Invincible Little School Doctor Chapter 2000: 2000: The Tallest Among the Shorties

The shop assistant promptly brought the individual forward.

It turned out to be the young man known as Ling Zhixing, whom Ye Haochuan had previously encountered at the Legendary Chamber of Commerce.

Although Ye Haochuan's interaction with this youth was brief, he recognized the man possessed a keen business mind. However, burdened by his family's declining fortunes, a lack of connections, and his own limited experience in the field, he had struggled to attain a significant position.

“So, it’s you. May I ask why you sought me out?” Ling Zhixing appeared confused by Ye Haochuan’s unexpected summons.

“I have a remarkable opportunity for you, but I wonder if you possess the fortitude to seize it!” Ye Haochuan chuckled before elaborating on the inn's situation to Ling Zhixing.

“You intend… for me to manage this establishment?” Ling Zhixing exclaimed, his disbelief palpable.

“What? Are you apprehensive?”

Ye Haochuan regarded Ling Zhixing with evident interest. “Did you not once profess that your ultimate aspiration was to become a merchant of great renown, akin to your grandfather? The chance is presented before you now, yet you falter?”

“No, I am not hesitating!” Ling Zhixing affirmed with sincerity.

“That’s the spirit! Young man, when fortune presents itself, do not let it pass you by!” Ye Haochuan adopted an almost paternalistic tone, seemingly forgetting his own comparable age to Ling Zhixing.

“But why? Why place such profound trust in me?” Ling Zhixing inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Ye Haochuan responded with a smile, “Is a young individual with aspirations, resolve, and innovative ideas not worthy of trust?”

His pronouncement, while somewhat florid, concealed the true rationale—a simple dearth of reliable personnel. He had selected the most suitable candidate from his limited options, hoping to cultivate some measure of loyalty through this act of favor.

Even if his judgment proved inaccurate, the consequences would be minimal, as the inn represented an unexpected gain. Its loss would not inflict significant emotional distress.

Despite the underlying pragmatism, his words resonated with profound encouragement and faith in Ling Zhixing’s ears, who was already visibly moved to the point of near tears.

“Rest assured, benefactor. I shall not disappoint you. I will utilize this inn as my foundation and construct a vast commercial empire for your benefit!” Ling Zhixing declared, his voice brimming with conviction.

By this point, Ling Zhixing had already come to view Ye Haochuan as a benefactor, one who had granted him the means for ascension.

Upon hearing this pledge, Ye Haochuan felt an even greater sense of reassurance. It appeared he had indeed found the right person this time, with a high degree of certainty.

“Regarding the inn, does it require a new designation?” Ling Zhixing inquired.

A shop’s signage is pivotal for its public image, yet Ye Haochuan held little personal interest in the art of naming.

However, at that precise moment, an idea struck Ye Haochuan. He procured a piece of paper, inscribed the characters of his name upon it, and presented it to Ling Zhixing.

“You may select any name for the signboard, but ensure this symbol is etched beneath it.”

“What… is this?” Ling Zhixing peered curiously at the script, which resembled tadpole-like characters.

“Simply follow the instructions; do not trouble yourself with its identity!” Ye Haochuan instructed. “Should anyone inquire for me, direct them to await me here. I anticipate my return within a year at the latest!”

The inclusion of his name's pinyin was a deliberate precaution. He harbored a concern that should his search for Long Keyue prove fruitless, her return to this location and her discovery of the inn might prevent her from aimlessly wandering.

Having conveyed his directives, Ye Haochuan requested the shop assistant produce the inn’s financial records for his review. The fate of the previous proprietor’s assets was of no consequence to him; the funds currently belonging to the inn, however, were now his.

The inn’s current holdings amounted to approximately five thousand red crystals. Ye Haochuan reclaimed his initial investment of nine hundred, leaving the remainder as operational capital for Ling Zhixing.

With an individual of Ling Zhixing’s business acumen managing the inn, and with the implicit protection afforded by Yan Meng, the County Marquis's son, the establishment seemed poised for significant growth.

With all matters elucidated, Ye Haochuan retrieved his greatsword and commenced his eastward journey.

Due to various unforeseen circumstances that caused delays, his departure, originally planned for noon, now occurred around three to four in the afternoon. Nevertheless, Ye Haochuan wasted no further time and departed with firm resolve.

Mushan City occupied a prime geographical position within Mushan County. Setting forth from the city, Ye Haochuan traveled approximately forty to fifty miles, eventually reaching a sparsely populated woodland.

Observing that night had fully descended, the prospect of reaching the next settlement before darkness closed in was clearly unfeasible. Ye Haochuan procured a tent and erected it in a secluded area.

Le Yao had once cautioned him that the forests of the Immortal Realm were perpetually perilous, owing to the unknown demon beasts that might lie in wait within their depths.

This vast forest, if not for its sheer immensity preventing rapid traversal, wouldn't have been Ye Haochuan's choice for an overnight stay. Travelling under the cloak of night presented dangers manifold compared to simply setting up camp.

The tent acquired in Mushan City, fashioned crudely from beast hide, carried a potent aroma of demon beast musk. This scent, it was rumored, could make those within indistinguishable from their kin to such creatures.

Yet, Ye Haochuan understood the folly of placing complete faith in mere hearsay for his survival. Around the perimeter of his tent, he meticulously arranged a series of basic defensive formations.

Ye Haochuan commenced setting up these formations, drawing upon the rudimentary knowledge of array arts he'd gleaned from the Secret Realm. Despite his efforts, his proficiency in formations had seen little advancement thus far.

Nevertheless, a growing conviction solidified within him: the mastery of formations was an indispensable skill, one that demanded dedicated cultivation and rigorous improvement.

These formations, while low in grade, were primarily for practice. Their purpose was to provide him with sufficient time to detect any approaching threats.

With all preparations complete, he retrieved the small, golden coffin and brought forth Lin Qingxuan.

“Haochuan, have you found Keyue?” Lin Qingxuan inquired immediately upon her release.

Over the preceding days, Lin Qingxuan had been granted an hour each day by Ye Haochuan to cultivate. She was thus well-informed about the predicament of both Ye Haochuan and the lost Long Keyue.

Ye Haochuan offered a slight shake of his head. “Not yet, but I have gained some insight into her general location. I am currently heading in that direction, so I should be able to reunite with her soon!”

“That’s wonderful news!” Lin Qingxuan responded with evident joy.

Having recently survived a harrowing near-death experience, Lin Qingxuan had begun to accept the reality of Ye Haochuan having multiple female companions. Furthermore, now that Ye Haochuan was navigating the perilous Immortal Realm alone, she fervently wished for capable individuals to be by his side.

Consequently, her current happiness stemmed from a place of genuine sincerity.

After a brief exchange of words, Lin Qingxuan commenced her cultivation. Ye Haochuan maintained a vigilant posture, ensuring his watchfulness would prevent any harm befalling Lin Qingxuan under the stringent rules of the Immortal Realm’s Heaven and Earth.

Concurrently, his gaze remained fixed upon Lin Qingxuan, his expression one of serious anticipation as he awaited the results of her cultivation session.