Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1458 - 917: Tenderness Like Water (Part 2)

~7 minute read · 1,819 words
Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
Fang Shou, a cultivator from the Cui Lake Fang family, plans to expand into the Sea of Spirit and sees the Yang family as a target to probe their strength. Despite warnings from his subordinate, Li Shangyuan, Fang Shou intends to lure the Yang family into revealing themselves by increasing his manpower. Meanwhile, Yang Zhenshan and Zhongli Xiayi discuss recent unrest in the Sea of Spirit.
"Mm, more than just not peaceful, it’s about to be turned upside down!" Yang Zhenshan lifted the teacup and gently savored the rich fragrance of the tea. Zhongli Xiayi chuckled. "But you don’t seem the least bit anxious!" Yang Zhenshan looked up, staring at her in apparent surprise. "Why should I be anxious? With the Ten Thousand Treasures Store backing me, could anyone possibly dare make a move against the Yang family?" Hearing this, Zhongli Xiayi couldn’t help but giggle. "Yang, are you planning to borrow the tiger’s might to bully others?" "But of course. Otherwise, why would I have joined the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?" Yang Zhenshan said carelessly. Zhongli Xiayi laughed so hard her whole body trembled, waves surging. "I just like how honest you are, Yang." Yang Zhenshan raised a hand and waved it. "Fellow Daoist Zhong Li, don’t you start messing around. I’m a man with a family; I can’t endure your favor!" Zhongli Xiayi’s beautiful eyes flowed with light as she smiled sweetly at Yang Zhenshan. Her jade-like hand picked up the teapot and poured him another cup of tea. "So what if you have a family? I don’t mind in the least." This time Yang Zhenshan really was startled. He jerked his head up, looking at Zhongli Xiayi in disbelief. Could this woman really harbor other intentions toward me? He looked at Zhongli Xiayi, and Zhongli Xiayi was looking at him. Their gazes collided, yet Yang Zhenshan still couldn’t see through Zhongli Xiayi’s thoughts. Zhongli Xiayi was smiling, lips slightly upturned, dimples faintly showing. That hint of a smile spread from the corners of her eyes, like spring water breaking ice, golden shards leaping over the waves, pupils as if holding unmelded morning dew, clear and moist with a gentle sheen. Soft as running water! That phrase suddenly popped into Yang Zhenshan’s mind. But he quickly reacted. Soft as running water, my ass! If you believe that, you’ve already lost! Yang Zhenshan had lived for over a hundred years, after all. As for matters between men and women, he’d long since lost the cravings and urgency of the young. Though he still had physical needs, his powerful cultivation gave him an extremely strong degree of self-control. In certain places, if he wanted it hard, it would be harder than an iron rod—this wasn’t a metaphor, it really was harder than an iron rod. If he wanted it soft, then it couldn’t even hold up a thread. The physical needs were still there, and the desire between men and women hadn’t vanished, but Yang Zhenshan was no longer a man of crude, low tastes. When it came to men and women, he had always been extremely restrained. So aside from Yu Qingyi, he had never had any other thoughts about other women. He was like this, and other Cultivators were the same. Whether Martial Artist or Immortal Cultivator, they were all very restrained when it came to matters of men and women, unless they were cultivating some special Cultivation Technique. This could be seen clearly from the many experts. Take Lin Daoyuan, Yun Xiao, Yue E, Yue Qing and so on; they were all single, without partners. They had once married, once taken spouses; they also had descendants, yet in the end they were all alone. Precisely because they restrained their desires. Cultivation is not just cultivation of power and strength, but also of one’s state of mind. Anyone who can become a powerhouse is, in most cases, able to restrain the desires that come from the flesh. Others were like this, and Zhongli Xiayi was no exception. Zhongli Xiayi was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator. To say she was soft and tender like a little woman was definitely just an illusion. Of course, experts also formed Dao-companion relationships. But Dao-companions are not husband and wife, nor lovers; they are partners who can walk together on the long road of the Dao. Cultivators have feelings, but they will not be ruled by them. "Hehe~~" Seeing the incredulous look on Yang Zhenshan’s face, Zhongli Xiayi covered her mouth and laughed till she shook. "Ah, I almost let my heart waver there!" Yang Zhenshan joked. "Wouldn’t that be such a pity then!" Zhongli Xiayi said with a smile. "I’m not blessed enough to enjoy it, not blessed at all!" Yang Zhenshan lowered his head, waving his hand again and again. He didn’t know what was in Zhongli Xiayi’s mind. Maybe she really did have that kind of intention, or maybe she was just teasing him. But no matter what she was thinking, he himself had no such intentions. Yang Zhenshan shifted the topic. "Does the Ten Thousand Treasures Store have no designs on the Sea of Spirit?" The change of subject was a bit abrupt, but Zhongli Xiayi put away her playful expression and said solemnly, "None!"

