Free Web NovelChapter 477: Chapter 9: Commerce Association Young Master (Part 2)
It wasn’t that I had extravagant hopes of trading for the Green Blood Pill of Holy Beast Mountain, but just a hope to catch a glimpse of it.
Even if I could just smell its fragrance, by some stroke of luck, maybe I could comprehend its pill formula?
While everyone was discussing, Li Ji’an’s divine sense frequently sensed the young gentleman’s dismissive sneer.
Until a month and a half later, when the flying boat was about to cross the borders of Treasure Bottle Continent to reach White Deer Continent, through careful observation along the way and intercepting their divine sense transmissions, Li Ji’an finally confirmed that this young gentleman from the Jinhua Commerce Association had aspirations for the Green Blood Pill.
"The Young Master? Wu Yehua... the fifth son of the Jinhua Commerce Association!" Simultaneously, he confirmed the other party’s identity.
As a first-class honored guest elder of Si Shui Commerce Association, he couldn’t avoid being influenced by information about rival associations, even if he didn’t want to know.
The Jinhua Commerce Association is slightly different from the Si Shui Commerce Association; it is a thoroughly family-owned monopoly by the Wu Clan.
Although the Si Shui Commerce Association is also primarily led by the Yuan Family, it is jointly controlled by three families, and the other two families have the authority, according to ancestral rules, to remove the head of the Yuan Family.
And before him was Wu Yehua, the fifth son of the Jinhua Commerce Association.
At the same time, the current old president of the Jinhua Commerce Association doesn’t have much longevity left; three sons and two daughters beneath him all have hopes of inheriting the presidency.
The fifth son has just reached Foundation Establishment, with the lowest cultivation level, while the two older brothers, the eldest is over two hundred years old with a Fake Pill cultivation, the second is over eighty and at Foundation Establishment Peak, the third sister is over sixty, in the Late Period of Foundation Establishment, and the fourth sister is similar in age to him but has not yet reached Foundation Establishment.
Moreover, this generation of the Wu family has poor bloodlines; even after expending significant spiritual resources to nurture spiritual veins, their spirit roots are not much different, all within the mid-to-high grade range.
And those with aspirations for the position of president are the second and the fifth sons.
The competition is currently fierce.
This trip to White Deer Continent, Wu Yehua plans to unexpectedly obtain that Green Blood Pill to gain the support of most of the older generation in the association, also proving his commercial abilities.
"Boom!" In the dead of night, most cultivators on the spirit boat were meditating when a sudden explosion sounded.
Immediately, three concentrated magical power auras burst out violently.
"Be careful, young master!" The Fake Pill guardian of Wu Yehua immediately cast a magical shield to protect him.
"Bang, bang, bang!" In the next moment, three magic techniques had already struck the shield.
The target was clearly Wu Yehua.
"How dare you cause trouble in my Taian Escort Agency, aren’t you afraid of the Business Alliance exterminating your entire family?" The escort guards reacted immediately, appearing all around and surrounding the three Late Period Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Humph, this has nothing to do with the Escort Agency, it’s this fiend’s unforgivable actions."
"The hatred of taking a wife is irreconcilable; even if I die today, I must slay this villain!"
"Wu Yehua, stop hiding; even if you turn to ashes, I would recognize you."
The three Late Period Foundation Establishment cultivators were filled with righteous indignation, their gaze locked tightly on Wu Yehua, heavily protected.
Upon hearing this, Wu Yehua’s face suddenly darkened.
"Who leaked this young master’s tracks?" His first reaction wasn’t rage towards the three assassins before him but anger at the accompanying leader.
He, of course, wasn’t foolish, given his ambition for the presidency.
No matter the excuse the other party used, their goal had been achieved.
Causing trouble in the Nine Tripods Commerce Association’s escort service, whether it was his issue or not, would undoubtedly draw criticism from the Nine Tripods Commerce Association. Moreover, the Jinhua Commerce Association, always following the lead of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association, might just be used as an example by the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.
As such, his reputation in the Jinhua Commerce Association would plummet, almost equivalent to losing his qualification to compete for the presidency.
"This trip must secure the Green Blood Pill!" He instantly realized the current situation.
Only by obtaining the Green Blood Pill could the impact of this affair be mitigated.
"Young master, this old servant has always been loyal to you, entrusted by the mistress, and would never betray you," the leader hastily explained.
Wu Yehua exhaled slowly, looking towards the escort party, showing a remorseful expression: "Ladies and gentlemen, this matter truly cannot be blamed on me, nor can it be controlled by me; I hope for your understanding."
"No need to blame yourself, customer; since you trust our escort service, you’re a valued guest, and such petty thieves are ours to handle," the escort guards upheld the principle of customer-first.
