Mission: Seduce the Master!

Mai Dong fell silent and could only nod. It was expected that convincing Xie Qing would not be easy.

The thing was, with the available resources of the "Silver Moon" Commerce, it would not be a problem to hire even someone at the Soul Integration level. However, all of them without exception had refused! And those who were weaker, at the Soul Nascent level, were not known for their strength. And if some were strong, they also refused.

Although the scent of money is sweet, it cannot hide the stench of death. Therefore, in order not to leave only bones in some remote rural areas, cultivators refused.

And this put Commerce in a predicament. In the past years, there were no such problems, but now... the activation of the devilish cultivators has made many tense.

Xie Qing drank the wine and sighed.

"You do understand that you are asking cultivators at the fifth stage of the Soul Nascent to go to certain death, right? No amount of money can help me if a monster infected with devilish qi appears during the journey," Xie Qing explained his position: "And you, as you already know, such monsters have at least the Core Formation level, which poses a danger if they attack in a crowd.

And they love to do that."

"I understand your position..."

Mai Dong also understood that he could not force Xie Qing to agree to this. Since it was no longer possible to tempt him further.

"I apologize for taking up your time," said Mai Dong and stood up, bowing: "I will leave you."

"Alright. Enjoy your evening."

"Of course, I don't want to miss out on such a lucrative contract... but... even I am not sure if I can handle those guys," thought Xie Qing and averted his gaze: "Besides, I will probably be forced to protect the annoying mortals and if they die, I will have to pay a fine."

***

The ball ended successfully. Huang Jing looked pleased, as did Fang Lan, who was able to meet some people and create a small acquaintance.

As for Xie Qing, he decided not to return to the ballroom and simply drank wine in solitude. It was much easier for him to endure all this boredom.

And so, when the ball was over, they gathered in a group of three again. Now, of course, in more casual outfits.

"Hehe! I was able to meet some merchants who supply ingredients at favorable prices. I think we can now start the process!" the girl said with a smile.

"And I had fun at the ball. There were so many familiar faces," Huang Jing said with a smile.

"And I drank wine. It was delicious," Xie Qing nodded.

"Eh?"

"Hm?"

The duo could not help but look at the young man who was still drinking wine. They were puzzled.

"Didn't a representative of the merchant Commerce come to you? I thought you had made a deal," Fang Lan asked.

"Yeah... that's what I wanted to ask. I heard that he is from the "Silver Moon" Commerce, and they are famous for their wealth," Huang Jing also said in bewilderment.

"He offered me to go to the border area near the barrier, to escort a caravan. Moreover, there will likely be no more than two cultivators in the escort," Xie Qing answered in a carefree voice, leaning back on the back of the chair and shrugging his shoulders: "Should I risk my life for a few spiritual stones? I think I have more important things to do."

"Well... your truth!" Huang Jing answered and sighed: "But, seriously? This zone is now too dangerous. Some time ago, the demonic beasts became more fierce and are now terrorizing the nearby cities and villages. Most of the trade routes are blocked and it is dangerous to transport goods along them."

"I heard that there is now a famine there and a mass evacuation of the population is required," Fang Lan added with a sigh: "Most of them are mortals or weak cultivators. It's a pity..."

"Well, their problem."

Xie Qing did not particularly want to delve into this mess, and he did not particularly pity them. After all, these people went to these territories, knowing the price and the consequences.

Huang Jing and Fang Lan also did not dwell on this news for long and discussed various topics. Xie Qing lost the power of speech.

"I forgot that you guys are busy here," he commented with a smile: "I'm the only carefree one."

"You're still young."

"You're still a kid."

"..."

***

The night came quickly. Xie Qing grimly looked at his own hands.

"No hint of a breakthrough again. My soul is strong enough to start expanding, but it is stuck in development..."

Soul Nascent. The name alone gives you an understanding that you have to create a nascent soul.

At the peak of the Soul Nascent, your soul will already occupy almost the entire body, acquiring the physical features of a cultivator.

It is this result that is considered satisfactory.

However, right now, Xie Qing's soul only occupied his torso. Which was not very satisfactory.

"It is impossible to contribute to the development of the soul at this stage. It remains only to hope that everything will be fine," Xie Qing thought and sighed: "I don't understand what is happening, to be honest. With my pace, I should have already formed a soul."

