Chad Sullivan suddenly asked, “Charles Grant, was that middle-aged man just now your uncle?”

Charles Grant nodded and said, “Yes, he fled here with my father. They’ve known each other for over ten years. When I was little, he used to carry me.”

Chad Sullivan said, “How much does he owe?”

“Three gold coins. Because we’re acquainted, the interest was a bit lower, but after compounding, it became twenty-five gold coins.” Charles Grant said, “He can’t pay it back. Yesterday, he and his son went to the gambling den and racked up a few more gold coins in gambling debt.”

For just twenty-five gold coins, Charles Grant killed this father and son pair without hesitation, even though they’d known each other for over a decade.

And Chad Sullivan owed as much as a thousand gold coins.

Charles Grant said, “Chad Sullivan, I know you’re just stalling for time. Thinking you can earn a thousand gold coins in the next two days is pure fantasy, so just tell me now that you can’t do it. I’ll make it quick for you and not waste my two days, how about it?”

Then, he took out a sharp dagger and wiped it over and over. As soon as Chad Sullivan nodded, he would kill him instantly.

A thousand gold coins could be the savings of hundreds of families over decades—a huge sum. For a poor kid like Chad Sullivan, earning a thousand gold coins in two days was truly an impossible task.

Chad Sullivan looked at Charles Grant and said seriously, “I don’t need two days. I can do it today!”

Charles Grant exclaimed in surprise, “Really?”

Chad Sullivan said, “Within three hours, I’ll earn those thousand gold coins.”

Charles Grant’s eyes widened in shock. “Three hours?”

It was simply unbelievable.

Chad Sullivan said, “Yes, within three hours.”

……

Chad Sullivan and Charles Grant entered Xuanwu City.

Xuanwu City was one of the eight cities of Nujiang County, governing twenty-five towns, with a total population of over 250,000. The city itself had more than 30,000 residents.

Chad Sullivan noticed that the city walls of Xuanwu were actually over twelve meters high, with a circumference of nearly ten li.

In ancient China, even many provincial capitals didn’t have walls twelve meters high. This could only mean one thing: the martial prowess of this world far surpassed that of ancient China, so higher walls were needed for defense.

Most of the soldiers on the walls wore leather armor, while the officers wore metal armor—there were actually several hundred of them.

After entering the city, the streets were bustling, shops lined up everywhere, even more prosperous than he had imagined.

Chad Sullivan stopped in front of a three-story pavilion, with a sign above reading “Jinxiu Pavilion.”

Not only did he plan to make a fortune here, but he also wanted to take fierce revenge on the Xu family.

Taking a deep breath, Chad Sullivan walked into the luxurious Jinxiu Pavilion.

Let the show begin!

……

Chapter 10: Striking It Rich!

Jinxiu Pavilion sold silk and cloth, the same business as the Xu family that Chad Sullivan had previously married into, though on a slightly smaller scale.

Its owner, the The Clark Family, wasn’t as wealthy as the Xu family, but was still a famous rich household in Xuanwu City, with branches in more than a dozen nearby cities.

Most importantly, this The Clark Family was a competitor of the Xu family.

As soon as Chad Sullivan and Charles Grant entered, a shop assistant came up to greet them.

“Hello, sirs. Are you here to look at fabrics? We’ve just launched a new cotton cloth—feel how fine and soft it is.” The shop assistant had sharp eyes and immediately saw that Chad Sullivan had no money, so he promoted cotton instead of silk.

Chad Sullivan said bluntly, “Tell your boss I want to do a big business with the The Clark Family, one that will earn him at least five thousand gold coins a year.”

Hearing this, the assistant froze. Though he kept a smile on his face, he was inwardly full of contempt—looking as poor as you do, if you could make five thousand gold coins a year, would you be so down and out?

“Sir, please don’t joke with a humble clerk like me,” the shop assistant said with a smile.

Charles Grant spoke up from the side, “I am Charles Grant of the Black Robe Gang. Please ask the owner of the The Clark Family to come discuss a business deal.”

At these words, the assistant didn’t dare take it lightly.

Tian Heng’s Black Robe Gang was famous throughout Xuanwu City, running gambling dens, brothels, and moneylending businesses. Although they usually didn’t interfere with the The Clark Family, it was best not to offend such a gang if possible.

The assistant even thought Charles Grant was here on behalf of the Black Robe Gang to extort them.

“Master Thirteen, forgive us for not welcoming you sooner.” A chubby shopkeeper hurried out and called loudly, “Serve tea, the best tea!”

The assistant quickly brewed a pot of fragrant tea and poured a cup each for Charles Grant and Chad Sullivan.

The shopkeeper said, “Master Thirteen, you can tell me anything you need. Our master has long wanted to befriend Boss Tian Heng. This is just a small token of respect.”

He then pushed over a box containing twenty gold coins—a generous gesture.

Charles Grant laughed, “Manager Clark, do you really take me for a racketeer? I’m here for real business with your master, not to extort you.”

The shopkeeper was stunned. “Real business?”

Charles Grant said, “Real business.”

The shopkeeper said, “I can’t make the decision.”

Charles Grant said, “You can’t make the decision.”

The shopkeeper said, “Then please wait a moment, I’ll go invite the master. Assistant, bring some refreshments for our guests.”

……

Chad Sullivan and Charles Grant sipped tea and ate snacks as they waited for the owner of Jinxiu Pavilion, Ethan Clark, to arrive.