Chapter 23 - 22 This is a Great Opportunity
Chapter 23 - 22 This is a Great Opportunity
Chapter 23: Chapter 22 This is a Great Opportunity
In honesty, would the Shen's Business Association want to see a reconciliation between Pei Xuanjing and the Liu family?
Absurd, certainly not.
If the Shen's Business Association wished to see both parties reconcile, then what was all their previous actions for, to offend both parties and play the villain for no reason?
The Shen's Business Association risked a lot for this matter, using it to win over Pei Xuanjing, only to see both parties shake hands and make nice in the end. Everyone happy?
Impossible.
Just now, if he really wanted to see both parties reconcile, he could have straightforwardly addressed the issue. Why did he bring up the Forbidden Place and the Blessed Land issues, if not to sow discord?
Without saying it directly, his aim was to hint to Pei Xuanjing that if the Liu family were to get hold of the treasure, he wouldn't fare well.
When Shen Xiang's purpose was seen through by Pei Xuanjing, he wasn't embarrassed. He simply said, "Brother Pei indeed has great wisdom."
Seeing Pei Xuanjing did not respond, Shen Xiang continued, "I came today to discuss with Brother Pei about avoiding a hazard. We can prevent people from the Liu family from acquiring the treasure within the Forbidden Place of the Blessed Land."
He wanted to act within the Forbidden Place to completely devastate the Liu family's aspirations.
Pei Xuanjing sneered, "Eliminate danger for me?"
Though Pei Xuanjing doesn't go out often, based on some clues from the life simulator and some news from within the city, he understands quite well the dispute between these few families.
The largest force in Anping Prefecture originally belonged to the government office, then the Jin family, the Liu family, and Shen's Business Association followed.
However, although the prefecture master held the most power, he was a itinerant official. As long as the prefecture was peaceful and after enough years had passed, he could naturally get promoted and leave.
So long as the government office's interests were not harmed, the government would generally not interfere much. So, the real controllers of Anping Prefecture were the three forces of Jin, Liu, and Shen.
The three families used to coexist in harmony, with the government suppressing them. However, just like the small town of the Border county where Pei Xuanjing was staying, the Liu family connected with a powerful force and started thinking of dominating Anping Prefecture.
The Liu Family's actions in recent years had become more and more overbearing. The interests of the Jin family and Shen's Business Association suffered greatly, and even the bandits that Shen Xiang once encountered could possibly have been sent by the Liu family.
Facing the Liu family's actions, the remaining two families wouldn't just sit idly by. With Pei Xuanjing's appearance, they saw a way to fight back by leveraging his power.
Because he had clarified these matters, Pei Xuanjing scorned them.
As a businessman, Shen Xiang naturally wouldn't be angry in the face of Pei Xuanjing's derision. He continued, "Regardless, the Liu family is our common enemy."
Pei Xuanjing had a stern look on his face: "So what? Is your intention to wage a full-scale war against the Liu family?"
Shen Xiang stayed silent. It was impossible because they didn't have the resolve, and even the government wouldn't allow such a large conflict to occur in Anping Prefecture. Not to mention, the Liu family had a powerful backing.
Pei Xuanjing sneered, "Even if the Liu family is formidable, if I can't face them, can't I hide?"
"Please don't joke about this, Brother Pei," Shen Xiang's face changed.
"Why would I joke?" said Pei Xuanjing.
Of course, it was not what he really thought. Shen's Business Association was being too cautious, which was a result of having done too much business and losing their courage to put everything on the line.
Shen Xiang continued to persuade him.
Pei Xuanjing smirked, "If you wish to cooperate, why not take the initiative and show me your sincerity. "
Shen Xiang frowned, "Brother Pei, where do these words come from?"
Killing intent flashed in Pei Xuanjing's eyes, but it quickly disappeared: "This negotiation is an opportunity."
He understood that this negotiation with the Liu family was a facade, the real intention was to put him in danger.
Since it was like this, why shouldn't he use this opportunity to act?
Shen Xiang immediately understood Pei Xuanjing's intention. After hesitating for a while, he said, "This matter is of great importance, I need to consult with my elder brother before making a decision."
Pei Xuanjing wasn't afraid of him revealing the plan, "Well then, I'll await your good news."
Shen Xiang nodded and left hastily.
Pei Xuanjing sat alone in the hall, in deep thought.
Because the treasure helped him in the previous life simulations, he wanted to enter the time again. Now that he has heard Shen Xiang's narrative, he had an even greater desire to seize the treasure.
Regardless, he did not want to miss this Forbidden Place in the Blessed Land.
Because not only could it enhance his strength, it could also potentially provide a clue about the Fairy God.
The martial artist's cultivation is divided into three realms and nine steps. The first realm is the External cultivation realm where one cultivates their skin, flesh, and bones. The second realm is the Internal cultivation realm where one cultivates their internal organs, and the final realm is the Metamorphic realm where one transforms completely.
If the first two realms are about strengthening the body, then every advancement in the last realm is undoubtedly a transformation and once one enters this final realm and starts the metamorphosis, the lifespan of the martial artist also gets extended. There is a drastic change in the person.
In fact, many martial artists in the top realms have said that once one gets to this realm, they are nearly comparable to the legendary Fairy God, only one step away from immortality.
With the life simulator in hand, Pei Xuanjing believed that as long as there were no accidents, he would definitely be able to enter the upper three realms. With such a grand goal, how could he give up advancing further, and continue searching for the clue about the Fairy God?
As for the Liu family, everything he needed to do was done. Now it's up to the Jin Family and Shen's Business Association to make up their minds.
As he had just said, if the two families do not agree, he will not insist. However, he does not need to leave, instead, he will decisively seek refuge with the prefecture master to protect himself. With his fifth rank martial artist's strength, he believes that the prefecture master would not reject him.
Having said that, it was time to leave himself a way out.
Upon nightfall, Pei Xuanjing dressed in his night-visit clothing, slipped quietly out of his courtyard and disappeared into the night.
...
Three days later, in a manor on the outskirts of the city, it belonged to the Shen's Business Association's summer resort and was the agreed meeting place between the Liu Family and Pei Xuanjing.
Since Shen's Business Association served as a middleman, it was only logical that they provided the location.
Inside a guest room, Pei Xuanjing sat on a meditation cushion with the treasured sword he snatched from Liu Ruilong resting horizontally on his knees, meditating.
On the side, Shen Xiang sat in a chair, also silent, his brows furrowed as if he was worried.
After about two hours, the personal guard knocked on the door and entered to inform the two, "Third Master, the people from the Liu Family have arrived."
Upon hearing this, Pei Xuanjing opened his eyes and his gaze met Shen Xiang's.