Cultivation and enjoyment, neither neglected.
Gaining resource support while residing in a bustling place—how delightful!
Steward Xu had a specialized skill and didn't need to fight outside the sect, risking his life for his path. Being able to open the Xu Family Pill Shop meant he was doing quite well among outer sect Foundation Establishment stewards.
The pill shop wasn't far from the Xu Residence, just two streets away. If not for the flight restriction for Qi Refining cultivators within the Ten Reverse Blood Markets, one could reach it in a few breaths.
After all, the number of Qi Refining cultivators was vast. Without restrictions, the sky would be filled with figures, affecting the sect's environment.
Walking quickly, when Wang Yu neared the Xu Residence, he encountered an unexpected person.
Su Qingshan!
He was also at the entrance, but not using the main gate; he was using a side door, obscured by shadows and hard to see clearly, identified only by his aura.
"Senior Brother Su!"
"Junior Brother Wang—"
He was clearly startled and hurriedly closed the door halfway.
Wang Yu observed from a distance, noticing something fleshy blocking the entire doorway behind the side door. Su Qingshan's arm was groping for something.
*Plop, plop, plop~*
It sounded like the rushing water of an underground river? Wang Yu didn't dare get closer and asked from afar,
"May I ask, Senior Brother Qingshan, is this Steward Xu's residence?"
"...Yes."
For some reason, he felt Su Qingshan was gritting his teeth, and that arm was still twitching.
"It's like this. The Xu Family Pill Shop recently hired four first-grade alchemists at two hundred spirit stones per month. I wanted to ask if it's true."
Wang Yu was being clever, not telling Su Qingshan he had already signed the contract, as the situation was becoming complicated. Who knew what relationship he had with Steward Xu?
Then, a voice came from inside the door.
"Two hundred per month?!!"
"Who dares offer that? This young lady will skin them alive!"
Well, even more troublesome.
Su Qingshan seemed more concerned about Wang Yu's movements.
"Why is Junior Brother Wang inquiring about this? Spirit slaves have no way to learn alchemy."
"Senior Brother Qingshan misunderstands. I heard about the Xu Family Pill Shop's opening while at Steward Tantai's herb garden and wanted to try for a pill refining assistant position to learn some skills."
"True. Newcomers should try more, temper themselves, and gain experience."
By this point in the conversation, Wang Yu was mostly sure something was wrong with the pill shop. He now had only one path to take.
On the other hand, the relationship between Su Qingshan and the Xu family young lady was also interesting. She referred to herself as "本小姐 (běn xiǎojiě - this young lady)" and spoke with a master's tone—her identity was clear.
"It's getting late. If Senior Brother Qingshan has matters, you should go inside to discuss. I won't disturb you further; I'll take my leave."
Su Qingshan seemed to want to say more but couldn't. After Wang Yu left, he said in a low voice, "Jiaojiao, he definitely saw!"
"Ah~ Ha..."
"That cheap bastard. Go dig his eyes out."
"Now?"
"—Tomorrow!"
Su Qingshan exclaimed as a giant fleshy hand grabbed him and pulled him inside, like a chick, his moist eyes helplessly looking at the bright moon in the sky.
He missed his mother~
...
...
Wang Yu didn't return to his residence but headed towards the Enforcement Hall. That couple couldn't wait, fumbling at the door—he couldn't bear to watch; it was too disgusting.
Simultaneously, he marked Steward Xu as someone to avoid.
Recalling Su Qingshan seeking him out last time to plot against Zhao Shang, there seemed to be an invisible thread connecting them.
As he walked, Wang Yu suddenly paused.
"Tantai Chan?"
Right. As a mere outer disciple at the early Qi Refining stage, why would he be targeted? It could only be due to his six months at the herb garden.
Many knew Steward Xu was pursuing Tantai Chan; it was even spread as gossip.
Was it for this matter?
It didn't seem like it. Pondering the interests related to Tantai Chan, there were only a few possibilities.
The herb garden, her alchemist status, her pills... and her beauty could be included.
"Four possibilities... Is Su Qingshan involved to help his future father-in-law? If so, wouldn't my joining the Xu Family Pill Shop be walking right into their hands?"
No, no—
If that were the case, Steward Xu would have approached him immediately. Why hadn't he come to the pill shop? So, the Zhu grandfather and grandson were still the problem.
The herb garden was spiritual land secured with Coldblood Peak's help. If there was contention, Evil God Peak would be the one competing; they weren't qualified. As for alchemy skills, Steward Xu's abilities weren't poor unless they sought higher-level alchemy techniques.
Did Tantai Chan have them?
Uncertain. Regarding the pills, only one batch was refined in six months—quite crucial. This speculation was indeed suspicious.
Unknowingly, he arrived at the Enforcement Hall entrance. Wang Yu straightened his clothes, clearing all distracting thoughts from his mind. He had serious business now; he could ponder later.
The Xu Family Pill Shop contract was in three copies—this was where Wang Yu could maneuver.
Following procedure, Wang Yu met a Foundation Establishment enforcement cultivator. He looked young, with superior features, just a bit sickly pale, currently looking at him impatiently.
Damn!
Almost forgot—those holding positions here were mostly second-generation disciples with deep sect backgrounds. Working the night shift? Your second-generation status seems a bit lacking.
Muttering inwardly, Wang Yu stepped forward respectfully.
"Outer disciple Wang Yu pays respects to the Steward."
"Spit it out... bothering me in the middle of the night. If you can't give a good reason, I'll skin you alive."
Zhuo Shouqing looked impatient. Three months ago, while enjoying himself with colleagues, he boasted and made a bet. Unexpectedly, he was the first to finish, so he was assigned night shifts at the Enforcement Hall for the next year.
Every time he remembered, he hated his own inadequacy, and thus viewed Wang Yu unfavorably.
Such an attitude made Wang Yu pleased rather than alarmed. Having emotions was good!
Not afraid of you having emotions, afraid you're a venomous snake hiding, making it impossible to manipulate with words.
Wang Yu slumped to the ground with a thud, as if frightened out of his wits.
"This disciple dare not lie! It's the Xu Family Pill Shop! They tricked me into signing an oppressive contract, using this one-armed alchemist like livestock! They're inhuman!"
"Even so, Wang Yu could endure it. But the manager is worse, exploiting the four alchemists at the pill shop, profiting hundreds of thousands of spirit stones! My brother Zhou Tao vomited blood from refining pills but was still forced to continue."
"He said in this Reverse Blood Sect, his Zhu family is the heavens! The Enforcement Hall are all his dogs!"
Wang Yu's fabrication became more outrageous, his words flowing smoother. He rattled on incessantly. To Zhuo Shouqing's ears, only the phrase "hundreds of thousands of spirit stones" registered, his eyes turning fierce like a wolf's.
"Outrageous!"
"Audacious!"
"Even my Zhuo family wouldn't dare claim to dominate everything. What kind of lowly creature is the Zhu family? Come with me."
"Wang Yu, as you command."
"Someone! Prepare to raid the residence. I want to see whose sect this really is!"
(End of Chapter)