Chapter 12: The Branch Manager

Golden morning light spilled over the horizon as Ao Kuiba prepared for his session.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the courtyard as the Qi in the air converged around him.

He was relatively pleased with his progress.

A lot of time had gone into it, but the results were there—his meridians were growing stronger with each passing day and his cultivation was becoming more refined.

He still had some way to go, but he was improving.

Ao Kuiba pulled on his cultivation and watched as the tree’s leaves glowed with his power, the energy forming tiny motes of lightning that floated lazily away into the sky in the shape of fireflies.

Tomorrow, he would visit the Black River Chamber.

Ao Kuiba allowed himself a small smile as the morning bell tolled in the distance.

---

The streets of Azure Cloud City were fairly busy as Ao Kuiba made his way to the Black River Chamber’s headquarters.

Merchants set up their stands while cultivators strode purposefully through the crowds, both groups seemingly absorbed in their own business.

It was all a bit mundane in Ao Kuiba’s opinion, but he forced himself to be attentive as he neared the destination.

It wasn’t hard to tell when he was getting closer—the murmurs of passers-by grew more hushed and a few cultivators with keen spiritual senses immediately stiffened at his approach.

Ao Kuiba allowed himself a mental smirk.

So this was what it was like to be famous.

Ao Kuiba passed by a group of cultivators arguing with a merchant before he reached the great black-gold building that housed the Black River Chamber of Commerce.

Two Foundation Establishment cultivators stood at the front doors, their faces hidden by snake-shaped helmets of black metal.

Ao Kuiba approached them.

"I have an invitation," Ao Kuiba said, producing the letter.

The guards exchanged a look before one of them took the note and examined the seal.

"The Branch Manager is expecting you," one of them said.

Ao Kuiba stepped inside as the doors opened before him.

---

Ao Kuiba found himself in a room of unparalleled luxury, the floors inlaid with polished jade and the walls decorated with paintings done in spirit ink that contained enough spiritual energy to be considered Qi artifacts.

Ao Kuiba’s eyes were drawn to the numerous incense burners standing around the room, the potent aroma of the premium-grade spirit incense within making his nose twitch.

Powerful. Expensive.

Ao Kuiba had seen the kind of wealth the Black River Chamber possessed, and it wasn’t something that could appear overnight.

A servant entered the room, a middle-aged man dressed in black robes. His cultivation was at the peak of Qi Condensation, and he immediately bowed upon seeing Ao Kuiba.

"Honored guest, the Branch Manager awaits your arrival in the private reception hall. Please, follow me," the man said smoothly.

Ao Kuiba followed him through a series of lavish rooms before arriving at a set of heavy iron doors etched with the sigil of the Black River Chamber.

The servant knocked twice before pushing the doors open, revealing a chamber that was—in Ao Kuiba’s opinion—unexpectedly modest.

A small table stood at the middle of the room, its surface inlaid with jade, and surrounded by several silk cushions.

Ao Kuiba’s eyes swept the room before settling on the man behind the table.

Wei Qian was shorter than most people would have expected a Branch Manager to be, with wiry limbs and a face that seemed too delicate to belong to anyone in a position of power. His features were sharp, almost birdlike, with a thin nose and high cheekbones that gave him an air of perpetual alertness. Dark eyes, bright and calculating, studied Ao Kuiba with undisguised interest.

His robes were of the finest black silk, embroidered with silver threads that formed the Chamber’s serpent crest across his chest. A jade pendant hung from his belt—high quality, valuable, but not ostentatious.

He was a man who understood the value of appearance without being consumed by it.

Ao Kuiba’s eyes narrowed at the perpetual smirk on the man’s face, but the next moment he found himself smiling as well.

"Ah," Wei Qian said enthusiastically, rising from his seat behind the table. "The esteemed dragon cultivator. Please, have a seat."

Ao Kuiba sat down on one of the cushions facing the table.

Wei Qian took his time rising, but eventually joined Ao Kuiba on the opposite side.

"Tea?" Wei Qian asked politely.

"No," Ao Kuiba replied bluntly.

Wei Qian chuckled.

"I would have expected nothing less. Tea is most convenient for poisoning, you see? I’m not surprised you declined."

Ao Kuiba studied the man with renewed interest.

Most people would have tried to use this first meeting to assert their power over Ao Kuiba, but the smile on Wei Qian’s face was one of genuine amusement, as if he found Ao Kuiba to be an interesting opponent.