"Thank you!" Wu Yehua cupped his hands in thanks, though he didn’t feel relieved; although the escort guards said so, their employer behind them certainly wouldn’t think that way.
An intense battle broke out instantly; many passengers had already retreated far away, with some even flying out of the spirit boat, watching from a distance.
There were nine escort guards in total, all Foundation Establishment stage experts. However, the three assassins possessed quasi Tier Three spirit talismans, and with magical combat occurring on the boat, the escort guards were cautious, making it challenging to solve the problem quickly.
Li Ji’an had long since flown out of the spirit boat, floating mid-air, watching the battle from afar.
"Buzz!" At this moment, a flash of light appeared mid-air, followed by a giant spiritual light net obstructing the spirit boat’s path.
"More bandits!" The escort party instantly became serious.
Because of the backing of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, the last incident in the Taian Escort Agency was over three hundred years ago, thus, the Cold Smoke Immortal City’s branch had indeed become negligent.
By rights, each branch is equipped with at least one Fake Pill True Man secretly escorting, but the Cold Smoke Immortal City branch has been drawing vacant salaries for nearly a century; there was no Fake Pill True Man on site anymore.
"We are the Taian Escort Agency under Nine Tripods Commerce Association; who dares disturb this peace? Show yourself!" Recognizing the severity of the situation, the leader of the escort couldn’t help but declare their major support.
Initially seeing the three thief cultivators attacking other passengers, it seemed like trivial skirmishes, hence they didn’t take it seriously.
But now that the other party had additional support, and had clearly prepared beforehand, the issue became serious.
If the trip indeed encountered problems, headquarters would undoubtedly conduct rigorous investigations, and their branch’s faked salaries would surely be exposed.
According to escort rules, they would all have to go into hiding, most likely becoming bandits, skulking in shadows.
"We seek only personal vengeance, unrelated to others!" After the spirit boat was trapped, people soared up from the mountain forest below, directly targeting Wu Yehua on the spirit boat.
"Shwoosh, shwoosh, shwoosh~" This time, the remaining passengers all flew out of the spirit boat, distancing themselves like Li Ji’an, watching from afar.
There were now only nine escort guards and Wu Yehua’s group left on the boat.
Including the prior three assassins, there were altogether fifteen opponents, all with Late Period Foundation Establishment cultivation.
"Humph! Who are you, bandits? Who sent you?" Wu Yehua, pale-faced, looked towards the leader.
Unexpectedly, the opponent insisted it was merely personal vendetta.
Wu Yehua shook his head secretly, yet, facing the thief cultivators with overall strength far surpassing his own side, he showed no fear, instead turning to the observing cultivators who had flown out of the spirit boat, cupping his hands: "Fellow cultivators, I am Wu Yehua of the Jinhua Commerce Association, my father Wu Yishan, offering a reward of one thousand spirit stones, I invite you to lend a hand; anyone willing to assist shall receive one thousand spirit stones; those who slay a thief cultivator will gain an additional thousand, while capturing one alive brings a two thousand bonus."
There were a total of twenty-three observing cultivators.
Apart from four Qi Refining junior cultivators accompanying their elders, the rest were also in Foundation Establishment stage. freёwebnovel.com
If all were to lend a hand, an instant overwhelming advantage could indeed be achieved.
"One thousand spirit stones!" Just lending a hand with such a generous offer tempted the crowd greatly.
Li Ji’an looked at Wu Yehua with appreciation; lacking in talent, yet possessing an extraordinary heart nature.
During his three years in Cold Smoke Immortal City, the biggest impression was that although the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain is free, commercially prosperous, and spiritually abundant... the common loose cultivators living there struggle more than those in the precisely ruled Cultivation Domains like the Celestial Cyan Domain.
Everywhere in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain requires spirit stones, with exceedingly high prices. Basic needs for low-level cultivators, such as spirit rice and basic pill medicines, are particularly expensive, even more so than in other domains.
The crucial fact is, although it seems commercially thriving, despite various commerce associations looking out for talent, common folks here almost have no opportunities to change their destinies.
The pathway upwards is virtually blocked by the associations; unless one joins an association, one remains at the mercy of them for life.
So, this reward of one thousand spirit stones is an immense attraction to ordinary loose cultivators.
As expected, in the next moment, several Late Period Foundation Establishment stage cultivators stood out, flying over to join Wu Yehua.
Wu Yehua wasn’t vague either, immediately paying each of them spirit stones.
Quickly, more people couldn’t hold back, joining Wu Yehua to lend a hand.
Not only would they earn spirit stones, but also stand on the same front as the Taian Commerce Association, even fighting for the young master of Jinhua Commerce Association. The main point being, now on an advantageous stage, from any perspective, it’s a rightful and rewarding venture.
Moments later, only Li Ji’an and the four Qi Refining junior cultivators remained, still watching from afar without joining the rescue.
