Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The elegant rooms on the third floor of the Rare Treasure Pavilion were all constructed with soundproof crystal bricks, embedded with spirit pearls and incense balls. Four walls lined with cabinets displayed various white porcelain pieces, each crafted with exquisite skill, rivaling the finest workmanship. The central statue of a bodhisattva, with its flowing silk sash resembling water or silk, imparted a sense of tranquility and peace in every detail.

The room offered a broad view; upon entering, one would see a window with a Huangli wood desk beneath it. The desk was adorned with brand new writing tools that had never been used. Apart from these, the spacious tabletop remained empty.

Clearly, since the establishment of this Rare Treasure Pavilion, this elegant room had never been utilized.

Without any beaded curtains or screens, Wen Hean could immediately see her acquaintance upon entering.

Hearing the movement, the person at the desk looked up at Wen Hean.

This was a woman with a gentle, watery appearance, her hair styled half-up, half-down, adorned with clouds and mist. She wore a dress patterned with pearls and flowers, overlaid with a light veil. Her eyes sparkled like autumn waters, radiating charm and grace.

Through a layer of curtain and an unfamiliar cicada beast skin, she continued to scrutinize Wen Hean, particularly her newly drawn eyes. After a moment, she detected a hint of familiarity and said firmly, "It is indeed you."

She rose, gesturing to the Eight Immortals stool opposite the desk, inviting, "Second Young Master, please sit down and talk."

The ladies entered promptly to serve tea and then bowed out, closing the door tightly behind them.

Wen Hean neither confirmed nor denied, nodding to Lin Shiyuan before calmly sitting down, hands folded in her lap. Without glancing at the steaming tea, her voice was calm as if she had come solely to reminisce, "Who did you think it would be?"

Lin Shiyuan smiled gently, saying, "After reconsidering, I knew it couldn't be anyone else. That rune, I only showed it to Second Young Master."

"Just hard to believe."

Her lips curved slightly, changing the tone but still soothing, "Both Tian Du and the Imperial Court have issued arrest warrants for Second Young Master. Appearing now is quite risky."

"Situation forces it."

Wen Hean lifted her own curtain, revealing a completely unfamiliar face to Lin Shiyuan. Unconcerned about others' perceptions, she preferred to observe their subtle expressions during negotiations.

She touched the teacup to test its temperature, eyelashes fluttering slightly, sighing softly as if anticipating Lin Shiyuan's words, analyzing, "Handing me over to Wen Liuguang or Jiang Zhao wouldn't bring you much benefit."

Lin Shiyuan's smile remained unchanged, not responding directly but instead recalling the past, "In the last twenty years, I've thrice earnestly invited Second Young Master to join us, seeking cooperation. Each time, you refused. Frankly, this has been my most unsuccessful negotiation so far, still frustrating to recall."

The underlying meaning was clear: when you held power, I repeatedly sought cooperation, which you dismissed. Now, in dire straits and pursued, what right do you have to discuss past collaborations?

Wen Hean's expression remained unchanged. She always maintained a composed demeanor, unaffected by sarcasm or flattery, always considering her options. She nodded, leaning slightly back in her chair, "Tian Du, with its thirty-three celestial mountains and fifteen state cities, is complex and intertwined. I am already entangled in this chaotic situation, why would I want to get involved in the Lin family's mess?"

She met Lin Shiyuan's gaze, not hiding her thoughts, "The internal strife within the Lin family is no less intense than Tian Du's."

Lin Shiyuan's brows twitched slightly, not disputing it.

Wen Hean and Lin Shiyuan had a relationship that was neither deep nor shallow. In terms of reputation and strength, the Lin family couldn't match the three major families, but their wealth was renowned throughout Jiu Zhou. Every cultivator carried a Lingzhuang token, and the flourishing Rare Treasure Pavilions across all prosperous cities were theirs.

When Wen Hean managed the fifteen cities inside and outside Tian Du, the Lin family's eldest daughter, standing before her, discussed expanding the Rare Treasure Pavilion.

Wen Hean had a strong impression of her.

Lin Shiyuan was the first child of the current Lin family patriarch. Born when her parents' relationship had deteriorated, she received little affection. Despite immense wealth, he was carefree and had numerous lovers, gradually bringing many children home.

Lin Shiyuan had several distant siblings.

From a young age, she displayed exceptional business acumen, evident in the improvements made to Lingzhuang and the Rare Treasure Pavilion. However, people are biased; compared to this talented but emotionally distant daughter, the patriarch favored his younger son who resembled him greatly.

As the children grew older and began vying for power, the patriarch secretly supported his younger son. Ten years ago, he divided the family's main source of wealth between his eldest daughter and youngest son.

Lin Huai took charge of Lingzhuang, while Lin Shiyuan oversaw the Rare Treasure Pavilion.

The other children, unwilling to accept their lot, devised all sorts of schemes to amass wealth, jumping through hoops and creating quite a few comical incidents. Then one day, three or four of them perished in bizarre ways, and the remaining five or six went mad overnight. Only one, who had always been law-abiding, sensing the impending danger, hastily took what little he had and moved to a separate residence, cutting off all ties with the main family.

