Chapter 22: Huo Yu

"Shen Sect Master is not being righteous." Lu Xingzhou's voice came from outside the door: "Just openly poaching my people like this?"

Shen Tang turned her head, watching as Miss Qingli pushed the wheelchair into the room, and sighed: "I feel, however, that you have wanted to poach my people since we met, and you are already in the process of doing so."

A'nuo's gaze, like nails, fixed on the hand Miss Qingli used to push the wheelchair, and Miss Qingli withdrew her hand.

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "Couldn't dig them up, got a noseful of ash."

Shen Tang smiled: "You've returned just in time. I was just thinking, how should we handle Liu Qingcang suing over their contract? With the government intervening, we can't hide the people. Since you initiated this matter, you must have a contingency plan?"

Lu Xingzhou said carelessly: "This is something we don't need to worry about at all... because the apprentices I selected back then, the contracts I signed, I deleted all those standard slave clauses long ago. Sect Leader Liu is busy with a myriad of affairs; how would he look closely at such details..."

The faces of everyone in the courtyard turned extremely colorful.

Even Miss Qingli was stunned for a moment.

The loose apprentice contracts certainly weren't meant to trap Liu Qingcang; the only possibility was Lu Xingzhou's kindness toward the apprentices. No one could have imagined they would come in handy at such a time.

His schemes were clearly so sinister; it shouldn't be like this...

Tang Yunzhong acted quickly, swiftly fetching the apprentices' families and settling them properly. The Shen Trading House thus established its own Alchemy Hall, doing no business selling to outsiders, only producing premium goods for the Sect's own use.

The apprentices were no longer apprentices; they had become official personnel of the Trading House. Shen Tang would obviously conduct assessments; if they passed, they would be formally admitted to the Tianxing Sword Sect to learn the cultivation methods. If they truly could enter the Sect, it would count as a kind of fortune.

Since the Tianxing Sword Sect could be linked to the royal family, their cultivation methods were certainly not weak.

And a broken Sword Sect that was originally biased was visibly becoming more vibrant with life.

Lu Xingzhou did not inquire further; the "master-disciple" affinity between them was very shallow, and being responsible up to this point was enough.

As for whether truly excellent alchemist talents would emerge among them, that depended on Shen Tang's luck—Lu Xingzhou had personally selected apprentices with alchemical aptitude, certainly, but there was still a gap between them and true talent; they could only be apprentices. However, many things do not rely solely on talent; diligence can make up for lack of ability, and people who achieve greatness late in life are never lacking.

He simply organized his alchemy techniques and insights into a book and handed them over to Shen Tang in one go: "Since your Sect is building an alchemy system, alchemical knowledge and classics are still necessary. My little bit of stuff doesn't count as classics; take it as your textbook."

Shen Tang was stunned: "This is your livelihood tool; you're just giving it to me?"

"Everyone has textbooks; how many can pass the Qingbei exams?"

"Ah?"

"Oh, nothing... I mean, my stuff isn't particularly high-end; after all, I am just a Seventh-Rank Alchemist, nothing of great significance. Anyway, they count as my disciples in some way, so teaching them is appropriate. Later, I myself will still seek higher inheritances..."

Seeing the slight movement in Shen Tang's eyes, Lu Xingzhou hurriedly added: "Don't think about helping me find anything anymore."

Shen Tang couldn't help but laugh: "Why does it sound like you're afraid I'll help you find things?"

"Yes." Lu Xingzhou did not hide it: "Debts of favor are hard to repay; it's best not to have them."

"But in reality, I have always been the one accepting your favor." Shen Tang sighed slightly: "Lu Xingzhou, do you feel we are very similar? In every sense."

Lu Xingzhou made an "Mm" sound.

He wanted to repay Shen Tang's favor, but in Shen Tang's view, clearly all things were benefiting her, so she kept thinking about giving something back from somewhere.

With her thinking about it, Lu Xingzhou couldn't stand it; thus, kindness repaid with kindness, when would it end? It never stopped.

From the very beginning, both sides felt they had seen a gender-swapped version of themselves; as contact deepened, they became even more alike.

But the softer the heart, the more one became vigilant and retreated; two people each with a belly full of secrets didn't even dare to communicate any deeper, always stopping at a shallow taste.

After a long silence, Shen Tang suddenly smiled: "Putting other things aside, you, a man, raising a child, always seeing you eat flatbread and sweet potatoes, is ultimately not good. From today on, come eat with us."

Lu Xingzhou also looked up and smiled: "Good."

Before the words had fully faded, a "clang" sound came from outside the house; the main gate was kicked open, and Liu Qingcang led a crowd surging in: "Shen Tang! Hand over the people!"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!" Sword light erupted everywhere; the people of the Tianxing Sword Sect swiftly formed a sword formation, blocking the Danxia Gang members in the courtyard.

Shen Tang calmly rolled out in her wheelchair and said indifferently: "Sect Leader Liu, forcibly entering my Shen Trading House; do you really think we have no one here?"

Liu Qingcang roared: "Hand over our apprentices!"

"Apprentices? How do your apprentices come to be found here?" Shen Tang sneered: "Sect Leader Liu is neither the government office nor the Demon Suppression Bureau; what qualification do you have to forcibly enter a private residence to find people? Get out!"

"Shing!" A flash of ice-blue sword light passed; Liu Qingcang, horrified, raised his sword to block, retreating several steps with a thud.

