The second floor of the restaurant instantly fell silent, so quiet a falling pin could be heard.

The patrons stared, shocked, at the gold powder on the floor, then at the mysterious expert, 'Teng Qingshan,' and finally at Young Master Li.

Those who dined on the second floor of the Rising Sun Restaurant were generally people of some standing.

They all knew that Young Master Li was one of the foremost figures in the Fang Clan, nearing the head position, if not already there.

Could the gold thrown by Young Master Li's subordinate be counterfeit? Everyone knew the gold had to be genuine! But to crush solid, pure gold into powder with such ease! This level of strength...

even the respected Master Liu, whom they looked up to, could not achieve it. "Young Master Li has truly met his match today," the distinguished guests secretly chuckled, yet dared not speak, watching from the sidelines to see how Young Master Li would handle the situation. "What is going on?" Young Master Li frowned, barking at the man with narrowed eyes. "My Lord," the man stammered fearfully, bowing deeply, "I don't know.

I collected the gold from the accounting office.

Perhaps...

perhaps someone managed to swap the gold." Hearing this, Young Master Li snorted in anger and shot him a look: "Someone in the mansion dares to steal gold!" With that, Young Master Li offered a slight bow to Teng Qingshan and smiled, "Esteemed Sir, some corrupt scoundrels have appeared in my Fang Residence, causing you displeasure.

The meal and drinks for this table are on me, Young Master Li.

I beg your indulgence!" Teng Qingshan was surprised and glanced at Young Master Li.

He nodded with a faint smile: "Young Master should return and severely punish the corrupt members of your household." "Absolutely." Young Master Li smiled, "Then I shall not disturb your meal any longer." Having said this, Young Master Li completely dropped the matter of asking Teng Qingshan and his company to change tables, leading his entourage directly up to the third floor of the restaurant.

Teng Qingshan watched them ascend in silence.

On the second floor, quite a few patrons offered Teng Qingshan warm smiles, appearing very courteous. "Brother Teng, this Young Master of the Fang family has some genuine composure," Li Jun murmured quietly, covering her mouth. "Mm, he is not a reckless fool," Teng Qingshan nodded.

Having overheard the discussions around him about Young Master Li, Teng Qingshan knew...

the Fang Clan ruled Dan Yang City! It was analogous to how the Guiyuan Sect ruled Jiangning Prefecture.

They held the same status! And the status of the Fang Clan's Young Master was nearly equivalent to half the Sect Master of the Guiyuan Sect! To possess such status yet display such restraint was indeed the mark of a true figure. "Brother Teng, look at everyone around; they are all watching us and whispering," Li Jun chuckled, covering her mouth.

Beside her, Xiao Ping also giggled softly, "They must be guessing just what kind of master Uncle is." Teng Qingshan’s gaze swept over the surroundings.

Indeed, those nearby were speculating about Teng Qingshan's identity, wondering if there was a way to forge a connection with this mysterious expert! "Don't mind them," Teng Qingshan said lightly. "Let's finish eating and then promptly attend to our business." ...

On the third floor of the Rising Sun Restaurant, within a lavish private room, Young Master Li sat at the head seat.

The atmosphere was momentarily somewhat oppressive. "Young Master?" The three subordinates looked towards Young Master Li.

Young Master Li rubbed his nose, a faint smile appearing: "Who would have thought, just coming out for a simple meal, I’d run into such a formidable expert! Haha, truly Heaven is helping me.

Tell me, my three, to be able to crush gold into powder...

just how high must the strength of this mysterious expert be!" "My Lord, even a Houtian realm expert specialized in finger strength would likely be quite formidable.

I estimate it would take someone ranked among the very top of the Houtian experts to achieve the feat of crushing gold into dust!" stated the tall, middle-aged man, 'Fang Hong.' "Fang Hong, if you faced him, would you have any confidence?" Young Master Li asked.

The middle-aged man frowned, considered for a moment, and then shook his head: "Not even a sliver of confidence.

I worry, could he possibly be a Martial Saint expert who has reached the Xiantian realm?" "Martial Saint?" Young Master Li raised an eyebrow. "There are only so many Martial Saints in this world, and we know the vast majority of them.

To suddenly have one appear who is so young and completely unknown?" On the Duanmu Continent.

Xiantian experts were respectfully called Martial Saints. "But there are still some reclusive Martial Saints," the middle-aged man pointed out. "Haha, if he truly is a Martial Saint, and if he could join my Fang Residence, wouldn't our family's power increase immensely?" Young Master Li was ecstatic.

The man with narrowed eyes beside him chuckled, "My Lord intends to recruit this mysterious youth?" "Yes." Young Master Li nodded with a faint smile. "Just the display he showed earlier is enough to warrant heavy responsibility in my Fang Residence!" "And that woman of his..." The man with narrowed eyes watched Young Master Li's expression, knowing that Young Master Li had taken a particular interest in that woman.

Young Master Li glanced at him and smiled indifferently: "What is a woman? Merely an item of trade! If I can secure such a great general, why would I covet his woman? Giving him more beauties would be a small matter.

Rest assured...

