The Prodigies War

Mu Wansu unconsciously spurted out, “Don't say it!”

Yan Zhen looked bewildered. What’s the matter?

He had always had the impression that Mu Wansu would rarely lose her temper. She was beautiful, intelligent, capable, and was well-known in Donglin City. She didn’t earn her nickname “Black Rose” for nothing.

Ever since Mu Wansu had met Lin Xun, she came to realize that all the abilities and skills she possessed were useless. She felt doomed every time she saw Lin Xun and she had been used by him repeatedly. She couldn’t vent her indignation and had to suppress her anger.

Mu Wansu felt greatly aggrieved and so she couldn’t contain her anger anymore when she saw Lin Xun putting on a pitiful look and trying to deceive people again.

However, Lin Xun seemed to not notice her fury as he turned around and sighed. “Older Sister Wansu, Elder Yan Zhen must know about the matter. Otherwise, I’m worried it will lead to misunderstandings.”

Mu Wansu was dumbfounded. What does that mean? Does he think I already know what he wants to say?

However, Mu Wansu very quickly understood Lin Xun’s purpose in saying those words.

Yan Zhen assumed a serious expression and said, “Since Miss Wansu already knows then I respectfully ask you to tell me directly. Don’t worry about creating any misunderstandings. Even if it’s a major problem, we can always discuss a countermeasure.”

Mu Wansu was utterly speechless at Yan Zhen’s complete cooperation with Lin Xun.

Solemnly, Lin Xun drew a deep breath, and he was about to speak when someone knocked on the door.

Lin Xun couldn’t help but frown, but Mu Wansu raised her brows in surprise and beamed with joy. Even the heavens are on my side!

Yan Zhen got up, saying, “It must be an urgent matter for someone to knock at this hour,” and he opened the door.

Standing at the door was a panicked attendant.

“What happened?” Yan Zhen bluntly asked.

“Manager Yan, Wu Deyong from the Wu Corporation brought a large group of people here and demanded we hand someone to them,” explained the attendant urgently.

Confused, Yan Zhen’s face darkened. “Hand over who? Did Wu Deyong come to pick a fight?”

Lin Xun got up and said helplessly, “Elder, they must be here for me.”

Mu Wansu’s smile froze on her lips. How could she not realize that the second matter that Lin Xun wanted to speak about was related to the Wu Corporation.

That bastard tricked me again!

Mu Wansu gnashed her teeth.

Yan Zhen exclaimed in shock, “For you? What for?”

Lin Xun quickly ran through the matters between him and Wu Henshui. He firmly claimed that Wu Henshui forcibly tried to occupy all the aeth fields and Feiyun Fire Copper in Feiyun Village so he was killed by the villagers who were pushed to the dead end.

He also mentioned how the Wu Corporation had hunted him down when he first arrived at the Qingyang Tribe and he had no choice but to turn to the Stone Cauldron Alms for help.

Yan Zhen frowned. “I see.”

He realized that the matter was a little tricky to handle because the master of Wu Corporation was an influential figure in Donglin City and even the Stone Cauldron Alms was reluctant to become on unfriendly terms with the local tyrant.

Yan Zhen knew that he had to help Lin Xun due to Lin Xun’s relationship with the first young master, Shi Xuan, but they no doubt would have to pay a huge price to do so.

Suddenly, Yan Zhen couldn't help but feel hesitant. His gaze shifted over to Mu Wansu.

Mu Wansu felt her head throb with pain. That little bastard is so good at creating trouble. He stirred up such trouble when he just arrived at the Qingyang Tribe. If the First Young Master learns about this matter, would he regret giving him his badge?

Mu Wansu hated the fact that she couldn’t just hand over Lin Xun, the troublemaker, to Wu Corporation. That way, she could also vent her pent-up anger.

But the current situation didn’t allow her to do so.

Mu Wansu sighed inwardly. Fine, I will help him this one last time. If that bastard continues to push his luck, I will draw a line with him even if the eldest young master disapproves!

Mu Wansu’s eyes suddenly glinted fiercely and her face bore a look of determination. “Yan Zhen, go tell them that Lin Xun is part of the Stone Cauldron Alms and tell them that they should watch what they do!”

Yan Zhen nodded and hurried off.

“Sister Wansu, my safety doesn’t matter.” Lin Xun couldn’t help but interject when he saw what was happening. “It’s the safety of the villagers in Feiyun Village that I’m worried about. If they are going to vent their anger on Feiyun Village instead, then I would rather not accept this help.”

His expression became resolute.

Mu Wansu stared at him for a long moment and eventually nodded. “Although I don’t have a good impression of you, I can promise you that this matter won’t affect Feiyun Village.”

Lin Xun gave her respectful cupped fist salute. “Thank you very much, I will remember your kindness and repay you tenfold in the future!”

Mu Wansu found Lin Xun’s serious and honorable attitude a little uncomfortable. She waved dismissively, saying, “I don’t need you to repay me, just stop giving me trouble.”

Lin Xun nodded.

He knew it was wrong to demand a great favor from a mere acquaintance and that he was burdening the other person, but he had no other choice.

It was for the villagers in Feiyun Village and for the sake of finding a temporary shelter for himself.

