Chapter 24

After about two hours, the crowd in the hall had finished their meal and came to the courtyard one after another.

The dozen or so men lying on the ground began to laugh and curse, spewing filthy words in front of the young girls, causing Lin Zhiyun and others to feel angry and their faces to turn somewhat unpleasant.

"If you say another word, I'll cut out your tongues." Even someone as kind-hearted as her couldn't help but think about using a knife.

"Come on, beauty, if you frown, I'll consider it a loss." One of the men said defiantly.

"Palace Master Lin, why be soft on such scum? Just kill them." Shangguan Mingyue, unable to bear it, advised.

"Little beauty, if you have the guts, kill me. Otherwise, the day I get my hands on you, I'll ravage you a thousand times, then sever your tendons and sell you to a brothel." The man, clearly not planning to live, spoke without restraint.

Qiao Erniang, standing nearby, was secretly alarmed by the men's ferocity, gaining a new understanding of the Dantai family's power and worrying about the future of Piaohua Palace.

Just as Lin Zhiyun was hesitating, Zhong Wen reappeared in the courtyard, dragging one of the men.

"Big Sister Palace Master, I've gotten the information." He threw the man to the ground, and the man's body made a "crack" sound upon impact, as if a few ribs had broken.

However, the man's expression was very strange, as if half asleep, seemingly unaware of the pain.

"These men are Dantai family's loyalists. Dantai Jin has seven Earth Wheel experts under his command, all surnamed Qi. This time, except for Qi Wu who stayed in Cangyun City, the other six have all died on the mountain. For Young Master Dantai, this is a significant loss." Zhong Wen actually managed to extract information from the man, "However, according to this man, the Dantai family has a 180-year-old Heaven Wheel ancestor, who is the stabilizing force of the family, allowing the Dantai family to remain the top of the four major families in Cangyun City."

The dozen or so men bound on the ground changed their expressions, glaring at the man Zhong Wen had taken away: "Yan Lao Liu, you traitor, how dare you betray Young Master!"

Liu Qiqi asked curiously, "Zhong Wen, what did you do to him to make such a tough guy talk?"

Zhong Wen had a benevolent look, "What could I do? Just moved him emotionally and reasoned with him. This is probably what is called 'winning through virtue.'"

Liu Qiqi: "....."

Winning through virtue, my foot. I never thought you were so devious.

Lin Zhiyun looked at Zhong Wen, her eyes shifting, unsure of what she was thinking.

Shangguan Mingyue interjected, "Are you really going to let them go? If you don't cut the roots, there will be trouble later."

Zhong Wen smiled, "According to this man, Dantai Jin is someone who can't tolerate even a speck of sand in his eyes. If he sees that his capable subordinates are all dead while a group of cannon fodder returns alive, what do you think he'll think?"

"I see." Shangguan Mingyue suddenly understood, "He will definitely blame these people."

"Exactly, so when they return, they will likely be worse off than dead." Zhong Wen nodded, "Even if they don't return to the Dantai family, they will be hunted to the ends of the earth, never to have a moment's peace."

The men, hearing this, changed their expressions, cursing Zhong Wen for his cruelty.

"What, did you follow the wrong master, and now you're blaming us?" Zhong Wen sneered, "Do you want to die here, or go back and fight for a slim chance of survival? Don't you know the answer?"

The courtyard, which had been noisy a moment ago, suddenly fell silent.

Zhong Wen's words had deeply pierced the men's hearts.

No matter how harsh the training they had undergone, the instinct to survive is always there.

"Big Sister Palace Master, whether to kill or release, please make a decision." Zhong Wen no longer paid attention to the men on the ground, leaving the decision to Lin Zhiyun.

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Zhiyun sighed, "Let them go."

This is Palace Master Lin!

Qiao Erniang, looking at this fairy-faced, compassionate Palace Master of Piaohua Palace, felt a mix of emotions.

She always thought her boss was too soft-hearted and couldn't accomplish much, but she couldn't help being attracted to her charisma, willing to serve her, feeling very conflicted.

