Chapter 47: A Heaven-Sent Opportunity

Pagoda Peak, inside the “Central Peace Hall”.

When Zhou Chun entered, he discovered not only Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi was present, but another elder of the Zhou Family, Zhou Jiasheng, was also there.

“Junior greets the Clan Leader, greetings to Uncle Sixteen!”

He respectfully saluted the two family elders, then stood aside and waited for Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi’s orders.

From the looks of it, the reason they summoned him today must be no simple matter.

“Since his return to the family, Zhengchun has made rapid progress in cultivation, steadily advancing, and has contributed many meritorious services to the family, offering numerous valuable suggestions. With him and Jiasheng partnering up in the Marketplace, I believe there will certainly be excellent performance.”

Having said this, Zhou Daoyi gave Zhou Chun, who was still in a state of confusion, a slight smile and said, “The reason for calling you here today is because the family has decided to send you and Jiasheng to manage the newly opened family shop in Hongya Marketplace, where you two will reside from now on.”

Manage and operate the family shop in Hongya Marketplace?

Upon hearing Zhou Daoyi’s words, Zhou Chun was first shocked, then delighted, overflowing with joy inside.

If he could stay in the Marketplace and gain the right to manage the shop, wouldn’t that mean he could frequently have opportunities to acquire Spiritual Medicine from the Marketplace to purify and sell?

This is truly heaven-sent!!

In fact, Zhou Chun had always had a deep understanding of the value of the Purification Stone Pot.

However, he was even more aware that with his current level of cultivation, it was not convenient to use the Purification Stone Pot to earn Spirit Coins on a grand scale.

Thus, he had always restrained his greed and didn’t often purchase Spiritual Medicines from the Marketplace to resell.

In his own plans, he at least had to wait until his cultivation reached the tenth level or higher in the Qi Refinement Realm, when his cultivation progress slowed down and he had to start preparing for the Foundation Establishment, before he would use the Purification Stone Pot to earn a large amount of Spirit Coins.

By that time, whether he went hunting Demon Beasts for Spiritual Medicines or bought them in the Marketplace to resell, he would have enough strength not to fear most Bandit Cultivators.

But now, a safer and more stable shortcut appeared before him.

Going to manage the Zhou Family’s shop in Hongya Marketplace and purchasing and selling various Spiritual Medicines in the name of the Zhou Family would perfectly avoid all kinds of danger.

As long as he kept his greed in check and was cautious and careful, there would be almost no chance of being discovered!!

If it weren’t for Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi’s presence, Zhou Chun would have definitely excitedly clapped and shouted for the heavens’ help.

Right then, he suppressed his inner ecstasy and nodded firmly, replying, “Yes, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to this task and not fail the Clan Leader’s trust!”

As soon as his words fell, Zhou Jiasheng nodded slightly and said, “Since the Clan Leader holds him in such high regard, he must indeed have remarkable abilities.”

But then he folded his hands towards Zhou Daoyi and said, “However, I still wish to ask the Clan Leader to clarify the primary and secondary roles between Zhengchun and me when managing the shop, to prevent disputes during operation that could cause losses to the family!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Daoyi immediately said to Zhou Chun, “You’ve heard what Jiasheng said, Zhengchun. When running the shop, Jiasheng will be the Shopkeeper, and you’ll be the assistant. All business-related decisions should be based on Jiasheng’s judgement.”

Just an assistant?

Hearing this, Zhou Chun’s joyful heart dimmed a little.

But thinking that there would be only two of them, and the assistant should also have the chance to serve the customers alone, his resolve firmed again.

He immediately responded respectfully, “Yes, I will certainly remember the Clan Leader’s instructions, and will follow Uncle Sixteen’s orders without question!”

At that moment, Zhou Daoyi added, “You’ve always been astute, often having unique insights on certain matters. With the Zhou Family shop being newly opened, if you find any shortcomings, be sure to discuss them with Jiasheng in time, and if you have any suggestions, you can draft them into a letter for my review.”

Hearing this, Zhou Chun couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Zhou Jiasheng next to him and saw the uncle’s expression change slightly, clearly understanding the meaning behind Zhou Daoyi’s words.

Indeed, although these words seemed to be addressed to Zhou Chun, they were actually a warning to Zhou Jiasheng.

Even though he was the Shopkeeper, and all decisions about the shop were primarily his, Zhou Chun, the assistant, also had the right to oversee him and report to the Clan Leader.

