Reaching this point, finally... the story of the protagonist that I wanted to write from the very beginning has truly begun. To be honest, I really didn't intend to write such a long prequel-like narrative (which ended up being nearly 100,000 words). However, I felt that to properly introduce Chen Wenbin, I had to write the story of his parents. As I wrote, there were many times I felt unsatisfied, revising it again and again until it became what it is now. I hope that moving forward, I will have more inspiring plotlines and ideas to fully develop the main storyline.
When considering how to depict the growth of the two young protagonists, I thought about how the Wealth Sect (Sect of Money Communes with the Gods) would train them. Recalling the sect's three distinct divisions and their respective functions, I realized I could incorporate specialized training simulations. While the Silver Pavilion represents standard banking operations, my setting for the Golden Pavilion operates like a board game—essentially a tabletop commercial warfare simulation evolved from concepts like D&D. Furthermore, intelligence analysis and decisive judgment are essential subjects for leaders, which ultimately gave rise to three distinct learning objectives. In fact, this commercial warfare simulation is not entirely my invention; I drew inspiration from graduate school simulation games I heard about while working at Columbia University. They played a scenario-based business management game where players encountered specific market crises and had to determine the appropriate response. For instance, if customers at a restaurant chain suffered food poisoning, players acting as the company PR or CEO had to make critical decisions. The scenario would continuously introduce unfolding events that players had to resolve. It is a highly fascinating game.
This segment of the story primarily details the growth of the two protagonists, preparing them for their eventual entry into the jianghu. Through these events, I wanted to place greater emphasis on their distinct martial arts paths and personalities, ensuring the narrative flows naturally without feeling rigid.
I spent a long time conceptualizing the Parley storyline. This is a fascinating historical allusion featured in Pirates of the Caribbean. Here is a brief piece of trivia: The concept originates from maritime and pirate lore. Derived from the French word parler (to speak), it refers to a formal conference or discussion between opposing forces during war or conflict, temporarily suspending hostilities to negotiate terms. It holds significant importance in naval warfare and pirate culture, protected by the customary laws of war.
Specific examples include:
Historical instance: During the Battles of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War, British General John Burgoyne requested a parley with American General Horatio Gates, which ultimately led to the British surrender.
Fictional instance: In the film Pirates of the Caribbean, Elizabeth Swann invokes parley to negotiate with Captain Barbossa, reaching an agreement for a prisoner exchange.
In this chapter, the two protagonists finally begin to engage in deep calculation and strategic maneuvering. The primary challenge lay in seamlessly integrating this setting—demonstrating their formidable intellect and cunning while simultaneously contrasting the jianghu's flattery with its underlying disdain. This was certain to be the primary focus I maintained when conceptualizing and writing this chapter.
Chapter 19 was actually written after a considerable hiatus. I was incredibly busy for a while, and writing a novel is truly a labor of mind and body. It requires extensive thought, and even after finishing a draft, dissatisfaction often leads to endless revisions. Furthermore, I frequently worried about whether the plotlines maintained seamless continuity with earlier chapters. Thus, this chapter represents a breakthrough after a significant period of writer's block.
Commercial Republic, Golden Tripod Pavilion. The morning light filtered through numerous ornate glazed windows, illuminating every corner of the grand building, yet it failed to dispel the gloom lingering in the heart of Chen Wenbin as he sat in the study.
For the past few days, he had felt entirely restless. An indescribable anxiety hovered in his mind, making it impossible for him to focus on his academic studies and mechanism deductions.
"Young Lady, Wenbin has been exceedingly restless lately, often waking up startled in the middle of the night..."
The maid serving Kong Ning reported softly. Hearing this, Kong Ning raised an eyebrow, holding her small money pouch and patting it gently: "My junior brother has always been calm. To think he would suffer from insomnia this time?"
She turned to look out the distant window, her gaze darkening slightly: "He is not someone who gets anxious without cause. Something must have happened."
Indeed, over the past few days, Chen Wenbin had repeatedly pleaded with the Wealth Sect to help him inquire about news of his parents. Kong Fang had already assigned personnel to investigate, but there had been no definitive report.
It was not until this afternoon that Kong Fang finally received news from the Shuntian Dynasty.
Kong Fang sat inside the council hall of the Golden Tripod Pavilion, pinching a newly delivered secret report in his hands. He read it quietly, his gaze deep, without uttering a single word.
The air in the room seemed to freeze. Zhao Yijin, Fu Yunxing, Shen Cuodao, and Su Jinling all sat upright to one side, awaiting the Sect Leader's decision.
"My Lord, Chen Hui... is truly dead?" Zhao Yijin broke the silence, his tone carrying a note of caution.
