A Futile Endeavor

Within the Finance Hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sandalwood incense curled through the air.

Zhao Linchuan stood in the center of the hall with his hands behind his back, his calm gaze resting on Ning Rongrong.

Today, she wore a Light Green Long Dress that made her skin seem as white as snow. Yet the eyes that usually held a smile were now frosted with coldness.

"Zhao Linchuan, this is Ningbo, the son of Ning Feng, the Finance Elder." Her voice was even as she stepped aside to reveal the young man behind her, dressed in Brocade Clothes.

"Ningbo has just finalized an Herb Business deal. From now on, the sect's Cloud Vine Ginseng will be supplied by the vendors he contacted."

Ningbo stepped forward with a courteous smile and cupped his hands in greeting. "I have long heard of Brother Zhao's great reputation."

Zhao Linchuan glanced at him. After the pleasantries, he took a contract from his robes. "Rongrong, during my trip to Qingshan Town, I reached an agreement with the local Herb Farmers."

"They are willing to provide superior Cloud Vine Ginseng over the long term at a price twenty percent below the Market Price. Its quality far surpasses what Young Master Ningbo found."

He handed over a sample. Its Root Tendrils were plump, its Ginseng Body thick and sturdy, and a crisp Medicinal Fragrance wafted faintly from it. Anyone could tell it was top-quality goods.

Ningbo chuckled and took out a somewhat Shriveled ginseng. "Brother Zhao, that is not quite right. Though the supplier I contacted charges slightly more, they are Reliable Partners with whom we have worked for a long time."

His words carried Deep Meaning as his gaze swept toward Ning Rongrong. "Besides... they have agreed to defer payment. That would greatly benefit the sect's Fund Turnover."

Zhao Linchuan examined the Cloud Vine Ginseng in Ningbo's hand. It had clearly been forced to grow rapidly through some special method.

He Said Solemnly, "Young Master Ningbo, this Cloud Vine Ginseng of yours was likely cultivated through some unusual means in a short period, was it not?"

"If it is used in medicine, I am afraid its medicinal efficacy will be greatly reduced."

The smile on Ningbo's face instantly froze, and a flash of Flustered panic crossed his eyes. "Y-You... what nonsense are you talking about?!"

Zhao Linchuan no longer looked at him and turned to Ning Rongrong. "The Herb Farmers of Qingshan Town have also agreed that payment may be settled after we sell the pills. The contract is right here, written in black and white."

The hall fell silent for a moment. The several Deacons observing the proceedings exchanged looks. Everyone could see which option was superior.

Ning Rongrong took both contracts and skimmed through them. Then, to everyone's surprise, she lightly placed Zhao Linchuan's contract On The Desk. "We will proceed according to Ningbo's arrangement."

"Rongrong!" Zhao Linchuan raised his voice slightly and pointed at the contract terms. "You clearly saw that whether in quality, price, or payment method, my terms are more beneficial to the sect. Why abandon the better option for the worse one?"

Ning Rongrong lifted her eyes, her icy gaze pricking his face like needles. "Zhao Linchuan, your contract is good. So good that it is beyond reproach."

She paused, and her voice grew colder. "But running a sect is not simply a matter of looking at the numbers on paper."

"The supplier Ningbo negotiated with is an old friend of the Finance Elder. The personal connections involved, the long-term relationship that must be maintained, even the benefits to the sect's other affairs—how could any of that be compared to a single Cloud Vine Ginseng of yours?"

"You only focus on what is 'best,' yet you never consider what is 'most suitable.'"

"Father once said that you are too rigid in your actions and do not know how to adapt. It seems he was entirely right."

"Adapt?" Zhao Linchuan seemed struck by those words, and his voice lowered. "The adaptability you speak of is sacrificing the sect's core interests to accommodate these tangled private connections?"

"Watch your status!" Ning Rongrong shot to her feet, her brows rising in anger. "Zhao Linchuan, I am the Heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! I will make my own judgment on how to weigh the pros and cons!"

"It is not your place to lecture me on what constitutes the sect's interests!"

Her chest rose and fell slightly as she pronounced her conclusion word by word. "This matter is settled."

"You are far too inflexible!"

"In... inflexible?" Zhao Linchuan stood rooted to the spot.

