Seven Profound

Clutching sixty taels of silver and a wooden box, Jiang Ding walked out of the Four Seas Merchant Guild, a flicker of excitement in his heart.

Medicinal herbs that were decades old naturally couldn't be consumed raw; it would be too wasteful and potentially poisonous. His plan was to commission a large pharmacy to refine them into pills.

Because he was short on money, he couldn't afford the processing fees or auxiliary ingredients. He could use some of the medicinal herbs to offset the cost.

"The Seven Profound Sect is back?"

"Who's to say it isn't? It seems like it's today..."

Passing by a teahouse, Jiang Ding's ears twitched, and he stopped. He went inside, ordered a cup of clear tea, and gazed at the street scene.

Hmm, I wouldn't touch any food from another world without proper preparation.

It wasn't just Jiang Ding; the other patrons were also looking over with interest.

The Seven Profound Sect had been rooted in East Spirit Prefecture for over a thousand years, deeply entrenched and flourishing. Everyone present had likely interacted with the Seven Profound Sect's businesses, or perhaps were even former disciples.

"This is a long story..."

The patron's words paused there, refusing to continue, which drew curses from the crowd.

"Yang Laoyao, are you trying to tease us?"

"Waiter, bring this table a pot of Dongshan Old Wine, a plate of pastries, and two plates of braised beef!"

Some discerning patrons called out.

"Everyone, it's not exactly a secret."

The patron chuckled, "It's just that the Young Marquis is engaged to Flying Snow Fairy Gong Caiyu, the daughter of the late Sect Master of the Seven Profound Sect. Since the Seven Profound Sect and the Marquis Zhen Dong's Estate are now one family, re-establishing the sect is only natural."

"Really? Aren't you afraid of Golden Saber Sect's 'Splitting Sea Saber' coming again?"

"Yeah! Yang Laoyao, you brat, aren't you just trying to trick this old man out of his wine and meat?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, some excited, some resentful, their reactions varied.

"You're spouting nonsense!"

Taking a sip of wine, Yang Laoyao said indignantly, "I heard this from my uncle who works at the Marquis's Estate, and it's happening today. How could it be false?"

The crowd was skeptical.

"It's possible."

Someone speculated, "Although the Marquis Zhen Dong's Estate isn't as powerful as the Golden Saber Sect, it still represents the Imperial Court's dignity. It was once one of the twelve pillars supporting the heavens. The Golden Saber Sect might not dare to touch the Marquis's in-laws."

"You must understand, while the Golden Saber Sect is powerful, it can't compare to the Imperial Court."

Just then, a shout came from outside.

"My Lord, Young Marquis, and a group of Marquis's Estate guest elders are heading out!"

The Marquis Zhen Dong's Estate was located in the most prosperous area, only a few streets away. From here, one could see neat rows of black-armored soldiers escorting a group of people. The surrounding streets had been sealed off, a grand display.

The entire teahouse fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Then, it erupted with a 'boom' as the crowd surged towards the Marquis's Estate.

They simply had to care.

Both the Marquis's Estate and the Seven Profound Sect were colossal entities. Any change would affect the livelihoods of many people. If handled improperly, one could go from being rich to destitute in an instant.

Soon, only Jiang Ding, sitting calmly in the teahouse, and Yang Laoyao, who was devouring his wine and meat, remained. Even the waiters and the shopkeeper had disappeared for the moment.

Yang Laoyao popped a slice of beef into his mouth and raised his wine cup in a toast towards Jiang Ding.

Jiang Ding nodded slightly, tossed a silver pellet the size of a grain of rice onto the counter, and got up to leave.

He stepped outside, avoided the gathering crowds, and headed towards the dilapidated street where the general store was located.

Amidst the enthusiastic crowd of dignitaries, Gong Caiyu suddenly glanced in a certain direction, but saw nothing.

"What's wrong, niece Caiyu?"

An elder with a few wisps of beard noticed her distraction and asked via telepathic transmission.

