The Sect Leader Returns to the Sect
Chongming Small Pavilion has been doing well in the market lately, thanks to two main advantages: the small profit margin and high sales volume policy set by Sect Leader Kang Da, and the increasingly outstanding spiritual dishes made by Jin Shilun using various Demon Beast pork knuckles.
Also, because Huo Ying, who was once placed in Double Brightness Trade Market by the Illusory Sword Alliance, has now become Shopkeeper Huo of the Chongming Small Pavilion.
That doesn't mean Huo Ying's appearance is much better than Zhou Xinran's.
If the former is like the cherry blossoms of early summer, plump, juicy, and graceful, then the latter is like plums of midsummer, sweet and sour with a unique flavor.
There's no inherent superiority or inferiority between the two; they each have their own strengths.
However, there are still not many high-level cultivators entering and leaving Double Brightness Trade Market. Among low-level cultivators, only a few can avoid the common practices.
Seeing that the pills and magical Law Artifact from the Chongming Sect were relatively cheap, and that they could also come in and see the Illusory Sword Alliance, a Foundation Establishment sect, make a fool of themselves, everyone was naturally happy to do so.
Under these circumstances, Chongming Sect was naturally delighted, while Illusory Sword Alliance was utterly disgusted.
However, his family dared not speak out against it, because nowadays, the entire Double Brightness Trade Market and even the entire Pingrong County are all under the sway of the Chongming Sect Leader Kang Da.
If it were before, things would have been better. If that Foundation Establishment from the Illusory Sword Alliance had come to visit, he might have been able to put on airs of a senior in front of the Qi Refinement of the Chongming Sect.
They didn't expect Chongming Sect to bow down and confess his sins, but they could at least save face by taking Huo Ying back and raising her in the Sect Leader Kang Da mansion.
But now...
Although the Foundation Establishment from the Illusory Sword Alliance was only at the Green Leaf and his cultivation level had stagnated at the early stage, he still had a certain reputation in Cloud Horn Prefecture due to his status as a sword cultivator.
Because of this, the Illusory Sword Alliance can also use this power to recruit First-Tier Peak weapon masters to serve them, which is not considered poor even among ordinary Foundation Establishment sects.
The crux of the problem lies here: the Illusory Sword Alliance dares not provoke the Chongming Sect again.
Both were at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage and both were sword cultivators, yet one achieved the Ice Leaf and had a promising future; the other was old and frail, having lost all potential.
The former also enjoys the protection of the state court, the Fei Household, and the New Cloud Alliance, with the current sect leader being the Pingrong County and the Fei Household's son-in-law; the latter, uh.
If Chongming Sect wanted to cause trouble for the Illusory Sword Alliance, they wouldn't even need to resort to arms. They could simply recruit a few of their outstanding First Tier weapon masters, and the latter would be in a real bind.
Since they're both being paid to work for the same company, why not switch to a better one?
If even the high-ranking members of the Illusory Sword Alliance are capable of such immoral acts as oppressing the widows of their disciples, it speaks volumes about the sect's moral character. Those weapon makers below them are unlikely to feel any better about doing the same.
Therefore, although Deacon Zhang Double Brightness Trade Market the Illusory Sword Alliance, was unhappy, he dared not show it at all.
Not only that, when he saw Zhou Xinran and Jin Shilun, the two Double Brightness disciples of Chongming, in the market, Deacon Zhang had to greet them with a smile from afar.
As for Huo Ying, Deacon Zhang is, after all, a Late Qi Refinement cultivator from the Illusory Sword Alliance, a Foundation Establishment sect. If he wants to hide, he can always manage to avoid her.
Business was slow at the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion today. They had been waiting all day without making a single sale. Deacon Zhang sighed as he looked at the bustling crowd.
Just as he was about to instruct the disciples he had brought to check the restrictions and close the shop early so that he could go meet his "friends" at the increasingly prosperous Mandarin Duck Pavilion in Double Brightness Trade Market, he saw two patrolmen swaggering into his shop.
Deacon Zhang gave a barely audible curse, then forced a perfectly natural smile, raised his voice, and said cheerfully, "So it's Master Fu and Master Guo. Please come in quickly. Nephew Shao, quickly, bring out the tip of my golden eyebrow."
"No, no, we won't have the tea. Deacon Zhang, please hurry up and submit this season's routine report. My brother and I have other matters to attend to later, and we can't afford to be delayed."
The dark-faced man, whom Deacon Zhang called Master Fu, waved his hand, stopping the former from speaking.
"Haha, it's all prepared. This is such a small matter, why did you two have to come in person? This old man will have his junior deliver it to the Bad Commander Temple." Deacon Zhang suppressed his heartache and took out ten more Spirit Stone than usual.
The two errand runners couldn't carry that much; the bulk went to the Bad Commander. Of course, not all of these Spirit Stones would end up in Yuan Jin's hands; half would go into the public funds of the City Commandant's Office and the Bad Commander's Office.
However, it's unavoidable that the Illusory Sword Alliance has to send Spirit Stone to Yuan Jin every day they do business in Double Brightness Trade Market. Unless his family also produces several Foundation Establishment, or they also become related to the Chongming Sect by marriage.
"A despicable scoundrel who only knows how to flatter people!" Watching Master Fu carefully count the Spirit Stone before putting them away, Deacon Zhang smiled but cursed inwardly.
"The amount is just right. In that case, we brothers won't bother you any longer. Old Guo, let's go." Master Fu patted his Storage Bag and turned to say to the pale-faced Master Guo.
"Alright, wait a moment, Lao Fu. There's a junior in my clan who's about to Drawing Spirit into the Body. We need a magic Law Artifact as a congratulatory gift for him, so we can take a look here." As he spoke, Master Guo pulled Master Fu through the door.
Only then did Deacon Zhang reveal a hint of genuine joy.
Even if this Guo family member certainly wouldn't provide the younger generation in his family with any top-grade or supreme magical Law Artifact for Drawing Spirit into the Body, if this deal goes through, at least they can open for business today, right?
"What you took from me, you have to earn back!" Deacon Zhang was secretly delighted. His plan was not wrong, but things did not go as smoothly as Deacon Zhang had expected.
Master Guo looked at the Law Artifact that Deacon Zhang had taken out and asked about their prices one by one. The more he asked, the more his brows furrowed. He finally found one that he liked, but he couldn't bargain it down much.
"Let's go," Master Fu, who was standing to the side, was getting impatient. Before Deacon Zhang could even stop him, Master Fu pulled Master Guo out the door again.
As Deacon Zhang approached the door, about to speak and try to stop the business again, he overheard the conversation of the two patrolmen.
"I told you long ago, although Chongming Small Pavilion doesn't have top-grade or top-grade Law Artifact, its low-grade Law Artifact are better and cheaper than other places, and you still didn't believe me!"
"I know that, but Chongming Small Pavilion's Law Artifact have been out of stock for a long time. It's just that we're running out of time. Their Deacon Zhou, said that Commander Yuan is currently in seclusion, and new Law Artifact won't be available for sale until next month."
"You're stupid too. Why didn't you just go queue up earlier next month? If you shopped at the Chongming Small Pavilion, you could save a few Spirit Stone and get your junior a better pill. Wouldn't that be better?"
"Old Fu, what you said is true. Besides, it seems the Illusory Sword Alliance has some grudges with the county magistrate, so it's not something we should be looking at. Not to mention, the Law Artifact in the Chongming Small Pavilion all passed through Yuan Shuai's hands."
"I know you're still looking, you're such a blockhead. Hurry up, hurry up, if we go to the Chongming Small Pavilion any later, we'll have to wait for a table, and we might not even get to eat the red-haired pork knuckle. We received a gift today, so let's go have a treat."
"Yes, yes, let's walk faster."
Deacon Zhang was so angry he was practically fuming. "This Chongming Sect stole my wife, took my family's tribute, and now he wants to steal my business!"
Seeing that the two patrolmen had gone far away, Deacon Zhang was about to curse again when he suddenly remembered the long-dried-up head hanging on his own archway. In the end, he didn't dare to utter a single curse. He sulked in silence, lifted the restriction, and closed the door to visitors.
It was at this time that a sizable caravan entered Double Brightness Trade Market.
The new patrolman from the Bad Guy Commander's Mansion, who was guarding the gate, frowned. He was about to learn from his predecessors' previous arrogance and stop the caravan to collect taxes.
