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Chapter 533 Confidant (Eight Thousand)
Grandpa Lin felt that his luck had finally turned around recently.

Ever since that man surnamed Xu came to Champa, everyone's luck has been terrible.

Many things that we used to be able to do without restraint are now off-limits.

At first, everyone would secretly plot things, such as transferring him away, or... making him disappear.

But this guy's skill level has improved too quickly.

Before everyone could even discuss how to handle the situation, he had already fallen into fourth-rate status!

This is southern Jiaozhi, not the northern capital. It's a fourth-rate place, yet it can still dominate a region!
This bad luck reached its peak a few days ago when the evil spirit that had been kept in the house for decades was killed by this guy!
But then things may hit rock bottom and bounce back, and everything will start to go smoothly.

First, Mr. Shi from the Beidu Jinxiu Bookstore suddenly arrived in Champa.

Mr. Shi is third-rate!
He is the "third senior brother" of all the young students in the Northern Capital Branch, the Southern Capital Branch, and the 42nd Branch of the Jinxiu Academy.

The prominent families of the city gathered at the canal dock to welcome him.

Almost all the scholars in the city crowded onto the dock, wanting to see this "Third Senior Brother".

Those with high skill levels will have a place; those with low skill levels won't even get a chance to move forward.

Unprecedented!

Mr. Shi truly lived up to his reputation; he was gentle and refined, naturally approachable, yet possessed the demeanor of a master.

He stayed in a garden provided by the Lin family, which made the entire Lin family feel honored.

Although no one has figured out what his purpose is in coming to Champa, there is at least one person in the city with a higher level of ability who can keep Xu Yuan in check.

Then came the secret matter: today, a nephew of mine came to report that he had found an evil spirit and was in contact with it.

Not all evil spirits are suitable for worship.

Given the Lin family's strength, the best course of action would be to select a seventh-rate expert and then gradually train them to become a sixth-rate expert.

During this process, some constraints are gradually imposed on it to facilitate control.

Furthermore, the type of evil spirit must be carefully selected.

First, eliminate any object-like evil spirits that lack sentience.

There was absolutely no way to communicate.

Ideally, you should choose one where you'll be stuck in one place most of the time and your movements won't be very convenient.

For example, their previous twisted ancient tree.

However, now that Xu Yuan is in the city, they probably won't have several decades to slowly cultivate a seventh-rate person into a sixth-rate one.

Therefore, the Lin family's chosen target this time is the sixth-rate.

Fifth-rate... I wouldn't dare, I have absolutely no way of controlling it.

Lin Yaozu, the nephew, was in charge of some shady businesses in the family.

"Uncle, yesterday we found a suitable one in Tieguan Town below."

It was hidden in a dry well outside the town; its true form was a lump of blood oil, of sixth-rate quality. My nephew had already made initial contact with it, feeding it four laborers, and it was quite satisfied.

Lin Yaozu hired four laborers at the canal wharf, paid them well, and sent them to Tieguan Town to "move goods".

Old Master Lin didn't care about the four innocent laborers at all.

Without even mentioning it, they only asked, "How rational is this thing?"

“Not bad,” Lin Yaozu said. “My nephew communicated with it, and it also said that the Champa Purification Bureau has been too domineering lately, and it hasn’t dared to go out hunting for a long time.”

Grandpa Lin nodded: "Go and dig a well in the backyard first, and figure out some arrangements to make sure it can trap it."

"Don't worry, Uncle, leave everything to me."

These prominent families all have special relationships with scholars and craftsmen who specialize in this kind of work.

Lin Yaozu quickly contacted a skilled craftsman and spent a lot of money to invite him from Luocheng to oversee the digging of a deep well in the original courtyard of the twisted ancient tree.

The craftsman patted his chest and assured him, "My arrangements can absolutely guarantee that thing will behave obediently up to the fifth rank."

Having made these preparations, Lin Yaozu consulted with Old Master Lin and, upon receiving permission, set off for Tieguan Town to retrieve the blood oil evil spirit.

On the day you bring them back, the family should also make preparations.

Including Old Master Lin, all the important figures in the family, as well as the less capable members, all found excuses to leave home, either to visit friends or to handle business in other places.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and the evil spirit successfully made its home in the backyard of the Lin family mansion.

