Chapter 799: Bound to the Birth System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 800: Xuanhuan World Passerby A (20)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

The Fan Family relied on this strategy of vertical and horizontal alliances to finally secure a seat at the table in Shang Lu Cheng.

Of course, this "seat at the table" meant having the qualification to negotiate with other forces; if we're talking about absolute authority, the Lotus Pond Fan Family wasn't qualified—at minimum, it would have to be the main branch of the Floating Fan Family.

Not to mention just one Shang Lu Cheng, even the entire Qingchuan Region might not be able to get the Floating City main branch to come running over to stir up trouble; although the Qingchuan Secret Realm was famous in Tianxia, Tianxia wasn't only home to the Qingchuan Secret Realm.

Besides, the Floating City Fan Family itself had its own private secret realm, not much inferior to the Qingchuan Secret Realm, so why invite so much criticism and dissatisfaction over a place everyone knew about?

"Bottom line, the main branch isn't short on these resources; it's only us people out here making a living who would be reluctant to let go of any benefit."

Fan Gui Qi said this without any resentment or unwillingness; he had accepted himself well, and even without the secret letter sent by his birth father Qin Zi Fan Sheng, Fan Gui Qi would still do his best to increase resources and improve strength for his family.

"Everyone is like this; even the Floating Fan Family is incredibly wealthy right now."

But thousands of years ago, the Fan Family was still just an unknown nobody.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

"Lu Sir, there's no need to belittle yourself; heroes of Tianxia don't ask about origins. One day, when the Lotus Pond Fan Family is famous throughout Tianxia, everything Lu Sir does today will be remembered."

Lu Yan thought and felt however he wanted; in his view, the awkwardness before rising to power was just a necessary tempering process for when heaven was about to bestow a great responsibility on someone.

As long as they persisted, they would make a name for themselves.

Right now, Shang Lu Cheng was a good tempering ground; there were many forces here and the personnel were mixed. If Fan Gui Qi could really toy with Shang Lu Cheng in the palm of his hand, then Fan Sheng, far away ten thousand li, should be able to rest assured.

Whether Fan Sheng was reassured or not was hard to say, but right now Lu Yan was quite reassured about Fan Gui Qi.

Because Fan Gui Qi was a family head with great self-awareness who knew how to read the times; compared to others' ideals, Fan Gui Qi looked at problems very realistically.

He didn't open his mouth demanding ownership of all of Shang Lu Cheng, but instead gave every force an equal opportunity to cooperate, using a consultative tone. If certain forces were willing, Fan Gui Qi would sincerely lay out his plans and discuss profit division; if certain forces were unwilling, Fan Gui Qi wouldn't fly into a rage, but would first be courteous before choosing to directly kick them out.

"Kick them out? Would other forces be willing?" They came from ten thousand li away, only to be driven back in dejection—no one could accept that smoothly.

"If they're unwilling, there's nothing to be done; too many people stand on Fan Gui Qi's side."

It wasn't just Shang Lu Cheng; they had other cooperation interests in their hands. To go all out and completely offend someone was obviously unrealistic.

"The Lotus Pond Fan Family," Shen Yao suddenly chuckled, looking at Lu Yan beside her with a playful expression, "I suppose Family Head Fan Qin doesn't know Family Head Fan's abilities."

Fan Sheng didn't understand Fan Gui Qi thoroughly enough, and this person was also quite interesting—solutions were easily obtained, yet he actually personally visited Lu Yan, rushing to distribute the benefits in his hands. Tsk tsk tsk, Fan Gui Qi's future was limitless.

Lu Yan agreed with what Shen Yao said; he was also optimistic about Fan Gui Qi's actions. This Shanglu was like a letter of recommendation sent out. He believed that after this matter, Fan Gui Qi's fame would soar in the southern region.

…………

The negotiation went very smoothly; generally, no force would refuse benefits delivered to their door.

Although the benefits weren't as many as what they could get by occupying the dominant position themselves, they didn't need to pay anything extra right now.

"The Lin Family's reputation over many years surely wouldn't be broken without cause. Lotus Pond Fan Family, I hope you don't disappoint us."

"Family Head Lin can rest assured. The Lotus Pond Fan Family values reputation above all in daily conduct. Moreover, regarding the matters of Shang Lu Cheng, involving so many parties, they wouldn't dare to cause trouble even if they had the gall."

Family Head Lin:...

Truly a silver tongue! It really opened his eyes!

As Family Head Lin, a person who owned two cities and had dealt with many forces in daily life, it seemed someone like Fan Gui Qi was still a first-time encounter.

How to put it?

Family Head Lin could only say he didn't like him; he couldn't specify the reason, but the two had incompatible auras and mutually repelling chemistry. Being together was just asking for trouble.

"Hmph! We're leaving!"

After coldly dropping harsh words, Family Head Lin gestured with his eyes to An Ran standing behind him, and left cleanly and decisively.

An Ran:...

