Day 75 Hobbies and expanding Influence

It was early morning with Rexford and Chitang working in the gardens. Rosemary, Jasmine, and Morning Glory flowers were planted. Working together with nature, was one of the few peaceful tasks they liked the same.

Actually looking like a father-son pair to the others. If they knew Rexford wanted to be a Forest Ranger when he was a child, they would have blanched and called him a liar.

"So many spots made!" Chitang exclaimed. Looking at the various formations made with planted seeds. The flowers have not even sprouted before a smell blooms up. But it could also be caused by the flowers he had on the clothing. "Can't wait!"

"No need to wait." Airi, one of the serving women said from behind. She, along with Rina, another serving woman helped. The idea of an actual flower garden as well as the herbal garden planted on the mountain made them happy. "Once the Protection Formation goes up, you will see the flowers bloom."

"Really!?" Chitang eyes sparkled as he stared out. Hopping in place excited.

"Alright, here goes." Rexford placed his hands outward as qi flowed around him. He was barefooted as his toes moved in the dirt. His Transcendent Cultivation linking him with the Earth with every heartbeat. 'The amount of information received is increasing. My Divine Sense works even better now.'

Slowly, the flowers close to his location started to sprout from the soil. Purple and blue petals, Morning Glory, mixed around were the first. Then the almost pinwheel-looking flower the Jasmine with its white petals. Finally, the Rosemary adorned the furthest along a path.

As the minutes passed, the others came out to see the change. Having felt the natural Qi in the area increase. A sign however was planted that no one was to overly cultivate in the area. At most, 5 minutes as a reward for work accomplishments or progress in cultivation.

"Waahh!" Chitang was giddy. He rolled around near a flower bed before falling asleep content. "Perfect!" The former snake felt more at home here than anywhere else now. Well, next to Rexford for the Warm Qi exuded was the next best thing.

"Oh," Airi looked towards a spot that didn't sprout any flowers. "What's going on over there?"

"That is for Chitang to plant additional flowers he wants. The patch next to it is for flowers that are extinct I will try to bring them back to life. Both a business venture and a personal one." The odd looks when he said personal caused Rexford to grimace. "What, I can't like flowers?"

"Didn't expect you to." Sini Dova smiled at him.

"Well, roses are my favorite for as long as I can remember. But it is scenery altogether that I like as well." He was not about to mention the scene from Beauty and the Beast. That would open all kinds of questions for them. "Business-wise, were those properties obtained?"

"Yes." Sini Dova answered. "Each of the lots was cleared by the Zoning board, and construction can start soon. The Eco-Friendly Sewage System and Power Plant are already in the works. The Energy Formations for the solar power generators are ready in case of issue."

"For the Children's Hospital, I have contacted a few people back home." Rina said. "A few doctors and nurses who lost their jobs from corrupt officials. Not wanting to take bribes and falsify reports are in."

"I see." Rexford only gave it a small thought. "Make them a small offer to come here and work. Make sure they are willing to understand it is done my way or not at all. My staff cannot be in the newspapers from a drunk in disorderly or beating a spouse. That is just nonsense I will not deal with. Of course, the benefits will be higher after some time. "

"I understand." Rina made some quick mental notes. A few of her village would have to clean up their act more. "The ones with sick family members are the best way to control them. I have permission to do so?"

"Of course. Just don't get caught." Rexford looked at his phone as it vibrated from a message. "Put them all through the wringer as well as full detox. Rina, I assume this is something for your ties to the Deity you serve, correct?"

"Yes." Rina, the same as the other serving women of Hera, were an odd bunch. They served Hera as Aspiring Champions foremost. With a second Deity in the Pantheons advising them. But ultimately, Hera had the final say for them. "Lady Artemis, wants me to help with the Childbirth issue in the region, followed by the country as a whole."

"I see." Rexford responded to the message and then gave her his full attention. "The Prenatal Care is yours to oversee until one with the correct qualifications comes along. Or if you obtain the qualifications, of course."

"Thank you, Master Rexford!" Rina gave her utmost respect before leaving to make some calls. "I will get started on making arrangements for them to arrive!"

"I swear, under that gruff exterior is someone who cares." Airi teased. She just received a shrug from him. "I have some friends "retired" from the police force and military. They would make great security guards after a little tuning up."

Airi cracked her knuckles showing a very dangerous expression. As far as Rexford could tell, she was going to beat them into submission or something. But that was not an overall problem really. As long as they were just some losers anyway. No sense in correcting the behavior of functioning people.

"Go take care of it." Sini Dova answered. "Everything cleared for all of those deals anyway. I need to speak with Rexford about something important." Airi followed the words of her leader and left. "The various Underworld Factions are ready for that meeting."

"That is good." Rexford nodded and walked off with her and Yanyan Hu. Chitang was sleeping like a baby, with a few of the others doing the same. No reason to wake them up for this. "Go over the details for me."

As they move to head out, Rexford was also thinking about the message he received. Suzaku had finally come through with bringing Natasha over. It was time to poach the items in Russia and get the blood of those Werewolves for further cultivation.

.

Meeting in Jianbei-

.

Before going to the meeting hall, Rexford had spoken with Natasha in great detail of his plans for her country. Suzaku had done a decent job explaining the type of man he was apparently. The Gold Qi that existed inside Natasha that tied her to him was thicker than he would have thought.

