Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Blessings and Misfortunes Come Hand in Hand
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"Mm."
Chen Jianghe nodded, his gaze falling upon Zhou Xiaoxuan's face before moving past her to look at Zhou Miaoyun.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you've waited long."
"We've only just arrived as well."
Zhou Miaoyun looked at Chen Jianghe with eyes full of envy. With her niece beside her, she yearned even more for youthful vitality.
Once, she too had been as radiant as her niece.
Now, she was old and faded, while Chen Jianghe, much like her niece, remained youthful, as if time could not leave its mark upon his face.
A youth-preserving grass?
A youth-preserving pill?
For her, at this point, they held no attraction whatsoever; she had already missed the best time.
Of course, burdened with the responsibility of her clan, she wouldn't allow herself to buy such useless vanities.
"Xuan'er, please show your Uncle Jianghe to the private room first."
"There's no rush. Let's wait for Fairy Peiyao together."
Whenever others were present, he would always address Gao Peiyao as "Fairy" out of respect.
"Very well!"
Zhou Miaoyun's heart tightened. Even Chen Jianghe called Gao Peiyao a fairy, and now Gao Peiyao had given their Zhou Clan such a great opportunity.
This made her feel even more grateful.
Half an hour later.
Gao Peiyao finally arrived, fashionably late. By her side was another beauty, dressed in a long green gown. Her features were exquisite, her skin as white as snow, and her eyes as bright as stars. There was a hint of charm in her brows, and a beauty mark graced the lower right corner of her lips.
"Brother Jianghe, Sister Miaoyun, sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Fairy Peiyao, you're too kind. We all just arrived as well."
Chen Jianghe and Zhou Miaoyun both clasped their hands in a salute, responding in a respectful tone.
This time, Gao Peiyao did not correct their form of address, but simply smiled faintly. Zhou Miaoyun then invited everyone into the Qinghe Restaurant.
They arrived at a private room on the second floor.
It had to be said, Zhou Miaoyun was far more generous than Chen Jianghe.
She had ordered a table full of spiritual dishes made from demonic beasts, along with a pot of high-grade immortal spirit wine. It was only one step below the feast hosted by Alchemist Zhuang.
This table of spiritual dishes, plus the high-grade immortal spirit wine, would cost at least fifteen spirit stones.
But on second thought, Gao Peiyao was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and she was securing an opportunity for the Zhou Clan. If the arrangements were subpar...
...and it displeased Gao Peiyao enough for her to leave, the Zhou Clan's loss would be immense.
"Fairy Peiyao, this is my niece, Zhou Xiaoxuan."
Zhou Miaoyun first introduced her niece to Gao Peiyao, then glanced at Zhou Xiaoxuan. "Hurry and greet Fairy Peiyao."
"Junior Zhou Xiaoxuan greets Fairy Peiyao."
Zhou Xiaoxuan respectfully bowed to Gao Peiyao, her gentle voice exceedingly pleasant to the ear.
"Mm, she certainly has a naturally alluring look."
Gao Peiyao looked at the green-robed beauty beside her and chuckled lightly. "Senior Sister, what do you think?"
"Indeed, she has a natural charm that meets Master's requirements."
Liu Zhineng nodded in satisfaction and said to Gao Peiyao, "I must thank you for this, Junior Sister. Otherwise, it would have been quite difficult for me to find such a charming woman."
"When Master bestows his reward, I will certainly not forget your share, Junior Sister."
"Fairy Peiyao, this is?"
Listening to the conversation between Gao Peiyao and Liu Zhineng, it seemed her niece perfectly fit some requirement of Liu Zhineng's master.
She felt a little worried, fearing she had brought harm to her niece.
"This is also a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Tiannan Sect. She is my Senior Sister, named Liu Zhineng. Her master is also a Deacon in the Tiannan Sect and happens to be in need of a disciple with a naturally alluring appearance."
"I then recalled what you told me about your niece, so I recommended her to Senior Sister Liu."
Gao Peiyao's relationship with Liu Zhineng was not deep, but she had been close friends with her younger sister, Liu Zhirou.
However, Liu Zhirou had attempted to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage two years ago. Due to insufficient preparation and no Foundation Establishment Pill to protect her Dantian, she had perished.
"Sister Miaoyun, after Xiaoxuan goes, although she will have to start as an outer disciple, her prospects of reaching Foundation Establishment in the future are very promising."
Seeing the worried look on Zhou Miaoyun's face, Gao Peiyao offered a comforting smile.
"This girl is a natural-born vixen. She's sure to please Master and receive his true teachings. Her chances of achieving Foundation Establishment in the future are very high," Liu Zhineng said with a light, charming laugh.
At this moment, Zhou Miaoyun looked towards Chen Jianghe. She knew he was level-headed and wanted to ask for his opinion.
But she found Chen Jianghe with his head lowered, seemingly oblivious to her gaze.
Listening to the conversation between Gao Peiyao and Liu Zhineng, and observing Liu Zhineng's every charming word and action...
...he felt that something was not right with this Liu Zhineng's master.
If the master was a woman, it would be fine. But if it was a man, then the purpose of accepting such charming women as disciples was obvious.