An Ran had been a background character the whole time, and Family Head Lin still didn't know he was a two-five spy. Helplessly glancing at Family Head Lin who had already turned and walked away, An Ran nodded to Fan Gui Qi, and then the two bodies passed each other.

"What do the other family heads think?" Fan Gui Qi picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip, then mentioned that Family Head Lin, who had just left, spoke harshly and unpleasantly, but fortunately was straightforward and didn't drag things out with him. At the same time, he hoped other family heads could be as straightforward as Family Head Lin. "Everyone is for the good development of Shang Lu Cheng." Money in the bag is safety; no matter how well benefits are spoken of, if they're not in hand, they're fake.

Other wedding guests:...

Got it!

This family head of the Lotus Pond Fan Family had a glib tongue, and what he said convinced them wholeheartedly.

Since they could safely and steadily collect the benefits, why fight to the death for benefits that weren't that many? The big shots exchanged glances, those who were acquainted also nodded, quickly reached a consensus in their hearts, then stood up to say goodbye.

More and more people like this appeared, until finally only Fan Gui Qi remained in the whole room.

The teacup in his hand was placed back down, Fan Gui Qi stood up and left, pushing open the door to the next room separated by only one wall.

"Lu Sir, the freshly brewed Liang Chen Gui, care to try?"

"Lu Sir, respect is less than obedience."

Fan Gui Qi walked up to Lu Yan, smiling as he picked up the spirit tea named Liang Chen Gui to taste.

The spirit tea tasted sweet, moistening, mild and gentle, produced in the east of the Extreme Sea. The annual output was not much, and it was a famous spirit tea in Tianxia.

"These Liang Chen Gui were still offerings from the clan when I was in the Lu Family."

Lu Yan had not been harshly criticized in terms of food and drink; whatever others had, he would have too.

It was just that Lu Yan had never cared much for the pleasures of the palate. Liang Chen Gui was ultimately just a tea; no matter how good the flavor, it couldn't compare to the benefits of cultivation.

Therefore, after Lu Yan left his home, all these things produced by the Lu Family were put by Lu Yan into his ring for storage, and only occasionally would he remember to use them.

"Spirit tea has its own wonders. Today, Fan Mou has truly seen it."

Carefully sensing the changes inside his body, Fan Gui Qi put down the teacup in his hand and softly spoke of the negotiation that had just happened next door.

Lu Yan casually gave the remaining Liang Chen Gui along with the tea canister to Fan Gui Qi as a meeting gift. "The progress is smooth. Next is the arrangement for rebuilding Shang Lu Cheng."

"In terms of manpower, ensure Lotus Pond can suppress the other forces. Also, the safety around Shang Lu Cheng—you probably won't be idle for a while."

Rebuilding Shang Lu Cheng requires manpower and stewards; the stewards here do not refer to those servants, but to someone who can truly keep their word and make decisions with final authority.

Fan Gui Qi currently needs to guard Shang Lu Cheng himself until Shang Lu Cheng gets on the right track.

As for Lian Tang City...

"The Fan Family is not just me alone; the Lotus Pond Fan Family will not fall," that place is their last line of retreat, and they will never give up at any time.

Lu Yan lifted his teacup and took a sip, "You just need to keep these matters in mind."

Lu Yan also could not mention many things too much, and moreover, people like Fan Gui Qi do not need others' guidance; they can perfectly resolve many matters on their own.

Returning to the Temporary Courtyard, Lu Yan had not yet entered the Study when the servant waiting at the doorway invited him to Shen Yao Place.

The still bored Shen Yao asked when they would leave; if they stayed any longer, Shen Yao feared she would have to rely on the system to investigate all the various forces in the city.

Heaven knows how the system was so bored as to have nothing to do, chattering nonstop in her ear every day, some words repeated over and over; today it mentioned the annoying xx family, tomorrow it spoke of the unruly xx family, and the day after tomorrow it focused on belittling the extremely foolish xx family.

In the system's eyes, not a single one of these forces could be called perfect, and even among those under Fan Gui Qi's command, there were still incidents of making mistakes and taking advantage of cheap deals.

Shen Yao:...

While raising her hand to knead her sore and swollen forehead, and closing her eyes to empty her mind, Shen Yao lay on her side on the couch, too lazy to turn over and sit up; instead, as Lu Yan leaned over, she wrapped herself around him like a beautiful snake.

Lu Yan:...

Lu Yan's body stiffened somewhat, but then it slowly relaxed again in an instant.

He raised his hand and lightly patted Shen Yao's back, his voice unconsciously lowered, "In just these few days, the new Shang Lu Cheng will be rebuilt on the original foundation."

Construction materials were everywhere; as for manpower, some would be transferred from various forces, and a batch would be recruited locally; Lu Yan considered that part of the future gains of Shang Lu Cheng would also be his, so he voluntarily sponsored some Spirit Jade as startup capital.

As long as the initial investment goes smoothly and the surrounding Secret Realms gradually recover, the new Shang Lu Cheng will not lose money.