"The news is definitive. Chen Hui was assassinated within the Qingzhou Prefectural Estate, while Lin Wanying was ambushed during the assault on the Blood God Sect, knocked into a canyon abyss, and is likely doomed. Current intelligence indicates this was orchestrated by Chang Yanjiao, as the Ministry of War immediately seized control of Qingzhou, and our trade has already been impacted."
Kong Fang read the sentence in a low voice. A gold coin spun gently between his fingers, his gaze devoid of the slightest emotion, as if he were merely stating the outcome of a commercial transaction.
The room fell into a heavy silence, everyone pondering the impact of this event on the Wealth Sect.
Fu Yunxing spoke first, his tone calm: "No matter what, the sect's interests come first. I believe we should immediately send someone to contact Chang Yanjiao to ensure our financial and trade relations suffer the minimal possible impact."
Shen Cuodao let out a cold snort, his fingers involuntarily touching a pair of silver judge's brushes: "Back then, Chen Hui guided me in the judge's brush techniques; he showed me the grace of half a master. Now that he is dead, are we to sit by and do nothing? This is entirely inconsistent with the 'affection and righteousness' emphasized by the commercial credit of the Wealth Sect!"
"Affection and righteousness?" Fu Yunxing pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, his tone unhurried: "This is the Commercial Republic, this is the Wealth Sect. Sentiments cannot put food on the table. What we speak of is interest, is wealth!"
"Hmph, you merchant who only knows how to make money, do you have the slightest bit of jianghu bearing left?" Shen Cuodao said angrily.
"Cease your arguing, you two." Su Jinling gently waved the folding fan in her hand, her tone alluring yet carrying a trace of deep thought. "Chen Hui's death signifies that Qingzhou is in chaos, and the coming months will remain turbulent. Whether we intervene or not, the entire situation will change. I suggest we observe the situation first, utilizing public opinion to suppress the Ministry of War, making the whole world question the truth behind this assassination, thus turning our trade routes to greater advantage. I will first dispatch my girls to uncover the intelligence surrounding the layout of this assassination, so that we may plan and act accordingly."
"But there is still one problem." Zhao Yijin's tone was deep: "Chen Wenbin, and the Eldest Young Lady, Kong Ning."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Their discussions could encompass commerce, politics, the jianghu, and war, but the thorniest issue remained emotional attachments and future implications.
The adolescent Chen Wenbin, though young, was the son of Chen Hui. If he learned that both his parents were dead, how would he react? How should the sect handle this, and what were the future variables?
And Kong Ning... as Kong Fang's daughter, she was not only a disciple of Chen Hui and Lin Wanying, but also shared a profound relationship with Chen Wenbin. How would she face this matter?
Kong Fang listened quietly to everyone's opinions while pondering, the gold coin spinning nimbly between his fingers. Finally, he spoke slowly: "This matter cannot be decided rashly."
"Su Jinling, your suggestion is excellent. Utilize public opinion to suppress the Ministry of War, throwing the situation in the Shuntian Dynasty and Qingzhou into further chaos; this will give us greater bargaining chips. Intelligence is even more vital. Go investigate and confirm whether Chen Hui and Lin Wanying's deaths were truly Chang Yanjiao's doing. I must also calculate this thoroughly."
"Shen Cuodao, I understand your feelings, but now is not the time for revenge. Behind the Ministry of War's actions lies a much deeper conspiracy. If we act rashly now, it will only plunge the sect into unnecessary risks."
"Zhao Yijin, immediately order a lockdown on news. Before I meet with Liu Wenzhou, ensure Chen Wenbin does not learn of this for the time being."
"As for Fu Yunxing, arrange contact with the Ministry of War, but make no commitments for now. First observe the reactions of others within the Shuntian Dynasty."
"Lastly, I have just received news that Liu Wenzhou is currently rushing back to the Commercial Republic."
"We will meet with him first before making our final decision. You may all step down."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
After everyone departed, Kong Fang's expression paused slightly, his eyes slowly closing, the spinning gold coin between his fingers vanishing instantly. Suddenly, he raised his hand—
"Whoosh—Bang!"
A streak of golden light shot through the air like lightning, directly striking the marble wall on the other side of the room. On the stone wall appeared a tiny hole, its edges slightly charred, seemingly retaining the residual marks of a metallic impact.
Kong Fang slowly opened his eyes, the smile he had maintained at the corners of his mouth for years vanishing without a trace. Looking at that mark, he said in a low voice: "This transaction... might result in a loss."
The ever-genial Kong Fang, who always sought harmony to generate wealth, revealed a rare expression of displeasure.
Several days later...
