Translator: CinderTL
Wang Ying shook his head with a smug grin. "Heh, they have no choice. If they don't sell in Thousand Autumns City, they'll suffer even greater losses. Every region in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains has its own rules, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to establish a foothold."
Xu Sanyan clicked his tongue. "That old fourth elder was truly ruthless. No wonder he met such a fitting end—he deserved it."
"Since there haven't been any complications, let's proceed according to the fourth elder's plan."
"Agreed. My brother and I came here today for two reasons: first, to clarify this matter for Young Master Lin, and second, to congratulate you on your new residence. We didn't have time to prepare much, but please accept this small token of our sincerity."
Wang Ying produced a storage pouch from his robes and offered it to Xu Sanyan.
"Eh? What's this for?" Xu Sanyan waved his hands in refusal.
Wang Ying smiled mysteriously. "Young Master Lin, don't be so quick to refuse. Why not take a peek inside first?"
"Hmm?"
Sensing an ulterior motive, Xu Sanyan opened the pouch and glanced inside. It contained a pile of spirit stones—roughly several thousand.
Though the spirit stones were plentiful, they didn't catch his eye.
Beside the spirit stones was a porcelain bottle, which Wang Ying must have been referring to.
Xu Sanyan took out the bottle, opened it, and peered inside. The moment the stopper was removed, a rich, milky fragrance filled the air, so enticing that his throat involuntarily tightened.
"This is..." Xu Sanyan murmured, a suspicion forming in his mind.
"Heh, this is indeed the pool milk," Wang Ying said, his eyes gleaming with envy, clearly coveting the substance.
"The Matriarch sent me to deliver this to Young Master Lin as a congratulatory gift for his new residence," Wang Ying explained.
"The Matriarch..." Xu Sanyan frowned inwardly. He recalled the four women he had seen in the study earlier, among them a plump, middle-aged woman seated at the head of the table. She had smiled warmly at him, appearing very friendly. This must be the Matriarch, also known as the First Madam.
"This is far too valuable. I'm afraid I can't accept it..." Xu Sanyan said, but his hands remained firmly planted on the bottle, showing no intention of returning it.
As if I'd give back something already in my grasp!
"Uh..." Wang Ying was momentarily speechless. At least pretend to decline properly! Just a token refusal?
But such a remark would be inappropriate to voice directly. Wang Ying forced a perfunctory smile.
"Young Master Lin, please accept this. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain myself to the Matriarch upon my return. Though this item is precious, it cannot compare to the value of your friendship."
"Then... I shall humbly accept it," Xu Sanyan said, finally taking the gift with feigned reluctance.
Wang Yu cautioned, "There's something Young Master Lin should know. This item radiates spiritual energy like a raging fire. If taken internally, it must be consumed with juice from River Sun Grass. While this slightly diminishes its potency, it ensures safety."
"For external use, fill a large tub with clean water, drip the item into it, and stir thoroughly. Otherwise, it could harm your body."
Xu Sanyan nodded. "Understood. I'll remember that."
Just as Wang Yu finished speaking, Wang Ying added, "The Matriarch also instructed me to invite Young Master Lin to a small gathering at the estate if you have time in the coming days."
"Please convey my gratitude to the First Madam. I will certainly attend," Xu Sanyan replied. Having accepted their gift, he couldn't afford to be impolite.
"With your word, I can fulfill my duty," Wang Ying said with a smile. He then shifted the topic. "In a few days, Young Master Lin, I suggest you visit the various clans to make an appearance. It would serve as a deterrent and offer a chance for some leisure."
Hearing the word "leisure," Wang Yu's eyes lit up. "Young Master Lin, you're unaware of the clans' diverse offerings. They certainly won't disappoint you!"
"Oh?"
"Tell me more," Xu Sanyan said, his spirits lifting. He was no longer sleepy; he loved trying new things.
Wang Yu smiled mysteriously. "First, there's the Yang Family of Ruler Mountain. Their women are slender and graceful, with skin like jade and supple bodies. They're also masters of hospitality."
"Then there's the Ma Family of Ancient Forest. Their strict family traditions produce women with stern, unsmiling faces, yet they possess a unique allure. If you'd like to experience it, Brother Lin, I can take you there tomorrow. What do you say?"
These minor families lived in the cracks between the major powers. To them, the Wang Family was like the emperor, holding the power of life and death over them. Wang Ying and his peers acted as the court officials, constantly overseeing and controlling them.
"Hmm..." Xu Sanyan hesitated, then shook his head. "Let's not rush. We can go together when we have more free time."
He had too many pressing matters to attend to right now.
Wang Yu's smile turned somewhat lewd. "Heh heh, no problem. We'll await Brother Lin's word."
"Very well."
The brothers rose to leave. "We'll take our leave now. If you need anything, Brother Lin, just send word. We're staying at Residence B on Apricot Grove Street."
"Thank you. I'll see you out."
Xu Sanyan escorted them to the door, then returned to the stone bench, took out the porcelain bottle, and gently shook it, his mind swirling with thoughts.
Xu Sanyan had now officially entered the Wang Family's radar, and a flurry of matters began to demand his attention.
This was inevitable. Unless he hid deep in the mountains, he would always have to interact with people.
And interacting with people was wonderful. He loved it most of all. After all, where else would he find opportunities for profit?
Xu Sanyan gazed at the porcelain bottle in his hand and smiled faintly.
The Wang Ying brothers had barely left when Wang Zixuan arrived, her eyes sweeping the surroundings as if she were the mistress of the place.
"Brother Lin, everything's arranged," she said, settling onto Xu Sanyan's lap. "The goods will be ready in two months, but we need to pay half the deposit upfront."
"How much?" Xu Sanyan asked, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her neck, greedily inhaling her scent. He had grown particularly fond of it lately.
Wang Zixuan casually looped her arms around his neck, pressing herself tightly against him as she replied, "The deposit is twenty thousand spirit stones. Each magic artifact costs one thousand spirit stones, and as you instructed, they're just the most ordinary kind."
"Alright," Xu Sanyan nodded inwardly. The price was quite reasonable, likely due to the Third Madam's influence.
Wang Zixuan glanced around. "This mansion feels too empty. I'll go pick out some maids and servants tomorrow."
"Brother Lin... what kind do you like?"
Xu Sanyan's lips curled into a smile as he tilted his head and kissed her chin. Slowly straightening up, his cheek brushed against hers, the stubble creating a tingling sensation.
Their eyes met, their lips separated by less than a finger's width, close enough to feel each other's breath.
Xu Sanyan whispered, "Naughty ones..."
Wang Zixuan trembled, glancing down at the arm beneath her skirt. Her voice shook as she replied, "Okay... sniff..."
Before she could finish, his lips silenced her, stifling the rest of her words.
Soon, the sound of tearing fabric echoed from the stone pavilion in the courtyard...
As the sun set, Wang Zixuan reluctantly departed. The Third Madam, known for her strictness, had sent someone to summon her back. Otherwise, she would never have left.
Xu Sanyan sat quietly in the stone pavilion, gently shaking a porcelain bottle in his hand.
He had decided to ingest the pool milk directly and was now contemplating whether to mix it with River Sun Grass.
He felt confident that his physique was strong enough to handle it even without the herb. His body had been repeatedly enhanced, far surpassing ordinary human limits. What harm could a mere drop of pool milk possibly do?
(End of the Chapter)
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