"That's no problem."
Ruan Chen waved a hand, then looked around.
"In fact,"
"Everyone here came with the hope of joining the Divine Fist Sect. However, the decision isn't mine to make. It rests with Deacon Baili. If he gives his approval, he can examine your potential today."
As soon as he finished speaking,
the people around them couldn't help holding their breath.
They hadn't expected Ruan Chen to come right out and say it.
"But..."
At that moment,
Ruan Chen changed tack, a meaningful look appearing on his face as he said, "We've been worn out by days of travel. On top of that, Deacon Baili has been troubled lately by how to break through beyond Internal Strengthening. Naturally, he has no mind for this at the moment."
"Our sect has strict requirements for selecting disciples."
"Therefore, the process takes a great deal of effort."
"If we were to rush through the selection and end up reducing the sect's rewards, Deacon Baili wouldn't have enough resources to exchange for the treasures he needs to break through. That's what he'd least like to see, so..."
After listening to him go around in circles,
not only Qin Jiu,
but everyone else had figured it out by now. He just wanted to take the opportunity to squeeze a little out of them.
Qin Jiu's smile grew wider.
If they wanted something, this would be much easier to handle.
But before he could speak,
Han Qingyue spoke again. "I remember Senior Brother mentioning that, within the Divine Fist Sect, all sorts of rare treasures can be exchanged for contribution points. The Qin Family has a secret method for raising spirit beasts. I imagine it could be exchanged for quite a few contribution points."
"Oh?"
At that moment,
the Deacon, whose expression had been utterly calm the whole time,
immediately showed a hint of surprise.
"A secret method for raising spirit beasts?"
"This old man has never heard of such a thing."
"It can only be used to raise first-tier spirit beasts." Han Qingyue shook her head. "But I imagine it should be enough to earn Deacon Baili some contribution points. If it helps you break through, that would be a great blessing as well."
The two of them went back and forth.
By now, the smile had vanished from Qin Jiu's face.
It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with the secret method.
On the contrary,
if a single secret method could help the Qin Family enter the pass alongside the Divine Fist Sect, it would be a tremendous boon. After all, they had already given one to Li Yuan of the Four Seasons Pharmacy. What harm was there in giving another to the Divine Fist Sect?
But Han Qingyue's tone made it sound as though she were offering up something of her own.
That stirred his disgust.
"Ahem, Qingyue..."
Han Qing's face had become a deeply furrowed mask.
At his words,
Han Qingyue said nothing more.
"Young friend of the Qin Family, what do you think?"
On the other side,
Baili Ce's gaze fell on Qin Jiu.
The latter cupped his hands slightly. "This is a matter of great importance. Allow me to return and consider it."
"Suit yourself."
The smile on Baili Ce's face instantly faded.
Han Ning pursed her lips at the sight.
"You really don't know a good thing when it's offered."
"A chance to join a major sect is right in front of you, yet you keep wavering. And to think my sister even helped point you toward a clear path."
"This Qin will take his leave."
Qin Jiu gave Han Qing a slight bow.
Then he turned and left with his people.
Han Qing's eyelid twitched. He couldn't help letting out a long sigh.
"Xuanzhou, what do you think?"
Inside the carriage,
Qin Jiu gazed out at the frost and snow beyond the window and asked absently.
"It's hard to say." Qin Xuanzhou pondered. "They're interested in the secret method, but they haven't stated any specific terms. If you offer it to them and that sect Deacon still refuses..."
"Roar!"
Suddenly,
a roar rang out from the other end of the main street.
Qin Xuanzhou's expression changed. "That's the aura of a demon. Family Head, we..."
"Take a detour."
Qin Jiu tapped the wooden window with his finger.
Then he sighed again. "Find a time in the next few days to invite the Divine Fist Sect people to the Qin Mansion and sound them out. If we can join a major sect with the secret method, or even a little gold and silver, it'll be well worth it."
"Our Qin Family must leave Songshan County."
"We must leave beyond the pass as well."
At dusk,
Han Mansion.
The guests had all departed, and only members of the Han Family remained in the mourning hall to keep vigil.
"Qingyue, you shouldn't have brought up the Qin Mansion's secret method earlier. That was a terrible way to offend people."
Han Qing's aged voice rang out.
Han Qingyue shook her head. "I didn't offend anyone."
"You..."
Han Qing was speechless. But she wasn't his granddaughter, after all, so he could only shake his head. "Your temperament will bring disaster upon the family sooner or later, whether with the Qin Family or those people from the Divine Fist Sect."
"Please don't try to pull rank on me."
Han Qingyue frowned in displeasure. "I know what I'm doing, and I'm not as incapable of reading the room as I might seem. Take Deacon Baili. I'm doing him a favor now. Once the Han Family joins the Divine Fist Sect, the benefits will naturally become clear."
"What do you know?"
There was no anger in Han Qing's voice, only exhaustion. "Your Third Grandfather was once a Three Refinements expert. He's lived a long life and seen all kinds of people. That boy from the Qin Family was born a butcher. The stench of blood on him is so thick it can't escape these old eyes."
"And Ruan Chen of the Divine Fist Sect..."
"Do you really think he's as simple as he seems?"
"The reason Zheng agreed to the marriage alliance with the Qin Family back then wasn't because he'd forgotten the bond between you and that man. Why do you think he did it? If the Han Family could truly secure the support of a core disciple of a sect, why would he have let you marry into the Qin Family..."
"Enough."
Han Qingyue's fine brows shot up, and she said coldly, "My father may be dead, but that doesn't mean you can take his place."
"Take his place?"
Han Qing's face turned livid.
Then he shook his head helplessly. "This old man is nearing the end of his life. I only want to find a quiet place to wait for death."
"You've already made up your mind to take the Han Family to the Divine Fist Sect."
"I can't stop you. But my children and grandchildren can't go with you. And there's your Third Brother. He's only a scholar; going with you to the Divine Fist Sect wouldn't suit him. It'd be better for him to leave the Han Family with me."
As Han Qing spoke,
he looked at the fair-skinned young man behind him, his expression kind. "Little Zhong Gui, would you like to go somewhere else with Third Grandfather to study? As the saying goes, read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles."
"I..."
The boy's eyes were clear, and he looked somewhat excited at the suggestion.
But when he turned and saw Han Qingyue's expression,
he shrank his neck.
"N-no. Sister won't be happy."
"Ah."
Han Qing said nothing more.
Leaning on his cane, he slowly made his way toward the hall's entrance.
The following day,
when Qin Jiu heard the news about the Han Family,
he couldn't help but be taken aback.
"How could that old man Han Qing leave the Han Family? He treated Han Zheng like his own son, and his attachment to the Han Family was even deeper."
"I don't know." Qin Xuanzhou shook his head. "All I know is that everyone from his branch left last night."
"That includes a Three Refinements expert."
"Doesn't that mean the Han Family has only two Three Refinements experts left?"
Qin Jiu pondered for a moment.
Then he stopped dwelling on it and gave another order.
"Take some people to set up the reception hall. I'll go to the Hundred Beasts Garden and slaughter a few spirit beasts. We're hosting the Divine Fist Sect people today, so make sure nothing goes wrong. Also, send someone to the Hundred Flower Pavilion to invite a troupe over."
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