Chapter 13: All Is Ready
Chapter 13: All Is Ready
Water left undisturbed breeds no fish.
Zhu Fuqin understood this principle clearly, and so did everyone in the Zhu Residence. As long as men like Yao San knew their boundaries, the Zhu Residence wouldn’t think about replacing its cultivator steward.
Nevertheless, when Lu Hangzhi showcased his capabilities and raised the Third Courtyard’s output by sixty percent in just a single day, Zhu Fuqin was still profoundly infuriated. On the surface, she calmly instructed Lu Hangzhi to proceed freely and await the end-of-month results. Yet, with lightning speed, she simultaneously seized Yao San, confiscating all his property and assets.
Lu Hangzhi remained unaware of Yao San’s fate, only receiving a notification soon after. He was moved from the woodshed into a private, stand-alone courtyard—Yao San’s former residence.
Lu Hangzhi quickly felt the benefits of being Steward.
Near this courtyard lay five acres of Spirit Grain Paddy Field, the Third Courtyard’s most spiritual energy-abundant area—second only to the Young Mistress’s own chambers.
Cultivating within these walls, the speed at which his Spiritual Energy Vortex restored his magic power surged dramatically!
Using only ten Spirit Fruits, Lu Hangzhi cultivated diligently for an entire day.
His grasp of the Water Control Art, Revitalization Technique, and Tongue Sword Art grew increasingly adept;
Pushing himself through relentless, demanding cultivation, his magic power thickened considerably. From previously releasing twenty First Grade spells in one go, he could now unleash twenty-five consecutively. He was incredibly near the peak-stage of a First Grade Cultivator.
“No wonder the sects insist on settling in spiritual energy-rich locales and additionally setting up Great Spirit Gathering Formations. Cultivating while immersed in this spiritual energy felt truly amazing!”
Lu Hangzhi finally understood why sect disciples attained such lofty cultivation levels so young. Whereas the cultivators of Violet Cloud Town were mostly in their thirties, still mere Second Grade or Third Grade veterans. Most of them, despite their advanced age, barely made mediocre progress.
Indeed, to seriously pursue cultivation, joining a sect was undoubtedly the best path.
However, right now, he needed to handle the matters before him well before making long-term plans.
…
Very few knew of the changes in the Zhu Residence’s Third Courtyard.
To prevent leaks, Zhu Fuqin hadn’t even informed her father. Maids and senior female servants were strictly forbidden from entering or leaving. The only person free to come and go was the Steward—Lu Hangzhi.
These days, the Violet Cloud Town Marketplace was exceptionally bustling.
Since Guard Camp Elder Wu Zhichu officially assumed his post, gift-bearers had been streaming forth continuously. Even Spirit Fruits had become scarce, needing emergency purchases from the major clans.
Walking along Violet Cloud Town’s main street, Lu Hangzhi no longer dressed as an ordinary Zhu Residence houseboy. Instead, he wore the blue robes of the steward. Lü’e and Cong Fang followed a step behind him. Ordinary mortals wouldn’t dare lift their eyes to meet his gaze. Even cultivators, upon spotting Zhu Residence’s family emblem, became instantly respectful.
“Steward Lu, why exactly are we out today?” Lü’e and Cong Fang had finished their work. Getting out for air felt relaxing, but leaving the residence without the Young Mistress’s specific permission was unprecedented. Walking the streets, they felt an underlying unease.
Lu Hangzhi smiled without answering.
The two girls naturally didn’t know he carried the Third Courtyard’s entire four-day yield within his robes: two thousand seven hundred premium-grade Spirit Fruits.
He walked around the marketplace until he found Da Niu.
As the gifting fervor around Guard Camp Elder Wu subsided, a large portion of the Spirit Fruits given to him flooded back onto the market. Prices plummeted to below normal levels, causing deep distress among cultivators who depended on Spirit Fruits for their livelihood.
It couldn’t be helped…
This surge in gift-giving had been far larger than any before. Many cultivators and cultivator families had unloaded even their reserves, selling at inflated prices or giving them directly to Guard Camp Elder “Wu Zhichu”. This sudden return to the market from the Elder created an immediate surplus, flooding the market with supply far exceeding demand.
Eager to convert his overwhelming stockpile into Spirit Stone resources quickly, the Elder—not skilled in trade—slashed prices drastically to offload them. He set a rock-bottom price: three Spirit Fruits for five Spirit Coins. The cultivators who relied on Spirit Fruits seethed with anger but dared not protest. They could only swallow their pride and drop their own prices to barely scrape by.
Without a word, Lu Hangzhi sold his two thousand seven hundred premium-grade Spirit Fruits for three Spirit Coins each. He pawned them at the Auction House, receiving a pawn ticket and eight thousand one hundred Spirit Coins. Then, he stealthily melted back into the marketplace. Through a street vendor, he contacted Steward Wu, the Guard Camp Elder’s manager.
Upon hearing it was someone from the Zhu Residence requesting a meeting, Steward Wu instantly agreed without question.
They met in the River Watch Pavilion.
Seeing the appointment was a mere youngster, Steward Wu almost thought he had the wrong person. But observing Lu Hangzhi’s steward robes, he approached hesitantly:
“And you are…?”
“Lu Hangzhi. Steward Wu may call me Xiao Lu. Zhu Residence’s Young Lady Fuqin is my mistress.”
“Ah! An honor! A true honor!”
Steward Wu visibly jolted at the name. His expression instantly warmed, the wrinkles smoothing from his face.
As the former Steward of the Town Protector, he knew well that his master securing the Guard Camp Elder post largely stemmed from the Xu and Qin families needing a “sturdy” candidate to counter the Zhu Residence’s increasingly formidable power.