This way, if he dared to act recklessly, thinking he was far away from central authority, he would certainly end up in a bad situation.

“Yes, I have noted it.”

Zhou Chun nodded heavily, indicating that he understood.

“All right, now that both of you are clear about your tasks, go back and get ready today, and tomorrow morning, I myself will personally send you off to the marketplace!”

Zhou Daoyi said this and then waved his hand, signaling that they could step down.

After returning from Pagoda Peak, Zhou Chun was busy visiting various clan members he was on good terms with, informing them that he would be stationed in the marketplace for an extended period.

For most Zhou Family Cultivators, Zhou Chun’s assignment was undoubtedly a cushy job.

Not to mention that working in the marketplace as a shop assistant would definitely come with an extra stipend from the family.

Just the fact that he would no longer have to take on the duty of defending the Spirit Cleansing Pavilion or handle other miscellaneous family tasks was enough to make many clan members envious.

Besides, being stationed in the marketplace meant he could meet many cultivators and encounter far more opportunities than if he remained within the clan’s gates pursuing cultivation.

Thus, upon hearing that Zhou Chun had landed this task, the clan members who knew about it congratulated him one after another.

“I always knew, Brother Thirteen, that you would one day be prized and distinguished by the Clan Leader!”

Zhou Zhengyong seemed even more excited than Zhou Chun himself on hearing this news.

With his face full of joy, he placed his hand on Zhou Chun’s shoulder and excitedly said, “Brother Thirteen, as long as you do well this time, you should have no problem becoming a core clan member once the benefits come through. By then, even taking over as the shopkeeper could be within reach for you.”

The benefit he referred to was naturally the reward for discovering the Red Shine Iron Mine.

But with his dao companion, Sun Yujiao, by his side, it was not appropriate to speak too clearly.

Zhou Chun, for his part, hadn’t thought that far ahead, but he did not want to dampen Zhou Zhengyong’s spirits, merely smiling slightly at the couple, “Brother Yong, remember to look me up if you come to the marketplace later. I’ll treat you to some of the spiritual brews in the marketplace’s taverns!”

“Haha, that’s a certainty; when that time comes, you’ll have to bleed a little, Brother Thirteen!”

Zhou Zhengyong laughed heartily and readily agreed.

After leaving Zhou Zhengyong’s home, Zhou Chun thought for a while and then made a trip to Flying Rock Peak.

Upon reaching Flying Rock Peak, he first went to the Book Collection Tower and said goodbye to the Green-Haired Giant Ape guarding it, “Elder Yuan, I will be leaving for the marketplace to be stationed there starting tomorrow, and I might not be able to come and keep you company for a long time.”

“Be careful in all things while you are away.”

The giant ape wrote this line on paper and then showed him an amiable smile.

Over the years, Zhou Chun often visited the Book Collection Tower to read, bringing the ape fresh food and conversing with it each time.

Therefore, compared to other members of the Zhou family, the ape naturally held a much more favorable impression of Zhou Chun.

“I will be careful. Next time I come back from the marketplace, I’ll bring some Spirit Fruit for Elder Yuan to try,” Zhou Chun said with a smile, nodding his head.

He talked leisurely with the giant ape for a few more moments before proceeding to pay a visit to Elder Zhou Daoquan.

Zhou Daoquan was somewhat surprised that Zhou Chun had come to bid him farewell.

After contemplating for a while, he gave a faint smile and said, “It’s kind of you to make this consideration. Since the Clan Leader values you so highly, do your best and do not disappoint him.”

“Besides, since you’ll now be in the marketplace, it should be much easier for you to acquire various resources. If your finances permit, keep an eye out for Spiritual Objects like Dragon Blood Grass or Dragon Blood Stone for your Silver Lightning Python.”

“Even if such Spiritual Objects cannot evolve it into a Flood Dragon, they will enhance its bloodline potential, strengthen its constitution, and awaken certain Dragon Blood talents.”

He said this offhand, not really expecting Zhou Chun to be able to manage it just yet.

After all, anything associated with “Dragon Blood” was extremely expensive in the Cultivation World, having nothing to do with the word “cheap.”

Even someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage like himself would need to make a significant financial sacrifice to procure such materials.

But Zhou Chun took his words to heart and sincerely replied, “Yes, Elder, I will most certainly bear your teachings in mind.”