Not long afterward, Yan Zhen returned with a smile. “The matter has been resolved. Given Wu Deyong’s courage, even if he has the great influential person in Donglin City behind him, he has to tolerate our Stone Cauldron Alms.”

Lin Xun stood up again and repeatedly thanked Yan Zhen. Soon after, he took his leave.

As soon as Lin Xun left, Yan Zhen couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Wansu, what is the relationship between that young man and the eldest young master?”

Mu Wansu looked distracted as she explained, “First Young Master said that the kid has a very promising future. Besides that, he didn’t say anything else, and I still don’t understand what he means.”

Yan Zhen was a little taken aback. He originally thought that Lin Xun and the eldest young master had a deep friendship but it turned out to be such a bizarre relationship.

Mu Wansu drew a deep breath and instructed, “Let’s not talk about him. In two days, First Young Master might return to the Qingyang Tribe. You should make preparations.”

She got up and left, but Lin Xun’s face inexplicably flashed in her mind. I wonder if that kid understood what I meant. I hope he won’t ever use First Young Master’s name to intimidate people. Otherwise, I won’t spare him!

……

By the time he left Stone Cauldron Alms, it was already late at night and the pedestrians on the street were sparse. The glow of faint yellow light illuminating the street made it appear even quieter and deserted.

Lin Xun left on his scaled horse and encountered no ambushes along the way. It seemed that the Wu Corporation really had retreated a step after receiving a warning from the Stone Cauldron Alms.

The clash between two top forces was resolved seemingly silently, and it made Lin Xun realize the importance of top forces.

In the Old Crow Inn.

When Lin Xunzhong returned to the inn, the innkeeper, One-Eyed Giant, was sleeping behind the counter.

However, he jolted awake upon Lin Xun’s return and his expression was a mixture of shock, fear, and awe.

“Excuse me, sorry to disturb you again but can I book a room?” Smiling, Lin Xun handed him twenty copper coins.

“No, no, it’s only five copper coins.” One-Eyed Giant hurriedly declined.

The matter that happened that night had stirred the entire Qingyang Tribe. Everyone was waiting to watch the youngster put up a good show but the result astounded everyone — Wu Corporation admitted defeat!

One-Eyed Giant realized that Lin Xun had some sort of deep relationship with Stone Cauldron Alms and the reason that Lin Xun dared to kill Mad Dog Wu Jie and the others was because he had a strong backing.

Lin Xun happily took back the fifteen copper coins and was led to a room by an attendant, who seemed eager to please Lin Xun.

Lin Xun’s smile faded from his lips the second his room door was closed. He stood in a daze in front of the window, gazing at the vast night sky. A rare trace of loneliness crossed his gentle and pure face.

After a long while, he shook his head, blew out the candles, and lay on the bed in the dark.

That night, it was the first time that Lin Xun didn’t practice his cultivation arts.

……

Early in the morning, when Lin Xun left the Old Crow Inn, his usual warm smile was on his lips again. He was in glowing spirits.

During the day, the Qingyang Tribe was bustling with people shuttling in and out. The noises and activity from everywhere created a clamorous atmosphere.

As Lin Xun strolled along the streets, he drank a bowl of milk made from green aeth beans and devoured ten steamed buns filled with wild bull meat. Rubbing his full belly with a satisfied face, he headed towards Stone Cauldron Alms.

The person who welcomed him this time was the same middle-aged man in silk robes. He was called Xue Liang and was an experienced treasure appraiser.

Xue Liang was much more friendly and enthusiastic compared to the last time. After appraising the goods in Lin Xun’s animal-skin bag, he personally handed Lin Xun forty-three silver coins, which was equivalent to 4300 copper coins.

Xue Liang was not only giving him a fair price but it was also borderline on the excessively generous side. Lin Xun obviously knew the reason.

However, Lin Xun didn’t decline the offer, but when he brought out the 150 kilograms of Feiyun Fire Copper concealed in his storage ring, he insisted that the appraiser pay the market price.

Xue Liang wasn’t only surprised by Lin Xun’s insistence, but it also changed his impression of Lin Xun. The ill-feeling he had towards him had completely vanished.

In the end, the 150 kilograms of Feiyun Fire Copper were exchanged for 550 silver coins, which was equivalent to 55,000 copper coins.

It was an astonishing amount!

Lin Xun only finally understood the purchasing power of such an amount when he went shopping afterward.

The amount he had spent on living supplies for the villagers totaled to 1,500 copper coins, which was only fifteen silver coins.

The batch of living supplies that he bought was enough to last the villagers around half a year!

In addition, Lin Xun ordered a batch of aeth concoctions from Stone Cauldron Alms, including qi-drawing pills, inner strengthening pills, organ opening powder, and orifice unlocking liquid. Although the aeth concoctions were ordinary, they were essential for True Martial Stage cultivators.

He bought them to prepare the children in the village for their cultivation paths.

Additionally, Lin Xun bought some rune ink, which was necessary to engrave rune patterns, and also bought clothes for Xia Zhi and himself.

All the items totaled to only four hundred silver coins, which clearly demonstrated the astonishing purchasing power of the empire’s money.

However, making money was extremely difficult.

For example, if Lin Xun hadn’t sold the 150 kilograms of Feiyun Fire Copper, he couldn’t possibly have bought so much stuff.