Chapter Thirty: Hand It Over

Qingyang Marketplace, main thoroughfare.

As soon as Qin Ming received Manager Liao’s transmission talisman, he set down his work and hurried straight to Gathering Pavilion without pause.

The market had been overflowing with people recently, most of them unfamiliar faces. Just as Qin Ming was about to press on, a large crowd ahead blocked the road, barring his way. The street was packed with cultivators craning their necks to see.

He frowned and looked ahead, only to see an old man and his grandson kneeling on the ground, pleading bitterly with several young cultivators before them.

“Master, this piece of Azure Water Gold Crystal is an heirloom from my ancestors,” the old man begged. “If you only offer a hundred spirit stones, I would rather not make this deal! Please, return the crystal to me—I beg you!”

The boy beside him, nose running and eyes brimming with tears, pleaded desperately as well.

At a glance, Qin Ming found one of the young cultivators uncannily familiar. Clad in a blue robe with golden threads—the hallmark of a Core Disciple from the Spiritfeather Sect—he suddenly recalled, “Isn’t that one of the core disciples who disembarked from the Spiritfeather Sect’s Crossing Abyss Ark the other day?”

Though this group seemed to center around him, the youth had said little; instead, a short cultivator at his side barked, “Who told you this is Azure Water Gold Crystal? It’s ordinary Cold Iron, old man. Do you take us for fools? A hundred spirit stones is more than enough. Get lost and stop blocking the way.”

With that, heedless of the many onlookers, the short cultivator kicked the old man hard, sending him sprawling unconscious. The boy’s wailing grew even more heart-wrenching, but the short cultivator ignored him, grinning slyly as he slipped the spiritual ginseng into the core disciple’s hand.

The crowd looked on, yet none dared intervene—after all, the offenders were core disciples of the Spiritfeather Sect. Qin Ming watched in silence, thinking, “Is this just outright robbery?”

Having committed their deed, the young cultivators departed as if nothing had happened.

“Alas, who could afford to offend them?”

“Who were those arrogant ones?”

“That was Jiang Kun, son of the Spiritfeather Sect’s Grand Elder of the Disciplinary Hall—a core disciple. They’re utterly lawless! This is already the third time this month.”

“In this market, anything that catches their eye is sure to be snatched away.”

“Best stay far from trouble.”

Some among the crowd, indignant and sorrowful, hurried over to help the old man. Qin Ming shook his head and sighed, then continued on his way.

At Gathering Pavilion, Manager Liao spotted Qin Ming from afar, his face lighting up with a warm smile as he welcomed him. Sensing the shift in Qin Ming’s spiritual energy, he brightened further, exclaiming, “Congratulations, Daoist Qin, on reaching the middle stage of Qi Refining! Another step on the path to immortality!”

Truly the words of a seasoned merchant—smooth, flattering, practiced to perfection.

“I hear Master Gu wishes to see me?” Qin Ming went straight to the point.

Leading him upstairs, Manager Liao explained, “Indeed! The rental quota for the Ruan Family Manor has already been secured by our Pavilion Master. However, whether you can obtain it will depend on your negotiation with her.”

Qin Ming nodded silently.

Gathering Pavilion rose nine stories high. Manager Liao led him to the seventh floor, stopping before a private room with its door ajar.

Bowing deeply, Manager Liao announced, “Pavilion Master, Daoist Qin has arrived.”

“Let him in,” came a cool, clear voice from within.

Qin Ming stepped inside.

Gu Qingzhao sat in plain robes, absorbed in a scripture, making no move to greet him. An incense stick burned on the side table, its curling smoke suffusing the air with a refreshing scent that immediately invigorated Qin Ming’s mind.

“Daoist Gu,” he offered the first greeting.

Only then did Gu Qingzhao set her book aside, inviting calmly, “Please sit, Daoist Qin.”

He took the seat opposite her.

“Daoist Qin, how did you come to know Alchemist Su?” she asked, gently stirring the tea without meeting his gaze.

Qin Ming was momentarily taken aback, uncertain of her intent, but concealed nothing, recounting his acquaintance with Su Yuqing in full.

Hearing that his relationship with Su Yuqing was merely ordinary, a faint trace of disappointment flickered across Gu Qingzhao’s brow.

She then asked, “I hear you wish to obtain the right to rent at Ruan Family Manor?”

“Indeed. Manager Liao mentioned that you now hold the quota. What must I offer in exchange?” Qin Ming replied bluntly.

Rather than answer directly, Gu Qingzhao countered, “And what price is Daoist Qin willing to pay? Do tell. You know how coveted such quotas are right now.”

Qin Ming pondered for a long moment. From the moment he entered, to Gu Qingzhao’s current demeanor, it was clear she had hoped to use his connection to win over the young high-grade alchemist, Su Yuqing, but lost interest upon learning their relationship was merely casual.

Realizing this, Qin Ming understood that without presenting something truly valuable, his goal would be difficult to achieve.

“How about top-quality Beast Fang Rice?” he offered.

At this, a glimmer of surprise flickered in Gu Qingzhao’s eyes. She set her scripture aside and asked seriously, “You mean top-quality Beast Fang Rice?”

“Yes. In a year’s time, the rice from my spiritual fields will be of top quality,” Qin Ming affirmed.

She scrutinized him. “If that’s the case, it’s not impossible. If you agree to amend our previous agreement by supplying an additional twenty percent of your Beast Fang Rice to the Pavilion, I’ll sell you the quota.”

Qin Ming frowned, considering. Since he now had Blood Locust Rice, he planned to sell the Beast Fang Rice anyway. Without further argument, he nodded. “Deal.”

They amended the agreement on the spot.

Gu Qingzhao produced a jade token and handed it to Qin Ming. “This is the authority token representing the Pavilion’s quota. Present it at the Spiritfeather Sect’s Affairs Hall to register and pay the supplemental rent. Additionally, you’ll need to pay three hundred extra spirit stones, not included in the rent.”

Qin Ming: “...”

With the transaction complete, he left the shop, turning the jade token over in his hand. A single character, “Mirror,” was inscribed upon it.

He made his way to the Spiritfeather Sect’s Affairs Hall. As he found an attendant to register his quota, a lazy voice called from behind, “Hold it!”

Qin Ming turned to find himself face-to-face with Jiang Kun and his group of Spiritfeather Sect disciples.

A sweep of his senses revealed their formidable, mountain-like spiritual power, blocking his own spiritual perception. Each was at the late stage of Qi Refining; Jiang Kun himself was likely at the peak, on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

Jiang Kun glanced at Qin Ming. “Qi Refining, fourth level? Hand over the quota.”