Chapter 313: Third‑grade Treasure

"Supervisor, I recently just recruited a person, a very promising young man…"

Yang Chun introduced Jiang Cheng.

As for the latter's identity, he didn't say.

Gu Zhangkong heard this and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

"Just a few days, and he went from a layperson to a Level Three Alchemical Master?"

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes, and that was only a day or two ago; now his level may have improved further. Supervisor, guess why he can advance so quickly?"

Gu Zhangkong laughed scoldingly:

"You're still teasing me, just say it quickly."

Yang Chun laughed heartily and also revealed Jiang Cheng's special method.

Gu Zhangkong heard this and his pupils widened slightly.

This method hasn't been without anyone trying it.

But successful people are few.

"If it is truly as you say, that's indeed good; if we nurture this kid well, he could become a Level Five or Six Alchemical Master in the future, perhaps even a Senior one."

A glint of brilliance flashed in Gu Zhangkong's eyes.

A Level Five or Six Alchemical Master can bring the Black Market a few hundred thousand a day; over a month that's several million. Who can refuse such temptation?

"Yes, Supervisor, I also have high hopes for him, but…"

Yang Chun wanted to speak but stopped.

Gu Zhangkong's gaze instantly became profound.

"Old Yang, I knew there wasn't anything that good; speak up, but what?"

"But Jiang Cheng's identity is too sensitive; he defected from the Dawn Society…"

It was then that Yang Chun disclosed the remaining matters, including the earlier phone call with Bing Li.

"So the Dawn Society now knows that the person is in our hands, and they sent two mid‑high-level Force Warriors, and the person was also killed by us?" Gu Zhangkong's expression grew solemn.

"Yes, that's right."

Yang Chun nodded.

Cautiously, he watched Gu Zhangkong's expression.

"Old Yang, you really gave me a tough problem."

Gu Zhangkong let out a light sigh.

"Since you came to me, you must already have an idea; tell me, what are you thinking?"

"I think, Brother Jiang, he is worth the risk, because he is a genius, both in martial ways and in alchemy."

Gu Zhangkong nodded.

If Yang Chun's words are true, the other party indeed is.

Such a genius usually only appears in the inner‑city families.

"Since we've already taken him in, we might as well keep him completely; after all, we've offended the Dawn Society, and even if we hand the person over now, they won't thank us, but will mock our cowardice behind our backs.

On the contrary, we should increase our investment in Jiang Cheng; on one hand his talent will allow faster growth, and on the other he will become more loyal to us."

"Indeed."

Gu Zhangkong nodded.

With his strength, he can suppress the Dawn Society.

That's only one side; the Dawn Society also has backing, and on the other hand, he is the Black Market supervisor—frontally he's fearless, but they're not stupid; their behind‑the‑scenes maneuvers are enough to give him a headache.

Yang Chun exhaled, then said, "After tonight, I fear the Dawn Society won't be so easily satisfied; they will send even more formidable assassins."

Gu Zhangkong frowned slightly. "Haven't you already assigned him a guard? Isn't a Level 7 Original Force Warrior enough?"

"Not enough."

Yang Chun shook his head.

"This time they sent, there is already a Level 7 Original Force Warrior; next time, they may send an Eight-level, perhaps even a Ninth-level."

"As for Level 10,"

"it is probably unlikely."

"Because within the Dawn Society, only their chairman possesses that strength."

"So you want a Ninth-level Force Warrior to act as his guard?"

"That is indeed the idea."

Yang Chun smiled.

"Hard."

Gu Zhangkong shook his head: "You know the manpower inside the organization better than I do, especially the Eight-level and Ninth-level Force Warriors; there are only that many of them. They not only are responsible for the safety of Level Five or Six Alchemical Masters, but also for those Senior Spiritual Thought Masters; when they go on missions they also need guards. If you take one from here, there will be one fewer there. The people they protect, at least for now, are far more important than that kid."

After all, he's only a Level Three Alchemical Master; at a rate of 40 Primary Spirit Nourishing Pills per day, the total value is only 40,000, and with four batches of ingredients that's a profit of 20,000, amounting to 600,000 a month.

The Level Five or Six Alchemical Masters can earn that in one or two days; which is heavier? A discerning eye sees immediately.

"I understand, but Supervisor, Jiang Cheng really has great potential; I think he could become a Senior Alchemical Master."

Gu Zhangkong shook his head.

"You also said that's possible."

"For an Alchemical Master to advance a level, the difficulty is not just in increasing Spiritual Power; in fact, it's even harder. He does have talent—within a few days he entered the Entry stage, became Second Level, then Level Three Alchemical Master—but what after that? He might become Senior, or he might stagnate for years. Sending a Level 7 Original Force Warrior as his guard, that treatment is already sufficient."

"Supervisor."

Yang Chun hesitated, then said, "If that's really not possible, could we lend him a Third‑grade defensive treasure? That way, even if he encounters danger, he can hold out until support arrives."

"You have such confidence in him?"

Gu Zhangkong stared at him.

"A treasure that can block attacks from eighth- and ninth-level Force Warriors would cost at least several hundred thousand to ten million. If he harbors any ulterior motives, you will have to bear that loss."

"I understand, but I firmly believe that Jiang Cheng is not the type who would abandon his family for profit."

Yang Chun said without hesitation.

If Jiang Cheng were, then when he left the Dawn Society, he could have left entirely on his own, without family dragging him down, and the Dawn Society would have almost no chance of finding him.

But he didn't do that.

Therefore, now he could not abandon his family and leave just because he covets a Third-grade Material treasure.

And he highly regards the other's potential, having invested three million in succession; if there were no defensive treasure, Jiang Cheng would later die at the hands of Dawn Society assassins, and his previous investment would have gone entirely to waste.

"Alright, since you brought it up, I won't refuse. I recall the storage has a repaired Tianluo Umbrella; you can lend it to him for use."

"Thanks, supervisor!"

Yang Chun quickly expressed thanks.

This is a high-grade Third-grade Material treasure; once activated, it can block attacks from Ninth-level Force Warriors, and as long as the user's internal Force does not run out, it can keep defending indefinitely—far stronger than a one-time Talismans, of course also far more expensive.

However, if the opponent's attack is too strong and destroys the treasure, that's another matter.

"Hehe, between you and me, no need for such formality; I also want to see how far the kid you favor can actually grow."

Gu Zhangkong smiled.

(End of chapter)