Should Zhong Wen Stay?

"Mr. Zhong, I truly appreciate your help today," Lin Zhiyun's melodious voice sounded in Zhong Wen's ears, making him feel a bit euphoric.

"It was just a small effort. It's a pity that I couldn't be of more assistance in the end. It still comes down to your formidable display of power, Master," Zhong Wen said with some regret.

"No, if I hadn't paid off the debt, I wouldn't have intervened. I would have had to hand over Qingfeng Mountain, which my master left to me. Otherwise, it would be no different from robbers and bandits," Lin Zhiyun said seriously, "Besides, I couldn't allow myself to be ungrateful."

Zhong Wen:...

Regarding Lin Zhiyun's principles, Zhong Wen wasn't sure whether to commend her for having principles or to call her stubborn. A powerful Heaven Wheel expert like her had ended up in such a financial predicament, which was undoubtedly related to her character.

"Mr. Zhong, what are your plans for the future?"

"Master Lin, since I regained consciousness after my injury, I've lost most of my memories. I don't remember where I came from, or who my parents are, and I can't even recognize characters. During the most bewildering time in my life, when this world cast me aside, it was thanks to Xiaodie's daily care and companionship that I learned to read, which also greatly helps me recover my memory. Miss Liu and Miss Yin have also treated me kindly. It's Drifting Petal Palace that allowed me to feel warmth in my heart once more. This kindness... I would repay it with everything I have, even if it meant my life."

This dramatic monologue had a significant effect on the young girls, with Liu Qiqi and the others being deeply moved. Even the little girl's eyes were turning slightly red.

"In this world, everything is new to me, and in the eyes of this world, I'm no different from a lost soul. Although I've only spent a few days in Drifting Petal Palace, these few days have made me feel at home. I've received great kindness from you, Master, and the sisters. I shouldn't ask for anything more, but I still hope to stay here for a while. I want to stay and repay Drifting Petal Palace's kindness to the best of my ability, and also to continue learning characters, hoping to restore my memory as soon as possible. I hope Master can grant my request."

"Master!" The little girl listened with teary eyes and tugged on Lin Zhiyun's sleeve, pleading, "Let Zhong Wen stay, please?"

Lin Zhiyun was a soft-hearted person, and was already swayed by Zhong Wen's passionate speech. The little girl's plea further loosened her stance. She said, "Mr. Zhong, without your Spirit Crystals, we might have lost Qingfeng Mountain today. And when you risked your life to protect Xiaodie, it showed you are a kind and honest person. But living here with only women might not be the most convenient. People might gossip in the future."

"I'll walk my path and let others talk," Zhong Wen replied with determination, borrowing a popular saying from the internet. It sounded mysteriously profound to the people in Drifting Petal Palace.

Lin Zhiyun couldn't help but admire him, and her gaze held a few more traces of approval. "Mr. Zhong, your words are brilliant. I was indeed too stubborn. Although life here is simple, if you're willing, you'll forever be a guest of Drifting Petal Palace, and there's no need to mention repaying the favor."

In the eyes of Liu Qiqi, Yin Ning'er, and the little girl, Zhong Wen had already become a moral saint with a golden halo shining behind him, making them have a higher opinion of him. The little girl cheered with joy upon hearing that Zhong Wen could stay.

"Thank you, Master! Don't call me 'Mr. Zhong' anymore; just call me Zhong Wen," he said with a bow.

With the opportunity to stay in the Drifting Petal Palace, the chance of getting closer to Lin Zhiyun naturally increased. Since his heart was moved, Zhong Wen decided to take action. The Zhong Wen from the internet era had no intention of burying his feelings.

"The Palace Master has returned, and the matter of the debt has been smoothly resolved. Zhong Wen can stay. Truly, three joys have come at once," Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "I will prepare some signature dishes. Today, let’s all come to the hall to dine together."

Lin Zhiyun nodded with a smile, "Mr... Zhong Wen, you should come too."

"With great pleasure."

Eager to share a meal with his goddess, Zhong Wen readily agreed.

"Master Lin," as Mrs. Wang hastily left the scene, Zhong Wen suddenly spoke, "The people who came to collect the debt today, although Mr. Jin appeared to lead them, the ones truly in charge were those four Earth Wheel experts. They shouldn't be from the same group."

Lin Zhiyun nodded and said, "Those cultivators likely belong to the 'someone significant' that Mr. Jin mentioned. Otherwise, considering Mr. Jin's status as an mediocre, it's hard to imagine how he could command so many Earth Wheel cultivators."