……

Xu Yuan had already received news from the white fox: "Seven of the major families in the city that raise evil spirits have brought back new evil spirits."

"The other companies have remained inactive, and it's unclear whether they've reformed."

Xu Yuan nodded: "Wait a little longer."

A few days later, another family secretly brought back an evil spirit.

The rest seem to genuinely not want to do it anymore.

The white fox came again, bringing with it the advice of his elder brother, the black fox: "My lord, are you really determined to do this?"

"Champa is your territory. The evil spirits within the city have devoured eight prominent clans. Even if you eventually exterminate all eight evil spirits, it will be difficult to atone for your actions, and you will surely be punished by the court."

Xu Yuan simply said coldly, "My mind is made up, there's no need to say more."

To outsiders, Lord Xu, at such a young age, was already the Chief Lawyer of Champa, and his future looked very promising.

If one is punished by the court for this matter, demoted, or even stripped of one's official rank, it is very likely that one step behind will lead to a series of setbacks!

This will seriously affect the heights he can reach in the government office in the future.

Xu Yuan knew that he was too young and unlikely to be promoted in the short term.

Secondly, he was born into a criminal family in Hegong Lane, and was not particularly noteworthy under the command of Lord Ma in Nanjiaozhi.

If we go any further, it might bring up old stories from back then.

Someone will inevitably try to suppress you and prevent you from advancing.

So, since I can't get promoted anyway, why not act impulsively and get rid of these inhuman menaces?

……

Both Senior Brother Zhong and Mr. Bai moved out of the prefectural government office.

With the prefect dead, Mr. Bai, as a staff member, could no longer stay in the yamen.

Senior Brother Zhong naturally followed Third Senior Brother and moved into the Lin family's garden.

Mr. Bai felt ashamed of his appearance and longed to get closer to his third senior brother, but he also felt that the other brother would definitely look down on him.

Unexpectedly, the third senior brother took the initiative to invite him: "Junior Brother Bai, if you don't have a suitable place to stay, why don't you come and stay here for now?"

Mr. Bai was extremely excited, nodding vigorously like a chick pecking at rice, and hurriedly agreed.

Later, he privately told Senior Brother Zhong, "Third Senior Brother's actions are truly like a gentle breeze!"

When the third senior brother arrived in Champa, he didn't say what he was going to do. For the past few days, he had been taking the two of them around the city to experience the local customs and culture.

If invited, they don't put on airs and gladly accept the invitation.

Only Senior Brother Zhong understood that Third Senior Brother was waiting to see what would happen in the city so he could see for himself how Xu Yuan would handle it.

Whether it was what he said himself or what Mr. Bai reported, the third senior brother kept it in mind.

But he will definitely rely on his own observations and experiences.

Today, a group of scholars in the city elected three representatives to invite the third senior brother to "Guanzhu Yashe" for tea, saying they had something to ask him.

Among this group of literary scholars, the highest level was only sixth-rate, and most of them were eighth-rate or ninth-rate.

While enjoying tea, they had a wild idea: to establish a bookstore in Champa!
Mr. Bai, who was with them, almost burst out laughing when he heard their ideas.

After the three of them brought up the idea, they also looked at their third senior brother with uneasy eyes.

However, the third senior brother showed a pleasantly surprised smile, greatly encouraging them and praising their actions for enlightening Jiaozhi and benefiting future generations. He also expressed his willingness to fully support them and said that he would definitely attend to congratulate them on the day the book club was established.

The three scholars were moved to tears.

When I returned from Guanzhu Yashe, several carriages were driving into the Shen family's house next door.

The Shen family was also a prominent family in the city, and they had a table at the grand banquet held to welcome their third senior brother.

After they moved in, the Shen family took good care of them.

The third senior brother suddenly stopped and glanced at the carriage in the middle.

Senior Brother Zhong asked, "What's wrong?"

The third senior brother subtly shifted his gaze, as if he had merely glanced around casually.

"It's nothing." The third senior brother smiled gently, still with one hand behind his back and the other holding a folding fan, his clothes fluttering in the breeze, as he walked leisurely into the garden gate.

