Becoming a god starts with one certificate becoming eternal.

Chapter 558 Old Price Archives, Business Revisited

Cui Qingyan reached out and took the martial arts manual.

She didn't turn the page any further, only looking at the few pages she had just looked at.

After a moment, he said:

"Shaoheng."

Cui Shaoheng looked up:

"Young Miss".

"When Uncle Wenli returned, he brought back Ye Xiao's words of refusal."

She looked up:

"He just said that you turned back and said a few words to Ye Xiao before you left."

Cui Shaoheng paused slightly.

Cui Qingyan looked at him: "He didn't elaborate on those few sentences."

"What did you say?"

Cui Shaoheng did not answer immediately.

Cui Wenli glanced at him.

The moment that glance landed on him, Cui Shaoheng knew he couldn't hide it anymore.

"It's nothing."

"It was just a few angry words."

Cui Qingyan said:

Tell me about it.

The hall fell silent.

Cui Shaoheng's lips moved slightly, but in the end, Cui Wenli spoke first:

"He said the gates of the royal city aren't always open." Cui Qingyan's fingertips paused.

Cui Wenli continued:

"Today is Cui's delivery route."

"Next time, Ye Xiao may not even be qualified to stand in front of the door."

Cui Qingyan did not speak immediately.

She glanced at Cui Shaoheng first:

"Did I tell you to say that?"

Cui Shaoheng's face stiffened slightly:

"no."

"Did Uncle Wenli ask you to say that?"

"...No, not exactly."

Cui Qingyan nodded: "That's your own statement."

Cui Shaoheng remained silent.

Cui Qingyan's tone remained calm:

"If you don't like him, that's your business. If you want to argue with him or fight with him, that's also your business."

She tapped her fingertip lightly on the table.

"But I heard that Uncle Li was sent by me to deliver the message that day."

"I'm not telling you to use the Cui family's influence to pressure someone who refuses to cooperate."

Cui Shaoheng pursed his lips tightly:

"At the time, I was just—"

"I can't stand it."

Cui Qingyan finished speaking for him.

"I know." She didn't continue the lecture, only saying:

"So remember this today."

"From now on, when you handle external affairs for the family, if no one asks you to speak up for the Cui family, then don't speak for them."

Cui Shaoheng was silent for a moment:

"……knew."

Cui Qingyan didn't say anything more, but just lowered his head and opened the martial arts record.

The records I've kept along the way have covered everything from Jiuyipo to Wangcheng.

"I was the one who asked Uncle Wenli to investigate him back then."

"I was the one who later sent Uncle Wenli to Tianyuan to deliver the route."

Her fingertip hovered over the last page:

"I wasn't mistaken about the person."

Cui Shaoheng looked up. Cui Qingyan said:

"After Jiuyipo, I felt he was worth keeping an eye on."

"Later, I asked Uncle Wenli to show me the way because I felt he could rise in rank."

She paused for a moment.

"I just didn't expect it."

"He left so quickly."

Cui Shaoheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly said:

"We're moving fast, but only for now."

Cui Qingyan looked up.

Cui Shaoheng placed his hand on the scabbard, as if he had finally found something to fight for:

"He is still at the peak of the Zhen Gang realm."

"Not even half a step into the Grandmaster realm." This time, Cui Wenli did not respond immediately.

Cui Shaoheng continued:

"There are people who can progress quickly in the Six Realms."

"You only know if you can cross that threshold when you actually stand before it."

He glanced at the battle report on the table:

"Moreover, array formations are no trivial art."

"On the contrary."

"Which array master truly rises to the top with ease?"

Cui Wenli raised his eyes.

Cui Shaoheng said:

"Martial arts require overcoming one's own limitations."

"The path of the formation must also be ascended." "He's moving quickly on both sides now, so of course he looks impressive."

"But the further you go, the more effort you'll have to put in with each step."

He tapped his knuckles lightly on the scabbard:

"In the end, a person is only one person."

"The door to martial arts won't open on its own just because he knows formations."

