Chapter 40: Working for Money, Fighting for Cash
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Su Cheng emerged from the alleyway with a grim expression. Xu Zhanfeng hurriedly bowed deeply in greeting.
"Your Excellency."
Su Cheng raised an eyebrow at Xu Zhanfeng. The mask hid his expression, though even without it, his feelings might not have been discernible.
"Uh… you're here to rescue Ye Qinghan too?"
Xu Zhanfeng froze, utterly confused. What did that mean?
Rescue the Grandmistress? Had something happened to her?
"Master, I've come to seek refuge under your protection. I only ask that you and the Grand Mistress take me in."
"Uh… you two…"
"Master, I was trapped in the secret realm for over a thousand years. It was only through the First Lady's rescue that I survived. Now that my dear friends and relatives have long since departed, I wish to repay the First Lady's life-saving grace with my very being. I will serve you faithfully, without a single thought of disloyalty."
"Alright, alright, alright! You come back with me too. Later, both of you go speak with Qinghan. If she agrees, that's all that matters."
Su Cheng was utterly stunned. This Ye Qinghan really had charisma!
Dongfang Jue came to visit!
Li Shiyao came to rescue her!
Even the Union Stage powerhouse Xu Zhanfeng had come to seek refuge!
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
He kowtowed repeatedly with a thud-thud-thud before rising to follow behind Su Cheng, his confidence now firmly established!
So it seemed the Grand Elder held a favorable impression of him?
Before long, Su Cheng led the two back to Lingxian Hall. Ye Qinghan approached the door to greet them, but froze upon seeing the visitors.
Were there really this many visitors today?
"Master, who are these?"
[One came to rescue you, the other to seek refuge. Don't ask me—I've no idea what's going on either.]
"They're all here to see you. Guests should be treated well, Qinghan. Make sure to entertain them properly. I'll go prepare dinner."
With that, Su Cheng headed to the kitchen hall, vegetables in hand.
Ye Qinghan was flustered. What on earth was going on?
Judging by his tone, though not angry, his master was clearly growing impatient!
Just as Ye Qinghan was about to confront the two, Li Shiyao acted faster!
Li Shiyao grabbed Ye Qinghan's hand, pulling her aside. She fished the Immortal-tier cultivation technique out of her backpack and shoved it into Ye Qinghan's hands without a word.
Meeting Ye Qinghan's flustered gaze, Li Shiyao grinned, feeling triumphant over her grand gesture!
"Sis, you're free now."
This entire sequence of actions left Ye Qinghan, that purebred fox spirit, speechless!
"What are you talking about? What do you mean I'm free?"
"Shiyao made a deal with Sect Master Su. She released Sister, and Shiyao took Sister's place."
"No, you don't understand…"
Ye Qinghan stared at Li Shiyu before her, then at the immortal-tier cultivation technique in her hand—utterly stunned!
Li Shiyu spoke as if delivering her last words, a hint of melancholy in her eyes. Yet when she looked at Ye Qinghan, her smile remained as radiant as ever.
"Sister, Shiyu isn't stupid. Shiyu knows you've been so kind to me. Just thinking about you suffering makes my heart ache, so I snuck out!"
"Shiyao is perfectly healthy. The elders all say I'm as strong as an ox. It's fine if I eat less. Sister, you don't need to worry about me. Besides, I'm actually not afraid of pain…"
Though she claimed not to fear pain, her small hands trembled—whether from fear or some other emotion, it was unclear.
"Anyway, I've already discussed everything with Sect Leader Su…"
Ye Qinghan was so stunned she couldn't speak, frozen in place.
"What's wrong, Sister?"
"Sister, you needn't worry about Shiyu. All Shiyu hopes is that Sister can find a good man for her! Even though the elders say handsome men are no good, Shiyu still hopes Sister can find a handsome, good man!"
Ye Qinghan slipped the cultivation technique back into Li Shiyu's bag, offering only a faint smile.