Night fell. The sea breeze of the Commercial Republic was cool, the tide lapping against the docks, echoing with a low, deep sound.
A merchant ship slowly docked, the figures on the deck appearing somewhat blurred beneath the dim, yellow lanterns. Dressed in travel-worn clothes, Liu Wenzhou stepped onto the dock of the Golden Tripod Pavilion. The sea breeze blew his robes, revealing slight bloodstains on his shoulders, his eyes filled with heaviness and exhaustion.
Atop the high pavilion, Kong Fang stood with his hands behind his back, looking from afar at Liu Wenzhou who had just disembarked.
"This is one of the very few transactions where I want to proceed despite taking a loss, but I must have a discussion with this Mr. Liu..."
Late at night, the lanterns in the backyard of the library pavilion burned steadily. The wind was incredibly still, as if afraid of disturbing something.
Liu Wenzhou remained silent for a long time, looking at Chen Wenbin's pale yet tense face, before finally speaking.
"The one behind the conspiracy and murder of your father, according to your father's and my deductions, is Chang Yanjiao."
These words were like a blunt axe, cleaving into the young man's heart.
"The first wave was assassins on the official road of Qingzhou, disguised as rebels, striking while he was inspecting defenses..." Liu Wenzhou's tone was heavy and cold, as if carving into stone. "Those men moved extremely fast, every move a killing blow, but your father calculated their flaws, killing three, while the rest escaped."
"The second wave was men from the Fist Gang, launching a surprise attack during a street brawl. Your father took a punch then, suffering severe internal injuries... That man named Yue Hai was likely a Fist Gang master hired by Chang Yanjiao."
Chen Wenbin's hands clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening, his teeth gritted almost to the point of shattering.
"Lastly, it was the Pirate Alliance's Undead Hunter, Viego. Undoubtedly, Chang Yanjiao spent a massive fortune hiring him to assassinate your father."
Reaching this point, Liu Wenzhou's voice no longer sounded like he was telling a story, but rather recalling every single scar.
"When I arrived, Chen Hui had already suffered multiple gunshot wounds, lying in blood... but he held on, giving these notebooks to me."
Liu Wenzhou retrieved a waterproof cloth bundle from his robes, offering it with both hands.
"These are his notebooks on mathematics and mechanism design from over the years, along with his and your mother's exploration records in the deserted island underground palace. He said: 'These items are for Wenbin. Whatever path he takes in the future, let him choose it himself.'"
Chen Wenbin took the notebooks, his fingertips ice-cold, the pages trembling slightly.
Liu Wenzhou continued: "After explaining your father's affairs to the Qingzhou officials, I rushed directly to Mount Wu to notify your mother... but I was still a step too late."
His tone sank.
"The Blood God Sect ambushed the Shushan crusade team, assisted by the Kaga Clan. That night, your mother and Elder Zhou Tianhuan joined forces to break through the encirclement. But she..."
He lowered his head, his voice pressed extremely low: "She was ultimately ambushed, struck by blazing explosion talismans, and fell into the abyss... Your mother's master, Zhou Tianhuan, handed these to me."
He retrieved a second stack of booklets: "The Lin family's calculation talismans and the exquisite calculation box crafting diagrams, her notes on self-created algorithmic martial arts over the years... and a volume titled Essentials of Lin Family Algorithms."
"...Undoubtedly, she already had a premonition that she might not be able to return."
Chen Wenbin stared at the notebooks, his gaze seemingly unfocused, speechless for a long time.
"I don't want you to speak of revenge today," Liu Wenzhou said slowly. "You are still too young, and your heart is kind. You haven't even learned how to truly kill, let alone understand the price and significance of killing. I hope you can think calmly, considering how you must first strengthen yourself."
"But you must remember, this is a long road. If you want revenge, you must have strength, and you must be able to live until that day."
He paused, his gaze sharpening slightly.
"For now, you must master your martial arts, do not abandon mechanism design, and mathematics cannot be left behind. Furthermore—"
"You must firmly maintain your relationship with Kong Fang."
Chen Wenbin looked up, a trace of bewilderment in his eyes: "Uncle Kong?"
Liu Wenzhou nodded.
"He is a merchant, his mind fast and ruthless. But he has righteousness. That you were able to grow up safely these past years is largely due to his efforts."
"...He is not the type to openly seek revenge for you, but he will likely assist you in secret, and perhaps give you the most critical helping hand when you need it most."
Chen Wenbin lowered his head, slowly placing the two bundles of notebooks into his robes, as if pressing two mountains into his own body.
"...I will remember."
Right at this moment, an extremely light sobbing sound came from the backyard.
