Chương 116: Preparing to Depart

Plum Manor. As soon as he arrived home, Zhong Hong couldn't hold back his shouting:"I'm exhausted! Wukong, bring me something to snack on!" Looking at his disheveled appearance, with dark circles under his eyes like a panda, Song Que couldn't help but find it amusing:"What's wrong, Brother Hong? Did you go looking for girls at the brothel again to be looking so drained?" Zhong Hong immediately shot him a glare:"I'm lucky just to have a moment to catch my breath!

You threw a mountain of work at me while you sat around idly, and now you have the nerve to criticize! Oh, Xiong Ba, you're back!"

"Hehe, hello Brother Hong! A'Xin, how are you?" Xiong Ba glanced over, nodded at him, and continued practicing with his massive pair of hammers. Li Xin couldn't contain his curiosity. Having grown up playing together, they were close, so he immediately clung to him, asking questions and chatting. Song Que and Zhong Hong sat down under the shade of a tree to drink water.

"Hehe, the capable ones do more work! I'm not familiar with these things, so I had to trouble you, Brother Hong." Hearing Brother Hong complain, Grandee Song immediately stepped up to show concern, offering 'brainwashing' encouragement. The organization needs you, young man! Continue to burn your youth! Zhong Hong was just used to grumbling verbally. In reality, he thoroughly enjoyed his current life. Having his days filled with meaningful busyness was a feeling he had never experienced before.

Praised by Grandee Song, he stretched comfortably, his eyes bright with spirit as he smiled and said:"A'Que, all the goods have been gathered. If you want, we can depart at any moment."

"Excellent. This afternoon, I will make a trip to the Sea of Clouds Pavilion to meet Manager Yun. Inform Old Quan and the others that we will head back to Yellow Leaf Town first thing tomorrow morning." Hearing that they would immediately return to their hometown, even though they hadn't been away for long, everyone's emotions were stirred. This trip could be considered returning home in glory, wearing brocade garments! Zhong Hong was in an excellent mood and smiled:"No problem.

But you have to feed me a meal first."

"Haha, this meal will guarantee you eat your fill and drink to your heart's content! But you can't get drunk; we still have things to do this afternoon. We won't rest until we're drunk another day." As long as there was fine wine, Zhong Hong was instantly revived with full health! Once Wukong brought out the food, he ate and drank heartily with radiant energy. The group hadn't sat together like this for a long time, so they enjoyed this meal to the fullest. After eating, Song Que told Xiong Ba to fetch his horse.

He, along with Zhong Hong and Li Xin, entered the city once again.

"Brother Hong, I must trouble you to go to the blacksmith and order two extremely large cauldrons and several carts of iron beads for me. It must be done as quickly as possible; money is not an issue." Arriving in Qinghe County City, Song Que instructed Zhong Hong to purchase some cultivation equipment for him. After describing the dimensions of the cauldrons and the iron beads, Grandee Song slipped away and headed toward the Sea of Clouds Pavilion.... Sea of Clouds Pavilion.

Under Yun Shan's instructions, the guards here were extremely polite to Grandee Song. The moment they saw his face, they immediately stepped forward to welcome him.

"Greetings, Young Master Song! Are you here to see the Manager?"

"Mm, indeed! Are Manager Yun and Brother Jiu here? Please inform them for me."

"There is no need for that. The Manager has instructed us to lead you directly to the VIP room whenever you arrive. It just so happens that both the Manager and Captain Yun Jiu are present today. Allow this lowly one to lead the way." Saying that, he sent a companion to inform the two men while eagerly guiding Song Que to the VIP room.

Sitting in the room, before the tea had even steeped properly, Yun Shan and Yun Jiu walked in together: Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

"Young Master Song, congratulations, congratulations! I heard you caused a massive uproar at the Golden Snake Gang yesterday, winning ten thousand taels of silver and conveniently stealing the heart of their precious daughter! This old man was filled with utmost admiration upon hearing this!"

'Old in age but young at heart', Old Yun teased him the moment they met.

"Haha, those are just wild rumors from the martial underworld. The Manager shouldn't believe them."

"Brother Jiu, it's been a long time!"

"Young Master Song, it has indeed been a long time. Your bearing is even more impressive than before!" Yun Jiu's etiquette was perfectly measured as he solemnly cupped his hands in greeting. Looking at the youth before him, Brother Jiu couldn't help but sigh in admiration. How long has it been? Last time, he followed me to the county city seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough! But he knew this person had now definitively stepped into the Second Tier!

Miss Yun Xi of the Lingjiang Branch had personally confirmed this and issued an order: he and Yun Shan must recruit Song Que at any cost! He remembered when he first heard that news—not to mention him, even Yun Shan was frightened! This person's talent was truly terrifying! Therefore, upon hearing the news yesterday that Young Master Song had caused an uproar at the Golden Snake Gang, while everyone else was saying he was arrogant and lucky that Tie Feilong was easy to talk to...

only the two of them understood that this youth must have had absolute confidence to dare act like that! In this world where strength reigned supreme, facing Song Que—who was now far stronger than him—Yun Jiu didn't dare to be as casual as before. Noticing Yun Jiu's slightly odd attitude, Grandee Song didn't pay it much mind and happily chatted with the two about everything under the sun.

