Lin Chuan was anxious—extremely anxious.
Very soon, he was about to seize a heaven-defying opportunity to change his fate.
All he had to do was wait for Wu Yu, that little fatty, to come and tell him the situation at Ling Huan’s house, then add a little scheming of his own, and he could easily get the spirit stones needed for Foundation Establishment.
By then, both his status and position would surely rise greatly within Liuyun Pavilion.
At that time, his uncle would have a capable right-hand man.
Just thinking about it made Lin Chuan puff out his chest with pride.
Yet even so, he was still impatient, anxiously waiting for his opportunity to arrive, grumbling about Wu Yu—why had that little fatty not given him a clear answer after so long?
Perhaps the heavens understood his anxiety.
Finally, his door was flung open.
Wu Yu, that chubby ball, scampered in, clutching a stack of papers in his hand, and exclaimed excitedly to Lin Chuan, “Brother Chuan, I… I found out! Ling Huan’s background, and the Qi Family’s history—I’ve got it all!”
Lin Chuan pumped his fist in the air.
For the first time, he found this chubby ball so pleasing to the eye.
“Hurry, tell me everything.”
Lin Chuan was impatient, but he just couldn’t read the information himself.
No way, as a cultivator, he should spend his time cultivating, not learning to read!
What use was literacy?
Absolutely none!
He had his sect’s inheritance and his uncle; as long as they told him the cultivation methods, he could just listen—reading was totally unnecessary!
He didn’t believe that not knowing how to read would ever bring him any disaster!
He slowly sat down, suddenly recalling what his uncle had once said—if you want to be a successful person, you must first learn to remain calm and composed, keeping your expression unchanged no matter what happens.
His uncle’s words flashed through his mind, and the desire to show off gripped tightly onto this saying.
He slowly sat down, assuming a calm and dignified posture, leaning on the floating chair, resting his hand on his cheek.
In a deep voice, he said, “Come, little fatty, tell me all about it.”
Wu Yu was already used to Lin Chuan’s habit of showing off whenever he could, and didn’t mind.
He held up the information and quickly explained the situation of Ling Huan’s family.
First, the Ling Family was indeed just a regular merchant guild; second, they’d only just gotten into certain temporary businesses recently, and their annual profit was only about 200 spirit stones.
Moreover, in recent years, their earnings were gradually declining; as for the family’s guards, most were at the fifth or sixth layer of Qi Refining.
The strongest among them was at the seventh layer, but old and frail, with his days clearly numbered.
As for the head of the Ling Family, he was nothing more than an ordinary person who couldn’t cultivate.
Lin Chuan listened and replied indifferently, “Since everything is clear, then let’s set out at once.”
“Set out?” I asked, puzzled, “Set out for what? What are we doing, just robbing them outright?”
No sooner had I finished than Lin Chuan sprang up, strode forward, and slammed his fist down on Wu Yu’s head, cursing, “Rob? Nonsense! We’re just helping that kid safeguard the spirit stones he has!”
So many spirit stones will only bring disaster to the Ling Family, a mere merchant guild!
They can’t defend them, nor keep hold of them!
Little fatty, do you know?
Only someone like me, with a deep family background, solid connections, and a Foundation Establishment uncle to back me up, has the right to keep so many spirit stones!
Bah, I mean protect! Only I can protect so many spirit stones!
It’s not for outsiders to covet.
And anyway, we’re just safekeeping them, you know?
“If that Ling brat wants anything, he can just come and talk to me, and I’ll sell it back to him, simple as that.Right?”
After speaking, Lin Chuan didn’t blush or skip a beat, even feeling rather proud of himself.
He genuinely believed he was doing a good deed.
Wu Yu’s eyes showed not a hint of contempt—none at all, just confusion.
On his chubby cheeks, squeezed by his little eyes, a look of pure adoration shone as he shouted at Ling Huan, “No wonder you’re Brother Chuan, what you say makes so much sense!”
Lin Chuan basked in Wu Yu’s gaze of worship, inwardly delighted.
