Chapter 16

The cup contained only a single leaf, but it emitted a refreshing fragrance that cleared the mind. Mei'er and the two thugs couldn't help but take deep breaths, and Jiang Xingchen's eyes sparkled as the sensitivity array in his brain, which had become somewhat blurred, began to vibrate.

"The gift from the owner of Furongzhai is quite substantial. Even a single leaf of this cloud mist, rich in primordial energy, is of no small value!" Jiang Xingchen knew that the owner of Furongzhai wouldn't send such a grand gift without reason. If it were just because of their cooperation, it would be a bit forced. But now he needed to develop the sensitivity array and couldn't refuse.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Xingchen smiled and took the cup, drinking it in one gulp, immediately feeling the lingering fragrance. He exhaled gently and then instructed the waiter to invite the owner to come and sit down.

Soon, the owner of Furongzhai entered the private room, and Jiang Xingchen stood to welcome him. They exchanged pleasantries.

After a few words, Jiang Xingchen praised the cup of cloud mist, and the owner of Furongzhai smoothly brought up the main topic.

It turned out to be the problem with the braised ribs. The owner of Furongzhai felt that the ribs made by their chef still fell short in taste compared to what Jiang Xingchen had demonstrated the other night, and the meat was a bit tough.

Jiang Xingchen, upon hearing this, felt relieved. Otherwise, receiving such a grand gift without reason would make him uneasy.

"Actually, it's a matter of heat. Did the owner notice that I used charcoal fire first in my demonstration last night?"

This one sentence made the owner realize! Although charcoal fire is much more expensive than wood fire, the improvement in taste is worth it. The price of the dish can be increased, and those who can afford to eat at Furongzhai wouldn't care about a few yellow crystal coins.

The owner thanked him repeatedly, his face beaming with joy! A single leaf of cloud mist, though expensive, was absolutely worth it! With the improvement in the taste of this dish, he could outshine Cuilou. Although the other party would eventually figure out the trick, the time difference would be enough for him to make a fortune.

After a few more polite words, the owner got up to leave, hurrying off, undoubtedly heading to the kitchen.

In the admiring gazes of Mei'er and the two thugs, Jiang Xingchen stood up, called out, and walked out of the private room. He had originally intended to order a few more dishes, but now his mind was full of the sensitivity array, and he couldn't think of anything else.

The two thugs quickly stood up, pushed the door of the private room open first, showing even more respect! The owner of Furongzhai was a well-known noble in Hongyuan City, with a titled head of the family. Even he treated Young Master Jiang with such importance, so they naturally lowered their stance even further.

Mei'er wore a proud smile. Seeing the two thugs turn around, she quickly finished the remaining rice in the bowl in two bites, then got up and followed them...

In the carriage, Jiang Xingchen sat with his eyes closed, his body swaying with the carriage. However, he no longer felt the bumps, as his attention was entirely on the sensitivity array.

The effect of the cloud mist was quite good. A surging heat flowed from all parts of his body to his brain, solidifying the sensitivity array, which then developed to his neck before stopping. The wonderful state he had experienced while showering the night before returned, and he felt the swaying of the carriage much more clearly.

He opened his eyes, exhaled, and thought to himself, "The sensitivity array needs food rich in primordial energy to develop... However, since the owner of Furongzhai needed something from me, he only provided one leaf of cloud mist. It seems that things rich in primordial energy are even rarer and more precious than top-tier ingredients... Also, what can the sensitivity array, which enhances the body's perception and agility, do..."

"Young Master Jiang! We've arrived at the eastern part of the city, and the Imperial Academy is right ahead!" The thug's words interrupted Jiang Xingchen's thoughts.

"Find a place to stop, and we'll get out and walk around!" Jiang Xingchen instructed, lifting the curtain to look out. He saw a large arched gateway, over ten meters high, with "Imperial Academy" written in large characters on the green stone to the left, and "Hongyuan Branch" in smaller characters below.

Lowering the curtain, Jiang Xingchen said to Mei'er, "Let's look for a house around here first. If we find one we like, we'll decide on it. Once we get the profit share, we'll buy it immediately... If not, we'll go to the noble district... Also, when we go back, we'll redeem your jade pendant!"

Mei'er thought for a moment and shook her head. "Brother, there's no need to rush with the jade pendant. You have to go for the appraisal tomorrow, and it's most important to confirm your noble status. That will cost a lot of money, and we can't wait for the profit share to come in!"

"Um!" Jiang Xingchen smiled and patted Mei'er's head, asking, "Why are you suddenly so sensible, little girl?"

"Was I not sensible before?" Mei'er pouted, a bit angry. "I used to take care of you!"

"Hehe! I didn't mean it that way. I meant that you're so quiet today, and I'm not used to it!"

"Brother has recovered his noble status, made a lot of money, and gained a position! If I act like before, people will think I'm very disrespectful..."

Jiang Xingchen reached out and held Mei'er's shoulder, looking at her seriously. "But brother still likes your lively side and doesn't like you acting this way... It makes me feel like you've become someone else, not the original Mei'er!"

"Ah!" Mei'er was stunned for a moment, then finally understood what her brother meant, surprised. "Brother, you didn't...?"