"Exactly," Zhong Wen continued to analyze, "Being able to easily command four Earth Wheel experts indicates that the mastermind behind them is quite powerful. If they are plotting to seize the land deed for Qingfeng Mountain, they might still have other tricks up their sleeves."

"Are you saying..."

"In addition, don't you find that those people retreated very quickly as if their plot had not completely failed?" Zhong Wen's words filled Lin Zhiyun with worry. "I'm not afraid of them using force to take it, but it’s those treacherous methods that worries me most."

"Moreover, don't you find their retreat too decisive? It's as if the plan hasn't completely failed."

Upon hearing Zhong Wen's words, Lin Zhiyun couldn't help but feel somewhat concerned, "I am not afraid of them using force to seize it. It's just these cunning methods that give me a headache."

"Don't fear the thief stealing; fear the thief scheming. Palace Master, you need to take precautions early..." In order to impress his crush, Zhong Wen started to play the role of an adviser.

*****************************************************************

At the foot of the mountain, two burly men ruthlessly tossed Mr. Jin to the ground, leaving him seeing stars.

"Damn disgusting!" one of them spat on the ground, cursing fiercely.

"Qi Da, we messed up this time. We didn't expect Lin Zhiyun, that woman, to be so inconspicuous and already in the Heaven Wheel realm. She looks like she's only twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. With this kind of cultivation speed, if it gets out, she could easily rank in the top ten of the Great Qian Heroes Ranking."

The speaker was one of the four Earth Wheel cultivators, and "Qi Da" was the leader among them.

"What should we do next?" another Earth Wheel cultivator asked. "Should we report back to the Young Master first and discuss it further? And as for this pig, should we..."

As he spoke, he made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Don't rush. Young Master is a remarkable figure. How could he not have a backup plan for such a situation?" Qi Da cast a cold, disdainful glance at Mr. Jin on the ground, not hiding his contempt. "For now, we'll keep this pig's life because it might come in handy."

"What should we do next?"

"We wait."

*****************************************************************

"Palace Master Lin, you're back?" Zheng Yueting saw Lin Zhiyun as soon as she entered and quickly went forward to greet her.

"Miss Zheng, are you here to spar with Qiqi again?" Lin Zhiyun smiled. "Have you had your lunch? It's a bit late today, so why don't we have lunch together?"

Lin Zhiyun held a good impression of this opponent as well as good friend of Qiqi.

Zheng Yueting had already eaten something before coming, and she had originally come to listen to the story of Journey to the West. She was about to refuse but saw Liu Qiqi, Zhong Wen, and the others already at the dining table. If she waited for the story, she would have to wait a long time. So, she also joined.

"Today's dishes are quite sumptuous." Lin Zhiyun noticed that Mrs. Wang had brought a large pot of chicken stew to celebrate, not realizing that it was due to Zhong Wen's impulsive spending.

Lin Xiaodie scooped a spoonful of soup, brought it to her mouth, and then blew on it lightly. She smelled the fragrance but found it bland once she tasted it, and her little face drooped. She turned to Zhong Wen and said, "Zhong Wen, do you have any 'Miracle Elixir' left?"

"Of course, I do." Zhong Wen smiled and took out a salt packet from his pocket. He broke off a piece and dropped it into the soup.

Liu Qiqi, Zheng Yueting, and the others saw the salt and their eyes lit up. Even Yin Ning'er showed an expectant look.

Lin Xiaodie, who had been waiting, picked up the soup ladle and stirred it evenly, then served a bowl for everyone at the table.

Lin Zhiyun and Mrs. Wang looked at each other, not understanding what Lin Xiaodie and Zhong Wen were doing.

"A homemade seasoning, please don't be offended, Palace Master Lin," Zhong Wen explained.

"Master, this is 'Miracle Elixir' made by Zhong Wen himself, it's so delicious, you must try it quickly," the little girl eagerly presented, seizing the opportunity.

Lin Zhiyun lifted her soup bowl and tasted it after flew it a few times. Her graceful and elegant movements, along with her enjoyment, made Zhong Wen's heart race.

How can soup taste this good?

Lin Zhiyun's eyes sparkled.

She was born into a noble family and had enjoyed various delicacies from a young age. Yet none of them could compare to the bowl of chicken soup in front of her. She couldn't help but give Zhong Wen another appreciative look.

