Cultivating as a Puppet Master

Chapter 224: Chapter 198: Meeting Wenn Quan Again, Cultivating Wang Hui

Upon hearing this, a great weight lifted from Wenn Quan’s shoulders. A relieved smile, tinged with gratitude, bloomed on his face. "So that’s how it is! I understand now, Martial Uncle! Your considerations are truly thorough! Please rest assured, Martial Uncle. I will do everything in my power to live up to your trust. In the shortest time possible, I will deliver the framework of a reliable, small-scale merchant caravan to the person you designate to take over!"

His mind now at ease, he immediately stood and bowed deeply to Lu Zhao. "Martial Uncle, if you have no other instructions, I will get started on this matter at once!"

Lu Zhao nodded slightly. "Go. If you run into any difficulties or need more Spirit Stones, you can come to me at any time."

"Yes! I will take my leave!" Wenn Quan bowed again, carefully put away the Storage Bag, and turned to leave the cave-dwelling with a brisk and light step, clearly already calculating his first moves.

After Wenn Quan’s figure disappeared from sight, Lu Zhao sat in silence for a moment before rising to leave the cave-dwelling himself. His body transformed into a faint streak of light, shooting toward Wang Hui’s residence in the Bixia Marketplace.

Before long, Lu Zhao appeared before a small, relatively secluded courtyard with a decent concentration of Spiritual Qi. He concealed his aura and lightly knocked on the gate.

The one who opened the door was Wang Hui. In her arms, she held a little girl—her daughter, Mu Wan’Er.

"Uncle Lu! You’re here!" A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Wang Hui’s face when she saw Lu Zhao. She quickly stepped aside. "Please, come in! Wan’Er, quickly greet Grandpa Lu."

Mu Wan’Er called out in a small voice, "Hello, Grandpa Lu." Her voice was crisp and sweet.

A rare, gentle smile touched Lu Zhao’s stern face. He nodded at Mu Wan’Er. "Good girl, Wan’Er." He casually took out a Spirit Fruit that emanated a faint, sweet fragrance and handed it to her. It was a Low-tier Spirit Fruit, quite beneficial for nourishing a child’s body.

Mu Wan’Er happily accepted it and thanked him sweetly.

Wang Hui put her daughter down and said softly, "Be a good girl, Wan’Er. Go play in the inner room for a bit. Mother and Grandpa Lu have things to discuss."

Mu Wan’Er nodded obediently, hugged the Spirit Fruit, and walked into the adjacent room, looking back every few steps.

Only then did Wang Hui turn back to Lu Zhao and bow respectfully. "Uncle Lu, is there something you need from me?" She had a faint premonition.

Lu Zhao looked at her and got straight to the point. "Go and bring Fellow Daoist Lin here as well. I have something to arrange for the two of you today."

Wang Hui’s heart skipped a beat. She answered, "Yes," and immediately went to the neighboring courtyard to find Lin Qingshan.

A short while later, Lin Qingshan hurried over with Wang Hui. He bowed deeply to Lu Zhao. "Greetings, Elder Lu."

Lu Zhao gestured for them to sit and got straight to the point. "I intend to form a small merchant caravan. I have already entrusted my junior martial nephew, Wenn Quan, with building the framework and recruiting personnel. Once the initial structure is in place, I will need reliable people to take over the daily management and operations. I intend for the two of you to be involved."

As soon as he said this, Lin Qingshan’s expression soured. His mouth hung slightly open, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t dare.

Wang Hui was also taken aback, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but she didn’t respond immediately.

Finally, Lin Qingshan couldn’t hold back any longer. His voice was filled with palpable fear and anxiety. "Elder, I am endlessly grateful for your favor! But managing a merchant caravan... My sister-in-law and I are both Wanderers. We’ve never been involved in such a business and have no experience to speak of."

"I’m afraid we’re not capable enough and will mess things up, betraying your trust and hindering your important plans!" His voice grew softer as he spoke, and he lowered his head, clearly having no confidence in himself.

Lu Zhao wasn’t surprised by his reaction. ’Lin Qingshan’s character is decent enough, but he’s too timid and lacks initiative. He has a habit of backing down from challenges and is unfit for great responsibility.’

Though his words had been addressed to both of them, his gaze was fixed primarily on Wang Hui. He was testing whether her words from a few days ago—that she would only return to see her parents once she had made something of herself—were truly heartfelt or just an excuse made in a moment of desperation.