But he was suddenly kicked by the more senior person beside him, who stopped him.
The old patrolman carefully put away his magical Law Artifact and bowed deeply to the caravan leader, saying, "Leader Duan, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
Duan Anle dismounted from the Black Blood Colt to greet the old patrolman, scrutinized his face, and said with a faint smile, "So it's Fellow Daoist Yun. Thanks to you, everything is well."
The patrolman was surprised that Duan Anle, a direct descendant of a powerful sect, actually remembered him, a nobody. He immediately smiled and asked in greeting, "You've had a hard time, leader. Is this the end of your trading trip? When will you set off next?"
Duan Anle didn't answer his questions. Instead, he took out a cloth bag and placed it in the old patrolman's hand. "Please count this gate fee, fellow Daoists. There's a little something inside, so please don't find it offensive."
"Oh, oh, our leader Gao Yi, we are truly unworthy of such praise. Please come in, please come in." The old patrolman's face immediately broke into a wide smile.
The patrolman, who had just been kicked, finally realized who was in front of him. Hearing that Duan Anle's words included him, he was overjoyed and rubbed his backside as he approached, bowing deeply in gratitude.
Leaving aside how happy the two patrolmen were, Duan Anle simply gave a shout, and the caravan behind them started moving again, heading to the warehouse behind the Chongming Small Pavilion.
This warehouse is a new property that the Ming Household has acquired in Double Brightness Trade Market. Second Master Ming specially sent several junior members of the family to manage the business. Thanks to their connection with the Chongming Sect, they can earn quite a bit every year.
When Duan Anle arrived, Pei Que was waiting for him there.
After a sharp, clear cry of an eagle, the Gray Spirit Falcon that had been perched on Pei Que's shoulder flapped its wings and took flight. The gust of wind it generated stung Pei Que's handsome face, making him laugh and curse.
"You damned flat-feathered bastard! You don't even recognize me when you see your master! You vomited up that round-eared rabbit you just ate, which cost nine spirit fragments! You ungrateful beast!"
The Gray Spirit Falcon ignored all of this and landed happily and naturally on Duan Anle's white jade arm guard, gently stroking its master's hair with its sharp beak as a sign of affection.
Duan Anle was also very happy to see Pei Que. After comforting the Gray Spirit Falcon who had returned earlier to report the news, he smiled faintly at Pei Que and said, "Junior Brother, are you well?"
Pei Que walked over, patted Duan Anle's arm, and said with a smile:
"Senior brother, I'm also just back from a trip. A while ago, I went with Junior Brother He and Junior Brother Ming to help the Kuai Household eliminate a group of bandit cultivators near Dantong Cliff."
Thinking his senior brother should be back by now, he deliberately came to the market to stay for a few days. Just as the junior brother expected, he actually managed to catch his senior brother.
"Did any of you get injured while eliminating the bandits?!" Duan Anle's relaxed expression suddenly turned tense, but Pei Que shook his head and said casually:
"A remnant of the Grass Witch Cult named Hong Qin, who has been hiding under an assumed name for years, has now changed his appearance and become a bandit cultivator."
His methods were quite impressive, but they weren't enough to deal with the entangled rabble. Junior Brother Ming was younger, and after he slew those rabble, the three of us joined forces to fight Hong Qin, and taking him down was quite easy.
However, Junior Brother He's flying sword was tainted; he'll probably get a scolding from Third Uncle when he returns to the sect. By the way...
Pei Que seemed to remember something at this point, and took out several Storage Bag, saying, "Senior brother, take a look and see if there's anything suitable."
"No, no, I picked up a few myself on this trip." Duan Anle pointed to several small bags of various shapes and colors at his waist, politely declining Pei Que's offer.
"So, Junior Brother He and Junior Brother Ming are also in the market. That's perfect. Today, I'll treat you to a meal at my humble abode. Let Junior Brother Jin do his work and prepare some good dishes." Upon hearing that the three were unharmed, Duan Anle's tense expression faded, replaced by a smile.
