Chapter 7: An Old Acquaintance

“You mean to say, after all these years, Tianquan Peak’s financial income is only this much?”

Nan Xi’s tone carried a hint of disbelief.

“Regrettably, what you see is indeed all of Tianquan Peak’s financial income.”

Granny Ji sighed helplessly. “Aside from the sect’s allocation, Tianquan Peak can only rely on selling Spirit Swords for a bit of a subsidy. Even so, it is far from enough to make up for the deficit.”

“If this continues, Tianquan Peak might end up being merged into a neighboring peak.”

After speaking, Granny Ji turned her gaze back to Nan Xi, her aged eyes filled with a peculiar sense of hope.

It was clear she truly expected Nan Xi to bring change to Tianquan Peak.

As for Nan Xi —

“This is simply…”

Nan Xi was currently somewhat speechless. He truly found it hard to believe that Tianquan Peak’s financial deficit was so severe.

This was simply… wonderful!

Nan Xi was ecstatic inwardly. When he took over as Peak Master, he had been racking his brain to design a Three-Step Plan to destroy Tianquan Peak.

But looking at it now, even if he did nothing, Tianquan Peak would declare bankruptcy in three months at most at the current rate of loss!

At that time, not only would Tianquan Peak be disbanded on the spot, but the disciples and Elders of this spirit peak would also be reassigned to other peaks.

Internally, this would not only increase the financial expenditures of the remaining three spirit peaks but also consume more manpower and resources.

Externally, the Four Peaks of Tianhe being reduced to three would also be good news for the Wuxing Sect.

The advantage lies with my Wuxing Sect!

No, Nan Xi had to hold it in. He couldn’t laugh yet. Not yet.

“Master Nan Xi, you…”

“Ah, what is it?” Nan Xi suppressed his ecstasy and looked at Granny Ji calmly.

“No, it is nothing.”

“???”

How could Nan Xi know that his facade of composure had already been noticed by Granny Ji?

He truly was a man favored by the Supreme Elder.

Even facing such bleak financial data for Tianquan Peak, he could still restrain his grief and face the difficulties with a strong will.

Someone like him would surely be able to lead Tianquan Peak out of its predicament.

A thumbs up for Master Nan Xi!

“Granny Ji, do we have any more appointments for today?”

“Oh, oh, oh! Yes, we do.”

Granny Ji quickly put away her internal emotions and, after a brief search, took out a schedule from her bracelet.

“According to the schedule, the Elders of Tianquan Peak have organized a welcome party for you this afternoon. All the disciples and Elders of Tianquan Peak will be in attendance.”

“A welcome party… what a hassle.”

Nan Xi scratched his head. He didn’t like crowded places, especially those where he had to speak in front of everyone.

“Can we make it simpler? Let’s just meet the Elders and get to know each other, then wrap it up.”

“Ah, well…”

Nan Xi was being conservative with his words. If possible, he didn’t even want to go meet the Elders.

“To be honest, after today’s schedule ends, I still have some tasks assigned by the Supreme Elder to resolve. So, I hope we can simplify these procedures.”

This was, of course, a lie.

Since leaving the peak’s summit yesterday, Nan Xi had not received any messages from Lord Tiansi, let alone any tasks assigned by her.

However, seeing that Nan Xi had invoked the Supreme Elder’s name, Granny Ji finally chose to compromise.

“In that case, let’s head over to the Sword Casting Square first. The Elders should be gathered there now. You can get to know them, Master Nan Xi.”

“Very well.”

…

At Nan Xi’s request, the afternoon’s welcome party was streamlined into a simple meeting with the Elders.

By the time Nan Xi arrived at the Sword Casting Square, a group of Elders was already waiting at the entrance.

Upon seeing Nan Xi, the man in the lead immediately stepped forward and gripped Nan Xi’s hand tightly with his broad, rough palm.

“Master Nan Xi, we have finally been waiting for you!”

Nan Xi was somewhat accustomed to this sudden enthusiasm by now.

At the same time, Granny Ji, who followed behind Nan Xi, stepped forward at the right moment to introduce the man.

“Master Nan Xi, this is Elder A-shan of Tianquan Peak. He was originally the Chief Engineer in charge of sword casting, but before your arrival, he served as the Acting Peak Master to coordinate the operations of the entire Tianquan Peak.”

“Acting Peak Master!?”

Nan Xi’s eyes lit up as he sized up the honest and simple-looking middle-aged man before him.

‘You mean to say it was in this guy’s hands that Tianquan Peak ran a deficit for years, allowing me to dismantle the entire spirit peak without lifting a finger?’

“You’ve done well! Elder A-shan, you’ve worked truly hard all these years!”

Nan Xi sincerely shook Elder A-shan’s hand in return, acting as if they were old friends meeting at last.

“Ah, well… no, it was nothing.”

“No, no, no. This is the recognition you deserve for your work over the years. Without your efforts, Tianquan Peak wouldn’t be where it is today!”

“But…” This honest, simple man had seen many years of trials, yet at this moment, he seemed somewhat at a loss.

“There are no ‘buts.’ I will be relying on you heavily for my future work. I hope you will redouble your efforts and keep it up!”

“Alright, of course, Master Nan Xi.”

“And this person is…”

Nan Xi reluctantly let go of Elder A-shan’s hand and turned to the next Elder.

“This is Elder Luo Yi, who succeeded Elder A-shan in directing the sword casting at the Sword Furnace.”

“Thank you for your hard work!” Nan Xi gripped the other’s hand tightly and shook it vigorously.

“This is Elder Song Er, who is in charge of managing the Sword Repository.”

“Thank you for your hard work!” Nan Xi gripped the other’s hand tightly and shook it vigorously.

“And this is Elder Yulan, responsible for teaching the disciples.”

“Thank you for your hard work!” Nan Xi gripped…

Nan Xi was currently beyond excited. He really had to thank the Tianhe Sect for sending him such a peerless band of amateurs.

Before Nan Xi even arrived, they managed to drive Tianquan Peak into consecutive years of losses.

Now that he, the Demon Ball, had arrived, with the help of this group of crouching dragons and phoenix fledglings, dismantling Tianquan Peak was practically just around the corner.

But it wasn’t over yet; there were still many Elders waiting for his greetings!

Nan Xi quietly hid his secret joy, his face still maintaining a warm smile as he met the Elders one by one according to Granny Ji’s introductions —

“This is…”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“This is…”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“This is Elder Huiyan, who is in charge of personnel recruitment…”

Nan Xi’s formulaic enthusiasm suddenly paused as he looked at the eager Elder before him.

Hey, he knew this guy! Wasn’t this the interviewer who was in charge of his Tianhe Sect entrance examination!