IDWBE -Chapter 467 The Residence

Who is Ye Qiu?

He is the “great recluse” of the Prince He’s mansion, the grandmaster who once single-handedly wiped out the Jiangnan river bandits! He is the legendary swordsman known across the martial world as “One Sword of Cold Light to Command the World,” the top swordsman!

Most importantly, although Ye Qiu, like them, is a native of Sanhe, he has no personal connection with them.

He doesn’t fear offending a monk who keeps the peace, nor a blind diviner who casts fortunes for fun, nor even Wei Yishan, who grew up alongside him from childhood.

What he fears is offending Ye Qiu—the unstoppable, lawless rogue!

Yes, he is a disciple of Prince He—but if Ye Qiu decides to kill him, there would be nowhere to hide.

That’s why in life, one must remain “clear-headed.”

Don’t fear trouble, don’t fear death—but when it’s time to back down, you must back down! Never be reckless.

After all, everyone only has one life. Don’t die for nothing; at the very least, die for something meaningful.

“Could it be…?”

Wei Yishan suddenly lifted his head and looked at the incredulous Wang Xiaoshuan. Slowly, he said, “We are brothers. Say whatever’s on your mind. There’s nothing to avoid.”

“I…”

Wang Xiaoshuan met Wei Yishan’s gaze and instantly felt a chilling coldness pierce his heart. Am I overthinking this?

If he said it outright, he wouldn’t fear Wei Yishan’s blade—but he feared their friendship would end forever!

They had grown up together, joking however they liked. But making a joke about Wei Yishan’s mother—could that ever count as friendly?

The fact that Wei Yishan didn’t draw his blade was already showing mercy.

Thinking of this, Wang Xiaoshuan wanted to slap himself. He really was foolish!

Some things are not for casual mention.

The only saving grace was that he thought it but didn’t say it. While his mind wandered, seeing Wei Yishan’s expression, he couldn’t help but wonder: Does Tian Sixi have the same preference as He Hong?

Always favoring women like Wei Yishan’s mother, Xu Laoban?

Why? Because of her age?

Or because her son is promising?

His little brain couldn’t figure it out.

As long as he didn’t speak, it wasn’t the worst; there was still room to maneuver.

“What are you thinking? How do you know I’m overthinking?”

Wei Yishan spoke, still gripping the hilt of his blade tightly.

Wang Xiaoshuan feigned nonchalance. “I was thinking… you dislike Tian Sixi so much, could the reason be the same as mine?”

“What reason?”

Wei Yishan tilted his head, eyes fixed on Wang Xiaoshuan. Any lie, and all the years of brotherhood would not spare him a beating!

“After being in Ankang City for so long, I realized the majority here come from Jizhou and Qizhou,” Wang Xiaoshuan said, shaking his head. “I even heard Lord Chen Desheng say: in Jizhou, thirteen stay in the city, seventeen spread across the world. That’s the world, they say, but whether officials or merchants, they all ultimately like Ankang City! Once they reach a certain age, these Jizhou and Qizhou people dream of buying their own house here. Before, many didn’t even dare to dream. But after Tian Sixi built houses outside the city, it excited a lot of people. Then that bastard dared to sell the houses so expensive, shattering many dreams. How many people in Ankang City curse him—you know that, right?”

Wei Yishan snorted. “From what you’re saying… you also want to buy Tian Sixi’s house?”

“Of course!” Wang Xiaoshuan shouted. “I’m an official now. Once I have a family, my sons and grandsons will be officials too! How could I still rent? I must buy my own house!

“I even tried to ask him for a friendly discount, but that bastard refused, only lowering the price by three taels! You think I care about three taels? You think I won’t curse him for selling the house so high? It’s outrageous!”

“Hmph.”

Wei Yishan snorted coldly, clearly unimpressed. If he believed Wang Xiaoshuan, that would be suspicious.

Although Sanhe was poor and shabby, the people Wei Yishan knew had that “special kind of confidence” Prince He spoke about.

Ankang City—the richest city in the world! Perfect in every way!

But if the weather wasn’t as good as Sanhe’s, it was truly undesirable.

Better a bed in Sanhe than a house in Ankang City.

Whether officials or soldiers from Sanhe, many bought houses in Ankang City, but mostly out of necessity.

Because Prince He implemented the “school district housing” system!

Without a house in Ankang City, a child could go to school but not the best schools!

Ankang City First Elementary School’s principal is the Supreme Commander He Jixiang of the Five Armies. Ankang City Second Elementary School’s principal is Minister of Revenue Gan Mao. Ankang City Third Elementary School’s principal is Chen Yan, former tutor of Prince He.

Tian Sixi’s houses were all built around these three schools!

Not buying one was impossible. Expensive as it was, compared to being a protégé of a powerful minister, it was trivial.

Many borrowed money just to buy these “school district houses.”

They never considered having their children grow alongside the city’s commoners.

Although Prince He repeatedly emphasized, “Houses are for living, not speculation,” it could not stop the rising prices in Ankang City.

Many obsessed over wealth, growing more attached to property.

Even people like Han Dongsheng and Jiang Dasheng, with no children, bought houses in Ankang City—hoping for appreciation!

Sanhe people only care about the value of these houses, never about settling down.

Their greatest dream remained returning to Sanhe to renovate ancestral halls and honor their ancestors.

Besides, now in Baiyun City, “sailboats line the market for ten miles, and thousands of lights shine through the night.” Its future development could rival Ankang City!

“I’m serious,” Wang Xiaoshuan hurriedly explained, fearing Wei Yishan wouldn’t believe him. “I’m not young anymore. I’m planning to marry. I can’t do that without a house.”

“Who are you planning to marry?” Wei Yishan asked curiously.

Wang Xiaoshuan smiled. “Sang Pozi’s granddaughter.”

“Sang Luo?”

Wei Yishan’s face showed shock. “Sang Pozi, so shrewd, would marry her granddaughter to you?”

“Heh heh,” Wang Xiaoshuan raised his eyebrows. “She likes me, what can Sang Pozi do if she disagrees?”

Wei Yishan said slowly, “Sang Luo is also Chen Xilian’s prized disciple. Aren’t you afraid Chen Xilian might poison you quietly?”