The president had always spoken and acted with blunt directness. That was also Xin Dong Street's usual style, so after only a single drink, Lei Qiong laid the matter bare.
Ji Qinglin knew the president was not someone who coveted the Chamber of Commerce's storefronts. There had to be a reason for such a proposal.
"If the president needs it, Qinglin naturally has no objection. You must have your own reasons, President."
Lei Qiong knew Ji Qinglin had always respected him, but the words still felt somewhat awkward, so he explained, "Do you think I'd covet your little shop? It's just that in two months, the Chamber of Commerce will hold the Cultivation Grand Competition. Aside from debates on the Dao and contests of aspiration, some areas will also have their spheres of influence redrawn. Most importantly, other chambers of commerce may participate as well. Qinglin, your shop may be small, but you are still an elder. If you end up facing another chamber of commerce, I think it would be better for you to hand over the shop directly. That would be more dignified."
Ji Qinglin could tell that Lei Qiong feared he would disgrace Xin Dong Street during the Cultivation Grand Competition. When the time came, there would be objections both within and without, and he would neither keep the territory nor save face.
Although Ji Qinglin, who had never begun cultivating, could keep the General Store afloat through his other abilities, he also knew that he would most likely be unable to withstand this kind of direct confrontation.
Before Ji Qinglin could reply, the white-robed man pouring wine behind Lei Qiong added, "The president is doing this for your own good. Please do not disappoint the president's kind intentions."
Ji Qinglin naturally understood the president's good intentions, but he had not expected this newcomer to dare interrupt. He immediately raised his head and frowned.
"Oh? Are you teaching me how to do things?"
Lei Qiong also sensed the impropriety and turned back to rebuke him softly. "Congliang, don't be so rude!"
"Yes."
With a chance to change the subject, Ji Qinglin naturally did not let it pass. "President, who is he?"
Lei Qiong did not rise. He merely raised a hand in introduction.
"This is Ji Congliang, the disciple taken in by Yu Ji Zi of Purple Dragon Peak. He has excellent innate talent, so Yu Ji Zi sent him here to learn the Meridian Thunder Conduit Method."
After President Lei Qiong introduced the name, not only did Ji Qinglin nod, but Yu Ye behind him nodded as well.
Ji Congliang? A fine name.
Yu Ye: What a strange name.
Crazy Night: What's strange about it? It commemorates his former profession.
Yet Ji Qinglin quickly noticed the problem: only one day had passed since the disciple selection ceremony. Even if this guy had never turned decent, he could not possibly have gotten this close to Yu Ji Zi just by selling his ass—unless they had known each other beforehand.
As he pondered this, Ji Congliang stepped forward and saluted him.
"I spoke without restraint just now and offended Elder. Please forgive me, Elder."
His words were polite, but Ji Qinglin could see that the man's gaze was not on him at all. It kept drifting toward Yu Ye.
Had this brat really turned decent? Yu Ye had been brought here by her master and had not yet had time to go back and change. Though her sailor uniform was covered by her trench coat, it could not conceal her scorching figure, much less her two fair, slender legs and the erotic collar around her neck.
Ji Congliang openly admired Yu Ye's beauty, and the dissatisfaction in his heart toward Ji Qinglin, this elder in name only, deepened further.
Ji Qinglin may look dignified and extraordinary, but he is a beast in human clothing. Dressing his own disciple like this—there can be no second explanation beyond satisfying his lecherous desires.
But on second thought, if this stunning girl had already been trained so well, would that not be even more exciting?
Yu Ye, meanwhile, felt as if something unclean had fixed its eyes on her, and she unconsciously moved closer to Ji Qinglin.
Seeing that Ji Qinglin still had not answered, Lei Qiong added, "Qinglin, I've thought it over. I'll keep your title as elder. Besides the settlement allowance, I'll personally subsidize you with a sum every month, so you needn't toil away managing the General Store anymore. What do you think?"
President Lei Qiong had already considered Ji Qinglin's circumstances as thoroughly as possible. To Ji Congliang, it was simply an absurdly generous offer.