Two more days passed in a flash.

With the encouragement of their third senior brother, the scholars worked with great efficiency and had already finalized the regulations.

The bookstore was named after the famous ancient site "Gulutai" outside the city, and was named "Gulu Bookstore".

The inaugural meeting is scheduled for five days from now.

There are currently 37 members.

The same three people who came to consult with their third senior brother, carrying these rules, were the same ones from last time.

The third senior brother was very enthusiastic, helping them to straighten out various issues and pointing out many mistakes they made due to their lack of experience.

We discussed it all day.

Senior Brother Zhong and Mr. Bai were genuinely uninterested, but Third Senior Brother and the other three were getting more and more excited as they talked.

Finally, the third senior brother waved his hand and said, "Tonight it's my treat, let's go to Zhiweilou and continue our chat!"

"No, we must be the hosts," the three hurriedly insisted.

The third senior brother pushed his hand away, saying, "Tonight is my turn to celebrate the Ancient Furnace Book Society. If you still consider me your senior brother, then don't refuse."

The three had no choice but to comply, and so the group went to Zhiweilou Restaurant, where they drank and chatted happily.

……

Xu Yuan informed Zhuo Jian: "Launch tonight."

In the days leading up to this, Xu Yuan had several detailed conversations with Zhuojian.

The eight families were named one by one for their heinous crimes.

Furthermore, a strict order was issued: "Those whose crimes do not warrant death must not be harmed!"

It is no exaggeration to say that families who secretly harbor evil spirits are utterly wicked.

There are almost no innocent people in the family; it's all about the severity of the sins.

You might say you did nothing, but your lifestyle far exceeds that of ordinary people; all this money came from your family's sins.

This is your karmic obstacle.

In the turbid realm, several great evil spirits began to take action.

They already had a division of labor, with each dealing with two entities.

The blood-oil evil spirit of the Lin family is a subordinate of "black oil".

After nightfall, long lanterns were hung under the eaves and along the corridors of the Lin family's house.

Needless to say, the interior was even more so.

Ordinary families would consider it a luxury to light an oil lamp at night, but they were able to illuminate the entire Lin mansion brightly.

Old Master Lin had five sons, who all lived in the Lin family mansion but each had their own courtyard.

Some were hosting banquets for friends, some had invited troupes to watch operas, and some were practicing martial arts.

No one would notice that the deep well in the backyard had cracked open.

The craftsman's arrangement was more than enough to trap sixth-rate evil spirits, but he didn't know that the blood oil was fifth-rate!
It received orders to lower its standards and infiltrate the Lin family.

Upon activation, eight deep cracks appeared on the surface of the well!

Blood oil seeped out from the crack, rolled rapidly across the ground, and rushed towards the front yard.

Old Master Lin was embracing his seventeenth concubine, one of his old hands mischievously kneading her under his clothes, while the other hand picked up a wine cup, intending to share a drink with his fourteen-year-old concubine.

The lewd laughter echoed in the room.

Suddenly, the entire house was engulfed in a sea of ​​blood!
Old Master Lin was horrified: "An evil spirit!"

"How did this thing get in here...?"

Without thinking twice, he shoved the concubine in his arms toward the bloody light.

Evil spirits love blood, and eating a concubine can always buy them some time.

But when the concubine fell into the blood-red light, she was frozen solid by it.

However, layers of blood oil surged up from all around!
They surrounded Old Master Lin!
Old Master Lin recognized it and roared, "It's you! How could you..."

The blood oil made a gurgling sound and had already submerged Old Master Lin's feet!

"Fifth-rate..." Old Master Lin felt a wave of despair: "Raising a tiger to cause trouble, letting a wolf into the house!"

He fought back desperately, and calligraphy scrolls flew off his body.

It fell into the bloody light, and as soon as it unfolded, it was burned to ashes by a bloody flame!

With a determined effort, Old Master Lin tossed out a calligraphy copybook he had treasured!
This calligraphy copybook was not written by him, but by a fourth-rate scholar.

He had many such methods of self-preservation before.

But having lived a life of luxury for so many years, he no longer needed to take action himself, so he only carried this one card with him.