"The major hurdles on the array will not be reduced just because his blade is fast."

The hall fell silent.

At this point, Cui Shaoheng's tone became more resolute:

"I admit he's strong now."

"One can go from the perfect state of Zhen Gang to the half-step, and then from the half-step, one can truly knock on the door of the Grandmaster."

"So many people waste their entire lives here."

"He has two paths to take simultaneously." "It will only get harder."

After listening, Cui Wenli nodded.

"These few sentences aren't exactly nonsense."

Cui Shaoheng raised his eyebrows slightly.

Cui Wenli said:

"The art of array formations is not some minor, unorthodox skill."

"To truly reach the top, you need mental strength, resources, and insight—all are indispensable."

"Martial arts are the same."

He glanced at Cui Shaoheng:

"So you're right to say that it's difficult to run two roads at the same time."

Cui Shaoheng's expression finally improved:

"That's why I said—" "Isn't it a bit premature to think too highly of him now?"

"You've mixed up two things again."

Cui Qingyan spoke.

Cui Shaoheng stopped speaking.

Cui Qingyan looked at him:

"Where his two paths lead in the future is another matter."

"What's worth today is a matter for today."

Cui Shaoheng frowned.

Cui Qingyan pointed to the martial arts record on the table:

"We've already secured the 100 seats."

He then pointed to several settlement reports on the side:

"The formation is already complete." "So what if he hasn't even taken a single step in martial arts, nor has he reached a truly high level in formation mastery?"

"Others are already willing to offer him high-grade pills, forging materials, and aggregates to help him."

"These are not guesses."

She looked up at Cui Shaoheng:

"You're using a door that you might not be able to get through in a few years to suppress what you've already accomplished today."

"This is not called valuation."

"Call for a bet."

Cui Shaoheng did not respond.

Cui Qingyan continued:

"Of course, the Cui family can gamble on the future."

"But we can't treat guesses as facts that have already happened."

"If he really gets stuck at the Grandmaster level, then the price will be calculated based on that price." "If he gets past it..."

She paused for a moment.

"The same applies; we'll recalculate."

Cui Shaoheng stared at the martial arts manual for a moment, still somewhat unconvinced:

"Let's wait until he actually gets to that door before we talk about it."

"Can."

Cui Qingyan answered decisively:

"We'll start calculating from whichever step we reach."

Cui Shaoheng did not respond.

After a while, he looked again at the martial arts record on the table:

"Then let's do as Miss wishes."

"Weren't the conditions the Cui family offered him low back then?" "No."

Cui Qingyan closed the martial arts manual:

"At the time, it wasn't low."

"Bring the old files here."

The steward responded and left the main hall.

Not long after, an old envelope was returned to the table.

The cover had creases at the corners, but the pages inside were well preserved.

Cui Qingyan pulled it out and read it from beginning to end.

It was included in the Cui family's military register.

Not a death pact.

For the first three years, he was registered under the Cui family.

The Cui family has given an order, and it must be obeyed. The road to the royal city.

The arrangements for family members.

The care of the Star Hall.

All the conditions that Cui Wenli brought to Tianyuan were still in effect.

Cui Qingyan laid the old paper flat on the table, and then pulled out two reward slips from under several reports of battle affairs.

A list of cash, high-level pills, and high-level casting materials.

Another list included array materials and exotic beast bones, with a note at the end stating that high-level items would be given priority.

The old paper is on the left.

The new order is on the right.

Cui Shaoheng glanced at it:

"The reward for a single battle can compare to the Cui family's support for three years?"

"No," Cui Qingyan replied quickly.

"Not at all."

Her fingertips touched the old paper:

"But what was truly valuable about this condition back then wasn't a few bottles of pills or a few pieces of material."

"It is the road."

"Ye Xiao was still in Tianyuan at that time."

"How do we enter the royal city? Where do we find resources at a higher level? How do we settle our family members?"

"He lacks all of these."

"The Cui family can provide it."