"You invited me to visit your organization," Ao Kuiba said simply. "Speak."

Wei Qian shrugged as he poured himself a cup of tea, taking no issue with Ao Kuiba’s blunt refusal.

"The Black River Chamber rarely visits the individuals it deals with, you understand. But a Void Crystal appearing in the city and the actions of my people afterwards are events that simply cannot be ignored."

Wei Qian took a sip of his tea, eyes locked on Ao Kuiba.

"I apologize for the misfortunes suffered by you at the hands of my subordinates."

Ao Kuiba said nothing.

"They acted recklessly," Wei Qian continued.

Ao Kuiba’s eyes flickered with amusement.

"You are aware that I have defeated three of your people without using any techniques?"

Wei Qian’s smirk grew wider.

"Indeed, and it is a most admirable feat, coming as it does from someone of your standing. Tell me, are you a dragon?"

Ao Kuiba’s eyes darkened slightly at the words, but he gave no other reaction.

"We have heard rumors of your kind," Wei Qian mused, taking another drink. "Beasts who take human form and cultivate as mortals do, but possess power far beyond them. And now I have the pleasure of meeting one such individual."

Ao Kuiba regarded the man in silence.

"You’re quite knowledgeable," Ao Kuiba remarked.

"I endeavor to be," Wei Qian said with a small smile.

"Knowledge is the second most valuable possession of the Black River Chamber."

Ao Kuiba raised an eyebrow.

"And what is the first?"

Wei Qian’s smile became almost predatory.

"Connections."

---

Ao Kuiba regarded the man in silence for a long moment.

Wei Qian seemed like a competent opponent, one who had weighed his options before coming here in the first place.

Ao Kuiba had no illusions about the man’s intentions—he knew perfectly well what Ao Kuiba represented, and wanted to recruit him.

That was understandable, but Ao Kuiba knew that the Black River Chamber wasn’t exactly a safe place to be.

Wei Qian was the first to speak, his voice laced with false regret.

"I find myself in the unenviable position of having only rudimentary methods of persuasion at my disposal."

Ao Kuiba said nothing as Wei Qian took another sip of his tea.

"The Black River Chamber needs allies, powerful allies," Wei Qian continued. "The tides of the realm are shifting, and the ancient sects must fall before new powers rise to take their place. And I believe, Ao Kuiba, that you are going to be one of the powers rising in these times."

Ao Kuiba narrowed his eyes.

"I do not need allies."

"Everyone needs allies. Even dragons." Wei Qian’s chuckle was soft, conspiratorial. "I understand your concerns, but please allow me to speak plainly. Your foundation is most impressive—I know you stand on a path of steady progression. I see in you the promise of ascension in coming years. But I also see the need for resources when the time comes for you to advance further."

Ao Kuiba remained silent, watching Wei Qian carefully.

"The Black River Chamber can provide you with the resources necessary to take on the next step of your path."

Ao Kuiba’s expression remained impassive.

"And I will receive nothing in return for your ’generosity’?" Ao Kuiba asked dryly.

Wei Qian’s smile widened as he stood up.

"Of course not, not for now." Wei Qian said smoothly, gesturing for Ao Kuiba to join him at the table. "Think of it as an investment. Should you ever find yourself in need of the Black River Chamber, you will always have our support. And when the time comes—I am certain it will come—for you to repay us, we will always be waiting."

Ao Kuiba studied the outstretched hand before he finally shook his head.

"I will consider your offer," Ao Kuiba said. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

Wei Qian’s grin never faltered as he withdrew his hand.

"Take all the time you need," Wei Qian said. "The offer is always open."

Ao Kuiba turned towards the door.

"One more thing before you go," Wei Qian said suddenly.

Ao Kuiba turned back.

"In three weeks’ time, the Black River Chamber will host a private auction at the Violet Cloud Summit Retreat," Wei Qian said, reaching into his sleeve and retrieving a second letter. "The guest list is small, but I have taken the liberty of preparing an invitation."

Ao Kuiba took the letter with a raised eyebrow.

"A fragment of an ancient dragon’s bone will be among the items of interest," Wei Qian said with a smile.

Ao Kuiba’s eyes flickered with interest.

"I thought it might," he said.

Ao Kuiba tucked the letter into his spatial ring and walked out without another word.

Behind him, Wei Qian’s smile never faded.