Free Web NovelChapter 823: Chapter 77: No Winter (Extra for Alliance Hierarch Beiji Xiong 2008!)
Zhongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wuyou were still in Zi City and hadn’t come over, each arranging various matters. By the time they set out to sea, it would be time to directly reveal the dice cup and show their hand.
The Zhong Xuan Family currently operates two islands on the sea. One is Eternal Winter Island, which has been managed for many years, and the other is Chongjia Island, obtained from the Da Ze Tian Clan in exchange for resources. Of course, they only have the right to develop the latter for ten years.
Eternal Winter Island is not far from Haimen Island, roughly at the latter’s waist-level position, facing each other across the water. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Chongjia Island lies even further east, nearing the largest military island that Qi Country has in the Near Sea Archipelago—JueMing Island.
In the end, Jiang Wang first arrived at Eternal Winter Island.
It was Lin Youxie who was responsible for finding the Cui Fang Luo. However, how to make it flow into the market normally and let Wu Yi Yui know about it without leaving traceable clues was not something Jiang Wang and Lin Youxie could do on their own. It also required the operation of forces in the Near Sea Archipelago.
This had nothing to do with personal combat power or ability.
For Jiang Wang, the power of the Zhong Xuan Family was naturally the first choice, also serving as a warm-up for the subsequent rescue of Zhu Bijing.
Zhongxuan Sheng indeed achieved this, although it’s unknown what he had paid for it.
At least half of the Zhong Xuan Family’s power on Eternal Winter Island would support Jiang Wang.
Although it was still spring, the island was already scorchingly hot, earning its name "Eternal Winter" because of the lack of a cold season.
Jiang Wang didn’t get to meet Zhongxuan Minghe. As the leader of the Zhong Xuan Family’s overseas domain, Zhongxuan Minghe was too busy with various matters to meet a junior, which was within expectations.
The person who greeted him was a familiar face, Zhongxuan Xin with a hawk-like nose.
Initially, there had been a dispute between him and Jiang Wang over the Heavenly Abode Secret Land quota.
Zhongxuan Zun had casually arranged for him to sabotage Zhongxuan Sheng’s trip to the Heavenly Abode Secret Land, but Zhongxuan Sheng kicked him aside resolutely and chose to bring Jiang Wang along.
Later, when Zhongxuan Sheng overcame Wang Yiwu’s opposition to successfully secure the Heavenly Abode Secret Land, he, not particularly valued by Zhongxuan Zun, feared retaliation and quickly pledged allegiance to Zhongxuan Sheng.
Back then, Zhongxuan Sheng lacked manpower and welcomed all comers. After rising to power, however, there was no shortage of hands under him, and Zhongxuan Xin became an elder.
It was unclear when Zhongxuan Xin had arrived on Eternal Winter Island overseas, and Jiang Wang had never paid attention to him.
But it was probably Zhongxuan Sheng’s arrangement.
Such deployments, given Zhongxuan Sheng’s cunning and methods, might already be numerous and unknown.
If Zhongxuan Zun could stay in the Under Jixuegong for three to five years, perhaps the position of the Family Head of the Zhong Xuan Family would have been certain... Unfortunately, there was only a one-year term.
Putting aside these matters, upon seeing Jiang Wang again, Zhongxuan Xin was extremely enthusiastic, "It has been a long time, Brother Jiang still carries the same grace!"
This caused Jiang Wang, who was accustomed to the polite phrase "grace as always," to struggle with a response.
He had to reply instead, "Young Master Xin is too courteous."
"How can you call me ’Young Master’? That’s too formal!" Zhongxuan Xin complained affectionately, "You and my brother Sheng have a fraternal relationship, so you are also my elder brother. Just call me Xiao Xin!"
"Uh, Ah Xin."
Jiang Wang certainly didn’t have the face to casually call him ’Xiao Xin,’ so he promptly turned to the main issue, "I came here to handle some affairs. Has Zhongxuan Sheng mentioned them to you?"
"Mentioned, mentioned!" Zhongxuan Xin patted his chest, "I am all prepared. Whatever it is, Brother Jiang, just command me!"
Unlike the first meeting in Heavenly Mansion City, at that time, Jiang Wang was but an unknown petty official with white hair. As a member of the Zhong Xuan Family with Zhongxuan Zun’s backing, he could naturally afford to be a bit arrogant.
However, Jiang Wang of today has defeated Wang Yi Wu head-on and trampled over Lei Zhanqian, becoming the most dazzling genius among the younger generation in the entire Qi Country.
And Zhongxuan Sheng has clearly declared his intent to fight Zhongxuan Zun for the headship, escalating the battle to such a point. From an impossible substitute, he now sits firmly in the position of heir, seemingly with even greater advantage than Zhongxuan Zun!
It was common knowledge in Zi City that Zhongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang shared a life-and-death friendship. Now following Zhongxuan Sheng, it made sense for him to cling tightly to those coattails.
Working on Eternal Winter Island was a cushy job. It was easygoing, free, plentiful in resources, and the locals served them with utmost respect and fear. If he hadn’t pledged allegiance early, how could he have had this chance?
With the full cooperation of Zhongxuan Xin, of course, everything was quite convenient.
Jiang Wang only stayed on Eternal Winter Island for an hour, not having the chance to truly appreciate the island, before he had already returned to Haimen Island.
...
...
Lin Youxie truly had extraordinary reach; in just a day and a half, he had procured the Cui Fang Luo.
Through Zhongxuan Xin, Jiang Wang directly arranged for this piece of Cui Fang Luo to be included in the nearest auction event on Haimen Island.
The reason for still setting the scene on Haimen Island was because it was the most neutral territory, and in terms of business, it was hardly inferior to Huai Island. For Wu Yi Yui, who was moving in the shadows, it was supposed to be the safest place.