"Take him away too." Zhong Wen looked at the men who had been untied, pointing to Yan Lao Liu, who was still under the influence of the "Soul Capturing Technique," "Whether to kill or spare him, you decide after you leave the mountain."

Two men stepped forward, reluctantly supporting the dazed and half-asleep man.

Watching the men, limping and supporting each other as they left the mountain in a sorry state, Zhong Wen said, "Big Sister Palace Master, Dantai Jin will likely receive the news of the failed night raid soon. This time, he suffered a heavy loss and will not let it go. We need to prepare early."

Qiao Erniang also added, "Palace Master, since we've crossed the Dantai family, the 'Qingfeng Pavilion' might not be able to continue. Cangyun City is not our home turf. If the Dantai family is determined to cause trouble, Piaohua Palace will be at a disadvantage."

"What should I call you, miss?" Zhong Wen finally noticed Qiao Erniang and others.

Qiao Erniang, nearly thirty, wore a brown short-sleeved top and a moon-white mid-length skirt, with a beautiful face that rivaled Wang's wife. Her large eyes were bright, lacking a bit of gentleness but adding a touch of competence.

"Your servant, Qiao Erniang, greets you, sir." Qiao Erniang answered gracefully. On the way back to Qingfeng Mountain, she had already heard about Zhong Wen's deeds from Lin Zhiyun, "The girls behind me are all poor souls who earn a living at 'Qingfeng Pavilion.'"

Zhong Wen looked behind her and saw four pretty young maids, slightly older than the little girl but lacking vitality, huddled behind Qiao Erniang, seemingly shy.

"You've really suffered." Lin Zhiyun sighed, "It's our fault at Piaohua Palace."

"Palace Master, if not for your kindness in taking us in, these girls would have starved to death on the streets." Qiao Erniang quickly replied, "Even if we work for you for the rest of our lives, it would be our duty. How could they blame you?"

The young maids, though timid, nodded in agreement.

Lin Zhiyun, looking at the understanding children, felt a lump in her throat.

"Since the pharmacy can't continue in Cangyun City, why not open it in Fufeng City?" Zhong Wen suddenly asked.

"Fufeng City is remote, with few customers, and most are wholesale merchants. Local customers rarely buy more than a few medicinal plants a year. How can it sustain the business?" Qiao Erniang had considered opening a store in Fufeng City but failed to make it work.

"Qiao Sister, you said it yourself. The customers in Fufeng City are mostly wholesale merchants. Why not target them and do some wholesale business in medicinal plants?" Zhong Wen, talking about business, became enthusiastic, "The profit margin is lower, but the volume is higher. As the saying goes, 'thin profit but high volume.' Once the channel is established, the revenue might be even higher."

Shangguan Mingyue, listening, couldn't help but interject, "Zhong Wen, are you trying to compete with our 'Shengyu Trading Company'?"

"The 'Shengyu Trading Company' deals with a wide range of products and wouldn't mind one small pharmacy." Zhong Wen smiled, "Even if we both sell medicinal plants, we can still cooperate. I can reduce the cost of the herbs, and your company can be a potential customer..."

Zhong Wen and Shangguan Mingyue were both skilled in business, and Qiao Erniang, though on a smaller scale, was also shrewd and capable. The three quickly gathered and discussed enthusiastically.

Am I not qualified enough to be a boss?

Lin Zhiyun, listening to their conversation, felt somewhat helpless.

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"What!"

Dantai Jin's hand trembled, and the teacup fell to the ground, shattering.

Zhang Laosan knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.

The other men chose to escape and find their own ways to survive, but he remained loyal and returned to report truthfully.

"Qi Da... they're all dead?" Dantai Jin confirmed again.

"Yes, except for me, none of the men who raided Qingfeng Mountain survived." Zhang Laosan, being somewhat righteous, did not expose the dozen or so men who had fled.

"All dead, all dead!" Dantai Jin sat heavily in his chair, muttering, "It's over, all over."

Not only did he fail to seize Qingfeng Mountain, but he also lost his elite subordinates. Dantai Jin felt the world spinning, feeling lost and helpless.

