Chapter 38: Ji Residence

On the way to the Ji residence, Chu Danqing opened the excellent-grade treasure chest dropped by San Shi Zhi.

【You opened: Treasure Chest (Excellent Grade), obtained: Skill Book (Spirit Hunger of a Hundred Grains), Paradise Points ×2000】

【Skill Book: Spirit Hunger of a Hundred Grains】

【Type: Active Skill】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Effect: After use, gain the skill Spirit Hunger of a Hundred Grains, dealing damage to targets within range and additional damage to those with over 70% health, while granting yourself one layer of Hunger】

After reading the skill book’s description, Chu Danqing shoved it into his storage space.

Skills aren’t better the more you learn; he didn’t have enough time or Paradise Points to upgrade them all.

On the way to the Ji residence, Chu Danqing encountered Apostles such as Tie Yan and Han Ying, who had joined the Taiping Dao.

Aside from Tie Yan, the rest were lowest-rank followers, handing out talisman water to common folk on the streets.

Tie Yan was likely completing his final contribution task; the others were still on their identity quests.

As for that bald-headed youth, Chu Danqing hadn’t seen him—he probably joined the official camp.

The Taiping Dao had the lowest entry threshold and easiest advancement, but severe limitations.

The official camp’s entry threshold was higher than the Taiping Dao’s but lower than the Lu clan’s, yet promotion was the hardest.

Even the capable might never rise.

The Lu clan had plenty of problems too; it was no use blaming one while ignoring the other.

Chu Danqing had no conflicts with the other Apostles; everyone was busy, and few were foolish enough to act without direct personal gain.

Han Ying of the Longhu Alliance was somewhat resentful, but he dared not act.

Da Bao’s strength could easily tear him into shreds.

The Ji residence arrived soon; Chu Danqing asked the gatekeeper to deliver his message.

The gatekeeper, seeing Chu Danqing ride in a Lu clan carriage, bowed respectfully and relayed the matter upward.

Ji Yun rushed out immediately to greet him, smiling as he ushered Chu Danqing inside.

Chu Danqing knew Ji Yun’s status—he was middle-aged but not the Ji family’s head; that was his father, Ji Zhen.

“I never imagined the righteous one had become a guest-sponsor of the Lu clan—truly remarkable,” Ji Yun remarked.

The Lu clan had only six guest-sponsors before; he had visited them all and recognized them.

“Merely fortunate timing,” Chu Danqing replied humbly.

“That’s not right—the Lu clan’s guest-sponsors all possess real ability.”

“Too bad I missed you then; otherwise I’d have invited you into our Ji residence first,” Ji Yun sighed regretfully; such talent would be a great asset to his family.

But it was too late now—he knew how good the Lu clan’s guest-sponsor benefits were, and he couldn’t afford the cost of poaching.

“Today I’ve come to purchase grain from the Ji family,” Chu Danqing said bluntly.

Ji Yun wasn’t surprised by this.

“How much do you need?” Ji Yun didn’t accept or refuse, but asked the quantity first.

“I’m purchasing on behalf of the Lu clan,” Chu Danqing didn’t hide it: “How much can your family sell?”

“Had anyone else from the Lu clan come, I wouldn’t sell a single grain.”

“These grain supplies are destined for the government, for disaster relief.”

“If they leak out, you know the consequences,” Ji Yun was willing to sell only because of the debt of life.

“I can give the Lu clan no more than a thousand shi, five hundred coins per shi.”

Ji Yun gave his price: fifty thousand coins total.

Chu Danqing had calculated the price beforehand; before the disaster, one shi of grain fluctuated around fifty coins.

Now Ji Yun had raised it only tenfold—quite generous, practically a discount.

He’d expected it to cost over a thousand coins per shi.

“Thank you,” Chu Danqing felt a surge of joy—once this thousand shi arrived, the contribution for White Crane Immortal’s Manuscript would surely be enough.

Chu Danqing estimated one shi equaled about a hundred jin, so a thousand shi was fifty tons of grain.

This suggested the Ji residence had transported grain to Yangxian Commandery multiple times; otherwise, they wouldn’t have surplus.

And they might still be doing so.

As for the fifty-thousand-coin price? That wasn’t Chu Danqing’s concern.

He didn’t worry the Lu clan would complain about the high unit price—in this era, even with money, such bulk grain was unobtainable.

The Ji family publicly served the government, earning only transportation fees, daring not to overcharge.

“No need for thanks,” Ji Yun said lightly. “You came to negotiate; I couldn’t refuse you.”

Though he said that, Chu Danqing suspected the Ji family had hoarded much grain during this opportunity.

Waiting for the right moment to release it onto the market.

He treated Chu Danqing well only because Chu Danqing had saved his life.

If another Dimension Apostle had come, he wouldn’t even have been let inside.

“Then I’ll return first to have the Lu clan prepare the money before coming back for delivery,” Chu Danqing said, his goal achieved.

A thousand shi was but a drop in the bucket of this disaster, but sufficient for the Lu clan.

“Since the righteous one has come all this way, I must properly entertain you,” Ji Yun insisted.

After Chu Danqing refused repeatedly, Ji Yun sighed: “When you have free time, I’ll sweep the bed and welcome you.”

After this grain transaction, Chu Danqing would never return.

The debt of life was repaid—what face would he have to come begging again?

He had no time for idle chatter or sightseeing.

Ji Yun rose to see him off; as they reached the garden corridor, they met Ji Yun’s father, Ji Zhen.

He wore lavish, extravagant clothing, adorned with so many ornaments and trinkets they overwhelmed his frame.

The weight of these items forced him to be supported just to walk.

“I heard the righteous one who saved my son has come to visit; I dressed up properly to meet you.”

“I arrived late—please forgive me,” Ji Zhen’s tone carried gratitude.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing’s expression hardened.

“I dare not,” Chu Danqing bowed: “I have one question, though I’m unsure whether I should ask.”

“Please speak,” Ji Zhen was puzzled but, as a guest, gave full courtesy.

“May I ask, Master Ji, when did you develop this fondness for lavish attire?” Chu Danqing asked bluntly.

“It’s been some time,” Ji Yun answered for his father: “Righteous one, is something wrong?”

“Around the time Lu San died?” Chu Danqing named the date.

“Slightly off, but I truly began appreciating the beauty of such attire during that period,” Ji Zhen touched his garments, his face filled with obsession and intoxication.

This preference of Ji Zhen meant nothing to the Ji family.

Chu Danqing’s heart sank—the matter had grown complicated.

“Have either of you heard of the Three Corpses?”

(End of Chapter)