Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

After the soldiers set down the boxes, Chen Mo cupped his hands towards Cui Shuang with a smile and said, "This must be Commander Cui, right? I apologize for keeping you waiting. Hearing of your arrival, I specially prepared some local specialties for you."

Having said that, Chen Mo pointed at the two boxes.

Then, his gaze fell on the number 232 in red on Cui Shuang's forehead.

If he remembered correctly, when he broke through to the Sixth Grade, his strength was 273, significantly more than forty points higher than his opponent's.

With this comparison in mind, Chen Mo handed his sword to the soldiers, instructing them to step back, "You all step outside and keep a good watch. Don't let any uninvited guests come in."

"You also can leave now." Cui Shuang waved his hand, dismissing the accompanying noblewoman.

With the soldiers and woman gone, only Chen Mo, Zhao Daoxian, and Cui Shuang remained in the room.

Looking at the two boxes of local specialties, Cui Shuang chuckled lightly, "It has long been said that County Magistrate Chen is a remarkable prodigy, entering as a Middle-Grade Martial Artist at just seventeen. Seeing you now proves it true. I am truly impressed."

Cui Shuang raised his wine glass to toast Chen Mo.

"Oh, you flatter me. I should be toasting Commander Cui instead." Chen Mo quickly raised his glass, then said, "I'm hardly a prodigy, more like I just ate a Blood Ginseng and supplemented with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects to luckily reach the Middle Grade, unlike Commander Cui."

"Blood Ginseng!" Cui Shuang's eyes flickered.

"I acquired it from a local wealthy family, but unfortunately, there was only one." Chen Mo smiled.

"Haha, County Magistrate Chen is quite fortunate. Blood Ginseng is a rare treasure in the world; obtaining even one is no easy feat." Cui Shuang replied.

Chen Mo had a few bites of food, noticing that Cui Shuang avoided discussing the main topic, and decided to restate his request, cupping his hands to Cui Shuang, "I beseech Commander Cui and the Commander to stand up for me."

"Oh."

Cui Shuang set down his glass, his gaze sharp upon Chen Mo, "County Magistrate Chen, please proceed."

Chen Mo began to detail He Jinwu's sinister acts and then asked, "Commander Cui, what do you think? Should such a dastardly villain not be killed?"

Cui Shuang's eyes narrowed slightly, glancing at the specialties on the floor, "Naturally, he should be killed."

"But General Yuan surprisingly seeks to shield him, even using He Jinwu's death to demand a hundred thousand coins in compensation from me. How could I possibly have that amount? The Commander ought to understand, as I submitted two hundred thousand coins last time." Chen Mo poured out his grievances.

"A hundred thousand coins?" Cui Shuang slightly frowned, took a sip of his drink, and remarked in a low voice, "I heard County Magistrate Chen is selling fine salt externally, with a jin priced at fifteen hundred cents. Although a hundred thousand coins is quite a lot, it's not as if you couldn't come up with it."

Saying this, Cui Shuang closely watched Chen Mo's eyes.

Chen Mo remained calm, responding:

"Commander Cui may not know this, but fine salt must be refined from coarse salt. A jin of coarse salt can only refine three taels of fine salt. Given the various costs involved in refining, my profit is not much.

Moreover, General Yuan controls the Salt Lake and raises prices, adding that originally my fine salt was sold to Quanyang County, but now with the Righteous Army preparing to move south, the fine salt doesn't sell well. Otherwise, I would not cry poor to the Commander."

Since the other party was already aware of the refined salt matter, Chen Mo knew he couldn't hide it.

Of course, the claim that a jin of coarse salt only refines three taels of fine salt was a lie to deceive Cui Shuang; in reality, it could yield about eight taels.

Upon hearing Chen Mo's admission, Cui Shuang silently finished his drink. He had assumed that if Chen Mo had refined salt, it was likely sourced from somewhere unexpected, not derived from coarse salt. He said, "I didn't expect County Magistrate Chen to possess such a skill; I'd never heard this from you before."

"Alas, it's but a minor venture and requires General Yuan's permission. I never considered the profit significant enough to report to the Commander." Chen Mo replied.

"Is that so?" Cui Shuang picked up his chopsticks to continue eating.

"Of course." Chen Mo toasted Cui Shuang another glass of wine and then continued, "If the Commander requires it, I can offer the method of refining coarse salt into fine salt to the Commander."

Saying this, Chen Mo took out a recipe he had prepared earlier and handed it to Cui Shuang.

Of course, this recipe was a simplified version by Chen Mo; following it would indeed only yield three taels of fine salt from a jin of coarse salt.

Ultimately, the refinement method was known only to him, and the output ratio was for him to dictate.

"Such directness..."

Seeing how readily Chen Mo handed over the recipe, Cui Shuang was momentarily taken aback, feeling a tinge of disdain in his heart.

As a Middle-Grade Martial Artist, to be so spineless, especially since he had a bit of admiration for Chen Mo's youth at achieving this rank.

This disdain, however, went unexpressed. Instead, Cui Shuang took the recipe from Chen Mo, looked over the steps, and asked, "Can this truly refine fine salt from coarse salt?"

"Commander Cui can take it back and let the Commander try it. If it fails to refine, I will offer my head as compensation." Chen Mo replied.

"Very well, the Commander is currently building the Celestial King Hall and desperately needs funds; this method will solve a pressing need. What reward does County Magistrate Chen seek?" Cui Shuang asked.

