Chapter 49: The Appearance of Mr. Zhang the VIP

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Appearance of Mr. Zhang the VIP

The two left, and Cheng Ran couldn’t help but softly cluck his tongue.

“Brother Zhou really knows how to win people over, offering little favors and kindnesses!”

Jiang Ning smiled noncommittally. Zhou Xing was a clever man, full of ideas, which he had noticed as well.

But he didn’t dislike Zhou Xing.

Why dislike someone who let him buy Wild Ginseng for less than the lowest market price and even got three extra pieces for free, effectively earning him dozens of taels of silver for nothing?

Cheng Ran then spoke, holding the invitation in his hand, glanced at it, and passed it to Jiang Ning.

“Brother Jiang, take a look, Zhou Xing sure is bold.”

Jiang Ning took the invitation and opened it, his gaze landing on its contents.

He read it over, clicking his tongue in amazement.

The invitation contained a series of polite phrases from Zhou Xing, then mentioned his belief in Cheng Ran’s potential to join the Inspection Office, and expressed a desire to invest in Cheng Ran in exchange for a favor.

It also detailed Zhou Xing’s conditions.

A thousand taels of silver, ten boxes of High Grade Refining Skin Ointment, and three hundred-year-old wild earth ginseng plants.

These investments did not impose any undue conditions on Cheng Ran, merely exchanging them for a favor, a favor with a future full of uncertainties.

Jiang Ning’s eyes moved down.

In three days, at 8:00 p.m. at Fenghua Building, we await the pleasurable company of Brother Cheng at the banquet.

“How do you feel about it, Brother Jiang?” Cheng Ran asked.

Jiang Ning replied, “It’s very generous. Just for an unsure favor and an uncertain future, Brother Zhou is willing to give so much.”

As for why Zhou Xing was so generous, Jiang Ning’s mind was clear as a mirror.

The Inspection Office personnel had the privilege to execute before reporting, which meant vast power.

Cheng Ran, having attained Martial Arts Entry at his age, who could guess where he would be in ten, twenty years once he joined the Inspection Office?

Once he stepped into Martial Arts Eighth Grade and received promotions, that favor would be worth a fortune, far exceeding the two or three thousand taels of silver invested.

Cheng Ran said, “It does look very generous, and it’s not bad for me! But my Cheng family’s wealth is nothing compared to Brother Zhou’s, yet I’m not the kind of person who is swayed by money.”

“I’m not in a hurry. Besides Brother Zhou, there must be others in Luoshui County who value me, Cheng Ran!”

As he spoke, a confident expression appeared on Cheng Ran’s face.

Jiang Ning returned the invitation to Cheng Ran and then spoke, “Brother Cheng, good mettle.”

Cheng Ran laughed, “One should shop around when making a deal; what more when it’s about the spot I’m contesting against Xiao Peng for, where I have at least a fifty percent chance of winning. Naturally, I have this confidence.”

He then looked at Jiang Ning, his expression slightly annoyed, “Speaking of which, Zhou Xing is also blind, Brother Jiang, with your high Martial Arts Talent and currently in need of resources, how could he not think to send an invitation to you?”

Jiang Ning said, “Brother Cheng, don’t make fun of me! Brother Zhou clearly recognizes the importance of the Inspection Office.”

As they spoke, he pointed towards Zhou Xing, who was talking with Xiao Peng in the distance.

“That’s true!” Cheng Ran sighed slightly, “It’s a pity that Brother Jiang started learning martial arts a year and a half too late to have any connection with the Inspection Office!”

“The Inspection Office, once joined, means having the backing of Great Xia, an official status, the power to execute before reporting, and to possess life-and-death authority, alongside a smoother path in Martial Arts advancement, never lacking methods and resources for progressing in Martial Arts.”

Jiang Ning nodded slightly in agreement, “Indeed!”

He felt regretful for not being valued by Zhou Xing.

All he lacked now was time and resources.