When the calligraphy copybook is unfolded, the top part is a character with sharp, forceful strokes: "破" (pò).

Amidst the blood-red light, flames ignited again, but this time they couldn't burn the calligraphy scroll.

Not only could it not be burned, but the character "破" (broken) on the calligraphy copybook flew out and broke apart into individual strokes.

Each stroke is like a divine weapon, clanging and clattering as it hurtles in all directions.

With a single stroke, the flames of blood were extinguished.

With just a few strokes, they slaughtered the blood and oil, leaving it in a sorry state!
Grandpa Lin breathed a sigh of relief and ran away, only to find that the blood oil was still wrapped around his feet.

Old Master Lin cursed loudly, "You ignorant and treacherous creature!"

Next, you need to manipulate the calligraphy to destroy the pool of blood and oil at your feet.

Suddenly, a ball of "blood flame" rose up in the room again.

This blood flame was different from the one before; it ignited the broken calligraphy copybook in an instant!
"what?!"

Old Master Lin was greatly surprised, and sniffed the air, exclaiming in shock and anger, "No, this is internal heat!"

"Who goes there?!" he roared. "Has my Lin family ever offended you?"

No one responded, and the fire raged on, turning the calligraphy copybook into ashes in an instant.

Just as it was unleashing its power to break through the strokes of the character, it too vanished...

Overjoyed, the blood oil gushed forward!

Old Master Lin suddenly realized something: "You are Yan..."

Blood oil rushed up and covered his mouth and nose, preventing him from saying the name.

Old Master Lin struggled fiercely, but the blood oil kept increasing, soon wrapping him up in a huge blood cocoon.

Old Master Lin's eyes widened in anger, and he cursed inwardly.

It turns out that he killed those evil spirits not to reassure us, but to keep us calm!

But why did he do that?

What is the picture?

He killed us by using evil spirits, and he too will be punished by the court for dereliction of duty!
He was filled with remorse for misjudging Lord Xu, which led to his current predicament.

But he really couldn't understand why Lord Xu would do such a thing.
Our Lin family has never offended him.

Given his selfish nature, even if Xu Yuan told him the reason himself, he wouldn't believe it.

Just for those insignificant commoners?

Lord Xu, are you joking with this old man?!

The blood oil first seeped into his skin, and he felt as if his skin was being burned and roasted by fire, and then peeled off!

parefull.

Then the blood seeped into his flesh, and Old Master Lin was in unbearable pain. He wanted to beg Lord Xu for mercy, saying that as long as he was released, the Lin family's vast fortune would be given to him!
But he couldn't speak, so he could only silently endure the pain and wait for death to slowly come in helplessness and despair!
Suddenly, a voice traveled through the blood oil into his ears: "Does it hurt?"

Those who were killed by your Lin family using evil spirits, every single one of them died just like this!

Old Master Lin tried to open his mouth to beg for mercy, but blood oil rushed in, and he still couldn't say anything.

Slowly, the blood oil seeped into his brain, as if a pot of boiling hot oil had been poured directly into his brain.

Old Master Lin's vision went black, and his consciousness was completely extinguished.

The Lin family, consisting of fifteen members, perished overnight in the mouths of evil spirits!
Not only the Lin family, but also the Shen family, the Zhang family, the Qi family... all eight major families in Champa City caused trouble that night!

By the latter half of the night, chaos had broken out in the city. Being an evil spirit, it became even more frenzied after consuming blood, finding it difficult to control itself and then craving to devour others.

Xu Yuantian quietly emerged as soon as it got dark.

First, they secretly provided support.

This batch of evil spirits are all fifth-rate. Those powerful families have deep foundations, especially their patriarchs, who must have some means of protecting themselves.

Xu Yuan secretly made his move and thwarted them one by one.

Then, they had to guard against these evil spirits and kill them on the spot if they made any unusual moves!

With Lord Xu personally taking action, the riot lasted only a little over half an hour before the city quieted down.

Overall, the impact is not significant.

These evil spirits reside in the homes of prominent families, places that are inherently distant from those of ordinary people.

Of the eight evil spirits, only two managed to refrain from harming others.

Xu Yuan then put them back into the turbid chamber.

……

After returning from "Zhiweilou", the third senior brother turned off the lights and went to bed early.

