Chapter 64: Start the Operation (4)

"......"

"Alright, I have finished explaining the details of the trade goods."

Xu Liang, having neatly wrapped up his words, leaned back comfortably in his chair.

In contrast to Xu Liang, who wore a relaxed smile, Xiao Yanxin seemed to be sitting on a bed of thorns.

Her face was filled with bewilderment, confusion, a hint of regret, and deep worry.

"That... Young Master."

"Speak."

"Can, can I hear it again?"

"Oh, of course. I can repeat it anytime. So, my request is..."

Xu Liang explained again, word for word.

Xiao Yanxin's hands trembled.

"So, Young Master, you mean..."

"Yes."

"......"

"That's it. Given that Governor Xiao is known for being sharp, I believe you understood everything."

Despite saying he could explain it again, he was drawing a line.

Of course, that wasn't the important part. Xiao Yanxin asked with a voice full of bewilderment.

"So, you're asking me to include you in this transport team?"

"Indeed, you understand well."

"I know Young Master is very sharp. Right?"

"Quite so."

"So, you must also know how unreasonable your request is, right?"

"I also remember that Governor Xiao personally certified that this is a trade, not a request."

"......"

"The trade must be clear."

"Can't we just end it as a request?"

"You know the ship has already set sail."

"......Damn."

Even from her usually dignified lips, the word "damn" slipped out, because she knew how unreasonable Xu Liang's request was.

"Young Master, the transport team can only be composed of our sect's miners."

"Really?"

"......Of course, sometimes miners from other organizations are included."

"Then it's fine."

"Only in extremely exceptional cases."

"Think of this as one of those exceptional cases."

"The situation is different. You are not just anyone; you are the disciple of the Sect Leader."

"Is there a problem with that?"

Xiao Yanxin felt as if the sky was falling. She wanted to bang her chest in frustration.

"If a successor candidate joins the transport team, how will others view the Joyful Garden? They will definitely look at me with suspicion!"

"Governor Xiao once said that even if rumors spread, he has the power to quell them."

"When did I say that!"

"I remember you saying something to that effect. And it's true, isn't it?"

It was an undeniable statement. But the conversation shouldn't go this way.

"Alright, fine. I have that capability."

"Then it's settled."

"Please hear me out!"

Her nerves were on edge, and her voice cracked slightly. Xu Liang tilted his head.

"Alright, continue."

"Please understand, this is a different matter from simple political retaliation or spreading rumors.

It's not that I'm annoyed by pointless rumors.

If something goes wrong, other organizations will start to be cautious and treat the candidates with suspicion. The New Sect will be shaken!"

"Surely it won't come to that?"

"You know very well that it could."

"Hmph."

"I can bear the consequences for myself. But I can't accept a request that could shake the New Sect."

Her voice sounded pitiful, but Xu Liang did not sympathize with her.

"Quell the rumors before they spread."

"You know that's not possible."

"Whether you ask as a favor and rumors spread, or you include me in the transport team and rumors spread, the result is the same, isn't it?"

"......Why are you pushing this so hard? I want to know the reason."

Xu Liang shook his head firmly. Of course, he couldn't reveal the reason.

"Just think I want to get some fresh air."

"You know how vast our sect is. You can get fresh air here too."

"Is a large fish tank the same as the sea?"

"Fish don't need to swim the entire ocean."

"I'm a good swimmer."

His eloquence was unparalleled.

Xiao Yanxin, who had almost been swayed, shook her head.

"No. This is too big of an issue."

"Is that your final answer?"

"Of course. If you had asked for 100,000 taels, I would have given it to you."

"You don't have that much money."

"That's exactly why your request is unreasonable!"

"Then what did you expect?"

"Huh?"

"Did you not think about what a person who saved a life and even brought someone back on the exact date the Governor wanted would ask for?"

"......!"

"I won't talk about the value of a life. I don't like it. But this was a trade. The Governor said he preferred a trade over a request."

"......"

"Don't say anything else now."