This person was the Fifth Elder of the Seven Profound Sect, Zhang Ziteng, nicknamed 'Eagle Iron Sword.' Legend had it that his sword struck like an eagle diving from the heavens, like a raptor snatching a hare. His sword techniques were powerful and heavy; ordinary experts couldn't withstand a single strike and would die.

He happened to be away visiting relatives when the Seven Profound Sect was destroyed. As for 'Splitting Sea Saber' Wei Xian, he was too arrogant to waste time specifically searching for him, so he fortunately escaped.

Gong Caiyu forced a smile, "Fifth Uncle, it's nothing."

"Niece Caiyu,"

Zhang Ziteng continued to transmit his voice, "I know you don't like the Young Marquis Tang Qingjie, and his reputation is somewhat dissolute. But none of that matters. The physical body is just a vessel, and the affections of young people are but fleeting dreams. You will understand these things later."

"As long as the sect can be re-established, and the Patriarch's legacy is not ruined in our hands, as long as you advance to the Innate realm, it will all be worth it."

Gong Caiyu remained silent.

Entering the dilapidated street, the shops on the side were old and lacked luxurious decorations, the ground was uneven, and there was a strange smell in the air. Yet, Jiang Ding felt a sense of relaxation and harmony.

"You mutt!"

"Beat him to death! How dare you steal my stuff!"

The sense of peace and harmony quickly vanished.

Jiang Ding glanced at the young beggar being beaten by a group of beggars and continued on his way to the grocery store.

In the slums, such things were common, and it was hard to say who was right or wrong.

When one is poor, one should only focus on oneself; there's too much to manage otherwise.

The young beggar remained silent, neither resisting nor crying out.

After beating him for a while, the other beggars grew bored and left, grumbling.

A stumbling sound came from behind, as if someone was desperately chasing, ignoring their injuries, as if it were their only hope of survival.

Jiang Ding paused and turned around.

The young beggar's clothes were tattered and greasy, and his face and arms were covered in wounds, some already scabbed over, others still oozing blood.

However, his features were still recognizable as the grandson of the old man who gathered herbs in the ruined temple.

"Young Master, my grandfather is dead."

The young beggar's long-suppressed emotions suddenly broke down, and he sobbed uncontrollably, "They killed him, those men in black. Grandpa pushed me into the river, but he himself..."

Jiang Ding listened quietly to his incoherent, heartbroken cries.

The boy had been through a lot these past few days, and encountering someone who had shown him kindness before had caused his emotions to spiral.

Until his voice grew hoarse.

"Young Master, can I follow you?" the young beggar asked softly.

"Yes."

Jiang Ding said calmly, "My shop is still in need of a shop assistant. If you're interested, you can come and try."

After speaking, he turned and left.

He wouldn't actively do anything, but since the boy had come to him, and he was just a child, he would help a little.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Young Master!"

The young beggar was overjoyed. He wanted to kowtow, but seeing that the man had already left, he quickly hurried to catch up.

Weaving left and right, they returned to his small shop. There were still very few customers, with only one or two coming in from time to time.

As soon as Huang Deyou saw Jiang Ding, his face turned pale, and he froze in place.

Jiang Ding ignored him and walked back to the small courtyard.

"Owner..."

A moment later, Huang Deyou ran over, his face pale, and tried to kneel. A sword scabbard stopped him, and he broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to say a word, standing perfectly still.

After a long while.

"It's only been half a month, and you've already done two major things, kid!"

Jiang Ding sighed lightly, "Steward Huang, you must know that everyone's patience has a limit."

Everything has a price. Letting Long San go had cost him a favor.

"Owner, I know my mistake," Huang Deyou trembled.

"It's good that you know your mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's fine as long as you correct them," Jiang Ding said, pointing to the young beggar behind him, "This..."

"Young Master, I am Han Lin."

"Young Brother Han, please arrange a suitable job for him. Also, start collecting animal specimens – insects, birds, mosquitoes, and other small creatures. The price will still be one wen per specimen."

"Yes, Owner!"

Huang Deyou glanced at the young beggar's polite and proper demeanor out of the corner of his eye, and his heart tightened.