Chapter 84 - 82: Screening Targets

Meeting these three conditions meant that if they fell on hard times, no one would bother with them.

In fact, their main family might not even mind kicking them while they’re down to squeeze out some profit.

But if they managed to get back on their feet, that same family connection could become a useful asset, providing some backing once the shop was truly established.

This would prevent him from having to deal with every trivial little thing himself.

He quickly added filter criteria to the Light Screen in front of him. In moments, the list of several hundred files shrank to only seven.

He browsed through the list and manually removed two more.

’Alright, now there are just five of you left. Let’s see who the lucky one will be.’

’First, I’ll go check out number one.’

With his five targets in mind, Zhang Deming took a breath and murmured to himself as he headed for the first destination.

A short while later, Zhang Deming arrived at a shop on the outskirts of the southern part of the city and shook his head, speechless.

’While it’s a prime spot on a corner, the overall location doesn’t meet my expectations.’

’Rejected!’

Then, Zhang Deming headed for the second target.

’The second target being married isn’t a problem, but the file didn’t mention his wife is pregnant. That’s too big of a vulnerability; he’d be too easy to threaten and control.’

’Besides, he’s already given up on ambition. Absolutely no potential for development.’

’Rejected!’

Zhang Deming was reasonably satisfied with the third candidate’s shop and personal situation, but after a more detailed investigation, he shook his head in exasperation again.

The file mentioned a fondness for wine and women, which led to his expenses exceeding his income and caused his family’s decline.

’But... this guy is completely ruled by his libido!’

’Too much of an idiot. Completely fails to meet my expectations.’

Zhang Deming was taken aback when he arrived at the address of the fourth target’s shop.

Among all the targets, this shop’s location was one of the best.

It was in the central district. A bit secluded, perhaps, but at least it was in the central district.

It had plenty of potential and room for growth.

But the shop wasn’t just closed for business—half of its door was missing.

Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed as he looked at the dilapidated shop, which stood in stark contrast to the beautiful stores surrounding it.

If the location hadn’t been so good, Zhang Deming would have rejected it outright.

He glanced at the file in his hand. The owner was a young man whose parents had recently passed away. He was a descendant of a large family, but his branch had split off three generations ago.

Single. An orphan. And a family connection that would only be acknowledged in success but ignored in failure—a background that was ultimately dispensable.

’He’s young, unmarried, and has potential for development.’

’He’s a perfect fit for the criteria I set. Now, let’s go see what the man himself is like before I decide.’

Following the information in the file, Zhang Deming went directly to the Slums in the northern part of the city, his brow furrowing slightly.

’The file says he’s a Cultivator. Even if he’s fallen on hard times, he shouldn’t be living here, should he?’

Celestial Spirit City is home to many mortals, after all.

’The Slums should be a place for mortals.’

Just as he found the place, before Zhang Deming could approach, a boisterous crowd of people appeared from the side.

They all carried themselves like thugs.

There were six or seven of them, led by a bald man.

The bald man walked up to the door of a relatively decent-looking house and began to pound on it.

"Qu Qizhong! I know you’re in there! Open this damn door, or I’ll smash it down!"

From a distance, Zhang Deming glanced at the house number, then looked down at his file to confirm. It was indeed his target.

He hesitated for a moment but decided not to intervene.

Instead, he found a corner, leaned against a wall, and watched from a distance.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...

The bald man pounded on the door several more times before it finally opened.

The person who answered was a young man in his twenties, an Intermediate Apprentice in terms of Cultivation.

’At his age, that level of Cultivation should be considered pretty decent in Celestial Spirit City.’

The young man’s face was haggard, his eyes were bloodshot, and his eye sockets were sunken.

’For an Intermediate Apprentice’s body to be in this state... who knows how many days it’s been since he’s had any proper rest.’

The young man stared at the bald man, stunned for a moment, before forcing a friendly smile onto his face.

"Brother Xing! What brings you here? You didn’t even say you were coming..."

The bald man, Qu Qixing, cut him off as soon as he spoke. "Shut up!"

Then he turned to one of his lackeys. "Ajie, use your sight and search the place."

"Got it, Brother Xing!"

At his command, the young man called Ajie’s eyes glimmered with a faint light. He shoved Qu Qizhong aside and entered the house with a companion.

"Hey, hey, what are you..." Qu Qizhong cried out as he was shoved aside.

"You shut your mouth. If I detect even a hint of Spiritual Qi fluctuation coming from your mouth today, I guarantee you won’t be speaking for days.

Lin Zi, you watch him."

The bald man, Qu Qixing, seemed to be wary of Qu Qizhong—or rather, wary of his mouth. He had someone watch him specifically to keep him from speaking.

’Why is the bald man so afraid of him speaking?’

’Is it because he’s a smooth talker, or does he know the Oratory Skill?’

’If it’s really Oratory, this target has a lot of potential. Oratory is a very popular specialization in the Inner Sect of the Celestial Spirit Sect, after all.’

Zhang Deming thought to himself as he leaned against the wall.

"Wait, you can’t..." Qu Qizhong began to protest.

"Try me," said the young man named Lin Zi. He instantly pulled out a palm-sized swatter, the kind used for killing flies. The group had clearly come prepared.

Qu Qizhong looked at Lin Zi, who held the swatter with hands glowing with Spiritual Light, and obediently shut his mouth.

The sounds of frantic rummaging echoed from inside the house. Qu Qizhong opened his mouth to speak several times, but seeing the threat of the swatter in Lin Zi’s hand, he held his tongue.

A moment later, the two men who had gone inside to search came out empty-handed.

They looked at the bald Qu Qixing and said, "Brother, there’s nothing."

Qu Qixing asked, "Not even a single coin?"

The young man named Ajie nodded. "Forget a coin, there isn’t even a piece of scrap metal with a hint of Spiritual Qi fluctuation."

Qu Qizhong finally spoke up. "I told you last time. Second Uncle already had his people come and take anything valuable.

Yesterday, Third Uncle sent people to trash my shop and they looted everything there too.

I really don’t have a single Spirit Stone left."

A vicious glint appeared in Qu Qixing’s eyes. He stared for a moment before speaking.

"I don’t care about any of that. I’ll give you ten more days. If you don’t pay back the Spirit Stones my family is owed, I won’t dare to Kill you—the clan rules prevent that.

But the Spirit Mountain Mine is always short on Mining Slaves. I’m sure you’re still worth something.

The other families acted fast and already recovered their losses. I’m sure the clan won’t find anything wrong if I take you to cover the debt."

Qu Qizhong’s expression changed. "Brother Xing," he said, "we’re all family. It doesn’t have to be like this..."

Before Qu Qizhong could finish, Qu Qixing cut him off. "Don’t give me that ’we’re family’ crap, and don’t even think about trying to talk your way out of this.

I’m telling you, this isn’t up for discussion.

That deadbeat dad of yours scammed everyone out of hundreds of Spirit Stones and then took the easy way out by dying. If you don’t pay me back, you just wait and see.

Let’s go!"