The two turned around simultaneously, only to see a small shadow shrink behind the bookshelf. Then, the familiar figure of the little girl walked out nimbly, trembling.
"Senior Sister...?" Chen Wenbin's throat tightened.
Kong Ning's eyes were red, the tip of her nose red as well. Her small hands gripped her hem tightly as she stood in the moonlight like a child who had just heard the world collapse.
"I... I didn't mean to eavesdrop... I was just... worried because you hadn't returned to your room..."
Reaching this point, her tears fell, yet she stubbornly refused to wipe them, merely rubbing her face haphazardly with her sleeve.
"Your father and mother were my master and mistress... I want to help seek revenge too..."
Looking at her, Chen Wenbin didn't know what to say for a moment, only feeling something tumbling in his chest, blocking his words.
Full of exhaustion, Liu Wenzhou stood up, slowly taking a step back, and said softly: "Wenbin, Kong Ning, rest early. I am tired as well; I will take my leave."
The night wind swept past the lanterns, flickering unsteadily. The shadows of the two children reflected on the ground, standing side by side. There was no crying, only a deep, heavy silence.
In the backyard of the library pavilion, the night had not yet dispersed. Two figures stood quietly in the residual glow of the lanterns.
Kong Ning's eyes were still red, but she forcibly resisted letting any more tears fall. A patch on her sleeve was wet, but she kept her back straight, as if striving to play the role of a true "Senior Sister."
"I want revenge."
Chen Wenbin's voice was very light, yet carried an unprecedented firmness. "But I know relying on myself alone is not enough. I need help, I need power..."
He turned to look at Kong Ning, saying earnestly: "You are my Senior Sister, and the most trustworthy and only family I have left. Will you help me?"
Kong Ning pursed her lips and nodded, speaking before he could even finish: "You are my only junior brother. Not to mention they were my master and mistress, so of course I will help you."
She spoke crisply, without a trace of hesitation.
Chen Wenbin retrieved a notebook from his robes, handing it to her carefully: "This is the Essentials of Lin Family Algorithms, which my mother handed to Uncle Liu at the very end. Inside is not just mathematics, but also her understanding of mechanism design. I believe she would definitely want you to read and study it."
Kong Ning took it, gently flipping a page. Seeing the densely packed notes and symbols, her expression instantly turned solemn.
"I will study all of these, and I must master them. I will not let Mistress down," she closed the book, her tone resolute.
"When I was young... Mother once told me about the extermination of the Lin family back then," Chen Wenbin said in a low voice. "She didn't give many details, but I remember her eyes were red the entire night. She said someone in the Lin family was treated as a demon and framed, and she said those who truly wanted to exterminate the family were hiding behind mathematics."
"This debt, sooner or later, must be settled," he added, his tone turning several degrees colder.
Kong Ning remained silent for a while, as if thinking carefully, before suddenly saying: "Our revenge cannot just be fighting and killing. We must calculate better than those people, knowing what they are going to do a step ahead."
"Your mother's algorithms are incredible and a treasure trove. I will help you study, organize, and deduce them together. These items can assist us, and perhaps conceal certain clues."
Her tone was composed, her cadence unhurried, every word steady.
"Furthermore," she continued, "you cannot be impatient now. You are only twelve years old; your body, internal strength, and cultivation methods... are still progressing. We must prepare thoroughly and become much more formidable before we can seek revenge in the future."
Chen Wenbin lowered his eyes, offering no rebuttal, merely nodding firmly.
Kong Ning reached out and patted his shoulder gently. The action was incredibly natural, without a trace of affectation, like the tacit understanding between siblings.
"Tomorrow morning, I will accompany you to find my father."
"Your father?" Chen Wenbin froze slightly.
"En," Kong Ning nodded. "The one in this world who best knows how to calculate, how to wait, and how to read human hearts is him. Although I sometimes feel he is a bit too crafty, I know he has always been best to me, and he never tells me lies."
"Furthermore—" she paused, her tone carrying a bit of admiration, though not blind worship, "he will definitely have a way to help you. He will definitely have a way... to let us, slowly, settle this debt, item by item."
After saying this, as if suddenly recalling something, she looked up at the sky: "Return to your room and sleep for a while. When dawn breaks, we will go together."
Looking at her side profile, Chen Wenbin suddenly recalled that over the years, whenever he was bullied, Kong Ning was always the first to stand in front of him, often making the other party regret it without showing her hand.
She didn't have great physical strength, nor hard fists; she knew how to persuade people, how to set traps, and how to use her brilliant mind to calculate human hearts, leaving people trembling in fear.
—But such a Senior Sister was always standing by his side calculating others, always protecting him, her junior brother.
