Chapter 191: Loophole

For this transaction with the Sister San Association, what Xu Yuan "paid" was the release of the entire Sister San Association to freedom.

This belonged to Xu Yuan's own "capital."

So once Great Wei Wei Huoshi and the others made up their minds, it meant the transaction was concluded.

The amount was huge, directly promoting Xu Yuan to Eighth Grade.

Moreover, he felt the distance to Seventh Grade was not far either.

This was because, if these two artisan items were calculated strictly according to their standard, the total price would be around forty or fifty thousand taels.

But in reality, if a true transaction were made, even if offered thirty or forty thousand taels, the Sister San Association would absolutely not sell.

According to this value, Xu Yuan would have shot straight up to Seventh Grade, or even Sixth Grade!

This also confirmed what Zhang Laoya had once told Xu Yuan: transactions have premiums, but cultivation does not.

Xu Yuan was already very satisfied; after cultivating the Merchant Law, he reached Eighth Grade in just two days, a speed truly unprecedented.

Xu Yuan suddenly thought, if all high officials of the Huang Ming engaged in some power-for-money transactions, that would be a profit of ten thousand for every one invested!

If the Grand Secretariat ministers cultivated the Merchant Law, I fear each and every one would be in the Top Three Grades!

Xu Yuan frowned, feeling there must be some problem with this.

Originally preparing to return and rest, he turned a corner and arrived at Zhang Laoya's door again, knocking: "Elder, are you resting? This junior has some matters to ask."

Zhang Laoya had drunk wine and intended to sleep early today, but was disturbed by Xu Yuan again.

His face was not very pleasant when he opened the door: "Speak quickly if you have something to say."

Xu Yuan spoke his doubts in a low voice.

Zhang Laoya waved his hand: "Of course it would not be so. Power-for-money transactions count as bribery; they do not count as a true transaction."

Xu Yuan thought again about his own transaction; what he paid seemed to be the power in his hand, so why did it count as cultivating the Merchant Law?

Xu Yuan then spoke of the "transaction" he had just completed.

Zhang Laoya was also puzzled: "Is it truly so?"

Zhang Laoya grabbed Xu Yuan's wrist, checked it, and revealed a look of confusion: "It really is Eighth Grade... this... it shouldn't be."

Zhang Laoya scratched his head, thought for quite a while, and then reluctantly explained: "Could it be because those people of the Sister San Association, on the scale in their hearts, judged this transaction to be very fair? So it does not count as bribery?"

Xu Yuan frowned; Zhang Laoya himself felt it was very forced.

"Or perhaps..." Zhang Laoya thought of another possibility: "Your 'Eight Directions Injury Calamity' caused a slight error in the evaluation of the Merchant Law cultivation? Something that shouldn't have counted was counted for you?"

This explanation was even more forced.

But this explanation did remind Xu Yuan.

What actually worked might indeed be the Fate Pattern, but not the 'Eight Directions Injury Calamity', but rather 'Bai Wu Jin Ji'!

Not only were there no taboos regarding evil spirits, but there were also 'no taboos' regarding cultivation!

Others cultivating the Merchant Law had various scruples; he had none!

Any means could be used!

Xu Yuan's heart surged with excitement; if it were truly so... the higher his official rank, the faster his Merchant Law would progress!

But after a brief surge of excitement, Xu Yuan calmed down.

He bitterly smiled in his heart: If he really engaged in power-for-money transactions, he could not pass the hurdle in his own heart.

If someone was willing to use hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to bribe you, what they sought was probably millions of taels in profit!

How much evil was hidden behind this? It might harm countless people.

Xu Yuan did not think he was a saint.

For example, going with the flow and allowing a subordinate to operate in violation of regulations was naturally harmless.

But some things truly could not be done.

The prospects seemed bright, but still, as the saying goes, such a "transaction" would probably be hard to encounter in the future.

