Getting a Bargain and Still Complaining

Han Tianqing looked at Xu Mu, opened her mouth, but then swallowed her words.

She really couldn't bring herself to say such things.

Deep down, she was quite resistant to it.

Zhou Xia looked at Han Tianqing's expression and finally let out a soft sigh.

"Alright, matters here are concluded. The Second Elder has been taken away by the Cleaners."

Xu Mu, sitting on the sofa, addressed the two women before him.

"Thank you, Xu Mu. We owe you a great favor."

Gratitude was evident all over Zhou Xia's face.

Han Tianqing also felt the weight in her heart finally lift.

With her father and the Second Elder captured, no one could restrain her anymore.

She could finally live for herself.

Zhou Xia and Han Tianqing left first. Xu Mu and Chen Xuan chatted for a while longer at the place.

Then, Xu Mu bid farewell to Chen Xuan and prepared to head back.

Having now entered the Grandmaster realm, he felt he should do something.

Arriving at his car, just as Xu Mu started the engine, Zhou Xia and Han Tianqing emerged from their home.

Zhou Xia smiled and waved to Xu Mu.

Xu Mu rolled down the window, resting his arm on the frame. "What's up?"

"Can you give us a ride?" Zhou Xia asked with a smile.

"Of course."

Xu Mu nodded.

Zhou Xia and Han Tianqing opened the rear doors from left and right and got in.

Xu Mu inquired, "Where should I drop you off?"

"To the city center for now."

Zhou Xia glanced at Han Tianqing. "We're planning to move, we won't be living here anymore."

"Since you're starting a whole new life, changing locations is indeed a good idea."

Xu Mu stepped on the accelerator, driving towards the city.

On the suburban highway,

Zhou Xia suddenly looked at Xu Mu in the front seat and asked, "Mr. Xu Mu, have you heard of our sect's cultivation techniques?"

Xu Mu replied, "Only a general idea, not the specifics."

"Let me explain. Our sect has two main techniques. One is called Soul Plunder, the other is Dual Cultivation."

Zhou Xia explained. "The Yin-Yang Sect mostly practices the first one. This technique harms others to benefit oneself, seizing the essence, energy, and spirit of others to replenish one's own."

Xu Mu asked, "The one you practice is this type, right?"

"Correct. I use this technique to plunder power and enhance my cultivation."

Zhou Xia didn't deny it. "But I don't target a single person continuously. A normal person can recover after some rest."

"As long as it's not sustained targeting of one individual, it doesn't cause significant physical harm."

Han Tianqing chimed in, clearly defending Zhou Xia.

"'Not significant harm'? Meaning there is still some harm."

Xu Mu said with a smile.

"Exactly, there's no point lying to you. After having one's essence, energy, and spirit absorbed, symptoms include soreness in the waist and knees, kidney deficiency, and a decrease in personal strength."

Zhou Xia continued. "But the second technique, Dual Cultivation, isn't like that. Dual Cultivation emphasizes resonance of body and spirit, allowing the Qi of both parties to merge and flow rapidly, thereby advancing cultivation."

"Try explaining that in plain language."

Xu Mu slowed the car down.

"Take you and me, for example. Your strength far surpasses mine. After our Qi merges, the flow rate becomes much faster than when I cultivate alone. In other words, the stronger my Dual Cultivation partner, the faster my cultivation speed."

Zhou Xia explained.

Hearing this, Xu Mu nodded slightly. "I see. That technique sounds powerful then. Just find a senior master, and the cultivation speed would skyrocket, right?"

"No, you're forgetting the prerequisite: it requires resonance of body and spirit between the two. Do you think an ordinary person could have genuine feelings for those elderly seniors?"

Zhou Xia said with a laugh. "For instance, when an ordinary woman in her twenties marries a wealthy man in his sixties or seventies, is it because of love?"

"Of course not."

Xu Mu shook his head.

"Right. What are they after? The old-man smell on those geezers?"

Zhou Xia retorted. "It's for money, because marrying such a wealthy man can cover their expenses for the rest of their lives."

Xu Mu gave a slight nod, waiting for her to continue.

"Dual Cultivation is the same. I would know clearly in my heart that my purpose with that old man, and his with me, would solely be advancement. There would be no genuine feelings, so it wouldn't succeed."

Zhou Xia paused, then went on. "To practice this technique, most partners are around the same age. Even if they weren't close before, feelings can develop over time."

"I understand. But why are you suddenly telling me all this?"

Xu Mu asked curiously.

"The world is very fickle and superficial. Almost everyone in our Yin-Yang Sect practices the first technique — the simple, direct plundering of others' power, requiring no feelings; it brings pleasure to oneself while advancing. Yet there are still those who choose the second path, the route of pure affection."

At this point, Zhou Xia patted Han Tianqing. "That's why I said Xiaoqing is a good person."

"You still haven't answered my question."

Xu Mu asked, looking at Zhou Xia through the rearview mirror.

"I want you to agree to Dual Cultivate with Xiaoqing."

Zhou Xia stated bluntly. "You're handsome, talented, and powerful. I believe Xiaoqing will come to like you."

Hearing this, Han Tianqing couldn't help but nudge Zhou Xia. "Sister Xia, don't talk nonsense..."

Xu Mu, upon hearing this, directly stepped on the brake and pulled the car over to the side of the road.

He turned his head and asked, "If I agree, Han Tianqing can use me to speed up her cultivation, right?"

"Correct." Zhou Xia nodded.

"Then what benefit do I get?"

Xu Mu asked.

"This... your question really shocks me, I don't even know how to answer."

Zhou Xia couldn't help but roll her eyes. She pointed at Han Tianqing and looked at Xu Mu, asking, "Is she pretty?"

Xu Mu answered without hesitation, "Not bad."

"She's practically giving herself to you for free, and you ask me, 'what benefit do I get?'"

Zhou Xia was a bit dumbfounded. Wasn't this man being ungrateful for a favor?

"Sister Xia, don't say anymore. These things depend on fate."

Han Tianqing said softly, "Even if he agreed, I wouldn't."

"Alright then."

Zhou Xia shook her head helplessly. Thinking about it carefully, it made sense; their crisis was now resolved.

To be honest, there was no urgent need to rapidly increase their cultivation level.

Besides, they lived in the same city as Xu Mu. They were bound to run into each other eventually.

She didn't believe that Xu Mu, as a man, could resist such a thing.

...

Top floor of a high-rise in Yang City.

As usual, Ye Chen was looking down through the glass at the bustling traffic below.

On the office sofa, Zhong Qianqian was busy, holding a laptop.

Then she spoke with a smile, "Dragon King, the medicine was correct. I also checked the records on her phone. The file she sent to Fang Chu was this one."

"Good. Have someone release her."

Ye Chen didn't turn around, his voice was calm.

"Yes."

Zhong Qianqian took out her phone.

Just then, the office door was pushed open.

Xiao Ran walked in with a smile, followed by two people.

They were the Mu father and daughter, Mu Yuansheng and Mu Qingying.

Ye Chen turned around and immediately noticed Mu Qingying, the front of her uniform bulging prominently. This woman was indeed formidable.

She always managed to catch his eye first.

"Mr. Ye."

Mu Yuansheng walked in with a smile. "What's the matter you called us here for?"

"The company's product, I've already taken care of it on my end. Now we need someone to execute it."

Ye Chen looked at Mu Qingying and said, "How about you take the position of CEO?"