As Shen Wan was about to enter the living room, Yu Ci had just risen to his feet.
To tell the truth, it was somewhat impolite to have a guest walk all the way to the front hall from the main entrance in such a large residence without any servants or maids to attend to them. However, Yu Ci believed that Shen Wan wouldn't take offense, as strictly speaking, there was a bit of unresolved tension between them. A certain degree of estrangement was perhaps beneficial in helping them to establish their boundaries.
Yu Ci's gaze traveled through the interplay of light and shadow from inside to outside the hall, settling on the female cultivator's face. After a moment of contemplation, he clasped his hands together, greeted her with a smile, and said, "Manager Shen, our last parting was rather hasty, which did not do justice to our old friendship. My apologies, my apologies."
When Yu Ci openly spoke of "an old friend," it seemed as if an invisible barrier between him and the female cultivator silently shattered. Initially, Shen Wan had entered the hall with a faint, professional smile, but at that moment, her eyes and brows lit up with genuine mirth, bringing her to life as she reverted to their old form of address:
"Indeed, it is Elder Yu Xian."
With that, Shen Wan gracefully performed a traditional curtsy, her movements soft and pleasing to the eye. Despite the formality, which highlighted the distance between them, there was a subtle hint of disadvantage on her part, the intricacies of which were profound yet intangible. After the courtesy, the female cultivator spoke:
"At the Red Tooth Store, it was but a fleeting glimpse, and I dared not confirm it. To call upon you would have seemed presumptuous. Now, all is well, sparing us much awkwardness—Elder Yu Xian is indeed forthright and honorable."
Yu Ci couldn't help but chuckle. He had never intended to deliberately conceal his identity; it was merely due to Wan's overwhelming sense of guilt and a series of unexpected events that the revelation had been delayed until now. Though he and Shen Wan had only met once, her shrewdness was such that a mere beard could never have concealed his identity from her, and he was pleased to be candid.
Shen Wan, true to her reputation as a business maven, was adept at paying compliments upon meeting, regardless of their past relations. Her skill was indeed above par. However, at this juncture, the usual offering of tea and other formalities were dispensed with. Yu Ci invited her to sit and cut straight to the chase, "Manager Shen, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Business, naturally."
This was the expected reply. Yu Ci blinked, waiting for the female cultivator to continue. But Shen Wan suddenly shifted the conversation, "Elder Yu Xian must have just returned from that place. You must be aware that the tragedy within the district has become the talk of the town..."
"Are you referring to the Spiritual Witch and Boss Fifth He?"
"Exactly."
Shen Wan's smile was subtle, while Yu Ci once again marveled at the speed at which news traveled in the North Wilderness. However, what did this have to do with Shen Wan?
"It is related."
The female cultivator spoke smoothly, "Elder Yu Xian must also feel that at present, our pavilion is struggling to move forward in Yin Cave City. Our traditional business is being squeezed by the Maritime Trade Association, and we've encountered many difficulties, making it hard to recover. Now is the time to explore new opportunities. Just at this moment, an unexpected incident occurred at the Three Families Market, which could lead to a significant decline in business. We merchants naturally need to seize the opportunity to claim the market share that the Three Families Market is losing..."
"Is that so?" Yu Ci was not well-versed in the ways of merchants, but he at least understood the basics. With the current strength of the Random Heart Pavilion in Yin Cave City, self-preservation was already difficult, let alone competing for market share. Moreover, with Boss Fifth He dead here, the powers behind the Three Families Market must be seeing red and charging over. Competing with them now, isn't that courting death?
Thus, he said, "The Three Families Market is like a local serpent, while your pavilion may be a Mighty Dragon. However, the support for you, Manager Shen, I fear is limited."
Yu Ci had pointedly identified Shen Wan's Achilles' heel, yet the female cultivator remained composed, "Elder Yu Xian speaks the truth. However, this is not a struggle for control of one city or one region, but a shift in the overall balance of power."
In response, she merely nodded slightly, quickly returning to her own circumstances, "Though I've been demoted here, I still have the support of some old friends. The chief steward of the North Wilderness headquarters, Mister Huangfu, is a senior relative of mine. Although certain people and situations prevent him from assisting me directly, he has given me an opportunity: half a year from now, in the northern 'Abundant Capital City,' an unprecedented 'As-You-Will Dharma Assembly' will be held. It will showcase an array of rare treasures from this realm, preliminarily set to feature at least three thousand pieces, including some of the most precious, for Cultivators to bid on..."
Yu Ci laughed, "Is this a challenge to the Zhenhua Market?"
The Zhenhua Market was the highest-grade market established by the Three Families Market, the cream of the crop in the North Wilderness black market, with an unshakeable status.
Shen Wan smiled charmingly, "You could say that, but actually, the events are quite spaced out in timing."
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
It seemed that Random Heart Pavilion still harbored a certain degree of wariness towards the powerful local force of the North Wilderness. But if Shen Wan's description was to be believed, their ambition was also quite lofty.
After a moment of contemplation, Yu Ci said, "Your pavilion's As-You-Will Dharma Assembly sounds like a rare event indeed, but what does that have to do with me?"
"As a branch of the pavilion, I too have the task of gathering rare treasures to support and promote the grand event."
Shen Wan chuckled lightly, "If I can offer a few influential Magical Instruments and treasures at the assembly, it would greatly enhance our pavilion's influence in the North Wilderness. The smoother our future development, the more Mister Huangfu can assist me. That's why I've come to seek out Elder Yu Xian."
"Rare treasures? Seeking me out?"
Yu Ci began to seriously consider whether he needed to silence this woman—could she truly possess some kind of Treasure Appraisal and Aura Perception Divine Power, enabling her to discern the many illicit treasures he possessed?
