Aside from the corpse workers selling hard labor, Cui's Mill also employs quite a few living servants to maintain the daily operations of the mill.
These people all come from the Cui Family lineage in Linhe, and the few outsiders are all indebted to the Cui clan, naturally feeling a strong sense of belonging.
Upon hearing about the incident at Compound C, a group gathered at the compound gate, scrutinizing the incoming Corpse Driver with critical eyes.
There is strength in numbers, and the clan thrives on this cohesion.
A mighty dragon is no match for a local serpent; with the current atmosphere, if the Corpse Driver tries to bluff even a little, he is bound to suffer!
Arriving at Compound C, Liu Youdao, dressed in a dark blue satin Taoist robe, frowned immediately upon seeing the neatly arranged corpses.
"We finally invited Mr. Liu!" Cui Steward greeted warmly.
After a few polite exchanges post breakfast, Cui Steward got to the point.
"These are all new goods purchased from you, and now they inexplicably have issues. We need an explanation from you..."
"Of course, it's not us, Cui's Mill, making it difficult for you, but we can't handle such losses in our small business."
Liu Youdao, around fifty years old, tall and emaciated, had a pair of cloudy eyes filled with a sly fierceness unique to old foxes.
As his gaze swept over the zombies in Compound C, Liu Youdao said nothing, unfastening the Corpse Control Bell from his waist, and began shaking the bell while chanting incantations.
"The old sparrow transforms into a toad, commands nine corpses, those of the earthy flesh, come under my control, reveal swiftly, exert power and manifest..."
The elder first used a large Soul-Attracting Bell, chanting the Toad General Corpse Exorcism Spell.
"Rise!"
The Soul-Attracting Bell swayed continuously, but as soon as Liu Youdao issued his command, the rhythmic bell sounds abruptly stopped.
The courtyard was so quiet one could hear a pin drop, the zombies kept lying on the ground, completely unresponsive.
Liu Youdao's expression changed finally, his voice hoarse as if filled with iron sand, "Someone has broken my spell, this is not my fault, it's your insufficient care."
Cui Steward's face visibly darkened at these words.
This Liu Daoist, claiming to be a Corpse Driver from Xiangyin, had unclear origins. Initially, Cui had sought him for selling corpse workers, only because he offered prices significantly lower than other corpse sellers, facilitating the deal.
He had hoped that having a direct supply source would save the intermediary profit margin. But unexpectedly, the new supply quality issues arose so quickly, and the other party implied non-responsibility post-sale.
The Cui Family, having been in business in Linhe District for so long, had never encountered such a setback.
Cui Steward immediately became displeased, straightforwardly stating:
"All walking corpses in this compound were purchased from you. Other compounds' walking corpses have no issues. Before cooperating with you, Cui's Mill had never faced such problems!"
"Don't think we are easily fooled!"
As soon as the words fell, over a dozen Nursing Home servants rushed into Compound C, appearing ready to overturn the table at any moment!
Liu Youdao's slightly hunched back slowly straightened, after surveying the scene, he finally lowered his eyelids.
"Since I was twelve, I've driven corpses, skilled in Yin Track Positioning, white and black affairs, all well-acquainted. You claim your business has never erred, could it be I've made mistakes in these decades?"
Liu Youdao muttered as he walked slowly toward a rigid corpse, examining the coat previously opened by Cui Steward.
On the chest, on a bright red Corpse Walking Talisman, was inscribed 'Order upon Moon and Sun's swift wings'; beneath the talisman characters, various lines and patterns were incised with a knife.
Adjusting the corpse's collar neatly, Liu Youdao stood upright again, turning to face the crowd.
"But what the shopkeeper says is correct, mistakes are human and horse slips too. Maybe this time it's my fault." Liu Youdao sighed:
"If there's a problem with the goods, it's my lack of skill, I admit it."
Cui Steward's expression eased slightly, smilingly commenting: "Business deals are secondary, what matters is the friendship. We've made many friends in the martial world after all these years. Though there's an issue this time, we won't seriously hold it against you."
"Regarding these defective goods, just refund ninety percent, I can decide to use the remaining ones as long as no issues come up later."
Liu Youdao waved his hand, his tone indifferent, "I cannot leave behind these defective goods; damaging my reputation is trivial, hurting your business is serious."
Seemingly misunderstanding the Corpse Driver's implication, Cui Steward responded with a hearty laugh, genuinely accepting.
As for offending Mr. Liu...
Cui Steward deep down was unafraid!
In the realm of shady trades, the Cui Family in Linhe District were seasoned masters.
Even within these shady trades, a clear hierarchy exists.
Trades like corpse driving, conducting funerals, cobbler trades are considered lowly, and Cui Steward despises them from his core!
Hidden among the corpses, Xu Qing watched the commotion in the courtyard, not daring to move.
Maybe due to being purified by the Sutra of Salvation, the Corpse Calming Talisman on his forehead seemed ineffective.
He could sense this from his movable toes and the clenching and relaxing buttock muscles.
After the negotiation between Cui Steward and Liu Youdao, the zombies in the courtyard returned to the Corpse Driver's possession.
...
Cui Steward didn't squeeze every last bit, calling the drivers, placing all zombies from Compound C, whether mobile or not, onto a cart, then covering them with a layer of burlap.