He truly didn’t understand why his uncle said he couldn’t use his brains—wasn’t he clever enough?
Whether it was finding reasons to act, or excuses in case they were caught, he could come up with them all, flawlessly!
Even if someone from Liuyun Pavilion’s headquarters came to investigate, he’d probably persuade them with his unyielding tongue.
If it were a beauty, persuasion might not even be needed—he’d just need to stand there with his handsome face, raise an eyebrow, and perhaps even the beauty sent from headquarters would fall hopelessly for him.
Ah, being so handsome and suave is just too troublesome.
Maybe in the future, he could even cling to headquarters’ bigwigs, hehehe.
Alas, the woes of being both smart and handsome.
As Lin Chuan was indulging in these fantasies, Wu Yu’s voice sounded again, abruptly shattering his delusions of clutching the headquarters’ beauty’s thigh and standing at the peak of life.
He said, “But Brother Chuan, there’s a rumor that’s rather concerning. It’s spreading all over Aoki City lately.”
“Oh? Could it be about me? Has my brilliance become known to all? But wait, I haven’t done anything yet,” Lin Chuan asked in confusion.
Facing Lin Chuan’s doubts, Wu Yu replied, “No, it’s about the Ling Family’s young master. I heard he’s taken a master, and all those spirit stones in his hands are said to have been given by his master!”
Lin Chuan was shocked and hurriedly asked, “How come I haven’t heard about this?”
“You didn’t know? Brother Chuan, you’ve been going to the brothel every day this week to see Miss Ai—I thought you were recruiting help!”
Lin Chuan thought about it.
True, he had spent all week cultivating his relationship with Miss Ai and hadn’t paid much attention to the recent happenings in Qingmu City ( Or Aoki City).
“Brother Chuan, didn’t we agree to split up? I’ve already gathered the intel. Any progress on your side?”
Progress?
Oh, right.
Wu Yu was in charge of collecting intel, and he himself was supposed to find people for the job.
But it seemed he’d completely forgotten about that this past week.
For a moment, an awkward silence filled Lin Chuan’s room.
But would he admit he’d been indulging in pleasure and neglected the main task?
Of course not.
He knew what a leader should do—if you do everything yourself, you’re not a leader, you’re a beast of burden!
A leader is someone who sets the plan and lets others execute it.
He shouldn’t micromanage every detail, mapping out every step his subordinates take, what they buy, who they meet—not at all.
Instead, he should let his subordinates act freely, as long as they stay on course.
Yes, he was the helmsman; as for how the ship was sailed, that was for his men to decide.
So, with a cold snort, he said, “Hmph, of course I know. I was just testing you, to see if you could catch this bit of information. Looks like you did—I’m quite pleased. Your abilities are getting stronger and stronger.”
“Reaching my… my current achievements isn’t impossible for you. Don’t worry, once we pull this off, forget being a front desk clerk—you could even become the manager of this branch. Just believe in me.”
Lin Chuan’s encouragement made the little fatty’s eyes widen even more.
One could almost see his pupils.
Wu Yu, extremely excited, shouted, “Alright, Brother Chuan, I’ll do my best! I won’t let you down! So, Brother Chuan. What do we do next? Do we make our move right away? Or should we investigate his master’s background?”
Lin Chuan actually had no idea what to do, but Wu Yu’s question suddenly gave him clarity.
He raised his eyebrow and asked, “Did those rumors mention anything about his master’s background?”
Lin Chuan sat back down, ready to play the role of a shrewd leader.
But just as he got comfortable, Wu Yu spoke up, “They say he’s a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse.”
“Nascent Soul?”
Lin Chuan cried out inwardly, the seat barely beneath him as he dropped to the floor, his body trembling.
“Nascent Soul… that brat has a Nascent Soul stage master?”
Lin Chuan could barely stay seated—why?!
“So, Brother Chuan? When do we move?!”
Move your damn head!
A Nascent Soul master!
How could he possibly have the face to provoke a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse over a few hundred spirit stones?!
Lin Chuan was confident, not stupid!