If Wang Hui shrank back like Lin Qingshan, Lu Zhao planned to simply find them a stable but dead-end job in the Marketplace. It would ensure they were fed and clothed, and he would have fulfilled his obligation to his old acquaintance.

But if Wang Hui still possessed the drive to rise above the ordinary, to seize this opportunity and change her destiny...

Wang Hui was silent for a moment. She looked at Lu Zhao’s calm, scrutinizing gaze, and images flashed through her mind: the years of hardship struggling at the bottom, the agony of her capture, the tragic death of her husband, Mu Qingquan, and the innocent face of her daughter, Wan’Er.

Finally, she lifted her head. Though her eyes still held apprehension about the unknown, they shone with a do-or-die determination.

She didn’t make excuses like Lin Qingshan. Instead, she met Lu Zhao’s gaze and said clearly, "Uncle Lu, I’ve never managed a merchant caravan. I truly don’t know anything, and I’m afraid."

"But I am willing to learn, and I am willing to try! As long as you trust me and give me this chance, Uncle Lu, I will give it my all! I will not disappoint you!"

After hearing Wang Hui’s words, a flash of satisfaction finally crossed Lu Zhao’s eyes. ’Very good. That drive is still there! This courage to seize an opportunity and face challenges head-on is what I truly wanted to see.’

He nodded, his tone gaining a new gravity. "Good! The caravan’s framework is still under construction, so you won’t be managing it just yet. Wenn Quan is in charge of this matter. I will send word to him and have him find you later."

"During this period, you are to follow Wenn Quan and learn from him with all your heart. Watch how he recruits personnel, builds the framework, and handles the initial affairs. If you don’t understand something, ask. If you don’t know how to do something, learn."

He paused, his gaze sharp as he looked at Wang Hui. "Remember, Wenn Quan will only be with the caravan for half a year. After that, he will withdraw. At that time, I require you to be able to manage this caravan properly for me! To get it up and running. Can you do it?"

Hearing this, Wang Hui’s body jolted. Half a year! Then she would take over management! The immense pressure crashed down on her like a mountain, nearly taking her breath away.

But what followed was an unprecedentedly strong sense of both responsibility and opportunity! Lu Zhao was placing not just a heavy burden but also a heaven-sent opportunity directly onto her shoulders!

She took a deep breath, suppressed the tempest in her heart, and rose to her feet without hesitation. She gave Lu Zhao the deepest bow she had ever performed, her voice trembling but exceptionally firm. "Uncle Lu, I will never forget this grace of giving me a new life!"

"Please rest assured, Uncle Lu! Within half a year, I will do everything in my power to learn diligently from Fellow Daoist Wenn! After six months, I will not fail your trust and will take over the caravan! If I cannot do it, I will willingly accept any punishment!"

She knew this was Lu Zhao truly sparing no effort to cultivate her talent, paving for her a path to the Cyan Clouds that could change her destiny! This debt of gratitude was as heavy as a mountain!

Watching this unfold, Lin Qingshan opened and closed his mouth, his face flushing red, then turning pale. It all settled into a deep sense of embarrassment and an indescribable feeling of loss.

It seemed he was only just realizing that his earlier hesitation had cost him an unimaginable opportunity. He looked at Wang Hui’s resolute profile, his heart a turmoil of complicated feelings. He was happy for his sister-in-law, yet ashamed of his own cowardice.

Lu Zhao took in Lin Qingshan’s reaction and understood completely but said nothing more. He nodded at Wang Hui. "Remember your words today. Go now, and wait for news from Wenn Quan."

Wang Hui bowed deeply once more. "Yes! I will take my leave!" She pulled the still-dazed Lin Qingshan with her out of the room, a blazing fighting spirit already ignited in her heart.

Lu Zhao watched their departing figures, his gaze landing on Mu Wan’Er, who was peeking her little head out from the doorway of the inner room. His eyes softened.

He thought to himself, ’Brother Wang, all I can do is give her a chance. Whether she can seize it, whether she can change her destiny, will depend on her own fortune.’

Silence returned to the small courtyard. Lu Zhao’s gaze drifted out the window toward the bustling Bixia Marketplace.

The first step in establishing the merchant caravan had been taken. How far this small enterprise would go in the future, and what it would bring him—he felt a faint sense of anticipation.