Chapter 166: Solving Three Things for You

In the room, Ma Qingshan stared blankly at Wang Yan’s retreating figure for a long time without speaking. His hands gradually clenched, and a ferocious expression slowly appeared on his face.

But then, as if remembering something, his expression suddenly changed, showing a flash of pain. He lowered his head and said, “I know. I know everything you said. But it’s not that I don’t want to return to my peak; it’s that I can’t. The people from the Chenggang Group are watching me all the time. They know my every move. How dare I leave this place to pursue my ambitions and give all of you a better life? I… I’m powerless…”

When Ma Qingshan finally came out of the room, he saw Wang Yan tidying up the small shop. Jiang Xincheng was sitting at a wooden table, leisurely drinking tea. Noticing Ma Qingshan, Jiang Xincheng smiled slightly and pointed to a cup of tea beside him.

Frowning, Ma Qingshan slowly walked over to Jiang Xincheng. He grabbed the cup of tea from the table and chugged it down. Wang Yan saw Ma Qingshan’s disheartened state and frowned deeply. She let out a long sigh, clearly understanding the choice he had made and feeling utterly helpless.

“You should go. I won’t leave with you. Don’t waste your time,” Ma Qingshan said coldly to Jiang Xincheng after finishing the tea. His attitude was even worse than before, which made Wang Yan’s expression change. She bit her lip, turned around, and went back into the inner room.

Jiang Xincheng smiled faintly and placed a teacup in front of Ma Qingshan. “What Mr. Ma is worried about, first, is the death of his good brother Chen Yong. There’s a knot in your heart that you can’t untie yet, so you’re unwilling to come out of seclusion.”

“So what if that’s true!” Ma Qingshan stared coldly at Jiang Xincheng, his tone indifferent.

Jiang Xincheng remained calm and unfazed. He picked up a second teacup. “The second thing Mr. Ma is worried about is the safety of your parents, wife, and children. You’re afraid that your actions might provoke retaliation from the Chenggang Group, causing them to target your loved ones and friends without restraint.”

Ma Qingshan said nothing. He just watched Jiang Xincheng while pouring himself another cup of tea. He drank and observed Jiang Xincheng silently.

“The third matter weighing on Mr. Ma’s mind is yourself. The Chenggang Group damaged your Dantian and Meridians, causing your top-tier cultivation talent to vanish. You can no longer grasp powerful strength or control your own destiny. So, Mr. Ma, you are afraid, worried, and even terrified,” Jiang Xincheng said clearly, looking straight at Ma Qingshan.

Ma Qingshan’s face remained cold as he stared at Jiang Xincheng. “Are you done? If you are, then leave. Don’t interfere with my business.” Though he didn’t answer directly, Jiang Xincheng could see the answer written on Ma Qingshan’s face.

So, instead of leaving, Jiang Xincheng casually poured himself another cup of tea. While drinking, he looked at Ma Qingshan and said, “If I can help you solve these three problems, will you follow me and help me build a vast empire?”

“Impossible things are not worth mentioning,” Ma Qingshan replied, his tone slightly wavering but still cold. Clearly, he didn’t believe Jiang Xincheng could help him with these issues.

Jiang Xincheng noticed Ma Qingshan’s doubt. He took a square box from his pocket and placed it in front of Ma Qingshan. “Let’s start with the third matter. Inside this box are five Mutated Yuan Crystals. But these are special Mutated Yuan Crystals with positive effects. They not only enhance a Practitioner’s physical strength and flexibility but can also heal their Meridians and Dantian. I’ve already used some myself, and there aren’t many left. These five are for you. If you don’t believe me, you can test them yourself. Oh, and to avoid you thinking I’m trying to harm you, I can absorb one first as a demonstration.”

As Jiang Xincheng reached to take one of the Mutated Yuan Crystals to demonstrate, Ma Qingshan abruptly opened the box and grabbed one himself. His face showed both excitement and impatience. “I’m already like this; how much worse could it get? No need for you to test it.”

With those words, Ma Qingshan began absorbing the energy from the Mutated Yuan Crystal. As the energy flowed into his body, he quickly felt it repairing his Meridians and Dantian, with no harmful effects at all. Ma Qingshan trembled all over, staring in disbelief at the Mutated Yuan Crystal in his hand. For a long time, he was speechless.

These five Mutated Yuan Crystals were the remaining Mutated Yuan Crystal Golden Body Stones that Jiang Xincheng had. They were also among the super Mutated Yuan Crystal Divine Stones that appeared in later waves of the Mutated Yuan Crystal frenzy. Not only could they be used to temper the body and enhance physical strength and flexibility, but they could also repair a Practitioner’s damaged internal organs, Meridians, and Dantian.

In his previous life, the Xuanyuan Family managed to persuade Ma Qingshan to come out of seclusion and assist them by using several extremely precious Mutated Yuan Crystal Golden Body Stones. These helped Ma Qingshan restore his Meridians and Dantian, allowing him to return to the path of cultivation.

But back then, Ma Qingshan had already wasted several years. Even with ample Cultivation Resources and a powerful Origin Force Cultivation Method as his foundation, he still failed to reach the pinnacle. His personal strength remained insufficient, ultimately leading to his assassination.

Now, however, Jiang Xincheng had brought the Mutated Yuan Crystal Golden Body Stones nearly ten years earlier. If Ma Qingshan could seize this opportunity to repair his Meridians and Dantian and restart his cultivation journey, his innate talent and aptitude would surely lead to achievements far beyond those of his previous life, avoiding the tragic fate that once befell him.

Watching Ma Qingshan gripping the Mutated Yuan Crystal Golden Body Stone tightly, as if afraid someone might snatch it away, Jiang Xincheng knew he had made the right move. Although it cost him five Golden Body Stones, the sacrifice was well worth it compared to gaining the allegiance of a super business genius like Ma Qingshan.

Jiang Xincheng pushed the remaining four Mutated Yuan Crystal Golden Body Stones in the box toward Ma Qingshan. “Mr. Ma, these five Mutated Yuan Crystals can not only repair your Meridians and Dantian but also enhance your physical strength and Cultivation Foundation. This will make your future cultivation efforts twice as effective. With that, your third problem is solved. Next, let’s address the second issue.”

As he spoke, Jiang Xincheng placed a silver token in front of Ma Qingshan. “I am a member of the Flourishing Tang Empire and currently hold the position of Centurion. This grants me authority equivalent to a Level 6 civil servant of the Shenxia Alliance— the same level as the heads of the Xiangcheng Department of Public Security and Wu’an Department. While I may not be able to eliminate the evil Chenggang Group and avenge you just yet, if I step in to protect you, no one from the Chenggang Group will dare to target you for the next ten years. Your family and friends will also be safe.”

“And if you agree to my offer and come with me to Hetang County to lead the Jianghe Group for me, you will be able to mobilize experts to protect your loved ones. That way, your family and friends will be even safer.”