Chapter 21

Sotuo City, the Martial Soul Hall branch.

Translation: "Suotuocheng, the Spirit Hall branch."

In the Chief Steward's office, he received a letter sent up from his subordinates.

Translation: "Inside the Chief Steward's office, a letter sent from below was received."

In the Chief Steward's office, he received a letter sent up from his subordinates.

Upon opening it, the contents piqued his interest.

Translation: "Upon opening it, the content inside piqued his interest."

"Recently the Li family has risen to fame, making a fortune every day, yet this guy wants to discuss a huge business deal with me? Interesting."

Translation: "\"Recently the Li family's fame has soared, raking in gold every day, yet this guy wants to discuss a huge business deal with me? Interesting. \""

"Moreover, it was personally written by that guy Flandre."

Translation: "\"Moreover, it was personally written by that guy Flandre. \""

"After all, he is a Soul Saint, so we should give him face; let's see what tricks they have up their sleeves."

Translation: "\"After all, that guy is a Soul Sage, so we should give him face—let's go see what tricks they have up their sleeves. \""

The Chief Steward is currently the most influential person in the Martial Soul Hall branch of Sotuo City; as for the deputy hall master and hall master positions, they are vacant. If his achievements are outstanding, those two positions are his for the taking; otherwise he will miss out.

Translation: "The Chief Steward is currently the most influential person in the Spirit Hall branch of Suotuocheng; as for the Vice Hall Master and Hall Master positions, they are vacant—if his achievements are outstanding, those two posts are his for the taking; otherwise he'll miss out."

This opportunity has come at just the right time.

Translation: "This opportunity has come just in time."

If he can establish connections with the Li family and Flandre and others, and profit from it as an achievement, he could hope to be promoted to deputy shop manager this year.

Translation: "If he can connect with the Li family and Flandre and profit from it as an achievement, he hopes to be promoted to Vice Shop Manager this year."

He gave an order, saying he needed to go out to handle some matters, and then left directly for the most luxurious and expensive hotel in Sotuo City.

Translation: "He gave an order, saying he needed to go handle some matters, then left and headed straight to the most luxurious and expensive hotel in Suotuocheng."

In the most luxurious and expensive hotel suite, a banquet with hidden intentions has already been set up.

Translation: "In the suite of that most luxurious and expensive hotel, a banquet with hidden intentions had already been set up."

The two representing them this time are Flandre and Li Yusu.

Translation: "The two representing them this time were Flandre and Li Yunsong."

As for Zhao Wují, he is a wanted man by the Martial Soul Hall, so showing up now would be inappropriate.

Translation: "As for Zhao Wují, that guy is wanted by the Spirit Hall, so showing up now would be inappropriate."

As for Li Fei, after suppressing the evil fire within Ma Hongjun's body, he returned to the Li family to continue his cultivation.

Translation: "As for Li Fei, that guy, after suppressing the evil fire inside Ma Hongjun's body, returned to the Li family to cultivate."

He has already set up the trap; next, he just needs to wait for the Martial Soul Hall branch personnel to walk into it, and then bring the rest of the Martial Soul Hall in as well.

Translation: "He has already set the trap; next he waits for the Spirit Hall branch's people to jump in, then he will bring the rest of the Spirit Hall's members to jump in as well."

In that case, the Martial Soul Hall branch of Sotuo City would be on the same boat as the Li family, like grasshoppers on a rope.

Translation: "That way, the Spirit Hall branch of Suotuocheng will be on the same boat as the Li family, like grasshoppers tied together."

Chief Steward Odin entered the room, closed the door, glanced at Flandre and Li Yusu, and directly said: "Dean Flandre, Dean Li, may I ask what brings you to see me this time?"

Translation: "Chief Steward Odin entered the room, closed the door, glanced at Flandre and Li Yunsong, and spoke directly: \"Dean Flandre, Dean Li, may I ask what brings you to see me this time? \""

Regarding Flandre's Shrek Academy and the Li family, he had previously arranged for an investigation, so he naturally knew that Li Yusu was already the vice-dean of Shrek Academy.

Translation: "Regarding Flandre's Shrek Academy and the Li family's affairs, he had previously arranged for an investigation, so he naturally understood that Li Yunsong was already the vice dean of Shrek Academy."

Moreover, Flandre originally made money by partnering with the Li family.

Translation: "Moreover, Flandre started making money by playing with the Li family."

That is how he has amassed his current wealth.

Translation: "Only then did he acquire his current wealthy status."

Upon learning this, he was extremely envious.

Translation: "Upon learning this, he was also extremely envious."

The daily-use products produced by the Li family are truly effective; he is also a beneficiary, mainly because they are affordable and generous in quantity.

