Translator: CinderTL
Yang Zhao sensed something was amiss and gently tugged at Yang An's sleeve, whispering telepathically, "Brother, Young Master Lin seems to be getting along very well with Daoist Changku. Could it be...?"
He had personally witnessed True Lord Changku hand Xu Sanyan an object. Though he couldn't identify it, its apparent value was undeniable, judging by Xu Sanyan's immediate change in demeanor.
Yang An nodded gravely. "Something's definitely wrong. If the situation turns sour, we must avoid confrontation and retreat immediately."
"But if we surrender the mine, won't our second brother's death have been in vain?"
Yang An's tone left no room for argument. "Even so, it's better than all three of us dying here."
"Let's see how things unfold. It might not go as we expect..."
Xu Sanyan waved his hand, dispelling the barrier. He clapped Zhao Xunkong on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. "That was just a joke, nephew. Did I scare you?"
"N-no," Zhao Xunkong forced a smile. But the memory of the earlier murderous intent and surging spiritual power made it clear this was no jest.
"Good then."
Xu Sanyan nodded, his gaze sweeping over Yang An. "You may return. After careful consideration, I have decided to entrust the mining operations here to Suspended Bitter Mountain."
"But Young Master Lin, earlier..." Yang Zhao protested urgently, only to be cut off by Yang An. "We will proceed as Young Master Lin instructs. The Yang Family has no objections whatsoever!"
Xu Sanyan smirked inwardly at Yang Zhao's indignant expression. So what if I eat your food, drink your wine, and sleep with your women? he thought. Didn't you offer them to me willingly? Did I ever ask?
Even last night's woman had stripped herself naked and lay on the bed—how was that Xu Sanyan's fault?
And even if he had taken her by force, what could they do? The weak have no voice.
Seeing Yang Zhao's suppressed anger, Xu Sanyan added, "If you disagree, you may submit a written complaint to Wang Ying and Wang Yu. They will forward it to me."
He paused, then added with a smirk, "Oh, and of course, I will be the one presiding over the judgment."
Who in this hall would dare accuse me, the magistrate?
Yang An's lips twitched violently as he recalled an old joke he had once dismissed as absurd. He never imagined such a ridiculous scenario would one day play out in his own life.
"This humble citizen... uh..."
Yang An opened his mouth to speak, but immediately realized he had said the wrong thing. He quickly corrected himself, "This humble one has no objections whatsoever. Brother Lin's decision is final."
"Heh, that's good."
Xu Sanyan nodded in satisfaction. Seeing their compliance, he offered a sweet reward: "Don't blame me, Yang Family. I've heard shops in Thousand Autumns City are hard to come by. I'll have Wang Ying find you a prime location and waive the rent for three years as compensation."
Yang An's face lit up with surprise. He had initially feared losing both his wife and his resources, but now a glimmer of hope had emerged!
While a shop in Thousand Autumns City couldn't match the value of the White Stone Mine, it was still a significant asset. The Yang Family was weak and financially strained, barely able to afford rent. This unexpected three-year rent-free lease was an incredible stroke of luck.
Yang An repeatedly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Young Master Lin. If only this humble one possessed some talent to offer in return..."
Xu Sanyan waved dismissively, cutting off the flattery. He turned to Yang Zhao. "Are you still harboring any resentment about my arrangements?"
Yang Zhao bowed deeply, clasping his hands in a respectful salute. "I dare not. On behalf of the Yang Family, I thank you for your great kindness, Young Master."
Xu Sanyan, having acquired ten drops of pool milk for free, was in an excellent mood. He joked, "Then give me a smile."
"Heh..."
As soon as Yang Zhao started laughing, Xu Sanyan slapped him on the face. "Enough! Wipe that ugly grin off your face."
"Hehe~"
Wang Mingxin, amused by the exchange, covered her mouth and giggled softly. She had never realized Young Master Lin had such a playful side. It seemed their future marriage wouldn't be so dull after all.
