Chapter 679: with translation of chapter title

Zhou Wan'an looked at Yan Buji and explained, "Many of the Outer Gate's techniques mention the Void‑breaking art, but its cultivation difficulty is already high, so there really aren't many that suit you."

Yan Buji nodded, "I see, that does trouble Hall Master Zhou."

Zhou Wan'an, seeing Yan Buji like that, rolled his eyes and suddenly said, "Since that's so, Hall Master Yan, why not wait a while; we can search other places, perhaps there's something suitable for Hall Master Yan."

"No need," Yan Buji waved his hand, "I was only asking, there's no need to trouble you all."

Though Yan Buji verbally declined, Zhou Wan'an wasn't a fool, so he recorded the matter.

Several months later.

After Huang Ji and the others returned, Yan Buji led them to begin inventorying supplies, preparing to go to Youming Jie for the first trade.

"Hall Master Yan, the allocations have been divided according to each family's share; now all supplies have been stored in the warehouse, and the inventory is complete," Huang Ji said solemnly.

"There's no problem with the goods, right?" Yan Buji asked, looking at Huang Ji.

Huang Ji shook his head, "No abnormalities detected."

"Alright."

Since the matter was of great importance, He Yun also summoned almost all the Elders of the sect, and stood before the warehouse addressing everyone, saying:

"All, from today our sect will commence trade with the cultivators of Youming Jie. This trade is handled single‑handedly by Lian Dan Tang Hall Master Yan Buji; his arduous effort is indispensable."

Yan Buji stood to one side, smiling as he cupped his hands in a bow toward the crowd.

Some Elders had only just returned, and Yan Buji, unfamiliar with them, could not tell their identities; however, on close inspection, almost everyone present was at the Hua Shen or Lian Xu stage, while Nascent Soul practitioners were scarce.

He Yun continued, "Trading with Youming Jie aims to stabilize our sect's daily necessities. As the sect is about to complete its reconstruction, we will, by the Ancestor Master's command, convene a sect assembly; I hope all Elders can spare time to attend."

"A sect assembly?"

Yan Buji pondered briefly.

Since the Great Sinful Sect's reconstruction is complete, this sect assembly will inevitably be a reshuffling of power; although Yan Buji doesn't know how the formerly scattered members of the Great Sinful Sect previously divided authority, it can be expected that the assembly will reveal it.

Afterwards, He Yun led the big crew into the inter‑realm vessel, removed the extra seats and converted them all into cargo holds, ordering the disciples to begin hurried loading.

Yan Buji, meanwhile, was checking the goods; after half a day of careful inspection, he suddenly sensed something amiss.

"Wait."

Huang Ji, sweating profusely while moving the cargo, asked, "Hall Master Yan, what's wrong?"

"Who prepared this batch?" Yan Buji frowned, taking the list and verifying it himself.

"It should be… an Elder named Fang Ketian who prepared it."

"Fang Ketian… is he from the Sect Master's side?"

"Yes, is there a problem with this cargo?"

Yan Buji waved his hand, "Load it onto the ship."

"Alright."

Yan Buji continued the inspection as if he had found no irregularities.

Afterwards, before finishing his inspection, Yan Buji also specifically sought out Zhao Lu.

"Senior Brother Zhao."

"Yo, Junior Brother Yan, you've been so busy these past two days, why are you here in person?" Zhao Lu laughed.

"As I mentioned before, your batch of goods is excellent, so the price can be settled in advance for you. However, to prevent others from having any doubts, please wait two more days before exchanging," Yan Buji said with a smile, producing a jade token that detailed Zhao Lu's share price.

Zhao Lu had previously taken Yan Buji's suggestion; after receiving his share, he didn't rush to recruit others, but chose to work alone.

It means Yan Buji purchases from him; as for where his supply comes from, Yan Buji doesn't concern himself—prices are given at market rate, and how much profit he makes depends entirely on his own ability.

Doing so, for Yan Buji, if he were a bit unscrupulous, he could naturally drive the price down, acquire the goods cheaper, and fill his own bowl to the brim.

Yet to win over Zhao Lu, Yan Buji chose to give a discount; even if Zhao Lu's goods were of poor quality, Yan Buji would find ways to gloss over it.

As for whether the counterpart in Youming Jie would be satisfied?

Yan Buji believed he could persuade the other side; besides, it's unlikely the other party's boss would come personally to inspect the goods.

So there are many controllable details here, but fortunately Zhao Lu did not choose to substitute inferior goods.

After receiving the jade token, Zhao Lu's face flashed with surprise.

Yan Buji, seeing him like that, knew he had made a good profit.

"Thank you so much, Junior Brother Yan; don't worry, I will exchange with the sect together with those people."

"Mm."

Because the amount of Spiritual Stones was enormous, Yan Buji didn't know how much liquid capital the Great Sinful Sect currently had, so He Yun devised using the jade token as a proof of transaction amount, to exchange later once the funds returned.

Of course, this also stakes the Great Sinful Sect's reputation; if He Yun fails to exchange, they could face a severe reputational crisis, possibly even being reported to the Ancestor Master and ousted.

Therefore, Yan Buji, who oversees this matter, naturally holds great authority, and the Sect Master repeatedly reminded him not to settle accounts for them lightly.

Yan Buji smiled, "By the way, Senior Brother Zhao, do you know Elder Fang Ketian?"

"Fang Ketian?" Zhao Lu frowned, realizing that Yan Buji's mention meant there must be some issue.

"What grudge does Junior Brother Yan have with him?"

"It's not that serious," Yan Buji waved his hand, "It's just about this Youming Jie cargo…"

"Oh, I see," Zhao Lu smiled, "Fang Ketian is the Sect Master's man; I can't say much. If you don't go to the Sect Master about this, you intend to have the Ancestor Master intervene?"

"How could we dare rouse the Ancestor Master?" Yan Buji smiled; he had heard the Ancestor Master had already left the Great Sinful Sect, so he didn't expect to call on him.

Moreover, if the Ancestor Master actually came, what would the Sect Master think?

The Sect Master has been fairly kind to me; if this matter is blown up, it would likely cause the Sect Master to become displeased. Since we were all promoted by the Sect Master, ignoring me is one thing, but seeking the Ancestor Master's punishment on the Sect Master would be self‑defeating.

Zhao Lu thought for a moment, realized the issue, and asked, "If that's the case, Junior Brother Yan, what is your purpose in seeking me?"

"That batch of goods is similar to Senior Brother Zhao's, and I want to acquire a batch from you," Yan Buji said with a smile.

Zhao Lu's eyes widened, his face full of astonishment, "Junior Brother Yan, why go to such lengths? Letting others bear others' faults is one thing, and even if you supplement this portion of the goods, why give Fang Ketian a certificate? Isn't that just paying him money?"

Yan Buji merely gave a faint smile, "After all, it's all for the sect, and I am deeply trusted by the Sect Master; I couldn't possibly offend the Sect Master, could I?"

Zhao Lu looked astonished: "Junior Fellow Disciple, you really are kind-hearted!"