Yet, seeing Wu Yu’s eager gaze, as if yearning for him to perform a feat.
This was the one little brother who could see through his mediocrity, who believed in him unwaveringly—could he disappoint him?!
Impossible!
He had to be confident!
The voice in his head always told him—be confident!
Only with confidence would there be a way forward!
Lin Chuan was convinced that he passed his sect entrance test precisely because that voice told him what to do!
His cultivation had been smooth sailing!
He became a Liuyun Pavilion branch’s sales clerk!
At the front desk!
A high-earner making three spirit stones a month!
Confidence!
Confidence!
That’s it!
Didn’t the Ling Family just adopt a foster daughter?
Why not start with her?
Hmph, that’s what makes me brilliant.
Thinking this, Lin Chuan’s mind immediately came up with a perfect idea.
Not only could he eliminate Ling Huan’s worries, but maybe even get recommended to that Nascent Soul powerhouse by Ling Huan!
Let that Nascent Soul master see his potential and strength, and take him on as a disciple in place of Ling Huan!
What does Ling Huan lack most?
He has everything—except love.
Yes, only love that he alone can monopolize.
He used to be the only child, but now his parents had suddenly brought back some stray.
Ling Huan must be anxious but can’t do anything directly about this extra sister, with his parents watching.
If he solved this for Ling Huan, wouldn’t he get in his good graces?
Makes sense.
Ling Huan had always been so generous—no doubt because he had powerful support behind him, which gave him the guts to flaunt his wealth!
It would be downright stupid to offend a Nascent Soul elder over a few spirit stones.
Infiltrate the enemy, gradually replace Ling Huan, and use his own talent to seize Ling Huan’s place as the disciple.
If so, never mind Liuyun Pavilion’s headquarters, even becoming the Pavilion Master would no longer be a pipe dream.
He understood Ling Huan all too well—or rather, he understood mortal nature all too well.
Who would gladly let a random stray compete with them for the family inheritance?
Lin Chuan gave a light snort, then said coolly, “Go kidnap Ling Huan’s new little sister.”
“Little sister? That little girl? Why, Brother Chuan? Weren’t we after Ling Huan’s spirit stones?”
“Are you dumb? He’s got a Nascent Soul powerhouse behind him; robbing him is suicide!”
“But Brother Chuan, didn’t you always say risk and reward go hand in hand? If we strike fast enough, before Ling Huan can react, won’t it work?”
“Idiot!” Lin Chuan rapped Wu Yu on the head.
“A Nascent Soul cultivator’s divine sense can cover thousands of miles! Robbery? You want to die?!”
Wu Yu’s head buzzed from the blow, but he still asked, “So, we’re giving up?”
“Give up? How could we give up? Like I said, our vision must be long-term, not focused on a few tiny spirit stones. Sometimes, connections are more useful than spirit stones. Help Ling Huan deal with his sister, remove his worries, and exchange that for a favor to meet a Nascent Soul cultivator!”
Lin Chuan sounded so convincing, and the more Wu Yu listened, the brighter his eyes became.
He felt he’d found the right boss to follow.
A boss he could follow.
A boss who would make him evil—so evil, so wicked.
Pity, Brother Chuan was so smart, so confident, and always stood back up with a smile after setbacks.
To Wu Yu, this was the perfect boss, the one he was destined to serve!
Sadly, the boss was still too gentle, too kind.
A Nascent Soul?
What’s to fear?
Kill her?
How could that do—without the wrath of a Nascent Soul, the world would be too peaceful, too boring.
Killing her—dismembering her, tossing her remains into the Ling Family compound, trampling Ling Huan’s dignity and shaming his master—would be much better!
Wu Yu smiled cheerfully, his chubby face radiating such innocence that no one would suspect the evil hidden deep within.
“Boss, leave this to me. I guarantee I’ll get it done!”
“Oh! So motivated? Just go for it!”
“Mm!”
Go for it!
Wu Yu!
Go for it!
Let the world plunge into chaos~.
Go fulfill Lin Chuan’s dream of accomplishing a deed for the ages!