Wu Manqing was checking the accounts in her study, while Dingbo Lake outside the window shimmered with rippling light.
Though the matter of the Five Flood Dragons Stirring the River had been settled, Chen Qing's fierce reputation had intimidated quite a few petty villains.
Yet the waters of the Prefecture City ran deep and the waves fierce; the Wu Family's foundations were still shallow.
In the end, she lacked a measure of confidence.
Just then, her personal maid Xiao Huan hurried inside, her little face flushed red with excitement. "Madam! Madam! Wonderful news! Wonderful news beyond measure!"
Xiao Huan's excitement still overflowed from every word. "It's Honored Chen! Honored Chen, he... he broke through! Embracing Dan Strength! Honored Chen has broken through to Embracing Dan Strength!"
"Broke through?"
Wu Manqing did not react at first. "What breakthrough?"
"Embracing Dan Strength, Madam!"
Xiao Huan's voice trembled with irrepressible delight. "Definite news just came from Qingmu Institute! Honored Chen secluded himself for several days and, not long ago, successfully condensed true qi and officially entered the Embracing Dan realm! It is absolutely true!"
Wu Manqing abruptly rose to her feet, her beautiful eyes widening as she stared straight at Xiao Huan.
"Embracing Dan Strength? Are you... certain?"
There was a faint, almost imperceptible tremor in her voice.
At this realm, one could truly be considered established in Yunlin Prefecture City, joining the ranks of experts!
It was utterly incomparable to Transformation Force!
"It is absolutely true, Madam!"
Xiao Huan nodded vigorously.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Great joy appeared on Wu Manqing's face. Then she said, "Prepare immediately. Ready two generous gifts! One to congratulate Brother Chen on breaking through to Embracing Dan! The other will be the advance on his increased retainer! It can no longer be called an annual salary—it must be