[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-the-jade-palace":3,"chapter-ascending-to-the-jade-palace-ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-59":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Ascending to the Jade Palace",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2320521,4538,"Chapter 59: You let yourselves profit—now you","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-59",59,"\u003Cp>Zhiwei Shop, second floor, Wang Rongsheng sat in the seat of honor, speaking polite formalities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength is the ultimate truth; the Wang Clan possessed strength, and now also thriving business—Wang Rongsheng’s posture naturally grew stiffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I heard a few days ago that certain cultivators bought talismans from Baibao Pavilion, but found them unwieldy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought: that can’t be right. The Wang Clan never sells substandard goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If fellow cultivators are willing to buy, it’s because they trust our wares. Any flaw would damage the Wang Clan’s reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon investigation, I discovered the source of these rumors was secretly involved in bandit-merchant dealings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jian helped me uncover the truth—they were merely acting on someone else’s behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for who hired them, I’ve confirmed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Rongsheng’s gaze slowly swept across the faces of the senior shopkeepers, making several of them tremble with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine, fine, fine—you called us here to discuss cooperation, yet you start by killing a chicken to scare the monkeys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the Wang Clan of Anbei Country is so ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Zengye had guilt in his heart, but he was a seasoned veteran and wouldn’t show weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You say you’ve confirmed it—I don’t believe you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Che family and the bandits deal in secret; they can’t possibly know we’re from the Che family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Zengye concluded Wang Rongsheng was bluffing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Originally, I planned to report this directly to the Garrison Cultivator, but our Clan Chief stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said Qingxi Fang ’s prosperity was built by everyone’s joint efforts; internal strife is not good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our Baibao Pavilion’s business is too good—we should expect jealousy. Those who escape envy are mediocrities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded as if the Wang Clan intended to drop the matter, no longer pursuing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Rongsheng had brought this up today merely as a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, suddenly, he turned his head toward Che Zengye and shouted loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Che Boss—is what our Clan Chief said true or not?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden strike terrified Che Zengye; his entire body shook, his face instantly turning deathly pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Che Zengye’s pitiful state, the others at the table froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the Wang Clan really uncover the truth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the Che family be so sloppy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Rongsheng rose to his feet, staring coldly at Che Zengye, who trembled in his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Che family must pay two thousand spirit stones as compensation. Then the Wang Clan will drop this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the Wang Clan of Anbei Country will march to your ancestral lands and crush them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone who matters already knows about Elder Mangxiang’s attempt to attain Golden Core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Che Cultivator, I advise your family to think carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give me an answer within ten days!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clan Chief refused to report this to the Garrison Cultivator—simple reason: the Garrison Cultivator was full, and the Wang Clan got nothing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to solve this ourselves than rely on the Hongdengzhao system!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After offering so many tributes to Elder Mangxiang, the Wang Clan had the right to borrow a little of his prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping away the relentless sweat on his forehead, Che Zengye forced a smile, feigning ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rongsheng Cultivator, the Che family has never colluded with bandits. Are you mistaken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Rongsheng smiled, too lazy to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go back and gather your two thousand spirit stones!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Che Zengye realize: the Wang Clan had truly uncovered the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chicken was dead; Wang Rongsheng turned to the monkeys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, let’s discuss placing orders, fellow cultivators.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing off Gao Jian, Wang Rongsheng shook his head and warned Yulou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, Yulou,” Yulou sighed. “But we can’t afford to alienate someone like Gao Jian—little devils are hard to shake off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yingxi was easygoing; even if Mu Chunze ate with vulgar greed, he still maintained appearances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jian was different—this mad dog wore his hysteria on his face and had ruled Qingxi Fang  for decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s troublesome. He’s survived this long without being ambushed—not just luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But... Miaofeng Mountain and Gushen Sect are fighting fiercely; prices of all talismans have risen slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou, adjust the pricing of all Baibao Pavilion goods promptly—we can’t afford to lose out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wolong Fang  fell, Gushen Sect had slapped Miaofeng Mountain hard across the face, leaving its Purple Mansion cultivators red and swollen with shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You let yourselves profit—until your sect disciples