Steady Cultivation: Starting With the Perk “Work Hard, Rest Hard” Chapter 608: The Conspiracy That Collapsed Without a Fight

The grand banquet concluded without any further incident.

Emerging from Jiaqing Restaurant, Su Yuan was immediately enveloped by a cascade of Fame Points. This influx caused the insights of his Chaos True Name to surge and flourish incessantly.

Li Chun, standing beside him, exclaimed with evident excitement, "Master, your status in Black Flame City has soared to the highest echelons! Previously, no one was eager to place orders for Dominator artifacts, but now, eager customers are lining up."

Su Yuan offered a slight nod in agreement. "Indeed! In the future, if other individuals seek custom orders, only bring those above the twentieth tier to me. For requests below the twentieth tier, you may accept them directly. However, they will require three portions of raw materials, and the completion time will be uncertain."

"Your subordinate understands!" Li Chun replied with enthusiasm.

Clapping him on the shoulder, Su Yuan advised, "Focus on your cultivation, Li Chun!"

With a casual gesture, Su Yuan produced one hundred billion Chaos Jade and presented it to Li Chun. "Your cultivation level is still too low; you must hasten your progress!"

Upon receiving the Chaos Jade, Li Chun's expression turned somewhat hesitant. "Master, might I have permission to utilize this Chaos Jade to nurture some of my descendants? Among them, there is one named Li Shanchang who possesses the potential to ascend to the Chaos Dominator realm!"

"You may proceed. Arrange it as you see fit, but ensure you do not neglect your own cultivation or the management of the shop," Su Yuan stated calmly.

"Many thanks, Master!" Li Chun responded, his voice filled with excitement.

He mused that if Li Shanchang could break through to a higher realm, his own responsibilities might become lighter.

As the pair reached the end of the street, a troubling sight greeted them, causing both to frown.

Su Yuan's Seven Stars Artifacting Shop had its entrance sealed with official insignia. Furthermore, the siblings, Zheng Bowen and Zheng Li, were nowhere to be found.

Li Chun's eyes blazed with anger. "Who would dare to seal Master's shop! This is preposterous!"

Observing the scene, Su Yuan felt a sense of understanding. "This matter does not require our intervention. It will be rectified quite swiftly!"

Numerous onlookers in the vicinity were subtly observing the unfolding situation, their voices buzzing with hushed transmissions as they regarded Su Yuan and Li Chun with peculiar expressions.

Su Yuan maintained an air of complete composure.

He recognized this as a plot originally devised to target him: the sealing of his shop, the apprehension of his people, all intended to coerce him into revealing his method for low-cost, mass production of artifacts. However, that was the situation prior to his recent display. Now that his exceptional artifact refining skills and his twenty-ninth tier formidable strength had been revealed, who would dare to provoke him so openly?

To offend him now would simply be to offer him an opportunity for greater gain.

As expected, not much time passed before a significant shift occurred.

Following the complete exposure of all details concerning the banquet, virtually every influential figure within Black Flame City became aware of Su Yuan's extraordinary capabilities.

When news of Su Yuan's shop being sealed reached the ears of certain high-ranking officials, it sent ripples of alarm through their ranks.

Within the City Lord's Mansion, Jia Jicheng, a Deputy City Lord overseeing commercial affairs, was reviewing the report from the Jiaqing Banquet. Initially perusing it without much focus, his expression soon shifted to one of surprise.

The newcomer, referred to as Master Seven Stars, who had graced the banquet, was, in fact, a supreme powerhouse whose strength rivaled that of a Senior Artifact Refining Master! This revelation compelled even him to take notice.

"I have already attained the thirty-second tier in cultivation, yet I am in need of a suitable weapon. The armaments available in the Merit Points Mall are prohibitively expensive and do not perfectly complement my abilities. Could this emergent Master Seven Stars be capable of refining a thirty-second tier Dominator artifact? Judging by the prowess he displayed, it is highly probable he could forge thirty-second tier weapons in the future, especially since this is not a major realm barrier."

