Chapter 540 - 452: The Cost of Advancing to Tianyuan

"Miaoxue dear, when did you learn to be so hesitant?"

"Why, my lord, is Miaoxue not doing well?" Si Miaoxue flirtatiously raised her head, her cheeks radiant with an alluring glow under the steam, a hint of blush seen within her pale jade-like complexion.

Lin Miao bent down, capturing those vibrant red lips, kissed them fiercely.

"Mr. Lin, whatever Ji Fei’Er can do, I can do too. All I ask is for Mr. Lin not to neglect Miaoxue..."

"Don’t worry, how could I, you are my first woman."

Si Miaoxue’s face instantly blossomed like a flower, this was her greatest distinction from everyone else, even Lin Miao’s primary wife couldn’t compare to her. Her first time was given to Lin Miao, and she was the one who turned Lin Miao from a boy into a man.

Also, opened the door to desire from then on.

"Miaoxue dear, I think your Charm Girl Heart Skill could be improved a bit more?" Lin Miao whispered in her ear.

"Improved?"

Si Miaoxue’s gaze turned hazy, her whole body softened, completely unable to resist; her Charm Girl Heart Skill had its uniqueness, completely unable to resist someone she loved.

This was the specialty of her line’s cultivation technique.

"Listen well, I will say it only once, Su Nu once said..." Lin Miao continued softly, this was his insight based on research and analysis from the "Su Nu Jing" and Baopuzi, integrating into the Charm Girl Heart Method.

He was too familiar with Si Miaoxue’s body, so even though he couldn’t practice, he could still discover subtle inaccuracies in the heart method.

After all, he stands on the shoulders of the wisdom of the predecessors.

After hearing the content, Si Miaoxue was extremely moved, her mouth slightly opened, gasping a few times before closing her eyes, a soul-stirring sound of moaning escaped from the depth of her throat.

"Bad person, how is Miaoxue to live without you by her side?"

"Distance adds beauty; even if you’re with me every day, you might not feel this longing." Lin Miao chuckled.

"Mr. Lin, Mei’Er received some news, she dared not tell you." Si Miaoxue curled up in Lin Miao’s arms, enjoying this rare sweet moment with just the two of them.

Lin Miao’s women would only increase, not decrease, the opportunity for them to be alone was rare, she cherished it very much.

"What news?"

"Guan Biyun disappeared in the palace, her whereabouts are unknown."

"What?" Lin Miao’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, frowning.

"Here’s what happened, Guan Biyun was summoned by Consort Xue before the year-end, she entered the residence of Consort Xue of the harem, and no one has seen her come out since. She wasn’t prepared to submit a resignation, and she even contacted familiar acquaintances, intending to come over together, but now, these people are all searching for her; however, these people have little influence, even if they have connections, they couldn’t find any information, so Guan Biyun is missing."

"Did you mention this to Yurou?"

"I didn’t dare to say anything, after all, the news isn’t verified." Si Miaoxue said.

Lin Miao nodded, Guan Biyun hadn’t replied for a long time, before the year-end Lin Miao also sent a letter to Mr. Fu, which mentioned some situations.

But the problem is, from Dongshan to the capital, more than seventeen hundred miles of road, even communication or a round trip would take about a month.

Of course, if using the court’s eight hundred miles express or eagle messages, it would be much faster, but eight hundred miles express cannot be easily used, and civilian eagle messages are regulated too.

The training of messenger eagles is not something ordinary people can endure, plus, these eagle handlers are extremely difficult to cultivate, usually either monopolized by the court or major forces.

However, to establish eagle stations, one needs court approval, illegal stations, once discovered, is a crime.

As for carrier pigeons, although not as strictly regulated as eagle stations, they still need to be registered, private training and messaging via pigeons is also illegal, just more lenient than eagle stations.

Sometimes, as long as no one reports, the government might turn a blind eye.

"Are there any of our people in Li Jing?"

"Yes, but we can’t easily order them to work for us, once we exceed authority, it will be noticed above, then Mr. Lin’s identity would be exposed." Si Miaoxue said.

"Hmm, looks like we definitely need to have our people in the capital, otherwise communication is a big problem." Lin Miao said, "Although the Su Family is closely related to me, their communication channels can be used temporarily but not for confidential communications, and the Snow Mountain Sect must have its own office in Li Jing, right?"

"Naturally, every first-class sect has its industry in Li Jing, being a super first-class sect, the Snow Mountain Sect naturally has its own industry and liaison office in Li Jing." Si Miaoxue nodded.

"I’m definitely going to Li Jing, how long I’ll stay I don’t know yet, need to prepare in advance." Lin Miao pondered.

"My lord, since we’re going to Li Jing, should we set up some industry there?"

"Hmm, do you have any ideas?"

"Our family has several decent businesses, Furong Garden, Huaye Tower, Lin’s, Lin’s Tofu Shop..." Si Miaoxue listed like treasures.

Export Lin’s Tofu to Li Jing?

It’s not impossible, the communication channels of vendors and peddlers are important too, never underestimate the information exchanged in idle chats between three aunts and six grandmas, sometimes it can really help a lot.

This tofu shop isn’t very noticeable in the capital, the business doesn’t need to be very good, but it’s a nice entry point.

The problem is, who to send over for this, can’t possibly send Yun there.

He cannot say this out loud.

"Actually, among our family’s businesses, the one that suits best is the Furong Garden pastry shop. There are many wealthy people in Li Jing, as well as nobility, which means more people who love sweets and are willing to spend money. If we open a Furong Garden pastry shop in the capital, it will definitely make an impact," Si Miaoxue said with a twinkle in her eye. "It just depends on whether you’re willing or not."

