Chapter 188: Proposing Cooperation, The President’s Demand

Qin Xiao had no idea why President Ling would say such a thing, but there was bound to be a misunderstanding.

He had never done anything to wrong the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, let alone Ling Ruoxue. If anything, she was the one who had swindled him out of quite a few Spirit Stones.

“Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not is no longer important. I’d like to make a deal with you. How about it?”

Ling Hongwen naturally had no desire to dwell on the matter with Qin Xiao, cutting straight to the point.

“A deal? What kind of deal?”

Qin Xiao was completely baffled. Everything had been going smoothly; why bring up a deal out of nowhere?

“The deal is simple. Every era has its prodigies. You seem to have both talent and good fortune, and if I am right, you are one of this era’s prodigies. The Immortal Dao Merchant Association is willing to invest in you. Our only condition is that you stay away from Ruoxue.”

Ling Hongwen did not beat around the bush, stating his demand plainly.

Every hundred years brought a new generation of prodigies. The association had invested in many, growing stronger in the process. Yet prodigies were often the most likely to die: a tree that towers above the forest catches the wind.

Fortunately, the Immortal Dao Merchant Association had enjoyed good fortune; none of its past investments had resulted in a loss, turning the practice into a standing custom of the association.

“Ah, thank you for the praise, President Ling. This junior can hardly be considered a prodigy, and receiving the help of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association would be my honor. But as for this condition… this junior doesn’t quite understand. Young Miss Ling and I have always been good friends. Why would the President wish for me to keep my distance from her?”

Qin Xiao was pleased to hear Ling Hongwen offer to invest in him, but the final condition baffled him. What did it mean?

“Frankly, I have high hopes for you. You spent three years in obscurity, then rose far faster than earlier prodigies. Your talent is extraordinary. Unless you die prematurely, you will one day stand among the very best. Besides, you saved Wushuang’s life.”

“Even so, the greater your potential, the higher the likelihood of your downfall. That is the harsh law left behind by countless fallen prodigies. I do not care much for family background or matching social status. It is simply that Ruoxue is destined to take over the management of the Ling Family’s businesses in the future, and being involved with you would place her in grave danger.”

Without spelling out every underlying reason, Ling Hongwen first affirmed Qin Xiao’s worth before turning the focus back to Ling Ruoxue.

“If that is the reason, then this junior naturally agrees. After all, she has helped me immensely, and I have no wish to see her harmed on my account.”

Having heard him out, Qin Xiao gave a nod.

“Then I shall take it that you agree.” Find the original chapter at novelping.com.

Ling Hongwen had not expected Qin Xiao to be so oblivious. Had he misunderstood the situation?

“In the future, should you require assistance or wish to conduct a transaction, you may deal directly with Wushuang. As for Ruoxue, I will have her sent to another district to undergo training.”

With that, Ling Hongwen proceeded to discuss matters of future cooperation, instructing Qin Xiao to seek out Ling Wushuang whenever the need arose.

Ling Hongwen could hardly be blamed for thinking this way. He had his own difficulties.

His own cultivation aptitude had been exceptionally high. He had pursued the Dao relentlessly, reaching the peak of the Great Ascension stage before the age of five hundred. When further advancement toward Tribulation Transcendence proved hopeless, he had returned to the family to inherit the position of head.

Only then did he take a wife and father children-perhaps the ultimate destination for even the most monstrous geniuses was to settle down to family life, a fate from which even a peak Great Ascension expert could not escape.

When he first married, Ling Hongwen did not immediately have children; he wanted to try advancing once more. After another sixty years, he finally accepted his limits. Ling Wushuang was born over forty years ago.

Although Ling Wushuang possessed commendable talent, he had been groomed primarily with commerce in mind, leaving him at only the late Nascent Soul stage even in his forties.

Twenty-one years ago, Ling Hongwen welcomed his eldest daughter, Ling Ruoxue. Her initial aptitude was mediocre, and from a young age, she showed little interest in cultivation, preferring to busy herself around the merchant association instead.

Since she was his daughter, Ling Hongwen had not deliberately groomed her for the business. Instead, he urged her to cultivate. But she kept slipping away, and eventually he let her do as she pleased.