"It's not just us; Junior Brother Kang and Junior Brother Mo also just returned from the spirit fields of Heng Mountain. Although that land in Heng Mountain is newly cultivated, according to Fourth Uncle, it's even more fertile than the spirit fields of our Double Brightness Sect. They just planted a season of Tea-Colored Grain, and the harvest was excellent. Junior Brother Kang and Junior Brother Mo have been recruiting Rogue Cultivator in the market to harvest it for the past ten days."
"Oh, wasn't this all handled by Fourth Uncle in previous years? Junior Brother Kang, your mastery of cultivation has reached such a high level now?" Duan Anle was slightly surprised after hearing this.
After all, if it takes recruiting Rogue Cultivator to harvest the entire crop, then the amount of Tea-Colored Grain would be a considerable sum in Spirit Stone. Duan Anle hadn't expected Zhou Yixiu to be willing to let go so soon.
"Ahem," Pei Que glanced around cautiously before whispering, "It's that little aunt Fourth Uncle married again. Being from the noble Shan Household, she's really something else. They've started making a scene again."
"They're making a scene again?" Duan Anle frowned upon hearing this. Zhou Yixiu's marriage to the Shan Household was arranged last year.
Because the Shan Household family was the Shan Household in the New Cloud Alliance with only one Foundation Establishment cultivator still alive, they had no say in the distribution of benefits on several occasions and suffered a great loss.
The head of the Shan family Shan Sheng, seemed rather anxious. Before the Shan Household leader Sect Leader Kang Da, returned to the sect, he had already arranged the marriage with Pei Yi and Yuan Jin.
The Chongming Sect brought to propose marriage was Zhou Yixiu, an old widower, while the woman who married into the Shan Household was a young widow with a five or six-year-old son.
The child's father was a son-in-law of the Shan Household. Six years ago, he went with the Shan Household to visit a Foundation Establishment cave abode but never returned.
Such a lowly person would not be equipped with a soul lamp. It was only because this son-in-law had good qualities that the Shan Household initially went to great lengths to search for him for several months.
In the end, it was all in vain. After withdrawing their troops, several years passed without the son-in-law returning, so they gave up completely. In this Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, from the Spirit Transformation True Lord to the lowest mortals, it was not surprising that anyone died.
However, Shan Xuerong, who lived alone at home, was not particularly talented, but she was exceptionally beautiful and had a remarkable figure.
The Shan Household family would certainly not keep such a clanswoman at home for nothing. Even if they did not arrange a marriage with the Chongming Sect this time, they would definitely marry her off to another family in exchange for some resources and benefits.
The only reason they brought up Shan Xuerong to discuss marriage with Zhou Yixiu was that, in the eyes of all the heads of the Shan Household, the two were a perfect match from every perspective.
As for whether Shan Xuerong is willing to marry an old monk in his seventies, that's not up to her. She still has her burdens to bear; she can't afford to make a scene.
Chongming Sect Zhou Yixiu was very satisfied, Yuan Jin, Yuan Jin head of the Chongming Clan, did not say anything more, and the marriage was thus settled.
Neither of the two families could have imagined that Zhou Yixiu and Shan Xuerong would live such a chaotic life from then on. Even Zhou Xinran couldn't get along with Zhou Yixiu's second wife, and it's been almost a year since she last went back home.
Since the matter involved elders, Duan Anle, being of a nature that allowed him to discuss these matters with his junior brother, would not.
After keeping the news to himself and instructing Lu Xun to settle the caravan, Duan Anle and Pei Que traveled together to the Chongming Small Pavilion.
When the two arrived, a sturdy, dark-skinned young cultivator was chatting Zhou Xinran. Huo Ying, who was guarding the counter, remained cautious, simply listening to their conversation with a smile and not interjecting much.
"Ahem, senior brother, it seems that junior brother has been getting quite close to Senior Sister Zhou lately." Pei Que walked to the door, not in a hurry to go in, and whispered to Duan Anle.
If it weren't for Han and Duan's kindness, the two uncles might not have been able to return to the Chongming Sect, and might have both lost their lives at Lü Wen's hands.
Furthermore, Pei Que and Duan Anle are fellow disciples from the same school, so it goes without saying who the former leans towards.
"Junior brother, don't talk nonsense," Duan Anle shook his head helplessly and took the lead into the door. He first bowed to Huo Ying, addressing her as Madam, and then greeted Zhou Xinran and Ye Pingshui one by one.
