46: I only like beauties in my life

The western suburbs of Yongning.

The Wang Family manor.

Zhao Deliang agreed to the Wang Family's terms and even publicly praised the Wang Family's loyalty through the county government office.

To express their gratitude, the Wang Family invited Liu Xuan over as a guest once again.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the Wang Family patriarch, Wang Chen, said to Liu Xuan, "Fellow Daoist Liu, aside from expressing our gratitude, there is one more matter I would like to ask your opinion on."

"Go ahead!"

The Wang Family was quite sensible; knowing that Liu Xuan did not like owing favors, they had sent quite a few treasures to Wang Yuwan over these past few days.

If it were some small favor he could easily handle, Liu Xuan wouldn't mind helping out.

Wang Chen pointed to the west. "Thirty miles west of the city lies Bishui Lake. The Luo Family living there is much like my Wang Family; they make a living by raising perch."

"They also wish to submit to Senior Zhao, but they are troubled by having no way to make contact, and I don't know..."

"You mean they want to do the same as your Wang Family?" Liu Xuan asked.

"Exactly!"

Wang Chen said embarrassedly, "The Luo Family patriarch, Luo Yun, has been a close friend of mine for many years..."

"However, rest assured, I didn't tell him any details, nor did I promise him anything on your behalf. If you have any concerns, just pretend I never said anything."

Seeing that Liu Xuan's expression remained unchanged, he changed the subject: "If you think it's acceptable, he is currently in the guest hall and can be invited over at any time."

Liu Xuan pondered for a moment and nodded. "Alright!"

Zhao Deliang had given instructions about this; he could agree to it on his behalf.

Zhao Deliang was the highest-ranking person in the Law Enforcement Team aside from the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, so maintaining a good relationship with him was important.

Liu Xuan intended to stay out of the chaos, but that didn't mean he would do absolutely nothing.

Being in the midst of a chaotic situation, without connections, backing, or the strength to protect oneself, many things would be beyond one's control.

Liu Xuan tried to avoid participating in fighting and killing; acting as a middleman to win over some families was quite good.

"Good! I will send someone to call them over immediately," Wang Chen said happily.

The world was in chaos, and since Luo Yun had been his friend for decades, it was naturally best to help if he could.

Before long.

An old man as aged as Wang Chen entered, accompanied by a young girl with delicate features and a hint of fear on her face.

Liu Xuan's gaze was instantly drawn to the young girl.

She wore a moon-white long dress. Her large, round, almond-shaped eyes were full of spirit, her nose was slender and straight, and her mouth naturally turned up at the corners with a perfect curve.

Coupled with the three parts of fear for the future in her eyes, she had a pitiable air that made one want to protect her at first glance.

'It seems they came prepared!'

Liu Xuan knew his own affairs; his reputation for being lustful had likely spread far and wide and could not be washed away.

That Luo Yun had brought such a young beauty must be because this old man Wang Chen had told him in advance, hence why he was currying favor.

However, it didn't matter; it was exactly what Liu Xuan wanted, saving him from having to spend money at a brothel to buy a maid.

"This old man is Luo Yun, greetings Fellow Daoist Liu!"

On the way here, Wang Chen had already had someone tell him about Liu Xuan's identity.

Luo Yun looked at the young girl beside him. "This is my granddaughter, Luo Ruoyan."

"Ruoyan greets Lord Liu!"

Luo Ruoyan curtsied, her voice soft and sweet, not daring to meet Liu Xuan's eyes.

"Hahaha!"

"Brother Luo has arrived. Come, sit, let us drink first."

Wang Chen pulled Luo Yun to sit beside him and poured him a cup of wine from the table. "This is the Peach Blossom wine you have been longing for, Brother Luo. Drink to your heart's content today!"

Luo Ruoyan obediently walked over to sit beside Liu Xuan, with Wang Yuwan sitting on the other side.

