Day 150- 200 Sishui County Part 20 Backroom Dealing

"Hmm?" Lu Yanwu did not like that look at all but not much she could do just yet. "Patriarch, is everything okay?"

"Yes, or it will be. Speak with him again and make sure you tell him exactly what I say." Giving her a stern look, the young patriarch was somewhat mad that she returned a placid one back. Unbothered by his attempt at intimidating her like usual. 'Since when did she grow such a backbone!? After I wrap this Ansatsuken around my finger I will see how she acts later!'

His close kin was showing to much defiance. 

Telling her his plan, Lu Yanwu kept her face calm but internally she was disgusted. Both she and a few others in the Lu Family were getting pimped out to draw over those in control of the Ansatsuken. Considering what she knew of Rexford already this would work but she felt the previous decline of the family working with him would cause an issue. 

'There is still a chance to make this better.' Eyes flashing golden briefly, the young mistress of the Lu Family was going to change her Destiny right now. 'The Lu Family cannot remain in the hands of the inept.. not if we are to survive the change.'

If only she had taken the deal earlier this would have gone better. But family ties and procedures kept her from gaining too much power on her own. Especially personal power that would have put her ahead of the others in her generation.

With a decision made, she moved over calm and collected.

"Rexford, can we talk?" Walking over to him, the Lady of the Lu Family was slightly startled by his expression. As if he could see through her in the worst way. 'He looks so sad right now while looking at me. Did he hear the conversation just then?'

Remembering the power displayed and the hearsay, the chance wouldn't be farfetched that Rexford heard everything that was said. Her understanding of Internal Martial Artist needed to be deepened but the rumors about what Grandmasters could do definitely pushed that narrative.

Rexford declined the majority of the offer made by the Lu Family. To partner up with them and be an employee under their umbrella was absurd. Just to operate in their city, just not worth it. Not to mention moving into the Lu Family in which they would have spread his medical products much further through their channels. Why anchor yourself to something you don't need to?

The only things he agreed upon were having Lu Yanxue enter his family and letting Lu Yanwu become a guest elder in his family. To portray the Lu Family and his Mingyun Family were walking the same path so to speak.

"Hmm, you have your pride and I respect that. A shame Lu Yanwu, for me anyway. But I still expect you to help train those under me to prepare for the future." Seeing the woman nod in acceptance, Rexford turned to Lu Yanxue who from memory had a very bad time of it. She was definitely loyal which deserved his consideration for how to treat her. "My sworn brother, Richard would be perfect for you as a possible spouse. This is not mandatory you get with him as we do things differently in my family."

"In what way Master Rexford?" Lu Yanxue had a small smile creep on her face at that. "My family is selling me to the Mingyun family, to yours specifically... what hope can I have about my treatment with your sworn brother?"

She did not discount the fact there could be another Mingyun Family in China somewhere.

Miao Xiaoquan did not feel nervous or apprehensive like the women from the Lu family. Having spoken with Rexford a little before and speaking with him now she felt he was a regular guy and not just a martial arts monster. The killing of the thugs previously was cemented in her mind still but that could be looked into later.

"I think, he is offering you choices to make. Building a dynasty from his bloodline and from people close to him will take a lot of people. Whether it is your looks Yanxue or your temperament.. he will treat you right." Envious of her friends' good looks she knew it was not only that thanks to the women around Rexford already. "Hopefully, he won't mind me accompanying you to keep from alienation."

"No need. I want to hire you as a Chronicler." Smiling, Rexford extended his offer to her. "My brother Richard will be busy but you will ultimately have him as a boss as well to turn in assignments to. I need someone to have an objective view when traveling with my people and you can fit that role. Paid to watch and view the world around you, it pays decently and you will have to learn some self-defense to protect yourself."

"She will, it suits her just fine." Lu Yanxue added in happy that her friend was getting such a job. "If I am joining into your family, there has to be some money to help with college right?"

"Yes, I won't let the Lu family cause any issue in that regard. Once the paperwork is done adding you to the Family Registry, then tuition will be paid out as we are very much about education getting finished. Even have scholarships for friends or employees." Rexford gave a small smile before standing up. "I am sure the Lu family has sent people to investigate into my action or me in general, they are in for a rude awakening in what they find and the level of power I wield in the area. But enough about bragging."

"Pft, you bragging is refreshing." Jiang Churan gave a small smile. The idea of him bragging just seemed more normal than the always serious persona he exuded. "So can we talk business in front of them or.."