I have yet to find any woman in this world who could drive me mad!" "My Lord is wise," the man with narrowed eyes immediately flattered him. "Now, do you know what needs to be done?" Young Master Li looked at him.

Since he had decided to recruit Teng Qingshan...

action was certainly required.

The man with narrowed eyes nodded immediately: "Your subordinate understands.

I will arrange people immediately." Without even touching his meal, he hurried downstairs.

...

On the broad streets of Dan Yang City, a bustling crowd filled every thoroughfare.

Teng Qingshan, carrying an oversized pack on his back, walked along the street with Li Jun and Xiao Ping. "Brother Teng, don't worry," Xiao Ping said, her face flushed with excitement. "In the Slave Market, there are not only slaves and beasts but also many people who aren't slaves but willingly hire themselves out.

Brother Teng, if you need a coachman, you can look there too.

And if you need to buy a beast of burden, you can go there as well!" Teng Qingshan smiled slightly.

The journey from Dan Yang City to Divine Axe Mountain, although both locations were within the 'South Mountain Domain,' one of the four regions of the Duanmu Continent, was still quite long.

He couldn't possibly carry a package weighing ten thousand catties the entire way.

Hiring a high-quality carriage and a coachman would be much easier. "Let's go take a look at the Slave Market!" Teng Qingshan laughed. "We've never seen one," Li Jun's eyes also lit up.

Having never seen a Slave Market, who knew what it would be like? After walking for nearly half an hour.

West City of Dan Yang City. "Slave Market?" Teng Qingshan looked up at the two large characters above the main gate; he recognized both of them. "The Slave Market is very large," Xiao Ping explained. "The entire market is structured like an extremely large residence.

It has only one main gate and one back gate! Inside the market, it is divided into many sections.

There are places selling ordinary slaves, and places selling some higher-grade slaves.

There are also ordinary people, not slaves, who come here seeking employment!" Xiao Ping spoke quickly, but her complexion wasn't good. "Xiao Ping," Li Jun held her hand tightly.

Xiao Ping forced a smile toward Li Jun: "I’m fine, Sister Xiaojun." Xiao Ping herself had been sold three times in the past, once sold off like merchandise in the Slave Market.

Thinking about such an experience...

it was easy to imagine how tragic it must have been. "The three of you!" As soon as Teng Qingshan and the other two walked into the market, a sharp-eyed young man immediately approached them enthusiastically, "What are you here to buy? This market is huge, you'll get lost if it's your first time.

But I know exactly where everything is sold." Xiao Ping whispered quietly, "Uncle, this is someone from the Slave Market.

They specialize in guiding customers; you don't need to give them silver.

When we buy goods, they receive a bonus from the owner." Hearing Xiao Ping say this...

the seemingly sharp young man showed no shame and smiled, "What the young lady says is correct.

May I ask what you are looking to purchase?" "I need to hire a coachman," Teng Qingshan stated. "Oh, follow me." The young man led the way at the front.

The market was vast.

As Teng Qingshan and the other two stepped onto a wide, open path, they saw large, partitioned grounds nearby where numerous slaves were kept. "What are you looking to buy, sirs?" "We have everything here?" As they walked, many people came up enthusiastically to solicit customers. "The slaves at the place ahead are very good," the guide boasted.

Ahead, in an open area, there were several slender, beautiful young women, all bound, standing there with tearful eyes.

Simultaneously, there were over a dozen brawny men, also bound in iron chains. "Esteemed Sir," a mature woman immediately approached with a smile. "Our slaves are the best.

Are you looking for some maids to serve you?...

They aren't expensive at all.

Buy a dozen or so beautiful girls.

And worried about someone causing trouble for you on the road? Our male slaves have received training; many are fierce fighters! Look, they have all learned some internal strength; lifting a five-hundred-catty boulder is absolutely no problem." Immediately, the guard in charge whipped the air.

Quite a few beautiful young women looked towards Teng Qingshan with watering eyes.

Many strong slave men roared and lifted the five-hundred-catty stones in front of them high into the air. "Sirs," the guiding youth continued to flatter, "These have all been trained.

These young women are skilled in warming the bed at night and can massage your legs and shoulders when you are tired.

They are very proficient.

Those slave men are very obedient and loyal; tell them who to beat, and they will beat them.

As long as you spend some silver, they all belong to you." "Slaves..." Teng Qingshan looked at the girls; their appearances were quite good.

He asked with surprise, "Are they slaves? Why are there no brands on the women's faces?" "There are! But not on the face.

They are on the neck," the youth chuckled flirtatiously. "On the face, wouldn't that spoil their looks?" "Interesting, very interesting," Teng Qingshan smiled. "Brother Teng, you want to buy?" Li Jun's expression was strange, and even Xiao Ping watched Teng Qingshan.

Seeing this, Teng Qingshan burst out laughing: "I see now why the slave business is good—a group of beautiful young women, a group of obedient thugs.

Tsk tsk...

Alright, boy, hurry up and lead the way! Stop deliberately guiding me to these places; I can see through your intentions! Take me directly to where the coachmen are." "Fine," the youth mumbled, drooping his head, "Just around the next corner, they are there."