30: Chapter 30 The Heiress of the Chamber of Commerce

Besides obtaining the Earth Heart Fire Lotus, he had also gathered information from the shopkeeper, Old Zhao, that the millennium cold jade marrow might be found in Yunyang City.

Xu Changkun set off immediately. This was the only main ingredient missing for his foundation establishment pill, so he had to get his hands on it.

While passing through a desolate valley, sounds of a struggle reached him from ahead. He saw five cultivators in black besieging a young girl in red.

The girl appeared to be in her early twenties, with a tall stature, her red tight-fitting outfit accentuating her breathtaking curves.

Her swordsmanship was sharp, and although she was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, she was already struggling and in constant danger against five opponents at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Xu Changkun's gaze swept over the girl's head—a pale blue light quietly flickered into existence.

A Blue Spirit Root! It was the same as Nalan Yanran.

His heart stirred; such aptitude was rare. He looked at the girl again; she had a fiery figure, and her pretty face was flushed red with anger.

"Little girl, stop struggling!" a scarred man sneered. "Just obediently come back with us, serve us well, and maybe we'll leave you a path to survive!"

"Bah! In your dreams!" The girl forced one person back with her sword. "Even if I die, I won't let you succeed!"

Another tall, thin man laughed sinisterly: "Die? It's not that easy. Once we catch you, we'll cripple your cultivation first, then have some fun. We brothers are in for a treat today!"

The girl's face turned deathly pale, and a look of determination flashed in her eyes. She suddenly turned her sword, intending to slit her own throat!

"Hmph, you want to die?" The scarred man flicked out a rope artifact, winding it toward the girl's wrist.

Just at that moment, Xu Changkun moved. A flash of crimson sword energy appeared, and the rope snapped instantly.

"Five grown men bullying a young girl, don't you have any shame?" Xu Changkun swept his gaze coldly over the five.

The scarred man was stunned and shouted angrily: "Where did this trash come from, seeking death!"

The five of them lunged at him simultaneously.

Xu Changkun pointed his fingers like a sword, sweeping out with crimson sword energy, and the two in the front screamed as they flew backward.

The remaining three were terrified and wanted to flee. Xu Changkun chased after them like a ghost, striking with his palms repeatedly.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

The three of them had their bones broken and were left at death's door.

Xu Changkun walked up to the scarred man and stepped on him: "Who are you?"

"Spare... spare my life... we are from the Blood Wolf Gang in Yunyang City..."

Xu Changkun applied pressure with his foot, and with a few cracking sounds, he finished them off completely.

The girl in red was staring at him blankly, her long sword dropping to the ground with a "clatter," and her legs went weak, almost causing her to collapse.

Xu Changkun reached out to support her. Her skin felt warm and soft, and a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted from her body.

"Th-thank you, Senior, for saving my life!" The girl regained her composure, cupped her hands in a salute, and said, "This junior is Huo Linger, daughter of the president of the Yanhuo Chamber of Commerce in Yunyang City. If you hadn't intervened today, I… I fear…"

She bit her lip and didn't continue.

Xu Changkun let go of her: "It was just a small effort. I am Xu Changkun."

Huo Linger looked him over, her eyes lighting up: "Are you heading to Yunyang City, Senior Xu?"

"Indeed."

"What a coincidence!" Huo Linger smiled brightly. "If you need anything when you arrive in Yunyang City, just come find me!"

She patted her chest boldly, her movements causing quite a stir. Xu Changkun secretly admired her; she was so young, yet had such large mounds. If there was a chance, he would have to give her an injection to reduce the swelling.

"I am collecting millennium cold jade marrow, and I heard there is an auction in Yunyang City." Xu Changkun said directly.

"millennium cold jade marrow?" Huo Linger blinked. "That item is rare, but our Yanhuo Chamber of Commerce specializes in medicinal herbs and minerals, and I am familiar with the auction houses. Even if it's not there this time, I can help you inquire about it."

Xu Changkun nodded: "Then I will trouble you."

The two of them set off together. Huo Linger had a lively personality and talked non-stop along the way, giving him a rough introduction to the situation in Yunyang City.

The forces in Yunyang City were complex and intertwined, with the three largest being the Yanhuo Chamber of Commerce, the Blood Wolf Gang, and the City Lord's Mansion.

The Blood Wolf Gang acted ruthlessly, specializing in robbery and plundering, and those men from earlier were just low-level thugs from the gang.

Half a day later, they arrived at the Yanhuo Chamber of Commerce in Yunyang City.

Steward Liu came up to greet them, and upon hearing that Xu Changkun had saved Huo Linger, he was very respectful and quickly arranged a premium guest room.

"Senior Xu, I have already sent people to inquire at the auction house." Huo Linger smiled. "Please rest for now; my father is hosting a banquet tonight to properly thank you!"

Xu Changkun nodded: "Thank you for the trouble."

In the evening, at the banquet hall.

Sitting in the main seat was a middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion, who was none other than Huo Lie, the president of the Yanhuo Chamber of Commerce, with a cultivation at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Huo Lie stood up and cupped his hands: "Fellow Daoist Xu, you have saved my daughter, and I am endlessly grateful!"

"President Huo is too polite." Xu Changkun returned the salute.

After several rounds of drinks, Huo Lie asked: "I heard from my daughter that you need millennium cold jade marrow?"

"That is correct." Xu Changkun spoke frankly. "I am refining a foundation establishment pill and am missing this main ingredient."

A trace of surprise flashed in Huo Lie's eyes: "Fellow Daoist Xu is about to establish foundation?"

He continued: "There is indeed an auction at the Baibao Pavilion in three days, and it includes the millennium cold jade marrow. However… there are many people eyeing this item, and I fear there will be quite a struggle for it."

Xu Changkun's expression was calm: "No matter, the highest bidder will win."

Huo Lie smiled: "Straightforward! At that time, my Yanhuo Chamber of Commerce can provide spirit stone support to repay your kindness."

The topic soon turned to the Blood Wolf Gang, and Huo Lie's expression darkened.

Huo Linger also stopped smiling, a look of anger flashing in her eyes: "Father, they were clearly targeting me. How could the Blood Wolf Gang have known my whereabouts?"

Huo Lie snorted coldly: "There is a mole in the chamber of commerce; I have already asked Steward Liu to investigate. The Blood Wolf Gang has become increasingly arrogant over the years, secretly trying to swallow our business. This attempt on Linger was to force me to submit."

He looked at Xu Changkun: "Fellow Daoist Xu killed their men, so the Blood Wolf Gang will certainly not let this go; you must be careful these next few days."

"If they dare to come, I will simply kill them." Xu Changkun said indifferently.

Huo Lie was stunned, then laughed loudly: "Good! Fellow Daoist Xu is truly bold! However…"

A fierce look flashed in his eyes: "The Blood Wolf Gang touched my daughter, this matter cannot be let go. Within three days, their gambling dens and brothels in the west of the city will suffer some 'accidents'."

Huo Linger's eyes lit up: "Father, are you going to take action?"

Huo Lie nodded: "I have endured too much over the years; it is time to give them a taste of their own medicine."

When the banquet dispersed, Huo Linger had already drunk quite a bit, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes somewhat dazed.

She insisted on escorting Xu Changkun back to his room. The two walked under the corridor, the night breeze cool, blowing the hair at her temples.

"Senior Xu…" Huo Linger's voice was soft and sweet. "Thank you… really, thank you today. If it weren't for you, I might have already…"

As she spoke, her eyes turned red again, and she looked up at him. The moonlight shone on her face, her eyelashes were wet, and her lips were glistening from the wine.