Chapter 113: Chapter 109: Advancing by Retreating

The next day, Li An checked the inheritance left by Song Mingzhang in person, including Spirit Stones and resources, all handed over to Song Anning.

It was indeed a substantial sum!

Actually, if Li An wanted to take it all for himself, it would be quite easy since he was already chosen by Song Mingzhang as the “grandson-in-law” and an heir by right.

The only obstacle was Song Anning, but that was also simple. If Li An was kind-hearted, he could marry her first and then divorce her, or if he were more ruthless, he could just kill her, and who would stand up for her?

Her holding all these things was no different from a child carrying gold through a busy marketplace!

However, Li An didn’t do that.

Firstly, in a certain sense, Song Mingzhang indeed had done him a favor.

Secondly, even if he took all these resources and no one could say anything now, who would trust him in the future?

He still had a long way to go in the Treasure Pavilion; he couldn’t ruin his credibility and reputation.

It wasn’t worth it.

“Mr. Zuo, I’ve had someone prepare dinner. Please have a meal before you leave—”

Having received the inheritance, Song Anning was very happy and became enthusiastic.

Li An declined.

He went to Wuyang Street, and through Cai Chao, the owner of Yun Dao Tea House, he arranged for a clean and tidy residence, which, although not as grand as the Song Mansion, was sufficient for him.

Moreover, he had been studying diligently for over a decade just to enter the Treasure Pavilion, leaving no time for talismans and array techniques. Now it was time for that.

Living alone was important for him.

That night, Li An began making talismans!

Years ago in White Tiger City, Xu Qiuhui had given him a Tier Two Talisman Pen and dozens of talisman papers.

That very night, Li An crafted five Bursting Talismans, three Swift Movement Talismans, two Breaking Charms, and two Thunder Shock Talismans, all Tier Two Lower Grade!

Since reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, making Tier Two talismans was no longer difficult for him.

With talismans by his side and two sets of advanced arrays set up in his residence, he felt a bit more secure.

He could make Tier Two arrays now too, but as long as there was no sign of danger, there was no need to set them up—that would be too wasteful.

In Celestial Yang City, safety was relatively assured, and given that he was now part of the Treasure Pavilion, he didn’t need to worry too much about that aspect.

“Gao Feng…”

His eyes narrowed slightly; the most urgent matter at this time was his situation within the Treasure Pavilion.

He thought through it repeatedly.

He realized that trying to compete with Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao for the position of official Artifact Evaluator was very challenging.

He had no connections!

This was the biggest problem.

After all, to become an official Artifact Evaluator, it wasn’t enough for the evaluator he was following to approve of him; the votes of another nine evaluators were also needed.

“Retreat to advance…”

He had an idea!

…

For the time being, he remained unfailingly patient, following Gao Feng’s words to the letter.

Another year and a half passed.

During this year and a half, the offspring of Gao Feng and Hua Ming too passed their tests to become candidate Artifact Evaluators.

In just two months, Gao Feng was due to officially step down.

By then, among Li An, Lu Hua, and Zheng Xiaoxiao, two people were to officially become candidate Artifact Evaluators.

On that day, Gao Feng had just finished appraising an artifact.

Li An came in to make tea for him, serving it to him, and suddenly asked, “Master Gao, I have a question to ask…”

Gao Feng took the tea, not acknowledging him, sipping at his leisure.

“The guest earlier brought what should have been a Second Grade Spirit Medicine, Blood Reishi, which greatly resembles the First Grade Spirit Medicine, Fur Reishi, but with its more complex herbal aroma…”

Gao Feng suddenly looked up, furrowing his brow in surprise as he gazed at Li An!

What he had just appraised was indeed a Second Grade Blood Reishi.

However, the appraisal he gave the guest was… a First Grade Fur Reishi.

Did Li An see through it?

“Why are you bringing this up…”

He spoke in a low voice.

Li An, filled with respect, said, “I am eager to learn, please don’t take it the wrong way, Master Gao.”

“Furthermore, Five-Colored Gold and Five-Colored Gold, Peacock Stone and Swan Stone… even Zuo Wen finds these somewhat confusing, please provide your guidance, Master Gao.”

Gao Feng’s heart began to race!

All that Li An spoke of were misdeeds he had committed over the past two years!

For some easily confused artifacts, he would assess them based on the person, deliberately appraising them as lower-grade items, thereby acquiring them cheaply from the guests.

Typically, guests lacked precise knowledge, and since Gao Feng held a revered status, with the Treasure Pavilion’s credibility backing him, they would directly sell to him or someone he recommended, and there wouldn’t be any major issues.

Within the Treasure Pavilion, this practice was also common; after all, who in power didn’t succumb to corruption?

Were they even human?

But he hadn’t expected that Li An knew about all these things?

At this moment, he couldn’t help but reevaluate his perception of Li An!

For the past two years, Li An had been nothing but respectful, but unexpectedly… he had this card up his sleeve.

Only now did he suddenly realize, back then Li An’s sudden humbleness, willingly cleaning for him and such…

was to put him at ease!

When he became extensively underestimating Li An and accustomed to his service, it was easier to let his guard down.

Thus, it had come to this!

Approaching voluntarily, waiting for two whole years… This patience of Li An’s was somewhat frightening, wasn’t it??

