Chapter 201: Luo Family’s Choice, Ji Ci Arrives

Luo Kaijie had wrestled with the decision all night.

After Qin Xiao left, the Luo sisters tried to persuade him. They painted Xiao Wenli as a scheming villain and praised Qin Xiao’s loyalty and generosity.

Once he had calmed down, Luo Kaijie knew all that. But the world did not work that way. You sided with whoever was stronger, not whoever was right.

Between the Heir Apparent and Qin Xiao, even a fool knew to side with the Heir Apparent. Even if the Heir Apparent wronged the Luo family, they could only swallow their anger; otherwise, the consequences would be far worse than just being wronged.

At last, the Luo sisters had no choice but to reveal that they were both Qin Xiao’s disciples. If it came to it, they said, they would firmly support him as individuals and would not drag the family into it.

Was this not pure folly? If the two of them sided with Qin Xiao, did that not mean the Luo family was taking his side as well? However, Luo Kaijie thought better of it. Bing’er and Shuang’er were not only prodigies of the Luo family, but also of the Mysterious Yin Sect. Surely the Heir Apparent would not dare to truly move against them.

As long as the sisters were safe, the heir apparent would not dare to make a mortal enemy of the Luo Family. Qin Xiao had killed a Grand Commander and come through it; his backing must be formidable too. Perhaps they could change sides.

Still, Luo Kaijie wanted to see how things developed first. That was why he had come to the square today.

Now the Immortal Dao Merchant Association had taken a stand. If it was behind Qin Xiao, the Luo Family might benefit too. With the association facing the pressure first, the family would have much less to bear.

He had little choice. Whatever the family decided, Bing’er and Shuang’er would side with Qin Xiao. His options were limited.

After much agonizing, Luo Kaijie decided to take the gamble. That was how this scene came about.

“Senior Luo, what is the meaning of this?”

Qin Xiao was baffled by the sudden offer. The heir apparent had just lost his temper—was the Luo Family really coming forward now?

“Young Master Qin, Bing’er and Shuang’er have already explained everything to me. You showed kindness to our Luo family, and we will naturally offer our assistance. If you require manpower to construct the manor, our family has no shortage of cultivators who can lend a hand.”

Since Luo Kaijie had made his choice, there was no room for regret. This was a high-stakes gamble. If they lost, the Luo family might face a temporary decline, but as long as Bing’er and Shuang’er grew stronger, the family would rise again. If they won, given Qin Xiao’s rate of development, the benefits to the Luo family would be immense.

“Then thank you, Senior.”

Qin Xiao had wanted to take things slowly. Now his hand had been forced. He could only press on.

With that, Qin Xiao concluded the recruitment and flew toward his newly acquired territory alongside those who had already been enlisted.

Ling Wushuang returned to the Immortal Dao Merchant Association as well, seeing as he still needed to assist Qin Xiao in locating Master Ji Ci.

Luo Kaijie headed straight back to the Luo family estate to assemble manpower for the construction of Qin Xiao’s manor.

Although many people had lacked the courage or inclination to apply for the work, they were certainly bold enough to watch the spectacle. Hearing that Qin Xiao had purchased three thousand mu of land to build a manor, they all wanted to see what he was up to.

A large crowd soon trailed behind Qin Xiao toward his property. You are reading on novelping(.)com, the official source.

Upon arrival, they found that rows of crude wooden shelters had indeed been erected.

To call them houses was an overstatement; they consisted merely of upright tree trunks serving as pillars, crossed with a few beams overhead and covered by dense layers of branches. They scarcely even qualified as sheds.

“Li Liangping? Is this how you handle things for me?”

Qin Xiao was annoyed. This was too slapdash. It might offer a place to rest, but it would not do.

“This subordinate is here, Young Master.”

Seeing Qin Xiao call out to him, Li Liangping hurried forward to answer.

“Explain this to me.”

Qin Xiao pointed toward the row of shed-like structures.

“Young Master, these are temporary. For some reason the workers did not stop to rest last night. They came straight here and arrived at midnight. Only four of us can fly on swords, so we flew to the woods to cut trees, and everyone put together a place to rest. The workers were exhausted when they arrived. The Qi Condensation cultivators helped build these.”

“Rest assured, Young Master, I guarantee all proper houses will be built today. Once the men head out to work later, I will go into the city to procure materials. Before nightfall, we will have decent quarters ready.”

