Cultivation Daddy

Chapter 119: Chapter 118: Strangers in the Secret Realm (3)

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The men left the pavilion. Their laughter was echoing throughout the yard.

Li Jain stand in the yard looking into the distances as the shadows of the men disappeared from view.

"Boss, old man Yan is here to see you." Bai Lian send a message to Li Jain through the ommunication talisman.

Li Jain pause, he didn’t know why old man wanted to see him, but he still decided to see him: "Let him come to the backyard."

The backyard again? Bai Ling couldn’t figure out why the Boss was receiving all the guests in the backyard today, he still complied without question: "Got it."

Moments later, old man Yan came in: "Xiao Jain, it’s hard to see you now a day."

Li Jain forced smile: "Indeed, old Yan. Just busy with family matters." He gestured for Yan to sit on the stone bench.

"Who are those distinguish guests I ran into coming here?" Old man Yan asked as he sat.

"Distinguish guests?" Li Jain ask puzzledly he didn’t get who old Yan was referring to.

Old man Yan’s expression shifted slightly, his brows knitting together with concern: "The ones I saw leaving. There were four of them. They all had a terrifying presure around them and the one in front hair are all white." he clarified, looking intently into Li Jain’s eyes.

Li Jain sighed, leaning back against the cool stone: "They claim to be investors, but their intentions are less than honorable."

Old man Yan nodded slowly, he understood the situation too well: "There are no lack of investors in this country. Once they see a business with potential , they would start coming in like flies."

Li Jain ran a hand through his in frustration: "They think they can intimidate me because of their status. But they don’t understand what I’m willing to protect."

Old man Yan’s gaze softened: "You have a good heart, but good intentions can lead to dire consequences." He leaned forward, and said in a low voice: "You mustn’t underestimate them, those people can go to any length to achieve their goal."

"I didn’t start this business with any goal in particular. It was just to earn enough to put food on the table for my children and I. I don’t want to get in the mix of any organization." Li Jain said firmly: "But if anyone dares my children, then everything’s changes."

Old man Yan was puzzle and frown. If today is the first time both parties are negotiating, then it shouldn’t get to threatening this soon.

"What organization are they from?" He asked 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Li Jain shook his head: "I don’t know. They said something about living in Jade Cliff City."

Old man Yan expressions immediately changed: "Jade Cliff City? That’s the place few dare to cross. The only organization that dares to be this dominant is the Celestial Jade Commerce Alliance. But I could be mistaken."

"Three of them are all in the Divine Power realm and the old man with the white bear is in the Great Power Realm." Li Jain explain there was a hit of admiration in his eyes.

Old man Yan cursed under his breath. Among all the groups they could encounter, those people from the Celestial Jade Commerce Alliance actually became the first.

"I don’t want to sound discouraging, but you’re in a big trouble this time. Every big businesses knows about the Celestial Jade Commerce Alliance, and every business that rejects them were destroyed by them."

Li Jain frown deepen: "No one willing to fight against them?"

Old man Yan sighed: "It’s not that no one’s willing to fight against them, but the Celestial Jade Commerce Alliance is just too powerful. Even the royal family won’t go against them easily."

The Jade Commerce Alliance is the most influential trading organization in the region, known for their extensive reach and ruthless tactics. They had a way of crushing dissent before it could even become a threat. It has rivals but those so called rivals are just for show, their power doesn’t come close to them.

Li Jain remained silent for a moment: "Are they really that powerful?"

He knew little about power struggles but even so, he was aware that the royal family as the ruler are the most powerful. Because they have many clans protecting them. And although there are some hidden power within the country that hasn’t pledge their loyalty to royal family, it couldn’t have gotten to that point.

Old man Yan nodded gravely: "In theory, yes, the royal family wields ultimate authority, but the Celestial Jade Commerce Alliance are very powerful. The majority of their clansmen are in the Divine Power realm with only a few in the Soul Power realm. They also have three ancestoral figures in the Holy Master Realm."

