Chapter 107: Good Cause, Good Fruit
Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Good Cause, Good Fruit
Lin Changheng looked over at the sound. Who else could it be but his old acquaintance, Shopkeeper Xu Qianyou, coming to greet him?
The two had worked together in the Purple River District for twelve years. Shopkeeper Xu had taken good care of him, and they had gotten along extremely well.
Lin Changheng was not one to forget such kindness.
So, when the Xu Family confirmed his position as Chief Alchemist and asked for his recommendations on family members to form his team, Lin Changheng had mentioned Xu Qianyou’s name directly.
Unexpectedly, the Xu Family had actually given him face. Or perhaps they had also considered that Xu Qianyou’s rich experience as a shopkeeper, his performance, and his past record indeed made him competent for the job. In any case, Xu Qianyou was appointed as the Shopkeeper of the Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop in the Cyan Spirit District. He had arrived earlier with the other Pill Masters to set everything up.
"Shopkeeper, we get to work together again!"
Lin Changheng laughed heartily and stepped forward, firmly clasping both of Xu Qianyou’s hands.
But Lin Changheng keenly noticed that Shopkeeper Xu Qianyou’s hands were trembling slightly. His surprise and joy seemed too genuine to be fake.
’It seems this Shopkeeper Xu hasn’t had it easy since he was withdrawn from the Purple River District.’
"Chief Alchemist, they say the world is ever-changing, and it is truly so! This old man still vividly remembers your diligence and hard work back in the day. I felt you were a hidden dragon in the deep. Now, you’ve grown into a figure that everyone, including this old man, looks up to. The Celestial Dao truly has eyes; this is as it should be."
Xu Qianyou’s eyes filled with reminiscence and deep emotion. "From now on, this old man will certainly do my utmost to assist you, Chief Alchemist, and manage the Alchemy Shop well."
His constant use of the title "Chief Alchemist" in his speech showed his respect and sincerity.
"Your abilities as a shopkeeper are well known to all, and I, Changheng, am also well aware of them. With you managing the Alchemy Shop, I can rest completely at ease."
Lin Changheng wore a beaming smile and, in turn, referred to himself as Changheng.
The wrinkles around Xu Qianyou’s old eyes trembled slightly. He was clearly pleased, feeling the joy of meeting a kindred spirit. He then led Lin Changheng to have a look at his fourth-floor residence while also introducing the situation at the Alchemy Shop.
The Chief Alchemist was the head of the Alchemy Shop, responsible for all matters related to Alchemy and overseeing everything. The Shopkeeper, on the other hand, was in charge of the supply of Alchemy Materials, logistics, and the sale of Success Pills, among the shop’s many other affairs.
If any disagreements arose between the two, the Chief Alchemist’s decision was final.
Lin Changheng nodded as he listened, getting a clear picture. He didn’t have to manage the details, but he needed to grasp the general operations.
There were quite a few clerks in the Alchemy Shop, five or six in total, all busy at work.
Seeing such a young Green Robe Cultivator a step behind Shopkeeper Xu, they didn’t react at first. It wasn’t until Shopkeeper Xu frowned and let out a soft cry that they all showed intense shock, which they immediately concealed. They adopted a respectful posture, bowing in unison to greet him. "We greet the Chief Alchemist!"
"There’s no need for such formalities."
Lin Changheng clasped his hands behind his back, offered a warm smile, and nodded, making the clerks feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
’Only their direct supervisor needs to establish authority. All I need to do is be pleasant.’
"Thank you, Chief Alchemist."
The Alchemy Shop clerks were flattered. The Chief Alchemist was so approachable! They quickly bowed their thanks, their voices much louder now.
"Carry on with your work."
Lin Changheng said gently, dismissing the clerks.
As they continued up the stairs, after some conversation, Lin Changheng gained a basic understanding of the Alchemy Shop’s situation and Shopkeeper Xu’s recent circumstances.
After returning from the Purple River District, he had indeed been living an ordinary life, entering a state of semi-retirement.
Because the family only had so many positions in its Alchemy Shops across the Various Marketplaces, one less position meant one person was left out.
On top of that, the family had been going through turbulent times with a grim outlook, forcing it into a state of strategic contraction. Shopkeeper Xu had no place to apply his skills and had grown somewhat depressed while idle at home.
