Chapter 171: Chapter 115: Chamber of Commerce (Part 2)

“It’s going well, all according to plan.” Chen Qing had no desire to discuss the Fishery in depth.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zheng Xiuhong said, “I still have to organize some booklets, so I won’t disturb you any longer.”

“Please, go ahead,” Chen Qing nodded.

As he watched Zheng Xiuhong’s back retreat toward the area with miscellaneous books, her figure remained as graceful as ever, yet it carried an air of lonely solitude.

Chen Qing understood. ’Her refusal of Brother Zhang wasn’t just about repaying a debt. It was a complete farewell to her past life of constant fear and anxiety.’

Chen Qing walked toward the area for the Li Fire Institute and the Kun Earth Institute.

He quickly found his targets: the Heart Method Manuals for the first three layers of the Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique and the Eight Desolates Mountain-Suppressing Technique.

However, as he took the two manuals and walked toward the Steward’s Platform where techniques were registered…

An old man with a serious expression sat at the Steward’s Platform. Judging by his attire, he didn’t belong to any of the Five Institutes but was an Elder directly under the Armory.

In front of him lay a thick registry book and a Jade Plate used to verify the identity on a Wooden Token.

“You wish to imprint a core heart method that isn’t from your own institute?” the old man asked, glancing up at Chen Qing.

At this moment, Chen Qing was using the Origin-Returning Breath-Sealing Art to suppress his Gui Water True Qi and Geng Metal True Qi, while fully displaying his Cyan Wood True Qi.

“Yes. I wish to imprint the Heart Methods for the Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique and the Eight Desolates Mountain-Suppressing Technique.”

Chen Qing handed over his Wooden Token from the Cyan Wood Institute.

The old man took the Wooden Token but didn’t immediately begin the imprinting process. Instead, he placed it on the Jade Plate.

He then proceeded to record and verify the information.

At the same time, the old man opened the registry book and picked up a pen.

“Name, institute, name and layer of the techniques you wish to imprint, and your purpose for doing so.”

The Tingchao Armory had extremely strict controls over its Core Techniques, especially Core Heart Methods from other institutes and all Cultivation Technique Books of the Fourth Layer or higher. All such requests had to be recorded in detail for future audits.

“Chen Qing, a disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute. The first three layers of the Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique and the first three layers of the Eight Desolates Mountain-Suppressing Technique.”

Chen Qing answered calmly, his excuse already prepared. “I wish to comprehend the principles of the Five Elements Birth and Destruction to aid in my cultivation of the Cyan Wood Heart Method.”

This was a common reason. Many disciples would reference the theoretical principles of other institutes’ heart methods to gain new insights or find an opportunity for a breakthrough. Such requests were usually permitted.

The old man nodded, jotting the information down in the registry.

Once he finished writing, the old man began to imprint the two Heart Method manuals for Chen Qing.

In the process, he seemed to casually offer a piece of advice. “The foundation of a heart method is built on specialization. You can reference other methods, but don’t get greedy. It is especially taboo to muddle your foundation, otherwise it can easily lead to disaster and qi deviation.”

This was both a routine reminder and a subtle warning.

After all, many young disciples, upon achieving some success, would think of cultivating two types of True Qi simultaneously. In the end, they would only waste their time and squander their potential.

“Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I will keep it in mind,” Chen Qing replied with a respectful bow.

After the imprinting was complete and he had paid the hefty fee, Chen Qing carefully tucked the two Parchment Scrolls into his robes.

He could feel the Elder’s final gaze on him, filled with a hint of probing curiosity.

Obviously, a disciple from the Cyan Wood Institute imprinting Core Heart Methods from the Li Fire and Kun Earth Institutes was enough to attract attention, even with a plausible reason.

But the Elder quickly looked away.

After all, there were quite a few Elders and Stewards who had studied the Heart Methods of other institutes.

Upon returning to the Nanzhe No. 7 Fishery, Chen Qing took out the scrolls for the Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique and the Eight Desolates Mountain-Suppressing Technique.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence]

[Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique (1/1000)]

[Eight Desolates Mountain-Suppressing Technique (1/1000)]

For the next few days, Chen Qing handled matters related to the winter catch.

With no more incursions from Exotic Beasts, the yield of Treasure Fish from each pond was quite substantial. In addition, there were also many Ink Jade Clams.

On this day, Chen Qing was processing the catch.

Wang Shuosheng hurried over. “Steward Chen, someone from the Wu Family delivered a letter. The messenger hasn’t left; it seems they’re waiting for your reply.”

Chen Qing paused his work. “Bring it here. Let me see.”

Since the matter with the Five River-Flipping Flood Dragons was resolved, the Wu Family hadn’t bothered him with any other trivial matters. Chen Qing’s role as a Tributor had been quite peaceful, and his contact with Wu Manqing was infrequent.

’But if Wu Manqing is writing to me, something must have happened.’

Chen Qing tore open the letter and read it.

It turned out that the Zheng Family, a core power within the Yunlin Commerce Association, was hosting a year-end gathering at Juxing Tower.

This was a grand event hosted by the Zheng Family, and the top Noble Families of the Prefecture City and the core members of the commerce association would all be in attendance.

In the letter, Wu Manqing frankly stated her hope that Chen Qing would attend the gathering with her in his capacity as the Wu Family’s Tributor, as his presence would give her some much-needed confidence.

’A year-end gathering for the Yunlin Commerce Association? At the Zheng Family’s Juxing Tower?’

Chen Qing put down the letter.

The Yunlin Commerce Association controlled the vast economic lifeblood of Yunlin Prefecture, and its members were all titans of commerce.

Wu Manqing had been working for years with the goal of joining their ranks.

The Zheng Family was one of the two great century-old Martial Arts Families in the Prefecture City. With their deep heritage and immense wealth, any gathering they hosted would naturally be of the highest caliber.

He pondered for a moment before saying to Wang Shuosheng, “Reply to the messenger. Tell them I accept.”

「Three days later, in the Prefecture City.」

Chen Qing and Wu Manqing met in an elegant private room at a teahouse in the city.

Wu Manqing had already arrived. After Chen Qing sat down, she personally poured him a cup of tea and said gently, “Brother Chen, before coming to the Prefecture City this time, I went to see your mother, Madam Han.”

Chen Qing’s hand paused as he was lifting his teacup, and he looked up at her.

“Your mother is doing very well. She’s living comfortably in a private residence, resting and recuperating peacefully. I’ve assigned a nimble, good-natured maidservant to tend to her daily needs. I guarantee she won’t suffer the slightest bit of hardship.”

Wu Manqing’s tone was sincere as she observed Chen Qing’s expression. “Additionally, I also had someone send a few Treasure Medicines to Master Zhou. I hope it can help with his internal injuries.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep