163: Action is worse than intention

Xia Zhijie returned to his room and sat cross-legged by the window.

His wild heart was now tethered; his previously unrestrained heart had settled into a steady rhythm.

If Jiang Hanwen were here, he would surely exclaim, "It’s good to have strong talent!"

It took him seven or eight years to achieve such a meditative state, yet this kid could do it with a single realization. There truly are differences between people!

…At dawn, after buying three storage rings from the Huang Family, Jiang Hanwen took Xia Zhijie to drink tea across from an inconspicuous small medicine shop.

“From now on, you don’t need to bother with the bookstore. Your mission is to establish a network of information covering City Name City.”

Saying this, Jiang Hanwen took out a storage ring, gold bars, his perfected disguise technique, two booklets, and a land deed.

“Me?” Pointing at himself, Xia Zhijie unconsciously straightened his back, his eyes first showing doubt, then excitement, before settling into calmness as he withdrew his finger.

Whether it was his recent reaction or the stable and orderly five-colored aura he perceived with his spiritual sense, Jiang Hanwen secretly nodded.

In just one night, this kid seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. Is this what a Genius is like?

Xia Zhijie neither agreed nor refused, but instead picked up the booklets Jiang Hanwen pushed over to read.

Of the two booklets, one contained the secrets Jiang Hanwen had summarized before his seclusion over the years, as well as his analysis and predictions of various pieces of information.

The other booklet outlined the initial goals and phased requirements for the intelligence network.

Jiang Hanwen continued:

“We’re just starting now, with nothing. Whether it’s money or Cultivation Techniques, I can provide it.

After three years, the intelligence network needs to be self-sufficient. After five years, I want to see a return.”

Instead of answering, Xia Zhijie asked, “Like the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce?”

Jiang Hanwen considered the scale and extent of the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce and shook his head in denial:

“More than that.

A mature intelligence network cannot rely solely on selling information; it must also have its own armed forces. When necessary, it must spend money to kill people.

Furthermore, it needs to have its own system for training people, capable of thriving without relying on anyone.”

After hearing Jiang Hanwen’s requirements, Xia Zhijie thought for about fifteen minutes.

Xia Zhijie got up, pushed open the door, and ordered a large meal.

Braised pork with preserved vegetables, steamed perch, braised bear paw, rich pork trotters soup, Mapo tofu, sliced boiled pork… Jiang Hanwen didn’t interfere, quietly watching Xia Zhijie gorge himself.

After eating and drinking his fill, Xia Zhijie dripped blood onto the storage ring and put all the items into it.

“Shopkeeper, two questions.” Xia Zhijie looked at Jiang Hanwen seriously.

“Good, speak.”

“First, the intelligence network is yours, but will you kick me out after twenty years?”

“I shouldn’t be that petty.” Jiang Hanwen narrowed his eyes. He knew this kid had agreed.

Whether there would be danger in the future, or if he would perish midway, no one knew.

Jiang Hanwen would not force anyone on their path. If Xia Zhijie was unwilling, he would keep him as a lifelong assistant in the shop.

In life, only one’s own choices count.

He deeply believed this statement.

“Good, second, have you decided on a name?” A spark ignited in Xia Zhijie’s eyes.

Why shouldn't a man carry a Wu hook, and reclaim fifty states of mountains and passes?

After all, he was still a young man in his early twenties. Who doesn’t harbor lofty ambitions?

“Have you considered the consequences?” Jiang Hanwen added. Up to this point, there was still a way back.

“Shopkeeper, do you still remember Xiang Yu, whom you told me about when we played Go?

To live, be a hero among men; to die, be a ghost among heroes.

If you, who are paying, aren’t afraid, what do I have to fear?” Xia Zhijie’s lips curved into a sharp smile, like a long blade under the moon, its edge fully exposed—the unique vigor of youth.

Jiang Hanwen also smiled. Youth truly was wonderful.

It was just an abstract goal, yet it could make people more excited than if they had been injected with adrenaline.

“I’ve thought of three names: Listening Wind Tower, Shadow Ink Society, and Heavenly Secret Pavilion. Which do you think is suitable?”

“I choose Heavenly Secret Pavilion!

Grand!” Xia Zhijie chuckled, puffing out his chest.

“Good, as you wish.

Everything is difficult at the beginning. The location for your tea house is right there!” Through the window, Jiang Hanwen pointed to the medicine shop across from them.

“You opened it?” Xia Zhijie was surprised, but then he realized it made sense.

The shopkeeper used to be at the Zhuang Family, and he was the head manager of the Medicine Field. He must have grown some Spiritual Plants to sell himself, so having a medicine shop was quite normal.

“You are at Mortal Shedding Seventh Realm, he is at Mortal Shedding Eighth Realm. Tell him that I no longer have spirit gathering grass here, and you are here to take over from him.”

Jiang Hanwen gave the secret signal ‘spirit gathering grass’. It was a handover of old and new, and he wouldn’t show up himself, to see how Xia Zhijie would handle it.

Jiang Hanwen remembered very clearly that Dong Kui, who worked in the shop, took his money but had no loyalty whatsoever; it was purely an exchange of interests, even saying he was subsidizing it.

If it hadn’t been for the spirit gathering grass and the news of the Star Iron back then, he wouldn't have even told him.

If it weren’t difficult to find someone at that time, he would have replaced him long ago.

Now, City Name City was no longer what it used to be; it had a large and diverse population.

There were many ways to sell Spiritual Plants. Even if he sold them directly at the bookstore entrance, it would be fine. He no longer had to worry about being traced back, as he did before.

“This person isn’t a good guy?” Xia Zhijie asked.

The shopkeeper specifically mentioned the Realm, which meant preparing for a fight, or even killing. This was not the kind of reminder one would expect for a normal handover.

Unless, this person didn’t want to leave?

“I pay, he works, that’s all.” Jiang Hanwen didn’t say much. Since he was an intelligence chief, how could he not know how to extract information?

Xia Zhijie looked out the window, where someone was selling medicine.

They were two children, about thirteen or fourteen years old, extremely thin.

After a few words, they took the money and left, heading down the street.

“Shopkeeper, I’m off!” Xia Zhijie darted out of the room.

Jiang Hanwen looked down. Xia Zhijie didn’t go to the shop but followed in the direction the two children had left.

Hmm, a good approach. Instead of listening to his one-sided account, it was better to inquire personally.