started switching allegiances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now you’ve been slapped, and you can’t even strike back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Immortal Alliance’s laws stand above all: no Purple Mansion cultivator may act lightly; any action invites scrutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once watched by the Immortal Alliance, you’ll bleed heavily at minimum; those who overstep are locked in Zhenxian Pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below Purple Mansion, Foundation Establishment cultivators may duel—but if someone dies, they must pay with their life—life for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to put it? They fought fiercely, yet not intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, not a single Foundation Establishment cultivator dared intervene—all were Qi Refining cultivators grinding against each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only impact on Qingxi Fang  was a slight price surge in talismans, magic treasures, and other goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, hermits began spending heavily, seeking to strengthen themselves for opportunity in the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Wolong Fang  changed hands, did both sides fight like this?” Yulou asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Rongsheng had grown up in Wolong Fang ; hearing Yulou’s question, he replied with a knowing tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over three hundred years ago, the sect across Wolong River was Huishan Mansion. Later, Miaofeng Mountain crushed Huishan Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When such ancestral feuds ignite, who can say when they’ll end?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yulou silent, Wang Rongsheng was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong? Why so quiet? Are you worried?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou smiled and explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Clan Chief once planned for Yuan to join Miaofeng Mountain after he reached Qi Refining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, it seems Yuan won’t be able to join Miaofeng Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou’s train of thought startled Wang Rongsheng—he burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m going to cultivate. Yulou, I leave Baibao Pavilion in your hands—Clan Chief chose wisely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the situation is complex now; don’t grow arrogant. When facing hard or major matters, don’t decide alone—come consult me first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, at the second watch, Baibao Pavilion finally closed its shutters after a full day of business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan slumped into a chair, exhausted, complaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, isn’t our priority cultivation? Let the staff handle Baibao Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Bai Lu watching, you’ll know if anything goes wrong—why do you insist on dragging me here every day to stand guard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan was really asking for trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yulou’s younger brother, he had a stubborn refusal to lose—whatever Yulou did, he copied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou’s intensity was the kind that never stopped—Yuan simply couldn’t endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, you speak lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on, let’s head home together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lu, you’ve worked hard—tomorrow you’re off. Rest well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lu was startled by Yulou’s words, frantically protesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Young Master Yulou, I’m not tired—it’s my duty! No rest needed, no rest needed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taken from Tang Nianqiu’s service, Bai Lu had received spirit stones for the first time at Baibao Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her, this job was perfect—it actually paid wages!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she felt no fatigue; when Yulou told her to rest, she feared he thought her useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If she doesn't rest, neither will I, Wang Yuan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stubborn types are like this—Yulou merely gave Bai Lu a slight nudge, and he willingly returned to his path as a relentless workaholic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training Wang Yuan? Yulou is a professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to Fuyuanju, Yulou was surprised to find Tang Nianqiu seated behind the counter in the main hall, seemingly auditing accounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them enter, Tang Nianqiu looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still so late, Yulou—don't push yourself too hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yulou watched Wang Yuan disappear without a glance into the back courtyard, then turned to Tang Nianqiu and declared with feigned fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We of the Wang clan must take it as our duty to prosper our family—Yulou does not tire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle Nianqiu, there is one matter I wish to ask of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? What is it? We’re family—uncle will do all he can to help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou stepped aside and pulled the nervous Bai Lu forward, explaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Nianqiu internally sighed, yet nodded vigorously on the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, good! My adopted daughter catching your eye is a fine thing—a very fine thing indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Bai Lu’s affiliation settled, Yulou’s spirits lifted. After chatting briefly with Tang Nianqiu, he returned to his cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long after, the main hall of Fuyuanju remained empty; Bai Lu showed no sign of returning to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the counter, Tang Nianqiu let out a cold snort and slammed the ledger down hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ungrateful wretch, cold-hearted beast—this is what the Wang clan has become! Even the daughter they raised is like this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1868,"2026-06-20T15:48:26.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6ea1fa6f364144f46e3f46b1cdb9e0bfade160ef11bfd32ee9f6d4bf6849371b","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-60","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-58",243,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-the-jade-palace-cover.jpg"]