Seven Profound

Carrying sixty taels of silver and a wooden box, Jiang Ding walked out of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, a flicker of excitement stirring in his heart.

Naturally, decades-old medicinal herbs could not be consumed raw. That would be too wasteful, and they might even be poisonous. He planned to commission a major pharmacy to refine them into pills.

Since he had no money to pay the processing fee or buy supplementary ingredients, he could use part of the herbs as payment.

"The Seven Profound Sect has returned?"

"Isn't that so? Seems like it's today..."

As he passed a teahouse, Jiang Ding's ears twitched. He stopped, entered, ordered a cup of clear tea, and gazed out at the street.

Well, he would not touch any food in this other world unless it had been properly handled.

Jiang Ding was not the only one. The other patrons also looked over with interest.

The Seven Profound Sect had been rooted in Eastspirit Prefecture for over a thousand years. Its roots ran deep and its branches spread wide. Everyone present had likely dealt with the Seven Profound Sect's businesses, and some might even have once been old disciples of the sect.

"That's a long story..."

But the drinker abruptly paused and refused to continue, drawing a chorus of curses from the crowd.

"Yang the Youngest, are you whetting our appetites for your damn mother?"

"Waiter, bring this table a pot of East Mountain Old Liquor, a plate of pastries, and two plates of braised beef!"

Some tactful patrons called out.

"Everyone, it's not exactly some secret."

The drinker grinned. "The young marquis is engaged to Gong Caiyu, the Flying Snow Fairy, daughter of the late sect master of the Seven Profound Sect. Since the Seven Profound Sect and the Eastern Pacifying Marquis's Estate are now family, rebuilding the sect is only natural."

"Is that true? Aren't they afraid the Sea-Splitting Saber of the Golden Saber Sect will come again?"

"Exactly! Yang the Youngest, aren't you just here to swindle this gentleman out of food and drink?"

The crowd broke into heated discussion. Some were excited, some resentful, each with their own thoughts.

"Bullshit!"

After taking a sip of wine, Yang the Youngest snapped, "I heard it from my clan uncle, who works at the Marquis's Estate. And it's happening today—how could it be false?"

The crowd was skeptical but uncertain.

"It's possible."

Someone speculated, "Though the Eastern Pacifying Marquis's Estate cannot compare to the Golden Saber Sect, it represents the court's dignity. It was once one of the twelve towering pillars of the realm. The Golden Saber Sect may not dare touch the Marquis's in-laws."

"One must know that while the Golden Saber Sect is powerful, it cannot compare to the imperial court."

At that moment, someone outside let out a howl.

"The marquis, the young marquis, and a group of the Marquis's Estate's guest retainers have come out!"

The Eastern Pacifying Marquis's Estate stood in the most prosperous part of the city, only a few streets away. From here, they could see orderly ranks of black-armored soldiers surrounding a group of people. The nearby streets had already been sealed off, and the display was grand.

The entire teahouse fell silent, quiet enough to hear a needle drop. Then it erupted with a boom as the crowd surged toward the Marquis's Estate.

They could not help but care.

The Marquis's Estate and the Seven Profound Sect were both colossal forces. Any change involving either could affect countless livelihoods. If things were mishandled, someone could go from filthy rich to utterly destitute.

Before long, only Jiang Ding, sitting quietly, and Yang the Youngest, wolfing down food and wine, remained in the teahouse. Even the waiters and proprietor had vanished for the moment.

Yang the Youngest stuffed a slice of beef into his mouth and raised a cup toward Jiang Ding from afar.

Jiang Ding nodded slightly, tossed a grain-sized piece of silver onto the counter, and rose to leave.

Once outside, he avoided the gathering crowds and headed toward Rotten Plank Street, where the general store was located.

Surrounded enthusiastically by numerous dignitaries, Gong Caiyu suddenly glanced in a certain direction, but saw nothing.

"What is it, niece Caiyu?"

An elderly man with several long strands of beard noticed her distraction and asked through voice transmission.

This man was Zhang Ziteng, the Fifth Elder of the Seven Profound Sect, known as the Iron Sword of the Goshawk. Rumor had it that his sword descended like a goshawk from the skies, seizing its prey like a raptor catching a hare. His sword momentum was majestic and heavy; ordinary experts would die before they could withstand even one strike.