Seventeen years ago, his younger daughter, Ling Ruoyue, was born. Upon testing her spiritual roots at the age of seven, she directly awakened a top-grade Heavenly Spirit Root and was promptly taken in as a disciple by the number one sect in the cultivation world, the Heavenly Immortal Sect. In the decade since, she had only returned home twice.

He had great hopes for his eldest son, Ling Wushuang, and wanted him to achieve great things and shoulder the Ling Family’s responsibilities.

He felt guilt and longing toward his youngest daughter. She had joined a sect as a small child, and they had precious few chances to see each other.

Consequently, the only child who remained by his side year-round was this somewhat willful eldest daughter, making her the object of his deepest indulgence.

Not long ago, Ling Wushuang had informed him of a desire to step away from the merchant association to dedicate himself entirely to cultivation and the pursuit of the Dao.

Ling Hongwen had not agreed, but he knew the boy was his son indeed, so like himself in his younger days. Even so, he began preparing for the change by having Ling Ruoxue formally take part in running the association.

Once Ling Ruoxue fully understood the business, he would let his son focus on cultivation and leave the commercial side to her. To give her experience, he had allowed her to choose a city in which to learn.

As it happened, Ling Ruoxue chose Tianyuan City, which was where she crossed paths with Qin Xiao. Follow the newest chapters on novelping . com.

If they were merely ordinary friends, Ling Hongwen would not interfere. More friends meant more business, after all.

Even if a minor genius were to win his daughter’s genuine affection, though he might initially intervene, he would ultimately yield if his daughter remained steadfast and their feelings proved true. Backed by the resources of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, the two of them could live out their lives without care.

Yet the person in question was Qin Xiao. A monster of this caliber might scale unimaginable heights, and investing his daughter into his future could yield boundless returns. But he would gladly forfeit such returns if it meant keeping his daughter safe from harm. Perhaps such peculiar thoughts only took root once a man became a father.

People often said that merchants chased profit above all else, caring nothing for risk or investment so long as the returns were great. But that was the nature of a mere merchant, not a father.

These sentiments could not be spoken aloud. Recognizing Qin Xiao’s potential and wishing to avoid an enmity, he had chosen this euphemistic approach instead.

“Thank you for your support, President Ling. This junior will certainly know how to repay this kindness.”

Qin Xiao still did not understand exactly what was going on, but the explanation seemed reasonable. He could hardly fail to appreciate the goodwill, so he hurried to thank the president.

“One more thing. The Governor-General is a decent man, but you should still be careful. Never reveal all your secrets. If you want to develop safely, keep some wariness toward everyone. I would very much like to see you grow.”

Noticing how sensible the young man was being, Ling Hongwen offered a final word of parting advice.

“Thank you for the advice, President. I will remember it. There is something I wanted to ask: who is this powerful figure backing Chen Shunyi? Aren’t you worried about offending him by inviting me to your home?”

Qin Xiao finally asked what had been puzzling him.

“You need not worry about that. The Immortal Dao Merchant Association is open for business. Whoever you offend, we will still trade with you. And even if that offends them, so what? We do not need anyone else’s permission. Unless, of course, you directly offend the Celestial Emperor. Then forget about our association—not a soul in the world would dare do business with you.”

Ling Hongwen smiled and shook his head. He did not directly identify the man behind Chen Shunyi, unwilling to burden Qin Xiao with too much pressure now. In any case, that man could not openly act against Qin Xiao.

“So that is how it stands. That is a relief; I was briefly concerned that I might have brought trouble to the association, which would have been entirely my fault.”

Although Qin Xiao had not learned what he wanted, he could tell the association was powerful enough not to fear his adversary. Perhaps the man was not so formidable after all.

“Very well. If you have no further questions, you may go and stroll through the Inner City. With the Supreme Membership Card of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association in your possession, you are free to move about the inner grounds as you please, provided you refrain from causing trouble. Oh, and if you are not in an immediate rush to return, leave Man’er here with me for the time being. You may fetch her when you are ready to depart.”

Ling Hongwen had anticipated a long, drawn-out conversation with Qin Xiao, only for the matter to be settled in a few brief exchanges. With business concluded, there was no need to detain his guest further. Preferring his customary peace and quiet, he gave his instructions and retained Yun Man.