Chapter 59: You let yourselves profit—now you

Zhiwei Shop, second floor, Wang Rongsheng sat in the seat of honor, speaking polite formalities.

Logically, he was only at Qi Refining seventh layer, lacking the status to sit at the head among the shopkeepers, all of whom were at high-level Qi Refining.

But he was backed by the Wang Clan, and the Wang Clan’s Baibao Pavilion had recently enjoyed explosive business; now that he intended to place bulk orders with fellow merchants, everyone naturally flattered him.

Strength is the ultimate truth; the Wang Clan possessed strength, and now also thriving business—Wang Rongsheng’s posture naturally grew stiffer.

“...I heard a few days ago that certain cultivators bought talismans from Baibao Pavilion, but found them unwieldy.

I thought: that can’t be right. The Wang Clan never sells substandard goods.

If fellow cultivators are willing to buy, it’s because they trust our wares. Any flaw would damage the Wang Clan’s reputation.

Upon investigation, I discovered the source of these rumors was secretly involved in bandit-merchant dealings.

Gao Jian helped me uncover the truth—they were merely acting on someone else’s behalf.

As for who hired them, I’ve confirmed it.”

Wang Rongsheng’s gaze slowly swept across the faces of the senior shopkeepers, making several of them tremble with fear.

Fine, fine, fine—you called us here to discuss cooperation, yet you start by killing a chicken to scare the monkeys.

No wonder the Wang Clan of Anbei Country is so ruthless.

Che Zengye had guilt in his heart, but he was a seasoned veteran and wouldn’t show weakness.

You say you’ve confirmed it—I don’t believe you.

The Che family and the bandits deal in secret; they can’t possibly know we’re from the Che family.

Che Zengye concluded Wang Rongsheng was bluffing!

“Originally, I planned to report this directly to the Garrison Cultivator, but our Clan Chief stopped me.

He said Qingxi Fang ’s prosperity was built by everyone’s joint efforts; internal strife is not good.

Our Baibao Pavilion’s business is too good—we should expect jealousy. Those who escape envy are mediocrities.”

It sounded as if the Wang Clan intended to drop the matter, no longer pursuing it.

Wang Rongsheng had brought this up today merely as a warning.

But then, suddenly, he turned his head toward Che Zengye and shouted loudly.

“Che Boss—is what our Clan Chief said true or not?!”

This sudden strike terrified Che Zengye; his entire body shook, his face instantly turning deathly pale.

Seeing Che Zengye’s pitiful state, the others at the table froze.

Did the Wang Clan really uncover the truth?

How could the Che family be so sloppy?

Wang Rongsheng rose to his feet, staring coldly at Che Zengye, who trembled in his seat.

“Your Che family must pay two thousand spirit stones as compensation. Then the Wang Clan will drop this matter.

Otherwise, the Wang Clan of Anbei Country will march to your ancestral lands and crush them.

Everyone who matters already knows about Elder Mangxiang’s attempt to attain Golden Core.

Che Cultivator, I advise your family to think carefully.

Give me an answer within ten days!”

The Clan Chief refused to report this to the Garrison Cultivator—simple reason: the Garrison Cultivator was full, and the Wang Clan got nothing!

Better to solve this ourselves than rely on the Hongdengzhao system!

After offering so many tributes to Elder Mangxiang, the Wang Clan had the right to borrow a little of his prestige.

Wiping away the relentless sweat on his forehead, Che Zengye forced a smile, feigning ignorance.

“Rongsheng Cultivator, the Che family has never colluded with bandits. Are you mistaken?”

Wang Rongsheng smiled, too lazy to explain.

“Go back and gather your two thousand spirit stones!”

Only then did Che Zengye realize: the Wang Clan had truly uncovered the truth.

He and his clan chief, Che Zengshu, had underestimated the situation—they thought smearing dirt was merely a tactic, just a nuisance involving collusion with bandits.

But before the Wang Clan of Anbei Country, if you hand them evidence of your dirty deeds, they have every right to weigh the gravity of your crime!

Che Zengye fled in disgrace; the Che family must quickly gather two thousand spirit stones, or the Wang Clan might truly crush their ancestral lands.

The chicken was dead; Wang Rongsheng turned to the monkeys.

“Now, let’s discuss placing orders, fellow cultivators.”

After seeing off Gao Jian, Wang Rongsheng shook his head and warned Yulou.

“He’s a venomous snake. Deal with such people with clear boundaries—don’t let his enemies think you have any special ties to him.”

The reason they easily uncovered Che family’s scheming was thanks to Qingxi Fang ’s Peacekeeping Squad—Gao Jian lent a hand, so the Wang Clan owed him gratitude.

“I understand, Yulou,” Yulou sighed. “But we can’t afford to alienate someone like Gao Jian—little devils are hard to shake off.”

Mu Yingxi was easygoing; even if Mu Chunze ate with vulgar greed, he still maintained appearances.

Gao Jian was different—this mad dog wore his hysteria on his face and had ruled Qingxi Fang for decades.

“He’s troublesome. He’s survived this long without being ambushed—not just luck.”

But... Miaofeng Mountain and Gushen Sect are fighting fiercely; prices of all talismans have risen slightly.

Yulou, adjust the pricing of all Baibao Pavilion goods promptly—we can’t afford to lose out!”

After Wolong Fang fell, Gushen Sect had slapped Miaofeng Mountain hard across the face, leaving its Purple Mansion cultivators red and swollen with shame.

You let yourselves profit—until your sect disciples started switching allegiances.

Now you’ve been slapped, and you can’t even strike back!

The Immortal Alliance’s laws stand above all: no Purple Mansion cultivator may act lightly; any action invites scrutiny.

