Chapter 220: Chapter 133: Contacting Golden Bell Tower (3)

You could even see the blood-red tint in his eyes rapidly spreading, consuming them.

A powerful killing intent emanated uncontrollably from him. Fang Lingxin felt a chill run down her spine, as if needles were pricking her back.

Shui Qianrou instinctively hid behind Fang Shuwen, finding a momentary sense of security.

Xiao Yanyu’s face grew pale. She knew Tang Xishan was in trouble but had no idea how to help.

Chen Yan, however, was fine. He held his teacup, a look of profound misery on his face as he stewed in his own thoughts, not even sparing them a glance.

Fang Shuwen clicked his tongue in amazement. With a sudden movement, he plucked the sword from Tang Xishan’s hand. He examined it for a moment, then looked back at Tang Xishan.

Seeing his pale face, and how he looked as if he’d just been dragged out of an ice cellar, it was clear he wasn’t faking it.

He couldn’t help but ask,

"Is it really that powerful?"

Hearing Fang Shuwen’s words and seeing the nightmarish Blood-Sinking Sword being held so casually in his hand, Tang Xishan’s heart shuddered.

’A sword this terrifying has no effect on Fang Shuwen whatsoever?’

’Just how profound must this young man’s Martial Arts be to make even the Blood-Sinking Sword submit, not daring to make the slightest move in his presence?’

He let out a long breath. He felt that in those few short moments, his vitality had been severely drained.

He couldn’t help but sigh.

"Young Hero Fang, can you truly not feel this sword’s terrifying nature at all?"

"I can’t."

Fang Shuwen said honestly,

"To be honest, I’ve been hearing you all talk up this sword, but I was never convinced. I just thought it was a little on the sharp side... but seeing your reaction today, Tower Master Tang, has made me look at this sword in a new light.

"I assume this proves to you that the sword is no forgery, Tower Master Tang?

"So, what course of action does the Golden Bell Tower propose?"

"There are two options."

Tang Xishan said immediately,

"First, you can name a price, Young Hero Fang, and the Golden Bell Tower will purchase it from you directly.

"Second, the Golden Bell Tower can put out the word. If a potential buyer comes forward, I will contact you, Young Hero Fang, and we can negotiate the price at that time.

"Normally, the Golden Bell Tower would take a ten percent commission, but since it’s you, Young Hero Fang, we can waive our fee. Consider it a gesture of friendship.

"What do you think, Young Hero?"

This was, of course, just smooth-talking. They might not take a ten percent commission from Fang Shuwen, but they could take twenty percent from the buyer. The Golden Bell Tower would never do business at a loss.

Fang Shuwen glanced at Tang Xishan.

"What does the Golden Bell Tower think this sword is worth?"

"Well..."

Tang Xishan was put on the spot for a moment, then sighed.

"In theory, this sword is a priceless treasure.

"But as you just saw, Young Hero Fang... as fine as this sword is, not just anyone can wield it.

"The slightest carelessness could cost you your life.

"Therefore, the Golden Bell Tower’s offer is... twenty thousand taels of Gold!"

Fang Shuwen shook his head. Although he had previously told Chen Yan he would ask for ten thousand, the Golden Bell Tower’s offer of twenty thousand taels already exceeded his expectations.

But that just proved the sword’s value was far greater than what twenty thousand taels of Gold could measure.

He had an idea, but he felt it would be speaking out of turn to share it with the Golden Bell Tower at this point.

After all, he didn’t know enough about the Golden Bell Tower yet.

So, he decided to drop it for now and said, 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"In that case, let’s go with the second option for now.

"However, if a potential buyer offers less than twenty thousand taels of Gold, don’t bother contacting me."

"Very well, we’ll do as you wish, Young Hero Fang."

Tang Xishan nodded, then said,

"Yanyu mentioned that you have some other business with the Golden Bell Tower, Young Hero Fang. May I ask what it is?"

Fang Shuwen picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

"To be perfectly honest, I noticed on the Golden Bell Tower’s list of services that you also broker deals for guards.

"So I’d like to ask the Golden Bell Tower to keep an eye out for me as well. If anyone in the Jianghu needs a guard, you can send them my way."

For a moment, Tang Xishan thought he must have misheard.

"Young Hero Fang, you mean to say... you want to hire yourself out as a guard?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"...Of course not."

Tang Xishan simply found it unbelievable. It was hard to say just how high Fang Shuwen’s level of Martial Arts was, but judging by the fact that he had killed the Hundred Ghosts Hall Master, his skill was certainly no less than that of the Seven Great Sect Leaders.

’Imagine if Xiao Ruofeng of the Cangwu Sword Sect or Lou Yuxiao of the Zhuji Pavilion came to me saying they wanted to work as a guard...’

’That would be the most absurd thing in the world!’

But from the look on Fang Shuwen’s face, he clearly wasn’t joking.

’With his level of skill, how much silver could he possibly charge a client?’

But that was a thought for later. Tang Xishan looked up at Fang Shuwen.

"I’m just not sure where you typically reside, Young Hero Fang. If a suitable client appears, how would I contact you?"

That was indeed a problem.

Fang Shuwen thought for a moment before replying,

"After things in Pojun City are concluded, I should be heading to Guangning City to stay for a while.

"If the Golden Bell Tower has a client for me then, you can look for me directly in Guangning City.

"If I’m not in Guangning City... it means I’m either not looking for work at the moment, or I’m already on a job."

"Understood."

Tang Xishan nodded and said,

"In that case, do you have a price in mind, Young Hero Fang?"

Fang Shuwen chuckled.

"I’m more curious, Tower Master Tang. What do you think I’m worth?"

"...To have the protection of the Demon Evil God, any amount of silver would be worth it."

At this thought, Tang Xishan suddenly became a little excited.

’Fang Shuwen’s name is at the height of its fame right now. If the Golden Bell Tower could use the Demon Evil God’s name to attract business... the possibilities are unimaginable.’

’If this could be developed into a long-term business arrangement, it would be far more valuable than the Blood-Sinking Sword!’

"The price doesn’t have to be set in stone... and I have conditions for taking a job as a guard.

"The client must be in some kind of trouble, preferably a life-or-death situation.

"That is the most basic requirement."

Fang Shuwen continued,

"Assuming that condition is met, they must explain their situation in full, with no omissions.

"Finally, regardless of whether the payment is in silver or some other form, they can present it for my consideration.

"And whether or not I take the job is ultimately my decision."