Rules

Xu Yinyin blinked and said, "I think it's reasonable. You helped our Law Enforcement Hall a lot, so you should be compensated accordingly."

Yang Ning chuckled, "I run a shop, so I'm a merchant. Merchants value profit, but wealth flows like water. I take it in a righteous way.

If I greedily take fifty Spirit Stones today, it's like setting up a dam in a canal, only to create a stagnant pool.

If I don't take it and patiently conduct business normally, it's like drawing from a flowing river, guiding it along, and it will eventually gather into rivers and seas."

Xu Yinyin was stunned by Yang Ning's words, repeatedly murmuring, "Patiently, guiding it along, gathering into rivers and seas..."

Seeing her lost in thought, Yang Ning walked up and waved his hand in front of her.

"What are you spacing out for? Put the Spirit Stones back. There are people checking everywhere outside, and I'll need you to escort me out of the Law Enforcement Hall!"

"Oh... okay."

Xu Yinyin was still pondering. She nodded subconsciously and walked into the room in a daze.

A moment later, Xu Yinyin reappeared. The playful demeanor she had earlier was gone, replaced by a much more serious expression.

"Let's go, I'll see you down the mountain."

Yang Ning nodded and followed Xu Yinyin out of the front hall, past the plaza in front of the main hall, and onto the stone steps leading down the mountain.

With the Hall Master's personal disciple accompanying him, no one dared to question them along the way. Only a simple registration was required at the entrance of the Law Enforcement Hall.

On the way down the mountain, Xu Yinyin consistently walked half a step ahead of Yang Ning, silent. The mountain wind blew, carrying the rustling sound of bamboo leaves. Yang Ning also remained silent. In his eyes, Xu Yinyin was merely a potential customer, not someone he had any particular friendship with.

Suddenly, Xu Yinyin stopped. Yang Ning, caught off guard, bumped into her back this time.

"Ouch, what are you doing~"

As a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, Xu Yinyin didn't budge an inch. Instead, Yang Ning was bounced backward, landing on the stone steps. The Spirit Stones in the urea bag were precisely between his backside and the steps, causing him sharp pain.

Xu Yinyin hurriedly turned around, reaching out to help Yang Ning up, repeatedly apologizing, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I was distracted just now, my apologies."

Yang Ning rubbed his sore backside and said helplessly, "So careless and flustered."

Xu Yinyin chuckled sheepishly, "Master often says the same thing about me, that I'm always restless and impatient."

As she spoke, Xu Yinyin reached out and helped Yang Ning up. She also took the urea bag from Yang Ning and slung it over her shoulder, smiling awkwardly, "Let me help you carry the bag."

Yang Ning grimaced as he got up, still rubbing his backside, "Hiss~ Hiss~ These Spirit Stones are so heavy and hard, it's killing me."

Xu Yinyin, knowing she was in the wrong, could only offer a placating smile, carrying the urea bag with her left hand and supporting Yang Ning's arm with her right. Thus, supported by Xu Yinyin, the two limped down the mountain.

"I say, Boss Yang," Xu Yinyin suddenly spoke.

"What is it?" Yang Ning replied casually, rubbing his backside with his right hand and being supported by Xu Yinyin's left arm.

Xu Yinyin hesitated for a moment and said softly, "Um... can I join your Incense Sect?"

Yang Ning glanced at Xu Yinyin helplessly and emphasized, "There is no Incense Sect. I'll say it again, there's no such thing as an Incense Sect!"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes, there isn't, there isn't," Xu Yinyin echoed Yang Ning's words and then tentatively asked, "Then I..."

"And don't you dare go find Qiao Bin to join some Incense Sect!" Yang Ning immediately interrupted her. "That 'incense' stuff, you're still too young, you can't get involved!"

Xu Yinyin pouted, "I'm not young anymore, I'm twenty. In the common folk, at this age, I would have been married already."

"That's still not allowed!" Yang Ning said sternly.

Looking at the girl beside him, who was half a head shorter than him, her face full of youthful exuberance and mischievous charm, Yang Ning couldn't imagine her puffing smoke in the incense burning room with "Enlightenment Incense." As Yun Zishan's most valued personal disciple, he couldn't bear the responsibility if she turned into a "mentally unstable girl" because of him.

However, seeing Xu Yinyin's thoughtful expression, Yang Ning knew she must be plotting something in her mind.

"Are you interested in the goods in my shop?" Yang Ning probed.

Xu Yinyin nodded subconsciously, "That's part of the reason, I'm indeed interested, but..."

"But what?"

"Nothing, nothing," Xu Yinyin quickly shook her head, concealing her thoughts.

Yang Ning sighed inwardly, "If you're interested in those novelties, you can come by often. If you find things too expensive, I happen to need someone to help out in my shop.

If you come to work part-time when you have free time, I can give you a discount on whatever you want to buy. How about that..."

Xu Yinyin's eyes immediately lit up, and she hopped along happily, "It's a deal!"

However, what Yang Ning didn't know was that as Yun Zishan's personal disciple, Xu Yinyin's monthly allowance was three times that of Qiao Bin. If she didn't join the "Incense Sect" and didn't buy continuously Spirit Stone-consuming items like "Enlightenment Incense," her savings would be more than enough for her to spend freely at Yang Ning's shop.

The two continued down the mountain, chatting all the way. Xu Yinyin, who was about to become a part-time employee, eagerly inquired about various matters concerning the shop from Yang Ning.