Chapter 190: Xia Family Business
“Brother Yun, Snow, what’s all this about?”
Lin Zhongyu stared at the bizarre scene in front of her and felt utterly bewildered. It seemed like the world had gone mad and she simply couldn’t fathom why.
At that moment, Qin Hongye and Tao Jiu’er also approached with doubtful looks, while Su Xiaoxiao nervously trailed behind them, trying to keep up.
“You two really got your epiphanies?”
Qin Hongye wrinkled her brows and asked skeptically.
“Yeah, sort of… we did get some stuff figured out,” said Yun Zhonghe nodding. To him, this revelation didn’t exactly bring joy. The difficulty in advancing his mental state had just increased.
Nonetheless, he thought he might have gained insights related to sword techniques, but those were still a fuzzy idea for now.
Seeing the confusion in the eyes of the women around him, Yun Zhonghe, who was kind by nature, explained, “Human desires drive their lives forward. We need food and reproduction for survival, which has allowed our species to persist through generations.”
“These bloody-eyed crows must’ve been tainted by demonic energy, making them defy natural order, achieving a state of undeath. To defeat them, they must be brought back under the control of natural laws—eating and reproducing!”
“Because eating, they’ll engage in life activities and thus follow the rules of d*ath. And because reproduction, they’ll find purpose, busy tending to their families.”
The women were not quite grasping this entirely, but they let it go because Yun Zhonghe cracked the secret of these invincible birds and implemented a strategy to push them back accordingly.
At that moment, Lin Zhongyu turned to Mu Jixue, “Snow, what did you figure out?”
“Huh? I didn’t think anything through, I just suddenly… got an epiphany. Don’t you need to understand something to get an epiphany?”
Saying it out loud, Mu Jixue felt uncomfortable. She thought for a bit and said, “Well… the heavens don’t reveal all secrets that way.”
Seeing her hesitation, the others didn’t press on. Epiphanies are often clear only to the one experiencing it, no matter how detailed the explanation may be.
“Despite everything, we managed to turn this dangerous situation into a peaceful one,” said Lin Zhongyu trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue returned safely, and nobody was happier than her.
They had originally planned to continue their journey after breakfast but were delayed due to the commotion caused by the crow group. Now, it was time to move on.
Just then, Senior Chen arrived accompanied by a middle-aged man dressed in fine robes.
“Fellow Yun, allow me to introduce someone. This is the station master. He came here upon hearing the full story, desiring a meeting with you.”
Chen’s eyes sparkled with admiration as he introduced the man, gesturing towards Yun Zhonghe.
The middle-aged man’s attire was nothing short of extraordinary, featuring a low-grade magic robe. Making money in such a business required both ability and skill.
Yun Zhonghe made a gesture of respect.
The man bowed repeatedly, smiling, “I’ve heard much of you, Yun Young Master. Truly a pleasure. My name is Zhang. Call me Uncle Zhang. I’m the person in charge for Xia Family Business in this area.”
Xia Family Business?!
This was the biggest business in the Eastern Continent, widespread and powerful, with unimaginable wealth. With abundant supplies and sales networks everywhere, they even dabbled in various industries.
While similarly powerful to top-notch aristocratic families in combat prowess, Xia Family Business surpassed them in amassed wealth, loaning money to numerous families and sects. In terms of financial terror, there was none like it anywhere else.
If in other mystical universes, such a lucrative asset would long be coveted by many powers.
But in the current Cultivation Realm, governed by Immortal Alliance, competition was subdued, and trade conditions improved. Naturally, business operations were still monitored by the Alliance, which received most of the taxes generated.
Knowing that this seemingly unremarkable middle-aged man was from the prestigious Xia Family Business, Qin Hongye couldn’t help but be cordial.
Unexpectedly, their inn proved to be affiliated with Xia Family Business; no wonder it was so impressive.
Yun Zhonghe nodded respectfully, “Uncle Zhang, I’m Yun Zhonghe. A pleasure.”
“Not at all, Young Master Yun. Much gratitude for your and the ladies’ bravery in rescue and disaster prevention. Otherwise, losses would’ve been severe.”
He glanced at the group of beautiful maidens behind Yun Zhonghe, unable to suppress his admiration.
Yun Zhonghe politely declined, “Uncle Zhang, you flatter me. It’s what anyone should do.”
Taking out six purple-gold cards, Uncle Zhang gifted them to the five.
“Each of these cards contains a million spirit stones, and holding one allows you the best treatment across any shop under Xia Family Business, including a 60% discount on purchases.”
These were the greatest offerings Uncle Zhang could bestow.
The news of having a card each with a million spirit stones had everyone slightly breathless.
Even Qin Hongye, despite receiving frequent VIP treatment, hadn’t held a purple-gold card before, only a golden one, a grade lower.
Compared to the wealth of the spirit stones, the card itself was actually more valuable. Obtaining this card wasn’t easy; it required genuine admiration rather than mere status or identity.
The special rights held by these cards in Xia Family Business were immense, causing Qin Hongye to feel elated.
After all, it was right to follow Yun Zhonghe!
The calm and composed Yun Zhonghe accepted the offers without hesitating, not wanting to come across as ungrateful.
Tao Jiu’er, sharing the same worldliness, saw the reactions differently. Her comrades struggled somewhat, too overwhelmed by the bounty.
A million spirit stones, it was too much!
Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu could maintain some composure, but Su Xiaoxiao panicked, feeling her card burning in hand.
She didn’t deserve such wealth. Could this be a trap? One that would beat her black and blue if she accepted it?
Visualizing her doom in her head, she grew pale, shaken and almost detached from reality.
“Xiaoxiao, take this card. You’ve done a lot, and if not for your healing, we wouldn’t have stabilized the situation so quickly. You fully deserve this.”
Only Yun Zhonghe’s words could reassure the socially awkward Su Xiaoxiao enough to collect herself.
When Yun Zhonghe concluded, others concurred.
For the first time in her life, someone was fighting for her interests. Yun Zhonghe wanted her to fly alongside him.
Her gratitude was profound. If not for decorum, she’d embrace him!
Though her mind reeled, reality held her back.
Her hands trembling, she took the card, the first real prize she ever possessed in her life. A sense of triumph flooded her, but also trepidation over the responsibilities.
With a million spirit stones, she could live in ease, buy land, retreat from social pressures.
Huzzah! No more social anxiety!
“Young Xiaoxiao, with a million spirit stones, we can fully push toward the Golden Core Stage. Perhaps even reach mid-stage Gold Core.”
Encouraging Xiaoxiao, Lin Zhongyu brightened.
“What?”
Confused, she froze.
A million spirit stones could only push her halfway?
Her unfamiliarity with the value didn’t help, lacking luxury and training largely solo.
She had hoped a million would advance her to Divine Transformation. Instead, it merely reached Gold Core—hardly elite.
At most, Gold Core might suffice, with True Immortals and Transcenders ruling.
To earn respect, clearly, mere Gold Core paled against True Immortality.
Her newfound courage crumbled instantly.
“Let’s get stronger together, Xiaoxiao!”
Smiling brightly, Lin Zhongyu aimed to influence her.
But brighter light meant darker shadows.
Panic set in again, fear gripping her.
No…not her savings…they’re irreplaceable…
However, Lin Zhongyu’s encouraging smile coerced a reluctant yes.
