Watching Gui Lan greet him with a smile, Tian Wen suddenly felt uneasy.
As soon as they sat down and spoke a few words, Gui Lan cheerfully placed two ingots of silver on the stone table.
"Shopkeeper Tian, we're old acquaintances. No need for pleasantries."
Tian Wen looked at Gui Lan blankly, "What do you mean?"
"Ah, it's like this. The great hero you sent last time is still staying with me."
"I'm expecting guests today, and it's really not suitable for her to be here. Could you ask her to find another place to stay?"
Upon hearing that the Lotus Cult Leader was still here, Tian Wen immediately became excited.
"Great, she's exactly who I'm looking for."
"Hurry and take me to her."
Unexpectedly, Gui Lan was unhurried, still sitting there.
She looked at Tian Wen with a smile and said, "I can take you to her, but we need to be clear. You must take her away."
"This..." Tian Wen hesitated. "Shopkeeper, how about this: calculate how much she owes for her stay, and I'll pay you the cost."
Hearing this, Gui Lan was amused and exasperated. "Shopkeeper Tian, this isn't a matter of money. You should understand what I mean."
"Who are the people who come and go here? When they see a woman, they look like they want to pounce and devour her."
"You know her situation. I can't do business like this."
The madam Gui Lan was telling the truth. The Lotus Cult Leader's martial arts were unfathomable. If some fool dared to mistake her for one of the girls here, wouldn't they be beaten to a pulp? If that happened, how could Bai Hua Tower continue to do business?
Tian Wen sighed helplessly, "How about this: I'll try my best to persuade her to leave soon, but I can't guarantee she will."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Shopkeeper Tian." Madam Gui Lan said, standing up and turning to leave.
Tian Wen immediately followed. After a few steps, Madam Gui Lan suddenly signaled to a nearby maidservant.
The maidservant understood and quickly retreated a few steps to the stone table. The two ingots of silver were still there. Since Tian Wen couldn't guarantee he could take the woman away, Madam Gui Lan wouldn't just give away the money.
Tian Wen saw this and couldn't help but chuckle. This madam was indeed a very pragmatic person.
At this time, the Lotus Cult Leader had just finished her meditation in her room.
After recuperating here for a while, her internal injuries had almost healed, so naturally, her mood had improved considerably.
Hearing a knock on the door, she slightly opened her eyes.
"Who is it?"
Gui Lan said cautiously with a smile, "Great hero, Shopkeeper Tian Wen is here to see you."
Hearing that Tian Wen had arrived, the Lotus Cult Leader immediately put on her shoes and tidied her clothes before coming to open the door.
The first thing she saw was Madam Gui Lan's pale, made-up face.
"Great hero, look, Shopkeeper Tian is here."
The Lotus Cult Leader nodded at Tian Wen, "Come in."
Sensing the implication, Madam Gui Lan quickly stepped aside and gestured for Tian Wen to enter.
"Please, please. I'll go prepare some tea for you."
"No need for tea. Don't disturb me." The Lotus Cult Leader said coldly.
"Understood, understood." Madam Gui Lan nodded repeatedly, signaling the maidservant and Old Chen to leave quickly, and helping to close the door.
Inside the room, Tian Wen clasped his fists and said, "Cult Leader, Wang Long was killed two days ago. Was that you?"
The Lotus Cult Leader nodded, "Yes, killing him was as easy as crushing an ant."
"Cult Leader, do you have any news? Why has the city suddenly relaxed its security?"
A cold smile flickered across the Lotus Cult Leader's lips. She sat down on the chair without inviting Tian Wen to sit, and then said coldly, "Yesterday, the Princess sent word that Zhu Meng has already led his army towards Ji Prefecture."
"The city's guards are now like turtles in a jar."
"Oh, then it won't be long before these people surrender the city." Tian Wen couldn't help but become excited.
The Lotus Cult Leader waved her hand, "No, it's not that simple. Although they appear to have relaxed, I believe the city guards will still hold out. After all, waiting for more than ten days gives Zhu Meng a chance to reinforce."
After hearing the Lotus Cult Leader's words, Tian Wen thought for a moment and said, clasping his fists, "Cult Leader, why don't we kill a few more people and cause a bigger commotion?"
The Lotus Cult Leader looked at his face and showed a hint of admiration, "What you said, indeed, aligns with my thoughts."
"Leave the killing to me. You just need to spread the news, let the people know that Zhu Meng has fled, and the city guards won't last long."
Tian Wen became happy again after hearing this.
"This is simple. I'll immediately instruct my employees to do it."
Upon hearing this, the Lotus Cult Leader glanced at him, "What? Do you want to bring trouble upon yourself? If it's found out that you spread the news, will you be alright?"
Tian Wen was a little confused by this, "Then, what does the Cult Leader mean?"
"So many inns in Wannian City are open today. You should understand what I mean."
Hearing this, Tian Wen immediately beamed with joy, "I understand clearly. I'll make arrangements right away."
"By the way, Cult Leader, do you find it comfortable living here?"
The Lotus Cult Leader nodded, "I think it's quite good. What do you mean?"
Tian Wen hesitated, "Don't be unhappy. I'll find you another place."
The Lotus Cult Leader immediately understood Tian Wen's meaning. She smiled slightly, "I gave Gui Lan two hundred taels of silver and told her clearly that I'll leave when the money runs out."
Tian Wen didn't dare to say any more and immediately bowed and retreated.
Seeing Tian Wen come out, Gui Lan nervously stepped forward.
"Shopkeeper Tian, how did it go?"
Tian Wen sighed, "Oh, Shopkeeper Gui Lan, it's not that I want to criticize you, but you've already accepted two hundred taels of silver. To say such a thing, isn't that too unrighteous?"
"There's no reason to drive guests away before the money is spent."
He said this and left without looking back.
Watching Tian Wen walk away, Gui Lan suddenly slapped her thigh, her face filled with grievance, "I'm truly cursed. Why did I accept that two hundred taels of silver?"
At lunchtime, Wannian City became lively. After days of lockdown, the people, having regained their freedom, gathered in groups and headed to the restaurants.
Soon, the news spread throughout the restaurants.
"Did you hear? Zhu Meng's army of over two hundred thousand has gone to Ji Prefecture. The city will be isolated."
"Who says not? The Crown Prince's army has already occupied all of Qing Niu Mountain. I heard Zhu Meng fled in utter panic, leaving all his supplies and equipment behind." Su Dan Novel Network
"Alas, yesterday they sent troops out of the city to fight, and Zhu Jianyu surrendered with several thousand imperial troops. I think Qing Niu County is on the verge of falling."