Xiao Yanxin, looking at Xu Liang with bloodshot eyes, sighed.

"......I have no choice."

"Good decision."

"I never thought you would make such a request."

"I have a unique personality. I'm naturally mischievous."

"Alright, go to the military department first. You need to leave tomorrow, so time is tight."

"Why the military department?"

"You need to get permission to leave the sect, right?"

Xu Liang tilted his head.

"Why is that necessary?"

"You need the Sect Leader's permission. Besides, if you get permission to leave the sect, you don't necessarily have to join the transport team..."

"......"

"......"

"......"

"Right?"

"......"

"Getting the Sect Leader's permission means you don't need to join the transport team, and if you try to get permission from the military department, it will be reported to the Sect Leader anyway...

So, you're not asking to secretly join the transport team, right?"

"Of course not. Why would I irritate Governor Xiao by insisting on joining the transport team?"

"No!!"

Xiao Yanxin finally spat out her frustration.

"Deceiving the Sect Leader? That's impossible! I'll pretend I didn't hear this request."

"How is this deceiving the Sect Leader? You can deceive others, but not the Sect Leader."

"What kind of... no, what are you saying?!"

"The Sect Leader doesn't care about his disciples. He just reigns, he doesn't rule. Why? Because that's what a god is. Governor Xiao knows this, right?"

"......"

"Now I understand. I see why you keep mentioning rumors... Don't worry.

Just switch places with one of the miners. There's no risk of getting caught."

"You make it sound so easy. Do you think switching places is that simple?"

"Do I have to think that far? I just make the request. I want our trade to be clean."

"......"

"......"

"Alright. You say it's not deceiving the Sect Leader. Still, this is too reckless! What kind of person...!"

"......"

"I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn."

"That's not the reason."

"Huh?"

"You said switching places isn't easy?"

"......So?"

Xu Liang smiled.

"What a good idea."

* * *

Swish. Swish.

Zhu Hua, putting on her clothes one by one, looked astonishingly beautiful.

Despite being bedridden for several months, her unique charm remained. Even though she was emaciated, her beauty was blinding.

After dressing, Zhu Hua slowly sat down in a chair.

Muscles that are not used tend to atrophy. Her arms, legs, and even her internal muscles had shrunk, making movement difficult.

Yet, her posture was as straight as ever, as if she had maintained it all her life, more natural than anyone else.

She took a light breath.

"Hmm."

Her breath, though soft, carried lingering bewilderment and confusion.

'Only a fortnight since I lost consciousness?'

It was hard to believe.

The martial arts techniques the Governor taught her were incredibly mysterious. Mastering these techniques, which were known for their effectiveness, visibly restored her body, which had been ravaged by demonic possession.

However, even with the fastest recovery, she expected it to take three months. Of course, being fully recovered in three months would be astonishing.

Who would have thought she would be completely healed in less than a fortnight.

With her body restored from demonic possession, she could now regain her former martial prowess. It would take some time, but not an excessive amount.

The despair brought by the condition of demonic possession.

The feeling of being reborn after struggling in the depths of despair was indescribable.

Grip.

She clenched her emaciated hands. Though she didn't feel the same strength as before, a strong will burned within her.

'I need to recover quickly.'

How she recovered in just a fortnight without practicing was secondary. With months of bed rest, there would be a backlog of work to catch up on.

'I need to return to duty soon.'

Despite being awake for less than half a day, her determination was evident, showing that she was far from ordinary.

While she was contemplating her future,

"May I come in?"

Zhu Hua was startled. She hadn't even noticed someone approaching the door.

'Ah.'

It couldn't be helped. Though her dantian had been restored, her qi senses were still dull.

Zhu Hua spoke.

"Who is it?"

"Someone like a doctor."

She tilted her head. If he was a doctor, why say "like a doctor"?

Creak.

The door opened without waiting for her permission.

The person who entered was a young man around her age. His sturdy build, tall stature, and clear features made him a handsome young man.

The handsome young man, Xu Liang, smiled.

"Already able to move like that, you truly have strong bones