Chapter 205: I Also Have a Good Candidate

Chapter 205: Chapter 205: I Also Have a Good Candidate

"How about the afternoon of the day after tomorrow?"

Liu Chen squinted. He had already planned on giving up on becoming a Spirit Brew Master; after all, it seemed as if Junior Sister Linglong had forgotten all about it. Although Liu Chen was confused, he hadn’t felt it necessary to press the issue.

But now it seemed it wasn’t that Junior Sister Linglong didn’t want to teach him—she had been waiting for the necessary ingredients. This made Liu Chen feel he had simply been overthinking things.

"We’ll come over early the day after tomorrow, then."

Ye Linglong nodded. Beside her, Ji Suyao couldn’t help but glance over. ’Lately, Linglong and Senior Brother are getting more and more in sync,’ she thought. ’I can even see shades of my own parents in how they interact.’ This was not good news for Ji Suyao, but she had no way to stop it.

"Let’s go."

While Ji Suyao was still wallowing in her helplessness, Ye Linglong simply dragged her away. Last time, this friend of hers had caused her to lose her ladylike image in front of Senior Brother, so there was no need to be polite now. Although she had the fleeting thought of getting a little revenge on Ji Suyao, what really made Ye Linglong unconcerned was Senior Brother’s attitude.

’Senior Brother doesn’t care about how Ji Suyao and I present ourselves. Even if we behave outrageously, the most he’ll do is shake his head in resignation. In that case, there’s no need to be so prim and proper all the time. It’s not only exhausting, but it also creates distance between me and him.’

"What’s the rush?"

Ji Suyao got up, exasperated. ’Is there some great reason to be rushing back?’

Loose Cultivators were growing more and more brazen within the Great Xia Dynasty. Whether it was her uncle and aunt at the Ye Mansion or her own parents, the most frequent topic of conversation these days was the future the Great Xia Dynasty might face.

Ji Suyao’s head ached just thinking about it. ’I’m sure Ye Linglong doesn’t like these topics either. For her to drag me back this early... it’s basically an act of mutual destruction.’

A day passed quickly. On the afternoon of October 27th, Liu Chen’s eyes were filled with pleasant surprise as he finished circulating his Cultivation Technique. All twelve of his Main Meridians had been converted into Spirit Veins.

In addition, the remaining meridians in his body were also gradually converting. He could only circulate his Cultivation Technique three more times tomorrow at most. Otherwise, he would reach what he considered Meridian Passage Peak right here in the Great Xia Imperial City, which meant his Purple Bamboo Scripture Meridian Passage Chapter would transform into something uniquely his own.

Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Liu Chen continued practicing the Soul Locking Technique. Another hour passed like this.

"Junior Brother Liu..."

Senior Brother Yang’s voice came from outside the back door. Liu Chen, who was in the middle of practicing the Soul Locking Technique, dissipated the fluctuations of his Spiritual Power. Only after confirming that everything was normal did he open the back door.

Outside stood the familiar trio of Yang Haichen. After they entered the residence, Liu Chen immediately sealed the back door. His Spiritual Sense detected other Cultivators lingering near the entrance—which was not good news.

"The issue with the business has been resolved. Now, Junior Brother, you can tell us what you’re thinking."

After the four of them sat down, Yang Haichen got straight to the point. The situation in the Great Xia Dynasty was growing increasingly tense. The Loose Cultivators were just the beginning; some had come seeking refuge, but others had arrived with ulterior motives. In addition to them, Evil Cultivators and even Cultivators from other dynasties were mixed in among the populace.

"I plan to trade the business to the Hundred Affairs Hall for a sum of Spirit Stones when I leave. If all goes well, the employees will become members of the Hundred Affairs Hall directly."

Liu Chen said calmly, "If I use the Third Grade Spiritual Cuisine to bargain with Steward Lin, the deal is likely achievable. Even without the Third Grade Spiritual Cuisine I plan to gift them, the Hundred Affairs Hall would certainly not lose money by taking over the business."

"It might not work for others, but for you, Junior Brother, it shouldn’t be a problem."

Yang Haichen’s eyes narrowed. According to the information he’d gathered, Steward Lin had been all but single-handedly promoted by Peak Master Mo. Given the circumstances, as long as Junior Brother Liu’s request wasn’t too outrageous, it was unlikely that Steward Lin of the Hundred Affairs Hall would refuse.

The Hundred Affairs Hall of each peak operated relatively independently. Even if Steward Lin couldn’t make the call, the matter would go to the Peak Master for a decision. If Peak Master Mo hadn’t left by then, it was practically a sure thing. Even if his master, the Grand Elder, had already taken full control of Purple Bamboo Peak by then, he would definitely agree. After all, his master and he had eaten plenty of Spiritual Cuisine in the past.

"Don’t we need a cover story?"

Xie Xichen couldn’t help but look over. ’One is the disciple of the current Peak Master, the other is the disciple of the future Peak Master. No one would question a business run by the two of them being absorbed into the Purple Cloud Valley’s Hundred Affairs Hall. But normally, you’d need a plausible excuse.’

"The fact that Junior Brother Liu is leaving is the best cover," Ren Xunchun said, shaking his head. "The Ren Family has no way to repay the Spirit Stones, so they’re using the business as collateral. Junior Brother Liu then sells it off. That’s the perfect reason. This whole matter won’t cause any problems. By the time the Ren Family handed over the business, anyone well-informed within the Great Xia Royal Family already knew I owed Junior Brother Liu Spirit Stones and couldn’t pay him back, leaving the business transfer as my only option to clear the debt."

"So how do we handle the parents of your two junior sisters?"

Yang Haichen’s eyes narrowed. The business itself was settled, but there was still the follow-up to consider. Purple Cloud Valley could easily take over the business and then simply evict everyone inside.

"Indenture Contracts. I will have the four elders sign a twenty-year service Spirit Contract with me. I’ll sell those contracts to the Hundred Affairs Hall as a package deal along with the business."

Liu Chen spoke calmly. ’It sounds like it could damage my reputation, but it’s the simplest way. As long as it all gets done, I don’t care about a small hit to my name. I’m going to be a Loose Cultivator after leaving Purple Cloud Valley anyway. A reputation will be useless to me then.’

’The tricky part is whether Steward Lin will accept this "package deal." If he agrees, not getting a salary will mean nothing to the four of them. The resources they already have are more than enough to maintain their cultivation; you could even call them wealthy.’

"It doesn’t seem like you needed to discuss this with us, does it?"

Xie Xichen nodded; he was starting to understand. ’The point isn’t getting Spirit Stones from the Hundred Affairs Hall, and it’s not even about the business itself. It’s about placing the parents of those two junior sisters under the care of the Hundred Affairs Hall.’

’But that raises a question. If Junior Brother Liu has already arranged all this, there was no need to discuss it with all of us. At most, he would just need to talk it over with Yang Haichen, and the matter would be pretty much settled.’

"Most businesses in the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace invite Purple Cloud Valley disciples to serve as retainers. The auction house I took over needs three more. Do you three Senior Brothers have anyone to recommend?"

Liu Chen shook his head. ’Steward Lin’s attitude is still an unknown. If my plan falls through, these three senior brothers are my insurance policy. Friendships fade over time, but what about an arrangement where you get Spirit Stones every month just for lending your name?’

"Actually, I do have a good candidate in mind."

Yang Haichen’s eyes narrowed. He understood now. ’We’re Junior Brother Liu’s insurance policy. Setting aside our friendship, the thought of getting Spirit Stones every month is quite tempting.’

"What a coincidence. I have a good candidate, too."