Li Liangping wiped away sweat as he explained, seeing Qin Xiao’s displeasure. Last night there had been too little time. He had not expected the workers to arrive at midnight. Making shelter for hundreds of people in the dark, he had done his best.

“Very well. If that is the case, no harm done. Later, go to my disciple to collect silver. Whatever you purchase must be itemized; there must be a clear ledger for all expenses.”

After hearing Li Liangping’s explanation, Qin Xiao understood. Four Foundation Establishment cultivators and a few dozen at Qi Condensation had put this together in two or three shichen. That was not bad, given that the workers had arrived at midnight.

“Many thanks for your understanding, Young Master. This subordinate will see it done properly.”

When Qin Xiao did not blame him, Li Liangping breathed a sigh of relief.

“Young Master, we are all fully rested. What are our duties for today?”

Noticing Qin Xiao’s arrival, Pan San stepped forward to inquire. Since they had come, they naturally intended to work.

“Here is what we will do. First, separate out half of the men with greater physical stamina to stay behind and assist with constructing the dormitories. The rest will head to the riverbank beach. I will have Xiao Li purchase sand-panning tools shortly. Your task is to sift through the river sand and separate out the white or colorless grains-even those with a slight whitish hue will do.”

Qin Xiao issued their very first assignment: panning for sand.

“Sand-panning? All of us?”

Pan San wondered if he had misheard. Had they not been brought here to build a manor? Why were they suddenly panning for sand?

“Yes, wash sand. The wages are the same; you won’t lose a single coin. Rest for now, since we don’t have tools yet. Have you all eaten breakfast?”

Qin Xiao confirmed it. He looked around and saw no sign of cooking, so he asked about breakfast. Visit novelping.com for the full chapter.

“Young Master, we generally do not eat morning meals. Providing a single meal at noon is more than enough. If there happens to be some thin porridge in the evening, that is even better.”

Pan San quickly clarified.

Although the Young Master had promised food and lodging, they could not shamelessly demand breakfast as well. Usually, employers only provided lunch and dinner-principally lunch, as failing to eat enough then would leave them weak by afternoon and the following morning.

“That won’t do. This world may have no labor laws, but I’m a decent young man. How could I exploit you like that? Wait here; I’ll send someone to buy breakfast. From tomorrow, you’ll get three meals a day. Late-night food isn’t included, but I’ll bring in some vendors. If you’re hungry at night, you can buy a snack.”

Qin Xiao rejected Pan San’s suggestion. What a joke! He had been worked like a beast of burden in his previous life; he knew how hard it was, especially for manual laborers. If he would not even feed them enough, was he still human?

“Little Li, come here. From now on, you’ll handle the buying. Whatever we need, you’ll buy it. You don’t need to do the other work—just the purchasing.”

Qin Xiao beckoned Li Liangping over once more.

“Understood, this subordinate guarantees the task will be completed. Even if I must forgo rest, I will ensure Young Master is satisfied.”

Never expecting to be elevated to a management position, Li Liangping hastily pledged his loyalty.

“Remember: get a few hundred sand-washing tools, with the smallest holes you can find. Choose the supplies for the dormitories yourself. And buy breakfast first—plenty of it. Go now.”

Qin Xiao had yet to determine all his requirements, so he decided to take things one step at a time, starting with breakfast for the workers.

Yun Man immediately handed Li Liangping one million taels of silver. Securing the funds, Li Liangping took flight toward Middle City.

Yun Man had always kept the ordinary silver.

“Many thanks, Young Master! Many thanks! You are truly our benefactor, providing us with work while raising our wages and supplying breakfast. On behalf of all the workers, I thank you, Young Master!”

Seeing Qin Xiao really send Li Liangping for breakfast, Pan San hurried over, knelt, and kowtowed in thanks. Where else could they find an employer like this?

Major factions had hired them to build estates before, but after several layers of subcontracting, their working conditions were not good. This time they could deal directly with the employer—and such a kind one. They must have done something to deserve this good fortune.

“Get up. No kneeling. You earn your wages by working. You are not my slaves, and I am not your master. In this life, kneeling to heaven and earth and to your parents is enough. We don’t do this here.”

Seeing Pan San drop to his knees again, Qin Xiao sharply commanded him to rise.

“I was foolish, Young Master. You are right.”

Pan San hurried to his feet, afraid to kneel again.

“Haha, Young Friend Qin, you are indeed extraordinary. Well said: kneeling to heaven and earth and to your parents is enough. I admire you more and more.”

As Qin Xiao was speaking, Master Ji Ci came over.