Chapter 201: If Junior Brother Needs It

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: If Junior Brother Needs It

"Junior Brother Liu, I’ve brought two senior brothers to see you."

Liu Chen had just finished verifying that his skill had evolved into a unique Engraving Technique when Senior Brother Yang’s voice came from outside the back door of his residence. Liu Chen narrowed his eyes and released his Spiritual Sense, probing briefly.

When he sensed that Senior Brother Yang was with Xie Xichen and Ren Xunchun—two senior brothers he was acquainted with—Liu Chen breathed a sigh of relief and opened the back door.

A short while later, the four of them were seated in the back garden. Liu Chen brewed some partially-prepared Spirit Tea. He had yet to master the refinement process, so this was the best quality Spirit Tea he could offer. Junior Sister Linglong was currently gathering the necessary materials and would only be able to demonstrate the technique in person in a few days.

"Junior Brother Liu, what do you think of the Imperial City?"

Xie Xichen couldn’t resist asking. He had practically grown up in the Imperial City himself. To be precise, all the prominent families had their younger generations grow up in the Imperial City to build connections early on. In the Great Xia Dynasty’s Cultivation Realm, networking and relationships were everything.

This was a result of the atmosphere in the Great Xia Dynasty’s Cultivation Realm. It had been relatively peaceful here ever since the three-way balance of power between the Three Immortal Sects was established long ago. In contrast, over in the Black Feather Dynasty, not even the Black Feather Royal Family could put a stop to the constant infighting between the various families and sects.

"It seems nice enough. At least, the places I’ve visited were."

Liu Chen nodded. The only places he had been were a garden in the Imperial Palace and the Ye Family estate. He found both of them quite pleasant. As for anywhere else, he hadn’t been, and he had no desire to go.

"That’s good."

Xie Xichen nodded and said no more. ’The question I want to ask can’t be brought up in front of everyone. It might be a secret from within Purple Cloud Valley, one involving a True Disciple.’

"These are the Spirit Stones from the sale of the Spiritual Cuisine, plus what Senior Brother Xie owed from before."

Once the initial pleasantries were over, Yang Haichen placed a Third Grade Storage Ring on the table. It was from Xie Xichen and contained a full five hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

"And the Storage Ring?"

Liu Chen immediately transferred the Spirit Stones out. In addition to the Third Grade Storage Ring his master had casually given him, he had also bought three more from Ji Feng. All told, he had enough space to hold four million Spirit Stones; there was absolutely no need for another Storage Ring.

Yang Haichen glanced at Xie Xichen. Liu Chen pushed the empty Storage Ring back toward them. ’My storage is more than sufficient. Whatever the motive, I don’t want to get any more entangled with others.’

"Since Junior Brother Liu doesn’t need it, then I’ll take it back."

Xie Xichen didn’t press the issue. To him, this reaction was perfectly normal. ’After all, he’s about to leave. If I received a gift right before my departure, I’d also be wondering how I was supposed to repay the favor.’

"If you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to stand on ceremony between us."

Liu Chen took a sip of the Spirit Tea. The bitter taste only strengthened his resolve to become a Spirit Brew Master. ’Forget serving it to guests, it tastes strange even to me. Even if I do become a Spirit Brew Master, I won’t be serving anyone else. I’ll just be enjoying it myself.’

"The Ren Family can’t come up with two hundred thousand Spirit Stones right now, but I plan on mortgaging some of our properties. If all goes well, I should be able to scrape the Spirit Stones together after the Grand Rite."

Ren Xunchun glanced at the impassive Xie Xichen and Yang Haichen and decided to speak up. ’I’m the only disciple from Purple Cloud Valley who still owes Junior Brother Liu Spirit Stones. It wouldn’t have been a big deal before, but if I can’t even pay him back before he leaves... never mind what others would say, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.’

"Senior Brother, have you considered selling the properties outright?"

Liu Chen couldn’t help but ask as he looked at Ren Xunchun. ’According to Junior Sister Suyao, her parents have been wondering how they’ll make a living once they get to Purple Cloud Valley. On top of that, Junior Sister Linglong’s parents are also planning to leave the Ye Family and try to make a living in the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace.’

’After my Master and his wife leave with my two junior sisters, I’ll naturally have to make some arrangements for their parents. Even setting aside our bonds as fellow disciples, I’m an Honored Guest Elder of the Ye Family, and Junior Sister Suyao’s parents are currently my servants. If I just skipped town, I’d essentially be screwing over my junior sisters’ families.’

’I highly doubt the preferential treatment these people receive in Purple Cloud Valley because of me will continue after I’m gone. I understand the principle of ’once the person leaves, the tea grows cold’ all too well.’

’It might be presumptuous of me, but these three are the fellow disciples I’m closest to in Purple Cloud Valley, aside from my two junior sisters. If I can find a way to bind their interests to those of my junior sisters’ parents, their basic safety should at least be guaranteed.’

"If you’re in urgent need of the Spirit Stones, Junior Brother, then selling is certainly an option. It may be presumptuous of me to say this now, but I fully intend to strive to become a True Disciple. When that happens, the Ren Family will need to shed its excess assets if it wants to integrate into Purple Cloud Valley anyway."

Ren Xunchun’s eyes narrowed. ’He knows perfectly well that Junior Brother Liu isn’t asking because he wants to buy the properties himself. He’s using this as a pretext for something else. I don’t know what it is, but if I can help, I absolutely will. It’s the only way I can repay him for saving my life.’

"To be perfectly honest, I’ll be leaving Purple Cloud Valley in two months at the latest. But I’ve not only become an Honored Guest Elder for the Ye Family, I’ve also taken on two servants. Before I leave, I absolutely must make sure they are properly settled."

Liu Chen chose to be frank. ’If I try to arrange this through manipulation, their parents might face retaliation after I’m gone. It’s better to just be open about it from the start. That way, even if conflicts arise, we can still part on good terms.’

"So, Junior Brother, are you suggesting I sell the properties to you?"

Ren Xunchun couldn’t help but ask. ’Everyone here knows who Junior Brother Liu’s ’servants’ are. But you can’t just say it out loud. Junior Brother Liu might not care about the Great Xia Royal Family, but we and our families still have to show them some face. It’s one thing to understand something implicitly, but saying it aloud is something else entirely.’

"Not exactly. I want a property located in the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace."

Liu Chen shook his head. ’Compared to Purple Cloud Valley itself, the Ren, Xie, and Yang Families are all small fry. I have a fairly well-thought-out plan, and to make it work, the first thing I need is a property in the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace. Only then might I be able to persuade Steward Lin.’

"The Law Enforcement Hall confiscated a property during the rebellion," Xie Xichen said. "If you need one, Junior Brother, you could go to the Law Enforcement Hall to purchase it. They accept property trades as well."

Xie Xichen glanced at Ren Xunchun. ’I’m not sure what Junior Brother Liu is planning, but since he’s treating me as one of his own, I have to help him out. Besides, if I can offload that property that’s been sitting abandoned for half a year, or trade it for one that produces resources, I’ll have done the Law Enforcement Hall a great service.’