Chapter 86

This bright little study was actually a corner room off the main house; after Su Jin moved in, she rearranged the furnishings.

Originally, this place wasn’t a study at all—it was filled with toys, a playroom for Su Yan and the children.

Now that Su Yan took the kids away, he also took all the household toys, leaving this room completely empty.

Then Su Jin rearranged it into a study.

Anyway, when my little uncle returns, I’ll just move the study elsewhere.

This little study was originally moved and arranged for Su Jin by Su Hanlin.

Su Hanlin looked at the familiar room and asked, “Three years from now, when your little uncle returns, what will you do? Still planning to rent a house outside the city?”

“No need. My cousin-grandfather found me a small courtyard in the clan lands. Smaller than this one—about two-thirds the size. Supposedly, the whole family died out, so the clan seized the house. My cousin-grandfather bought it and put it under my name. Now I’m officially a homeowner in the clan lands.” Su Jin grinned. “But right now I’m taking care of Su Jin, so after these three years, I’ll move back to my own courtyard.”

I’ve already cleared out that courtyard—I can move in anytime.

Su Changyin once promised Su Jin five thousand spirit stones as a care fee for looking after Su Jin.

Su Jin didn’t take the spirit stones; she asked for a house instead.

Su Changyin immediately found her this small courtyard, spending fifteen thousand spirit stones on it inside and out.

Su Hanlin swore loudly.

“What kind of luck do you have? I’ve been searching for years and still haven’t found a single house in the clan lands.”

"Haha, houses in the clan lands only circulate among Foundation Establishment cultivators—where are you supposed to find one?" Su Jin laughed. "Ask Da Huzi to help you—he’ll definitely find one. You know the clan lands have been expanded seven or eight times; how could there be no houses left?"

I heard that kid’s already at the late Foundation Establishment stage—he’s definitely qualified to help you find a house.”

Su Hanlin realized this was the reason.

He immediately puffed up with anger.

“The clan is so cruel—they won’t give houses to low-level cultivators.”

“You don’t understand. My cousin-grandfather said that in this environment, hostile forces keep infiltrating our Xiancheng and launching large-scale sabotage. When the fighting finally reaches the clan lands, it’ll be a matter of life or death for the entire clan. At that point, one more Foundation Establishment cultivator could change many people’s fates.”

Whether the clan lives or dies may well depend on how many Foundation Establishment, Purple Mansion, and Golden Core cultivators we have.”

So all housing in the clan lands is prioritized for cultivators above Foundation Establishment.”

Why can the clan lands be fortified into a battle fortress?

Is it just because of the many large facilities and weapons installed?

No—it’s a defensive system upheld entirely by the clan’s top experts.

Su Hanlin paused, then suddenly understood: “That’s why no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find a single house in the clan lands—but some people get one easily. So they all used connections with Foundation Establishment or higher cultivators.”

“Of course. Living in the clan lands is safer and has richer spiritual energy. Who’d want to live outside? To get a house, you need two things: one, a Foundation Establishment or higher cultivator to help you find one; two, you yourself must be proven capable of reaching Foundation Establishment within the next thirty or forty years.”

If I weren’t already at Qi Refining sixth layer, I couldn’t get one even if a house were available.”

“There are requirements like that?” Su Hanlin stared again.

“Yes, but you don’t need to worry—you’re already at Qi Refining seventh layer. You have a better chance at Foundation Establishment than I do.”

“But I’m missing an eye. My physical defect will greatly reduce my chances of reaching Foundation Establishment,” Su Hanlin said, troubled.

“Have Da Huzi check the black market for a spiritual eye—it’ll make you whole again.”

“Cough, cough—won’t a spiritual eye cause problems?” Su Hanlin said nervously.

“I remember your cultivation method is Water-Wood mutual generation. Wood-type or Water-type spiritual eyes usually come from spirits or monsters. Swapping one won’t affect you much—it won’t cause contamination. When you look for one, have Da Huzi pay close attention. He can get you a safe, risk-free one.” Su Jin smiled. “If you’re too shy to ask, I’ll speak to him for you.”

“It feels bad to keep bothering him,” Su Hanlin said, touching the black eye patch over his missing eye.

“Getting a spiritual eye is a tiny thing for him, but a matter of life or death for you. Pay him back later—first, make sure you can reach Foundation Establishment. That’s the key,” Su Jin said seriously.

“Besides, you’re working for him in the Intelligence Office. Isn’t it natural for your superior to care about your well-being?”

Su Hanlin felt Su Jin had truly swayed him.

But doing this felt like taking advantage of Su Huchen.

First a house, now an eye.

Su Huchen doesn’t owe him anything.

“Let me think about it. Even though I get along well with Da Huzi and we grew up together, compared to someone like you who’s extremely close to him, I’m still a step behind. I should first prove myself in the Intelligence Office before asking for his help—so he doesn’t think I’m greedy.”

Su Jin gave him a blank stare.

She thought Su Hanlin’s thinking was off. Su Jin believed that Su Huchen had sent him to the Intelligence Office precisely to train him as a dedicated intelligence analyst.

Da Huzi would likely take him along once his injuries healed.

This guy still didn’t understand Da Huzi’s intentions.

He was still thinking he needed to earn achievements before asking for favors?

“Your achievements are already outstanding. You’ve been in the Intelligence Office for barely a few days, yet you helped the Police Inspector locate two mother black locusts. One escaped, but the other ended up in Da Huzi’s hands.”

“With that mother locust, no one can take away your credit,” Su Jin said.

“Cough, cough—still, one mother locust escaped. Supposedly, we lost it right inside the clan lands. I’m speechless,” Su Hanlin said helplessly.

“Still, that’s impressive. Didn’t you analyze that there are at most five mother locusts? If you weren’t so capable, would your fellow Intelligence Office members have secretly colluded with your landlord to kick you out of your home?” Su Jin shot back sharply.

Su Hanlin fell silent again.

Though he didn’t know which colleague was responsible, he was certain they had struck first.