"What is this..." Mrs. Wang also tasted the chicken soup, and her expression was extremely strange. "Zhong Wen, I originally thought my cooking was decent, but now it seems that I haven’t met a true expert until now. If you're willing to be the chef, I'm afraid I'll be out of a job soon."

"Don’t make fun of me, Mrs. Wang. It's just a seasoning," Zhong Wen replied modestly.

The ladies were already immersed in the deliciousness of the chicken soup. For a while, the only sounds were the clinking of spoons against bowls, and no one had the mood to chat. And the other dishes without salt felt less appetizing.

After eating, they chatted for a while. Zhong Wen got up and returned to his room, and Lin Xiaodie followed closely.

Liu Qiqi and Zheng Yueting also got up to leave. Lin Zhiyun though they were gonna practice, but was surprised to see that they followed Zhong Wen into his room and closed the door behind them.

She couldn't help feeling a little upset.

These two girls are not that young anymore. They have been in a room with a man for so long in broad daylight, and they don't care if people gossip.

While she trusted that Liu Qiqi and Zheng Yueting wouldn't do anything improper, she still couldn't help but worry and quietly came to Zhong Wen's room and tried to figure out what was going on in there.

At the Heaven Wheel realm, cultivators had greatly improved physical qualities and their hearing was far superior to ordinary people. She could hear Zhong Wen's voice from inside the room:

"Tang Monk saw him put on a hat, instead of eating his food, he silently recited the tight-fitting spell once, and Monkey cried out, 'My head hurts, my head hurts!'..."

It turned out that he was telling stories.

After listening for a while, Lin Zhiyun breathed a sigh of relief, let go of her worries, and found herself also attracted to the vivid and interesting story. She couldn't bear to leave and remained standing at the door.

*****************************************************************

On regular days, the branch of 'Shengyu Trading Company' in Fufeng City was usually deserted.

However, on this day, there was a long line of unicorn carriages in front of the trading house, each carriage intricately designed with gold trim, and massive parasols held above, giving off an upscale and grandiose appearance. The unicorns pulling the carriages were well-fed and strong, exuding a lively spirit.

In the guest room on the second floor of the trading house, there was a large, cushioned bench in the center, adorned with cotton and colorful silk covers. In front of the bench sat an exquisite peachwood tea table, displaying a set of jadeite tea utensils, combining elegance with antiquity. The plump shopkeeper, Wang, stood respectfully beside the bench.

Sitting on the bench was a charming and peerless young woman, around twenty years old, dressed in a red short top with golden clover embroidery, paired with a red slit skirt revealing her fair slender thighs and delicate black knee-high boots.

"Miss, what brings you to our branch this time?" Fufeng City was quite remote, with a small scale and limited trade volume, so the headquarters paid little attention to this branch, making the shopkeeper Wang somewhat lethargic in managing its operations.

However, the person seated on the bench was the only beloved daughter of the head of Shengyu Trading Company, Shangguan Mingyue. She had taken charge of a significant portion of the company's affairs since she was ten years old. Shengyu Trading Company was among the top three trading houses in the entire Great Qian. The wealth of the head of the company, Shangguan Tong, could be described as "wealthy enough to rival a nation." With his sole heir being Shangguan Mingyue, whoever could marry her would undoubtedly inherit an unimaginable fortune.

Moreover, Shangguan Mingyue was renowned for her beauty, and ever since she became an adult, she had countless suitors coming to her doorstep. It was said that they could stretch from the southern gate of the imperial capital to the north gate. Rumor had it that her admirers included members of the royal family. However, to this day, no young talent had managed to capture her attention.

"I was annoyed by a group of pests in Cangyun City and decided to come here to lay low with Uncle Wang." Shangguan Mingyue picked up a jadeite teacup from the tea table and took a sip, "If not for the relentless pursuit by 'Silver Ring,' I wouldn't have wanted to linger in the Southern Frontier for a moment."

"Isn't it because Miss has an irresistible charm, making it difficult for those young gentlemen to resist?" Shopkeeper Wang chuckled.

"It's truly annoying." Shangguan Mingyue rolled her eyes, her stunning face paired with a lazy expression, exuding an astonishing allure.

"I see that Miss has came with the whole caravan. I assume you'll be returning to the imperial capital soon?" Shopkeeper Wang inquired.

"Uncle Wang, I won't hide it from you. In this competition, the other side already has a head start, so there’s really nothing I can do here. I'm afraid 'Silver Ring' is about to dominate the future in the spiritual medicine market."

"Has the situation become that dire?" Although Shopkeeper Wang had semi-retired, he was still somewhat informed about the trading house's affairs. "Last year, we seemed to be evenly matched with them in the spiritual medicine market."

