The Smiling, Proud Wanderer: From the Moment He Picked Up Qu Feiyan

At 5 PM, in the Bailianfang Study.

The sandalwood incense wafts gently, and the tea smoke rises in the air.

When Shen An met Lu Lianrong, the renowned master of the Hengshan School had a warm smile on his face, like an elder to a younger generation.

"Junior Nephew Shen, it's been a long time! You're even more impressive than before!" Lu Lianrong laughed as he walked in, appearing extremely friendly. "I heard you're challenging Tian Boguang to a duel tomorrow? Haha, young hero, you have guts! Our Five Mountains Sword Sect needs rising stars like you!"

"Uncle-Master Lu, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise." Shen An rose and bowed, neither humble nor arrogant. "May I ask what brings you here today, Uncle-Master?"

Lu Lianrong waved his hand, sat down in the guest seat, and sighed seemingly unintentionally: "I wouldn't call it guidance. It's just that I'm a little short on cash lately, and thinking about my past income, I realized... hehe, it seems like it's been a while since I've heard anything from you, my junior brother. Could it be that you've encountered some difficulties in business?"

He posed the question, but Huang Chengcheng's eyes were fixed on Shen An, trying to glean some clues from his expression.

Upon hearing this, Shen An understood.

Looking at the pretentious man in front of him, he recalled how this man ultimately served as the vanguard of Mount Song in the original novel.

What Lu Lianrong was after was definitely not that little bit of silver.

Shen An's face showed a look of sudden realization, which quickly turned into one of extreme solemnity. He bowed deeply to Lu Lianrong and said in a deep voice, "Uncle-Master! I must apologize to you for this! I took it upon myself to stop giving you the money for your wedding, but it was truly out of necessity, and all for the sake of the greater good!"

"The big picture?" Lu Lianrong frowned.

"Exactly!" Shen An's tone was extremely earnest. "Uncle, you are wise. In the past, when Mount Song opened its gates and expanded its influence, every single thing required the support of money."

"Oh, you don't need it anymore?"

"That's not it. We lack money, but it's no longer dirty money. Next, Mount Song is to preside over the unification of the Five Sacred Mountains and become the leader of the righteous path. If we continue to embezzle this dirty money, it will not look good for Master's overall situation. I have dared to guess his intentions, so I took the liberty of not only stopping this funding, but also to help you, Uncle, extricate yourself from this as soon as possible and avoid being implicated!"

Shen An directly invoked the banner of Zuo Lengchan and the Five Mountains Alliance.

Lu Lianrong was indeed stunned. He was extremely anxious, and what he feared most was being excluded from the "big picture" of the Left Alliance Leader.

Shen An, observing his expression, keenly caught the fleeting panic in his eyes.

He knew the time was right.

Then he changed the subject, his tone becoming more sincere and concerned:

"Uncle-Master, if I may be so bold as to speak frankly, using those illicit funds for connections in the past was ultimately a poor strategy. That money was ill-gotten, and the accounts were unclear. If it were to come to light in the future, and someone were to seize upon it, wouldn't that jeopardize your future in the Hengshan Sect? Master has high hopes for you, and he would never want to see you ruin your reputation within the Hengshan Sect for such petty gains!"

Lu Lianrong always knew that the money was a connection, but also a huge hidden danger. If one day it were exposed that he, a renowned master of Hengshan, was involved with the underworld businesses of the Songshan Sect, his life would be over!

He had always regarded this as a pledge of loyalty, never expecting that the leader of the alliance would actually take the initiative to consider his needs!

Leader Zuo has me in his heart!

The moment this thought crossed Lu Lianrong's mind, he automatically ignored the fact that Shen An had "acted on his own initiative." In his view, this kid was merely a mouthpiece for the Left Alliance Leader; without his master's authorization, how dare he be so audacious?

Seeing Lu Lianrong's ever-changing expression, Shen An knew that he had completely seized the initiative.

Since that's the case, why not be a little greedier?

He pressed his advantage, his tone utterly sincere: "Therefore, after much consideration, I believe our cooperation should be pursued in a more stable and sustainable way. What do you think, Uncle-Master?"

"From now on, I don't want that commission anymore! Not a single penny!" Lu Lianrong declared decisively before he could finish, afraid of falling behind. "As for any new cooperation methods, you can tell me whatever you want, nephew."

His yellow eyes were fixed on Shen An.

Shen An stepped forward and took Lu Lianrong's hand, earnestly saying, "Our Songshan Sect, especially our Bailianfang, will have more legitimate and respectable businesses in the future. For example, weapons, medicinal herbs, silk, and so on. Uncle-Master, your territory is in Xiangtan. I humbly request that you do us a favor there."

Huh? They've come to take over my territory? Lu Lianrong was a little stunned.

"Uncle-Master, you've misunderstood." Shen An immediately understood what he was thinking and added, "These businesses don't require you to invest a single penny, nor do you need to show your face. As long as you allow us to operate them, we will transfer the profits to your designated disciples or clansmen on time under the guise of shareholding and profit sharing. In this way, the financial transactions will be completely transparent, and no one can find any fault with us! This is the real long-term plan, which protects your reputation and doesn't affect our shared future!"

After he finished speaking, the entire study fell silent.

Lu Lianrong stared blankly at Shen An, his mind completely blank.

He originally came to test whether he had been excluded from the core, but now?

The leader of the Left Alliance not only did not abandon him, but also considered his future and reputation in every way, and took the initiative to cut off that dirty and risky financial transaction. Then, he drew up a grander and cleaner blueprint for his interests.

From then on, not only did he no longer have to live in fear, but he could also legitimately reap even greater rewards from the Songshan Sect's legitimate business. And all he needed to do was "favor" the Songshan Sect's business in Xiangtan? For him, that was a piece of cake!

What difference does it make to him whether he takes a cut from his own business or from the business in Songshan?

No, the difference is too great! This is a gift of trust from Leader Zuo!

Not only did he not lose the Songshan Sect as his backer, but he also felt... that he was being valued more than ever before! This Junior Nephew Shen, this personal disciple of the Left Alliance Leader, is truly making long-term plans for his future!

Lu Lianrong gripped Shen An's hand tightly, his voice trembling slightly with emotion: "Nephew...it's Uncle...it's Uncle who's judging a gentleman by his own petty standards! Alliance Leader Zuo has considered things so thoroughly for me, I...I, Lu Lianrong, am eternally grateful!"

Shen An wore a humble smile, patted the back of his hand, and said in a gentle but firm tone, "Uncle-Master, you flatter me. We are both serving Master's great cause, and we should be in the same boat, supporting each other. I hope you will take good care of me in the future."

"Definitely! Definitely!" Lu Lianrong nodded emphatically, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism. "Nephew, rest assured! Not just in Xiangtan, but wherever your Songshan Sect's business is, as long as it's within my jurisdiction, it will have the green light all the way! Anyone who dares to obstruct us is making an enemy of me, Lu Lianrong!"

After seeing off Lu Lianrong, who was extremely grateful and eager to befriend him, Shen An's smile gradually faded.

He had no worries about his business in Xiangtan. With the protection of the violent tools of the Songshan and Hengshan factions, his own business acumen for centuries to come, and the substantial capital backing of the Songshan faction, it would be strange if the business didn't succeed.

Lu Lianrong's agitated behavior was mostly an act; it was simply a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Shen An's lips curled slightly.

"Hmph, a greedy and suspicious old fox."

At the same time, Lu Lianrong, who left Bailianfang with a satisfied expression, slowly lost his enthusiastic smile.

"Hmph, a sharp-tongued little fox."