Chapter 209: 209. Chapter 206: Returning Home

209. Chapter 206: Returning Home

Early the next morning, Li Xuan got up early, washed up, and then took Bang Chui and a few others to eat; they were about to set out, and it was time to have a good meal.

"Brother, now that we've arrived at Star Luo City, should we bring some gifts for Lou Gao and the others?" Bang Chui suddenly thought of something and asked Li Xuan.

Li Xuan had indeed overlooked this, after all Lou Gao now works for him.

"You reminded me; I'll go buy some ore for them to bring back. I guess their ore won't last long either." Hearing Bang Chui's words, Li Xuan's eyes lit up, and he took out a Soul Guide Device filled with gold Soul Coins and handed it to Huang Shang.

Professional matters should be left to professionals.

"Huang Shang, here's the list; buy some ore for me. I need to go fetch the remaining slaves and meet at a spot fifty li east of Star Luo City." Li Xuan took out the ore list that Lou Gao had previously asked him to procure and gave it to Huang Shang.

Li Xuan believed that, as the caravan leader, Huang Shang was adept at loading goods and could secure the greatest profit for the least cost.

"No problem, master," Huang Shang nodded, then turned and left the tavern to purchase ore.

After Huang Shang left, Li Xuan turned his gaze to Bai Chuan.

"Bai Chuan, last night I considered many methods—at least a dozen that could heal your injuries, but here in Star Luo City it's not convenient to treat you. Once we get back to my territory and treat you, you'll definitely regain your peak strength," Li Xuan said, his expression firm.

Although Bai Chuan still didn't fully trust Li Xuan—after all, he knew how severe his injuries were, and even a Title Douluo‑ranked healing soul master might not be able to cure them.

But seeing Li Xuan's earnest demeanor, Bai Chuan sighed.

"Thank you, master..." Bai Chuan nodded slightly, then fell silent, standing quietly behind Li Xuan.

However, Li Xuan could tell that the fellow didn't truly believe he could heal his wounds.

Li Xuan didn't mind, smiled and waved his hand.

"Alright, enough talk. Next we still have to fetch the remaining slaves. Ladi Canyon's yang is flourishing while yin wanes terribly; I need to balance the yin and yang, otherwise my domain will eventually fall into chaos," Li Xuan said with a helpless sigh.

"Master, I'll arrange the carriage now," Bai Chuan nodded at Li Xuan, then turned to the rear yard to hitch the horses.

Li Xuan and Bang Chui quietly waited there.

Soon Bai Chuan returned driving the carriage; Li Xuan and Bang Chui got on, and Bai Chuan drove. Though Bai Chuan had only one arm, he had no trouble steering the carriage.

The carriage moved slowly, heading toward the outskirts of Star Luo City.

……

After leaving Star Luo City, Li Xuan, not far outside the city, suddenly saw the Fat Shopkeeper.

Li Xuan hadn't expected that three thousand ordinary slaves could prompt the shopkeeper himself to deliver them; this wasn't a lucrative trade.

The Fat Shopkeeper also saw Li Xuan, hurried a few steps forward, reached Li Xuan's carriage, and respectfully bowed.

"Young master, greetings. I've brought the three thousand farm women and five hundred children you ordered. Rest assured, they've been cleaned and given coarse linen garments," the Fat Shopkeeper explained thoughtfully to Li Xuan.

"Ha ha, no need to be modest, Fat Shopkeeper. This still required you to come over; thank you for the trouble," Li Xuan smiled and asked, noting the shopkeeper's decent demeanor.

"Young master, rest assured, these are the slaves I've arranged for you; each is of top quality," the Fat Shopkeeper gestured to a cluster of women standing nearby, all bearing the tattoos of slaves, heads down, appearing in their thirties and robust—surely good farmhands.

A short distance behind the farm women were some small children, seemingly under six years old; the Fat Shopkeeper wasn't lying—these are children who have not yet awakened their martial souls.

"Ha ha, thank you, Shopkeeper. Here's the labor fee for you coming early this morning to deliver these slaves," Li Xuan tossed a money pouch from his pocket to the Fat Shopkeeper.