To lure the snake out of its hole, one must not alarm the snake.
The auction event was actually organized by the Business Alliance, and not by Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which has more influence in the Near Sea Archipelago. It was naturally because of the cooperation between Zhongxuan Sheng and the Business Alliance.
It was only after coming back to Linzi that Jiang Wang learned Qing Xi of the Business Alliance had obtained new longevity treasures and temporarily averted his lifespan crisis, reasserting his control over the Business Alliance’s power.
No one could say for sure how many longevity treasures Qing Xi had consumed, but with the wealth of the Business Alliance, as long as they were available for a price, they could afford it.
Every few years, there were rumors of his lifespan coming to an end, but he was always still alive, though he always looked decrepit.
Even Zhongxuan Sheng couldn’t figure out just how long the old Alliance Hierarch of the Business Alliance had been alive.
Some said he was over one hundred and twenty years old, others claimed he was nearly two hundred. In short, opinions varied widely.
What everyone could confirm was that Qing Xi was the fifth Alliance Hierarch of the Business Alliance; under his leadership, the Business Alliance reached its peak, and for many years since, has been ranked as the number one merchant association in Qi Country.
Even if counted from the day he took over as Alliance Hierarch, it had already been over a hundred years, and by then, Qing Xi was already not young.
And he definitely hadn’t reached the God Arrival Stage; he hadn’t completely broken through the mortal lifespan limitations.
The path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties. Pushing the boundaries of Heaven and Earth Gate was already something that couldn’t be sought from others, and the God Arrival Stage required one to determine one’s own "path" and truly in one’s mind, "As If A God Descends." Additional resources couldn’t help with this.
Qing Xi lacked the talent to achieve the God Arrival Stage, but somehow, he managed to break through the lifespan limit by stacking longevity treasures, which was quite a wonder. It really made people exclaim that wealth could indeed lead to "deity."
Getting through a lifespan crisis wasn’t anything rare for Qing Xi, and many people had even gotten used to it.
Among the scattered pieces of information about the Business Alliance, there was another inconspicuous matter.
It was that Fu Miuy, a first-class deacon of the Business Alliance, who had one of his ears cut off by Zhongxuan Sheng, had previously been highly trusted by Qing Xi and given many duties, with the potential to take over the Business Alliance.
He was also very actively preparing for the "succession," but unfortunately, a few days before the Lunar New Year’s Eve, he accidentally got involved in a conflict started by a cult during a trip to handle business abroad and met with an accidental death. His remains have not been found to this day.
There were also rumors that he was set up by a rival within the Business Alliance. Whether it was true or not was a mystery.
Due to the identity of Fu Miu as a first-class deacon, there was some discussion, but it did not last long.
For Jiang Wang, these matters were just things he heard in passing, and he just listened without much concern.
Returning to the auction event on Haimen Island, Cui Fang Luo is a pinecone-shaped herb, with a vibrant green color and a fragrance that fills the nose, lingering on the teeth and lips.
Burning it can calm the mind; consuming it can nourish the vital essence.
Simply in terms of value, it is not a top-grade herb. But because it is delicate and not easy to grow, it is very rare, which inflates its price.
The merchant ships in the Near Sea Archipelago come and go frequently, and the variety of goods is as numerous as the stars. Yet, there has not been a single transaction involving Cui Fang Luo in the past year, indicating its rarity.
However high the price may be, it wouldn’t deter a Transcendent Cultivator like Wu Yiyu. After all, for an Outer Building Environment powerhouse, acquiring resources from anywhere wouldn’t prevent them from affording a Cui Fang Luo.
Cui Fang Luo doesn’t really help an Outer Building Environment Cultivator, and its significance for Wu Yiyu lies only in the Secret Needle technique of the Golden Needle.
As Qi Country’s number one ranked merchant association, the Business Alliance has a dedicated guild hall on Haimen Island, where the auction is being held.
The auction event had three days of buildup, and the list of items that should appear at the auction had already been circulated to those who should know.
As long as Wu Yiyu is still in the Near Sea Archipelago, as long as he isn’t in closed-door cultivation or meets with some other accident, he won’t miss this information.
Especially those who are hiding from place to place, they pay even more attention to the slightest movement in the outside world.
Jiang Wang was quite confident that Wu Yiyu wouldn’t slip away.
In a private room of the guild hall, two Qing brand catchers from Linzi sat across from each other.
The atmosphere was neither good nor bad.
"I’ve made the arrangements," Jiang Wang said. "Once the buyer of the Cui Fang Luo leaves, I will personally track them."
"Lord Jiang seems very confident in his tracking skills. Oh, of course, after all, you are the expert who managed to track down King of Qin Guang and King of Chu Jiang," replied the other.
Although Lin Youxie recognized Jiang Wang’s goal of coming to the Near Sea Archipelago, she still couldn’t change her probing tone and her suspicion.
Jiang Wang was rather helpless, "I just had good luck those two times, that’s all. Particularly the time with King Qin Guang, I was fortunate that Deity Yue Leng arrived in time to save me. Deputy Lin, please stop teasing me." freeweɓnøvel.com
Seeing that the Gold Needle Sect case was about to close, Lin Youxie seemed willing to temporarily stop her pursuit. She also shifted her thoughts, reconsidering the relationship with Lin Youxie so as not to add to the confusion in the future.
Therefore, her words were somewhat submissive.
Of course, she also hinted to Lin Youxie that discovering King Qin Guang was something that Deity Yue Leng had personally participated in and confirmed. No matter how good you are at solving cases, can you be stronger than a deity? No matter how suspicious you are, can you doubt a deity himself?
Lin Youxie clicked her tongue a few times but ultimately didn’t say anything more.
She had her plans.
While they were talking, the auction in the guild hall had officially started.
