Chu Ge looked at the newcomer, saw that the other man was dressed as a plain-robed scholar, and pretended not to notice his true nature. He smiled and said, "Does Your Excellency also want to view the Blood Ranking in my hand? One silver tael per look."
The man was startled, then smiled. "This young master is quite interesting. I wonder where you're from? More and more people from outside have been coming to Jiangcheng Prefecture lately."
Chu Ge said, "A visitor from the countryside, nothing worth mentioning."
"You look like a native of the prefecture city, brother. I'm new to your esteemed place, and I don't know which factions are the most formidable within the prefecture city. Could you tell me if there are any taboos to watch out for?"
Chu Ge raised his hands and cupped his fists slightly.
The scholar felt a surge of joy in his heart, knowing that this was a timely opportunity to build a good relationship. He immediately spoke in a clear, resonant voice.
"When it comes to factions in Jiangcheng Prefecture, the first and foremost is naturally the Demon Suppressing Division of the prefectural government."
Apart from that, there are the Five Lineages, among which the Flying Tiger Family is the strongest and holds the greatest power.
The other lineages such as the Yun, Lin, Zhu, and Liu come next, but their strengths are all roughly the same.
As for other minor factions like the Flying Leaf Gang, Sword and Saber Society, and so on, they are nothing more than lackeys propped up by the Five Lineages.
When you folks from out of town come to the prefecture city, you all like to throw yourselves upon the Yun Family of the Five Lineages, because the Yun Family recruits outsiders almost every year. But if you ask me, you should give up on the Yun Family and go seek refuge with lineages like the Lin Family first."
"Oh? Seek refuge with the Lin Family?"
A ripple stirred in Chu Ge's heart. "How is that to be understood? Aren't the Flying Tigers said to be the strongest, and the Yun Family to offer the best treatment? Besides, judging by the current situation, only the Yun Family is recruiting people."
"That's what you don't know."
The scholar put on a mysterious expression and lowered his voice. "The Flying Tiger Family is strong, true, but they almost never actively recruit outsiders, and the threshold is very high.
Although the Yun Family recruits, too many people want to join after all, beating down the threshold.
As for the other lineages, although they haven't recruited outsiders in recent years, the Lin Family seems to have relaxed a bit lately, and I have internal connections right here.
The Lin Family is no weakling; their power is almost comparable to the Yun Family's, and the benefits are very good."
Listening to the other man talk smoothly, Chu Ge gradually formed some guesses in his heart, yet simultaneously held doubts.
It seems he's pulling people over for the Lin Family. Is the Lin Family that short-handed? Or is there some hidden story behind this?
Pondering inwardly and seeing that the man temporarily harbored no malicious intent, Chu Ge also dismissed the notion of making a move.
From this person, he could be considered to have understood the factional landscape of the prefecture city, even if some of it might be less than entirely truthful.
After politely declining the man, he drove his carriage straight toward the Moon Xi Inn.
Before long, the news of Chu Ge's arrival in the prefecture city and the process of his contact with the scholar had both been compiled into intelligence reports and delivered right before Young Master Lin, Lin Tao.
After finishing the reports, Lin Tao felt no surprise.
The reason why he hadn't immediately taken the initiative to go and greet Chu Ge was precisely because he didn't yet understand the temperament of Chu Feixue's younger brother nor his future plans.
He would send someone to make contact first, speak well of the Lin Family, and then observe for a couple of days.
If the young man harbored any ambitions, he would step in to suppress him, letting him hit a few walls and dampening his sharpness so as to avoid the untamed wildness typical of a small country place.
When the timing was right, he would personally step forward to move the man with sincerity. The success rate of recruiting him would be much greater and far more secure.
Anyway, Chu Ge had no idea at present that his elder sister had already sent two people to welcome him.
And the arrival time of those two outer sect disciples could be entirely determined by a single word from Lin Tao.
"Has the situation regarding the Wang Family caravan from Linyuan City been figured out?"
Lin Tao asked casually.
"Reporting to the Young Master, it has already been figured out. That eldest miss of the Wang Family had previously obtained a quota for Spiritual Aptitude testing from the Yun Family. This time, she will most likely undergo the Spiritual Aptitude testing at the Yun Family's place."
The steward at his side reported, "Perhaps this Young Master Chu has the same idea in mind.
After all, apart from the Yun Family, the only other place for him to go is the Hidden Water Sect.
