The Great Seminary

Chapter 352 Hot Commodities
In this world, the "ancient families" don't necessarily have to grow from the very beginning, branching out, blossoming, bearing fruit, and then withering away like leaves in the wind and rain, simply by establishing themselves.
They have remained steadfast in one place for thousands of years, unwavering in their commitment.

However, once a place is chosen to 'establish a foothold', it will inevitably take hundreds or thousands of years of deep cultivation to gain momentum.

Otherwise, even if one has an ancient bloodline and profound heritage, it is difficult to gain 'general recognition'.

For example, the Zhen family of Jinling Flower Fish originated from the ancient Chu State's "Dianlong Clan" and had existed in Jinling for five hundred years before the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

They also made great contributions to the establishment of the Ming-Song dynasty by Zhao Zhusha, the founding emperor of the Ming-Song dynasty. Even the most powerful and prestigious army of the Ming-Song dynasty, the "Flower Dragon Cavalry," originated from the Zhen family.

Even so, it was only by taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the Prince of Yan's conquest of the north and his efforts to win over the powerful families of the Ming and Song dynasties in the south that they were able to finally uphold the name of "Chuan Gu".

Such hard-won achievements are not something one would easily give up unless absolutely necessary!

"During the last dynastic change, the Zhen family of Jinling Flower Fish turned misfortune into good fortune by taking advantage of their ancestral 'secret location'."

This time, however, it didn't even bother with the "three burrows" maneuver and simply fled.

I really don't know what kind of atrocities Mingren Rongyue has committed in the past month or two?

Otherwise, I'll go back to the vicinity of Jinlingdu and take a look to see what exactly this "white bones exposed in the wild, a thousand miles without a rooster's crow" phenomenon is all about...

After reading the second letter, Zhang Gui thought a lot, but ultimately decided that in the face of such an unpredictable situation, it was better to remain still than to take any action.

Of course, even if he decided to 'stay still,' he lost interest in 'continuing to have fun and continue dancing.'

That same day, it was moved back to its own secret realm, hidden at the gate of the 'Three Holy Swords Northern Sect' in the underground world.

As a result, he had just quietly slipped out of the secret realm and appeared in Fugui Manor not long ago.

Then, Cao Zhengbing, the newly hired butler with a shifty appearance but a shrewd and worldly manner, came running over.

He bowed and scraped as he reported in a low voice:

"Master, Wu Quezi and her granddaughter Guan have been waiting for you at the manor since noon."

To see or not to see?

"Did the two of you come together?" Zhang Gui was slightly taken aback. "Then of course we should meet them."

Otherwise, given Wu Quezi's dog-like temper, he'll definitely come to ambush me again tomorrow.

By the way, did they call me and say what it was about?

“I paid special attention to what people were saying, but I didn’t reveal anything,” Cao Zhengbing said in a low voice.

Zhang Gui glanced at him and said, "Steward Cao, you said your name is 'Zhengbing,' which is quite impressive."

However, his speech and behavior always revealed a 'sleazy' air.

"We're not talking about any secrets in broad daylight, why are you lowering your voice?"

"Yes, yes, I will definitely keep that in mind in the future," Cao Zhengbing nodded repeatedly, deliberately raising his voice.

But when the two of them entered the main courtyard of the three-section manor of Fugui Manor one after the other.

But he couldn't help but lower his voice and report:

“Master, I’m afraid that if the two female Taoist priests are waiting for you in the main hall, they might return directly to the main courtyard when you appear, and then there will be no time for the court to adjourn.”

So they were led to a side hall in the inner courtyard.

"You're always thinking about these trivial things. Keep it up next time."

Zhang Gui pointed at Cao Zhengbing and strolled towards the inner courtyard, passing through halls and doors, until he arrived at the corridor of the side hall of the inner courtyard.

Sun Chonghe and Wu Quezi did not sit obediently in the hall and wait.

Instead, he brandished his sword and darted back and forth among the flowerbeds and ponds in the courtyard, slaying flying insects.

Seeing this, Zhang Gui said first, "Noble Lady Chonghe and Noble Lady Wuque are quite amusing. Instead of cultivating in their own caves, they come to my house to kill mosquitoes and play."

"Don't gossip and stir up trouble to shut us up,"

Upon hearing this, Wu Quezi sheathed her flying sword. "Don't worry, we won't ask where you've been all day."

I came to see you today because of a post.

After this "internal competition," both my junior sister Chonghe and I were accepted into the sect's inner circle.

My junior sister was even bestowed the Dharma name 'Chong Hezi' by the sect leader himself; we should definitely celebrate this."

"It's done so quickly? Congratulations, Miss Okuri!"

Zhang Gui's eyes widened, and he clapped his hands, saying, "If we keep going step by step, the future will truly be limitless."

With his status within the sect further elevated, Sun Chonghe was naturally delighted.

But he made her a little embarrassed by his praise, and she said shyly:

"It's certainly a good thing that my master values ​​me, but I wasn't even given a Dharma name as an exception in the outer sect, unlike Senior Sister Wuque..."

“Your approach is different from hers,” Zhang Gui said, waving his hand.
"If the female Taoist priestess Wuque does a good job, she might become a powerful steward of the inner sect when she is in her thirties or forties."

In another ten or twenty years, if one's cultivation is sufficient, it's hard to say whether one will become an inner sect elder, but one will definitely become a Dharma protector.

Therefore, we have to catch up step by step.

But you are now an inner disciple under the sect leader, and next you will become a true disciple under the sect leader. What's next?
This kind of destiny, which can directly transform from fish to dragon, is best approached without seeking specialness, taking things one step at a time.

Upon hearing this, Sun Chonghe's eyes gleamed with a strange light as he opened his mouth, his voice trembling slightly as he said:

"Longhu, you're thinking too far ahead. Don't joke around."

Seeing her expression, Zhang Gui chuckled inwardly, but did not delve any further into the topic.

He then changed the subject, saying, "I'm just sending you an invitation for a meal and drinks; I doubt you'll wait that long for me."

Is there anything else?

“Of course there is, in the general store you run in Lingtongfang,” Wu Quezi asked quietly.
"Now, in addition to Qingxin Pills, you've also added two other types of 'Zongxin Yuan' and 'Fangyi Ma' pills, right?"

“Yes,” Zhang Gui nodded with a smile, “In business, you always need to have some hidden gems to sell in order to make a fortune.”

"So, you also crafted 'unleashing your inner wildness' yourself at the Rich Manor?"

"But that's a trade secret, so it's best not to be too explicit."

“Trade secret, haha, trade secret,” Wu Quezi said with a strange expression.
“You openly collect tens of thousands of bushels of millet every few days in the market. How does that seem like a secret?”

"That's what I meant, to avoid being too conspicuous when I first arrive,"

Zhang Gui waved his hand and said, "I can't be bothered to care what others think."

As the old saying goes, even the King of Hell can't save a ghost that's destined to die.

"When I first heard about names like Fuguizhuang and Dagui Grocery Store, which sounded so 'simple,' I thought you were just being deliberately eccentric..."

Seeing his nonchalant, deadpan attitude towards everything, Wu Quezi was itching with hatred and was about to say a few harsh words to him.

Then Cao Zhengbing rushed over to report:
"Master, a young lady named Zhen Ciyun, accompanied by seven or eight dragon-type knights, is requesting an audience outside the manor."

Zhang Gui was taken aback, then asked to confirm, "Which one are you talking about?"

“A young lady from the Zhen family named Ciyun,” Cao Zhengbing said.
"The attendants are Dao soldiers riding on dragon-like mythical beasts; they are clearly not ordinary people."

(End of this chapter)