It was because of this that he felt uncomfortable for so many days. It seemed to him that he was lagging behind everything that was at odds with his talent.

Looking out the window, the young man frowned.

***

Early in the morning. Xie Qing wearily rubbed his eyes, opening the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me," Huang Jing said and looked at Xie Qing's sleepy face: "Didn't you get enough sleep? I told you that we need to choose a place for Fang Lan's branch in the morning."

"I was thinking about something at night..." Xie Qing waved his hand and took off his robe, then began to get dressed.

Two minutes later, he already looked fresh. Huang Jing nodded and they went downstairs, to the first floor.

In the spacious main hall, on a luxurious couch, Fang Lan was drinking tea and when she noticed Xie Qing out of the corner of her eye, she frowned.

"You overslept."

"It happens," Xie Qing answered casually and plopped down on the couch, waving his hand: "Give me wine, please."

Huang Jing also plopped down on the couch and ordered tea for himself. He could not help but say:

"Drinking wine on an empty stomach is harmful to your health."

"Dude, are you my mom or something..."

"Hahaha..."

Fang Lan smiled and took something out of her spatial ring, then threw it to Xie Qing.

"Hm?"

He easily caught the object flying in his direction and, weighing the package, raised an eyebrow.

"Cookies? How cute."

"I baked them myself, you know!" Fang Lan smiled: "Eat them and only then drink this poison. Even if you are a cultivator, you cannot eat on an empty stomach."

"Well..."

Xie Qing lost the power of speech, but could not help but try a cookie. And he was surprised.

"Delicious."

"I'm glad you liked it."

Although Fang Lan's voice was carefree, there was a satisfied smile on her face. Huang Jing, who was watching all this out of the corner of his eye, smiled.

"What are you smiling at?" Xie Qing commented in bewilderment, nibbling on cookies. There were crumbs of cookies around his mouth.

"Nothing~".

"Hm? You're weird."

Shrugging his shoulders, Xie Qing bit into another cookie, waiting for the wine.

Huang Jing leaned back on the back of the couch and sighed.

"Well, now I want a girl too," he muttered.

"Oh? Have you decided? You know, I found a beauty yesterday..."

"You mean the girl with the big breasts and the elegant butt?" Huang Jing's eyes gleamed, but he coughed a little when he noticed Fang Lan's gaze on him: "Khe-khe, Daoist friend, I think... we will postpone the discussion of this question to another day."

Friend Huang Jing, hold on! We will find you a beauty!

***

The night before, Huang Jing had expressed his position. Since they were good acquaintances, and what Xie Qing did at the ball had raised his reputation...

Huang Jing expressed his insistence on helping Fang Lan open a branch in this city. Having connections and acquaintances, this was not difficult.

Therefore, already the next day, that is, today, they could inspect the available places. And they were all located quite close to the main activity of the city.

"This..."

Fang Lan inspected the room and could not help but nod. There was admiration on her face.

"This is a very good room! It is close to the main activity of the city, and it also neighbors an ingredient store, which is very beneficial!" she said with a smile and then looked at Huang Jing: "How much will the rent cost me?"

"Zero. I will not allow you or Brother Xie to give a single Huang!" Huang Jing said with a resolute look: "Take it as a gift. Refusals are not accepted!"

"This... but I feel uncomfortable," Fang Lan said indecisively.

"Just accept his kindness," Xie Qing shrugged and hugged Huang Jing by the shoulder: "And I, well, I will help him meet a hot beauty... hehe..."

"Brother Xie is too generous... hahaha..."

The two men laughed heartily, and Fang Lan did not know what to say. However, judging by their appearance, they were very pleased with the deal.

And, by the way, if you thought that this was a joke (Huang Jing also thought so), then...

***

"S-stop, brother Xie! This is the estate of the Zhao family... they are in charge of trading spiritual items!" Huang Jing said in a nervous voice. He was dressed in official clothes.

"Hoho, son, don't worry... I found out from some lovely ladies that the young lady is very fond of the ornament made of Midnight Fire Iron and the precious stone Call of Ten Phoenixes..."

Xie Qing smiled and pushed Huang Jing towards the entrance, and then pressed the doorbell.

"And I brought some useful things and a lucrative contract, so they will agree to give out the young miss of their family! And she, you know, is a beauty!"

"So why don't you take her as your wife?!"

"Huh? Dude, she's not my type, so..."

"Ah, you!"