Ji Qinglin was indeed considering it carefully. The General Store itself did not bring in much income, and Old Hu, an old hand of Xin Dong Street, had only feared it would fall into the hands of another faction. Handing it to Lei Qiong now would save him trouble.
"Since the president has spoken, how could I dare refuse? However, I have one condition I would like to discuss with you."
Hearing her Master agree, Yu Ye frowned.
They had only formally become Master and disciple, and they were already going their separate ways?
Lei Qiong was delighted to hear this.
"Speak freely. I will do everything in my power to satisfy it."
"I can forgo all the goods in the shop, but my disciple Yu Ye must remain my disciple."
Other than its defense system, there was nothing valuable in the General Store. But Yu Ye was someone he had painstakingly found—a person connected to the Old Era whom he could currently trust.
The moment those words left his mouth, Lei Qiong and Yu Ye were both stunned. Only Ji Congliang across from them knitted his brows tightly.
Yu Ye: At least he has a bit of conscience.
Crazy Night: So he doesn't want the Coal Boss, right? Can I raise him? Lei Qiong had not expected Ji Qinglin to care about his disciple even at a time like this. But considering that she was his first disciple, it was understandable that he cared for her especially deeply.
"It is rare to see such deep affection between Master and disciple. Naturally, I can grant that request."
Never mind letting her remain your disciple forever—even marrying her to you would not be a problem. Though dressed like this, she hardly seemed to need any help.
"Your name is Yu Ye, correct? Do not disappoint your Master's good intentions."
Yu Ye gave a slight nod.
"Yes."
Just as Lei Qiong was about to discuss the details with Ji Qinglin, Yu Ye slowly performed a salute, raised her head, and said, "President, there is something this humble woman does not understand. May I ask you for guidance?"
"Hm? Speak."
"My Master told me that you, President, built your present holdings step by step. Then why will you not give my Master an opportunity? Why do you instead advise him to give up on his own initiative? Is it because you believe my Master can neither hold his territory nor has the ability to forge ahead?"
Lei Qiong had not expected the girl before him to be so bold. Questioning him to his face was one thing, but she had to say nothing but the truth.
Lei Qiong wanted to answer, but then reconsidered. Ji Qinglin was a full-grown man, after all. If he said it before his disciple, how would Qinglin be able to save face?
He shook his head, choosing not to answer directly. Instead, he turned to Ji Qinglin and said, "Qinglin, you should properly enlighten your disciple."
Ji Qinglin was eating. After hearing that, he swallowed a mouthful before replying, "Yu Ye, that is indeed the truth."
Lei Qiong, who had just taken a sip of wine, nearly sprayed it out.
Qinglin, you brat—you really know how to enlighten someone.
Ji Qinglin was not simply giving up. He just did not want to make things difficult for the president. After all, Xin Dong Street had rarely produced someone who genuinely considered his interests.
Besides, agreeing to the president now also meant, in a roundabout way, that he was granting him a favor. The more miserable he made his own situation appear, the greater that favor would become.
Yu Ye understood the reasons behind it, but she had truly witnessed Ji Qinglin's strength. Though she had seen only one move, she believed that even an upper-tier Foundation Establishment Qi Practitioner might not be able to accomplish it. She understood that her Master was merely yielding.
She said this because she knew her Master did not care much about saving face, but she had not expected his answer to be so shameless.
Seeing that the president found it difficult to answer, Yu Ye pressed on. "President, I understand. Then does that mean that if my Master's ability can be proven, the shop may remain?"
"Yu Ye!"
Ji Qinglin wanted to turn around and stop her, but Lei Qiong raised a hand.
"Let her continue."
"If this disciple can achieve a good ranking in the Cultivation Grand Competition, would that prove my Master's ability and mean that he would not need to hand over the shop?"
Crazy Night: Why are you even crazier than I am? Do you want to repay him for finding the Meridian Set?
Yu Ye: Not entirely. I know Master is deliberately hiding his abilities, but if the president agrees, Master will certainly teach us something as well—and Master will not need to risk himself.
Before you continue