However, he first read the letter, confirming that the Ninth Grade Spiritual Object, the Purifying Flood Lotus, and the two acres of Water Spirit Fields were all in order.
Only then did he soften his tone.
"Qian’er, it was all my fault! I never should have doubted you..."
When it ca to a contest of cultivation, Luo Qian’er’s Late Stage of Qi Cultivation Third Layer was no match for Zhou Can.
But in a battle of wits and manipulation, even soone as shrewd as Zhou Can was far inferior to Luo Qian’er.
"There’s no point in talking. Let’s just say you and I were fated to et but not to be, Zhou Lang. Take this courtyard back. And find soone else for the Inspector position at the Laundry Room.
Once my twelve-year term is up, I’ll just go back ho and find soone to marry!"
Luo Qian’er’s shoulders trembled as she sobbed uncontrollably. Finally, she played her trump card.
"It just ans... It just ans I was wrong about you! I thought you were a man I could entrust my life to, Zhou Lang, a great man who could build a clan and make a na for himself!"
Zhou Can’s face twitched. All doubt in his heart vanished, and he cast aside all other concerns.
"I failed to understand your intentions. Your parents are so generous, so I won’t be stingy either. How about this? Your little brother wants to buy a Nourishing Essence Pill, doesn’t he? I’ll pay for it!"
Luo Qian’er’s eyelids twitched. Normally, this would be her cue to end the conversation.
But then she rembered what Junior Brother Jiang had said. ’If my little brother Luo Tong can enter the Inner Peak, why can’t I?’
"That won’t be necessary. I don’t want to owe you anything else! I’ll find another way for my brother to enter the Inner Peak.
Go ho, Zhou Lang. I’m a bit tired..."
Zhou Can’s eyes narrowed as his mind raced. He still coveted the Ninth Grade Spiritual Object, the Purifying Flood Lotus, and the two acres of Water Spirit Fields.
’Those are all treasures for growing a family and establishing a clan back ho!’
"Qian’er, please don’t talk like that. I’ve t Elder Xu from the Inner Peak a few tis. I will make proper arrangents for your little brother to ensure he gets in.
Besides, I rember you saying that a bride price in Lianxi is several hundred thousand. I’ll bring 200,000 talisman-money to you. You can hold onto it as our betrothal gift, a show of my sincerity."
Zhou Can said, choosing his words carefully.
"You’d better not. You’ll only regret it later and mourn your lost money..."
Luo Qian’er knew the timing was perfect, but she chose to let him stew a little longer, to make the victory sweeter.
"I absolutely won’t!"
Hearing the hesitation in Luo Qian’er’s voice, Zhou Can quickly added:
"How about I write you a note? I can even add the words ’Voluntarily Gifted’."
Luo Qian’er sniffed delicately.
"I’m not forcing you. You’re the one offering."
Zhou Can let out a hearty, feigned laugh. He exchanged a few more gentle words with Luo Qian’er, then went ho to get the money for her to deliver to Luo Tong.
’Two hundred thousand talisman-money is more than enough for a Nourishing Essence Pill...’
Luo Qian’er mused, the image of Junior Brother Jiang and his teoric rise flashing through her mind.
...
...
Jiang Yi returned to Red Fla Peak with an extra fifty thousand talisman-money. Several thick wads of it were tucked into his robes, filling him with a deep sense of security.
’One hundred and fifty thousand talisman-money is enough to fund the ritual, use the Pool of Fire and Water to refine my spirit, and raise my cultivation.’
Jiang Yi’s heart burned with anticipation, and a golden light flashed in his eyes. Since the deal with Heshui Cave was settled, the karmic ties from the Inner Peak harvest were now resolved.
Seeing that the Celestial Book still had energy to spare, he idly posed another question.
[I beg the Celestial Book, show if there are still gains to be had today!]
[Supplentary condition: No specifics needed. Just answer "Yes" or "No".]
The result ca quickly. After only a few monts, the golden paper trembled.
[Yes.]
Jiang Yi paused, stunned. He looked up at the dark, snow-filled sky. ’It’s almost midnight. How could there still be gains to be had?’
’What, is money going to fall from the sky?’
Lost in thought, Jiang Yi arrived at the entrance to the Big Mixed Courtyard.
Then he stopped in his tracks, a peculiar expression on his face.
"Junior Brother Jiang..."
Luo Qian’er stood in the wind and snow, her pretty face pale with cold, yet she managed to force a faint, delicate smile.
"Last ti, you ntioned you were short on funds. I brought so talisman-money to help you out."
...
...
’Help out? This is just paying back!’
Jiang Yi always saw things clearly; he wasn’t about to be fooled by Luo Qian’er.
He returned to his room. The hard wooden bed in the narrow space was covered with crimson talisman-money, a delightful sight.
’Fifty thousand from Heshui Cave’s down paynt, and fifty thousand returned by Luo Qian’er. That’s one hundred thousand right there.’
’Once the final paynt cos in tomorrow, I’ll be holding two hundred thousand talisman-money. I’ll be rich!’
Jiang Yi wondered to himself. ’The original owner of this body only gave her a little over thirty thousand. I can’t believe Luo Qian’er ca back with fifty thousand.’
’What a pleasant surprise. A true windfall!’
’I even made a profit of twenty thousand. I’ll just consider it compensation for "my" troubles.’
Jiang Yi felt a little reluctant to put the talisman-money away. He wanted to lie down and sleep on top of it.
In just a few days, it would all be gone.
As he was debating what to do, his sharp ears caught a sound from outside. It sounded like soone was knocking on his door, softly calling, "Senior Brother Jiang."
’Who could that be?’
Jiang Yi slipped on his cloth shoes, threw on an outer robe, and walked through the wind and snow to the door, sliding open the wooden bolt.
’Who on Red Fla Peak would be looking for this late?’
"Senior Brother Jiang! It’s , Luo Tong! My sister is Luo Qian’er. Do you rember?"
"Oh... Junior Brother Luo."
Jiang Yi froze.
’The Luo Family Siblings, coming one after another... What are they up to?’
"Senior Brother Jiang, I saw you at Heshui Cave today but didn’t get a chance to say hello.
My sister often speaks of you, and I know you’ve helped her a great deal in the past.
This is just a small token of my gratitude. Please, accept it."
Luo Tong took a thick wad of talisman-money from his robes.
"I understand that money is a crude thing, and using it to curry favor is a rather base thod.
In a few days, I will present you with a Nourishing Essence Pill as a proper gift and invite you for a drink then."
Without waiting for a reply, Luo Tong stuffed the talisman-money into Jiang Yi’s hand, cupped his fists in farewell, and vanished into the snowy night.
’The sister and the brother... have they had a personality change? Do they enjoy playing the part of the God of Wealth now?’
Jiang Yi clutched the still-warm talisman-money, completely baffled.
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