7: Chapter 7 Opening the Wine

"A Guest Elder of the Xie Family?" Xu Changsheng's eyebrows shot up, a bit surprised.

"Yes, my Xie Family is thirsty for talents among Cultivators with immortal cultivation skills, especially a First-rank Mid-grade Talisman Master like you, Fellow Daoist."

Xie Wantang said slowly.

"As for the treatment, rest assured, Fellow Daoist. Around Liuyun Market, no one offers more generous terms than my Xie Family."

Xu Changsheng didn't agree immediately. "What do I need to do?"

"It's simple. You only need to draw a batch of Talismans periodically, and your salary will be paid every six months."

Xu Changsheng's expression relaxed. "Just that? No need for a Soul Contract or anything like that?"

"What do you take my Xie Family for? Soul Contracts and Life Tablets are used for our clansmen; a Guest Elder is naturally not subject to such constraints."

Xie Wantang giggled and handed over a Jade Slip.

"You can look over the terms first, Fellow Daoist, before making a decision."

Xu Changsheng took the Jade Slip and pressed it to his forehead to read.

Xie Wantang didn't rush him, watching quietly.

...

At the same time.

Below the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, four people were gathered.

Shangguan Feng was in high spirits.

He neatly arranged the brewed spiritual wine outside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Wu Laoxie stepped forward to praise him, giving a thumbs up. "Fellow Daoist Shangguan is truly young and promising. I see the potential for Foundation Establishment in you."

Shangguan Feng brought over two jars of wine.

"This is the spiritual wine for you and Qingqing. You must have a good taste of it."

"Of course." After Wu Laoxie accepted the spiritual wine, he changed his tone. "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Shangguan could give this old man one more jar?"

Hearing this.

Shangguan Feng's smile froze, and he ignored him.

Zhao Wujiu hurriedly stepped forward and waved his hand. "Wu Laoxie, don't be too greedy. This wine is no ordinary wine; one jar is worth twenty Spirit Stones."

A look of conflict flashed across Wu Laoxie's wrinkled face as he said slowly, "I know. I just wanted to get a jar for Fellow Daoist Xu."

"Xu Changsheng?"

Shangguan Feng's face darkened completely. "That man is unreasonable and spoke nonsense at the gathering. I'm afraid he wouldn't be willing to drink my wine!"

Zhao Wujiu added fuel to the fire. "Exactly. That ungrateful wretch said he already has a Legacy and disdains associating with us. He's incredibly arrogant!"

Wu Qingqing also came to dissuade him. "Father, don't get it for him. He doesn't deserve it."

Wu Laoxie turned his head sharply, in disbelief. "Qingqing, you too..."

His lips trembled, and he couldn't squeeze out another word, only letting out a long sigh. "Brother Xu, this is all I can do. I really can't get this wine."

At this moment.

Shangguan Feng's tone suddenly softened. "If Fellow Daoist Wu wants to get spiritual wine for him, it's fine. If you betroth Qingqing to me, I'm willing to give ten jars of spiritual wine as a wedding gift."

"No, absolutely not."

Wu Laoxie hurriedly shook his head in refusal. "This old man doesn't have much time left. I must arrange a good home for Qingqing."

Zhao Wujiu sneered. "Does Fellow Daoist Wu think Young Master Feng isn't a good match?"

"Of course not, it's just..." Wu Laoxie waved his hand in denial.

Wu Qingqing became Life Qi. "Father, you don't need to worry about my marriage. I think Brother Shangguan is very reliable and someone I can entrust my life to."

After saying that, she walked over to Shangguan Feng's side.

Instantly.

Facing the pressure from all three at once, Wu Laoxie was finally speechless.

Shangguan Feng said proudly, "Hehe, as long as you agree to let Qingqing be my concubine, you'll be my father-in-law from now on."

Before Wu Laoxie could speak, Wu Qingqing's expectant expression turned into shock, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"Impossible! I won't be your concubine."

As she spoke, Wu Qingqing stood behind Wu Laoxie once again.

Shangguan Feng didn't care. "How about it? If you agree, I won't say you and Qingqing will have everything, but at least your Cultivate resources will be enough. If Qingqing serves me well, I might even go ask my Master for a Longevity Pill to extend your life."