Pei Que followed him in and first asked Ye Pingshui with a smile, "Junior Brother Ye, what brings you here? I heard that Second Uncle is in seclusion and hasn't come out yet. Why aren't you keeping watch over him?"
Ye Pingshui Zhou Xinran when the two entered, and especially when he saw Duan Anle there, he felt a little displeased.
Hearing Pei Que's question, as the junior brother, he couldn't very well not answer, so he lowered his voice and replied, "Senior Brother Pei, you don't know, Master came out of seclusion ten days ago. In addition to asking me to send these Law Artifact over, he also asked me to buy some array materials for Senior Brother Wei to take back."
Senior Brother Wei is now just one step away from becoming First-Tier Middle-Grade master. Master told me not to be stingy with Spirit Stone and to buy some good ones for him to practice with.
Furthermore, my third uncle has sent word that the four Foundation Establishment seniors he met in Hong County will be visiting the sect in three to five days. My third uncle instructed me to also buy some Higher Vehicle spirit wine, areca nut slices, and other such items to prepare for their hospitality.
"Junior Brother is such a busy man," Duan Anle said, his face lighting up with joy upon hearing that several things were good. "Junior Brother came alone?"
"How could that be? Law Artifact worth a thousand Spirit Stone —how could the masters let him go alone? Martial Uncle Chu came along too. City Commandant Deng invited him to his residence for a chat tonight, so he's not at the shop."
Zhou Xinran and answered for Ye Pingshui. Being a clever young woman, she naturally withdrew from her conversation with Ye Pingshui, turned around and pulled the two who had just entered to sit down next to her.
"That's a real pity. I won't be able to drink with Martial Uncle Chu today. I really admire his drinking capacity." Duan Anle saw through Zhou Xinran's little action but didn't show anything, just laughed.
"Junior brother, was your journey smooth?" Zhou Xinran brought over tea and filled the teacups in front of the two of them.
Seeing this scene Duan Anle seemed to think of something and paused for a moment, Zhou Xinran speak and came back to his senses:
"At the beginning of the year, my third uncle, alone with his sword, almost wiped out the Wei Household, who were bullying and dominating the market, in Worry-Free Market. Even their Foundation Establishment Ancestor couldn't escape, and only a few Wei Household members outside disappeared without a trace."
Now, in the western section of Cold Crow Mountain, which power doesn't know its place? We've paid our dues in full, and those with a clear head won't make things difficult for us. Senior Sister, don't worry."
Duan Anle ignored the perils along the way and shook his head nonchalantly in response.
That's just his personality. If Kang Rongquan were here, after traveling such a long distance, he could chat with Zhou Xinran for half an hour even if nothing happened along the way. He would never have just brushed it off with a few words like Duan Anle did.
The hall suddenly became lively. Except for Jin Shilun, who was still in the kitchen and couldn't rest, several fellow disciples were chatting happily when Kang Rongquan, covered in sweat, walked in. "Wow, everyone's here! It's been a long time since we've all gathered like this."
"Is the recruitment going smoothly?" Duan Anle, true to his nature, always asked about business first, no matter the occasion.
"Everything's going very smoothly. The world is getting worse and worse these days. For harvesting an acre of Tea-Colored Grain, I only offer seven spirit fragments, and I even check the harvester's technique, yet there are still plenty of people willing to do it. I had Junior Brother Mo take everyone to the Ming Household's warehouse to settle them in. Tomorrow morning, once they've had enough rest, I'll take them to Heng Mountain. Sigh."
After Kang Rongquan finished speaking, he sighed, it was unclear whether he was lamenting the state of the world or the price.
As everyone was talking, Mo Ku rushed in excitedly. "Madam Huo, fellow disciples, I just met Fellow Lu Kang from the Lu Household. He said he saw the Sect Leader on his way to the market, and he's heading towards the mountain gate. Judging by his pace, he should have arrived already."
(Author's note: There's still not enough Lao Bai. I didn't expect to get so many monthly votes from everyone in just one day. I'll save the thanks for those I can't thank in the next chapter, which I'll try to post around midnight. Thank you everyone! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! I'll start with two chapters a day on August 15th. Please forgive my limited ability. PS: The words in parentheses don't count as money.)
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