Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 368 - 254: Arriving at Chang’an_2

Chapter 368: Chapter 254: Arriving at Chang’an_2

"All wrong," Si Ya said, her back to Li Ping’an as she retied her ponytail, "I would have killed you if you hadn’t reacted."

"Why?"

"Demons and ghosts wouldn’t have a physiological reaction."

Li Ping’an suddenly realized, "After all this, you were verifying my identity!"

"Do you know how dangerous the Shadow Demon you encountered today was?"

"I didn’t... Doesn’t Hehuang City have Supernatural Masters to protect us? And I haven’t heard about demons and ghosts invading for a long time!"

Si Ya seriously replied:

"The Supernatural Bureau has constructed a gate outside Hehuang City, specifically to stop Demon invasions, but for some reason today, a Shadow Demon suddenly appeared? And now the methods of these sneaky demons and ghosts invading have become smarter, they enter people’s bodies, then harm them, the Shadow Demon that appeared today must have been deliberately released by someone!"

"How can I believe that you are human?" Li Ping’an retorted.

"Not bad, you learn quickly," Si Ya said expressionlessly, "It’s much more troublesome to confirm whether a woman is possessed by a demon, you have to really do it."

After saying this, Si Ya got up from Li Ping’an, who quickly asked:

"Why are you telling me all this? And how can you enter my house so easily?"

Si Ya revealed a mysterious smile:

"Did you forget that I was sent directly to the Supernatural Academy?"

Li Ping’an exclaimed:

"You’re a Supernatural Master?"

Si Ya was very proud:

"I exhibited supernatural abilities when I was ten years old, and my ability is the Dao of the sword!"

Li Ping’an said enviously:

"Genius is indeed genius, but why tell me all this?"

Si Ya then showed a curious look:

"No, your ability is truly unique, something I’ve never seen before, I told you this in hopes that you could protect yourself, please don’t trust others easily..."

Li Ping’an originally wanted to show off to gain some favor following Si Ya’s words, but recalling Su Jing’s words, he was now only a First-tier, easily manipulated by the Supernatural Bureau, and if he exposed his identity at this moment, he might end up being captured for research, so Li Ping’an had to firmly deny it.

Si Ya immediately accused him:

"You’re feigning ignorance! You were the only one cosplaying as Sun Wukong at the convention today, I didn’t expect that you, who seem so honest and dependable at school, would have such an astonishing ability in private! Quick, show me some of it right now!"

No matter how Si Ya inquired, Li Ping’an steadfastly refused to admit he was the cosplayer who vanquished the Shadow Demon that day.

"So dull."

After a fruitless interrogation, Si Ya was extremely disappointed and prepared to take her leave.

But Li Ping’an, feeling embarrassed, scratched his head and fumbled at his crotch, said timidly:

"Didn’t you just say not to trust others easily? I want to verify if you’re really human..."

Si Ya’s eyes lit up, she cajoled:

"Then show me your ability and I’m yours..."

"Oh, fine!"

Li Ping’an took off his underwear and put it on his head:

"See? I’m Spider-Man!"

"Shameless!"

Before Si Ya flew out of the window, she gave Li Ping’an a slap!

When Li Ping’an looked again, Si Ya was gone, leaving only the swaying curtains and a sliver of moonlight shining into the room.

Seriously, that was too fast! Just as brazen in arrival as in departure, I just shed some clothes, not even a trace of virginity taken.

As the saying goes, the bell ringer must untie the bell, and the fire of Li Ping’an’s lust could only be quenched by turning to Si Ya’s bloodline-pumping photo shoot on his phone.

Half an hour later, a few clumps of paper appeared on the ground.

...

The Sixth Year of the Zhenghe Era of the Great Song.

Dongjing City, seventh floor of the Red Mansion.

Li Ping’an stood in front of the window, looking out over the Bian River, his gaze deep and long.

He was a transmigrator who had been in the Great Song for a year already.

In his previous life, after graduating from college, he had started a company from scratch, successfully went public, and became a billionaire.

Yet due to an accident, he had transmigrated into the body of an eighteen-year-old youth in this era.

This gave Li Ping’an some comfort.

In his spare time in his previous life, he had listened to some transmigration novels and snorted at those scrambling for the throne.

What’s so good about being an Emperor?

One had to concern oneself with every single need of the entire country’s populace.