Such a storm of moves comes from Lin Shiyuan.

To those who understood the situation, these actions carried a certain degree of resentment and dissatisfaction.

Everyone knows that although Lingzhuang and the Rare Treasure Pavilion are both renowned enterprises of the Lin family, their natures are entirely different. Almost all cultivators choose to store the majority of their assets in Lingzhuang because of its unique气息识别功能, which prevents thieves from targeting them. To this day, there is nothing that can replace it, allowing it to dominate the field even without changing.

The Rare Treasure Pavilion, on the other hand, faces countless establishments selling items needed by cultivators across various state cities. If they do not strive for progress and make changes, they will be replaced by emerging competitors in no time, without even needing a decade or two.

Lin Shiyuan was not as indifferent and passive as she appeared on the surface. She had never intended to hand over Lingzhuang, which she had painstakingly improved and for which she had pushed herself to the point of collapse, to her younger brother.

So she wants to collaborate with Wen Hean.

Just been rejected three times.

She took a sip of tea and smiled gently. "Young Master Second, have you changed your mind now?"

"No, but circumstances forced me to."

She calculated the time, her hand resting on the cool surface of the table, and straightforwardly stated her purpose: "Miss Lin, let's talk. It takes an hour to travel from the Lin family estate to Luozhou using the teleportation array. If you had no intention of cooperating, you naturally wouldn't have come."

Lin Shiyuan extended her hand toward her, making a gesture of invitation. "Please, Second Young Mistress, go ahead and speak."

"I need three Ninth Realm cultivators to unseal my cultivation." Wen Hean leaned slightly closer, her voice clear and composed, yet every word was filled with allure. "Once it's done, I owe you a favor, and Tian Du will help you accomplish what you have always wanted to do."

"Someone who has been abandoned by Tian Du would find it difficult to regain support there." Lin Shiyuan said unreservedly: "Or rather, there is hardly any chance of that."

"How could there not be?"

Wen Liuguang gained power, framed me, and hunted me down. After years of entanglement, only death can settle the enmity between us. If she dies, do you think the Wen family would let it go?

Lin Shiyuan's expression changed slightly.

Wen Hean stood up, facing the closed window, and adjusted her frayed collar as if chilled by the wind, coughing softly a few times. Her eyes remained clear and bright, making one feel as comfortable as if they had been washed by water: "I began cultivation at twelve, advanced through four realms at eighteen, secluded myself for several decades, and upon emerging, broke into the Ninth Realm. My ranking on the jiuZhou combat power list has never fallen below the top five. With the loss of Wen Liuguang, only I remain for the Wen family."

"Tens of thousands of young people in Tian Du, yet only I can stand against Lu Yuran and Jiang Wushuang."

"They had no choice."

Wen Hean was the type who, if given ample time, could engage in prolonged discussions over several cups of tea, smiling and listening without speaking. However, when time was short, she would act decisively, aiming to cut through the clutter. She now leaned her hand on the table, her knuckles changing color from the force applied, and bluntly delivered a strong message: "If you still can't make up your mind, I'll tell you another piece of news."

Lin Shiyuan narrowed her eyes.

"Your brother, Lin Huai, joined Wen Liuguang a few months ago." As Lin Shiyuan's gaze tightened and she almost blurted out "Impossible," Wen Hean raised her index finger to her lips, stopping her words: "Indeed, the three major families wouldn't interfere with the Lin family's mess, just as I've rejected you three times in the past twenty years. But this time, your brother offered a hefty sum—he promised to give Lingzhuang a 20% profit share."

Lin Shiyuan couldn't maintain her composure any longer, slamming her hand on the table, her eyes icy cold.

"All these years, you've always wanted to work with me rather than with Wen Liuguang and Jiang Wushuang; surely you had your reasons." Wen Hean said: "I'm not greedy and have no interest in the profits of Lingzhuang or the Rare Treasure Pavilion. Think about it—do you want to work with me?"

Lin Shiyuan slowly sat back down, tearing away her veneer of gentleness, rubbing her temples, trying to hold back her anger but still cursing: "That fool Lin Huai—"

She took a deep breath and met Wen Hean's gaze: "We're tied together like grasshoppers on a string; what else can we do?"

Wen Hean wasn't surprised by her choice and gave her a friendly smile.

Since Lin Shiyuan came, it meant she had already made her decision before arriving. Wen Hean's words merely reinforced her resolve.

This was clear to both of them.

"I can't gather three Ninth Realms within a short time," Lin Shiyuan admitted: "Given your current sensitive position, I dare not call anyone here unless they are absolutely trustworthy."

Collaborating with Wen Hean meant facing the risk of being targeted by both the Imperial Court and Tian Du, putting immense pressure on her.

Wen Hean wasn't surprised: "How many can you find now?"

"Two," Lin Shiyuan replied, taking out a square mirror: "I'll try to find more."

"No need," Wen Hean pondered, pulling out a letter from her sleeve and pushing it towards her: "I don't dare use your Rare Treasure Pavilion's Snail Sound Array. Please deliver this letter to Yueliu, the leader of the inner city guards in Tian Du."