"Hmm? Seven Stars? These two words sound familiar. Where have I encountered them before?"

Jia Jicheng's mind raced, and he soon pinpointed a report he had previously skimmed. It detailed a shop that had disrupted market price order, leading to its closure and rectification, along with a brief, one-hundred-thousand-year detention for two involved speculators.

He immediately retrieved that report, and his face darkened instantly.

"Which imbecile proceeded to seal the shop belonging to a Senior Artifact Refining Master?"

After a moment of contemplation, Jia Jicheng's eyes lit up. "This presents an excellent opportunity!"

He promptly issued orders for the apprehension of a street management official who had authorized the sealing.

While the bewildered official was being brought forth, Jia Jicheng, accompanied by him, led the way towards the end of the street.

Su Yuan and his companion did not have to wait for an extended period before a contingent of individuals was observed approaching from a distance.

The leader's presence was as profound and steady as an unfathomable abyss, his gaze piercing like the distant stars. Striding forward, he let out a hearty laugh upon spotting Su Yuan. "I am Jia Jicheng, the Deputy City Lord of Black Flame City. Word reached me that Master Seven Stars has arrived to establish a shop within our city, and I have personally come to offer my congratulations on its grand opening!"

"So it is Deputy City Lord Jia. I am truly honored! I am but a humble artificer. To receive congratulations from Deputy City Lord Jia is a great privilege! However, could you explain this situation?"

Su Yuan gestured towards a captured individual.

Jia Jicheng's countenance grew grim. "This man is a seventh-rank official from the nearby Street Management Office. He flagrantly abused his authority for personal gain, unlawfully seizing the Master's shop with the intent of profiting. Upon initiating a comprehensive inquiry, it was discovered that he has perpetrated no fewer than twenty similar transgressions. He is indeed a parasite, the very dregs of the Chaos Alliance! I have resolved to send him to the Alliance Court for rigorous prosecution."

He then sighed, "Master Seven Stars, this reflects my own shortcomings in supervision. I am deeply apologetic! If you harbor any resentment, I implore you to release it upon this wretch!"

Only at this moment did Wang San regain his senses. He hastily collapsed to his knees, performing a kowtow. "Please, have mercy, Master Seven Stars! I am prepared to reimburse you for every loss incurred, and to compensate the others as well! I have no desire to face the court! If I am sent there, I will undoubtedly be dispatched to the front lines to perish! I cannot hope to survive! I beg you, show me some compassion!"

Jia Jicheng rebuked him sternly, "This is the just deserts for your actions! To disrupt the Alliance's order and to not have you executed on the spot is already an act of profound leniency. Silence yourself!"

A power of restraint enveloped Wang San's form, effectively silencing his pleas.

Su Yuan inquired, "Might I ask, Deputy City Lord Jia, what of my two shop assistants?"

"They are already en route, Master Seven Stars! You may rest assured!" Jia Jicheng replied with a smile.

As if on cue, another contingent arrived, escorting the Zheng siblings. Though they appeared physically unharmed, a distinct exhaustion was etched upon their faces.

Su Yuan moved to greet them. "You have endured hardship!"

Zheng Bowen immediately shook his head. "It was nothing, Boss. We were merely detained; no actual punishment was meted out. It was simply that the oppressive darkness of the confinement cell was somewhat taxing on the spirit!"

"It is well. No one shall dare to subject you to such treatment henceforth! You may set your minds at ease." Su Yuan offered his arm to support the two as they proceeded towards the shop.

Prudent officials had already rescinded the seals. However, the interior of the shop was disconcertingly bare; the original merchandise had vanished without a trace.

Jia Jicheng immediately gestured. "Ensure that all items belonging to the Seven Stars Artifacting Shop are promptly returned to their rightful owner!"

In swift succession, a substantial quantity of goods was delivered back to the Seven Stars Artifacting Shop.

Su Yuan observed that the returned items this time possessed a value that was a hundredfold greater than before! This gesture of restitution was undeniably overt.