At that moment, she seemed to understand why the so-called Holy Maiden was a little fool. Perhaps only a little fool was worthy of being the Holy Maiden.
"Sister, what about this?" Shiyu was confused. Master Su had already agreed!
"Thank you, but I won't be leaving."
Li Shiyu tried to persuade her further, but when she met Ye Qinghan's gaze, no words of comfort came to her lips.
"Why? Am I really that clueless? I'll never understand your thoughts."
Ye Qinghan merely smiled: "Go wash up at the Spirit Pool Hall. Come accompany Sister for dinner shortly."
After dismissing Li Shiyu to the Spirit Pool Hall, Ye Qinghan turned her gaze to Xu Zhanfeng, who stood timidly by the doorway.
Ever since meeting Ye Qinghan, Xu Zhanfeng had believed nothing in this world could surprise him. Yet now, he couldn't help but be stunned by this divine hall, inwardly marveling: Truly the abode of immortals!
"I spared you once. Why return now? To serve as my dog?"
"Precisely. I beg the First Lady for another chance." Without hesitation, Xu Zhanfeng answered.
What's wrong with being a dog? To serve the Grand Mistress as a dog? That's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
The Grand Mistress was merely keeping a low profile now, biding her time like a dragon lurking in the depths. Given enough time, even those wishing to be her dog would have to queue up!
"What did the Master say?"
"The Grand Elder said to follow your lead."
"Oh, that's acceptable… though…" Ye Qinghan merely studied Xu Zhanfeng. This seemingly dim-witted fellow possessed some genuine ability.
"Madam, speak freely. I can never repay the debt of saving my life. This body is yours to command, with no second thoughts."
"That's not the issue. I'm asking for twenty taels of silver a month as protection fees. I wonder if you can accept that?"
Xu Zhanfeng froze…
Was the First Lady toying with him?
Twenty taels? Twenty thousand taels would be a reasonable demand, but twenty taels? What kind of protection fee is that?
Seeing Xu Zhanfeng hesitate, Ye Qinghan spoke up: "If you're unwilling, then forget it. Go look elsewhere."
"Ah, Madam! I'm willing! Not just twenty taels—two hundred taels is fine too!"
"Fine, then two hundred taels it is!"
Xu Zhanfeng was dumbfounded. Was she worried he couldn't afford twenty taels?
This Madam's temperament was truly unpredictable…
Xu Zhanfeng actually did have some money on him, so he promptly handed Ye Qinghan the two hundred taels!
Ye Qinghan's delight was palpable: "Good, good, good. What was your name again, Xu…?"
"Xu Zhanfeng."
"Right! Zhanfeng, you've done well. I see extraordinary potential in you—I hereby take you under my wing!"
Xu Zhanfeng was utterly dumbfounded. He was supposed to work for Fairy Qinghan and even give her money!
Was this fairy a bit strapped for cash?
Turns out all his rambling meant nothing compared to two hundred taels of silver!
If only he'd snatched more money before coming! Who knows, he might've even landed a minor official post!
"Thank you, Madam!"
"Mm. From now on, you belong to Lingxian Hall. Find a place to stay in Nanding City. I'll arrange work for you in the coming days."
"Thank you, Madam!"
"Alright, you may go."
After dismissing Xu Zhanfeng, Ye Qinghan grinned and dashed off to assist in the kitchen hall.
"Master, regarding Xu Zhanfeng…" Ye Qinghan deliberately left her sentence hanging, hoping to gauge her master's thoughts.
[Xu Zhanfeng possesses cultivation at the Fusion Stage. If he can be utilized by Lingxian Hall, it would certainly be beneficial.]
Hearing this, Ye Qinghan continued while washing vegetables, "I've taken him on, demanding two hundred taels of silver monthly as protection fees."
【Oh my! Two hundred taels! Excellent! Such a generous soul—charge him more!】
"You may decide as you see fit."
Dongfang Jue was currently following behind Li Shiyu, wanting to see where she was going.
"Hm? Did you need something from Shiyu?"
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