Cui Qingyan looked up:

"So back then, negotiating a three-year nominal appointment was a reasonable price."

Cui Wenli nodded. He had personally gone to negotiate that time.

This road was indeed significant at the time.

If someone else were sitting in the Hall of Stars, they might not be so willing to refuse.

Cui Shaoheng asked:

"And now?"

Cui Qingyan did not answer.

She reopened the martial arts manual and pushed it next to the old paper.

Yuanwu Mountain.

Zhenyue Peak.

The 90th seat in the 100-seat series.

The two payment slips are still there.

Cash. Elixir.

Casting materials.

aggregate.

Cui Shaoheng watched for a while, then his brows gradually furrowed.

Cui Qingyan then said:

"The road that the Cui family actually traded for three years of his life."

"He's already figured it out on his own."

She pointed to the martial arts manual:

"He now has a place in the sect."

He then pointed to several reports summarizing the battle operations:

"The people have already arrived in the royal city."

Finally, his fingertip landed on two bills: "As for resources."

"Now someone has listed out what they can offer and sent it to the Shang family."

"Let him choose."

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Cui Shaoheng still said:

"That's just routine stuff."

Cui Wenli glanced at him:

"For Ye Xiao, it really just means having another way to exchange resources."

"But for the Cui family, it's different."

Cui Shaoheng turned his head:

"What's different?"

Cui Wenli didn't explain, but simply pushed the old piece of paper in front of him. Cui Shaoheng lowered his head.

Three years.

The name is Cui.

The Cui family has given an order, which must be obeyed.

Look to the side.

Build a formation.

The price has been settled.

The person then left.

This time, he stared for a long time without saying a word.

Cui Wenli asked:

"Are you still going to use this to negotiate?"

Cui Shaoheng raised his head: "The Cui family is still the Cui family."

"Therefore, we absolutely cannot sell at the old price."

It was Cui Qingyan who spoke.

Her tone remained calm:

"The original terms were correct."

"I'll take it again today."

"It's old."

Cui Shaoheng looked at her.

Cui Qingyan's gaze fell on the martial arts manual:

"What I miscalculated was how long it would take him to walk this road."

Cui Wenli's eyes flickered slightly.

Cui Shaoheng finally calmed down. That night at Jiuyipo.

The man covered in blood, leading a horse past the Cui family's entourage.

Now they are sitting in the royal city.

Cui Qingyan looked at the old terms again.

She certainly remembered the exact words Uncle Wenli brought back back back then.

Don't go.

My name is not displayed under anyone else's name.

The name is not displayed.

I will walk my own path.

She had heard these things before.

The one I've never heard before is the last sentence.

Cui Qingyan looked up: "As for what you said before you left..."

Cui Shaoheng's eyelids twitched slightly.

"What was Ye Xiao's reply?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Cui Shaoheng was silent for a moment:

"...Then we'll wait until next time."

Cui Qingyan remained silent.

Their gaze returned to Wu Lu.

Old post.

Standing on the edge of the abyss.

Yuanwu Mountain.

Royal City. That "next time" from back then.

It's already here.

Cui Wenli suddenly chuckled.

not heavy.

Cui Shaoheng's face immediately darkened further:

"Uncle Wenli, laugh if you want to."

I wasn't laughing at you.

"Then what are you laughing at?"

Cui Wenli looked at the military records on the table:

"It just feels like this time, it'll come faster than we expected."

Cui Shaoheng did not answer.

This time, even Cui Qingyan's eyes held a hint of a smile. It quickly faded again.

She bent down, folded the old terms and conditions, and put them back in the envelope.

"Return to old file".

The steward immediately stepped forward to take it, then hesitated for a moment:

"Young Miss, aren't you going to keep these for future use?"

"Not keeping them."

Cui Qingyan released her grip:

"Don't sell it either."

She glanced at the envelope:

"If we ever sit at the same table again in the future, let us remember it."

"What price did the Cui family initially offer?"

The steward's expression turned serious: "Understood."