Neither Senior Brother Zhong nor Mr. Bai noticed that Senior Brother San was actually sitting on the roof ridge with a pot of wine, coldly watching the Shen family next door.

He was dressed in white, which should have made him very conspicuous in the dark.

But nobody noticed him.

He had noticed a few days ago that something was hidden in the Shen family's carriage.

He didn't make a fuss.

It was common for powerful and wealthy families to keep evil spirits, even in the capitals of the north and south.

It's even a secret that everyone keeps to themselves.

"But... does everything that everyone is doing mean it's right?"

After that day, the third senior brother coldly refused any further assistance offered by the Shen family.

Who would have thought there would be such a good show tonight!

It really is "watching the show".

The evil spirit that the Shen family brought back was a tattered pipa.

Hidden inside is the ghost of a female opera singer who died unjustly.

As soon as the evil spirit was unleashed, the entire Shen family was enveloped in the sounds of traditional opera.

My third senior brother once heard the operas of the four major Peking Opera troupes in the capital.

And when this strange female impersonator from the Shen family sang, her skill level was in no way inferior to that of the leading female impersonators of the four major Peking Opera troupes!
The third senior brother was unknowingly engrossed in the drink, squinting his eyes as he drank and gently tapped his knees with his hands.

He was engrossed in listening when he suddenly noticed something and opened his eyes wide to look into the depths of the Shen family mansion.

A moment later, in astonishment, he suddenly laughed.

He was laughing very happily.

Just like those three scholars who, upon hearing that he was willing to fully support them in establishing the Champa Bookstore, found a kindred spirit.

He also felt that he had met a kindred spirit in Champa.

"Wonderful..." the third senior brother exclaimed.

The praise was for the singer's singing skills.

She was also that kindred spirit.

……

The next morning, Fu Jingyu was summoned to the government office by Lord Xu from the South City patrol post.

"Here you are." Lord Xu tossed over paper and pen: "The documents from last night are yours."

Fu Jingyu looked at Lord Xu speechlessly.

Last night, such a big event occurred; strange things happened in the homes of eight prominent families.

The paperwork for each case was extremely complex.

If you won't write it, why should I?

Song Lu pouted, feeling indignant on behalf of her lover, and said, "Sir, you should hire a few clerks."

Xu Yuan didn't quite trust the clerks in the government office.

Xu Yuan replied dismissively, "I'll confess after this."

Fu Jingyu sighed inwardly, stretched his wrists, sat down at the table, picked up a pen, and silently began to write.

The old-fashioned young master Fu is sometimes a real doormat.

Having handed the task over to Fu Jingyu, Xu Yuan strolled away with his hands behind his back.

Upon reaching the door, he suddenly turned back and added, "Make sure to write clearly in the case file that these evil spirits were secretly brought in by those powerful families and kept in their homes."

Their being consumed by evil spirits is not my fault.

Although he knew he couldn't escape the charge of "dereliction of duty," Lord Xu still had to defend himself.

"I understand," Fu Jingyu replied listlessly.

Xu Yuan then went out.

I'm in a great mood today, thanks to the "daily advance of a pawn" astrological configuration that has been quietly working its magic lately.

Whether it was truly a case of "accumulating small steps to reach a thousand miles" or the realization that his "wild killing spree" last night had cleared his mind, Xu Yuan felt that his cultivation had improved today.

"Commercial Law" was just a hair's breadth away from entering the fourth tier.

His alchemy skills have also improved, and he's gotten a little closer to being a third-rate practitioner.

The same applies to the "Dragon Transformation Method".

For Xu Yuan, the "Dragon Transformation Technique" was probably the most difficult.

Because there are no further cultivation methods.

They don't even know how to get promoted to a third-rate position.

But with the ability to "make progress every day," even a third-rate person has a chance!

Xu Yuan hummed a tune as he returned to his courtyard. Old Qin, the gatekeeper, ran over to report, "Sir, there is a Mr. Shi outside requesting an audience."

"Mr. Shi?" Xu Yuan didn't recognize the name and couldn't recall knowing anyone with the surname Shi.

Old Qin added, "He claimed to be the third senior brother of the Jinxiu Academy."