"Thank you for the gift, young master. By the way, do you have a Soul Guide Device that can hold living beings? If you don't, I can lend you this one; otherwise three thousand people would be too conspicuous and harm your reputation," the Fat Shopkeeper gave Li Xuan a flattering smile, appeared considerate, and produced a Soul Guide Device to hand over.

"No need, I have one here, but their eyes need to be blindfolded; there's too much inside, and I don't want them to see," Li Xuan laughed, pushed back the Fat Shopkeeper's Soul Guide Device, and nodded.

"No problem, young master. I'll arrange for them to be blindfolded right away; it will be done quickly," the Fat Shopkeeper's eyes lit up at Li Xuan's words and he promptly nodded.

Each Soul Guide Device capable of storing living beings is priceless, and anyone who can carry such a device is of extraordinary worth.

Thus the Fat Shopkeeper's resolve to provide Li Xuan with even better service was further strengthened.

Then the Fat Shopkeeper turned toward the slaves and blindfolded their eyes with strips of black cloth.

These were prepared in advance; after all, a Soul Guide Device that can hold living beings naturally comes with blindfolds.

After everyone's eyes were blindfolded, the Fat Shopkeeper brought them before Li Xuan.

Li Xuan thought a thought, and the three thousand slaves were instantly transferred into the space of Zhang Tian Ping.

At the same time, five hundred children who had not yet awakened their martial souls were also transferred.

The Fat Shopkeeper stared at Li Xuan in shock; she hadn't expected him to so effortlessly transfer everyone into the Soul Guide Device at once.

The Fat Shopkeeper wasn't ignorant; normally, opening a Soul Guide Device that stores living beings consumes massive soul power, so even a Soul Saint Realm strongman couldn't transfer three thousand people in one go.

Thus the Fat Shopkeeper boldly guessed that Li Xuan's Soul Guide Device might be of a higher grade.

After packing all the slaves, Li Xuan smiled at the Fat Shopkeeper.

"Shopkeeper, thanks for this time. In a while I'll return to Star Luo City to purchase another batch of slaves; when I do, I'll come to you again, so please prepare some high‑quality slaves for me," Li Xuan said with a smile.

"Young master, rest assured, I'll arrange it for you in advance!" the Fat Shopkeeper pounded his chest and assured Li Xuan.

"Shopkeeper, the mountains are high and the road long; may we meet again if fate allows," Li Xuan clasped his fists in salute to the Fat Shopkeeper, then patted Bai Chuan's shoulder and said.

"Young master, travel safely," the Fat Shopkeeper bowed deeply to Li Xuan.

Bai Chuan immediately cracked his whip, urging the horses to leave Star Luo City.

Watching the carriage recede, the Fat Shopkeeper straightened up, revealing a brilliant smile.

He thought this time he had definitely landed a big fish.

……

Half a day later, Li Xuan suddenly called out to Bai Chuan. He glanced around, estimating they were near the spot arranged with Huang Shang.

"Bai Chuan, stop for now; let's rest here. Soon Huang Shang should have finished buying ore and be catching up to us," Li Xuan said to Bai Chuan.

"Yes, master?" Bai Chuan nodded, then halted the carriage, found a roadside spot to tie it up, making it more stable.

Li Xuan and Bang Chui, bored, sat inside the carriage to rest, awaiting Huang Shang's arrival.

Three hours later, Huang Shang finally arrived with a convoy of five or six carriages.

Hearing the carriage approach, Li Xuan leapt out of the carriage and saw Huang Shang rushing toward him.

"Master, I've already purchased the ore you needed. These are some of my former brothers; they heard I'm still alive and came to join me. What do you think, shall we keep them?" Huang Shang bowed his head, his eyes full of expectation.

"Do they intend to join my domain or your caravan?" Li Xuan asked, frowning.

"Of course it's the caravan; back then they were the ones who followed me traveling south and north, and they have a lot of experience in trade." Huang Shang immediately began praising these people, hoping Li Xuan would accept them.

"The caravan is entirely under your authority; I won't interfere. Whether you go or stay, you decide yourself. It's not joining my domain, so I don't care, I don't care!" Li Xuan waved his hand irritably and said.

Huang Shang's eyes widened the instant he heard Li Xuan's words; he had originally thought Li Xuan would only let him conduct business without interference, but unexpectedly granted him such great authority, even the appointment and dismissal of personnel.

