry to leave."
Xu Zhiyin quickly tried to stop him.
Fang Shuwen sat back down and shook his head gently.
"How about this: forty percent.
"Take it or leave it."
"...Forty percent is still too much."
Xu Zhiyin took a deep breath.
"My Golden Bell Tower is spread across the Five Domains Under Heaven. We have a branch in every major city.
"The amount of silver that flows through our hands each day is an unimaginable fortune to most people...
"I cannot give you forty percent.
"The Sword God Palace isn’t worth that much..."
Fang Shuwen sounded exasperated.
"So you’re saying the Golden Bell Tower won’t budge an inch, and I am the only one expected to concede?
"Are you planning on using your size to bully a customer?"
A hint of exasperation touched Xu Zhiyin’s face.
"Hero Fang, you must be joking. If there’s any bullying going on, it’s you, the great Demon Evil God, bullying a weak woman like me.
"What power do I have to bully you?
"I can’t give you forty percent. Let’s say twenty percent. That is the most I can offer in all sincerity."
Fang Shuwen smiled. He didn’t believe a word of her so-called ’sincere offer’.
’And if she can offer twenty percent now, it means her actual bottom line is much higher than that.’
He immediately held up three fingers.
"Since the Young Tower Master has shown some sincerity today, I will also take a step back.
"Thirty percent. If the Young Tower Master still finds that unacceptable, we’ll stop this discussion right here.
"I’ll just sell you the items, you give me the silver, and we’ll call this one-time transaction done."
"Thirty percent..."
Xu Zhiyin took a deep breath.
"Fine. I have the authority to give Hero Fang thirty percent.
"However, Hero Fang must also agree to a few conditions."
Hearing her agree, Fang Shuwen knew that these upcoming conditions were likely the real point of this negotiation.
It was true, just as Xu Zhiyin had said. The daily flow of silver through the Golden Bell Tower was an astronomical sum that most people couldn’t earn in several lifetimes.
A thirty-percent share of the annual profits would be enough to keep Fang Shuwen living in luxury for several lifetimes, free from any worries.
The Sword God Palace was valuable, but frankly, it was nothing compared to the Golden Bell Tower. The gap between them was immeasurable.
They simply weren’t in the same league.
After all, one focused on Swordsmanship, the other on making money... in terms of wealth alone, there was no comparison.
’Originally, my bottom line was twenty percent, maybe even ten.’
’But Xu Zhiyin came out with an offer of ten percent right away, which made me realize this was negotiable.’
’In any case, scraping even a little off the Golden Bell Tower would be enough to ensure a life of wealth and splendor for me.’
’Now we’ve negotiated from ten percent up to thirty, but with a few conditions attached...’
’This makes me think that Xu Zhiyin was probably aiming for these conditions from the very beginning.’
But at this point, there was no harm in hearing her out.
"Young Tower Master, please speak freely."
Xu Zhiyin didn’t stand on ceremony and began to speak.
"First, Hero Fang will only be responsible for collecting his silver each year. The Golden Bell Tower has its own internal regulations, which Hero Fang may not interfere with."
Fang Shuwen nodded.
"Agreed."
This was a condition Fang Shuwen couldn’t have been happier with.
He was just looking for a money bag—one that could make money on its own without him having to put in any effort. Why wouldn’t he take such a deal?
"Second, from now on, no matter what items Hero Fang acquires, if you wish to sell them, you must do so through my Golden Bell Tower."