64: First visit to Jubaoge

As the sun dipped below the western horizon, Situ Jun led Cherry out of the small courtyard, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

After her bath, the young girl's skin seemed even more like congealed fat; a faint blush lingered on her face, and water droplets clung to her hair, swaying gently in the evening breeze.

After settling Cherry in, Situ Jun didn't dare linger and hurried toward Nangong Wan's residence.

Nangong Wan was naturally sensitive, and ever since the rumors started spreading, she had been restless.

Seeing Situ Jun appear before her safe and sound, her heart finally settled slightly, though her eyes grew red involuntarily.

Situ Jun gently pulled her and Xu Lian into his embrace, soothing them tenderly as he softly explained his plans and arrangements, promising he would return safely.

Nangong Wan leaned against him, nodding silently while clutching the corner of his robe tightly, as if doing so could keep him there.

Leaving Nangong Wan's place, Situ Jun went to Lin Suwan's small courtyard.

Dressed in red, Lin Suwan leaned against a flowering tree. Her eyes curved into crescents when she saw him:

"I knew those rumors wouldn't affect you one bit."

Her smile was bright and radiant, like the warm spring sun, dispersing the gloom in Situ Jun's heart.

Having handled the emotional entanglements within the estate, Situ Jun began preparing for his departure.

He went to the warehouse to carefully inventory the supplies he would take and the accounts submitted by each shop.

This was also something Liu Xuaner had specifically instructed him to do: take these valuables to the designated shop to restock its high-end inventory, allowing him to establish a foothold. Furthermore, using his authority to audit the accounts would help expand his influence.

Though it would only be ten days, it would pave the way. Once he finished his rotation guarding the Mine Tunnel, he could completely take over shop matters for Liu Xuaner instead of being confined to the estate as a steward.

As darkness fell, Situ Jun neatly stacked the last ledger into a sandalwood box. The crisp click of the bronze lock echoed clearly in the silent warehouse.

He wiped the light sweat from his brow, his gaze sweeping over shelves filled with rare spiritual materials—emerald-like "Green Jade Marrow" glimmered under the moonlight, and a hundred-year-old Spiritual Plant sealed in dozens of porcelain bottles swayed gently. Any one of these items was enough to make cultivation families fight to the death.

After ensuring nothing was missed, Situ Jun finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, although Zhu Changpo was unwilling after learning the rumors had been cleared, he had no choice but to restrain himself.

Sitting in his study, he looked at the map of power distribution in North City Estate, his eyes flashing with a sinister light.

"Situ Jun, consider yourself lucky this time. But this is only the beginning."

He muttered to himself, his brush striking heavily across the West Courtyard's location on the map, as if trying to erase that area entirely.

Liu Xuaner and Su Yunniang weren't idle either.

They ordered attendants to explain Situ's situation and strictly forbade servants from spreading rumors or intentionally slandering Situ Jun.

After a day of clarifications and punishing a few intentional rumor-mongers, they successfully suppressed the further spread of the gossip.

At lantern-lighting time, Situ Jun arrived at the estate gates early.

He wore a plain long robe. On one side of his waist hung a jade pendant symbolizing his status as a steward, and on the other hung a Storage Pouch, heavy with many rare supplies. Behind him followed several capable servants, and a few carriages were loaded with ordinary goods.

Bidding the Guards farewell, Situ Jun led several Guards and drove the cargo-laden carriages out of the estate gates.

Reaching the entrance, he pulled the reins and looked back at the towering city walls, silently resolving to increase his Cultivation as quickly as possible and establish a firm foothold.

This was the first time he would be away from here for so long.

Within the estate were the Dao Companions he cared for, as well as obstacles like Zhu Changpo and the Bei Batian. Only with strong cultivation could he provide them with a stable home.

He pondered for a moment.

He decided to go first to a shop at the southernmost end of this Northern Border City. It was far from the City Lord's Estate and was a necessary stop on the way back to the Royal Capital, allowing him to be the first to know of any prominent visitors or events.

Along the way, shops lined the streets, and some restaurants and teahouses were bustling with noise and crowds.

This noise intertwined with the hawking of street vendors and the rhythmic clopping of horse hooves.

An hour later, Situ Jun finally reached the shop located near the south city gate. By then, it was late, and the lights of ten thousand homes shone brightly.

"Jubao Pavilion"—three gold-leafed characters shimmered under the gauze lanterns. People bustled in and out, presenting a scene of prosperity.

On the surface, it was an ordinary shop, but in reality, it was the largest outlet for Cultivator items in North City Estate, as well as a place for the estate to gather intelligence and conduct Medicinal Pill transactions.

When Shopkeeper Wang Fu saw Situ Jun arrive, he was momentarily stunned before quickly welcoming him into the inner room.

"Steward Situ, why have you come so suddenly? Has something happened?"

The shopkeeper asked anxiously.

Situ Jun handed him Liu Xuaner's token and briefly recounted what had happened. Once Wang Fu confirmed it, his expression became respectful.

"Since Madam Liu has appointed you to take over here! Rest assured, everything here will follow your orders."

Situ Jun nodded and began instructing people to unload the supplies from the carriages into the shop.

Meanwhile, within the city estate, Zhu Changpo's lips curled into a cold sneer upon learning that Situ Jun had left.

"Trying to hide? It won't be that easy."

The night was as dark as ink, shrouding North City Estate.

Zhu Changpo paced back and forth in his study, the gloom in his eyes intensifying.

Then, he took out a transmission Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch. His fingertips moved quickly across it to record the secret message. With a flash of ghostly light, the Jade Slip vanished into the night.

"Situ Jun, I'll let you be smug for a few days."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes, and his cold sneer became increasingly sinister.

He then summoned a confidant and whispered instructions:

"Keep a close eye on Situ Jun. Find an opportunity to teach him a lesson; we can't let him be too successful out there."

The confidant took the order and disappeared into the night.

At this time, Jubao Pavilion was brightly lit.

Situ Jun was inventorying the newly arrived supplies. These were rare items Liu Xuaner had specially prepared, including high-level Magical Artifacts, precious Medicinal Pills, and some rare Spirit Plant seeds.

He knew well that these supplies were not only the foundation for the shop's standing but also the key to establishing his own foothold among all the shops of North City Estate.

Inside Jubao Pavilion, after Situ Jun had settled everything and was preparing to rest, he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

He frowned and stepped out of the inner room to investigate.

He saw a group of people dressed in black causing trouble in the shop. Their leader had a face full of scarred flesh and a fierce gaze.

His Cultivation was at the Peak of the First Layer of Foundation Establishment, while the others were around the sixth or seventh layer of Qi Refining.

"Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble in a shop belonging to North City Estate!"

Situ Jun asked with a darkened expression.

The man with the scarred face sneered:

"You're Situ Jun? If you know what's good for you, get out of North City Estate immediately. Otherwise, don't expect Jubao Pavilion to do business in peace!"

Situ Jun immediately understood; this was definitely Zhu Changpo's doing.

His eyes turned cold. Under the suppression of the Breath Concealment Technique, his internal spiritual energy surged slowly, rising to the Peak of the Qi Refinement Stage:

"If you want to cause trouble, you'd better see if you have the ability!"

As soon as he finished speaking, both sides immediately clashed.