Chapter 204
“Zheng Fa, did he say you invited him?”
“Yeah, I have some questions I’d like to ask Qian Zhenren.”
Uncle Pang nodded, waving his hand to indicate that the inspection was over and that Zheng Fa and the other could leave.
As they stepped out of the hall, Zheng Fa distinctly heard Qian Zhenren let out a sigh of relief.
Turning back, he saw Qian wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, forcing a dry smile at him.
“Your sect is so cautious... I thought I was here to admire some treasured relic.”
Before he could finish his sentence, a surge of overwhelming pressure came from behind, causing more cold sweat to bead on his forehead.
“Did I... say something wrong?”
Qian Zhenren stammered.
...Saying the wrong thing isn’t the issue.
The problem is that you said the right thing.
...
“Qian Zhenren, I should have come to visit you at Qian He Zong, but I had to ask you to come here instead,” Zheng Fa said, feeling the tight watch of Uncle Pang. It was hard for him to go far, so he had to invite someone from Qian He Zong.
“No worries, no worries!” Qian Zhenren smiled, overly ingratiating. “Your sect’s Zhang Zhenren has achieved Yuanying, so I should come to congratulate you. I didn’t expect to find out that you, Zheng Zhenren, have also established your foundation. Your sect is truly blessed with double happiness lately.”
Zheng Fa had seen this kind of sycophantic demeanor from Qian Zhenren often lately, so he felt no disdain.
Ever since Sister Zhang achieved Yuanying, everyone from the Bai Xian Alliance who came to visit had been extra polite—
Achieving Yuanying is already a monumental challenge.
Not to mention Sister Zhang’s renowned reputation.
To exaggerate a bit, it’s as if anyone from Jiu Shan Zong who steps out meets nothing but good people from the Bai Xian Alliance...
“Qian Zhenren, I actually invited you here to ask about something.”
“Ask away! If I can help Zheng Zhenren, I’ll share everything I know!” Qian Zhenren patted his chest.
“This matter concerns spirit plants. I don’t have many acquaintances among cultivators, and your sect stands out in spirit plant cultivation, so I had to consult you.”
“Spirit plants? May I ask what the issue is?”
Qian Zhenren’s expression grew hesitant.
“I’ve heard that spirit plant cultivation is closely related to the power of heavenly thunder?” Zheng Fa inquired.
“That’s true.” Qian Zhenren answered quickly, as if it were no secret.
“What specific connections are there?”
“...” To Zheng Fa’s surprise, Qian Zhenren fell silent for a moment before saying, “This matter is already considered a secret of Qian He Zong, so I can’t disclose it.”
Zheng Fa was a bit taken aback. This man, frightened by Uncle Pang, was clearly trying to curry favor with Jiu Shan Zong.
Yet he could still refuse so decisively?
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 198: Adding Money
It seemed Qian Zhenren realized his stance was too firm, so he quickly explained, “Our Qian He Zong has been relying on your sect lately, and things have been much better. If Zheng Daoyou has other questions, I’ll gladly answer. But this matter truly cannot be casually revealed.”
Zheng Fa nodded lightly, not feeling angry.
Inviting someone over was meant for consultation, and it was normal for the other party to refrain from disclosing information due to sect rules.
“Qian Zhenren, our two sects have been collaborating well recently. The Huang Ya Mi is quite popular among the disciples of Jiu Shan Zong... I’m considering purchasing more spirit plants and spirit grains.”
“...That sounds great!” Qian Zhenren exclaimed happily. “Don’t be fooled by the fame of Huang Ya Mi; it’s unique to our sect, but we also cultivate other spirit plants.”
Zheng Fa smiled but remained silent.
He watched as the joy on Qian Zhenren’s face slowly faded into a look of concern.
“Zheng Zhenren, what you mean is...”
Zheng Fa nodded.
His meaning was simple—I'm willing to pay more!
Buying more spirit grains and spirit plants wasn’t just a whim; with the current market conditions in Lei Chi Fang, they were making more than Jiu Shan Zong. The vegetable basket project should be appropriately enriched.
But whether these orders would go to Qian He Zong depended on their attitude.
Qian Zhenren wasn’t foolish; he seemed to grasp Zheng Fa’s unspoken intentions immediately.
His expression changed rapidly, and after a long internal struggle, he finally gritted his teeth and said, “This matter... is still not feasible.”
Zheng Fa listened as he continued, “Zheng Zhenren, I won’t hide it from you; earning more spirit stones from Jiu Shan Zong is only beneficial for me.”
That was likely the truth.
Qian Zhenren had previously been in charge of the market for Qian He Zong, playing the role of the sect’s purse string.