"I know her," Lin Shiyuan stared at her for a moment, then added cautiously: "Since you lost power, Wen Liuguang has taken over all your subordinates. This Yueliu might not be reliable anymore."

"It's fine. She is a Ninth Realm and doesn't interact with me much. Everyone in Tian Du says we don't get along. Wen Liuguang wants to recruit her and won't make things difficult for her. Have someone deliver the letter to her; she will understand."

Just traveling between Tian Du and here would take half a month, crossing the Drowning Sea.

Lin Shiyuan took the letter, scrutinizing Wen Hean again, asking: "Are you staying in Luozhou? Do you want me to arrange a safer residence and send some guards?"

Wen Hean shook her head: "No, thank you. I have a place to stay."

Lin Shiyuan was curious: "Since your trusted subordinates are still in Tian Du, who saved you? I heard that after the notice was posted, many people were detained across various regions, but none of the portraits matched you. Wen Liuguang went mad with rage."

Wen Hean only smiled, showing no signs of anger.

The Lin family did big business, and Lin Shiyuan was known for her courage. She had been negotiating alone since her teens and had seen countless people. Wen Hean was the most temperate Ninth Realm she had ever encountered.

People always ended up saying more than intended when talking to her.

"Stay for dinner," Lin Shiyuan suggested, preparing to signal her subordinates outside: "The Rare Treasure Pavilion has been open in Luozhou for two years, and this is my first visit."

Wen Hean didn't initially plan to refuse but suddenly remembered something. She held her square mirror and gently said: "Wait, let me check."

Lin Shiyuan stood still, puzzled.

In this world, no one is perfect, and Lu Yuran's biggest flaw was his tendency to say one thing and mean another. He usually acted indifferent towards everyone, but if you actually followed his advice, he would give you the cold shoulder for days or nitpick every little thing.

Wen Hean understood this well. She caressed her square mirror and sent two messages.

"Will you have dinner tonight?"

"Should I eat in the city and return later?"

Lu Yuran happened to be looking at his square mirror. Seeing the darkening sky, he lowered his gaze, his long fingers moving swiftly, responding quickly.

"No."

"Come back and eat. Shang Huai is cooking."

As expected.

Wen Hean put the square mirror away, waved at Lin Shiyuan, and whispered: "Not today. I have something to do."

"Besides you, I have another partner, and now I owe both sides." Facing Lin Shiyuan's thoughtful gaze, Wen Hean sighed softly: "I'll go now. Send your two Ninth Realms to Luozhou and remember to cover your tracks. We can communicate via the square mirror if anything comes up."

Wen Hean had Lin Shiyuan input her aura into the square mirror, then left the Rare Treasure Pavilion.

In an inconspicuous corner of another street, a carriage waited silently. Upon seeing her return, a guard opened the curtain for her, turned the carriage around, and sped towards the outer island.

That day, the main city of the Imperial Court, near Yun Feng, experienced its last winter snowstorm, covering everything in ice.

Jiang Zhao was summoned back.

A large hand parted the floor-length pearl curtain, and the ruler of the Imperial Court dismissed his attendants, striding in. Jiang Zhao lowered his lashes, showing submission: "Greetings, Father."

"Rise," the ruler said, wearing a spiritual crown, sitting high above. He looked down at his son, born with imperfections and sent to Tian Du as a hostage for over a decade, his gaze penetrating, voice filled with authority: "Ah Zhao, the clan has an urgent mission for you."

Jiang Zhao anticipated this meeting, his voice calm: "Please instruct me, Father."

"This concerns the Heavenly Mandate and the Emperor's Source. You must leave immediately with ten elders and officials from the clan to Luozhou and Jiaocheng. The clan has already informed Wushuang, who will come out of seclusion and meet you there. Follow your brother's lead and assist him fully."

Jiang Zhao responded without emotion: "Yes."

The ruler narrowed his eyes, his brows forming a deep frown: "Both Tian Du and Mountain Wu have received the news. Unexpectedly, Lu Yuran and Wen Liuguang are likely heading to those places. Tell Wushuang to be especially cautious, especially of Lu Yuran."

Upon hearing "Lu Yuran," Jiang Zhao's lifeless eyes suddenly sparked. His fingers twitched, his throat moved, and the chill in his nose seemed to fill his lungs.

Being with Wen Hean for two years.

The overwhelming pressure brought by this name tormented him every day, almost suffocating him.

Even back at the Jiang family, this name remained like a curse, repeatedly mentioned even by the head of the Imperial Court.

It seemed like an insurmountable obstacle in life.

"Since you're going there, visit the outer island as well. When you arrive, I have another task for you."

The head of the Imperial Court paused, looked at him, and tapped meaningfully, "Ah Zhao, in this world, only power and family are your foundation. You are young now, and you might feel passionate enough to live or die for someone, but without a solid foundation, even if you were to bare your heart to a lady, she wouldn't give it a second glance, would she?"

Ice crystals flickered in Jiang Zhao's eyes, and he couldn't help clenching his fists.