Though the Guard Camp Elder post seemed a prize, his master, stepping back from the powerful Town Protector role, was only a Third Rank newcomer. His strength couldn’t hope to oppose the Zhu Residence—let alone challenge their young prodigy, Zhu Fuqin, who’d reached the Third Rank Peak at such a tender age.
Such a heaven-defying talent was someone his master needed to befriend carefully. Steward Wu himself certainly needed to stay on good terms as well.
Lu Hangzhi said:
“Please, take a seat.”
“Hehe, Brother Lu Xiao, your courtesy is too much! How could I let you pay? This meal is on me. You settle the bill next time! Let this old man have his way today!” Steward Wu was truly smooth. He acted like a long-lost friend at their very first meeting, yet it felt strangely natural.
They exchanged pleasantries for a few laughs while wine and dishes were arranged. Only then did they get down to business:
“To what do I owe this meeting, Brother Lu Xiao?”
“Hehe, Steward Wu, pardon my youth. This lad was entrusted by Young Mistress Fuqin with the steward post, rather… unprepared. Meeting you today was simply to propose a business transaction. Hoping to shine a little before the Young Mistress.”
Lu Hangzhi explained.
Steward Wu remained impassive: “By all means, elaborate!”
“I heard Steward Wu holds a sizable surplus of Spirit Fruit urgently needing buyers, yet struggles to sell them. Coincidentally, this lad now holds a fair sum of Spirit Coins. I wondered if I might offer to purchase them. Firstly, to strengthen ties between our households. Secondly… well, to earn a modest profit difference. How does Steward Wu feel?”
These words struck Steward Wu right where it mattered most.
His eyes sparked brightly, sheer elasement washing over him. Heaven had answered! These past days, figuring out how to offload these Spirit Fruits had consumed his thoughts.
But market reality was immutable. Surplus killed demand. The Spirit Fruits were practically stationary.
Seeing the bi-weekly auction approaching rapidly, failure to convert this inventory meant missing the chance to bid on that Third Grade technique manual.
“What volume… can Brother Lu Xiao handle, pray tell?”
“Forty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”
“Sssss…”
A sharp intake of breath escaped Steward Wu. His gaze toward Lu Hangzhi instantly transformed.
Forty Low-Grade Spirit Stones!
That was approximately the going price for a standard Third Grade technique manual.
Just closing this deal would fulfill his master’s critical task!
But…
Steward Wu dared not quote carelessly.
Although Lu Hangzhi seemed very young, Steward Wu observed him closely. Lu Hangzhi spoke directly, yet his approach felt meticulously structured.
The words themselves held only one message…
Discount!
A concession must be made! Otherwise, today’s topic might just dissolve into idle wine-drinking chatter.
“Agreed!”
Steward Wu brooded for a moment before steeling his resolve. “Brother Lu Xiao treats others with sincerity. This old man despises deception. The absolute best price I can authorize is two Spirit Fruits for three Spirit Coins. Purchasing entirely for forty Low-Grade Spirit Stones… Let me calculate quickly… Hm… So, I’ll round it generously for you: Five thousand four hundred Spirit Fruits.”
Lu Hangzhi’s mental arithmetic was exceptional.
The instant Steward Wu spoke the final number, Lu Hangzhi knew it was a breathtaking deal. He slapped his palm decisively:
“Deal!”
Turning two thousand seven hundred premium-grade Spirit Fruits into five thousand four hundred regular ones? An immediate one-third profit? How could he refuse?
The transaction finalized swiftly. Both men beamed with satisfaction. They toasted each other enthusiastically several times before leaving together, spirits high, at the pavilion entrance.
As soon as Steward Wu vanished, Da Niu stepped out from a nearby alley, wearing thick, genuine happiness.
“Hangzhi.”
“Mm. How did it go?”
“Done! The prices these last days got crushed too hard. Sir ‘Chen Quji’ lost twenty Spirit Coins already! I mentioned your buyout proposal, and he agreed immediately.”
Da Niu grinned.
Relief steadied Lu Hangzhi: “And the other families?”
“Oh, them? Right now, they’re practically dying to sell at the regular market price. You offered them exactly that! Why wouldn’t they jump on it?”
“Well done, Da Niu!”
Hearing this, Lu Hangzhi’s mind untangled fully.
The confidence to swallow Steward Wu’s surplus whole came partly from the rock-bottom prices, perfect for bottom-feeding.
But to truly restore normal market prices, he’d prepared a dual strategy – instructing Da Niu to contact all Spirit Fruit Tree cultivators in Violet Cloud Town. He proposed buying their daily output directly, aiming to monopolize most Spirit Fruit resources.
With both fronts now secured, everything was ready.
The crucial element only needed arrival.
Tomorrow morning.
Violet Cloud Town’s Spirit Fruit prices would finally normalize.
Lu Hangzhi stood tall, ambition blazing strongly.
Da Niu scratched his head, bewildered:
“Hangzhi… care to tell me? Why buy so many Spirit Fruits? The Zhu Residence hosting more feasts?”
“Heh-heh.”
Lu Hangzhi chuckled lightly. “Somewhat.”
Da Niu: “……”
“You’ll know tomorrow anyway.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yep! Tomorrow!”
A quiet thrill churned within Lu Hangzhi.
Tomorrow.
It wasn’t just harvest time. It was Violet Cloud Town’s bi-weekly auction day. More excitingly, rumor held that Fuqin herself would preside this time. She’d also brought a Spiritual Artifact entrusted for auction by the Xuanxin Sect! Whenever an Xuanxin Sect artifact anchored the auction, Violet Cloud Town choked with Rogue Cultivators and disciples from every sect and sea.
Five thousand four hundred ordinary Spirit Fruits….
Really… that much?