After finishing speaking, Zhang Tian stood up directly.
"I won't be dining with you. Master Wu, I'll be leaving now. Perhaps we'll meet again another time."
Zhang Tian shook hands with Wu Laogou and then strode out of the living room.
Watching Zhang Tian's retreating back, Wu Laogou frowned slightly.
"His words, 'a guest,' suggest he already has his own influence."
"It seems Beili is about to undergo a change."
Wu Laogou thought to himself as he slowly walked out of the living room.
He intended to protect the Wu family first. As for Zhang Tian's affairs, he didn't want to get involved.
He also didn't want to say much to other families. After all, someone in their early twenties who dared to claim they had power.
Would absolutely not be afraid of them. Instead of offending him, it was better to pretend ignorance.
That way, he could avoid trouble while not appearing too eager to please.
At this moment, Zhang Tian had already left the Wu family's residence.
He wasn't surprised that Wu Laogou was alive; he was at the Grandmaster realm, which Zhang Tian had expected.
After all, after so many years, even a dog could cultivate to become a Grandmaster.
The current era was after the War of Resistance, but Wu Laogou and his contemporaries should belong to an even earlier period.
Judging by Wu Laogou's appearance, he must have cultivated some technique that caused his hair to turn white.
Otherwise, cultivators generally lived for hundreds of years and wouldn't have white hair without issue.
Without further thought, Zhang Tian decided not to visit other families.
He had already gathered enough intelligence on the Wu family.
Wu Laogou had been quite famous back then and was a skilled individual. Therefore, if he was a Grandmaster, most other families should also have Grandmasters.
The highest level might even be Grandmaster Plus.
Thus, there was no point in visiting them further.
"Let's go see how Fatty is doing. I hope he hasn't been driven away by Master Jin."
Zhang Tian thought of Fatty, that big fool.
The guy had taken the Corpse Nurturing Pearl to Da Jin Ya, so it was no wonder he'd be scolded.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Da Jin Ya led Fatty and Hu Bayi into a private restaurant.
Most restaurants of this era had wooden structures, and the overall appearance was quite luxurious and ancient.
"This restaurant is quite a far cry from the Xinyue Hotel," Fatty grumbled beside him.
Da Jin Ya glanced at the fellow in surprise.
"I wouldn't have thought you'd been to the Xinyue Hotel?"
"Tch, who do you think you're looking down on? Fatty here is a man who has participated in an auction."
Fatty proudly raised his head, looking much like a soldier who had captured enemy equipment.
Da Jin Ya glanced at Fatty and decided not to engage.
"Remember, once inside, don't talk too much. Just observe. I'll handle everything."
Da Jin Ya instructed the two. As for Hu Bayi, he simply nodded gently without saying much.
Fatty, however, thumped his chest.
"Jin Long Ge."
Glancing at the plaque, Hu Bayi didn't linger and followed them inside.
Jin Long Ge, rumored to have been a royal pavilion for entertaining the emperor, was now one of Beili's top restaurants, attracting immense attention due to its fame.
Upon entering the restaurant, Da Jin Ya made inquiries, and a beautiful woman in a qipao directed him.
"The private room you're looking for is Room 414."
After the woman finished speaking, Da Jin Ya led the two inside.
"How strange, why would there be a room with this name? Die, die, how strange."
Fatty mumbled, while Hu Bayi couldn't help but chuckle.
In Room 414, selling a "Death-Inviting Guanyin" and then swindling a foreigner – it was as if doom was impending.
On the fourth floor, in a private room, a blond, slightly young foreigner was seated.
Beside him sat a dignified Chinese woman.
She was a translator, and to stand out in the translation circle, she had even donned a qipao.
Her good figure had caught the foreigner's attention.
When he learned that Da Jin Ya had some good merchandise, he brought her along.
"Why aren't they here yet? If they don't come soon, I'm leaving. A mere merchant doesn't deserve my waiting for so long."
Curryss grumbled impatiently.
In his opinion, Chinese people didn't deserve his waiting.
If it weren't for the intention of acquiring items from China at low prices and selling them back at high prices, he wouldn't have come.
"Tch, what kind of place is this? It's all wood. Is it as magnificent as our imperial palace?"
Curryss looked around, growing increasingly dissatisfied.
Just then, sounds came from the doorway.
Following that, Da Jin Ya, Hu Bayi, and the others entered.
"Why are there so many of you!"
Curryss was clearly displeased.
His brows furrowed slightly.
After he spoke, the translator repeated his words.
"They are my bodyguards, Mr. John Curryss. It's normal. I've brought you a superior treasure."
Da Jin Ya said mysteriously as he sat down. Fatty and Hu Bayi stood by, not permitted to sit.
The table was round, surrounded by dim yellow light bulbs.
After the translator relayed his words again, Curryss smiled.
"Really? Let me see quickly."
He said, his tone impatient.
Seeing this, Da Jin Ya smirked and slowly took out Fatty's "Death-Inviting Guanyin."
"Mr. Curryss, you must have inquired. I, Da Jin Ya, am known in this area as a merchant with integrity. My goods are all top-notch."
"This jade pendant is called the Auspicious Rat Jade Pendant. The rat corresponds to the Noble Star in the Heavenly Palace. This pendant signifies the rat ascending to immortality, further elevating your nobility."
"Wearing it will bring success in your career; wearing it will bring immense wealth."
As Da Jin Ya spoke, the translator quickly followed suit.
"Mr. Jin, I know your reputation. I apologize for what happened that day."
"However, this jade pendant doesn't look like a rat."
Curryss frowned slightly as he looked at the pure white jade pendant.
He knew a bit about jade and could tell it was a good piece, but Curryss lacked cultural knowledge and naturally didn't know what was carved.
"This is called a rat, the head of the twelve zodiac animals, representing intelligence, great wealth, and nobility. Furthermore, the immortal rat is carved on it. Look."
Da Jin Ya quickly pointed to the willow branch in the weasel's paw.
"Look at this willow branch. The white jade has a hint of green in the middle. What is this called? It's called 'Rat Sending Auspiciousness, Good Luck and Prosperity!'"
"This jade pendant is truly befitting your status. After our little misunderstanding last time, I wouldn't sell it to just anyone."
"And look here."
Da Jin Ya pointed to the weasel's head.
"Do you know about constellations?"
"Mr. Jin, does this have something to do with constellations?"
Upon hearing "constellations," Curryss was no longer confused. Instead, he became calm.
Constellations were his forte.
Seeing the confident look in his eyes, Da Jin Ya grinned. He knew his opportunity had arrived.
"If I'm not mistaken, you are a Virgo. In ancient times, rats were associated with Virgo because they ate grains and were called 'flower branch rats.'"
"And now, this rat is also the Zi Shu in our twelve zodiac animals. Combining the two, along with your zodiac sign, the fortune and wealth this brings are unstoppable."
After Da Jin Ya finished speaking, Curryss was stunned.
He felt as if it made perfect sense.
Hu Bayi and Fatty were also completely bewildered.
"Good heavens, is this what peak rhetoric looks like? Turning the real into the fake, and the fake into the real."
If they hadn't known the true meaning of this jade pendant, Fatty might have actually believed it.