Jiang Xingchen said, "Have you forgotten? Brother promised you he wouldn't go back on his word!"

Mei'er felt her eyes moisten and quickly lowered her head, blinking. When she looked up, her expression had changed. "Great! I don't have to pretend anymore, it was exhausting... But, does brother really like my lively side? If so, what you said last night was true, and you'll play whatever I want to play..."

Seeing the mischievous light in Mei'er's eyes, Jiang Xingchen suddenly felt like he was hoisting himself by his own petard. The little girl was strong-willed but very sensitive, keeping things bottled up inside. He had been thinking that with his sudden rise, recovery of his noble status, and the praise he received, he shouldn't burden the little girl with too much pressure... But now, seeing her expression, the muscles in his cheeks twitched uncontrollably!

Sure enough, just as he felt it wasn't good, the little girl pounced on him, laughing, "Brother, you're so nice!"

"Ouch!" Jiang Xingchen was knocked down, his back slamming into the carriage, and he let out a cry of pain...

At the same time, in the northern part of the city, at the headquarters of the Purple Thistle Mercenary Group, Mo Hongqian was sitting opposite a tall, muscular young man, about 1.9 meters tall.

"Mo Hongqian! Although our two mercenary groups have always been in competition, we've known each other for over ten years. You should know my character. I will definitely pay back the 100,000 yellow crystal coins in the future!"

The young man's face was grim, his expression unnatural, and his eyes full of reluctance, as if he was extremely unwilling to say those words.

"Ha ha!" Mo Hongqian smiled slightly, took a sip of water, and said calmly, "Zhao Danqing, when you ask for help, you need to lower your stance. Your tone just now made it sound like I owed you money!"

Zhao Danqing's breathing became rapid, and he bit his lip, suppressing his anger, and said in a deep voice, "You have just sold a swordback pig and are cooperating with two major restaurants. You shouldn't be short of this money! If my family can't continue to cooperate with the Seventh Legion, Zhao Family Pharmaceuticals will be completely finished... Consider it a request from me!"

As he said the last four words, the veins on Zhao Danqing's forehead bulged, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Mo Hongqian, seeing this, her smile vanished, and she said solemnly, "Zhao Danqing, it's not that I won't help you! But even if I give you the money, your Zhao Family Pharmaceuticals won't be able to compete with Hengtong Trading Company! All the money you invest will be wasted."

"Who says we can't compete? Zhao Family has been cooperating with the Seventh Legion for twenty years, and our reputation is good! Moreover, we have already developed a new drug. As long as we have enough funds to show the Seventh Legion a sufficient supply of drugs, the renewal of the contract will be no problem!" Zhao Danqing countered.

"Hengtong Trading Company's hemostatic medicine is not only effective but also cheap, and the price is even lower than the cost, clearly to drag down your Zhao Family Pharmaceuticals. I don't believe you haven't seen through this. Why do you still insist on competing?"

Zhao Danqing pondered for a moment and said, "For the new drug, Zhao Family has invested all our resources, and there's no way to back out... So, we must renew the contract with the Seventh Legion to have a chance to turn things around!"

Mo Hongqian frowned, about to speak, but Zhao Danqing suddenly stood up, raised his hand to stop her, and said, "If you lend me 100,000 yellow crystal coins, my Iron Sword Mercenary Group will withdraw from the competition with your Purple Thistle for a second-level mercenary group! And I can give you a piece of information: we have discovered a nest of snow pheasants at the edge of the Ethereal Mountains!"

"What?" Mo Hongqian stood up abruptly. She didn't care about the competition between mercenary groups, but snow pheasants were beasts containing primordial energy, which Wan Rou needed for her body's conditioning. She was just curious why snow pheasants, which had little offensive power but were extremely fast, would appear at the edge of the Ethereal Mountains.

"I can guarantee it! As long as you lend me 100,000 yellow crystal coins, I'll tell you the location of the nest!" Zhao Danqing said.

"Fine! You tell me the location, and we'll go and catch them immediately. If they are indeed at the edge of the Ethereal Mountains, we'll be back by tomorrow morning, and I'll give you 100,000 yellow crystal coins!" Mo Hongqian said decisively.

"No problem!" Zhao Danqing finally smiled. Mo Hongqian's word was as good as gold; once she said it, she would never go back on it.

Subsequently, Zhao Danqing lowered his voice and whispered in Mo Hongqian's ear.

A moment later, Zhao Danqing turned to leave, and Mo Hongqian loudly instructed, "Second, go to Jiang Ling's place and ask him to come here early tomorrow morning!"

"Boss! What's up? Why are you calling that kid again?" Second Brother walked in from outside, puzzled.

Mo Hongqian scolded, "Idiot, I'm calling him to cook. I just got the information that there's a nest of snow pheasants at the edge of the Ethereal Mountains!"

"Snow pheasants! Beasts..." Second Brother's mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Get going! Do you want a beating?" Mo Hongqian roared again.

"Oh! I'm on it!" Second Brother shivered and darted out. As he turned his head, a bright drool of saliva flew from the corner of his mouth, landing somewhere unknown.