Ji Estate

On the way to Ji Estate, Chu Danqing opened the Excellent Grade treasure chest dropped by Three Corpses - Zhi in the carriage.

You opened: Treasure Chest (Excellent Grade), obtained: Skill Book (Spirit Hunger of Hundred Grains), Paradise Points ×2000

Skill Book: Spirit Hunger of Hundred Grains

Type: Active Skill

Quality: Excellent

Effect: After use, gain the skill Spirit Hunger of Hundred Grains, dealing damage to targets within range and inflicting additional damage on targets with HP above 70%, while adding 1 stack of Hunger to yourself.

After reading the skill book's description, Chu Danqing stuffed it into his Storage Space.

Skills were not better the more one learned. He did not have that much time or so many Paradise Points to upgrade them.

On the way to Ji Estate, Chu Danqing also encountered Tie Yan, Han Ying, and a number of other apostles. They had joined the Way of Peace.

Aside from Tie Yan, the rest were all the lowest-ranking believers, distributing talisman water to the common people in the streets.

Tie Yan was most likely carrying out his final contribution mission, while the others were still on their identity missions.

As for that flat-headed young man, Chu Danqing did not see him. He had most likely joined the government faction.

The threshold for the Way of Peace was the lowest, and advancement was the easiest, but its limitations were great.

The government faction's threshold was higher than the Way of Peace's but lower than the Lu Clan's, yet advancement there was the most difficult.

It was the sort of place where even someone capable might never get ahead.

The Lu Clan of the aristocratic families had plenty of problems too. All that could be said was that the eldest brother should not mock the second.

Chu Danqing did not clash with the other apostles. Everyone was busy, and before a conflict of interests arose, few would be foolish enough to act that way.

That Han Ying from the Dragon-Tiger Alliance was somewhat resentful, but he did not dare make a move.

Da Bao's strength was enough to tear him to pieces with ease.

They soon arrived at Ji Estate, and Chu Danqing had the gatekeeper announce his arrival.

Seeing that Chu Danqing had come in a Lu Clan carriage, the gatekeeper became exceedingly respectful and immediately reported the matter upward.

Ji Yun rushed out to receive him at once, smiling as he invited Chu Danqing into the estate.

Chu Danqing knew something of Ji Yun's position. Though he was already middle-aged, he was not the one steering the Ji Family. That was his father, Ji Zhen.

"I never expected that such a righteous man as you would become an Attendant retainer of the Lu Clan. Truly remarkable," Ji Yun said with a sigh.

There had previously only been six Lu Clan Attendants. He had visited all of them, so he recognized them.

"It was merely a fortunate coincidence," Chu Danqing said modestly.

"That is not quite right, sir. Every retainer Attendant of the Lu Clan possesses genuine ability."

"It is only a pity that I missed the chance back then. Otherwise, I would have invited you into our estate first." Ji Yun was filled with regret. If they could have recruited such talent into Ji Estate, it would have been an enormous help.

But it was too late now. Ji Yun knew how generous the treatment for Lu Clan retainer Attendants was, and he could not afford the price of poaching one.

"I came today because I wished to purchase grain from the Ji Family," Chu Danqing said bluntly.

Ji Yun was not surprised to hear this.

"How much do you need?" Ji Yun neither agreed nor refused, asking about the quantity first.

"Well, I am purchasing it on behalf of the Lu Clan." Chu Danqing did not hide it. "So, how much can the Ji Family sell?"

"If it were not you, sir, and another member of the Lu Clan had come instead, I would not sell even a single grain of rice."

"The buyer of this grain is the government, and it will be used for disaster relief."

"If it leaks out, you can imagine the consequences." Ji Yun was only willing to sell because of the life-saving favor.

"I cannot give the Lu Clan too much. One thousand shi of grain, five hundred coins per shi."

Ji Yun named his price: a total of five hundred thousand coins.

Chu Danqing had calculated the prices before coming. Before the disaster, one shi of grain fluctuated around fifty coins.

Now, Ji Yun had only raised it tenfold. That was already conscientious, practically a bargain at a broken-bone discount.

Chu Danqing had estimated that it would cost over a thousand coins per shi.

"Then many thanks." Chu Danqing was delighted. As long as these thousand shi of grain arrived, the contribution needed to exchange for White Crane True Immortal's Notes would definitely be enough.

Chu Danqing had estimated that one shi was roughly one hundred jin. A thousand shi meant fifty tons of grain.

From this, it was clear that Ji Estate had likely transported grain into Yangxian County many times. Otherwise, it could not possibly have had any surplus.

And perhaps it was still continuing even now.

As for the price of five hundred thousand coins? That was not something Chu Danqing needed to consider.

There was no need to worry that the Lu Clan would find the unit price too high. In times like these, even with money, one could not buy grain in such large quantities.

On the surface, the Ji Family was working errands for the government and only earning transportation fees, not daring to profit too much.

"You are too polite. Since you came to discuss this in person, I could hardly brush you aside," Ji Yun said calmly.

Though he said that, Chu Danqing guessed that the Ji Family had also used this chance to stockpile quite a bit of grain.

They were simply waiting for the right opportunity to release it onto the market.

Ji Yun treated Chu Danqing so well because Chu Danqing had saved his life.

Had any other Dimension Apostle come, they likely would not even have been granted an audience.

"In that case, I shall return first and have the Lu Clan prepare the money before coming back to complete the handover." Having achieved his purpose, Chu Danqing naturally prepared to leave.

A thousand shi was merely a drop in the ocean during this disaster, but for the Lu Clan, it was enough.

"It is rare for you to visit, sir. No matter what, I must properly entertain you." Ji Yun tried to keep him.

Chu Danqing refused again and again. Only then did Ji Yun say regretfully, "When you have time, I shall sweep my couch clean to welcome you."

Once this grain transaction was complete, Chu Danqing would not come calling again.

The favor had been used. How could he still have the face to come seeking help?

He had even less time for idle conversation and sightseeing.

Ji Yun rose to see him off. They had only just reached the garden corridor when they encountered Ji Yun's father, Ji Zhen.

The man wore a set of luxurious and extravagant clothes, while his ornaments and accessories were so numerous they dazzled the eye.

He was so weighed down by all these things that he needed support just to walk.

"I heard that the righteous man who saved my son had come to visit the estate. I dressed up a little before coming to meet you."

"I arrived a step too late. Please forgive me." Ji Zhen's tone was full of gratitude.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing's expression could not help but turn solemn.

"You are too courteous." Chu Danqing cupped his hands. "There is something I do not understand. I wonder whether I should say it."

"Please speak, sir." Ji Zhen was puzzled, but since Chu Danqing was a guest, he naturally gave him full respect.

"May I ask when Mr. Ji began to favor such splendid clothing?" Chu Danqing asked directly.

"It has been some time." Ji Yun answered in his father's place. "Sir, is there something wrong?"

"Was it around this period?" Chu Danqing named the time after Lu San's death.

"There is some slight discrepancy, but it was indeed during this period that this old man came to appreciate the beauty of fine clothes." Ji Zhen stroked his garments, his face revealing an expression of infatuation and intoxication.

This small preference of Ji Zhen's amounted to nothing for the Ji Family.

Chu Danqing's heart sank. Things had become troublesome.

"Have either of you heard of the Three Corpses?"