"Commander Cui over-praises me. If my method aids the Commander, it is my honor, and I dare not accept payment; this is offered to the Commander free of charge."

"Excellent." Cui Shuang looked at Chen Mo, clapping with laughter, then added, "County Magistrate Chen, you are very generous. For offering such a significant aid to the Commander, a reward is assured.

I've heard County Magistrate Chen needs Red Copper, so how about this—I will discuss with the Commander to sell it to you at a price thirty percent lower than the market rate."

"Ah?"

Chen Mo feigned surprise, then stood up and toasted Commander Cui another cup, promptly saying, "Then thank the Commander... no, thank Commander Cui. Commander Cui is truly my savior.

If this can truly be achieved, I am willing to offer ten percent of the total cost of purchasing the Red Copper as a token of gratitude to Commander Cui."

Upon hearing this, Cui Shuang's heart jolted; ten percent might not sound like much, but if Chen Mo were to purchase a thousand jin of Red Copper, assuming a price of ten thousand coins, he'd receive a thousand coins from it.

This is a thousand coins gained for nothing.

Cui Shuang's smile grew broader as he said, "County Magistrate Chen, rest assured, this matter is on me."

"Come, let me offer a toast to Commander Cui again."

Chen Mo and Zhao Daoxian stood up together and toasted.

After reaching an agreement, the atmosphere in the room became relaxed.

During the conversation, seeing Cui Shuang's frequent glances at the two wooden boxes, Chen Mo walked over and opened the box containing the jewels.

In an instant, the jewelry inside the box dazzled everyone's eyes.

Seeing this, Cui Shuang liked Chen Mo more and more, seeing him like the Sudhana, shimmering with golden light all over.

As the saying goes, 'Repay a peach with a plum.' Having taken so much money from Chen Mo, to set his mind at ease, Cui Shuang said, "County Magistrate Chen, rest assured, the matter of He Jinwu is settled. As for the coarse salt, I will also speak to General Yuan and ask him to sell it to you below market price."

Chen Mo thanked him again, then signaled Zhao Daoxian with a glance.

Zhao Daoxian left the room and brought back the Purple Gold Tower's courtesan who had just been called out.

A banquet extended from the afternoon until dusk.

Cui Shuang, with a flushed face and dazed eyes, still wanted to become sworn brothers with Chen Mo.

Under Chen Mo's arrangement, the courtesan from the Purple Gold Tower assisted him to rest in Wanhe Building, instructed the courtesan to serve him well, and ordered the two wooden boxes to be carried in as well.

...

Exiting Wanhe Building, a breeze of the evening wind blew, and Chen Mo shook his head to clear it a bit. He glanced back at Wanhe Building, a glint in his eyes: "Yang Minggui, Yuan Youchun..."

Although he voluntarily offered the method for refining coarse salt, no matter how righteous it seemed, it couldn't change the essence of forceful buying and selling.

If he didn't give it, trouble would surely follow.

And all of this was instigated by Yuan Youchun.

Holding the Tang blade handed by the soldier, he looked at the system panel.

[Name: Chen Mo.]

[Age: 17.]

[Cultivation Technique: Purple Sun Transformation Skill (Proficient 472.3/10000).]

[Realm: Qi Absorption (Fifth Grade)]

[Power: 712+75.]

[Skills: Great Sun Qi Slash (Basic 425866/5000000), Cloud-Chasing Arrow (Intermediate 568/50000).]

Looking up again at the blurry moonlight, Chen Mo whispered in his heart: "What was consumed, someday you'll have to spit out fully."

...

The next day.

Cui Shuang gently removed the jade arms coiled around him and sat up slowly. Seeing the two girls still asleep, he scanned the room, quickly going over to open the two boxes upon seeing them.

One box of jewels, one box of copper coins.

Cui Shuang smiled, thinking Chen Mo was very sensible.

After washing, Cui Shuang learned from his subordinates that Chen Mo had prepared a sumptuous breakfast for them, with plenty of fish and meat.

This made Cui Shuang even more delighted, feeling Chen Mo's respect towards him from the treatment.

As he departed, Chen Mo personally led people to send him off.

After leaving Ping Court County, Cui Shuang led his people to Qingtian County, arriving at Qingtian County Town by the afternoon.

Upon entering the town, the carriage was bumped by people from the Tiger Swift Army.

It turned out to be several drunk soldiers of the Tiger Swift Army, who refused to pay after drinking, and when the tavern owner stepped up to ask, they beat him up, thus bumping into Cui Shuang's carriage.

Cui Shuang naturally wouldn't interfere in such matters; he had often seen them in Xia Lin.

However, his initially good mood was somewhat spoiled by this incident.

When Yuan Youchun learned of Cui Shuang's arrival, he hastened to welcome him.

He also prepared a banquet.

At the banquet, seeing the dishes far less than those in Ping Court County, Cui Shuang's interest waned further. When he noticed that Yuan Youchun hadn't prepared any specialties for him, his face turned cold immediately. After just a few bites, he said:

"The Commander has spoken; the matter between you and Chen Mo ends here. The Celestial Master Army will head south soon; unity is paramount. If you act recklessly and news spreads, where will that leave the Commander's reputation?"

Yuan Youchun was taken aback, then exclaimed urgently: "So Jin Wu died in vain? He was my adopted son."

"I've thoroughly investigated this matter, and your adopted son was at fault first. Moreover, your adopted son killed four people and injured more than ten from the other side. They have not sought recompense from you and even compensated your adopted son's funeral expenses. What more do you want?"