"Please take care of yourself, Young Master."

"Where is Lin Zhiyun? Who could be the expert at Piaohua Palace that could defeat Qi Da and the others?" Dantai Jin was puzzled.

"Last night, there was another unknown Heaven Wheel expert at Piaohua Palace. I overheard them talking, and it seems they are from the Shangguan family." Zhang Laosan reported truthfully.

"The Shangguan family! I've been tricked." Dantai Jin's eyes flashed with cold light, "What a Lin Zhiyun, to team up with the 'Shengyu Trading Company.'"

"Should we ask Xiao Gongzi for help, Young Master?" Zhang Laosan suggested.

"Xiao Wenjian is a formidable figure. To him, I am just a pawn. Without seizing Qingfeng Mountain, I have lost my value to him. He will not act for me." Dantai Jin shook his head sadly.

At this moment, Qi Wu quickly entered the room.

"Young Master!" His voice was loud and clear, "The two people you asked me to find have been located."

"Oh?" Dantai Jin's eyes lit up, a glimmer of hope rekindling, "Where are they now?"

"This grandfather and grandson have just left Qingsong Mountain and are heading towards Qingfeng Mountain." Qi Wu answered.

"Qingfeng Mountain!" Dantai Jin was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Heaven has not abandoned me. Piaohua Palace, this time we will settle all old and new scores!"

"Congratulations, Young Master!" Zhang Laosan flattered.

"Yes, you have worked hard. Go rest for now." Dantai Jin said gently to Zhang Laosan.

Hearing Dantai Jin's gentle tone, Qi Wu, standing nearby, couldn't help but shudder.

"Thank you, Young Master!" Zhang Laosan bowed and left.

After he disappeared from the door, Dantai Jin's voice suddenly turned cold and sinister, "Find a way to make him disappear!"

"Yes!" Qi Wu bowed in response.

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"Sister!" Zhong Wen knocked on the door.

"Come in." Shangguan Junyi's gentle voice came from inside.

Zhong Wen pushed the door open and saw Shangguan Junyi sitting cross-legged on the bed, already changed into a simple white robe. Her black hair was tied to one side, and her fair face had a rosy glow, making her look graceful and fresh under the lamplight, with a unique charm.

"Sister, how do you feel?" Zhong Wen asked softly.

"This cultivation method is truly marvelous." Shangguan Junyi smiled at him, "The 'Yangji Gong' I practiced before had many errors. Now, with the Yin-Yang cultivation, these errors have been corrected. With your 'Zhuanshen Pill,' I estimate it will take only two or three days to return to the Heaven Wheel stage, and in the future, I might even reach the Heaven Wheel realm."

"Congratulations, Sister." Zhong Wen was also very happy, "I have prepared a medicinal bath for you. Soaking in it and receiving acupuncture can speed up your recovery."

"Leave it to you, Brother." Shangguan Junyi was now completely compliant with Zhong Wen.

However, when she saw the large pill furnace Zhong Wen was carrying, she couldn't help but laugh, "Brother, are you trying to turn me into a pill?"

"Haha, I don't have a large bathtub, so I have to make do with this. Forgive me, Sister." Zhong Wen scratched his head awkwardly.

He set up the pill furnace in the center of the room, filled it with well water, and lit a fire under it. He then added various medicinal herbs one by one.

"Sister, please enter the bath." When the water was almost boiling, Zhong Wen gestured for her to enter.

Shangguan Junyi stood up, her delicate hands grasping the white sash, and gently pulled it, causing the simple robe to slide off, revealing her perfect body without any hesitation in front of Zhong Wen.

"Shangguan Sister, I always feel you don't treat me like a man." Zhong Wen pretended to be unhappy.

Shangguan Junyi bit her lip, "Little rascal, as if you didn't see me last night."

"Sister, you know, what you can't get, you cherish." Zhong Wen said seriously, "If you don't act shy, I'll feel unaccomplished."

Shangguan Junyi giggled, reaching out to tap Zhong