However, he couldn't say anything at this moment.
One wrong word could offend a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
At that point, even with Gao Peiyao's protection, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't be suppressed. He feared he would find it impossible to move freely in Qinghe Market City in the future.
Therefore, all he could do was lower his head and remain silent.
It was best to be a wooden puppet, a mere decoration.
"Aunt, I want to go to the Tiannan Sect with these fairies."
Just then, Zhou Xiaoxuan spoke with determination. "I'm of no use to the family at home. This might be my way out. I want to try."
The wrinkles on Zhou Miaoyun's face trembled slightly.
She knew her niece's fate was even more grim than her own. To help the Zhou Clan establish a foothold in Mirror Moon Lake, she could only be a pawn in a clan alliance.
She had accompanied her to Mirror Moon Lake, only to be cast aside by Yun Wuniu.
She felt great pity for her niece, but there was nothing she could do. As a daughter of the clan, she had to step forward when the family was in peril.
Just as the men of the family would fight to the death for it.
"Alright, Aunt respects your choice. After you go to the Tiannan Sect, you must be obedient. Don't be willful, and cultivate diligently."
Zhou Xiaoxuan was inexperienced, but Zhou Miaoyun had left her family in her youth and worked her way up from the bottom.
She knew the dangers of the world and had a vague premonition of what her niece would face by becoming a disciple in the Tiannan Sect.
But she had no choice.
"Since you've decided, then come with me."
Liu Zhineng looked at Gao Peiyao and chuckled lightly. "Junior Sister, I'll be heading back to the sect first."
"Alright, Senior Sister. Take care. We'll see each other back at the sect."
Liu Zhineng left with Zhou Xiaoxuan, showing no intention of staying to enjoy the sumptuous spiritual meal.
"Fairy Peiyao, Fellow Daoist Chen, please sit. The spiritual dishes will get cold soon." Zhou Miaoyun forced a smile, inviting Gao Peiyao and Chen Jianghe to sit.
"Sister Miaoyun, you don't need to worry about Xiaoxuan. The path may be difficult, but she has gained a chance at Foundation Establishment. Senior Sister Liu walked this same path."
"Once Xiaoxuan reaches Foundation Establishment, she can ensure your Zhou Clan's prosperity for two hundred years."
Gao Peiyao glanced at Zhou Miaoyun, offered a word of comfort, and then, without taking a seat, continued, "I have some other matters to attend to, so I won't be able to accompany you and Brother Jianghe."
With that, Gao Peiyao left the private room.
At this moment, Chen Jianghe also spoke, "Xiaoxuan has gained a chance at Foundation Establishment. This far exceeds what you had hoped for, Fellow Daoist. Why concern yourself with other things?"
"I have some trivial matters to attend to as well, so I'll take my leave."
In the quiet private room, only Zhou Miaoyun remained. At sixty-three, she already looked like an old woman, and now, a few more wrinkles had been added.
"Sigh~"
"Fellow Daoist Chen's words are true. If Xiaoxuan can achieve Foundation Establishment through this, it's better than serving the fifth son of the Yun Clan."
"Besides, things might not be as I imagine."
At this thought, the sorrow on Zhou Miaoyun's face faded, replaced by a look of joy. No matter what, the Zhou Clan now had a disciple in the Tiannan Sect.
Even if it was just an outer disciple.
The Zhou Clan could now establish a firm foothold in Mirror Moon Lake.
With a wave of her sleeve, she swept the entire table of spiritual dishes into her storage bag.
These were all exquisite delicacies made from demonic beasts, containing a large amount of spiritual energy. Taking them back for the younger generation of the clan would help increase their cultivation.
And that pot of high-grade immortal spirit wine could be saved for her brother to infuse.
---
Chen Jianghe walked along Qing Street.
Thinking about what had just happened, for the Zhou Clan, this was a tremendous blessing.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was already in a dire situation, a tool for a clan alliance. Now, by joining the Tiannan Sect, she had a chance at Foundation Establishment.
If this wasn't a blessing, what was?
Therefore, Gao Peiyao had indeed given the Zhou Clan a massive opportunity.
Before long, he arrived at the Beast Taming Emporium on Qing Street, near the north gate. He stepped inside. The front hall was not chaotic; on the contrary, it was very neat and clean.
"Senior, may I ask what you need?" an attendant in plain short clothes, at the second level of Qi Refining, came before him and asked respectfully.
"We sell beast hides and spiritual blood. If you are buying in large quantities, we offer a discount."
Evidently, the attendant mistook Chen Jianghe for a merchant who had come from north of the Skyreach River.
"I'm not buying."
"Do you purchase demonic beast pelts here?"
"Senior, you're here to sell? We do purchase them, but we buy them back at eighty percent of the market price."
Hearing that Chen Jianghe wanted to sell demonic beast pelts, the smile on the attendant's face grew even wider, as if he were happier than if he were making a sale.
"Senior, could you please take out the demonic beast pelts you wish to sell for this junior to have a look?"
Chen Jianghe nodded and proceeded to take out all the demonic beast pelts, claws, fangs, and spiritual blood that Xiao Hei and Maoqiu had processed.