When the Seven Profound Sect was destroyed, he happened to be away visiting relatives. And Wei Xian, the Sea-Splitting Saber, was an exceptionally proud man. Naturally, he would not waste time specifically hunting him down, allowing him to narrowly escape disaster.

Gong Caiyu forced a smile. "Fifth Uncle, it's nothing."

"Niece Caiyu,"

Zhang Ziteng continued speaking directly into her ear, "I know you do not like the young marquis, and his reputation is somewhat wild and unrestrained. But none of that matters. The flesh is merely a shell, and the love between young people is nothing more than an illusory bubble. You will understand this in time."

"As long as the sect can be rebuilt, as long as the patriarchs' legacy does not perish in our hands, and as long as you advance to the Innate realm, then everything will have been worth it."

Gong Caiyu fell silent.

Upon entering Rotten Plank Street, Jiang Ding saw old buildings lining the road, devoid of any lavish decoration. The ground was pitted and uneven, and a strange odor hung in the air, yet he felt a certain sense of ease and harmony.

"You little bastard!"

"Beat him to death! How dare you steal my things!"

The ease and harmony quickly vanished.

Jiang Ding glanced at the little beggar being beaten by a group of beggars, then continued toward the general store.

In the poor districts, such things happened too often. It was difficult to say who was right or wrong.

When one was poor, one could only look after oneself. He could not meddle in everything.

The little beggar did not utter a sound. He neither resisted nor cried out in pain.

After beating him for a while, the other beggars found it boring and left cursing.

Unsteady footsteps came from behind, as though someone were disregarding his injuries to chase after him with all his strength, as if this were his only hope of survival.

Jiang Ding paused and turned around.

The little beggar wore ragged, greasy clothes that reeked. His face and arms were covered in injuries; some had already scabbed over, while others still seeped blood.

Yet his features were still faintly recognizable. He was the grandson of the herb-gathering old man from the ruined temple.

"Sir, my grandfather is dead."

The little beggar's long-suppressed emotions suddenly collapsed, and he burst into loud sobs. "Those men in black killed him. Grandfather pushed me into the river, but he..."

Jiang Ding quietly listened to his incoherent crying.

The boy had gone through much these past days. Having suddenly encountered someone who had once shown him kindness, he had lost control of his emotions.

Not until his voice had gone hoarse did he stop.

"Sir, can I follow you?" the little beggar asked softly.

"You can."

Jiang Ding said quietly, "My shop still lacks a clerk. If you are interested, come and give it a try."

With that, he turned and left.

He would not take the initiative to do anything, but since the child had come seeking help, he would lend a hand.

"Thank you for your great kindness, sir!"

The little beggar was overjoyed. He had wanted to kowtow, but seeing that Jiang Ding had already gone, he hurriedly followed after him.

After winding through several streets, they returned to his little shop. There were still few customers, with only one or two coming in from time to time.

The moment Huang Deyou saw Jiang Ding, his face turned deathly pale, and he froze where he stood.

Jiang Ding ignored him and returned to the small courtyard.

"Boss..."

Not long after, Huang Deyou came running over with a pale face. He tried to kneel, but a tap from a sword sheath stopped him. Cold sweat poured down his body. He did not dare say a word and could only stand stiffly in place.

After a long while.

"It has only been half a month, and you've already caused two major incidents for me!"

Jiang Ding sighed softly. "Manager Huang, you must understand that everyone's patience has its limits."

Everything had a price. Letting Long San go had consumed a favor of his.

"Boss, Deyou knows he was wrong," Huang Deyou said tremblingly.

"It's good that you know. Everyone makes mistakes; correcting them is what matters." Jiang Ding pointed at the little beggar behind him and said blandly:

"This..."

"Sir, this humble one is Han Lin."

"This Brother Han needs a suitable job. Arrange one for him. Also, start collecting animal specimens. I want insects, birds, mosquitoes, and other small creatures. The price will remain one copper coin per specimen."

"Yes, Boss!"

Huang Deyou glanced from the corner of his eye at the little beggar's proper and courteous manner, and his heart tightened.