"Thank you for your trust, Master!" Huang Shang knelt before Li Xuan again and said earnestly.

After these events, Huang Shang had essentially come to recognize Li Xuan; in Huang Shang's eyes, although Li Xuan is young, he is full of resolve, trusts him completely, and is a master worth serving.

"Bai Chuan, Huang Shang, you no longer need to call me Master; call me Young Master, or just Little Young Master, and you don't have to kneel." Li Xuan smiled at Huang Shang, then helped him to his feet.

"Yes, Young Master!" Huang Shang lifted his head, stood up, and bowed to Li Xuan again, becoming increasingly convinced of Li Xuan.

"Bai Chuan has seen the Young Master!" Bai Chuan leapt from the carriage and also bowed to Li Xuan.

The remaining three life‑type soul masters also performed a respectful salute to Li Xuan.

"Huang Shang, first give me the goods you procured; I have a Soul Guide Device, so we don't need such a massive convoy. Then organize the people—use a Class Three rotation, swap people and horses, and return to Ladi Canyon as quickly as possible." Li Xuan said to Huang Shang.

After speaking, Li Xuan went to the convoy and transferred all the ore inside into his Small Cave Heaven.

"Yes, Young Master!" Huang Shang replied, then began leading people to set up the camp and bonfire.

Seeing Huang Shang's demeanor, Li Xuan knew he had gotten a great bargain!

Huang Shang is definitely an effective caravan manager.

Soon, steaming hot food was ready, and Li Xuan took a few simple bites, then produced several hundred‑year‑old soul‑beast horses, harnessed them to the carriage to hasten his return to his domain.

After everyone had their fill of wine and food, they began preparing to set out.

……

The sky gradually darkened, and Huang Shang selected a few people to drive the carriage while the others returned to the carriage compartment to rest.

The bulky convoy was reduced to three wagons, racing toward Ladi Canyon.

Li Xuan lay in the carriage compartment, sleeping soundly; despite the jolts, he fell asleep without trouble.

Eight hours later, Huang Shang organized a personnel shift, and Li Xuan swapped in another batch of soul‑beast horses to prevent the mounts from collapsing from overexertion.

……

After a day and a night, just before sunset, Li Xuan finally returned to Ladi Canyon.

At this time the entrance to Ladi Canyon had been modestly renovated, with patrols nearby, and Li Xuan even saw shooting holes on the canyon walls on both sides.

"Yellow Turban Warrior, truly worthy of the name; this craftsmanship is unrivaled." Li Xuan stroked his smooth chin and muttered.

"Private domain, no trespassing." A burly farmer blocked Li Xuan's carriage.

"Do you know me?" Li Xuan stepped out of the carriage and asked the farmer.

"Lord! The lord has returned! The lord has returned!" the farmer immediately knelt, shouting loudly.

Soon, dozens of burly farmers emerged from the canyon, came before Li Xuan, and all knelt.

"Lord, shall we return to the canyon now?" the farmer asked Li Xuan respectfully.

"You drive the carriage and take us to find the Yellow Turban Warrior." Li Xuan told the farmers.

"Yes, my lord." the farmer nodded, then took over from Huang Shang's men, driving the carriage into Ladi Canyon.

As the carriage slowly entered Ladi Canyon, Li Xuan was amazed to see the scenery undergo a dramatic transformation.

Upon entering the canyon, the first sight was an endless expanse of farmland, with crisscrossing ditches arranged orderly, plus irrigation canals, waterwheels, houses, and warehouses… among other facilities.

They followed a blue‑stone path beside the fields, heading deeper into the canyon.

Huang Shang and Bai Chuan were also stunned by the scenery; they hadn't expected such a splendid place to exist in Douluo Continent.

The deeper they went into Ladi Canyon, the more numerous the buildings became, and they were exquisite and luxurious, clearly high‑end structures.

As the carriage entered the town, Yellow Turban Warriors poured out from the streets and gathered beside Li Xuan's carriage.

"Immortal Master, we have seen you!" all the Yellow Turban Warriors respectfully saluted Li Xuan.

"You warriors have worked hard lately." Li Xuan also gave a sincere salute to the Yellow Turban Warriors.

(End of chapter)