Chapter 66
"Even though everyone attending the Xianpin Hui (仙品会, Immortal Product Conference) has a Golden Core True Person or a Nascent Soul True Person backing them, the lower disciples of the Baixian Alliance are in an uproar, which led to the decision to limit the number of participants."
"How many spots are there?"
"The number varies by sect, but as far as talisman studies go, our Jiushan Sect is stricter, while the Qingmu Sect... they excel in alchemy, so their requirements for talisman studies aren't as high," Sister Zhang said, looking at the Seventh Young Master as if to comfort him.
The Seventh Young Master let out a quiet sigh of relief; he held the Xianpin Ling (仙品令, Immortal Product Token) from the Qingmu Sect.
Zheng Fa understood Sister Zhang's implication.
The Jiushan Sect is the top in talisman studies within the Baixian Alliance, and those who study talismans are eager to join Jiushan, hence the high admission standards.
The Qingmu Sect has weaker talisman studies and less competition, so the Seventh Young Master actually has a better chance.
...
On his way back to his new courtyard, Zheng Fa ran into two familiar faces he hadn't seen in a long time—Huang Yu and his slightly plump father, Manager Huang.
Behind them was a cart piled high with food, bedding, and miscellaneous items.
The sight of all those bundles made it look like they were moving.
"Huang brother?" Zheng Fa said in surprise, noticing that they were clearly waiting for him.
"Zheng... Young Master!"
Huang Yu cupped his hands awkwardly as he spoke.
Manager Huang also smiled and bowed, his expression more flattering than usual.
"What brings you here...?"
Zheng Fa glanced at the two of them and then at the cart behind them.
Huang Yu's face turned red, seemingly embarrassed to speak.
Manager Huang patted his son's head and said, "My son wants to come work for you!"
"Huh?" Zheng Fa was taken aback. "Work for me?"
"Yes! My son heard that you received the Xianpin Ling and moved out to find a place of your own, so he’s been wanting to come and be your steward!" Manager Huang said with a grin.
Zheng Fa observed their expressions and noticed that Huang Yu didn’t look too enthusiastic. He realized this was likely Manager Huang's idea.
"Uncle..."
"Don't say that!" Manager Huang quickly waved his hand. "I wouldn't dare let you call me Uncle."
Seeing his sincere demeanor, Zheng Fa skipped the title and said, "If Huang brother really wants to come here, I welcome him, but..."
Manager Huang seemed to have done his homework.
The Zheng family indeed needed a male steward.
Especially if Zheng Fa were to leave Jingzhou; even with the Zhao family's protection, he was still uneasy about leaving his mother and sister alone.
If Huang Yu was willing to work for the Zheng family, it would alleviate some of Zheng Fa's concerns.
"He wants to! Just ask him if he wants to work at the Zheng family!" Manager Huang suddenly slapped his son's head, prompting Huang Yu to mumble, "I do!"
Zheng Fa noticed that while Huang Yu looked a bit uncomfortable, he didn’t seem overly reluctant. He nodded and reminded him, "We’re just a small family, so we can’t offer a high salary."
"Money or not, it’s all good!" Manager Huang said cheerfully. "I’ve packed everything he needs for a year on that cart!"
Zheng Fa was taken aback by the sight of the cart piled high—bringing his own supplies to work, what a noble spirit!
Even in modern times, that would move those heartless capitalists to tears.
Manager Huang continued, "I won’t hide it from you, Young Master. This kid has a wild streak and can’t stay put at the farm. I’m worried he won’t have the wits for it at the Zhao residence—so I know you’re a good person and familiar with him, which is why I’m shamelessly asking for a way out."
"My son, he’s not very articulate and lacks cunning, but he has one virtue—he’s honest. I’m not afraid to say this to you, Young Master; if you want a smooth-talking steward, he’s not the one for you. But if you need someone to guard the door and protect the lady and young miss, he’ll give it his all."
Zheng Fa nodded; Manager Huang was indeed sharp. The person he needed didn’t have to manage the Zheng family perfectly; reliability was the most important.
"What about Huang brother’s contract...?"
"Isn’t it because you have a big name?" Manager Huang said with a smile. "I asked the lady for her opinion, and as soon as she heard it was to be your steward, she immediately agreed to release the contract to us."
"Good, I can’t let you go without a salary... how about one tael of silver a month?"
"That’s too generous, Young Master!"
One tael of silver a month would be far too little for the high-ranking managers at the Zhao residence; it would be an insult.
