Chapter 64: Changing the Cave Abode
Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Changing the Cave Abode
Zhou Hua waved his hand. "I appreciate the thought, Mr. Lu. Speaking of which, I have the family to thank for this arrangement. They’ve left a path for those of us in the side branches to make a living."
Lu Zhao understood upon hearing Zhou Hua’s words, though he had his own take on the matter. ’The Zhou Family’s reforms seem swift and decisive, but they’ve actually made significant compromises with the old guard. The business in Changfeng County remains unchanged, while the Hundred Arts Pavilion is only responsible for the Outer Counties. This strategy is clearly designed to avoid stepping on the toes of certain people within the Zhou Family.’
"Shopkeeper Zhou, Bin’Er has been doing quite well recently," Lu Zhao said, changing the subject in a casual tone.
A gratified smile immediately bloomed on Zhou Hua’s face. "Indeed. Bin’Er has made a lot of progress lately. His talent might be average, but he makes up for it by being steady and meticulous. He’s learning the basic Puppetry techniques you’ve taught him very quickly."
Zhou Hua’s smile widened as he personally refilled Lu Zhao’s tea. "It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance, Mr. Lu."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, then Lu Zhao suddenly said, "Shopkeeper Zhou, there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with."
"Please, speak freely, Mr. Lu."
"I’d like to ask you to keep an eye out for a few materials for me." Lu Zhao took a list from his sleeve. "A Tier One Middle-Grade wolf corpse, and a Tier One High-Grade Ice Wind Stone. You don’t need to go out of your way to find them, but if you come across them, please buy them for me."
Zhou Hua took the list, his brow furrowing slightly. "The Ice Wind Stone, despite being High-Grade, is relatively common in Changfeng County. Our county is rich in Water and Ice Element Spiritual Objects, so I usually come across a few each year. Keeping an eye out for you is no problem. But this wolf corpse..." He looked troubled. "The last three I acquired only by calling in a favor. Not only does that kind of thing leave me indebted to others, but it’s also quite risky."
Lu Zhao nodded in understanding. "There’s no need to trouble yourself, Shopkeeper. Just keeping an eye out is enough. It’s alright if you can’t find any."
Zhou Hua nodded and put the list in his sleeve. "By the way, do you still have any plans to sell Tier One Middle-Grade Puppets, Mr. Lu?" Clearly, Zhou Hua hadn’t given up on the matter.
Lu Zhao smiled without answering, instead saying, "Speaking of which, if Bin’Er wants to improve further, just practicing the basics isn’t enough." He took a sip of tea. "If he could get some early exposure to the Runes and refining methods of Entry Tier Puppets, it would be of great benefit to his formal studies later on."
A glint flashed in Zhou Hua’s eyes. He fell silent for a moment, then set down his teacup. "What do you need, Mr. Lu?"
Since things had come to this point, Lu Zhao stopped beating around the bush. "To be honest, the Spiritual Qi in my current Cave Mansion is thin, making my cultivation twice as hard for half the result. The prices for Spirit Vein Cave Mansions in the Marketplace are too high. I was hoping Shopkeeper Zhou could help me find a solution."
The room fell silent. Zhou Hua’s fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop. After a long moment, he said, "This is not something I can decide. Allow me to report back to the family. I will give you an answer in a few days, Mr. Lu."
Lu Zhao rose and cupped his hands. "Thank you for your trouble."
By the time he left the Nine Abyss Pavilion, the sun was already setting in the west. As Lu Zhao walked back to his Cave Mansion, he mulled over Zhou Hua’s reaction. The fact that he hadn’t been rejected outright meant there was still room for negotiation.
「Five days later.」
Zhou Hua paid a visit in person.
Lu Zhao had just finished carving the core Rune on an Ironwood Guard when he heard the sound of his Restriction being triggered. He put away the Puppet and opened the stone door of his Cave Mansion. Zhou Hua stood outside, beaming.
"Mr. Lu, good news!" Zhou Hua said eagerly before even stepping inside. "The matter of the Spirit Vein has been settled. However, an elder from the family wishes to meet you first." He lowered his voice.
’It must be Zhou Qiling,’ Lu Zhao guessed, his heart stirring.
Seeing that Lu Zhao hadn’t spoken, Zhou Hua asked, "Can you come with me now?"
"Of course." Lu Zhao turned to grab an outer robe and casually placed several Guard Talismans at the entrance of his Cave Mansion.
The two of them crossed most of the Marketplace and arrived before a quiet courtyard in the Core Area. A few stalks of Cyan Spirit Bamboo were planted around the courtyard’s exterior, their leaves rustling in the wind, which seemed to provide a subtle soundproofing effect.
Zhou Hua straightened his clothes at the door and said respectfully, "Uncle Qiling, Mr. Lu is here."
