Chapter 43: Competition

Returning to his room to practice, it took just over ten weeks for his depleted dantian to regain its fullness.
When he came out again, less than half of the carrots remained on the tray on the stone table.
Watching the Silver Rabbit gnawing on the carrots, Lin Dong took a deep breath, hoping that this guy didn’t have much spiritual energy in his inner dantian. If he kept pushing, there was a chance he might even wear the Silver Rabbit down.
If the Silver Rabbit’s inner dantian injuries fully healed, roasting it whole over fire would likely have to be a long-term goal.
Picking up the bench, Lin Dong regained his confidence and charged forward.
The chase didn’t last long, as Thin Bamboo Pole ran back into the backyard once more.
“Owner, it doesn’t work!”
“Even two thousand taels of silver isn’t enough?” Lin Dong frowned slightly. Was this county magistrate’s appetite really that huge?
Two thousand taels of silver was equivalent to more than half a year’s income for the top ten shops in Xilan City. If this county magistrate truly had such an enormous appetite, he should have been brought down by the combined efforts of those shops long ago.
Thin Bamboo Pole shook his head. “So far, only about a thousand taels have been inserted. But Sixth Brother said that every time he puts in a bank note, Lou Jingsong and Kuang Tianwei will add more underneath the table. It seems like an endless pit. Sixth Brother could only ask the owner.”
“Go ahead first. I’ll enter through the main gate later.”
Lin Dong put the bench back on the mobile counter and left through the side door of the backyard, then made his way around to the front of the inn.
Entering the hall, perhaps out of awe for the county magistrate’s presence, there weren’t many customers. Three of the five tables with comfort enhancements were empty. At the other two tables, one had two customers wearing white hats and dark black cloaks. Needless to say, those who weren’t scared off by the county magistrate and dressed in such a way that their gender and physique couldn’t be distinguished must be either a fierce woman or a young maid.
At the other table, to the east, sat a middle-aged man with a pale face and no beard, exuding an elegant demeanor. On his lap, a charmingly beautiful woman was feeding him wine mouth to mouth.
To the left, Kuang Tianwei wore a sycophantic smile on his gloomy face.
To the right, only a thin silhouette could be seen.
Across from the middle-aged man, Lou Wanzhang smiled nervously, clearly not yet accustomed to dining with the county magistrate.
“Hey, isn’t that Owner Lin?” Kuang Tianwei stood up, his voice tinged with surprise.
Cheng Wencai glanced at Lin Dong briefly before ignoring him, his hands still indulgently exploring beneath the hem of Hua Hongyue’s long dress.

Approaching the table, Lin Dong bowed to Cheng Wencai and said, “I failed to greet you properly upon your arrival. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”
“Huh…” Kuang Tianwei let out another soft exclamation. “The clerk said Manager Lin was out and couldn’t be found. Does Manager Lin know the county magistrate?”
Lin Dong froze. This old fellow was really good at spotting grammatical errors!
“Sit down!” Cheng Wencai didn’t mind and gestured to the seat across from him.
Without hesitation, Lin Dong went over to the flustered Lou Wanzhang, emitted a slight burst of spiritual energy, grabbed his shoulder, and lifted him aside as if it were nothing—as if he weren’t holding a person weighing over a hundred pounds but rather a chick.
Cheng Wencai frowned slightly. Was this a display of power to the county magistrate?
Lin Dong carelessly sat down on the bench. Indeed, that move was a form of intimidation.
There was no other way. When it came to money, he couldn’t even compare to Kuang Tianwei or Lou Jingsong, let alone defeat either of them. He could only use this method to show the county magistrate that he was a trained fighter, hoping it would serve as a slight deterrent.
Cheng Wencai smiled faintly and said slowly, “Manager Lin, Boss Kuang and Boss Lou are here to celebrate my birthday today, which has affected the inn’s business. I hope you won’t be offended.”
Lin Dong’s lips twitched slightly. The county magistrate’s first words were a reminder about the birthday celebration—seemingly, his earlier actions had been ineffective.
“So today is the county magistrate’s birthday!” After a brief pause, Lin Dong smiled and waved at Wang Liuze, who was standing nearby with a gloomy expression.
When Wang Liuze came closer, Lin Dong leaned in and whispered in a voice barely audible to Cheng Wencai and the others, “Xiao Liu, send someone to the jewelry shop and ask if they have a Golden Bull. It needs to be worth at least a hundred taels. If not… send someone to Qiufeng City right away.”
A Golden Bull worth over a hundred taels? That would cost at least a thousand taels. Wang Liuze was about to remind him that there was only about a thousand taels left in the counter when Lin Dong winked at him, making him understand immediately.
If they couldn’t find one here in Xilan City, it certainly wouldn’t be available there either. It would take at least ten days to travel to Qiufeng City. Having a Golden Bull could help deal with Cheng Wencai and buy a few more days to make ends meet, given the inn’s daily profits.
If it didn’t work out, it was just a verbal promise—nothing actually had to be given.
Cheng Wencai smiled faintly, pulled his right hand out from under Hua Hongyue’s skirt, held her face, and praised her, “You truly are the best prostitute in Xilan City. Compared to my own ‘tiger mother,’ you’re a fairy, while she’s just a toad.”
Hua Hongyue let out a few delicate moans, utterly enchanting.

“Cheng Wencai…” Over by the side, the fierce woman gritted her teeth and tried to stand up, but was held back by the young maid. The words she had said dozens of times already slipped out again. “Madam, family secrets shouldn’t be exposed! If you scold the master here, how can he face others? Let’s talk about it tonight.” “If I don’t beat him to death tonight, I’m not Li Yunfeng!” Her chest heaved violently, and it took a long time before she calmed down. Lin Dong remained silent. Their voices weren’t loud, so others might not have heard clearly, but he had been paying close attention to what was happening with the fierce woman. Coupled with his enhanced hearing from cultivation, he heard every word clearly. It seemed that getting the fierce woman to take action wasn’t that easy! Kuang Tianwei and Lou Jingsong exchanged glances, then looked at Cheng Wencai’s right hand, which was now on the table but not hidden under Huahongyue’s skirt. They exchanged another look before both placing their right hands under the table. Pulling out small stacks of silver bills from the bulging hem, they placed them one after another on Huahongyue’s slender thighs from beneath the table. Cheng Wencai’s eyelids darkened slightly as he smiled. Discreetly, he folded the two stacks of silver bills and stuffed them into his even more bulging chest pocket than Kuang Tianwei and Lou Jingsong’s. Lin Dong’s expression changed. It seemed today would not end peacefully. “Shopkeeper Lin…” Cheng Wencai said with a smile, “the food at your inn… to be honest, I find it quite ordinary. But for some reason, it tastes great. If it weren’t for Boss Kuang suggesting it, I wouldn’t have known that Lin’s Inn has such unique flavors. As you know, I’m busy with official duties and rarely have time, but I really like your place. I was wondering if Shopkeeper Lin could tell me why?” “If the county magistrate likes it, how could Shopkeeper Lin refuse?” Kuang Tianwei laughed heartily. “Right, Shopkeeper Lin?” “Of course. The county magistrate is dedicated to serving the people; he just wants a peaceful and comfortable meal. As merchants under his protection, we must do our best, even if it’s difficult. Especially when there’s a way.” Lou Jingsong smiled brightly at Lin Dong. “Right, Shopkeeper Lin?” Lou Wanzhang, standing nervously nearby, didn’t dare interject but nodded frantically. Lin Dong suddenly felt an urge to flip over the table and smash those four bastards with a stool each.