"Oh, right. What's the price for the pool milk?" Xu Sanyan turned to Daoist Changku.
The Wang Family's two ounces of pool milk needed to be purchased.
Daoist Changku held up three fingers. "At the usual rate, five hundred spirit stones per drop."
"Five hundred per drop..." Xu Sanyan silently calculated. Two ounces of pool milk would yield roughly twenty-three or twenty-four drops, totaling over ten thousand spirit stones. The price wasn't exorbitant, but the substance was rare and highly sought after, making it practically priceless.
"Very well. Hand over the pool milk, and I'll send someone with the spirit stones later."
Daoist Changku shook his head. "This precious substance is not on my person."
Xu Sanyan shook his head, inwardly lamenting the missed opportunity to secretly pocket more pool milk.
Daoist Changku clasped his hands in a farewell gesture. "Since this matter is settled, this daoist will take his leave. If you ever have time, virtuous brother, you're welcome to visit Suspended Bitter Mountain. The scenery there is quite remarkable."
Xu Sanyan returned the gesture. "I'll be sure to trouble you with a visit."
"Farewell."
As he watched their retreating figures, Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes slightly.
Pool milk was a precious resource, but for Xu Sanyan, ten drops were far from enough.
However, this matter required careful consideration. He currently lacked the strength to conquer Suspended Bitter Mountain. He would have to wait and treat it as a temporary storage location.
"Brother Lin, what shall we do next?" Wang Ying asked tentatively.
Xu Sanyan snapped out of his reverie, stroking his chin. "Hmm... I've heard the women of the Ma Family of Ancient Forest are stubborn and rigid. I've never encountered such women in all my years of cultivation. Shall we go and see for ourselves?"
"Heh, since Brother Lin is in such high spirits, why not take a look?"
"Let's go."
Wang Mingxin pursed her lips in frustration. She bitterly regretted not being born with a penis. Surrounded by countless women in the world, she yearned to indulge her desires but lacked the means to do so freely.
Sigh...
What a pity.
Yang An, sensing the mood, politely took his leave. Before departing, he added, "Brother Lin, if you ever find yourself with some free time, please come stay at the Yang Family for a few days. Don't leave my younger sister to guard her empty room alone."
Xu Sanyan grinned. He, too, enjoyed the Yang Family women's delicate charm. One night had hardly been enough.
Though the Yang Family women couldn't quite match the Ghost Courtesan Lanlan in skill, they were still highly skilled—far more entertaining than the Wang Family women, at least.
And since they had extended the invitation, he might as well indulge them and stay another day.
"Heh, very well. Let's go together."
"Uh..." Yang An stammered, caught off guard. He had only been making a polite gesture.
Xu Sanyan frowned slightly. "Is it inconvenient?"
"No, no! Any time Brother Lin comes is convenient!" Yang An quickly assured him.
Wang Ying asked, "Are we still going to the Ma Family of Ancient Forest?"
Xu Sanyan nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course! Why wouldn't we? There's no rush. We can take our time."
Tsk...
Wang Mingxin pouted. He's so addicted... I wonder how many sisters I'll have in the future.
In her mind, she already considered herself Xu Sanyan's Madam.
Meanwhile, within the Secret Realm World,
In a cave of the Jade Clan, Lin Fan huddled naked in a corner, his face flushed crimson. The tattered remains of his clothes were his last vestige of dignity.
"I think... shouldn't we cultivate our feelings first?" Lin Fan asked tremulously, making one last desperate attempt.
"We'll cultivate them slowly after we have a child," the muscular young woman before him said, advancing step by step and pulling him into her arms.
"A marriage without love is doomed to fail... muffled sobbing..."
His words were cut short as something seemed to block his mouth, leaving him only able to make meaningless sounds.
After a long while,
Lin Fan lay limp on the bed, a crystalline tear tracing a path down his cheek. In that moment, his heart felt as cold as death.
"Yi'er..."
"I'm sorry... I'm no longer pure..."
(End of the Chapter)
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