Shen Wan, oblivious to Yu Ci's inner thoughts, had already laid out her strategy; now, she was merely searching for the right words to express it:
"For the matters of the As-You-Will Dharma Assembly, I wish to purchase all the rare treasures you've acquired from the Sword Garden."
"Sword Garden?" Yu Ci found himself struggling to keep up with the female cultivator's train of thought. He repeated the term, slightly puzzled.
"Indeed, the Sword Garden."
Shen Wan smiled serenely, exuding confidence as if holding all the winning cards: "Perhaps due to Elder Yu Xian's reclusion these past years, you might be out of touch with the current market trends. Ever since the seal on the Sword Garden was broken three years ago, the Lichen Sect and the Jade Purification Alliance have taken control of this treasure trove. It must be said, they've managed it quite well. In these three years, the prices of all kinds of items unearthed from the Sword Garden have soared to unbelievable heights. Any magical instrument, regardless of quality, sees its value skyrocket the moment it's associated with the 'Sword Garden.' This situation is certainly abnormal, but it won't change anytime soon. I thought to take this opportunity to collect some of Sword Garden's Secret Treasures to present at the assembly, riding on this momentum."
"So that's how it is!" Hearing this, Yu Ci finally understood the whole picture and nodded slightly.
It was rare for Shen Wan to find such an angle, but there was one thing she hadn't anticipated: he had indeed been to the Sword Garden and had made significant gains, but there were few he could actually offer. Wait a second...
A divine light flashed in Yu Ci's mind, and at the same time, the female cultivator continued, "If you feel that selling now might result in a loss, you could opt for consignment through our channels to enter the Ritual Assembly. There, the items could fetch a higher price at auction. For this service, This Establishment will not only waive the channel fees but is also willing to offer a rental payment."
Hearing her proposal, Yu Ci's judgment became even clearer. Shen Wan had come prepared, and her goal was likely not just the simple purchase of treasures. She probably hadn't fully laid out her incense bait yet. As he pondered this, he heard the female cultivator's gentle voice, tinged with hope, resound in his ear: "What say you, Elder Yu Xian?"
Yu Ci had already made up his mind, but he asked nonchalantly, "How shall the loan be calculated? In Ruyi Money?"
"Bartering is also an option. Regardless of the method, This Establishment will also offer a piece of information for free."
"Oh?"
"The location of the Mysterious Water Gleaming Rock Vein, how about that?"
Yu Ci's eyelids lifted, his eyes flashing like lightning as they swept across the female cultivator's face, and then, with a pat on his palm, he laughed and said, "Deal!"
※※※
Yu Ci and Shen Wan did not settle with a straightforward exchange of goods for money, as he opted for a consignment arrangement. The final payment would only be made after the As-You-Will Dharma Assembly concluded in half a year. During this period, Shen Wan generously offered that if Yu Bei needed funds, he could withdraw them at any time from the Random Heart Pavilion's branch office in Yin Cave City, and they would settle the accounts in full after six months.
Shen Wan was indeed investing heavily, but the reality was: isn't it better to teach someone to fish than to simply give them a fish?
Yu Ci was well aware that Shen Wan's current issue wasn't a lack of funds; her biggest problem was the inability to spend money safely! Without support from higher-ups, Shen Wan was on her own, yet she still bore the mantle of "Random Heart Pavilion," facing asymmetric and formidable suppression, with the constant risk of collapse.
In such circumstances, finding a strong ally to stabilize her position was her most crucial task at the moment.
To Yu Ci, however, he was just one of many in her series of maneuvers, and perhaps not the most significant one. The female cultivator cleverly muddled the accounts, effectively using the funds to support Golden Elixir Stage masters like Yu Ci. Regardless of whether the deals were successful, she aimed to establish a rapport first. The Mysterious Water Gleaming Rock Vein was also part of this strategy—should trouble arise, she would have a place to seek help.
Compared to her aggressive stance atop Sky Wing Tower, Shen Wan has become much more adept in her dealings, her methods smooth and polished.
Yu Ci couldn't help but feel a sense of how things and people change over time. In this affair, he hadn't gained any significant advantage, but what he had obtained was precisely what he needed. Not to mention the Mysterious Water Gleaming Rock Vein, there were also several items he had consigned for sale—objects he had long coveted but had been wary of acquiring due to potential complications.
Among the Magical Instruments he had acquired in the Sword Garden, very few bore the garden's mark. Most belonged to Cultivators who had perished there, like the collection of Wen Shifei, and items such as the Sundry Wind Eight-Flame Flag, which were more than suitable as the main battle instruments for a Vacuum Walking Cultivator. However, such treasures could attract trouble if not handled carefully.
Previously, constrained by his means, Yu Ci had refrained from selling them, lacking a safe and reliable channel. He feared attracting enemies before the transaction could even be completed. Now that Shen Wan had approached him and with the As-You-Will Dharma Assembly providing an excellent platform, he was more than happy to go with the flow.
Of course, the allure of the Mysterious Water Gleaming Rock Vein was immense. It was not just that the primary material for the Gang Geomancy Seven Stars Altar was within reach, but it also offered him an opportunity to leave this place of conflict and lie low for a while, something he very much needed.
But before that, he had another component of the Altar to secure.
Yu Ci stepped through the main entrance of the Red Tooth Store, retracing his memory from his last visit to the back courtyard. Midway, a somewhat familiar voice reached his ears, a light exclamation:
"Dear guest, please, don't do that!"
Startled, Yu Ci turned his head, but before he could see clearly, the exclamation had turned into a soft, lingering moan.
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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free]: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e