 "I want you to have a talk as her situation matches yours a little bit. You can better inform her how I feel about parents selling their kids off." Rexford's demeanor turned cold as he spoke now. "Also, this is for you Lu Yanwu, to give to your family and make it very clear that Lu Yanxue is now one of my people and that means her parents as well if they are worth it."

Handing her a box of Spirit Enhancing Pills, there was a note inside. Very detailed in regard to some of the Lu Family's secrets and wrongdoings. The only peace offering he would give to them as promising business ventures were not likely in the cards for them all.

Lu Yanwu understood as she took the box. But she was not ready for someone grabbing her hand. Richard was obtaining her History while also passing over some Martial Arts to her via Telepathy as well. The influx of information was strong and concrete inside her mind. Both the use of a Rapier and Longsword for a weapon added in was odd.

"I.. thank you." Lu Yanwu excused herself as she had a lot to think about. "I will see you all later." 

Richard smiled as he had a lot to think over. He was tempted to tell Rexford that Lu Yanwu actually wanted him but that would spoil everything going on and the emotional development of everyone.

"Let us go to the conference, it is always good to make more money." Rexford grabbed his coat while speaking to the others. The intermission had been short but long enough to get some changes underway. "Make sure to pay attention to those you Network with today, I am looking for unusual items and artifacts still."

"Hmm, sounds good to me. I have to meet with some of the Medicine God Valley people anyway. Should be able to secure the location of a few places with herbs to help grow your garden." Richard unrolled his sleeves, as it did give a more professional look to him. "I will make sure to go and visit Clark later today. Do you want me to give him anything?"

"Yes.." Of course, he would give something to his younger cousin in the States. "..can't have him thinking I was not thinking about him. Even though we talk every other day."

As the two Champions walked out talking those remaining started to converse. Mostly welcoming the newcomers and making Miao Xiaoqian and Lu Yanxue comfortable. All the other newcomers were already Martial Artists or had been exposed to Rexord's methods already.

The spreading of a contact list was the most welcome of the talks. The movement of technology was so hard to do for the traditional cultivators that the young members were behind a little bit.

As they got that squared away, Rexford was hoping to run into someone very particular.

.

Way into the Grace of the Egyptian Pantheon-

.

Trading with Blood Blade was just what he needed after the next bit of trading was underway. He also acquired a few items that would be tossed into the Black Gold Vortex to help reproduce them later.

The statue of Horus led to an Internal Space where the Soul Remnant which was just a fragment of the Deity Horus resided. As a fragment cast into or developed into this Dimension it was subject to all sorts of changes compared to the original. Changes that warped it away from its previous design in this Dimension.

"You, are the child of that Being, are you here to get rid of me or enslave me?" The voice of Horus projected strongly as it affected the actual environment. Creating whirlwinds of sand and wind around the people. "I will not go quietly."

"That is not the case of what I am here for." Rexford shielded against the kick up of sand and out of his eyes as he stepped forward between the masses. "Partner with me, ally with me, and I will keep you from fading away. Earth needs more to defend it here."

The future visiting cultivators on this earth still unnerved him.

The statue of Horus looked him over for any falsehoods. Not finding any after some time, a decision would have to be made. 

The Horus fragment knew what its fate was to be here and what it would take to return in power. Both were impractical so it stopped fighting and did what a Deity is supposed to do. 

Sacrifice everything for its subjects.

"You are something to gamble on but I ask you to protect my people. Save them from themselves.. do not be like that Being!" 

*Shine!* The gold in Rexford's eyes grew brighter as Qi was amplified by Faith energy. Deep in the core of his being, the Mini was bombarded with energy that weakened its connection to outside forces.

Rexford came to sometime later with his soul rattled. The fragment of a Deity was not something he could handle directly at his soul. If it was trying to hurt him, his natural defenses would have protected him. 

"Pain caused by getting help and something beneficial... to my very existence. Never thought I would live to see the day." He was about to pull out of the space but something was really wrong. "Hold on now.. this can't be right!?"

Moving to the feeling and possible disturbance he came across a Sun Disk. A bit of Horus left that could influence him over time. It was not malicious but a backup plan in case he forgot to adhere to the fragment's desire to protect its people. With the power gain his increase in cultivation alone, specifically with that of the Sun and that of Ruling, the remaining power that tied to Protection and the Sky would be wasted on him for a few years.

Separating them both, he congealed as best he could the two into Aspects. The Aspect of Protection he would give to Richard and Sky he would give to Sini Dova. It would take some time but no time like the present to work on it.