“What exactly are you trying to say!”

He couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.

If these matters were to be exposed, they would have a significant impact on him.

Whether he could “retire” normally from the Treasure Pavilion was uncertain.

“I deeply feel that my own judgment is still lacking, and I want to hone it further.”

“Therefore, Zuo Wen wishes to manage over at the treasury.”

Li An stated frankly!

This is his goal.

Becoming a formal Artifact Evaluator is too difficult for him. Even if he could threaten Gao Feng, he couldn’t deal with the other evaluators.

He chose to go to the treasury side, which has its advantages.

——All appraised treasures entering the treasury would pass through his hands.

It makes it easier for him to find what he wants.

Moreover, he can fully interact with each Artifact Evaluator through this position. If he finds the opportunity to get rid of a certain evaluator, he, as the candidate evaluator, can successfully rise to the position.

Retreat to advance.

Upon hearing this, Gao Feng suddenly let out a sigh of relief.

He initially thought Li An would threaten him to help Li An become a formal Artifact Evaluator.

That would be difficult because for Li An to become an evaluator, he’d have to replace others. This is a major vendetta, so how could he easily bond with others?

But just a managerial position…

For an Artifact Evaluator, that’s not hard!

Using this position to buy Li An’s silence…is worth it.

“Hmm, you’ve followed me for so many years, working diligently. Don’t worry; I’ll consider it for you.”

He agreed.

…

Two months later.

Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao officially became Artifact Evaluators, and Gao Feng and Hua Ming officially “retired.”

Meanwhile, Li An, still under the title of candidate evaluator, became the manager of the Treasure Pavilion’s treasury under Gao Feng’s recommendation.

This year, Li An was already one hundred and seven years old.

He had spent seventeen years at the Treasure Pavilion!

This is an unaffordable time span for anyone, an enormous cost.

But for Li An, it meant nothing.

First, in seventeen years, his cultivation continued as usual without affecting his progress.

Second, his lifespan far surpasses that of ordinary people. As long as he forms his core before four hundred, he has plenty of time to leverage.

“Should we call you Master Zuo or Manager Zuo in the future?”

Lu Hua, now an Artifact Evaluator, casually patted Li An on the shoulder, laughing heartily.

Li An replied, “Master Lu, you’re too kind. You can just call me Xiaozuo.”

He laughed as well.

Meanwhile, Mo Cixi and the other three senior Artifact Evaluators also appeared to meet the new evaluators.

Watching Li An’s back as he headed to the treasury, Mo Rong felt just a slight ripple in her heart.

What a waste of talent!

Internally, she preferred someone truly capable like Li An.

But the benefits from Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao’s elders were more rewarding.

Ultimately, interests outweighed everything.

…

The treasury had six people, four men and two women, all waiting for Li An.

“Reporting to Manager Zuo, these are the current accounts of the treasury…”

Upon Li An’s arrival, a woman named Zhang Qingqing stepped forward, handed the accounts to Li An, and provided a brief overview.

The treasury was the most securely guarded place in the Treasure Pavilion, protected by a Tier Two array.

But Li An sensed it and immediately realized it wasn’t just one—it was three!

Li An was mainly responsible for the admission of treasures into the treasury and subsequent management.

Of course, Li An didn’t have sole control over the treasury. The pavilion conducted four inspections each month to ensure nothing went wrong.

“Hmm, continue the usual operations, but all treasures entering the treasury must be personally viewed by me!”

Li An added a rule.

Previously, treasures appraised by evaluators needed only two people responsible for receiving and registering them.

…

In the blink of an eye, another six months passed.

Li An became thoroughly familiar with the treasury’s operations.

While getting familiar, he began cultivating his confidants.

Zhang Qingqing had been well-trusted during other managers’ terms, very capable.

The other woman, Wang Zi, had only recently joined the Treasure Pavilion. She held a low position among the people there and often did the hard and tiring work.

Over six months, Li An gradually made adjustments, continually weakening Zhang Qingqing’s status, allowing Wang Zi to replace Zhang Qingqing and become his confidant.

As the saying goes, each new reign brings new officials. Upon rising to power, he definitely couldn’t use the previous manager’s people.

In his previous life, Li An managed a Cultivation Clan, making such matters commonplace; power dynamics weren’t difficult for him.

Moreover, he gave Wang Zi a hope, promising that when he left, he’d recommend Wang Zi take over the managerial position.

This made Wang Zi even more loyal.

At the same time, Li An also consistently worked on building a good relationship with Mo Rong. Although initially rejected many times, over time, Li An finally managed to befriend her household’s trusted aides.

…

In the blink of an eye, four years passed!

“Supervisor, this is the recent list of appraised treasures from Master Lu Hua…”

One day, Wang Zi brought over several account books again.

Li An nodded, “I heard that three months ago, Lu Hua’s grandfather also passed away?”

Wang Zi said, “Yes…”

Li An said, “Good.”

He picked up the accounts, glanced over them, then got up, ready to find Mo Rong!

Four years, finally outlasted Lu Hua’s grandfather!

Four years ago, due to Song Mingzhang’s early death, Li An had no assistance within the Treasure Pavilion and was sidelined.

Now, Lu Hua’s backer was also gone…

Everything he prepared could now be put into action!

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep