Chapter 82: What Is There to Congratulate?

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: What Is There to Congratulate?

"Good, as long as you understand. Now, let’s discuss the terms of Liu Chen becoming the Ye Family’s Honored Guest Elder. Liu Chen’s initial asking price is six thousand Spirit Stones per month, or the equivalent in cultivation resources."

Steward Lin nodded in satisfaction. If the marriage engagement could be nullified, then he wouldn’t have to personally make a trip to the Nangong Family in the future. A round trip to that place took half a month, and the official duties that would pile up in his absence would be enough to bury him.

"This..."

Patriarch Ye had been smiling, but his expression changed the moment he heard the specific amount. He had made inquiries before coming. Wasn’t it said that three thousand Spirit Stones at most would be enough to settle it?

’Why did it suddenly double?’ After deducting costs, the Ye Family earned thirteen thousand Spirit Stones a month at most. After distributing the family stipends, they were left with nine thousand Spirit Stones at best. If they agreed to this deal, wouldn’t they only have three thousand liquid Spirit Stones left each month?!

"You actually think that’s a lot? It seems you still don’t understand Liu Chen’s status in Purple Cloud Valley. First, Liu Chen is the disciple of an acting Peak Master. According to Purple Cloud Valley regulations, the base price for an Inner Sect Disciple like him to become an Honored Guest Elder is two thousand Spirit Stones. Second, he is a Second Grade Spirit Chef. Per Valley rules, that adds another two thousand Spirit Stones to the base price, bringing the total to four thousand.

Then, according to the usual practice of so-called Noble Families like yours, you add another one to two thousand Spirit Stones on top of Purple Cloud Valley’s minimum price to display your own prestige and establish a good working relationship with the Inner Sect Disciple. By that calculation, the lowest possible price comes to six thousand Spirit Stones."

Steward Lin’s tone was very calm. He watched the sweating Patriarch Ye with a faint, mocking smile. Since becoming a steward of Purple Bamboo Peak, he had seen this sort of thing many times. The patriarchs of those families were all the same when they came here, but this Patriarch Ye was putting on the most pathetic display of them all.

"If you feel the terms are unsuitable, you can go back and think it over. However, I can’t guarantee that Liu Chen will be willing to make a special trip next time."

Steward Lin picked up the Spirit Tea served by his apprentice and took a sip, leisurely flipping through the official documents on his desk. They contained the intelligence Purple Cloud Valley had gathered on the Ye Family.

"How could you say such a thing, Steward? Of course the Ye Family is willing."

In the end, Patriarch Ye chose to compromise. The Ye Family faced a choice: be swallowed by the Nangong Family—sacrificing Ye Linglong’s branch of the family had been the result of them being unable to withstand the pressure before—or tighten their belts and find a stronger backer. Their other option was to waste away in blissful ignorance for a decade or so before being completely annexed by the Nangong Family.

Even if the previous Patriarch Ye’s faction used this Second Grade Spirit Chef to return to the core of the Ye Family, it would only result in the loss of some resources. But if the Nangong Family were to annex the Ye Family, his own faction would likely vanish without a trace within a few years.

"What a pity. If you had refused, I might have taken the opportunity, while Young Friend Liu is here, to contact those Noble Families who are very willing to spend Spirit Stones. They would have offered no less than ten thousand. Then again, for Young Friend Liu, ten thousand Spirit Stones is just a matter of selling a few portions of Spiritual Cuisine, so he might not have agreed anyway."

Steward Lin shook his head and took out a Jade Token inscribed with a Spirit Contract. Patriarch Ye gave an embarrassed smile and signed the contract.

As a name formed in blood and merged into the Jade Token, Steward Lin flicked a finger, sending a drop of his own blood mixed with Spiritual Power into the token.

The single Jade Token instantly split into three. One part landed directly in Patriarch Ye’s hand, while another flew out of the room and hovered before Liu Chen.