Thinking of this, he suddenly felt less afraid.
"Alright, tomorrow we will go find your father together."
The two exchanged a glance and spoke no more.
The wind rose, the lanterns flickered slightly, the night was ending.
Dawn broke, the eastern sky turning white. Inside the Golden Tripod Pavilion, the sea breeze stirred gently; outside, the curtains had not yet been drawn.
Kong Ning brought Chen Wenbin to the main hall of the Golden Tripod Pavilion early in the morning. Just as they stepped over the threshold, before they could even speak, Kong Fang was already sitting behind the gold desk, spinning that familiar gold coin dart between his two fingers, as if waiting for them.
"Sit," Kong Fang spoke, his voice genial yet devoid of a smile.
"You two have 'matters to discuss' written all over your faces. How could this old face of mine fail to see it."
The two exchanged a glance and sat down obediently.
Just as Kong Ning was about to speak, Kong Fang waved his hand: "I already know about Wenbin's affairs. Liu Wenzhou came to find me last night, and said what needed to be said."
He set down the gold coin in his hand, his eyes revealing a measure of seriousness for the first time.
"You want revenge, and rightly so."
"I will not urge you against it. But—I will first ask: How do you intend to take your revenge?"
Chen Wenbin said deeply: "I want those who murdered my parents to pay the price."
Kong Fang stared at him for a while, then suddenly let out a laugh: "Not bad, at least that sentence wasn't wrong. But what do you want me to help with now?"
"Intelligence, plans... and opportunities," Kong Ning chimed in. "Father, you are best at calculating, best at reading the situation. You definitely know the right thing to do."
"En, I am good at calculating, that much is true. But not because I know 'how to seek revenge,' but because I know 'when not to seek revenge.'"
Kong Fang stood up, walking to the window, one hand behind his back, the other still holding the gold coin dart, spinning it nimbly and steadily between his fingers.
"You two must remember, revenge is never a momentary impulse, but can also be considered a business transaction."
"What kind of business transaction?" Chen Wenbin looked up.
Kong Fang turned around, his gaze sharp like a blade: "A business transaction that requires calculating capital, counting profit, observing timing, and planning overall momentum."
"Who is the opponent? It is Chang Yanjiao, Minister of War. Whose cousin is he? Is he the confidant of State Preceptor Chang Jin? Does he possess other connections and capabilities? Is the Ministry of War his entire strength and capital? How much do you know about him? Do you think this is a dispute between small merchant shops? This is the power vortex of the entire Central Plains."
He returned to the desk, looking at the two of them: "Thus, I have sent people to investigate. I will investigate whose interests they touched behind the scenes, whom they utilized, and who might become their enemies. Once my investigation is complete, I will naturally inform you."
"But what you two should do now is not rush to act, but first strive to become future 'chess players.'"
He leaned forward, looking at Kong Ning, his tone lowering slightly.
"Being the master of a sect does not rely merely on fists and swords, but on whether you can support a grand layout, on whether you can make the people of the world willing to stand on your side."
"And for this chess game, how should we play it?"
He reached out and grabbed a handful of gold coin darts, scattering them across the table, the coins landing with a crisp, ringing sound: "Do you know why I was able to defeat the three great families of the commercial port back then?"
The two shook their heads.
"Because I didn't fight them; I made them fight each other."
His tone was flat, yet sounded like he was lecturing on commercial warfare classics.
"The enemy is too strong? It doesn't matter; find the enemy's enemies. The opponent has too much money? Then find those who want a share of the spoils and make them put up the money."
"As long as you can 'set the layout,' then even people you don't know will help you seek revenge, because they believe it is for their own benefit."
"This, is the merchant's method of revenge."
Chen Wenbin listened intently, as if striving to imprint all of this into his mind.
Kong Fang sat back behind the desk, his tone returning to calm, saying plainly: "What I can teach you is to understand that in the future, if you truly possess your own faction and power, you must weigh the price of every step you take yourself."
"Wenbin, the notebooks left by your father and mother contain not just mathematics and martial arts, but the logic and changes of an entire world. If you do not absorb them thoroughly, you will forever remain chess pieces, never chess players."
Kong Ning nodded and said: "We will read and study them completely."
"You must not only study them, but calculate better than they do." Kong Fang paused, his gaze sweeping across the two.
"Revenge must be taken, but this battle cannot be fought chaotically. We must use the coldest heart and the most calculated steps to win back the most scalding blood debt."
After saying this, he flicked a gold coin dart in front of Chen Wenbin.
"This account is not urgent. Let it accumulate interest first."
Chen Wenbin picked up that gold coin dart and nodded, his heart burning like fire.