"Young Master Song, you probably don't know this, but these past few days at Tie Feilong's house have been exceptionally lively! I heard his precious daughter has been insisting on going to find you. Because of this, Old Tie and his wife got into a huge argument, and he is probably still reflecting on his mistakes facing a wall at home! No one has seen his face these past two days." Yun Shan shared this amusing anecdote, laughing at the other's misfortune. Tsk tsk.

To think the renowned Old Tie is actually henpecked! Women are truly not to be provoked; they are dangerous to mess with!

"How about it, Young Master Song? I've seen the Miss of the Tie family as well. Her appearance isn't bad. Do you want to consider it?" Nine times out of ten, that woman will turn out just like her mother! I don't want to bring a lioness home! Furthermore, the other party wasn't his type. Grandee Song resolutely shook his head:"I have no interest. For the time being, I am solely focused on practicing martial arts and have no need for a companion." This statement wasn't false.

Since he was currently practicing a 'virgin boy technique', he truly couldn't indulge in female charms. Therefore, Song Que could state this seriously without blushing or his heart skipping a beat. Seeing this, Old Yun and Yun Jiu felt even more respect for him. To be able to resist the temptations around him at such a young age—no wonder he has achieved so much today! Yun Shan sighed from the bottom of his heart:"Young Master Song's resolute mindset fills this old man with admiration! We are far inferior."

"I wonder, what brings you to the Sea of Clouds Pavilion today?" Hearing Yun Shan get down to business, Song Que immediately informed him of his purpose.

"It's like this: I would like to ask the Manager to help me purchase a few medicinal herbs, as well as some books for research. Here is the list." Holding the thin piece of paper, Yun Shan's brow furrowed tightly. He hesitated before probing tentatively:"The medicinal herbs are not a problem; we can have them ready for you within a day. But these books—Buddhist scriptures and Daoist texts... I wonder what your intention is...?"

Could Grandee Song admit that he practiced martial arts to the point where his 'essence' went to his brain, and he needed to study scriptures to suppress the 'evil Qi'?! He could only spout solemn nonsense:"It is simply because my cultivation has progressed too quickly, and my state of mind cannot keep up. Therefore, I wish to study some Buddhist and Daoist scriptures to enrich myself." Old Yun and Yun Jiu exchanged a glance. So profound and mystical... why can't we understand it?

But as long as he doesn't intend to become a monk, it's fine! The thoughts of geniuses were naturally difficult to guess. Yun Shan could only offer vigorous praise:"Young Master Song, your ambitions are truly profound! Drawing on the strengths of various schools to supplement your own shortcomings! Leave this matter to me; we will collect all sorts of scriptures for you. I wish you an early success in your martial arts mastery!" Hearing Old Yun's praise, even Grandee Song had to blush.

But he really knows how to talk! Being able to comprehend my 'profound intentions'—truly not bad! In an excellent mood, Grandee Song smiled and asked the two:"There is one more matter I wish to ask Manager Yun. This junior recently purchased an escort agency and is preparing to transport goods for trade to Yellow Leaf Town, and later to the surrounding towns. I wonder if this will affect the Sea of Clouds Pavilion's business?" Hearing this, Yun Shan laughed heartily:"I thought it was something major!

Rest assured, Young Master Song, go ahead and do it!

'Merchants have partners, sellers have guilds' (buôn có bạn, bán có phường); one person cannot monopolize all the business! We always welcome fellow tradesmen. You do not need to worry that competition will lead to animosity between us." In the business world, naturally, one must strike and suppress competitors. But Old Yun believed Song Que's endeavor was merely small-scale and fundamentally posed no threat to their Yun family.

Compared to building a relationship with the person before him, these matters were truly insignificant. Thinking this, he smiled sincerely:"If there is anything you do not understand in business, Young Master Song, you can always ask me! This old man will absolutely not be stingy or hide anything. You can act boldly with peace of mind! The bigger, the better! If needed, the Sea of Clouds Pavilion will back you up!" The strongest relationships were those bound by mutual interests!

Old Yun's heart was already blooming with joy! If they could use interests to tie this person to the Yun family's war chariot, then they would profit immensely! Not fully understanding the winding, convoluted thoughts in the old man's head, Grandee Song simply felt the Yun family handled things very well—they were generous and loyal. Moved by the old man's enthusiasm, Song Que cupped his hands in thanks:"Then I thank Manager Yun in advance! If I encounter any difficulties, I will definitely seek your advice!"

"Hehe, as you should! Our two houses should cooperate even more closely!" Each had their own thoughts, but both sides were equally happy and satisfied. What Yun Shan didn't know was that his actions today were paving the way for the rise of a future colossal commercial empire. But naturally, that is a story for later.