Over the next few days, Gao Shang guided Sun Meng's cultivation while practicing Ninjutsu and familiarizing himself with the Sharingan's abilities.
He discovered that the Futatsudomoe's powers of perception had even more uses than he had imagined.
Besides letting him predict attacks through the circulation paths of Soul Power, they could also guide cultivation, allowing him to promptly point out mistakes in others' practice.
Of course, the prerequisite was that he had to get it right himself first.
After several days, Sun Meng not only knew the Soul Power meditation method inside out, but had also developed a respectable grasp of Uchiha Kenjutsu.
Clang!
The Soul-Gathering Scythe sliced through the air, trailing an arc of black light, only to be firmly blocked by the refined-iron saber in Gao Shang's hand.
"Sister Xiao Meng, not bad. Your saber skills have improved quickly lately."
"It's all thanks to your teaching, Boss."
Sun Meng touched her ear, looking a little embarrassed.
"Don't sell yourself short. This set of saber techniques was originally meant for a straight blade. Getting this far with a scythe was no easy feat."
"Now that you have the basics, you'll need to adjust the moves to suit your Martial Soul and gradually forge your own path."
"Mm, I'll follow your lead, Boss."
"All right, it's getting late. Let's stop here for today and go eat."
Gao Shang put away his saber and took Sun Meng by the hand, leading her toward the dining room. Along the way, he casually asked:
"By the way, Sister Xiao Meng, how has Han Xing been recovering lately?"
"She's much better now, but she's pushing herself too hard in her cultivation."
Sun Meng sighed.
"Every day, she's either cultivating Soul Power or training her body. She refuses to stop for even a moment."
Gao Shang sighed as well.
How could the blow of losing her parents be so easy to recover from?
But if she kept training like this, her body would give out sooner or later.
He had kept Han Xing around partly out of sympathy, and partly because she had a clean background and he wanted to keep her close and train her into one of his core people.
Even with just one restaurant, his subordinates already had their hands full.
There would be more to do in the future, and sooner or later, he would have to recruit people.
But outsiders could never be as familiar and well understood as those he had raised from childhood.
"Sister Xiao Meng, sorry for the trouble, but please spend more time with her lately. Take her out for a stroll when you're free. Working hard at cultivation is good, but she needs to understand that going too far is as bad as not going far enough."
"Tell her that as long as she rests properly and gets herself back into good condition, I'll teach her Taijutsu."
"All right, Boss."
Sun Meng agreed first, then remembered something and said hesitantly:
"But, Boss, about Sister Hong Hua..."
Although Sun Meng had not known Hong Hua for long, Hong Hua had always done her utmost when teaching her about Soul Masters and had taken good care of her in everyday life.
If Han Xing learned before Hong Hua and Wang Tianyuan did, she feared Hong Hua would feel disappointed.
Gao Shang understood what she meant and said with a smile:
"Don't worry. Once Wang Tianyuan returns, I'll ask what the two of them think. As long as they're willing to join my organization, I'll teach them these methods too."
"An organization? Boss, you're starting an organization?"
Sun Meng looked at Gao Shang in surprise.
It was not that she doubted Gao Shang's abilities, but there were only a handful of them right now, and they had no one strong enough to hold the fort. Wasn't starting an organization now a little too hasty?
"Yes, but we won't announce it publicly for now. We'll set up the framework first, to make recruitment and management easier later."
"Oh, I see."
Sun Meng nodded, then asked:
"Then, Boss, have you thought of a name?"
At the question, Gao Shang stopped and looked up at the bright white moon in the night sky. Smiling, he spoke the name he had long since decided on.
"Of course. It'll be called-White Jade Capital!"
The next day, Wang Tianyuan finally returned.
To avoid drawing attention, he had traveled through a full six cities and looked considerably more exhausted.
But the fruits of his trip did not disappoint Gao Shang.
Forty pieces of thousand-year whale rubber were taken out of the Storage Soul Tool one by one.
Gao Shang's eyes practically glowed green at the sight.
The whale rubber purchased last time for a little over ten thousand Gold Soul Coins had earned him over eight hundred thousand.
This time, they had spent a full twenty thousand, and every piece was thousand-year whale rubber!
He hardly dared imagine their value.
Forcing down the urge to check the quote immediately, Gao Shang first turned to Wang Tianyuan.
"Tianyuan, you did well on this trip. Is there any reward you'd like? Don't hold back. Just say it."
"You're joking, Boss. I'm already getting paid. How could I ask for another reward just for doing my job?"
Wang Tianyuan shook his head like a pellet drum.
Although the trip had been rather taxing, he had not needed to fight or scheme against anyone. How could he have the nerve to ask for more?
Gao Shang shook his head slightly.
Normally, this indeed would not warrant an additional reward.
But he was in a good mood today.
Did he need a reason to reward his subordinates?
Not at all.
Still, before handing out benefits, he had to make certain things clear. His things were only for his own people to benefit from.
With that thought, Gao Shang took a small booklet out of his Storage Soul Tool.
"These are the Taijutsu and saber techniques I practice. You should already know about them."
Holding the booklet, he continued:
"I wanted to reward you this time, and there's also something I need to tell you. I'm planning to establish an organization. If you and Hong Hua are willing to join, I'll teach you both these things."
The moment Gao Shang finished speaking, Wang Tianyuan dropped to one knee without the slightest hesitation.
"Boss, we're willing to join!"
"Aren't you going to discuss it with Hong Hua first?"
Wang Tianyuan looked utterly certain.
"No need. Hong Hua will definitely agree. Besides, I'm the head of the household. She'll listen to me on this."
"Ugh..."
Gao Shang gave him a look of disdain.
Had he not seen this fellow scurrying after Hong Hua, apologizing at her heels, he really might have believed that nonsense.
Wang Tianyuan's weathered face reddened under his gaze, but he offered no explanation.
Out in the world, a man had to give himself face. In any case, Hong Hua would never undermine him in public.
"Fine, then it's settled. Take this and practice diligently when you get back."
Gao Shang handed over the booklet he had copied out himself.
"I'll gradually make arrangements for the organization later. You'll have plenty to keep you busy then."
"Yes, Bo... no, Sect Master!"
"Don't call me Sect Master. I don't like that title. From now on, everyone will call me Tower Master."
"Yes, Tower Master!"
"Mm, off you go."
Gao Shang nodded in satisfaction, then opened the system panel to check the price of this batch of whale rubber.
Wang Tianyuan took the booklet. Seeing that there was nothing else for him to do, he did not linger and tactfully withdrew.
No sooner had he left than the system supplied its quote.
[Dear, there are forty pieces of whale rubber in total.] [Total value: 1,200,000 Gold Soul Coins.] [Confirm recycling?]
"How much?!"
Gao Shang's voice involuntarily rose several pitches.
He now had the urge to call Wang Tianyuan back and swear brotherhood with him.
The average price was actually even higher than that of the batch Zhao Gang had acquired last time.
Even if not every piece was top quality, they could not be far off.
Clearly, Wang Tianyuan had truly put his heart and soul into carrying out the task Gao Shang had entrusted to him on this trip.