Yang Zhenshan exhibited no surprise. Considering the considerable power and widespread influence of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, it was entirely normal for them to hold a less than favorable view of the Sea of Spirit.

He carefully chose his words, then inquired, "Might I have the opportunity to engage two Guest Elders from the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?"

This particular request was the genuine reason for his visit with Zhongli Xiayi today.

Just the previous day, both Lu Fusheng and Lan Peng had conveyed their decision to him. Ultimately, they had resolved to request his assistance in inviting two Guest Elders from the Ten Thousand Treasures Store to maintain a presence in the Ancient County City.

"Engage them? For what purpose?" Zhongli Xiayi inquired.

"Ah, it's truly nothing of great consequence. As you are aware, the Sea of Spirit has been rather turbulent lately. With the backing of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store for the Yang family, we have little fear of minor troublemakers. However, the situation is different for the other Martial Arts Families!"

Yang Zhenshan proceeded to provide a concise explanation of the Lu family's circumstances and his personal connection to them.

After a period of contemplation following his explanation, Zhongli Xiayi stated, "It is not entirely out of the question, but there will be a cost in contribution points!"

Upon hearing that contribution points would be necessary, Yang Zhenshan immediately grasped her meaning.

Under typical conditions, the Guest Elders affiliated with the Ten Thousand Treasures Store did not accept external commissions. Yet, within the establishment of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, the Guest Elder system operated largely on a commission basis.

They received contribution points as remuneration, engaging in various commissioned tasks.

These duties encompassed a wide spectrum: the creation of elixirs and artifacts, the crafting of talismans, the arrangement of defensive arrays, the hunting of demonic beasts, the escorting of merchant caravans, and numerous other activities.

While the Lu family lacked the standing to directly hire the Ten Thousand Treasures Store's Guest Elders, Yang Zhenshan, as an eighth-grade Guest Elder himself, possessed the authority to post specific tasks within the Store.

This could include, for instance, the procurement of a particular herb or the elimination of a designated demonic beast.

Naturally, he also had the option of hiring a number of Guest Elders for personal protection.

The prospect of dispatching them to a specific location to establish an ongoing presence was not entirely beyond the realm of possibility; it was merely that the Ten Thousand Treasures Store generally discouraged such assignments.

The primary reason for this was the potential for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store to become entangled in certain avoidable power struggles.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Store itself held no vested interest in the Sea of Spirit and, consequently, had no desire to become involved in the local conflicts.

Under normal circumstances, they would not permit Guest Elders to privately participate in the disputes between other factions. However, this presented a secondary challenge: Guest Elders were, by their nature, affiliated with certain existing powers. It would be unfeasible for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store to outright prohibit them from assisting their own kin in vying for advantages.

Should such a prohibition be enacted, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store would likely face significant difficulties in recruiting any Guest Elders at all.

"I understand. I shall proceed to the Wanxiang Building shortly and post a task!" Yang Zhenshan declared.

"Indeed, certain aspects will require more explicit clarification. For instance, designating that Ancient County City as territory belonging to the Yang family," Zhongli Xiayi advised.

This suggestion essentially involved navigating a loophole within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store's regulations: the Guest Elders would be engaged under Yang Zhenshan's name, and the parties requiring protection would, by extension, be the Yang family's interests.

Yang Zhenshan offered a smile and replied, "There is no need for such specifics. I will simply invite two Guest Elders to reside in Yang Family Town, and then dispatch the Yang family's Foundation Establishment Cultivators to maintain a presence in the Ancient County City."

Rules may be rigid, but people are adaptable.

By merely reassigning personnel slightly, he could achieve the optimal outcome for both objectives.

Naturally, all associated expenditures would be shouldered by the Lu family; Yang Zhenshan had no intention of providing assistance without compensation.

After concluding his conversation with Zhongli Xiayi, Yang Zhenshan made his way directly to the Wanxiang Building and submitted his task request.

The posting sought the engagement of two Guest Elders to reside in Yang Family Town, offering a remuneration of one hundred contribution points annually.

A sum of one hundred contribution points was approximately equivalent to one hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones. For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, earning one hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones per year represented a rather substantial compensation.

Nevertheless, this figure was significant primarily for ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators. For accomplished Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, Talisman Masters, and Array Masters, such an amount of contribution was scarcely noteworthy.

Yang Zhenshan could effortlessly exchange a single Demon Essence Pill for several hundred contribution points. Furthermore, a single high-grade Demon Essence Pill had previously earned him three thousand contribution points, along with the esteemed position of an eighth-grade Guest Elder.

Consequently, he was not currently experiencing any shortage of contribution points and did not hesitate to expend a few hundred to facilitate the Lu family's recruitment of two Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

As for the rationale behind not pursuing recruitment from external sources beyond the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?

His lack of trust was for a straightforward reason. With the Ten Thousand Treasures Store's stellar reputation backing them, the Guest Elders carried an implicit assurance. Should any mishap occur, the responsibility for resolution would inherently fall upon the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.