"Come in." A voice, old yet full of vigor, came from within the courtyard.
The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was exquisitely arranged with a rockery and a small stream. An old man in a gray robe was brewing tea at a stone table. When he saw the two enter, he looked up and sized up Lu Zhao.
"Greetings, Elder." Zhou Hua bowed in salute.
Lu Zhao followed suit with a salute. "Greetings, Elder."
The old man waved his hand. "Don’t call me Elder. I am merely a Preparatory Elder, it’s not an official title yet." He pointed to the stone stool opposite him. "Sit."
Lu Zhao thanked him and sat down properly. Up close, Zhou Qiling’s face was lean and gaunt, with a few deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, but his gaze was bright and sharp.
"Mr. Lu, I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time." Zhou Qiling poured Lu Zhao a cup of tea. "Back then, my brother Kang spoke very highly of you."
At the mention of Zhou Kang, a flicker of sadness crossed the old man’s eyes. Lu Zhao showed a timely expression of nostalgia. "Uncle Kang treated me like a nephew and took great care of me."
Zhou Qiling sighed. "My brother Kang... Forget it, let’s not talk about that." He looked directly at Lu Zhao. "Mr. Lu, Zhou Ming must have made you some promises back then, right? If you were to agree now, my offer would still stand." He gave a meaningful smile. "And my character is far more reliable than that of Zhou Qilan, who’s backing Zhou Ming."
Lu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. He was silent for a moment, knowing he couldn’t fudge his way through this. He looked up and said frankly, "I am unworthy of your generous offer, Senior. It’s just that this junior still has aspirations for his path of cultivation and has no plans to find a Dao Companion for the time being."
"As I expected." Zhou Qiling wasn’t angry at all. On the contrary, he had an ’I knew it’ expression. "My brother Kang said back then that you wouldn’t agree."
"No matter." Zhou Qiling waved his hand. "My Zhou Family isn’t unreasonable. As long as you teach Bin’Er well, Mr. Lu, I can also lend you a hand or two on your cultivation path."
Since they’d come this far, Lu Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony. "Then, about the Spirit Vein...?"
Zhou Qiling said readily, "The family naturally supports its outstanding Honored Guest Elders. With your qualifications, Mr. Lu, you can rent a Tier One Middle-Grade Spirit Vein Cave Mansion for sixty Spirit Stones a year."
This price wasn’t even half the market rate. Lu Zhao immediately stood up and bowed solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. This junior will certainly do his utmost to teach Bin’Er."
"Of course, of course." Zhou Qiling smiled and helped Lu Zhao up, then turned to Zhou Hua. "Go and fetch the Restriction Jade Token for the Cyan Bamboo Residence."
Zhou Hua accepted the order and left. Zhou Qiling then chatted with Lu Zhao for a bit about cultivation insights, his attitude as amiable as a regular elder. Before long, Zhou Hua returned and handed a Cyan Jade Token to Lu Zhao.
"This is the central hub for the Cave Mansion’s Restriction. You just need to perform blood Refining on it, Mr. Lu," Zhou Qiling explained. "It’s located on the west side of the Core Area. The Spiritual Qi concentration is stable at Tier One Middle-Grade."
Lu Zhao thanked him again and left the courtyard. After Lu Zhao was gone, Zhou Hua finally couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle Qiling, why treat Lu Zhao with such courtesy? With the family’s power, we could have used other methods..."
Zhou Qiling’s smile vanished. He shot Zhou Hua a cold glance. "You younger generation, always thinking of using force. Even if we controlled him and got the Puppetry techniques, who could learn them in a short time? Would we still need him to teach it?" He snorted coldly. "Not everyone has the kind of Talent to be self-taught. The family grows through inheritance. As long as he passes his skills to a member of the Zhou Family, what are a mere Spirit Vein and a few connections? Besides, this makes our Zhou Family appear to be respectful of worthy individuals."
Zhou Hua had a sudden realization and quickly agreed.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhao returned to the Cold Bamboo Garden, toying with the Cyan Jade Token. The token felt warm and smooth in his hand, and its inner surface was engraved with intricate Array Patterns. He bit the tip of his finger and let a Blood Bead fall onto the center of the token.
The moment the Blood Bead touched the jade surface, the token lit up with a faint cyan glow, and a stream of information flowed into Lu Zhao’s mind: the detailed location of the Cyan Bamboo Residence and the Technique for controlling its Restriction.
"Sixty Spirit Stones a year," Lu Zhao murmured. ’A good deal, indeed.’ He packed his simple belongings and gave one last look around the humble Cave Mansion he had called home for over two years. The stone door slowly closed behind him. A new path on his journey of cultivation seemed to be unfolding amidst the richer Spiritual Qi of the Cyan Bamboo Residence.