After a brief introduction, Luo Yun brought up the main business.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, the Luo Family of Bishui Lake raises about fifty Low Grade perch each year. We are willing to offer two hundred to the Sect within five years in exchange for the Sect's protection."

The value of a Low Grade perch was slightly lower than a first-tier Horned Bull, at ten Spirit Stones each. Calculated, the Luo Family was just like the Wang Family; they both wanted to spend four hundred Spirit Stones annually to ensure their safety.

Fearing that Liu Xuan would not agree, Luo Yun continued, "In addition, my Luo Family will also send two to you, Fellow Daoist, every year, and also..."

"Stop!"

Liu Xuan immediately waved his hand to interrupt.

"There's no need to send me any. In this life, I only have a fondness for beauties; I have no other requests!"

Liu Xuan reached out and pulled Luo Ruoyan into his embrace, laughing. "Having her is enough!"

Liu Xuan dared not accept the Low Grade spirit fish. If Zhao Deliang found out about this, what would he think?

The items were too hot to handle!

For a mere few dozen Spirit Stones, Liu Xuan was not willing to risk offending Zhao Deliang, or even Elder Zou Ming, by embezzling.

"Ah~"

"Young Master, please don't!"

Luo Ruoyan subconsciously broke free from Liu Xuan's embrace, a blush appearing on her face. She looked at her grandfather, but not daring to flee, she could only sit in her seat, looking aggrieved.

"Fellow Daoist Liu is truly righteous. If this matter succeeds, my Luo Family will be eternally grateful."

Luo Yun cupped his hands in thanks.

"Patriarch Luo, don't be in such a hurry to thank me; whether this works out or not is still up in the air!"

Liu Xuan said, while admiring Luo Ruoyan's shy appearance. "Besides, I don't know exactly how many spirit fish your Family can produce each year. If you deceive Senior Brother Zhao and he investigates later, I won't be able to protect you."

Zhao Deliang would definitely send people to investigate the situation of each Family afterwards; Liu Xuan's reminder was also for his own good.

Luo Yun's expression shifted uncertainly. After hesitating for a while, he increased the two hundred fish to two hundred and fifty.

After finishing the business, Liu Xuan did not stay long. Taking the Luo Family's letter of allegiance, he led Wang Yuwan and Luo Ruoyan back to the county government office.

...

The main hall of the county government office.

Zhao Deliang simply glanced at the letter Liu Xuan handed over and agreed to it, then immediately sent people to coordinate with the Luo Family, urging them to hand over the first year's spirit fish.

With Liu Xuan's inspiration, Zhao Deliang had been dispatching trusted aides to various families, big and small, over these past few days to understand their situations and hint for them to pledge allegiance to him.

However, such matters could not be stated explicitly and could only be hinted at. Moreover, it involved issues of mutual trust between the two parties, so there had been little success so far.

There were hundreds of Qi Refining families in Yongning, big and small, with over ten thousand Cultivators in total.

Zhao Deliang did not have much of a Foundation here, and he himself could not spare the time to personally discuss matters with these families, so everything could only be done slowly.

"Little Liu! I've told you before, you don't need to come and ask me personally about these matters in the future. Just agree to them first, and write me a report afterwards."

"Like this!"

Zhao Deliang thought for a moment and called out towards the door, "Xia He, from now on, you will follow Little Liu."

"Yes! Master."

Xia He cupped her hands in a salute.

Zhao Deliang turned his head and smiled at Liu Xuan. "Xia He is my Disciple, at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. She also has a thirty-person Law Enforcement Team under her command. From now on, they will listen to your orders. Please put more effort into handling those families that have submitted."

"This..."

Liu Xuan hurriedly waved his hand. "Senior Brother Zhao, my abilities are meager, I fear I am not up to the task. You should entrust this to someone else!"

"Rest assured!"

Zhao Deliang patted Liu Xuan on the shoulder and reassured him. "I understand your concerns. Just go ahead and handle it; if anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility!"

Liu Xuan was helpless and could only nod in agreement.