"Luli?"

Indeed, Luli is the most suitable candidate. On one hand, she has the ability; on the other hand, she is my woman and can be absolutely trusted. Entrusting her with matters in the capital would be reassuring.

"She can’t do it alone."

"Didn’t you adopt a few little girls? You can pick two, and I’ll send two more from our former Huaye Tower. After all, you plan for this Furong Garden to eventually go to Luli. Her going to the capital is not only for the Lin Family, but also for herself," Si Miaoxue said.

"The capital is not like Dongshan. The waters there are deeper and murkier. Luli is just a weak woman, I’m afraid..." Lin Miao said with a deep gaze. Don’t be fooled by my current prestige; in the capital, I too have to act cautiously."

"You’re worried about Luli’s safety. That’s easy to handle; I actually have a suggestion," Si Miaoxue thought for a moment and said.

"What suggestion?"

"Yuyao and Ji Fei’Er can accompany her to the capital. We still have some connections there. Apart from the Crown Prince, we also have Marquis Wu’An, your mentor, and Mr. Fu, all of whom can be relied upon."

"Unless it’s absolutely necessary, it’s best not to trouble others. Debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay," Lin Miao said.

"I know, but to gain a foothold in the capital and open up opportunities, sometimes you really need to leverage influence," Si Miaoxue said.

"Yes, I understand. This matter requires careful planning. Luli still needs some time to work in Lanzhou. Even if she’s going to the capital, she’ll have to wait," Lin Miao wasn’t a stubborn person and naturally understood that Si Miaoxue was right.

"Over the next couple of days, you and Yue Mei’Er keep an eye on Xue Family Manor. Once the Imperial Envoy arrives, you can return."

"Yes, I understand. Rest assured."

"Convey a message to Yuyao regarding the Black Abyss. Our two families will jointly hold it. I imagine Senior Baili Bingyun wouldn’t pass up such a good opportunity," Lin Miao said.

"With Scorpio captured, the Black Abyss is leaderless at the moment. It’s the perfect opportunity to exploit. Besides, neither Heaven-Dominating Tower nor the Skull Association has received the news yet, so we must strike quickly," Si Miaoxue said. "I suggest having Ji Fei’Er return immediately under the identity of Lin Bei."

"Alright then."

"Tell me, how long will it take for you to break through and advance?"

"Half a year."

"Alright, half a year it is then. When you break through, I’ll act as a Protector for you, ensuring you advance to the Tianyuan stage in one move," Lin Miao nodded.

"My lord, it’s still early. Should Miaoxue serve you once more?"

"Are you sure?"

"I can’t compare to that foxy Yue Mei’Er, and I’m not worse than Ji Fei’Er..." Si Miaoxue pouted.

...

Huaye Tower, back kitchen.

"Mrs. Wan, Mrs. Wan, where has she gone? She hasn’t been seen for days," Qingtang muttered as she turned to leave.

Suddenly, she felt herself bump into someone. Looking up, she saw the cold face of Luu Wan. "Mrs. Wan, you scared me! Where have you been? I’ve looked for you several times and couldn’t find you. Last night you..."

Before Qingtang could finish, Luu Wan covered her mouth and pulled her into her exclusive resting room.

"What are you shouting about, afraid others might find out I didn’t come to work yesterday?" Luu Wan scolded. Last night, she indeed wasn’t on duty. She didn’t return afterwards either. Having witnessed certain things shook her greatly, and even returning early today, she’d not yet recovered.

She had observed the entire battle at Xue Family Manor — the Scorpios, the Profound Armor Army, Lin Miao, and the other women’s fierce demeanor.

She had already overestimated Lin Miao, yet even then, she underestimated the reality compared to her imagination.

It turns out that her little master turned eighteen had already reached the Meridian Passage Realm, a feat extremely rare even in the history of the Wen Dao Sect.

Moreover, Lin Miao could face off against Scorpio, a renowned expert of the Meridian Passage Realm. Even though Scorpio was injured and his combat power decreased, before being injured, he was a Great Perfection expert of the Meridian Passage Realm.

Furthermore, the one in Huaye Tower also possessed similar strength, achieving Great Perfection of the Meridian Realm at almost thirty, definitively a top Tianyuan seed in the Wen Dao Sect.

Besides her, Lianxin and Liansuo were also just about twenty and at the Meridian Passage Realm.

Another woman was slightly lower in cultivation but was of the Upper Grade Meridian Passage Realm. She couldn’t have been older than thirty.

All these women were associated with the little master and were likely intimately connected with him, all being Tianyuan seed level.

A Tianyuan seed or two would be acceptable, but almost all of them being such is rather alarming.

What exactly is happening? She truly couldn’t comprehend.

Sister, not only is your son-in-law flirtatious, but he’s also genuinely unfathomable. What should I do?

"Qingtang, if given the opportunity to rapidly reach the Meridian Passage Realm, or even have hope of reaching the Tianyuan stage, but you had to pay a certain price, would you?"

"It depends on what the price is. If it’s bearable, of course, I’d be willing," Qingtang declared. "After all, who wouldn’t want to be a Tianyuan expert?"

"What if it means sacrificing happiness for the rest of your life?" Luu Wan asked.

"Then no. If I have to sacrifice my future happiness, even if I could become a Tianyuan expert, I wouldn’t want it," Qingtang straightforwardly replied.

Luu Wan was momentarily "stunned," seemingly disappointed yet acknowledging that this response was normal.