Zhou Xing’s esteem and investment would undoubtedly resolve his currently acute resource scarcity.

With the materials worth thousands of taels of silver mentioned in the invitation, not only could his Boxing improve faster, but he could also farm more resources daily, and gain more Source Energy Points every day.

By now, his Chopping Wood Blade Skill had already reached Perfection, and he had long since filled the 1000 Experience Value needed to Break Limit.

It was only the lack of Source Energy Points that was limiting his ability to Break the Limit with his Chopping Wood Blade Skill, and the acquisition of these points was directly linked to his daily energy intake.

On the day he had acquired the most Source Energy Points, he had gained 0.6 points in one day, which was because he had consumed a thirty percent share of Wild Ginseng.

For him now, if the resources were sufficient, it was possible to exceed 1 Source Energy Point in a day within a reasonable range of absorbing treasured medicines.

Now, the daily increment of Source Energy Points was only 0.4, which starkly showed the gap between the two.

With sufficient resources and enough energy intake, the harvest of Source Eergy Points in one day could equal two days.

…

Martial Arts Hall’s backyard.

Li Qing passed by a disciple who was guarding the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.

Then, she approached Wang Jin.

“Greetings, Master!” She bowed respectfully to Wang Jin.

“Greetings, Building Owner Shen!” She also bowed respectfully to Building Owner Shen.

At this moment, Li Qing was somewhat uneasy.

Ever since she had seen Shen Congyun, her heart was filled with nervousness.

She was well aware of Shen Congyun’s identity.

Almost everyone in Luoshui County who held some status and came from a good background had a certain understanding of Shen Congyun.

He was the deputy owner of Wanhua Building stationed in Luoshui County, and Wanhua Building was a superpower spread across the Nine States of Great Xia.

Thus, to the whole of Luoshui County, Shen Congyun was truly a significant figure.

Although there was a main building owner above this deputy building owner and another deputy building owner of the same rank as him,

given Shen Congyun’s status, who in the entire Luoshui County would not show him some courtesy?

Li Qing was also very familiar with Wanhua Building’s occasional investment in martial arts talents.

Any martial arts prodigy, once favored and invested in by a wealthy and powerful organization like Wanhua Building, had a chance to change their fate radically.

Even she, whose family background was not inferior to Zhou Xing’s, would transform dramatically if Wanhua Building took notice of her; her future would be completely different.

At that time, her future would no longer be confined to the small expanse of Luoshui County, but she would have the opportunity to become a dazzling martial arts prodigy in Guangning Prefecture.

It was this understanding that made her so nervous.

She both hoped to be favored by Shen Congyun and knew that she probably did not deserve his attention.

“Qi-Blood full, with a skin-muscle layer already formed, this girl is impressive!” Shen Congyun commented, looking at Li Qing.

Hearing these words of praise, Li Qing’s emotions inevitably surged, filled with anticipation and nervousness.

“Building Owner Shen has discerning eyes; you see through the martial arts realm of your juniors at a glance.”

Hearing this, Shen Congyun just gave Li Qing a slight smile.

Seeing that smile, Li Qing suddenly understood.

A sense of poignant disappointment suddenly arose in her heart.

“Li Qing, has everyone arrived?” Wang Jin asked at that moment.

Li Qing suddenly snapped out of her despondent thoughts and respectfully said to Wang Jin, “All brothers and disciples are here!”

“Good!” Wang Jin gave a slight nod.

Then he turned to Shen Congyun and said, “Mr. Shen, would you be interested in coming out to see some of my unworthy disciples?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Congyun couldn’t help but smile, “Brother Wang, are you still trying to get me to set eyes on them?”

Wang Jin chuckled, “It seems nothing can be hidden from Mr. Shen!”

Shen Congyun’s face showed a smile, “Since Brother Wang has asked, I must give this face. Having nothing else to do, let’s go have a look!”

“Mr. Shen, please!” Wang Jin gestured with his hand.

“Please!”