Li Jain mulled over the implications, the weight of his responsibilities pressing against his chest. "So what options do I have?" he asked, desperation creeping into his voice. Yan folded his hands thoughtfully: "You must find allies. You need to gather information, build connections, and prepare for the inevitable. But above all, you must remain vigilant. They won’t hesitate to use your children against you if it means securing their interests."

This is bad, Li Jain thought. At his level now, there’s no way he’ll be able to deal with those people, but he had no intentions of being someone’s underdog. It seems like he’ll have to find another way to negotiate with them.

There’s still two months, there’s no rush.

"Thanks for clearing things up for me, old Yan. I was going to make enemies I can’t handle for the time being and put my family into danger."

Old Yan wave his hand dismissively: "Don’t mention it, as a elder , it’s only right that look after you a young star." He pause and asked the question he was most curious about: "How lone did they give you to make a decision?"

"Two months."

"Good, that’s good." Old man Yan said with relief.

What is two months? Not enough time for anyone to prepare. But then again, he wasn’t too worried because Li Jain is also unual. Not like those he had encountered.

"Why did you wanted to see me?" Li Jain asked

Old man Yan suddenly realizes that he’d left his guesta at home and is here lecturing.

He coughed lightly: "I came here to buy your famous peach blossom wine. It seems I go caughr up in the conversation." He admitted with a sheepish grin.

"Didn’t you say I shouldn’t sell the peach blossom to anyone else but you?" Li Jain lips curled into a slight smile.

"I did, didn’t I?" Old Yan laugh heartedly: "I need a favor from these old bastards and peach blossom wine is the only thing that’ll get me through to them."

"How many jars do you need?"

"I would say at least ten. Enough to keep their tongues loose."

Li Jain took the win jars from his spatial ring and give it to old Yan who transferred it into his spatial ring. Afterwards, he said his goodbye and left.

Meanwhile in the secret realm Li Cheng could be seen with another boy his age.

"Hey Li Cheng, why are you walking so fast? Wait for me." A young boy with purple eyes called out.

Li Cheng paused, glancing back over his shoulder: "I told you to stop following me."

The boy pouted, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt: "Why not? You promise me that you’ll take care of me and that I shouldn’t worry."

"Thaf was before when I thought u iu weren’t capable of defending yourself, but I was totally mistaken."

"What makes you say that?" The boy pouted

"I realize you’re not as weak as you appear to be." Li Cheng said firmly: "You manage to keep up with me so far, didn’t you?!"

"It’s true that my Cultivation level is high and I know many skills. But, I don’t have an actual combat experience, so I still need your help."

"Fine," Li Cheng sighed.

It was the first time he met Zhao Yun and they’d only been together for a few hours exploring but he felt very familiar with him. It was strange.

Li Cheng doesn’t really socialize with his peers. Yet there was something about Zhao Yun that draws him in. He couldn’t really wrap his head around it, so he decided to stick around and figure it out.

Zhao Yun’s persistence irritated Li Cheng, yet beneath the annoyance lay a glimmer of fondness.

The two spend the next hour exploring and getting to know each other. They more they talk, the closer they become.

Suddenly, a loud voice sounded in the secret realm scaring most of the participants.

"Brother Cheng, dinner is ready. Dad say you should come out." Li Juanxin stood above the formation and shouted.

"Was he calling for you?" Zhao Yun asked curiously.

Li Cheng nodded: "Yes, I have to go."

"So you really have the entrance in your house? Cool. But you’ll be back right? I’ll wait for you here."

"Yeah, I’ll be back tomorrow after school."

"Promise?" Zhao Yun stretched out his pinky finger

Li Cheng hesitated for a moment and wrapped his pinky around Zhao Yun’s: "Okay, promise."

A warm smile spare across Zhao Yun’s face: "Great, I’ll wait for your return."

Li Cheng nodded, he reach into his pocket to take out the exit talisman but found it wasn’t there.

Not only did he sneak in, now he can’t get out. His dad was going to be really angry this time.

Oops