“Open a branch store?” Du Lengning’s eyes brightened. He patted Luo Qian’s shoulder hard. “Old Luo, you’ve finally straightened out your ideas, hahaha…”
Luo Qian faltered. “So, you’ve agreed? The new shop definitely won’t be on Mountain Ning Yao, so you’ve got to think it through.”
Du Lengning was excited. “It’s precisely because it won’t be on Mountain Ning Yao that I’m happy. I’ve stayed under my father’s wings for such a long time; I’ve wanted to go out and temper myself long ago. I’ve earned a considerable amount of dividends just from this medicine hall that we opened. However, I don’t dare to spend the money because my father is watching me. Now that I have this official excuse, I must go out and have a good time… aiyo…”
Li Xuexiao grabbed his ear. She was the number one expert in Mountain Ning Yao’s younger generation. Even if Du Lengning was fully alert, he might not be able to dodge this.
Du Lengning knew that he had said the wrong thing, and promptly corrected himself. “I’ll bring my wife to have a good time together!”
Li Xuexiao spat at him and pulled harshly again. “Who’s your wife!” Though that was what she said, she could not conceal the hint of a sweet smile emerging at the corner of her lips.
Luo Qian was jealous in his heart and cursed inwardly. This shameless couple…
“Alright, since you’ve agreed, we’ll quickly get to it. As for the location, do help to ask around. I’ve also made Li Fei’er attend to it. Whoever finds a suitable place first, we’ll use that place,” said Luo Qian.
Du Lengning grinned. “No problem. The Ning Yao couple will set off now and sound out the prices of Divine Void Spring’s land for you.”
Luo Qian shook his head helplessly. This fellow is too dishonest. He wants to go have fun, so he is making use of this opportunity to make this trip on company expenses. What kind of place is Divine Void Spring, one of the six Springs? An area of land the size of a palm will cost hundreds of thousands of Superior Immortal Jade. Would we even be able to afford that now?
Luo Qian’s target was the Twelve Offshore Continents or the Thirty-six Mountains in the Realm. By spending up to 100,000 Superior Immortal Jade, he would be able to buy a piece of land that wasn’t smaller than his Fushan cave abode in these places. Then, he’d expand it underground. There would be bright prospects.
The Twelve Offshore Continents had unique views, but the majority of it was used to build cultivation cave abodes. Fewer Immortals lived here; it was not advantageous for commercial development. Hence, Luo Qian’s final goal was still fixed on the Thirty-six Mountains in the Realm.
Li Fei’er’s family background should be pretty powerful, which was why Luo Qian asked her to help. Speaking about her family… It was probably only because Li Fei’er was obstinate and wilful that her family could do nothing to her, allowing her to run wild outside. Of course, the women in her family still had to buy the sexy underwear from Li Fei’er, this little chili. Naturally, they would not be willing to break this line.
Presently, the income from selling sexy underwear had basically already stabilized. With a unit price of 120 Superior Immortal Jade, they could earn about 2,000 Superior Immortal Jade per month from selling the lingerie.
More than a month passed, but they had yet to find a suitable location. Every inch of the Thirty-six Mountains’ land was also an inch of gold. Most importantly, Luo Qian wanted a large space. Even on the Thirty-six Mountains, where shops stood in great numbers, it wasn’t easy to find such a big piece of land for sale.
On this day, Luo Qian suddenly thought of Qi Ren—the boss of an underground bank. He is adept at securing personal gains and has unusual means. He might be able to help me. More than a month has passed. The 40 pills that I sold him last time should be more or less finished. Luo Qian prepared 60 pills in a jade bottle and went to visit Qi Ren.
When Qi Ren saw Luo Qian, he laughed. “Brother, I was just looking for you.”
Luo Qian cupped his hands and said, “Aren’t I delivering the drugs to your door now, haha!” Luo Qian brought out the jade bottle.
Qi Ren opened it for a look. “Sixty pills? Brother, that’s not enough!”
Luo Qian faltered. “This is the dosage for two months. Excuse me for being long-tongued, Brother, but it’s no good to consume too many of these.”
Qi Ren chuckled. “You think I’m consuming all of them by myself?” He waved his hand, and the two beautiful maidservants standing at the side left without a sound. Qi Ren said mysteriously, “This thing is good stuff. A few days ago, I was entertaining some friends in the scene. Haha, on a whim of the moment, I brought it out to add to the fun. To think those few fellows would really find it satisfying once they tried them. Initially, I still had about ten pills, but they forcefully took all of them. Once these fellows go out and publicize it, I’m afraid it wouldn’t take long before all those brothers would know about it. How would these mere 60 pills be enough?”
Luo Qian was so anxious that he was sweating profusely. “Brother, this matter cannot be exposed. How could they be so public about it?”
Qi Ren wasn’t bothered at all. “Don’t you worry. These brothers of mine, their heads are tied to their waistbands[1]. How would they betray you?”
Luo Qian sighed helplessly. Just like sexy underwear, these aphrodisiacs were also selling well. Only, he was feeling increasingly uneasy in his heart.
Women used sexy underwear to please men and men used aphrodisiacs to repay women. It seemed like the Immortal Realm appeared to be in peace and prosperity on the surface, but beneath the lingering Immortal air, it’d already become a pool of stagnant water—rotten and ruined.
“Then how many do you want this time, Brother?” Luo Qian asked.