This was how large factions operated. They developed an inertia in their personnel choices, always using the same people. Once someone was set aside, they were easily "forgotten."
Fortunately, a single word from Lin Changheng had pulled Xu Qianyou right back to the forefront.
Xu Qianyou had naturally learned of this. He felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Lin Changheng. A good seed sown in the past had now borne fruit!
...
Only after the Chief Alchemist was in place did the "Xu Family’s Alchemy Shop" officially announce its grand opening.
Everything before was merely a soft opening.
Immediately, shops in the Marketplace, whether they were on good terms with the Xu Family or wished to curry favor with the new Market Master, all came bearing gifts to offer their congratulations. This created quite a grand spectacle in the district.
Xu Qianyou was in charge of receiving the guests, while also introducing the well-wishers and the Influence behind them to Lin Changheng.
This also allowed everyone to put a face to the name of the Xu Family’s late-blooming "Genius Alchemist." One after another, they expressed their long-held admiration.
This was actually all thanks to Xu Hanzhou. He had used Alchemist Lü as a channel to spread Lin Changheng’s name, a tactic of "killing with praise" that put him on his enemies’ radar. Who would have thought that Lin Changheng never left his family’s grounds, rendering it completely ineffective.
Now, however, it conveniently helped Lin Changheng become acquainted and build connections with everyone.
More friends meant more paths.
Besides, his demand for Essence Blood was quite large. Perhaps this could open up another channel for acquiring it.
Before long, a slightly hoarse, aged voice came from the entrance.
"Alchemist Lin, congratulations on your esteemed family’s Alchemy Shop opening. And congratulations to you, Fellow Daoist, on your promotion to Chief Alchemist of the shop."
Lin Changheng was still busy, but he immediately looked over at the sound. He saw an old man in hemp clothes walking in with a beautiful Female Cultivator whose eyes sparkled with spirit.
"Elder Liu, Fairy Liu."
Lin Changheng went to greet them with a smile.
It was none other than two of the three people from the Spirit Fox Mountain Liu Family who had visited the Xu Family last time. They were the ones who had provided him with a large quantity of Lantern Grass Essence Essence Blood, allowing him to complete his Spirit Stealing.
"Back then, this old man already felt that Alchemist Lin was no fish in a small pond and had the intention of recruiting you. To become the Chief Alchemist of a new shop in the New District in such a short time is astonishing. It also proves that I wasn’t mistaken back then; these old eyes of mine are still sharp enough."
The hemp-clothed old man said with a laugh.
But beneath the words, Lin Changheng heard a trace of regret.
With a faint smile, Lin Changheng said, "The Xu and Liu families jointly occupy the Cyan Spirit District. We are already close, and our interests align. It makes little difference where this junior is. Now that this junior is stationed in this district, it’s even more convenient. We can visit each other often."
"Hehe, that’s a fair point."
The hemp-clothed old man gave an appreciative smile, exchanged a look with the Female Cultivator, and didn’t bring up the topic again.
At this moment, the beautiful Female Cultivator from the Liu Family suddenly spoke with a radiant smile. "Brother Lin, please don’t call me Fairy Liu anymore. It sounds so distant. Just call me Qingyao. Liu Qingyao."
"It’s a pleasure, Miss Qingyao."
Lin Changheng wasn’t fussed about a form of address. Since she brought it up, he readily went along with it.
The two from the Liu Family were more important, considered honored guests, so Lin Changheng personally attended to them the entire time. Later guests were received by Xu Qianyou.
After drinking Spirit Tea and chatting for a long time, he saw the two from the Liu Family off with a smile on his face.
Afterward, Lin Changheng found the equally exhausted Xu Qianyou to ask about the details of those two.
"That hemp-clothed old man is the Elder fully in charge of the cooperation between the Xu and Liu families. His name is Liu Fengjie. He’s incredibly capable and has been specially transferred here to oversee the Liu Family’s Spirit Beast Store and counter the impact from the Beast Taming Sun Family’s shop. The young woman is one of the many granddaughters of the Liu Family’s Foundation Establishment ancestor. She often makes public appearances, her Spirit Root is unknown, and it’s suspected that the family intends to groom her as a successor."
Xu Qianyou took a sip of tea and recounted the details as if listing his family’s heirlooms.