Shen Yao heard the definite time of their departure, raised both hands to encircle Lu Yan's neck and gently pulled him down, "When we leave Shanglu, should we loiter around Qingchuan, or leave Qingchuan and head to Jin Jue City in the west?"

Jin Jue City in the west is somewhat like Qingchuan; the Secret Realm strange treasures there are mostly of the fire attribute, and are indispensable spirit resources for the Flame Lion to enhance its potential.

Right now, the Black Feather Snake and the Swift Wind Wolf have both completed their corresponding potential enhancements; only the Flame Lion remains a lone beast. If the Flame Lion's head were not so unintelligent, spending its days either eating and drinking or lying under the sun sleeping, it would probably be depressed by the progress of its little companions.

How pitiful; clearly it was once the strongest of the three beasts, but now it has fallen to the bottom one, truly catching the beast off guard.

Lu Yan raised his beautiful eyebrows, "Jin Jue City."

If it were not for the matters of Shang Lu Cheng, they could have continued to stay on the Qingchuan side; but right now Shang Lu Cheng attracts many gazes, and along with it, other cities in Qingchuan also become popular, so of course they must leave Qingchuan and go elsewhere.

"Jin Jue City is at the westernmost part of the Central State, bordering Qing Zhou and Huang Zhou."

"Jin Jue City has many jades," jades can also be used to make many things.

For example, the Pearl Bracelet Shen Yao wears on her wrist, and again the Jade Hairpin on her hair, as well as various ornaments on her neck and even her earlobes.

Shen Yao, having come to this world, is already among those at the combat power ceiling; therefore she has no urgent need to improve her martial prowess, and there is not much that interests her, among which clothing and jewelry can be counted.

Of course, Jin Jue City has much jade, among which there are not a few Spirit Jade Mines that can be used for trade; the Spirit Jade produced is the currency of cultivators.

Lu Yan's Spirit Jade Mine is not as far away as Jin Jue, but Lu Yan once mentioned that in Jin Jue City, if an ownerless Spirit Jade Mine is discovered, it can be taken as one's own, but part of the benefits must be ceded to Jin Jue City.

And the administrators of Jin Jue City are also very special; they are a batch of Jin Yu Shu who are comparatively sensitive to jade and stone; they can understand human speech from childhood, are eloquent and good at debating, and have been managing Jin Jue City since they appeared ten thousand years ago.

"They ally and trade with humans, and do business with strange beasts and strange beasts; they are famous middlemen in the Central State."

Moreover, the Jin Yu Shu can live long; compared to the short-lived humans, they can be called a long-lived species, with lifespans easily exceeding a thousand years.

The current City Lord of Jin Jue City is the old ancestor of the Jin Yu Shu Clan, said to be already one thousand two hundred years old, and still in his prime.

Shen Yao:...

Thinking carefully about the rumors concerning the Jin Yu Shu, Shen Yao felt they were preposterous.

Fortunately, the strange beasts and strange plants of this world cannot transform into adults and are reproductively isolated from humans; moreover, the Jin Yu Shu Clan's combat power is not strong, merely enough for self-preservation but insufficient for attack; otherwise, one dare not imagine how chaotic this world would be.

When the vanished Shang Lu Cheng city wall was rebuilt by people, the idle ordinary people became busy, and Shen Yao and Lu Yan boarded a carriage and left Shang Lu Cheng.

Fan Gui Qi found time to run over to see them off, even though he has been very busy recently.

Lu Yan smiled and told him to take care of his health, "When Lu returns next time, I believe the current Shang Lu Cheng will have a completely new appearance."

Fan Gui Qi smiled and nodded, "Day by day and month by month, Shanglu has new changes; the original name is no longer suitable."

Lu Yan, hearing this, made an 'oh' sound, "I wonder what Brother Fan wants to call it?"

Shanglu, having been destroyed and then reestablished, changing to a new name is not unreasonable.

Fan Gui Qi raised his head to look at the sun hanging in the sky, "With the renewal of the first element, all things are renewed. Let it be called Yuan City, only hoping that the people here can forget the past and start anew."

'Start anew?'

Shen Yao put down the lifted curtain; at this moment, the characters of Shanglu, Yuan City had already been carved on the city gate, as if sprinkled with a layer of gold powder.

Fan Gui Qi's meaning is good; I do not know if the residents of Yuan City can understand the meaning within.

'Forget it, why care so much? Among so many cities on the Jiuzhou Continent, every city's name behind it has a representative meaning, but how many are passed down.'

Most have disappeared in the long river of history; occasionally mentioned by people in a couple of sentences, the content spoken is also unrelated.

'Host, there is no need to be so pessimistic,' besides, with the Host's lifespan in this world, the tragedy of Yuan City will probably not catch up.

Shen Yao:...

'System, you really know how to speak,' just knowing how to anger her to death.

System:...

How does the Host change faces in a second; it never lies, it speaks only the truth!

Who would have known that the truth is what hurts people the most; when one person and one system argue, every strike is fatal, all thanks to them knowing each other well enough.

This must be the legendary mutual love and mutual killing, right.