Liu Chen reached out and caught it. After a quick glance at the contents to confirm there were no issues, he tossed it directly into his Storage Ring. ’I’ll give this to Junior Sister Ye when I get back.’

This was not just the Jade Token for the Spirit Contract, but also a symbol of Liu Chen’s status. Carrying this token to the Ye Family would represent Liu Chen, their so-called Honored Guest Elder. He had no use for it, but Junior Sister Ye might.

"Tell me honestly, who is that shabby-looking fellow? If I’m not mistaken, that was a Purple Cloud Valley Spirit Contract Jade Token just now."

Noticing this from the courtyard, Patriarch Yang sent a low-voiced transmission to his second son, the one who had stormed out of the house at the first sign of disagreement.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Liu."

Yang Haichen rolled his eyes at his father. ’It’s a good thing that was a voice transmission. If he’d said that out loud, he probably wouldn’t make it out of Purple Cloud Hall alive.’

"It’s just something I promised my junior sister a while ago. What is there to congratulate me for?"

Liu Chen shook his head and went back to studying the weeds on the ground.

"So you’re Liu Chen? Thank you so much for taking care of Haichen all this time."

Patriarch Yang instantly understood. He completely ignored his son, who was giving him complicated feelings, and walked over to Liu Chen’s side.

It was impossible for him not to know Liu Chen’s name. To be precise, there was no one in the entire Marketplace who didn’t know it. However, very few people had ever seen what Liu Chen actually looked like.

If Yang Haichen hadn’t just spoken up, he never would have recognized that this disciple, who had shown up wearing simple training clothes, was in fact the famous Liu Chen.

"You’re too kind, sir. In fact, it is Senior Brother Yang who has been taking care of me."

Liu Chen said with a smile, and it wasn’t a lie. He had to thank Senior Brother Yang for selling his Spiritual Cuisine. Liu Chen didn’t have the time to handle all those miscellaneous matters, and even if he did, he lacked the experience. If he got cheated, he could only blame his own bad luck.

"Junior Brother Liu, once this is over, are you interested in taking a look around the Marketplace?"

Yang Haichen pursed his lips and walked over, pushing Patriarch Yang aside. ’Father is only thinking about currying favor with Junior Brother Liu,’ he thought, ’but Liu Chen doesn’t like this sort of thing. If it weren’t for that Junior Sister Ye, he probably would never even leave the back mountain.’

"A walk sounds good. I need to procure a few things anyway."

Liu Chen nodded. There were a few things he wanted to buy. First, he needed a Spirit Sword. The Cyan Steel Sword was certainly useful, but since he had bought it openly from a True Disciple, it was basically registered to his name.

If he wanted to go after the Nangong Family during the trial, it would be better to change his entire getup.

"Then it’s settled."

Yang Haichen nodded and then waited quietly. A short while later, Patriarch Ye walked out, his gaze falling on Liu Chen in the corner.

Bound by the Spirit Contract, he could clearly sense that this person before him, who didn’t look like a cultivator at all, was Liu Chen. He was the Second Grade Spirit Chef, the great benefactor who could free the Ye Family from the Nangong Family’s clutches and even allow them to ascend to the heavens in a single leap.

"My dear nephew, I trust Linglong is doing well?"

Patriarch Ye sidled up to Liu Chen and asked with a smile.

Yang Haichen, who was following his father into the room, shook his head helplessly. ’My father is a bit presumptuous at worst, but based on what I’ve observed, Junior Sister Ye’s relationship with the Ye Family is not good at all. Did he really think he could fool Junior Brother Liu by asking a question like that?’

"Patriarch Ye can ask Junior Sister Ye himself."

Liu Chen’s tone was perfectly calm. Hearing this, Patriarch Ye’s expression shifted to one of sudden realization. ’So, this Liu Chen isn’t that close with Ye Linglong. He most likely doesn’t know about the marriage engagement.’

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Patriarch Ye took his leave. As he walked out of Purple Cloud Hall, his expression gradually turned serious. He absolutely could not let the second son of the Nangong Family interfere with the Ye Family’s rise.