Promise!

Chapter 226, Fresh

Cangzhou City, Third Ring Road.

After moving into the allocated courtyard, Ji Tongxiu directed the servants to tidy it up, and Zhuang Jin became a hands-off manager. In the morning, he would cultivate, and in the afternoon, he would have the servants summon Teng Zushou.

The Xuan Snake Token comes with two shops, both located within the third ring road of the city. As the most central and prosperous area of ​​the entire Cangzhou City, these two shops within the third ring road are guaranteed to be profitable no matter what they do, and even renting them out would generate considerable income. However, they are still not as profitable as running them himself. He plans to entrust one of these shops to the Ji family and the other to the Teng family.

In Zhuang Jin's personal opinion, the Ji family was better. The Teng family had an unpleasant first encounter, but they had provided cultivation resources for the previous month and a half, which deserved to be repaid.

There's a saying that 'it's better to have experience than to work hard.' It was precisely because of the unpleasantness at the beginning that the Teng family was uneasy, fearing that they would be replaced, which might make them work even harder and pay more attention.

"Besides, not putting all my eggs in one basket, but spreading them out between two companies, letting them compete and vie for the same prize, is more advantageous for me!"

Nowadays, Zhuang Jin prioritizes advantages and disadvantages over personal likes and dislikes when making decisions.

"Thank you, Venerable Zhuang!" Teng Zushou was naturally pleased to hear this, but unlike Old Master Ji, he was not overjoyed. Instead, his brows furrowed with worry.

When Zhuang Jin inquired, Teng Zushou revealed the answer.

It turns out that the Teng family, along with many other first-, second-, and third-tier families, had reserved a house in the Fourth Ring Road. The house was to be built by the He family, a family with a long-standing reputation as a construction company in the city. However, due to a dispute over the ownership of the land, construction had been halted several times, and now it was almost completely abandoned.

The result is that now it seems impossible to get the house, yet the property cannot be returned, and the contribution points from the loan to Xuantiansi still need to be repaid.

"Your Excellency, please be the judge! How can such a thing happen in the world? This is outrageous! I... sigh!"

Teng Zushou spoke with a mixture of anger and resentment, but faced with such a behemoth as the He family, a family of innate talent, he could only suppress his anger.

"Let's go, I'll go with you to take a look."

Zhuang Jin stood up and said, glancing at the man, "But it's just a visit; it might not solve the problem. Don't have too high hopes."

Like the Ji family, the Teng family will also need to earn contribution points in the future. The Ji family has Ji Tongxiu as a link, and the Teng family will see if they can use this incident to completely win back their hearts.

At the same time, he found this matter novel and wanted to see it for himself: 'I've already witnessed the plight of the beast hunters and lower-level martial artists at the outposts outside the city. This time, I'll see the traps that the middle-level members of first-, second-, and third-rate families like the Teng family face.'

"Thank you, Venerable Zhuang. This old man knows what is good for him and will be grateful regardless of the outcome." Teng Zushou was so excited when he heard that Zhuang Jin was going to come that he almost knelt down.

Zhuang Jin said he couldn't guarantee it, but the fact that a Venerable One of the Primordial Realm would personally go there—that's a huge honor for a Venerable One of the Primordial Realm. How could it not work?

Heaven have mercy! They can't get the house, the deposit can't be refunded, and they still have to pay the loan, dragging the entire Teng family into a quagmire. Now that they see hope, they almost burst into tears.

……

A group of people blocked the entrance to the He family's house on the Third Ring Road of the city.

These people were no ordinary individuals; they were the heads of twenty or thirty first-, second-, and third-tier families, powerful figures whose every stomp on the outer third ring road could shake the ground. Yet, at this moment, they seemed like a vulnerable group, humbly explaining their reasoning.

“There is a dispute between the land and the state government, and because of this, the house is now almost abandoned. I advocate for the deposit to be refunded and the loan to be cancelled.”

"Yes, this isn't our problem. We don't dare ask for any compensation, we just want our deposit refunded and the loan cancelled, is that alright?"

"We can't get the house now, but the loan keeps piling up, and the whole family is going to be drained of resources. Generations of hard work will be gone in an instant!"

……

"Silence! Silence! The He family fully understands everyone's feelings; your demands are also very legitimate, and the He family supports them."

"but,"

He Tong'a, the steward of the He family, paused and said, "The problem now is that there is a dispute between the land and the state government. If everyone wants to continue construction and get the houses, they should go to the state government; if everyone wants to get their deposits back and cancel their loans, they should go to the Xuantian Division. It's no use coming to my He family!"

"Can I understand it this way: we can't start construction now, so we can't get the houses, but we still have to continue paying off the loan from Xuantian Company?"

"This is outrageous! If your He family is truly so domineering, we must unite and file a complaint against your He family with the state government and the Heavenly Bureau!"

