Lei Zhen pondered for a moment, then asked, "What if I commissioned you to teach Meng'er saber techniques?"
Qin Yuan smiled suddenly and said in earnest, "Of course I can."
Hearing that, Lei Zhen felt reassured.
After all, some teachers on the continent did nothing but take advantage of their students, cadging food and drink wherever they went.
Having a teacher like that would be a major headache for the Duke's Mansion too.
If Qin Yuan was willing to teach Lei Meng without holding anything back, commissioning him would serve the Lei Clan's interests better than having Lei Meng become his disciple.
Once Lei Meng completed his training, the commission would end. The two sides would have no further ties, leaving nothing to burden Lei Meng's future.
Lei Zhen might have looked like a rough brute, but he was meticulous. If Qin Yuan had accepted his invitation without hesitation, it would have made him wary instead.
"Very well. The Lei Clan hereby offers you a Formal Commission. As long as Meng'er's saber skills improve, whatever you want apart from a Soul Bone, the Lei Clan will give it to you unconditionally!"
Meng Shenji's eyes shifted. Lei Zhen's approach seemed rather fitting.
If he kept commissioning Qin Yuan, why would he worry about Qin Yuan leaving the academy?
Besides, the royal family funded everything at the academy. They placed great value on talent now, so surely they could offer more benefits to keep Qin Yuan under commission.
Meng Shenji smiled. "Mr. Qin, would you be interested in becoming the Imperial Fighting Team's lead teacher and leading the Fighting Team into the upcoming Soul Master Tournament finals?"
"If you place in the top three, this old man will petition for a commendation for Teacher Qin and request a Soul Bone as a reward."
The Soul Master Tournament had opened a month ago, and the preliminary rounds had ended only recently.
Heaven Dou City was packed with visitors from every corner of the continent. They had yet to leave, and word of anything that happened in the city could soon spread far and wide with them.
That was why Yu Yuanzhen had been so furious over Yu Luomian's actions, even preferring to take a loss to put the matter to rest.
[Five Star Commission detected. Accept Lei Zhen's and the Three Education Commissioners' commissions: teach Lei Meng the Virtual Reality Saber Technique; lead the Fighting Team into the Soul Master Tournament finals and place in the top three. Upon completion, your Seventh Soul Ring will be rewarded as a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.] [Note: After the host breaks through to level seventy, the reward will be issued directly. No need to absorb a Spirit Ring yourself.]
Qin Yuan jolted.
Even though he now had Dugu Bo as his brother and had the foundation to absorb Spirit Rings beyond his level, he had never imagined absorbing a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring at the Spirit Saint stage.
Now all he had to do was complete the commissions, and the system would grant him the reward directly. What was there to hesitate about?
"Take your time considering it, Mr. Qin. We're in no hurry."
Seeing Qin Yuan's strange expression, Meng Shenji hastily added that reassurance.
Qin Yuan came back to himself and shook his head. "Chief Meng Shenji, you misunderstand. I never expected you seniors to think so highly of me. I'm a little overwhelmed."
With that, he rose and cupped his fists solemnly. "Since you seniors place such trust in me, I'll do everything I can!"
They talked for a long while longer, and the banquet did not end until the afternoon.
The Fighting Team had advanced directly to the finals, so there was no pressing deadline. Meng Shenji gave Qin Yuan a few days off to arrange his other affairs.
After the banquet, Dugu Bo walked alongside Qin Yuan, the two of them talking.
"The Three Education Commissioners and Lei Zhen are people of their word. You don't need to worry about them failing to pay for their commissions."
Dugu Bo suddenly smiled. "Once Yanyan and Lingling absorb their Spirit Rings, they should reach the Soul Elder level. As lead teacher, you have the authority to decide who joins as substitutes."
"Bring Yanyan and Lingling along. It'll do them good to see more of the world."
Qin Yuan laughed heartily. Rather than take up the suggestion, he asked with some curiosity, "Big brother, with your standing, do you really need me to pull strings for you?"
Dugu Bo laughed and cursed. "This old man is used to going it alone. I don't have many friends. Besides, I still owe Prince Xue Xing a favor, so I shouldn't get too close to the Three Education Commissioners."
When the conversation turned to the politics of Heaven Dou's court, his expression stayed grave for a long while. "Before long, both Xue Qinghe and Prince Xue Xing may try to win you over. That uncle and nephew have never gotten along. Handle them carefully."
"If you decide to serve the royal family, you'd best choose one side. Don't deal with both. Of course, knowing you, you probably won't accept either invitation. This old man is just saying you should keep your guard up."
No one but a brother would have offered Qin Yuan such heartfelt advice.
Qin Yuan understood the situation already, but it meant something different for Dugu Bo to bring it up himself. Clearly, Dugu Bo had come to regard him as a true brother.
Qin Yuan was now one of the most sought-after figures in Heaven Dou City. With several powerful factions backing him, no one dared offend him.
When he returned to the Golden Saber Shop, he found its entrance packed with Soul Hunting Squads seeking to affiliate with it.
Yu Yuanzhen had always been a man whose word carried weight. He had immediately released the five detained squad members and had the clan's healing Soul Masters provide them with a full course of treatment.
On top of that, Yu Yuanzhen had paid the outstanding balance of Ten Thousand Gold Soul Coins in full.
Qin Yuan had a Titled Douluo behind him, and he could even make the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan swallow a loss!
As word spread, plenty of people wanted to curry favor with him. Joining the Golden Saber Squad as an affiliate would undoubtedly bring them closer to him.
Chen Ze was run off his feet, but the moment Qin Yuan appeared, he set aside his work to report to him. He also said he would scrutinize clients' backgrounds more carefully from then on.
Qin Yuan agreed to each point and joined Chen Ze in evaluating the squads seeking affiliation.
With the business growing steadily, he now had a stable enterprise of his own on the continent.
If he ever stopped taking commissions, the income from it would be enough for him to live out the rest of his life in comfort.
Far too many squads had come to the Golden Saber Shop seeking affiliation. Many had sticky fingers, and Qin Yuan could not possibly take them under his wing.
Some were even spies planted by hostile factions.
Seeing Qin Yuan and Chen Ze pick and choose, someone began stirring up the crowd. "Why won't you take us?"
"If we join the Golden Saber Shop, you'll take ten percent of every commission we get! We came here because we believed you could bring us more work, but instead you pick us apart. I say we'd be better off finding clients ourselves!"
"We can find our own jobs and keep every coin. Why come here just to be under your thumb?"
Qin Yuan swept a cold glance over the man and replied evenly, "I don't force anyone to join the Golden Saber Shop."
"But any squad willing to join us will be our brothers from then on. I'll help find commissions and make sure everyone earns money. Of course, you're right about one thing: squads that can't stand the rules are free to leave. I never force anyone."
The man tried to say more, but the squads seeking affiliation shouted him down.
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