"The Xiao family has made a move." Shangguan Mingyue's delicate face slightly tensed. "Over the past year, the Xiao family has acquired a significant amount of land with a high yield of spiritual herbs, taking us by surprise."

"Behind 'Silver Ring,' we also have support from the royal family, don't we?" Shopkeeper Wang couldn't comprehend.

"We are not the only one that has been receiving their support. Plus, their internal disputes are still on, and they can't pay as much attention to supporting us in light of that." Shangguan Mingyue pouted, looking adorable. "So-called support is mainly about leveraging the name of the royal family to give us a fair competitive chance."

"The Xiao family's ambitions are quite obvious." Shopkeeper Wang sighed. "But Miss doesn't need to worry too much. Our advantage lies in the spiritual mining business, and a minor setback in the spiritual medicine market won't break us."

"But..." Shangguan Mingyue resumed her lazy posture and her gaze became somewhat ambiguous. "I’m responsible for the part of spirtual medicine."

"It's almost mealtime. How about having a meal here, Miss?" Shopkeeper Wang deftly changed the subject.

"Alright." Shangguan Mingyue nodded slightly.

Shopkeeper Wang let out a sigh of relief, smiling as he suggested, "You've come at a good time. Our Fufeng City branch recently acquired a seasoning that's quite extraordinary, and we've been reluctant to sell it. Miss might be in for a treat."

"Oh? That sounds interesting." Shangguan Mingyue's eyes lit up, her fingers gracefully brushing aside her hair. "I've grown tired of the specialties in Cangyun City, so it's the perfect time for a change."

Shopkeeper Wang clapped his hands, and a group of beautiful store attendants entered one by one, each carrying a golden food tray.

"Fufeng City is a small place and can't compare to the culinary richness of the capital," Shopkeeper Wang grinned. "But we do have a special dish called 'Emerald White Jade Pork Bone Soup,' which has its unique charm."

"I've already tasted it in Cangyun City," Shangguan Mingyue said with a hint of disappointment. "But go ahead."

"The so-called 'Emerald White Jade Pork Bone Soup' is nothing more than adding fragrant herb leaves, tofu, and premium pork, and giving it a fancy name. Naturally, it doesn't meet Miss's standards," Shopkeeper Wang explained with a smile. "But if we add a bit of 'Miracle Elixir' to it, it becomes something entirely different."

"'Miracle Elixir'?" Shangguan Mingyue thought for a moment but confirmed she hadn't heard of such an ingredient.

"That's the seasoning I mentioned. You'll know once you taste it." Shopkeeper Wang made a gesture, and the store attendants quickly served a bowl of soup for Shangguan Mingyue.

"As Uncle Wang praised it, I must try it." Shangguan Mingyue couldn't help but reveal a hopeful expression.

She gently scooped a spoonful into her mouth and savored it slowly. An unprecedented burst of delicious flavor spread across her taste buds. As a second-ranked foodie of the capital, she had demanding standards when it came to food, but at this moment, she felt entirely captivated.

"Mmm~"

The mighty Miss Shangguan let out an incredibly seductive moan, sending shivers down Shopkeeper Wang's spine as he kept his composure and avoided showing any embarrassment.

At first, Shangguan Mingyue maintained her composure, but as time passed, she couldn't even bother about her appearance anymore, putting down the spoon and gulping the soup directly from the bowl.

"One more bowl, please." The soup bowl was emptied quickly.

It was only when her belly was slightly bulging that the young lady reluctantly put down the bowl and said, "Uncle Wang, you've surprised me."

"As long as Miss is satisfied." Shopkeeper Wang was glad that he hadn’t used all the 'Miracle Elixir' earlier.

By pleasing the young lady before him, his retirement days would have more financial security.

"How much more of this 'Miracle Elixir' is available?"

"To be honest, not much, and I've also consumed a portion. There isn't much left."

"Can you find out who's making this seasoning?" Shangguan Mingyue's voice was filled with intense desire.

"The seller is a remarkably beautiful young woman. Although she didn't reveal her identity at the time, based on her appearance, I've learned that she's a disciple of the Drifting Petal Palace on Qingfeng Mountain." As a fan of 'Miracle Elixir,' he had long been investigating the seller. "It's a third-rate sect formed by women."

"Drifting Petal Palace..." A captivating smile appeared on Shangguan Mingyue's stunning face. "It seems that this time will bring unexpected gains."