Cui Shaoheng looked up:

"We're not going to talk about it anymore?"

"Who said we won't talk?"

"Then what are we talking about?"

Cui Qingyan looked at the two service fee lists on the table.

"Business."

Two words were uttered.

Cui Shaoheng was slightly taken aback.

Cui Wenli already understood.

Cui Qingyan said:

"What does he lack, and what does the Cui family possess?" "What does the Cui family need, and can he do it?"

"Speak the facts."

"Put the prices out there."

"Let's talk if we can."

Cui Shaoheng frowned:

"that's all?"

"Otherwise what?"

Cui Qingyan glanced at him:

"Would you trade him three years for a path he'd already walked?"

Cui Shaoheng was completely speechless.

Cui Wenli looked at the old envelope in the steward's hand:

"It really looks bad." Cui Shaoheng turned his head.

"Uncle Wenli."

"Um?"

"Do we have to say every single word today?"

"You asked."

Cui Shaoheng shut up.

Cui Qingyan ignored them.

After the steward had carried the old files to the door, she said:

"If there are any suitable matters in the future, you can also submit them to the Shang family."

Cui Wenli asked:

"In the name of the Cui family?"

"Write it if you need to." "There's no need to hide it."

Cui Shaoheng frowned:

"Should we submit it in the name of the Cui family, following the same rules as the Shang family?"

Cui Qingyan looked up:

"Since we're hiring someone to do something, we should clearly state the task and the price first."

Whether he answers or not is his business.

She paused for a moment.

"If you really want people to make a purchase, first set your price high enough to attract attention."

Cui Shaoheng remained silent for a moment.

This time, he didn't say anything more.

Cui Qingyan did not let the matter rest.

"And you." Cui Shaoheng looked up, a sudden sense of foreboding rising in his heart:

"I?"

"I'll make sure you remember what happened just now."

Cui Qingyan looked at him:

"I'm not asking you to just say it."

Cui Shaoheng's expression changed slightly.

Cui Qingyan turned to Cui Wenli:

"Uncle Wenli."

"Young Miss".

"Starting tomorrow, Shaoheng will handle foreign affairs with you."

Cui Shaoheng was taken aback:

"Young Miss?" Cui Qingyan ignored him.

"Deliver the contract, verify the deed, and agree on the price."

"Watch everything you need to watch."

"Learn everything that needs to be learned."

She looked at Cui Shaoheng again:

"Uncle Wenli did not nod."

"From now on, when handling foreign affairs, you are not allowed to speak on behalf of the Cui family to outsiders."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

This time, Cui Shaoheng was truly stunned:

"This also warrants a penalty?"

"certainly."

Cui Qingyan said, "It's your business how you want to say what you're saying in anger."

"If you use the Cui family's name, then it's not true."

Her tone remained mild, but it left him no room for negotiation:

"When will Uncle Wenli think that you can distinguish which words are your own and which words can represent the Cui family?"

"When will this matter be over?"

Cui Shaoheng opened his mouth, but finally looked at Cui Wenli.

Cui Wenli remained calm:

"See, I'm useless."

Cui Shaoheng's face turned completely dark:

"Uncle Wenli."

"Um?"

"Were you waiting for this line?" Cui Wenli thought for a moment:

"no."

Cui Shaoheng stared at him.

Cui Wenli added another sentence:

"But it sounds pretty good now."

Cui Shaoheng: "..."

Cui Qingyan looked at him:

"Any more objections?"

Cui Shaoheng remained silent for a long time before finally lowering his head.

"no."

"Do you know you were wrong?"

Cui Shaoheng's lips tightened slightly: "...I understand."

Cui Qingyan then withdrew his gaze.

The matter was not mentioned again.

She picked up the martial arts manual again.

Crossing the abyss.

We crossed the Yuanwu Mountain and sat on a hundred mats.

My fingertip finally stopped on the newly added page.

Wangcheng Town Commander, Deputy Envoy Assistant, and Mountain Gate Recommendation Officer.