Yet the Hidden Water Sect will not easily test outsiders for aptitude, and the time for recruiting disciples has not yet arrived. Even if they were to recruit, the requirements for Spiritual Aptitude are very high.
Even with his elder sister's connections, it's impossible for him to bypass the sect rules and get an exception.
He might not miss this opportunity with the Yun Family."
Lin Tao smiled, revealing a flash of white teeth. "That won't be up to him. I've already greeted the enforcers of the other lineages in advance. He can only miss out on this opportunity with the Yun Family."
Lin Tao shook his head with a light chuckle. "When he hits a wall everywhere he turns, he'll have no choice but to come to my Lin Family. When that time arrives, I will personally lower myself to treat him with courtesy and hospitality.
Young men, you see, after suffering some setbacks, I'll offer a few pleasant words, send some gifts and beautiful maids, and elevate him. Naturally, he'll think he has met the patron of his life and feel deeply grateful to me!"
"The Young Master is brilliant!"
"Mn. Just guard against him sending a letter to his elder sister or setting off directly for the Hidden Water Sect. You handle it."
West of Jiangcheng Prefecture City.
A gentle breeze rustled the treetops, and the sparse leaves caught the light, flashing and swaying.
The shadows under the moon were crisp and clear. Though many guests came and went, there was no loud clamor, achieving tranquility amidst the bustle.
"This is the Moon Xi Inn. Not bad, not bad!"
Driving his carriage here and seeing the sight of the inn, Chu Ge was quite satisfied. He tossed out a silver bean and called out to the inn attendant who hurried forward to welcome him. The attendant smiled so broadly that a missing tooth was revealed, bearing a striking resemblance to Hei Gouzi, the servant back home.
"Is the Wang Family caravan from Linyuan City here?"
"Ah? Honored guest, they are, they are. The eldest miss of the Wang Family arrived at noon today, and even instructed us to lead you straight inside immediately if a certain young master hurried over. Could it be that you, honored guest, are..."
"It's me."
"Please hurry on in, honored guest! The tip for this has already been paid by the eldest miss of the Wang, I—"
"Keep it. Feed my horses well, move the baggage inside, and park the carriage properly."
"You got it! Please enter, master!"
Soon, after Chu Ge had settled and concealed Xiao Qian properly, he met Wang Xiuyun, who had separated from him two days ago, in an inn room.
"Chu Ge, it's good that you're fine. That day was truly perilous, but knowing your strength, I knew you wouldn't come to harm."
Accompanied by a maid, Wang Xiuyun walked into the room in a flurry of activity. Seeing Chu Ge's robust and dashing figure, her apricot-like eyes brightened, and she said with a beaming smile.
"Sit down and talk!" Chu Ge appeared quite leisurely and casual. With a casual gesture inviting her to take a seat, he said, "It seems you didn't encounter any fierce pursuers that day either. We both narrowly escaped a calamity."
"Indeed, fortune smiled upon us. After I came to the city, I heard at the inn that the gang of Yellow Turban fiends we ran into that day were actually led by a notorious enforcer on the Blood Ranking, the Dark Poison Child."
After sitting down, Wang Xiuyun patted her chest, her voluptuous frame trembling slightly as she spoke. "Fortunately, none of us ran into them. Rumor has it that the Dark Poison Child ran into an iron plate, was dealt with by a passing expert, and has now been dropped from the Blood Ranking.
Although these times are chaotic, there are still some formidable heroes around—for instance, my benefactor, who also ascended the Blood Ranking."
Though Chu Ge didn't have the habit of rubbing his nose, being described this way by Wang Xiuyun caused him to instinctively touch the teacup on the table to cover up his awkwardness. He laughed in agreement.
"Quite right, there are still quite a few righteous heroes."
After the two of them chatted idly for a bit longer, Chu Ge inquired about Wang Xiuyun's plans.
True to his expectations, Wang Xiuyun intended to participate in the Yun Family's Spiritual Aptitude quota test.
"Chu Ge, why don't you join in as well? My Wang Family has a very good relationship with an elder of the Yun Family. As long as you're willing to spend a large sum of silver, you can definitely buy a quota."
Wang Xiuyun revealed an encouraging smile as she spoke. "Your martial arts talent is so good, and your practical combat ability is also strong. As long as you possess Spiritual Aptitude, the Yun Family will certainly be willing to recruit you!"
(Another update coming at eleven later. Being willful and adding an extra chapter today, treasures please keep up with reading)
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