It really looked like Qi Ren was prepared to go to him; he reached into the Cosmic Bag on his waist and brought out neat packs of Immortal jade. “Each pack contains 100 pieces of Superior Immortal Jade; there are ten packs here. Prepare 200 pills for me, stored respectively in ten jade bottles—20 pills per bottle.”
Luo Qian put that jade bottle down. “Alright, but you are asking for a lot this time. I have to make a trip down, so it might take a few days.” He pushed the Immortal Jade back to Qi Ren. “I have some matters that I need your help with. This money shall be taken as fees for your labor.”
Qi Ren asked, “What is it?”
“I would like to ask Brother to help me find a space within the Thirty-six Mountains. As for the size of the space, it just needs to be as big as this Dark Jade Casino of yours. I have a medicine hall, and I want to open a branch shop.”
Qi Ren naturally understood what was going on. He pushed the 1,000 pieces of Superior Immortal Jade towards Luo Qian. “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry, Brother. I will definitely find one for you. We’re brothers, so don’t stand on ceremony. It’s not easy for you to make a trip down. As the older brother, how can I take your drugs for free? Keep the money.”
The two pushed around for a while. Qi Ren refused to take the money no matter what. In the end, he even threatened Luo Qian that he would help him if he refused to take the money. Luo Qian had no choice but to accept it. He thought to himself, At the most, I will prepare more pills for him.
…
In the Left Military Court, Zheng Daoguang stood waiting respectfully at the side. After the Deputy Magistrate read over and commented on a document, he put the file in his hand down, looked pleasantly at him, and asked, “Any findings?”
Zheng Daoguang reported truthfully, “I tracked things down to the Weapons Sect, but that disciple who stood in that suspicious array position has strangely died.”
“Died? When did he die?” The Deputy Magistrate asked while frowning.
Zheng Daoguang said, “I have no way of verifying that. His body was found under his bed; I guess that he was already dead when Weapons Sect went to reinforce Zuo Family Manor.”
“You mean to say that someone passed off as this disciple, went to Rosy Cloud Spring, then directed that demon in secret?” asked the Deputy Magistrate.
Zheng Daoguang did not answer the question; he only said, “I’ve investigated. Weapons Sect was the first sect to arrive at Rosy Cloud Spring. When the demon had just charged out of Interior Treasure Cave, they were already there.”
The Deputy Magistrate nodded. He twisted his beard and muttered to himself for a while.
Zheng Daoguang brought out the crystal box. “Sir, please look. This was found inside Interior Treasure Cave.”
Given the Deputy Magistrate’s cultivation level, he recognized what the powder was at one glance. He froze slightly before putting that box into a chest under the long table.
“Daoguang, you’ve done very well with this matter. Leave the rest of the matters alone; go report to the Dark Arrest Council. Henceforth, you are of primary Fifth Grade.”
Zheng Daoguang bowed his head, slightly stunned. He did not dare to say more. “Thank you, Sir!”
He walked out of Left Military Court. After being promoted by two grades from secondary Fourth Grade in one go, Zheng Daoguang, who was now of primary Fifth Grade, did not feel any joy at all. He’d been an Immortal official of Imperial Arrest Council for many years; the puzzle that remained in his heart was the most perplexing one. Yet, the Deputy Magistrate did not allow him to continue investigating. It seemed like this matter’s behind-the-scenes was much more complicated than he imagined.
That Luo Qian is a promising person, Zheng Daoguang thought inwardly.
…
Qi Ren was indeed formidable. Seven days later, he informed Luo Qian that he’d already found a place. He told Luo Qian to take a look and see if it was suitable or not.
Luo Qian was overjoyed. He rushed to Dark Jade Casino with ten bottles of pills. At Dark Jade Casino, Luo Qian presented the aphrodisiac pills and whispered secretly to Qi Ren, “The last jade bottle is of large size. There are 60 pills in there.”
Qi Ren patted Luo Qian’s shoulder very happily. Putting the jade bottles away, he said, “I’ll have Qian Fu bring you there for a look. If you don’t find it suitable, feel free to speak up. I’ll search again in that instance.”
Qian Fu was Qi Ren’s subordinate, one of the six primary heads. He was short and stout, a ball of friendliness. Qi Ren hurriedly left from the back.
Qian Fu said smilingly to Luo Qian, “Mr. Luo, let’s go.”
Once Luo Qian nodded, Qian Fu did not move outward but walked further inside.
Luo Qian was puzzled as he followed Qian Fu to Dark Jade Bank’s backyard. Across several courtyards, spirited neighs could be heard.
Luo Qian asked happily, “Shopkeeper Qian, are we riding there?”
Qian Fu moved his plump body and chuckled. “Mr. Luo, look at my physique. Can I ride a horse? No, we’re taking a carriage.”
A copper-colored spacious carriage, decorated with thick and heavy gold furnishings everywhere, stood before them. Before the carriage, four Immortal horses with glossy coats unwillingly stood still under the driver’s control. They lifted hooves that were the size of a bowl from time to time and stamped the ground until the mud and grass on the ground splattered.
Qian Fu said, “Mr. Luo, the First Manager really respects you. We’ve spent a considerable amount of Immortal Jade on building this carriage. The First Manager absolutely will not lend it for another person’s use in normal times.” Qi Ren and Luo Qian had completely different concepts of ‘considerable amount of money.’
Luo Qian secretly inquired, “Exactly how much did it cost?”
[1] Meaning that they’re always involved in dangerous work