"Huh?"
The attendant was stunned, looking at the pile of junk Chen Jianghe had produced.
But bound by the rules of business, he still reached out and rummaged through the demonic beast pelts.
He gave the bucket of spiritual blood a token shake.
Then he picked up the beast claws and fangs, examining them 'seriously' for a few moments before putting them down.
Finally, he looked at Chen Jianghe and asked, "Senior, are you sure you want to sell these?"
"Mm."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Seeing the attendant's serious expression gave him the false impression that these items were very valuable, which was why the attendant was confirming with him again.
"Hiss~ This, this..."
"What's wrong? You don't accept them?" Chen Jianghe sensed something was amiss.
It seemed it wasn't that his items were too valuable, but rather too poor in quality.
"We do accept them, it's just that the processing of these pelts is too crude, and the inner hide has been damaged. It's clear the technique is..."
The attendant paused, not continuing.
He picked up the bucket of spiritual blood again and sighed.
"Senior, it's not that this junior is being difficult, but do you see how many impurities are in this spiritual blood? The blood control method is completely wrong, isn't it?"
"Look, there's even fur inside. If we were to buy this, we would need to process it a second time."
"It's fine, just tell me the price."
Chen Jianghe frowned.
Although his items were subpar, it was clear this attendant was also trying to lowball the price.
"The beast claws and fangs are relatively intact, but the pelts are damaged and the spiritual blood is impure. We can't offer the market price."
The attendant pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "How about this, I'll give you a flat price: two spirit stones."
"If you think that's acceptable, you can leave them. If not, you can take them with you."
"Of course, if your goods are properly processed next time, we will still buy them back at eighty percent of the market price."
"Alright, they're yours."
Chen Jianghe was in no mood to haggle. Besides, for their first time, earning two spirit stones was already quite good for Xiao Hei and Maoqiu.
This was a good start.
Once they became more skilled, they would naturally be able to sell for a better price.
Chen Jianghe took the spirit stones and was about to leave when the attendant called out to him again.
"Senior, you must be a beast hunter. These beast pelts and spiritual blood were probably processed by your family. Their technique will naturally improve over time."
"However, this junior still recommends you purchase a specialized extraction barrel for blood control. That way, you can ensure the spiritual blood you extract is free of impurities."
"And naturally, you'll be able to sell it for a better price," the attendant suggested sincerely.
"Oh! Where can I buy such an extraction barrel?" Chen Jianghe's interest was piqued, and he asked.
The attendant grinned. "We sell extraction barrels right here at the Beast Taming Emporium. One spirit sand each."
Immediately, the attendant scurried over and brought back a pile of so-called extraction barrels. They were small barrels with lids, but they emanated the aura of a formation.
They should be able to filter out impurities.
But these barrels were too small.
The bucket of spiritual blood he just had would probably fill a dozen of these.
However, in order to get a better price in the future, he decided to buy some.
"I'll take fifty for now."
Chen Jianghe paid fifty spirit sand and placed the fifty extraction barrels into his storage bag.
It wasn't that he didn't want to buy more, but any more and his storage bag wouldn't be able to hold them.
It seemed he would have to buy a larger storage bag in the future, which would also be convenient for trading demonic beasts with Ruan Tieniu.
He left the Beast Emporium.
After selling the fruits of Xiao Hei and Maoqiu's labor, he now had an extra spirit stone, fifty spirit sand, and fifty extraction barrels.
Since arriving in Qinghe Market City, he was finally seeing a return on his investment in Xiao Hei.
This feeling was quite good.
As they slowly became more proficient, Chen Jianghe felt that Xiao Hei and Maoqiu had a promising future.
He wasn't expecting them to earn a fortune, but an annual income of twenty to thirty spirit stones should be no problem.
Returning to his courtyard, Chen Jianghe gave Xiao Hei a few instructions.
He explained some key points about skinning and cleaning the pelts.
And also about using the extraction barrels for the spiritual blood.
Finally, he told Xiao Hei that he would be given more responsibilities in the future, which made Xiao Hei overjoyed.
Chen Jianghe discovered that simply making promises to Xiao Hei no longer worked.
He had to be given work, kept busy and active, earning spirit stones through his own abilities.
This was a sign that his sense of self-worth was beginning to develop.
Chen Jianghe was naturally happy to see this and did his best to meet Xiao Hei's needs. This would also save him a considerable amount of spirit stones.
After returning to his room, he first took the second True Spirit Pill and then began to cultivate by circulating the Myriad Waters True Scripture.
With the aid of the True Spirit Pill's medicinal effects, the magical power in his Dantian was purified and liquefied.
Four hours later.
He slowly ceased his cultivation, got out of bed, and began to draw talismans.
The days were monotonous but not boring; on the contrary, they were very fulfilling.
By the time the seventh month arrived, Chen Jianghe finally received a letter from Yu Daniu.
Picking up the letter that Maoqiu had placed on his desk, he saw that the sender was indeed Yu Daniu.
Anxious about Yu Daniu's Foundation Establishment, he...
...eagerly opened it to read.