His current position in the sect was likely closely tied to the orders from Jiu Shan Zong.
“But if I were to disclose everything, then...” Qian Zhenren revealed a bitter smile, “I’d be no different from a traitor.”
Hearing this, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but feel a bit of respect.
When he first met this man, he thought he was somewhat slippery, but now he was showing a side that made Zheng Fa see him in a new light.
“Since you’re unwilling, then let’s consider this matter as if I never brought it up.”
Zheng Fa didn’t press him, merely smiling as he spoke.
“Well then... about the Huang Ya Mi...”
“Everything remains the same.” Zheng Fa, noticing that Qian Zhenren seemed worried about offending him, added with a smile, “I’m already grateful that you took the time to come here.”
Qian Zhenren sized him up for a moment, seeing his tone was sincere, and he let out a small sigh of relief, preparing to take his leave.
Before he left, he seemed a bit reluctant and asked, “What about the other spirit grains...”
“I didn’t just invite you, Qian Zhenren. The Bai Xian Alliance has another sect nearby that specializes in spirit plant cultivation...”
Qian Zhenren’s face froze.
“Xuan Dao Men?”
“Yes.”
Zheng Fa nodded with a smile, seemingly unaware that Qian He Zong and Xuan Dao Men were rivals.
“...What good things could they possibly have?” Qian Zhenren stopped in his tracks, not only refusing to leave but also standing there, gritting his teeth as he said, “Whatever they have, our Qian He Zong has something better!”
“Uh-huh.”
Zheng Fa nodded in agreement.
“Well... how about...” Qian Zhenren said, thick-skinned.
“Oh, they should be more generous than you guys.”
Zheng Fa’s words left Qian Zhenren speechless. He didn’t even feel that Zheng Fa was trying to intimidate him.
Xuan Dao Men was doing even worse than Qian He Zong—at least Qian He Zong had the unique Huang Ya Mi, while Xuan Dao Men had nothing.
Thus, facing a large order and the temptation of getting close to Jiu Shan Zong, it was very likely that Xuan Dao Men would say anything!
“Well... it’s not that I can’t say,” Qian Zhenren’s expression shifted for a long time before he finally stammered, “The relationship between heavenly thunder and spirit plants can be summed up in two words.”
“What two words?”
“Timing!”
“For example, for fruit-type spirit plants, the Bi Ling Guo must be sown during the Jing Zhe season when the spring thunder first cracks, and if watered with the Chun Lu Fu, it grows exceptionally well.”
“Summer thunder during the Xiao Shu period is the best for spirit plant growth; sometimes, without summer thunder, many spirit plants may even lack spiritual energy.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback; this sounded a bit like the problem he was currently facing.
“Autumn and winter thunder also have their own roles. Spirit farmers have many secret methods that explain how to use thunder and rain to nourish spirit plants.” Once Qian Zhenren started speaking, he no longer held back and even shared a few basic secret methods with Zheng Fa.
After he finished speaking, Zheng Fa felt grateful and a bit worried for him. “Qian Zhenren, if you say all this and return to Qian He Zong... will you face any punishment?”
“That won’t happen!”
Qian Zhenren waved his hand dismissively.
Zheng Fa felt a bit more at ease, only to hear Qian Zhenren say, “I didn’t reveal any secrets of Qian He Zong!”
“Ah? Then what about the previous ones...”
“Those are from Xuan Dao Men,” Qian Zhenren admitted candidly.
“...”
“Well, no need for them to be generous.” Qian Zhenren smiled, “I’ll be generous instead.”
“...”
This guy has quite the future ahead of him!
“What about those orders...” Qian Zhenren, seeing Zheng Fa silent, cautiously asked.
“Send over some spirit plants you’re good at, and let...” Zheng Fa glanced at Sister Yuan and said, “Let Sister Yuan evaluate them.”
“Junior Brother is Sister Zhang’s; Sister Zhang is unbeatable, stay calm!” Watching Qian Zhenren leave with endless gratitude, Sister Yuan whispered.
“...”
Modern Day.
Nursing Home.
“Teacher Tian, I found some information. There’s a theory that the growth of spirit plants is crucially linked to thunder and lightning.”
“Thunder and lightning?”
Teacher Tian frowned, looking a bit confused.
Zheng Fa briefly explained Qian Zhenren’s version of the Xuan Dao Men’s secret methods.
“Thunder and lightning at different times?” Teacher Tian pondered for a moment before nodding, “That’s not impossible.”
Zheng Fa’s eyes lit up as he listened to Teacher Tian’s thoughts.
“Thunder and lightning are indeed an important source of nitrogen fertilizer for plants,” Teacher Tian said, thinking aloud.
Zheng Fa nodded gently.
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