And a slip could result in being cursed by posterity as a foolish ruler.

But Li Ping’an also had no desire to compete with the court and those people for power and profit!

So, he decided to restart his old business.

In the Song Dynasty, eight hundred and ninety-some years ago, he would engage once again in his old profession.

Once the Zhang family became influential, they pulled Emperor Huizong into buying shares.

Let this once-in-an-epoch foolish emperor help to open up the overseas market, serving as the Zhang family’s Grand General Zhengyuan, while keeping the luxuries for themselves.

How beautiful would that be?

"Is last month’s financial report ready?" Li Ping’an asked.

Standing by his side was a woman dressed in a fiery red cheongsam, with a seductive appearance and a curvaceous figure, who hastily replied:

"Last month, the tavern’s revenue was twenty thousand taels of silver, twenty thousand guan of copper coins."

"The cloth shop brought in thirty thousand in silver, five thousand guan in copper coins."

"The ironworks had a loss of fifteen thousand taels of silver..."

The woman paused here and asked softly:

"Young Master, this ironworks has been losing money for a year, should we keep it going?"

Indeed,

All these were Li Ping’an’s properties.

"We can’t stop!"

Li Ping’an waved his hand decisively and said in a deep voice:

"I can afford the loss of fifteen thousand taels of silver. Tell the ironworks not to be under any psychological pressure."

"Allocate another ten thousand taels this month, tell them not to worry about losing money, just go for it!"

Ten thousand taels of silver was enough for ordinary people to live on for more than a dozen generations!

Anyone would feel the pinch, but Li Ping’an was indifferent.

Upon hearing this,

The woman appeared puzzled and hesitated to speak further.

When it came to business, their young master was an unparalleled genius.

Yet, only in the business of ironworks was he continuously losing money.

Seeing her expression, Li Ping’an said with a smile:

"Hongyu, how long have you been with me?"

"Ever since Young Master rescued me from the brothel, it’s been eight months."

Liang Hongyu spoke with eyes full of gratitude.

She was originally from Shandong, and her family had been destroyed by the war after the Prince of the Southern Court of the Liao attacked Grass Valley.

Liang Hongyu became a refugee and was sold to Dongjing City.

If not for the coincidence of meeting Li Ping’an, who rescued her, she might have...

"Then you should know that I, as a person, never fight a battle I’m not sure of winning." Li Ping’an said casually.

Emperor Huizong was a famously incompetent emperor, indulgent and pleasure-seeking, employing treacherous officials, and initiating the disastrous Flower Stone Brigade—the shame of Jingkang would occur in the next few years.

When the Jin troops march south, he will inevitably become a prisoner, so there must be precautions.

Ambition and confidence filled Li Ping’an’s eyes, and his already handsome face seemed even more intoxicating at the moment.

Liang Hongyu gazed at him with admiration, her cheeks flushed as she said shyly:

"This servant understands."

"There’s another thing. As per Young Master’s instructions, the silk shop has developed silk stockings, and your servant is already wearing them...

"Would you like to take a look, Young Master?"

Hmm?

Li Ping’an raised an eyebrow—this subordinate he had rescued was really capable!

At this moment,

the voice of a maid came from outside the door: "Boss, there’s a new member downstairs who wants to see you."

There were important matters at hand, but Li Ping’an still kept his priorities in check.

Most of those who could join as members were powerful and influential.

Collusion between officials and merchants was the true path to development.

"Let her come up."

Half an hour earlier, the current Empress of the Song Dynasty, Madame Zheng, changed into plain clothes and left the palace with her personal maid, Ling’er.

The current Dongjing City was the trade and commerce capital of the world, especially the bustling prosperity within Dongjing Inner City.

The sounds of hawkers selling their wares—carriage drivers, porridge vendors, weavers, and cobblers—were incessant.

"Ling’er, do you think that Red Mansion really has a marvelous method that renders the Government’s Family so infatuated?"

"This servant isn’t sure, but if famed courtesan Li Shishi can make His Majesty stay night after night, it must be something extraordinary, right?" The maid Ling’er said hesitantly.

"I hope so..."

Madame Zheng’s brows furrowed slightly, her worry unspoken.

Beauty is a woman’s asset,

But ever since she gave birth to Crown Prince Zhao Huan, time had left marks of the years on Madame Zheng’s face.

The current Empress no longer possessed her previous grace and stunning beauty.