Over the years, how many risks had he helped the sect avoid through his own abilities? How many benefits had he brought it?

And now, all he received was a single remark: "far too inflexible"?

"Rongrong, my nephew has happened to conclude a business deal today. Why not go to the Star Picking Tower in the sect for a Casual Meal together?" Finance Elder Ning Feng said with a smile as he entered, breaking the deadlock.

Zhao Linchuan was about to refuse, but Ning Rongrong answered first. "Sure." She turned to Zhao Linchuan. "Zhao Linchuan, you are coming too."

"This Subordinate still has Important Matters to attend to and cannot go." His voice was low.

Ning Rongrong stepped closer and lowered her voice. "Do not forget that Father told you to protect me at all times."

Zhao Linchuan clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. In the end, he let them fall weakly open. "Fine. I will go with you."

Inside the Star Picking Tower, the Ning father and son repeatedly offered toasts, and Ning Rongrong accepted every one.

Zhao Linchuan sat quietly to the side without touching a drop of wine. He watched as she drank cup after cup, her cheeks gradually flushing crimson and her eyes becoming unfocused.

Zhao Linchuan could not help reminding her again. "Rongrong, drink less."

Yet Ning Rongrong seemed determined to oppose him. She filled another cup. "I am happy. What business is it of yours?"

Ningbo moved closer with a smile. "Brother Zhao need not worry. We will take care of Rongrong."

Zhao Linchuan gave him a cold glance and said no more.

By the end of the banquet, Ning Rongrong was so drunk that her Steps were Unsteady.

Ningbo reached out to support her, but Zhao Linchuan stepped in first and blocked him. "The Sky Color is late. Young Master Ningbo, please return. I will send Rongrong back myself."

Ning Rongrong suddenly broke free from his support and glared at him in displeasure. "Zhao Linchuan, what kind of attitude is that? Can't you speak properly?"

She turned to Ningbo and Beckoned. "Ningbo, take me back!"

Delight flashed through Ningbo's eyes, and he made to step forward.

Zhao Linchuan stopped her, forcibly suppressing the irritation surging in his heart as he said gently, "Rongrong, stop making trouble, all right?"

"I do not need you to control me!" Ning Rongrong violently shook off his hand. There was a mischievous look in her drunken eyes. "I do not want to see you. Hurry up and leave!"

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Zhao Linchuan looked at the woman he had protected for years, who was now driving him away with the most unfamiliar gaze.

"Fine."

He softly uttered a single word, then turned and left. His shadow stretched long beneath the Lights of the corridor.

Ning Rongrong froze.

Seeing him walk farther and farther away without the slightest reluctance, she panicked and cried out tearfully, "Zhao Linchuan, get back here right now! I'm counting to ten!"

In the past, such threats had always made him turn back. But This Time, his steps did not pause in the slightest.

"One, two, three..." Her voice trembled through the empty corridor. "...Eight, nine, ten!"

Zhao Linchuan had reached the end of the corridor, his figure about to disappear into the darkness around the corner.

Ning Rongrong completely panicked and shouted with all her strength, "Zhao Linchuan, get lost! If you have the guts, then never come back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for the rest of your life!"

At that instant, his steps paused almost imperceptibly.

A faint hope suddenly rose in Ning Rongrong's heart.

Yet the next moment, he continued walking and vanished completely around the corner, as if he had also walked out of the world she had taken for granted.

She stared blankly at the empty corridor. Her drunkenness vanished in an instant, leaving only terror and chill in her heart.

The night was deep as Zhao Linchuan walked alone out through the towering Main Gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, never looking back.

At some point, a warm Jade Pendant had appeared in his palm. The finely carved image of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda upon it had been a gift Ning Rongrong personally gave him seven years ago.

"Years of protection, wholehearted devotion, and in the end... it was all a futile endeavor." His fingertips brushed the familiar patterns on the Jade Pendant as his murmur scattered on the wind.

In the distance, the Drum Sound of the Third Watch echoed, long and lonely.

He cast one final look at the silhouette of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's tallest tower, gently placed the Jade Pendant atop the base of the Stone Lion before the gate, then turned and disappeared into the night.

(Chapter Two explains the ages and levels, while Chapter Three explains the Martial Soul. Please read carefully.)