Once watched by the Immortal Alliance, you’ll bleed heavily at minimum; those who overstep are locked in Zhenxian Pass.

Below Purple Mansion, Foundation Establishment cultivators may duel—but if someone dies, they must pay with their life—life for life.

No matter how high your cultivation, if you’re not Golden Core, the Immortal Alliance forbids any cultivator from disrupting the stability of the Wunan Basin’s cultivation realm!

So even though Gushen Sect and Miaofeng Mountain were about to tear each other’s brains out, their duels were strictly limited to Qi Refining cultivators.

How to put it? They fought fiercely, yet not intensely.

So far, not a single Foundation Establishment cultivator dared intervene—all were Qi Refining cultivators grinding against each other.

The only impact on Qingxi Fang was a slight price surge in talismans, magic treasures, and other goods.

Miaofeng Mountain offered bounties: any hermit who killed a Gushen Sect cultivator could exchange battle merits for any technique, treasure, talisman, or elixir below Purple Mansion.

Thus, hermits began spending heavily, seeking to strengthen themselves for opportunity in the war.

“When Wolong Fang changed hands, did both sides fight like this?” Yulou asked.

Wang Rongsheng had grown up in Wolong Fang ; hearing Yulou’s question, he replied with a knowing tone.

“Over three hundred years ago, the sect across Wolong River was Huishan Mansion. Later, Miaofeng Mountain crushed Huishan Mansion.

Gushen Sect was founded by Ning, the direct lineage of Huishan Mansion, in alliance with Gushen Clan, a Purple Mansion family under Tian She Sect—they hold a generations-old grudge against Miaofeng Mountain.

When such ancestral feuds ignite, who can say when they’ll end?”

Seeing Yulou silent, Wang Rongsheng was puzzled.

“What’s wrong? Why so quiet? Are you worried?”

Yulou smiled and explained.

“No. Clan Chief once planned for Yuan to join Miaofeng Mountain after he reached Qi Refining.

But now, it seems Yuan won’t be able to join Miaofeng Mountain.”

Yulou’s train of thought startled Wang Rongsheng—he burst into laughter.

“You’ve got talent, chances to join a sect—you’re lucky. When I was young, hahaha, no need to speak of it, no need to speak of it.

I’m going to cultivate. Yulou, I leave Baibao Pavilion in your hands—Clan Chief chose wisely.

But the situation is complex now; don’t grow arrogant. When facing hard or major matters, don’t decide alone—come consult me first.”

That night, at the second watch, Baibao Pavilion finally closed its shutters after a full day of business.

Yuan slumped into a chair, exhausted, complaining.

“Brother, isn’t our priority cultivation? Let the staff handle Baibao Pavilion.

With Bai Lu watching, you’ll know if anything goes wrong—why do you insist on dragging me here every day to stand guard?”

Yuan was really asking for trouble.

As Yulou’s younger brother, he had a stubborn refusal to lose—whatever Yulou did, he copied.

But Yulou slept only after the end of the tenth watch, rose before the fourth watch, and immediately cultivated for an hour and a half.

Mornings he trained under Red Eyebrow at Huafeng Residence; afternoons he managed Baibao Pavilion; evenings he returned and cultivated another hour and a half without rest.

Yulou’s intensity was the kind that never stopped—Yuan simply couldn’t endure it.

“Hahaha, you speak lightly.

Come on, let’s head home together.

Bai Lu, you’ve worked hard—tomorrow you’re off. Rest well.”

Bai Lu was startled by Yulou’s words, frantically protesting.

“Ah, Young Master Yulou, I’m not tired—it’s my duty! No rest needed, no rest needed!”

Taken from Tang Nianqiu’s service, Bai Lu had received spirit stones for the first time at Baibao Pavilion.

To her, this job was perfect—it actually paid wages!

So she felt no fatigue; when Yulou told her to rest, she feared he thought her useless.

"If she doesn't rest, neither will I, Wang Yuan!"

Stubborn types are like this—Yulou merely gave Bai Lu a slight nudge, and he willingly returned to his path as a relentless workaholic.

Training Wang Yuan? Yulou is a professional.

Returning to Fuyuanju, Yulou was surprised to find Tang Nianqiu seated behind the counter in the main hall, seemingly auditing accounts.

Seeing them enter, Tang Nianqiu looked up.

"Still so late, Yulou—don't push yourself too hard."

Wang Yulou watched Wang Yuan disappear without a glance into the back courtyard, then turned to Tang Nianqiu and declared with feigned fervor.

"We of the Wang clan must take it as our duty to prosper our family—Yulou does not tire."

"Uncle Nianqiu, there is one matter I wish to ask of you."

Tang Nianqiu’s expression remained unchanged; his gaze subtly flickered toward Bai Lu, who stood bowing her head behind Yulou, and he understood at once.

"Oh? What is it? We’re family—uncle will do all he can to help."

Yulou stepped aside and pulled the nervous Bai Lu forward, explaining.

"Bai Lu is a promising candidate for a senior clerk—I’d like to borrow her for a few years to train her at Baibao Pavilion. With proper cultivation, she might even have a chance to advance to Qi Refining."

Tang Nianqiu internally sighed, yet nodded vigorously on the surface.

"Hahaha, good! My adopted daughter catching your eye is a fine thing—a very fine thing indeed."

With Bai Lu’s affiliation settled, Yulou’s spirits lifted. After chatting briefly with Tang Nianqiu, he returned to his cultivation.

Long after, the main hall of Fuyuanju remained empty; Bai Lu showed no sign of returning to explain.

Behind the counter, Tang Nianqiu let out a cold snort and slammed the ledger down hard.

"Ungrateful wretch, cold-hearted beast—this is what the Wang clan has become! Even the daughter they raised is like this!"