"I am willing to do what it takes to help my Country some." Natasha agreed to be one of his people. The Deal going in place allowed Rexford to infuse more Gold Qi into her. As well as pass on cultivation to her easily. "So vast!"

A golden radiance illuminated her body. Suzaku was downright jealous as the energy released from Natasha was someone at the Qi Refinement, then the Foundation Establishment, followed by Profound Connection. It was sealed on the spot, however, afterward.

"You must train your body in the method of External Strength now. I will have you take control of the forces of Siberia in the future." Rexford felt the absolute trust she had in him grow. She would not become a Devout, but she did become a Contact. "Those werewolves will need to be brought under heel completely."

"You know of the Blood Wolf Guards?!" Suzaka didn't know how he did it, but that meant Rexford had Connections outside of what they knew. Which was not good in the least. The simple nod he gave her was infuriating. "Even gave her a cultivation that does not look simple!"

"Well, I take care of my people.. so yeah. Even those I invest in." Rexford gestured for Yanyan Hu to take Natasha away to rest and go over details for later. Sini Dova moved into the Meeting Hall to speak with the others. "If you were one of mine as well, then benefits would come to you. With your connection in the military, I would definitely have to reward you greatly."

"Are you trying to conquer China?" Suzaku steeled herself in case she had to fend for her life. It was smart but unnecessary, really.

"If it needs to be, then yes. But I prefer to go through the Business Route. After all, I stay here, and there are so many threats involved and around Earth to deal with first. The other countries are growing powerful as we speak. I cannot remain slow. Especially with the large threat on the Horizon coming our way."

"What do I have to do to become one of your people?" Suzaku could tell he had grown stronger beyond what she was capable of. So the smart move was to get on his good side by using any means necessary before reporting back to headquarters. 'This young man is a monster. I can only hope he takes the bait in the future.'

"Just make a "Deal" with me and, of course, help me as a friend would. Best to have mutual benefits, don't you think?" Within his Internal Space, the silhouette of Natasha already formed up. As well as one next to her. Odds are it was Suzaku who seemed to be indecisive. "If you can get the blood of the Werewolves or any of the bodies, that would be a great achievement."

"Deal!" Suzaku said quickly. They did have a few of the bodies which remain in storage after all for study. "The more, the merrier I take it?"

"Of course." Rexford took out a bag of Spirit Enhancing Pills. "3000 for your bosses and whatever the people you have to exchange to get the bodies and research on them." Suzaku drolled a little at the fragrant smell before securing it. "This is for you directly, I expect good things from you Yu Nan."

Using her real name went a long way somehow, he didn't know exactly how but it caused a stir.

*Tshh!* A pure golden pill exuded flames from it. The golden radiance was warm to the touch but did not burn. One of the first pills he made using his Transdecne Cultivation and Science.

"Place this in your mouth but let it dissolve first while circulating this Introduction to Qi Condensation. With your body and training already, it should be easy." Rexford passed over the Enhanced Taiji Exercise. However, it contained the addition of various aerial techniques. "Once you are ready for Foundation Establishment, the manual will evolve. Keep it to yourself, of course."

"I understand!" Suzaku's gold eyes shined with reverence. Not only did she complete her mission, but she gained something out of it with a long-term deal established. "I will be in touch soon!" Leaving quickly, the military woman was already circulating the Cultivation Manual.

Watching her leave, Rexford made it a note to mention something about the catsuit she wore. The material was different but also very appealing to the eye. With some adjustments, it would be great for those who go into the Covert ops in his Organisation.

Yanyan Hu came out with Natasha. Signaling that she was stable and just needed time to digest everything that had happened the last few weeks.

Stepping into the Meeting Hall, his night was going pretty well.

"Three different hospitals. That is a very advanced endeavor. Entertainment now Medicine to." One of the skeptical members spoke up. He was part of the Zhongzhou region.

"Well, so much goes on in the area, a "good" Private Hospital is hard to find. The security will be really high up there, of course." Rexford gestured to Yanyan Hu to pass them out the paperwork. "I don't want investors or anything like that; this is just a courtesy to you all."

The three hospitals were in a triangle when looked at on a map.

"Looking for doctors and those who are looking for work, however." Wei Changfeng stated. "But a lot of material requests are on here. Broken discarded material acceptable as well."

"Of course, I do not need any state of the art nonsense. Old discarded medical equipment that needs to be received works just as well. I have engineer students to train after all." As well as himself in this regard. Taking items apart and then feeding the remains to the Black Gold Vortex will help produce the item. But at a higher level. "Let's just say Recycling is something I like to do."

"The Hospital in Chuzhou will have a Traditional Medicine Department." Xu Ao looked up at the studying Rexford closely. "Who will be leading that department?"

"I will. The classes and hours are put in already for the most part. I will finish in a year. My skills in Acupuncture are already certified. Just not practicing until later." Rexford lit a black & mild taking a small drag. "Business will proceed as normal otherwise, the last month each of your profit margins have increased yes?"

They agreed with that. Mostly what they were concerned with anyway. The Elders of Chuzhou, the Martial Artists only caring about it a little. They were happy for the hospitals considering all the sick people in the region overall.

A few more hours were spent on talking business, before leaving. Quite a few eyes on Natasha and Yanyan Hu. They knew the latter already, but her current looks were to mesmerizing. To captivating then the usually reserved look shown.

Lu Yanwhu of the Lu Family felt threatened a little.

Zhu Tianho felt she looked familiar but couldn't tell where from.