Chapter 140: Closing In at Every Step

Tonight, there was no snow; the dry, cold air stung his nostrils. As they stepped out of the main building at No. 1 Shenghui Street, both Thiessen and Lin Qi glanced back. Elham didn’t even see them off downstairs—only two footmen followed behind, adopting an air of courtesy as if escorting them.

Whether it was a mere illusion or not, Lin Qi felt the atmosphere emanating from the three buildings at No. 1 Shenghui Street had grown increasingly menacing. That sharp, blade-like aura cut through him, making his entire body uncomfortable. The oppressive tension within the two annex buildings on either side had thickened significantly. Were it not for Thiessen’s presence, and knowing that no one in Berly would dare openly ambush him with Thiessen nearby, Lin Qi seriously wondered if he had been set up.

Without a word, they climbed into the carriage. The wheels rolled smoothly away from the lavish, extravagant mansion. Just as the carriage passed through the grand gate of No. 1 Shenghui Street, the lights in the three buildings suddenly extinguished, plunging the entire estate into darkness.

Lin Qi took a deep breath and removed the mask covering his face, revealing a visage that, under disguise, looked no different from a Westerner’s. Suddenly, he tapped on the carriage wall. The driver gave a sharp command, and the carriage came to an immediate halt.

Simultaneously, more than a dozen carriages lingering before the gate of No. 1 Shenghui Street rolled down their windows. Several indistinct faces appeared from within. A low voice suddenly rang out: “Thiessen, you are shameless! You actually used Lord Huali’s name to force your way in for a visit.”

Lin Qi let out a mocking chuckle, whispering, “That just proves our young master is far more clever than you. Let me tell you, the two esteemed young ladies have already accepted our young master’s invitation—they will appear at his banquet.”

Clearing his throat lightly, Lin Qi said calmly, “From today onward, No. 1 Shenghui Street is under our young master’s protection. I kindly ask you all not to disturb the peace here anymore. Should you remain, it will be considered a provocation against our young master.”

The low voice growled with anger, “Who the hell are you? Thiessen, since when did you bring such an arrogant fool with you?”

Thiessen only laughed a few times, a triumphant smile on his lips. He tapped lightly on the carriage wall, and the carriage quickly resumed its forward motion. With the demeanor of a victor, he mercilessly mocked those idle sons of noble families who stood in futile opposition to him.

Though Thiessen himself hadn’t made any substantial progress, he had nonetheless set foot inside No. 1 Shenghui Street, met Elham and the two beauties. To outsiders, this was Thiessen’s victory. Especially after Lin Qi, on behalf of Thiessen, declared the young master’s protection over this residence and its inhabitants, by the unspoken rules of certain circles, no noble sons would dare approach No. 1 Shenghui Street again unless they wished to sever ties with Thiessen.

Surrounded by guards, the carriage slowly disappeared into the distance.

Thiessen excitedly patted Lin Qi’s knee and smiled, “Well done, Lin Qi.”

After praising Lin Qi a few times, Thiessen frowned. “It’s strange. They’re incredibly wealthy—extremely so. Antique pieces from the Dark Era, luminous ebony wood, and so many rare furnishings, each worth a fortune if sold on the market. Then why do they serve guests with inferior tea leaves? No, not inferior—just not top-tier! Why is that?”

Thiessen shared his observations from the tea served in the mansion and looked at Lin Qi with a smile, “What could this mean?”

Lin Qi naturally knew the answer. The gold tickets on Ya and Ling had been scraped away! Moreover, among Elham’s group, Ya and Ling were the ones in control of the finances. Elham and the others carried little money on them.

Perhaps in Dun’erke they could scrape together some expenses, but this was the imperial capital—a place where even firewood could sell at spice prices. The small sum Elham and his companions had would be gone after just a few meals here.

No. 1 Shenghui Street was likely the imperial capital stronghold of the vast faction to which Elham and the others belonged. They could use this place but held no authority over it. Conversely, once they activated this base, they would be responsible for all its expenses.

Tea leaves were probably stocked in advance for entertaining guests; however, the tea infused with milk—the consumable items—had to be freshly purchased. With no money on hand, Elham and his group naturally couldn’t afford the finest milk, opting instead for cheaper, second-rate products.

“Hmm,” Lin Qi regarded Thiessen, adopting the demeanor of a wise elder, “Perhaps due to some unexpected event, their money and goods were suddenly depleted? This mansion, though priceless, is family wealth. These younger generation members have no authority to manage such assets.”

Clearing his throat, Lin Qi pointed at Thiessen’s chest and smiled, “It’s like you now having just ten thousand gold coins, but would you dare steal your grandfather’s secret collection to sell on the black market for cash?”

Thiessen froze momentarily, a faint blush coloring his pale face. He laughed awkwardly, “Of course not! If I dared touch my grandfather’s private collection, oh heavens, that would truly be a disaster!”

His eyes brightened suddenly, and Thiessen smiled, “So, they’re in the same predicament as I am?”

Lin Qi shrugged. “No doubt about it—they’re out of money. Without funds, they can’t move a step. They must be scrambling to raise capital—and they can’t let their family know the reason behind their troubles!”

Thiessen stroked the soft fuzz on his lips, glanced at Yulian and Enzo, and said dryly, “Of course not. It’s obvious—I wouldn’t tell my father and grandfather that I lost over two million gold coins gambling. That would be equally disastrous. So, their situation is dire now.”

Lin Qi sneered, “No matter what they came to the imperial capital for, having no money is fatal. Even if they can find someone to help, they would never dare ask recklessly. The infighting within great families is well known.”

Fixing Thiessen with a solemn gaze, Lin Qi said gravely, “Thiessen, there’s an Eastern saying: ‘to throw stones at someone who has fallen into a well,’ meaning if someone falls into a well, you must throw heavy stones to finish them off completely.”

Thiessen’s eyes suddenly gleamed. He nodded slightly. “So, we make their situation even more unbearable, forcing those two beautiful ladies to submit to me? No matter what they came to the imperial capital for, they will need money, right?”

Lin Qi spread his hands calmly. “Then we force them to spend money, drain their last copper coin. They will either have to seek help from their own family or turn to others. And you, without question, are the only one who can help them.”

Thiessen smiled slyly; Lin Qi’s analysis and advice were perfectly logical.