“We have booked accommodations from at least twenty or thirty first-, second-, and third-tier families. With so many first-, second-, and third-tier families joining forces, even if the He family is a first-rate family, they would still be in trouble. Aren’t you, the He family, afraid?”

……

"Go ahead and sue the He family? The road is right there, don't bother coming back!"

Manager He sneered, giving a "do as you please" look, showing no fear whatsoever.

In this world, when power speaks, wealth must remain silent; when force is used, power must give way.

The He family is an innate family, and the He family patriarch is an innate venerable. He can cheat you whenever he wants, so what can you do about it? What can you do?

Not to mention, the He family also received some benefits this time, which they used to make arrangements.

If these people go to the prefectural government office, they will see what it means to be a corrupt official; if they go to the Xuantian Bureau and want a refund, they will at most receive a few words of passing the buck, and if they dare to say anything more or cause trouble... Hmph!
"Oh, this item... is it really impossible to return it?"

At this moment, a voice rang out. Who else could it be but Zhuang Jin?
At this moment, he was dressed in a white robe, which emitted a hazy halo in the sunlight. His already handsome appearance, enhanced by the fact that "clothes make the man," made him look like a celestial being descended to earth.

—This white robe was received today at the Heavenly Garment Shop. It's a Heavenly Silkworm Robe specially made for Innate Venerables, crafted from the silk spun by the Heavenly Silkworm, a mythical beast at the Five Viscera Realm. While it wouldn't be entirely seamless, it's undeniably warm in winter and cool in summer, impervious to dust and dirt, impervious to water and fire, and resistant to swords and blades. Below the Innate level, it's truly impenetrable to the power of mythical beasts and martial artists—there's no exaggeration whatsoever. And this is merely a minor benefit among the many perks of the Xuan Snake Token!
Teng Zushou followed behind Zhuang Jin, two steps behind. Although he was a Nascent Soul martial artist and dressed in a brocade robe, he now appeared more like an old servant.

"Venerable Zhuang?!"

Manager He, who had originally been arrogant and had a "what can you do to me?" expression, now bowed, lowered his head, smiled obsequiously, and quickly went to greet him, just like a lapdog seeing its master.

Zhuang Jin obtaining the Xuan Snake Token was a major event. His image was displayed on the pillar of light of the Suspended Heaven Division for three days. From the纨绔子弟 below the Xiantian level in the aristocratic families of the state to the members of the Xiantian families, everyone immediately recorded his appearance and remembered this new person in the state who could not be offended.

Someone like Steward He, who can offend whom in the city and who absolutely cannot, is a man of his word. If Zhuang Jin doesn't recognize him to his face and acts disrespectfully like he did with those people before, then he deserves to be beaten to death, and no one will stand up for him!

“Venerable Zhuang, I can certainly decline! Such a trivial matter could have been handled with a simple note. How could I trouble you to come in person in this weather? This old servant is deeply apprehensive!”

"Your Excellency, please come in and have a cup of tea. Please wait a moment... Oh no, I wouldn't dare trouble Your Excellency to wait. If you have other matters to attend to, you may leave now. This old servant will personally oversee this matter. This afternoon, all loose ends must be properly handled, the documents sent, the Teng family's deposit refunded, the loan cancelled, and compensation for breach of contract paid..."

As Steward He spoke, he looked at Teng Zushou and said, "With such connections, why didn't you say so beforehand? Isn't it like the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple?"

Most of the first-, second-, and third-tier families who booked rooms with the He family didn't have any innate connections, or even if they did, they weren't close enough to invite an Innate Venerable. They certainly wouldn't dare to rip off someone with a similar background. Of course, there would be exceptions. If you could really find a connection with an Innate Venerable, then you could get a refund. But for families like the Teng family, who could invite an Innate Venerable in person, a quick, preferential, and prompt refund was essential, ensuring the 'commoners' felt comfortable, reassured, and satisfied, and providing them with wholehearted service.

Zhuang Jin never expected that he had such great influence that he could solve the extremely difficult problems faced by these first, second, and third-rate families with just a few words. In fact, he had underestimated the status of the Innate Venerable.

Of the 110 million people in Cangzhou, only about 200 are still alive today. If we exclude those who are not in the city or who do not care about external affairs, even fewer are active. They are almost one in a million. How could such people not have face?

Standing behind Zhuang Jin, Teng Zushou was so excited that his face turned red. He felt that he represented Zhuang Jin's dignity, so he straightened his chest, raised his head, and strode forward like a vigorous rooster.

The heads of the first, second, and third-tier families who had come to surround the Teng family and demand refunds did not laugh at all when they saw this scene. Instead, they were filled with envy and marveled at the Teng family's good fortune. Some of them were also clever and wanted to take advantage of Zhuang Jin's influence to get their refunds.