Translation: "The Li family's daily necessities are truly effective; he is also one of the beneficiaries, mainly because the prices are affordable and the quantities are generous."

Moreover, they are now recruiting soul masters with various special martial souls, seemingly planning some small moves.

Translation: "Moreover, they are now recruiting soul masters with various special martial souls, seemingly planning some small moves."

The profit chain behind the Li family is also enormous.

Translation: "The Li family's behind-the-scenes interest chain is also enormous."

Now the Li family's status in Sotuo City belongs to the top tier.

Translation: "Now the Li family's status in Suotuocheng belongs to the top tier."

If it weren't for the royal family of the Barak Kingdom pressing down from above, the Li family would truly be the strongest force.

Translation: "If it weren't for the Balake Kingdom's royal family pressing down from above, the Li family would truly be the strongest power."

Although he is the Chief Steward of the Martial Soul Hall branch in Sotuo City, his cultivation is only at the Soul Emperor level, so he dare not act arrogantly before a veteran Soul Saint.

Translation: "Although he is the Chief Steward of the Spirit Hall branch in Suotuocheng, his cultivation is only at the Soul Emperor level, so he dare not act arrogantly before a veteran Soul Sage."

Moreover, these two harbor no ill will toward him and greet him with smiling faces.

Translation: "Moreover, these two harbor no ill will toward him and greet him with smiling faces."

Flandre enthusiastically invited: "Chief Steward Odin, please have a seat quickly; these dishes are about to get cold, let's eat while we talk."

Translation: "Flandre warmly invited: \"Chief Steward, please sit quickly; these dishes are about to get cold—let's eat and talk. \""

Odin sat down and said: "Let's talk about the matter first; otherwise I won't be able to eat in peace, and besides, my duties are very busy."

Translation: "Odin sat down and said: \"Let's talk business first; otherwise I won't eat in peace, and my duties are very busy. \""

Li Yusu and Flandre exchanged a glance, then began to speak the words that Li Fei had prepared in advance.

Translation: "Li Yunsong and Flandre exchanged a glance, then began to speak the prearranged words that Li Fei had organized earlier."

"Our Li family has many profitable projects; we want to invite you to become a shareholder, so we can all make money and be happy together."

Translation: "\"Our Li family has many profitable ventures; we want you to invest, so we can all make money and be happy together. \""

"This time we invited Chief Steward Odin not only for business cooperation, but also to ask you to personally handle the formal certification for our Shrek Academy as an advanced soul master academy, which must qualify us to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament."

Translation: "\"This time we invited you, Chief Steward, not only for business cooperation but also to ask you to personally handle obtaining an official qualification certificate for an advanced soul master academy for our Shrek Academy, which must be eligible to compete in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition. \""

"Here are one hundred thousand gold soul coins, consider it payment for your hard work."

Translation: "\"Here are 100,000 Gold Soul Coins, consider it payment for your trouble. \""

Flandre said, waving his hand, and a large suitcase appeared, with a slit through which golden light shone, revealing stacks of gold soul coins bulging out.

Translation: "Flandre said, waving his hand; a large suitcase appeared, with a slit inside from which golden light flashed, piles of Gold Soul Coins bulging out."

Damn the corrupting smell of money!

Translation: "Damn the corrupting smell of money!"

Odin felt moved after hearing Li Yusu's earlier talk about business cooperation.

Translation: "Upon hearing Li Yunsong's earlier words about cooperating in business, Odin's heart was moved."

Upon seeing this large bag of gleaming gold soul coins, he even swallowed his saliva; even though he is a Soul Emperor, he is only a sixty-one.

Translation: "Now seeing this big bag of gleaming Gold Soul Coins, he even swallowed his saliva; even though he is a Soul Emperor, he is only a sixty-one anyway."

Obtaining one hundred thousand gold soul coins would also require a not-so-long time.

Translation: "Obtaining 100,000 Gold Soul Coins would also take a not‑long time."

His salary certainly isn't that much! "Hahaha!!!"

Translation: "\"His salary certainly isn't that much! \" \"Hahaha!!! \""

"It turns out you two elders are here for this matter; since you're looking out for me, I'll shamelessly accept!"

Translation: "\"So it turns out you two elders are here for this matter; since you're looking out for me, I'll shamelessly accept! \""

"Don't worry, I can quickly take care of the certification for Shrek Academy; as for the cooperation, I agree. If I can secure this profitable project for the Martial Soul Hall branch, once the results come out, the superiors will surely promote me to deputy hall master, and then our cooperation will have even greater room!"

