Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 1000 540: Blood Ties (Part 2)

Shen Rongqing was momentarily at a loss, so He Jiaqing said to Feng Chongli, "Senior, do you have a way to break this curse?"

Feng Chongli certainly had a way; previously, he had used the technique of "money and goods are settled" to burn his own IOU.

"I can indeed do this, but I need to make it clear first. Is it you who wants me to do it, or is it Miss Shen?"

If it's you asking me to do it, I'm still in debt to you. If I can break this curse, how much debt will it offset?"

He Jiaqing was in a dilemma; Feng Chongli brought up money right away, disregarding face or sentiment.

He Jiaqing gave away some of Zhang Gunli's assets to win hearts, but if Feng Chongli used Shen Rongqing's IOU to exchange for a clean slate with He Jiaqing, He Jiaqing felt he would suffer a huge loss.

It can't fully offset the debt, but how much can it offset?

After hesitating for a while, He Jiaqing realized another serious problem; Shen Rongqing had her head lowered and remained expressionless.

She was waiting for He Jiaqing to calculate the price, to see how much she was worth.

He Jiaqing quickly said, "Senior Feng, Rongqing is as close to me as siblings. Whatever you say is the price."

Feng Chongli glanced at Shen Rongqing, who lowered her head and softly said, "Thank you, Senior."

"Is this you asking me to do it?" Feng Chongli confirmed again.

Shen Rongqing nodded.

Feng Chongli's tone remained steady, "Feng never does anything for free, even if Miss Shen asks personally, I must charge for this. I will charge Miss Shen one Ocean Dollar."

Shen Rongqing looked at Feng Chongli in surprise.

He Jiaqing was also very surprised, but after the surprise, he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior."

Feng Chongli ignored He Jiaqing and continued to say to Shen Rongqing, "One Ocean Dollar, do you have it? If not, we can discuss terms slowly."

The room was full of Ocean Dollars, the ones He Jiaqing used to repay Feng Chongli's debt piled on the floor.

But Feng Chongli didn't spare a glance at those; he only looked at Shen Rongqing.

Shen Rongqing's residence was modified by He Jiaqing, and many personal belongings were no longer there, including her IOU.

She searched herself for a long time and only found some scattered banknotes in her pocket.

She handed over all the banknotes to Feng Chongli, and Feng Chongli counted five hundred Huan Country banknotes and returned the rest to Shen Rongqing.

Shen Rongqing refused to accept them, and Feng Chongli said solemnly, "Miss Shen, if it were not for your risking your life to set things up, targeting Zhang Gunli wouldn't have been so easy. Logically, I shouldn't charge you anything for this Ocean Dollar,

but this is between you and Young Master He, and I shouldn't interfere. I asked for one Ocean Dollar, and you didn't bargain, so I'll take this one Ocean Dollar. That's a merchant's duty."

Putting the banknotes into his chest, Feng Chongli picked up the Contract Book, pinching it between his index and middle fingers, and with force, he swiped it.

The Contract Book caught fire and burned to ashes.

Shen Rongqing hurried to express her thanks, Feng Chongli waved his hand repeatedly, "Profit and loss are settled, neither owes the other, both of you, farewell."

Feng Chongli left.

Shen Rongqing felt a weight lifted, with her heart feeling much more at ease.

He Jiaqing said, "Rongqing, this time the credit is yours. If you want anything, just say it, and I will agree."

What does she want?

Right now, Shen Rongqing wants Ma Wu.

She just wants this man, this man willing to risk his life for her.

But she can't say this aloud.

"Jiaqing, I know there's a grudge between you and Li Qi, and I know this matter will sooner or later involve Ma Junyang. I only have one request,

if one day Junyang falls into your hands, I hope, for the sake of our sibling-like bond, you'll spare his life."

He Jiaqing nodded and said, "Ma Junyang and I also have a connection, he greatly helped with today's matters, I won't forget this bond, no need to worry about him, let's talk about your reward."

Shen Rongqing shook her head, "I only have this one request, I don't want anything else."

...

"You really don't want it?" Ma Junyang touched the River Snail Shell.

River Snail Girl shivered twice and said, "No."

Ma Wu chuckled and said, "It was you who said you didn't want it, so don't regret it later."

River Snail Girl replied indignantly, "We'll talk about later when the time comes."

In Greenwater City, Ma Wu and Shen Rongqing put on quite a show, even news of his death had spread.

Of course, he wasn't really dead; it was just to make the act believable. Now, with the chaos not yet settled, Ma Wu came to the Soda Kiln to avoid trouble, and also to visit his confidant in Inner State.

After battling dozens of rounds, Ma Wu grew more courageous, but River Snail Girl was struggling to defend, and seized a break to ask a few questions.

"What's the name of the big carp guarding the gate before?"

River Snail Girl snorted, "How can you call it a big carp? Your words aren't very nice, its name is Yu Songkai, he's a person of status among his kin."

"A person of status, why would he guard the gate?"

River Snail Girl shook her antennae and said, "There's more to it, but I don't know the whole story."

Ma Wu asked again, "Are you considered someone with status among your kin?"

"Of course with status!" River Snail Girl laughed proudly, "If I didn't have status, would I dare to make such a big deal with you, giving you an entire New Land?"

Ma Wu nodded, "Since you're a person of status, might I inquire about your name, Miss?"

River Snail Girl was stunned, "What do you mean? My name is Luo Lijun! After everything, you don't recognize me?"

Ma Wu smiled, "Miss, you're not Luo Lijun."

River Snail Girl was a bit annoyed, "What exactly do you want to say?"

Ma Wu was quite confident in his judgment, "Your appearance, figure, voice, even your mannerisms, resemble Luo Lijun greatly,