Wu Laoxie naturally wouldn't agree. "Forget it, Fellow Daoist Shangguan. I'm acting as a matchmaker for Qingqing, not selling my daughter. I won't agree to her being a concubine."

Shangguan Feng looked at Wu Qingqing, only to see that she also had a reluctant face, her eyes filled with vigilance.

He immediately snapped, "Unwilling, are you? Then don't even think about the wine today. Give it all back!"

Wu Laoxie and Wu Qingqing exchanged a glance and put down the spiritual wine in their hands.

The former stepped forward with a deep bow and apologized, "Fellow Daoist Shangguan, there's really no way. I hope you can be magnanimous."

"Humph!"

Shangguan Feng turned his head away.

The Wu father and daughter could only stand there awkwardly, caught in a dilemma.

Wang Ye walked down from the second floor and happened to see this scene. He clapped his hands and stepped forward to mediate. "Fellow Daoist Shangguan, you're quite bold today."

Facing Wang Ye, Shangguan Feng didn't dare to be disrespectful. "Shopkeeper Wang, you've come."

Wang Ye nodded. "Yes, I was attending to a distinguished guest just now, which delayed me for a bit. You won't mind, Fellow Daoist Shangguan?"

"I wouldn't dare." Shangguan Feng cupped his fists.

"Alright, let me see your spiritual wine."

He didn't mention the quarrel at all; he couldn't be bothered with the grudges between low-level Cultivators.

At his command, the Shop Waiter came forward to move the spiritual wine into the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and began counting them jar by jar. Suddenly, the entire Hundred Treasures Pavilion was filled with a rich aroma of wine.

...

On the other side.

"Alright."

After reading the terms, Xu Changsheng agreed. These conditions were much more relaxed than joining the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Rather than being a Guest Elder, it was more like a partnership between him and the Xie Family.

The Xie Family would provide Materials, and he only needed to refine a batch of Talismans periodically to receive a handsome reward.

For a term of three years.

Hearing Xu Changsheng agree, Xie Wantang smiled sweetly and took out a Silver Token. "Good. This is the token representing a Guest Elder of my Xie Family. Please take it, Fellow Daoist."

"I have already arranged a residence for you within the market. You can inject power into the token to check it."

"Thank you."

"If there's nothing else, Fellow Daoist Xu, you may head back first. I will arrange for someone to deliver the Talisman-making Materials to you later."

Xu Changsheng cupped his fists and took his leave.

He walked downstairs.

*Clatter.*

The wooden stairs let out a creaking sound.

Shangguan Feng, who was settling the spiritual wine account with the Shop Waiter, turned to look.

One must know that the second floor of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was exceptionally mysterious; it was said that only those with a certain status in Liuyun Market could go up.

But when he saw the person coming down from the second floor, Shangguan Feng's eyes filled with shock.

"It's you, Xu Changsheng!"

Xu Changsheng leaned against the handrail as he walked down, dusting himself off. Smelling the rich aroma of wine in the room, he recalled Wu Laoxie's invitation from that morning.

"Is Fellow Daoist Shangguan opening the wine?"

After a brief moment of surprise, Shangguan Feng regained his composure. In his view, Xu Changsheng must have used some crooked means to get to the second floor.

He smoothed his clothes. "Indeed. I suppose you've also come to claim a share of the wine? Unfortunately, I've sold it all to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Not just your share, but Wu Laoxie's share is gone too."

Xu Changsheng was a bit taken aback and shook his head. "Not at all. I am here for other business."

He turned to look at the Wu father and daughter standing in the corner. "Brother Wu, did I involve you in my troubles?"

"No."

Wu Laoxie hurriedly explained the sequence of events.

After listening.

Xu Changsheng nodded. "So that's how it is. I say, Shangguan Feng, isn't your tolerance a bit too small? For just a few jars of Low Grade spiritual wine, you want Miss Wu to be your concubine?"

"Low Grade spiritual wine?!"

Shangguan Feng was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his face instantly flushing red:

"Xu Changsheng! What are you pretending for? Do you even have such spiritual items? Can you even produce them? Can digging in the dirt of your broken medicine garden for a year even buy one jar of my wine?"