"This..."

Tang Xishan picked up his teacup, turning it gently in his hand as he weighed the pros and cons.

Fang Shuwen wasn’t in a hurry. He quietly waited for him to think.

After a long moment, Tang Xishan seemed to have sorted out his thoughts and finally spoke.

"Let’s set aside the matter of how much silver the clients are paying. As long as you are willing, Young Hero Fang, my Golden Bell Tower would be happy to act as the middleman, even if we don’t take a single coin."

"There is just one issue we must consider beforehand."

"The conditions you’ve proposed, Young Hero, are not difficult to meet."

"However, if we filter jobs based on these criteria, and the client is located far from where you are, Young Hero Fang, I’m afraid that by the time you accept the job and travel to their location, they might already be dead."

"Then in your view, Tower Master Tang, how should this be resolved?"

"It’s simple."

Tang Xishan said,

"My Golden Bell Tower has strongholds throughout the Eastern Domain—no, not just the Eastern Domain. We have a presence in nearly every major city across the Five Domains Under Heaven."

"Young Hero Fang, even when you don’t have a job, you can freely visit any of our strongholds, review the listings that have come in from the surrounding cities, and choose which ones to accept."

Fang Shuwen took a sip of tea, glanced at Tang Xishan, and nodded.

"Agreed."

Although this meant his whereabouts would constantly be tracked by the Golden Bell Tower.

But if he could secure this kind of partnership with the Golden Bell Tower, it would open up a whole new world for him.

Previously, Fang Shuwen had basically been relying on sheer luck to find and accept missions.

His options were very limited; he essentially had to take whatever came his way.

But with the Golden Bell Tower’s cooperation, the range of choices available to him would be completely different.

He didn’t think he could exploit any loopholes to get free rewards from the system.

But at least he would no longer have to rely on luck to get jobs.

The matter was thus essentially settled. The affair of the Blood-Sinking Sword was also officially entrusted to the Golden Bell Tower. After returning, Tang Xishan could begin selecting a buyer.

They would find a way to notify Fang Shuwen as soon as there was any news.

As for the Butterfly Bone Saber, Fang Shuwen sold it directly to the Golden Bell Tower, receiving silver notes worth five thousand taels of silver.

Tang Xishan mentioned a few other things that Fang Shuwen didn’t find particularly important. For instance, in keeping with the Golden Bell Tower’s usual practices, Fang Shuwen would normally have to pay a fee to accept jobs from them—equivalent to a modern-day commission.

But for Fang Shuwen, the Golden Bell Tower would not take a single coin.

He also gave Fang Shuwen a booklet that listed the Golden Bell Tower’s strongholds in every major city.

It included listings for Guangning City and Julu City.

As the conversation wound down, with most things said, Fang Shuwen stood up to take his leave.

"Wait a moment."

Tang Xishan stopped him.

"Young Hero, do you have a place to stay yet?"

"Our Golden Bell Tower owns quite a few properties in Pojun City. The city is currently packed with people, but I have a small, unoccupied courtyard that would be perfect for you and your companions. If you don’t mind, Young Hero, you could stay there for a few days."

Naturally, Fang Shuwen wasn’t about to refuse such a good offer.

’Why would I squeeze into the City God Temple with Chen Yan when I could have a courtyard to myself?’

Tang Xishan immediately had Xiao Yanyu lead Fang Shuwen and his group to the residence. Chen Yan, of course, shamelessly tagged along.

The place arranged by the Golden Bell Tower was a small, siheyuan-style building. Past the entrance was a courtyard, with the main hall at the front and side rooms on the left and right.

It was more than enough space for a few people.

Xiao Yanyu didn’t stay long. Knowing that Fang Shuwen and his group had just arrived today and needed to rest, she made an excuse and departed.

After assigning the rooms, Fang Shuwen called Chen Yan over.

He didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

"A big shot from the sea has come to Pojun City. Is this news true or false?"

"It’s true."

"Where are they from?"

"That, I don’t know."

Chen Yan said helplessly,

"The Heaven-Reaching Pavilion may have eyes and ears everywhere, but the sea is vast and mysterious. Transmitting information is far more difficult there than on land. We still don’t know enough about matters at sea."

Fang Shuwen grew thoughtful. If Chen Yan didn’t know about the Dragon Emperor Hall, he probably didn’t know about the Celestial Water Palace either.

Thinking this, he gently patted Chen Yan’s shoulder.

"The Heaven-Reaching Pavilion still has a lot of work to do."

"..."

Chen Yan was speechless. ’Why do his words sound so grating?’

"Then do you know where that big shot is staying now?"

Fang Shuwen asked again.

"I don’t know..."

Chen Yan was getting a little testy.

"Look at you. I say a couple of things and you can’t even take it."

"I’m criticizing you to spur you on, to keep you from being shortsighted. You need to broaden your horizons. You need to see the sea of stars!"

Fang Shuwen said earnestly,

"A young person needs drive. You have to get out there and make your mark, not be satisfied with the status quo. You have to leave your comfort zone..."

"Alright, alright!"

Chen Yan felt his head buzzing. He really didn’t want to listen to Fang Shuwen’s incessant nagging, so he had no choice but to say,

"They’re staying at the Hongyun Inn, in the Celestial Wolf Institute."

"Good."

Fang Shuwen nodded and was about to get up.

Chen Yan quickly stopped him.

"Wait..."

"What is it?"

"What’s the deal between you and that little girl who shares your surname?"

The flames of gossip flickered in Chen Yan’s eyes.

Fang Shuwen gave Chen Yan a look that was not quite a smile.

"What do you think?"

"..."

Chen Yan was speechless for a moment. ’What the hell is there to guess?’ Before he could say anything else, Fang Shuwen had already stood up and left.

He called for Shui Qianrou and Fang Lingxin, then headed out of the courtyard.

"I’m going out to take care of something. It’s not convenient for you to come, so just stay here and watch the house."

Chen Yan froze mid-motion as he was about to stand up. In the end, he could only sit back down with a dark expression.