Chapter Nineteen: How About a Mutual Win-Win?

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“Never expected to run into you bandits again!” the merchant sneered coldly.
“A few days ago, I saw one of you carrying a sack of refined salt—such a thing ordinary folks could never possess. Just who exactly are you?”
His voice echoed through the silent forest, laced with an undeniable authority.
Chen Tong’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, silently cursing his own carelessness from before—he never imagined the merchant would hold that minor slip against them.
But having weathered many storms, Chen Tong quickly regained his composure, forcing a casual smile as he replied,
“That was just a lucky find; it’s none of your business. If you cooperate and pay the toll today, we’ll let you pass.”
Yet the merchant pressed on without relent, stepping forward and pointing at Chen Tong loudly,
“Hmph, a lucky find? Do you take me for a child? Refined salt like this is worth a fortune in the market. You don’t just carry it around casually—you might be up to some illegal dealings.”
“Maybe you’re allied with those notorious outlaws wanted by the government. I think it’s my duty to rid the authorities of such pests today!”
His words were provocative, an attempt to dominate by sheer force of will.
The bandits behind Chen Tong were instantly enraged, eyes wide with anger, fingers clutching their weapons so tightly their knuckles cracked, and curses spilled from their lips.
“You old coot, cut the nonsense!”
“Brothers, don’t waste words—just take his goods!”
The bandits’ shouts rose one after another, the tension thickening by the second.
Yet Chen Tong remained unusually calm; he raised a hand to signal silence.
Fixing the merchant with a steady gaze, he said slowly,
“Our affairs are none of your concern. If you want to live, stay out of them.”
Though the merchant harbored some fear, he forced himself upright and declared,
“You think I’m afraid of you? I’ve faced countless dangers in this world. If you dare lay a hand on me, the government won’t spare you!”
With that, he pulled the sack of refined salt from his bosom, shaking it before Chen Tong, his tone tinged with provocation and greed,
“You’ve heard of this stuff, haven’t you? Surely you know its value.”
“Here’s a thought: I’ll offer a good price. Sell it to me, and no one gets hurt.”

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The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere tensed as if the air itself ignited.
Chen Tong’s men glared fiercely, like enraged beasts.
“Clang!”
Iron Bull slammed his great blade onto the ground, his face flushed red, veins bulging on his neck as he roared,
“Bah! You old geezer, you dare haggle with us? This salt is ours—why should we sell it to you?”
Nearby, Wang Hu swung his staff through the air, slicing the wind with sharp whistles, joining the outcry.
“Exactly! We’ve braved the wilderness and hardship to get this haul, and you want to buy us off with money? No way!”
The men drew their weapons swiftly, blades gleaming cold under the sun, encircling the merchant’s party in an instant.
The forest filled with a suffocating tension, punctuated by the clanging of weapons and low growls of fury.
The merchant’s face turned as pale as paper, his legs trembling slightly from the sudden upheaval.
Yet his years of experience in commerce allowed him to feign calm.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his voice as he warned Chen Tong loudly,
“You know trafficking in contraband salt is a capital offense. If this gets out, the government will unleash a full-scale crackdown on your Black Wind Bandit Camp!”
“Then you’ll all die without a grave!”
Chen Tong sneered contemptuously, a trace of disdain in his laughter.
Stepping forward, he met the merchant’s gaze squarely as if peering through him,
“I’m a bandit—I’m not afraid of the government’s reach.”
“In these chaotic times, life and death are but trivial matters.”
“A lost head is just a scar the size of a bowl—I don’t care.”
“However, I don’t think you’re innocent either. Taking such risks traveling this mountain road, it’s surely no honest trade.”
“Rather than destroy each other, why not cooperate and share the benefits? Better than threatening each other here.”
The merchant hesitated, a flicker of consideration crossing his eyes.
Clearly, Chen Tong’s words struck a chord.
Lowering his head, the merchant pondered, weighing the risks and rewards.

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On one hand, cooperating with bandits was fraught with peril—if the authorities caught wind, he’d be doomed.
On the other, if successful, the profits from this illicit salt trade could be enormous.
He lifted his gaze, scrutinizing Chen Tong with added caution, asking,
“Cooperate? How exactly? Why should I trust you? What if you take the benefits and betray me?”
At that moment, Zhao Xiaoliu couldn’t help but interject,
“Hey, old man, can you doubt what Young Master Xie says?”
“Our Black Wind Bandit Camp may deal in deadly business, but our word is ironclad!”
Seeing the merchant waver, Chen Tong inwardly rejoiced but maintained a composed expression.
“Though we’re bandits, we honor our commitments. I guarantee if you cooperate sincerely, you won’t be shortchanged.”
“We have manpower and hideouts; you have the channels and networks. We supply the goods; you handle sales. Profits split fairly.”
“This way, you earn money and won’t have to worry about ambushes during transport.”
As Chen Tong spoke, he watched the merchant’s shifting expression.
The merchant’s hesitation deepened, visibly moved by the proposal.
Sensing this, Chen Tong pressed on,
“You’ve survived the business world, surely you know where the opportunities lie.”
“We have the courage and manpower, even in these mountains, we hold advantages.”
“If we join forces, you open the sales channels and provide market intel; I guarantee safe transport. We split profits fifty-fifty—how does that sound?”
The merchant thought for a moment, then slowly replied,
“Your offer has merit, but smuggling salt is extremely risky. Once the government gets wind, there’s no turning back.”
Chen Tong responded confidently,
“We’ll be cautious, choosing hidden routes and secret trading spots.”
“Besides salt, we can expand into other trades—timber, medicinal herbs from the surrounding forests—all in demand in the market.”