But for Huang Yu, who had no experience, it was actually a bit high—this was also Zheng Fa’s way of buying his loyalty. If he didn’t pay him at all, there might not be resentment in the short term, but over time, who wouldn’t feel wronged?
Being far from home, Zheng Fa was willing to spend a little money for peace of mind.
The Zheng family's new courtyard was a two-entry compound, with Zheng's mother and younger sister living in the back courtyard.
Huang Yu and his father moved their things to the front courtyard, where Huang Yu would also live near the front gate, essentially acting as a gatekeeper.
Once everything was settled, Huang Yu saw his father off out of the city.
Manager Huang noticed his son’s less-than-bright expression and said lightly, "What’s wrong? Do you feel it’s beneath you to be a steward?"
"It’s not that, it just feels awkward... Last time we met, we were still calling each other brothers."
"Are you stupid? Didn’t you see Zheng Fa is about to ascend to the Immortal Gate? In the future, you’ll rise with him. Who knows, you might even outshine the Zhao family’s Manager Wu. Isn’t that worth more than just a friend’s empty title?"
"...But I had a good relationship with Zheng Fa before, right?"
"Do you know what you need to do first to rise with him?"
"Huh?"
"You need to be a chicken or a dog first!" Manager Huang smacked his son’s head in frustration. "If it weren’t for you knowing Zheng Fa first, would you even have a chance at this steward position?"
Huang Yu felt something was off with his father’s words and looked up at him.
"If I had known him earlier, I would have taken the position myself!"
Huang Yu fell silent, listening as his father continued, "Zheng Fa is easy to get along with and has a bright future. Even if he doesn’t become wealthy, you’ll still have a stable life... I may not have the ability, but I can only find you this good opportunity. Just work hard."
"Yes."
...
"Brother, you’re going to become an immortal, and our family already has a steward!" his younger sister, Zheng Shan, said excitedly.
Zheng Fa, however, remained calm. "These things are all fleeting."
This courtyard, Sister Zhang, Huang Yu, even the lady’s goodwill—they were all borrowed.
If he failed to ascend at the Xianpin Hui, all of this would likely slip away.
"Mother said the same thing..." his sister suddenly said.
"Hmm?"
"Mother said that while life is good now, she worries you’ll be too tired, brother." Zheng Shan frowned and asked, "Are you tired?"
She grasped Zheng Fa’s finger with both hands, looking up at him. "If you’re tired, then don’t become an immortal. Actually, pigweed leaves are pretty tasty too!"
As she said this, her face bore a brave expression of self-sacrifice.
---
**Chapter 75: The Xianpin Hui**
The Xianpin Hui came slowly yet swiftly; waiting for it felt like an endless torment, but when the day finally arrived, it caught him off guard, making him doubt whether he was truly prepared.
That morning, as the sunlight just began to illuminate the window panes, Zheng Fa was awakened by a slight tremor.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he noticed the Xianpin Ling in his arms was vibrating restlessly, as if urging him to get up.
Zheng Fa took out the Xianpin Ling, but before he could figure out what was going on, it flickered twice and shattered into powder.
From the powder, a golden talisman floated down, transforming into two streams of light that cascaded down to Zheng Fa’s calves.
Two gentle gusts of wind surged from beneath his feet, lifting him up without him even having washed his face, propelling him out of the room and into the sky.
Zheng Fa’s mother, who had already been up cleaning the house, saw him flying out of the courtyard and dropped her cloth, chasing after him, but she couldn’t catch up, only stretching her neck to watch him disappear into the distance.
A street away, two figures flew out of the Zhao family estate—one was the Seventh Young Master, and the other was a woman Zheng Fa didn’t recognize.
From the small building where the lady resided, a figure leaned over the railing, gazing at them from afar, not knowing how long they had been waiting.
Several others also flew out from nearby large estates.
Zheng Fa ascended higher, the city of Jingzhou shrinking beneath him. Looking up, he noticed a seemingly endless expanse of colorful clouds enveloping him.
His head dove straight into a cloud.
When he emerged from above the colorful clouds, he found himself in a vast square—the colorful sea of clouds looked like rolling waves, yet felt solid beneath his feet.
In the center of the square stood a grand hall, with five uniquely shaped buildings behind it.
"My sister told me this is the Ascension Platform..." the Seventh Young Master murmured as he leaned closer. "Zheng Fa, just this one flight to the heavens makes it all worth it!"
...Did I not just see you turn pale with fear of heights a moment ago?
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