Chapter 97 - 78: Oh No! I’ve Become a Fake Dad

Chapter 97: Chapter 78: Oh No! I’ve Become a Fake Dad

Xiang Yunzhan couldn’t understand how Zhao Ci could be so brazenly self-righteous.

Zhao Ci, however, grinned and said, "You don’t guide people in the Xiang Family because you’re the top dog of the Xiang Family in Lingge. But here, you’re getting paid a premium salary and haven’t done a lick of work. Don’t you think you’re being a bit too arrogant for an employee?"

Xiang Yunzhan: "???"

He started to get angry. "You little bastard—"

Zhao Ci quickly pulled a contract out of his robes. "You signed this!"

Xiang Yunzhan: "..."

Seeing him get angry, Zhao Ci grinned and said, "Uncle! We’re family, let’s not be strangers. Just look at what a sorry state our Old Xiang Family has gotten into in Lingge. The money from the Artifact Refining Workshop is barely enough to support the young lads’ cultivation. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have brought so many people here to work.

I’m trying to make my way in Lingge. I wouldn’t say I’m completely helpless, but I’m definitely a lone pillar trying to hold up a roof. In this situation, shouldn’t we stick together for warmth?

How about this? I’ll make the call on this one. As long as you’re willing to guide my Mansion Officials, I’ll take care of all the Qi Cultivation Pills for our Xiang Family’s young men in Lingge. Whether they’re mid-grade or top-grade, I’ll give them to you at cost."

Xiang Yunzhan struggled to hold on to his anger.

Right now, everyone from the common folk to the major clans unskilled in Alchemy was going crazy.

It was all because the prices from the Xingyu Pill Association were so low, they were practically a goddamn giveaway.

Many major clans were fighting tooth and nail to sign large orders with the Xingyu Pill Association, but they couldn’t even find anyone authorized to make a deal.

Moreover, the Xingyu Pill Association had already spread the word that their pills would only be sold in small quantities to the public, with priority even given to commoners. This was driving the major clans mad.

If they could secure a deal, it would naturally be a great thing for the Xiang Family.

Lately, those old fossils in the Xiang Family had been getting restless, not having heard any news from Princess Consort Jing. They had been working on him every single day.

Because the Xiang Family’s foundation in Lingge wasn’t that deep, they weren’t even satisfied with the market price of forty taels and wanted an even cheaper deal.

’Weren’t they just making things difficult for me?’

’I’m already retired.’

’And they expect me to swallow my pride and ask my nephew?’

’But who would have thought, Zhao Ci would actually bring it up himself.’

’And at cost, no less!’

’Wouldn’t that be a whole tier cheaper?’

Seeing his expression, Zhao Ci immediately adopted a weaker stance. "Uncle! Just take it as me, your nephew, begging you. Those young lads really need your guidance!"

First, use an aggressive stance to strong-arm a deal at a rock-bottom price.

Then, adopt a weaker stance and say some nice words.

Who could resist this push-and-pull?

Xiang Yunzhan immediately feigned reluctance. "Fine! I’m only doing this for you. It wouldn’t work for anyone else!"

’*Sigh!*’

’Life isn’t easy.’

’Old Xiang sells his art.’

"Of course! We’re family, aren’t we?"

Zhao Ci grinned to himself. ’Anyway, this favor to the Xiang Family was going to be ’sold’ eventually. Better for me to be the one selling it than Gu Xiangzhu.’

’Although Gu Xiangzhu has the operational rights, it’s not a problem for me to forcibly allocate a portion of the orders.’

’However...’

’Having all the Alchemists under Gu Xiangzhu’s control is ultimately not a good thing.’

’I have to find a way to poach some of them and train them into my own loyal faction. Otherwise, there’s no use for *Feng Ji’s Notebook*.’

"Now that’s more like it!"

Xiang Yunzhan asked, "Where are those young lads?"

Zhao Ci smiled. "They’re right here in my Tenth Prince’s Mansion. I’ll take you to meet them!"

"Good!"

Xiang Yunzhan slung an arm around his neck. "From now on, when I’m guiding them, you’re going to listen in from the side, you brat. And while we’re at it, let me see how your Xiang Family Spear Technique is coming along. I heard you chopped off some expert’s hand. How come I don’t believe that for a second? You must have used some dirty trick!"

"Bullshit! I clearly won with my own strength!"

"You’re the one spouting bullshit! You think I don’t know what level you’re at?"

With their arms slung over each other’s shoulders, the two of them made their way to the rear courtyard.

By this time, the Quasi-Mansion Officials of the Tenth Prince’s Mansion were already awake and practicing their weapons in the courtyard.

They were quite diligent.

Not that they had a choice!

Last night, they had all refined a Top-Grade Qi Cultivation Pill. Their True Qi was more abundant than ever, and they needed to polish their bodies with high-intensity training to absorb the pill’s medicinal properties more thoroughly.

"Everyone, stop practicing!"

Zhao Ci yelled at the top of his lungs, "Let me introduce you all! This is my uncle, General Xiang Yunzhan. From now on, he will be your instructor!"

Hearing this, the men were all momentarily stunned.

They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They had heard that name before!

Although they couldn’t recall his specific achievements, they knew he was the true right-hand man of Marquis Zhonglie, Xiang Tiange, and held the rank of general.

If not for Zhao Ci, they might never have come into contact with an expert of this caliber in their entire lives.

Especially someone like Xiang Yunzhan, whose skills were all honed on a mountain of corpses and in a sea of blood—he was the very ideal they strove for.

"Greetings, General Xiang!"

"Greetings, General Xiang!"

"Greetings, General Xiang!"

The men all bowed in unison, bending so low they almost went past ninety degrees.

Xiang Yunzhan waved his hand. "I retired from my position as general more than a decade ago. Don’t call me that anymore. Just call me Instructor Xiang. In my years in the army, I never learned any skills other than charging into enemy lines. So the only thing I can teach you is the art of killing. Zhao Ci, get over here!"

"Instructor Xiang, your orders!"

"Pick up your spear. Let me kill you once!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Ci responded and directly picked up his exclusive long spear, flourishing it at Xiang Yunzhan from a distance.

Xiang Yunzhan: "???"

’This spear... seems a bit familiar!’

’*Woah!*’

’Isn’t this the one I forged?’

’Three hundred and fifty *jin*! How is this little bastard swinging it around like a toy?’

’Wait!’

’Something’s not right!’

Xiang Yunzhan’s brain seemed to short-circuit. ’How is it that just a few days ago he couldn’t even lift it, but suddenly it’s this easy for him?’