Looking down, frost spread along the sword all the way to his wrist; that icy chill rushed so hard that the blood in his arm was almost freezing.

A white-haired girl stood quietly before him holding a sword and said indifferently: "Get out. The next sword, you will die."

Liu Qingcang wanted to speak, but the icy chill drilled straight into his veins, penetrating his soul; his teeth actually chattered, and he was too cold to speak.

If that sword had been aimed at killing, his head would already be gone.

What technique is this? What sword?

Shen Tang said leisurely: "According to the Great Qian Law, killing someone who forcibly enters a private residence is killing for nothing. Sect Leader Liu, I will count to three; if you do not retreat again, then you will never need to walk out again. Three..."

Before "Two" could even be spoken, the Danxia Gang, which had arrived with great momentum, retreated like a tide, not even daring to utter a single harsh word.

Liu Qingcang barely suppressed the ice-coldness within his body and walked back with pale lips.

Had he known the other side was so strong, he shouldn't have come in so hard.

In fact, the other side accepting this batch of apprentices was a blunder; the City Lord was just lacking an excuse to publicly deal with you, Shen Tang. This time, as long as a complaint is filed, the excuse is right there! He absolutely shouldn't have come to force entry.

He hoped the City Lord would be reliable this time; otherwise, if this incident is not resolved, the Danxia Gang is going to go completely bankrupt...

How did it become like this in just a few days? Business ruined by scheming, and unable to win in a fight.

Just as he was furious, he saw a convoy of carriages coming in this direction from afar. The carriages were extremely magnificent; even the pendants emitted a faint spiritual energy, the aura overwhelmingly strong; they were actually magical artifacts.

A family that even used magical artifacts for carriage decorations... where did this strong dragon come from?

As the two sides passed each other, a sound of "Eh" suddenly came from inside the carriage: "Isn't this Sect Leader Liu? Why such panic..."

As the words fell, the curtain was lifted, revealing a handsome face; it was a young master from a noble family, somewhat familiar.

Liu Qingcang racked his brain for a long time but couldn't remember: "Does Your Excellency know me?"

That person smiled proudly: "Oh, I left Xiazhou when I was only twelve, not yet fully grown; it is normal that Sect Leader Liu doesn't recognize me."

Liu Qingcang's heart shook: "You are from the Huo family..."

"I am the sixth, Huo Yu."

Liu Qingcang was overjoyed: "So the Sixth Young Master has returned!"

Just from the name, one could tell this was not like Huo Shang, who was unwelcome, but the legitimate sixth young master raised like a precious jade!

The reason his Danxia Gang is so close to the Huo residence is that back then, he was nothing but a dog kept by the Huo family.

That year, a mountain dweller accidentally found a treasure, and it was Liu Qingcang who betrayed him to the Huo family; afterward, he gained money and cultivation techniques, leaping directly from seventh grade to fifth grade, transforming from a small gang of a few hundred into a major force dominating Danxia Mountain, rising without effort.

He didn't know what Lu Xingzhou had come for—if he had known, he'd have had to pray to the Buddha… Lu Xingzhou was unaware that he had any part in that affair back then; otherwise, his methods wouldn't have been this gentle.

Unfortunately, the Huo family relocated to the capital not long after, and the old Huo steward left behind had his hand tendons cut, with countless servants killed. His backing vanished, leaving him so helpless this time… otherwise, why would he need that unreliable city lord's help? He himself wanted to deal with Shen Tang but dared not confront her openly—what a useless waste!

Now that the Huo family's sixth young master has returned, what's Shen Tang? What's Lu Xingzhou? They're not even worth a damn!

"What's wrong with you, Master Liu?" Huo Yu asked curiously. "You look like you've just been bullied."

"Sixth Young Master!" Liu Qingcang cried out. "Please, Sixth Young Master, take pity on your humble servant and uphold justice for me!"

"What's happened to Xiazhou?" Huo Yu said with a sardonic smile. "We've been gone only a few years, yet the steward's tendons were cut, servants slaughtered by the dozens, and now even Master Liu is being oppressed… Has the Huo name lost its power?"

In truth, since the Huo family left, this place had ceased to be truly under their influence. Mainly because after the old Huo Grand Tutor was reinstated, he became more cautious, avoiding suspicion and unwilling to be accused of establishing an independent kingdom—so Xiazhou retained no disciples or old allies. After all, it was just a backwater village, meaningless.

But those who secretly licked their boots were still countless—even Xu Bingkun, behind the scenes, took orders from the Huo family. All it would take was for a true leader to return, and Xiazhou would instantly change color.

Liu Qingcang hurriedly said: "Sixth Young Master, you don't understand—local families are still respectful, but these outsiders have no idea of the Huo family's prestige; they don't even recognize the Huo family or you, acting arrogantly and tyrannically!"

The outsiders—Sheng Yuanyao is one, Shen Tang is another. Even Chen Jinnian isn't originally from Xiazhou.

Huo Yu gave a cold smile, his eyes revealing a cruelty utterly unlike his outward demeanor. He spoke slowly: "Come back to the estate with me first—we'll talk in detail, every last thing… Since I've returned, they'll learn one thing: Xiazhou still bears the Huo name."

Shen's Trading House, Lu Xingzhou's eyes grew dark: "Finally… here they come…"

(End of Chapter)