Chapter 159: Chapter 156: I Understand
"Brother Zhongshan, are we sure we didn’t take a wrong turn? Is this still Dawan Village?"
Faced with the earth-shattering changes that had taken place in Dawan Village in just half a year, Shen Shiyin and his son weren’t the only ones left bewildered.
So too were Shen Zhongshan and his party, who had just returned with a great haul.
"My eyes aren’t blind yet. I can still recognize the two words on that plaque."
Shen Zhongshan looked up, his gaze falling on the plaque above the village gate where the words "Dawan Village" were written in powerful, calligraphic strokes. He spoke in a steady voice,
but his expression was grim.
"But... how is this possible?!"
"Could it be that the village rumored outside—the one with a chamber of commerce where you can trade Immortal Cultivation Resources—is actually Dawan Village?"
Shen Rongguang stared blankly at the scene,
completely unwilling to believe what he was seeing.
The others, too,
all looked at each other in bewilderment,
clearly not having expected that,
in less than half a year,
the once-ordinary village had transformed so dramatically that it was now no less impressive than a common town!
"To have made it this prosperous... just how much income in Spirit Stones must that generate!"
"No wonder he didn’t want to go adventuring with us. When you can just sit here and rake in huge amounts of Spirit Stones, why would you need to risk your life scouring remote ravines?"
Shen Cunrui couldn’t help but mutter in a low voice, looking dazed for a moment.
’To think that a man who seemed so unremarkable back then would have such abilities!’
Although Shen Cunrui’s voice was low,
everyone present was a Cultivator. How could they not hear him?
Shen Zhongshan, who was at the head of the group, saw his expression darken even further.
"Alright, let’s go inside and pay a visit to Young Master Changchuan."
"It just so happens there’s a trading post here. We can clear out our Storage Bags, rest up a bit, and then set off again."
"This is actually a good thing for us."
...
In the guest hall,
Shen Shiyin’s and Shen Zhongshan’s two parties met unexpectedly.
As they were all members of the Shen Family,
the groups quickly began to chat warmly while they waited over tea.
On the surface, everyone was very cordial,
chatting about everything under the sun, discussing their respective experiences and the current situation.
The atmosphere in the room grew several degrees warmer.
"Everyone, my sincerest apologies. I was held up by some urgent matters, so I’ve arrived late."
"I have failed to give you a proper welcome. Please forgive me."
"Young Master Changchuan, you’re too kind. We’ve only been waiting a short while. Besides, if not for this fine opportunity today, how would I have met a man like Brother Zhongshan?"
"We should be the ones thanking you, Young Master Changchuan..."
"As for you, Young Master Changchuan, I know from experience how busy one can be with the various affairs of managing a territory."
"With Dawan Village’s current level of development, things must be incredibly complex and difficult to sort out. For you to still be able to personally greet us amidst so many troubles shows how much you value us..."
"Oh, what’s a little trouble... It can’t be helped. After all, this is all for a certain big shot in the family..."
"Oh? It seems Young Master Changchuan has earned the esteem of a certain Soul Emergence Realm Elder in the family and was personally given instructions?"
Shen Shiyin said with a teasing smile,
but while he smiled,
his heart grew solemn as a flash of understanding dawned on him.
’So he’s working for a Soul Emergence Realm Elder from the family. No wonder he could develop this place so much in such a short time!’
’So that’s how it is...’
’No wonder, no wonder!’
’It’s just a shame...’
’This way, there’s no way for me to get a piece of the pie on this trip.’
Shen Shiyin’s expression didn’t change,
but he was inwardly lamenting.
"Not at all. I’m just doing a few things for an Elder in the clan. While I’ve gained some benefits, the tasks aren’t simple... Otherwise, why would I have gone to all this trouble..."
Shen Changchuan said evasively.
His words were part concealment,
part reveal.
Some things are best left unsaid,
better to let them go back and fill in the blanks themselves.
"The family Elder you speak of, Young Master Changchuan... could it be Elder Shen Tingchu?"
From nearby, Shen Zhongshan suddenly interjected.
The gazes of both Shen Changchuan and Shen Shiyin immediately focused on him.
"Correct."
"Speaking of which, I seem to recall that senior mentioning he had sought out clan members to handle matters for him before. Could it be..."
"Senior Shen Tingchu did indeed contact us, but we only reported a few things and received a bit of guidance. It’s different from your situation, Young Master Changchuan..."
Shen Zhongshan nodded, admitting it.
Back at the Wu Family Collection, he had indeed been in contact with Elder Shen Tingchu.
However,
’The treatment people receive really can’t be compared!’
Shen Zhongshan glanced over with a hint of envy.
’Compared to us, this young man is the one who has truly earned that senior’s favor!’
’Not only was he given an important task, but he was also helped to establish such a massive enterprise.’
’That’s right...’
In Shen Zhongshan’s mind,
Dawan Village had become so prosperous
precisely because Senior Shen Tingchu was helping from behind the scenes.
Otherwise,
how could a mere boy at the Qi Introduction Fourth or Fifth Layer possibly establish such a massive enterprise?
’Come to think of it, when they were entering the village, they’d also heard the news that he had ambushed the Blood Slaughter Three Demons, leading his own helpers to kill them.’
’He’d heard of the Blood Slaughter Three Demons’ reputation; their strength was nothing to scoff at.’
’The helpers who could kill them’
’must have been Elder Shen Tingchu’s people, or perhaps people from subordinate families mobilized through the Elder’s connections, right?!’
’It all connects!’
’Everything connects!’
A great sense of understanding washed over Shen Zhongshan,
but at the same time,
another thought couldn’t help but flash through his mind,
’"Elder Shen Tingchu is so close to this one... could it be the Elder intends to invest in him?!"’
’"HISS! A matter like this is of great importance. I’d better not get caught in the crossfire..."’
At this thought,
Shen Zhongshan’s heart tightened.
At the same time, a trace of regret couldn’t help but rise within him.
’If I had known, I wouldn’t have come here.’
"Ah, let’s not talk about this."
At this moment, Shen Changchuan seemed to remember something and slapped his forehead in vexation.
"Look... the senior gave these instructions in private, after all... It wouldn’t be good for it to become common knowledge... So, I must ask you all to help me keep this a secret."
"If some accident were to ruin the senior’s plans... that would be a huge problem."
Shen Changchuan said, stammering slightly.
"Young Master Changchuan, rest assured. We are not gossips. The moment we leave, we will have already forgotten this matter!"
"Me too. I only came this time to collect the tribute. Other matters have nothing to do with me, and my superiors won’t care."
Shen Zhongshan and Shen Shiyin exchanged a look, studiously avoiding making eye contact.
With a tacit understanding,
they immediately beat their chests and swore an oath to Shen Changchuan.
This was from the bottom of their hearts.
The matter concerned a Soul Emergence Realm Elder of the family, and could even be related to the succession struggle.
Something like that,
was too dangerous!
If they got involved,
one small misstep could lead to utter disaster.
As mere small fry in the Qi Introduction Realm, they had no business getting mixed up in it.
On this trip,
it’s best to act as if we saw nothing at all.
"Then I’ll have to trouble you all."
Seeing this,
and sensing the palpable anxiety in their eyes, Shen Changchuan cupped his fists in a salute.
"Not at all, not at all!"
The men hurriedly returned the salute,
failing to see,
that beneath the cover of his sleeve,
the corners of Shen Changchuan’s mouth curved slightly upward,
into a faint, imperceptible smile.
’This gambit of borrowing the tiger’s skin’
’could be considered a success.’
’It seemed Dawan Village would be safe from trouble for the foreseeable future.’