"Didn't Steward He say before that we couldn't leave the He family and had to go to the Xuantian Division?"

"Since the Teng family can back down, I wonder if my family can too?"

“In front of Venerable Zhuang, Steward He, you must speak from your conscience!”

……

Zhuang Jin frowned slightly upon hearing the comment that he was being used as a pawn, and glanced at the crowd.

With just one glance, the people around this person immediately made way, exposing him. His face turned pale, he swayed, and he fainted and was carried away.

"I came here for the sake of the Teng family. Now that the matter is resolved, I will not say any more. Steward He, please do as you please."

He didn't delve into the man's clumsy acting, nor was he a saint, so he naturally didn't bother with other people's business. He politely declined to go in for tea, but didn't leave; he just stood there watching.

Seeing that Zhuang Jin had indicated that he would not participate, Steward He felt relieved and lied through his teeth, saying, "The Teng family's situation is special, so it's a special case."

“Manager He, my family’s situation is also special.” One of them stepped forward and subtly handed over a letter from the Innate Venerable.

"Wow, your situation is indeed special, you can also get a refund!"

"This is also for me. Please be lenient, Steward He." Another person stepped forward and handed over a token from a Primordial Venerable.

"Indeed, your situation is quite unique!"

"My son is on the Hidden Dragon List..."

"Heh, which of the top-tier families here doesn't have a member on the Hidden Dragon Ranking? Your situation isn't special enough!"

……

“I have the seal of the Xuantian Department’s Ascension Pavilion here,” one of them suddenly said.

Some people seemed thoughtful upon hearing this; some lowered their heads instinctively, feeling ashamed as if they had done something wrong; while others seemed to see hope and looked on expectantly.

"This……"

Manager He looked at the seal, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Your situation is special, yet not special enough. In this case, it's hard to say about the principal, but I'll see if I can process a refund for the loan. What do you think?"

Many people were pleasantly surprised by this outcome, while many others looked conflicted.

Zhuang Jin subconsciously thought of the ladies and young women of first-, second-, and third-rate families on the seventh floor and above of the Xuantian Pavilion. After looking around for a while, she shook her head slightly and left with Teng Zushou.

Just then, a loud shout came from behind: "Why is there no trace of the innate true energy of an innate Venerable on your token?!"

"How dare you! You've counterfeited a token of a Celestial Venerable! This is malicious refund! Guards, arrest this scoundrel!"

A commotion immediately erupted.

Zhuang Jin turned around and saw the He family's gate gleaming brightly under the blazing sun. This scene seemed familiar, and she shook her head, thinking to herself, "There's never anything new under this sun!"

……

"Your Excellency's intervention has saved my Teng family. We will never forget your great kindness!" Teng Zushou said gratefully.

"If you run the shop diligently and earn more contribution points for me, that would be the best way to repay me."

As Zhuang Jin spoke, she turned her head to look at the Teng family and said, "Although my first contact with the Teng family was somewhat unpleasant, I hope that there will be no more unpleasantness in the future and that we can have a good beginning and a good end."

These words carry a warning.

Kindness without authority will lead people to become unrestrained and willful; authority without kindness will lead people to fear and distance themselves; only by combining kindness and authority can one effectively manage people.

Zhuang Jin asked himself if he had done everything he could. If he had warned them beforehand, what trouble could the Teng family possibly cause him? They should not say they were not warned.

—The He family, a family with innate talent, can torment a group of first-, second-, and third-rate families to the point of ecstasy. This Venerable Zhuang is just unwilling to cross the line; otherwise, his methods would be even more extreme.

“I will certainly keep your words in mind.” Teng Zushou bowed again.

"Ok!"

Zhuang Jin nodded slightly, recalling the Xuantian Division's Ascension Pavilion seal that the patriarch had just taken out, and asked, "How much do you know about the previous Ascension Pavilion seal?"

He asked 'how much you know,' not 'whether you know.'

"This... Your Excellency, the Ascension Pavilion sent people to probe and inquire. I only learned indirectly that it seems that by signing some kind of contract, one can receive a large sum of contribution points at once, as well as a certain number of vouchers and contribution points every month, and various other benefits. Also, for each order, one can earn points, and how many points can be redeemed for what."

As Teng Zushou spoke, he shook his head and said, "However, I know that there's no such thing as a free lunch, so I refused and didn't participate. That person said that if I encountered any difficulties, I could change my mind at any time and go to him... To be honest, Venerable One, this time, I almost had the thought."

"Is that so?"

Zhuang Jin nodded slightly, roughly understanding that the Ascension Pavilion was using incentives to lure these first-, second-, and third-rate families into willingly offering themselves. However, life is full of hardships and difficulties, and it is hard not to encounter various situations, making it difficult for them to resist the bait and willingly jump into the dinner plate.

……

(End of this chapter)