Xu Yuan frowned.

After Mr. Wu came to "inform" on him last time, Xu Yuan secretly ordered someone to investigate Mr. Bai.

Mr. Bai was a graduate of Jinxiu Academy.

Did he say what he wanted to do?

"They said they came to deliver an invitation."

Xu Yuan frowned again, thought for a moment, and said, "Please come in."

A moment after Old Qin left, he led in a refined-looking man in his early thirties.

His face was as white as jade, with phoenix eyes, a straight nose, three long strands of beard, and eyebrows that flew into his temples.

He was agile and steady in his steps.

His moon-white scholar's robe seemed to have been born to be worn by him.

A lustrous white jade pendant hung from her waist, perfectly complementing her appearance.

Upon seeing Xu Yuan, he shook his sleeves, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "Shi Qiusheng from Jinxiu Academy greets Headmaster Xu."

Seeing his distinguished appearance, Xu Yuan said, "Sir, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

Xiao Ba, bring the tea.

The third senior brother and Xu Yuan exchanged polite refusals before sitting down together.

Xu Yuan noticed that Shi Qiusheng was carefully examining him, her eyes full of admiration and affection.

This left Xu Yuan even more bewildered: "I didn't know you came here, sir..."

The third senior brother smiled slightly, took out an invitation from his sleeve, and said, "Three days from now, at the Ancient Furnace Terrace outside the city, some local students will be setting up the Ancient Furnace Academy."

Shi had long admired the official, so he volunteered the task of delivering the invitation.

With that, he handed over the invitation with both hands: "We would be extremely honored if Your Excellency could spare the time to come!"

Xu Yuan took the invitation and was even more puzzled: Why are you asking me, a mere alchemist, to attend a matter concerning literary cultivation?
Xu Yuan opened the post, which listed the names of all the members of the "Ancient Furnace Book Society".

Xu Yuan glanced at them and didn't recognize any of them.

Mr. Bai did not join; he was already preparing to leave Champa.

"My lord, there's no need to rush to refuse." The third senior brother's smile was always like a gentle breeze. "There's still time. Please consider it some more. Perhaps this time, you'll meet one or two kindred spirits?"

After the third senior brother finished speaking, he stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute again: "The mission has been accomplished. Sir is busy with official duties, so I will not disturb you any longer."

"Alright." Xu Yuan instructed Lang Xiaoba to see the guest out.

After everyone left, Xu Yuan noticed Ji Shuangqiu peeking in from outside the door. He scolded her, "What are you doing, sneaking around like that?"

Ji Shuangqiu jumped in with a chuckle: "Sir, you really don't know who he is?"

"You know?" Xu Yuan asked in return.

"I know him, he's the third senior brother from Jinxiu Academy, he's been quite famous in the city lately..."

……

Ancient Furnace Bookstore did not intend to invite Lord Xu to the event.

They knew they didn't have the authority to persuade Lord Xu.

But the third senior brother not only suggested inviting Lord Xu, but also volunteered to personally deliver the invitation.

Everyone was both excited and grateful.

Third Senior Brother is truly kind-hearted!
It wasn't his business, but he not only gave it his full support, but also thought of us in every way, even more so than we did ourselves!
After leaving the office of the Exorcism Bureau, the third senior brother neither went to find the people from the book club nor returned to the Lin family garden.

Instead, they went straight to Zhiweilou.

But instead of going in, they walked around Zhiweilou.

This is a well-known restaurant in Dongcheng District.

He had been invited to meals by others a few times, and he had also invited someone to eat here once.

The chef in charge of cooking has superb skills and the taste is unforgettable.

But the third senior brother knew that the delicious food in the restaurant was not due to the head chef's skill.

Instead, the restaurant kept a "ghost."

This thing can subtly manipulate a person's various senses.

Some kinds of "charm" can make everything look beautiful.

Some of these things can make people groan with pleasure and say "It feels so good!" even when they are being cut by a knife.

Some places will make people stand next to the latrine and keep inhaling the fragrance.

This one from Zhiweilou makes everything taste delicious, no matter what you eat.

The so-called "knowing the taste" is actually not knowing the taste anymore.

The third senior brother only realized it on his last visit.