"Disturbing you, Elder." Xu Yuan clasped his fist in a bow, took his leave, and departed.

Zhang Laoya, however, could not sleep; he tossed and turned in bed, simply unable to figure it out: "What exactly is going on? It shouldn't be..."

After Xu Yuan returned, he did not sleep either.

He thought for half the night.

Now that he knew there was such a "loophole" in the Merchant Law regarding himself, he truly could not bear to leave it unused.

In the end, he really thought of a method; perhaps he could exploit a loophole one more time.

The next day, upon waking, today's prohibitions were:

Night travel, dancing and singing, begging, and gluttony.

When Xu Yuan saw the prohibition on begging, he felt he was being targeted today.

My "begging bowl" hasn't even been used yet, and today it is prohibited.

But upon seeing the prohibition on "gluttony," his human skin would be greatly enhanced, so he shook his head and body and was satisfied again.

Xu Yuan simply ate breakfast, stopping at seventy percent full.

Then he went directly to the prison cells and released Great Wei Wei Huoshi and the others.

Wei Yunhua, with a tight face, followed behind the group, trying to slip out as well.

Without Xu Yuan needing to speak, Lang Xiao Ba suddenly thrust his arm across, blocking her: "My lord said yesterday that you are still to be detained."

Wei Yunhua broke down and screamed: "On what grounds! I am also a member of the Sister San Association. This transaction should include me as well!"

Xu Yuan said indifferently: "For no reason; I am not willing."

Wei Yunhua pushed aside Lang Xiao Ba's arm and tried to rush out.

But Lang Xiao Ba had made considerable progress in his rigorous cultivation last night; the strength of a Wu Xiu was already strong, and Wei Yunhua could not push Lang Xiao Ba's arm away, being forcibly blocked inside.

Wei Yunhua's eyes blazed with raging anger, and the Fu Zhong Huo in her belly churned along with it.

Xu Yuan sneered, "Have you thought it through?"

Wei Yunhua's Fu Zhong Huo subsided; she truly dared not act rashly within the Purification Bureau.

Her eyes reddened, and tears fell: "You... you bully a mere woman..."

"Tch!" Lang Xiao Ba sneered disdainfully and slammed the prison door shut with a clang: "If you like to cry, then cry a while longer inside.

In this world, not everything can be solved just by crying."

Xu Yuan led the Great Wei Wei Huoshi and others out, then said to the Great Wei Wei Huoshi, "I have a deal that might interest you."

Although the Great Wei Wei Huoshi and the others had come out, they were dejected; losing two craft items made it impossible to explain to the guild.

Their plan was to wait two days, have someone invite my lord to dine, and then spend money to buy back the two craft items.

Now they dared not completely turn against my lord.

Although the Great Wei Wei Huoshi's heart trembled uncontrollably when Xu Yuan mentioned "a deal" again, he still forced a smile and said, "Please speak, my lord."

"I will rent these two craft items to you for twenty thousand taels per year; you must pay five years in advance."

"Ah?" The Great Wei Wei Huoshi and the others were stunned.

Honestly, Patrol Inspector, aren't you going a bit too far!

But the initial anger quickly passed; the Great Wei Wei Huoshi and several subordinates exchanged glances: It seemed... it wasn't entirely unacceptable.

One hundred thousand taels paid at once.

Although it was a huge sum, the Champa branch could grit their teeth and actually come up with it.

Moreover, they had originally planned to buy back the two craft items; given this lord's "greedy" nature, ten thousand taels wouldn't have solved the problem.

Then Xu Yuan added further, "I can guarantee that the two craft items will work diligently and will never cause trouble for you again."

"Truly?!" The Great Wei Wei Huoshi couldn't help but press.

"Of course!"

"Deal!" The Great Wei Wei Huoshi hesitated no longer and immediately agreed.

Xu Yuan immediately felt his Merchant Arts break through the Seventh Rank once more!

(End of this chapter)