Translation: "\"Don't worry, I can quickly take care of the proof needed from Shrek Academy; as for the cooperation, I agree—if I can secure this profitable venture for the Spirit Hall branch, once the results come out, the superiors will surely promote me to Vice Hall Master, and then our cooperation will have even more room! \""

Odin also didn't stand on ceremony, happily agreed, put the large bag of gold soul coins into his soul tool, picked up the cup on the table, raised it, and said: "You two, I'll drink first!"

Translation: "Odin also didn't stand on ceremony, happily agreed, put a big bag of Gold Soul Coins into his soul tool, picked up the cup on the table and raised it: \"Gentlemen, I'll drink first! \""

"Happy cooperation!"

Translation: "\"Happy cooperation! \""

"Happy cooperation!"

Translation: "\"Happy cooperation! \""

Li Yusu and Flandre exchanged a glance, also not expecting things to go so smoothly, naturally they were very pleased, picked up their cups and drank heartily.

Translation: "Li Yunsong and Flandre exchanged a glance, also not expecting things to go so smoothly; naturally they were also pleased, picked up their cups and drank heartily."

The three of them ate while chatting, already having become like sworn brothers.

Translation: "The three ate and chatted, already having become sworn brothers."

Nobody would go against their own interests.

Translation: "Nobody would go against their own interests."

Odin could already imagine his future super wealthy life.

Translation: "Odin could already imagine his future super‑wealthy life."

While chatting, Li Yusu intentionally or unintentionally informed Odin that he had broken through to become a Soul Saint.

Translation: "While chatting, Li Yunsong unintentionally let Odin know that he had broken through to become a Soul Sage."

Upon hearing this, Odin was shocked and quickly offered congratulations.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Odin was shocked and quickly offered congratulations."

The more connections, the better.

Translation: "The more connections, the better."

A Soul Saint carries great weight in Sotuo City! Not to mention that the two Soul Saints here have such a good relationship! And they are both from Shrek Academy!

Translation: "A Soul Sage carries great weight in Suotuocheng! Moreover, the two Soul Sages here have such a good relationship—and they're both from Shrek Academy!"

"After the Li family gains a Soul Saint, their position will become even more unshakable; this big business is the perfect chance to seize the deputy hall master position—truly a win-win!" Odin thought to himself, feeling pleased.

Translation: "\"Once the Li family has a Soul Sage, their position will become unshakeable; they can use this big business to seize the Vice Hall Master position—truly a win‑win! \" Odin thought, feeling pleased."

"We have already won over the Chief Steward of the Martial Soul Hall branch; next, we will gradually co-opt the remaining members of the branch one by one onto our Li family's big ship, strengthening this network of relations, so that we all share honor and disgrace together!"

Translation: "\"Having already won over the Chief Steward of the Spirit Hall branch, next we will one by one corrupt and draw the rest of the branch's people onto our Li family's big ship, making this network of relations ever stronger—shared honor, shared disgrace! \""

"This is just the beginning; later on, if you suffer losses, my Li family may not necessarily suffer as well."

Translation: "\"This is just the early stage; later, if you suffer losses, my Li family may not necessarily suffer. \""

Li Yusu drank alcohol while eating dishes, thinking in his heart.

Translation: "Li Yunsong drank alcohol and ate vegetables while thinking in his heart."

He greatly admired his grandson Li Fei's cleverness.

Translation: "He greatly admired his grandson Li Fei's cleverness."

The Li family, him, and Shrek Academy being where they are today is also due to the other party's strategies and planning.

Translation: "The Li family, he, and Shrek Academy being where they are today is also due to the other's strategic planning."

Having eaten well, drunk well, and talked well, Odin left happily.

Li Yunsong and Flender also went their separate ways.

「Little Fei, this is all the personnel and family members of the Martial Soul Branch; we've already collected them all, take a look。」

Li Jianguo walked in, handing Li Fei the document he was holding.

Li Fei took it, looked, and said: 「Start the corrosion plan on each of them, binding them completely to us; afterwards the Martial Soul Branch can solve many things for us, and also be under our control。」

「If the Li family encounters trouble, we will pull out the cooperative projects we have with them to deal with it, then later inform these people behind the scenes that their interests are severely damaged, so they will help the Li family resolve potential troubles。」

「Now we must keep a constant watch on Suotuo City; if anyone tries to steal our business, we will bury them. Suotuo City belongs to our Li family; our Li family calls the shots; our Li family is heaven! 」

Li Fei's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning light, and he said.

「I also have the same intention。」

「You focus on cultivating and increasing your soul power; leave the money-making to us。」

Hearing this, Li Jianguo felt shocked; he never expected this plan to come from his own child.

However, seeing the Li family gradually grow stronger, he also felt happy.

「Good. 」 Li Fei nodded.

(End of chapter)