This is similar to how powerful and wealthy families raise evil spirits.

The third senior brother circled the restaurant and saw the "evil spirit" perched on the third-floor window, lazily dangling its long tongue.

It drooped down from the third floor all the way to the ground.

He wanted to rid himself of this evil spirit, but hesitated because if he did, Zhiweilou would surely go bankrupt and close down.

There are twenty or thirty people living in this building, going up and down.

Besides this evil spirit, it also destroyed their livelihood.

"I wonder what my confidant will do?"

The third senior brother was in a dilemma, so he wanted to bring Xu Yuan over to see if he had any brilliant ideas.

The third senior brother turned around and went back to the Lin family garden.

"Junior Brother Bai, I have a favor to ask of you."

Mr. Bai was flattered: "Third Senior Brother, please give your instructions, but please don't mention the word 'beg'."

……

Xu Yuan was puzzled. What did Mr. Bai want with him?
And they even held a banquet at Zhiweilou Restaurant in a very formal manner.

However, Mr. Wu informed him that this guy was spying on him, and during the day, Shi Qiusheng, who was also from the Jinxiu Book Society, came to deliver an invitation to him.

Lord Xu decided to go and meet him.

At the appointed time, Xu Yuan entered the private room on the top floor of Zhiweilou Restaurant. Two people were waiting inside: Mr. Bai and Shi Qiusheng.

Xu Yuan frowned, but Shi Qiusheng had already stepped forward and personally pulled out a chair for Xu Yuan: "Lord Xu, please take a seat. I have a problem on my mind that I would like to ask for your advice."

Xu Yuan reluctantly sat down, but remained silent with a cold expression.

Mr. Bai, observing the situation, got up and left, saying, "I'll go and hurry up with the dishes."

Shi Qiusheng quietly approached a window, gently pushed it open a crack, and beckoned to Xu Yuan: "Sir, please come and take a look."

Xu Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still went over.

This window faces the backyard of Zhiweilou.

An evil spirit was coiled beside the well, stirring the water with its long tongue.

Xu Yuan immediately exuded a chilling aura.

"Well, there are actually people in this city who dare to raise evil spirits!"

The third senior brother then said, "My lord, I have also thought about getting rid of this thing."

But without this, the restaurant will go bankrupt, and look at all those people working there—the greeters, waiters, odd-job workers, singers… they'll probably all go out of business.”

The third senior brother looked at Lord Xu with great anticipation.

I hope someone can come up with a good solution.

Of course, it couldn't be a matter of using the authority of the Exorcism Department to reassign these people to new jobs.

That would greatly lower his opinion of Xu Yuan and remove him from the ranks of "close friends".

These people need to be made to earn their own living.

Xu Yuan stared at the demon below, determined not to let it escape.

He casually asked, "How do you know these people are unaware?"

The third senior brother was taken aback.

I hadn't really thought about that question.

He has a compassionate heart and instinctively thinks that those who are struggling to make a living are all good people.

Xu Yuan casually remarked, "Pitiful people aren't necessarily good people. If they know anything, then arrest them all and throw them in jail. They'll have no worries about food and clothing afterward, and they won't starve!"

The third senior brother opened his mouth in astonishment and uttered a few "ah, ah" sounds.

For a moment, I couldn't quite keep up with the "soulmate's" train of thought.

Yet, I also feel that this does indeed qualify as "having no worries about food and clothing"... right?

Fortunately, the third senior brother himself had an extremely firm will and his thinking was not completely led by Xu Yuan.

"What if they were unaware of it?"

Xu Yuan glanced at him and said, "Order the Ancient Furnace Bookstore to buy this land and convert it into a bookstore venue."

All of these people can be retained, including those in the kitchen.

The people at the book club still need to eat. Even if the cook here isn't skilled enough to run a restaurant, he's more than capable of being the head chef in the book club's canteen.

"Hiss—" The third senior brother gasped.

This method works!

The group of scholars at the Ancient Furnace Bookstore are wealthy and need a venue like this.

Moreover, Zhiweilou has an excellent location.

Xu Yuan casually combined two seemingly unrelated things and offered a solution.

"Why didn't I think of that..."

(End of this chapter)