Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen – Proposals.

Xiulan felt awfully embarrassed. Fu Jinjing was busy cleaning up her small new workshop. Xiulan had wanted to buy a grand workspace for her but she really could not afford one. Of the forty thousand she had tricked from the Kang Clan she had only had a few thousand left by the time she got around to purchasing a workshop.  

She had started the day still flush with gold but the blacksmithing techniques she had purchased for Fu Jinjing had not been cheap. They were a set of separately sold Earth grade techniques designed to enable different parts of the forging process. Xiulan had custom ordered them to give Fu Jinjing’s work even more appeal. The techniques we named the qi infusion and retention methodology and allowed metal forged with the technique to hold and accept qi infusion easily. 

Besides that expense, she had also shelled out thousands for a custom earth grade cultivation method for Yen Wen to train new guards with. The technique not only enhanced the senses beyond what was ordinary for a cultivator of but also could only be learnt after Xiulan had given the person a mark of approval somewhere on their body.

If the guard proved disloyal in the future Xiulan could remove the mark and prevent them from cultivating the method further. Removal would not destroy the cultivation level they already had but would prevent them from using the earth grade method to continue their cultivation journey.

Yen Wen had already begun training several recruits and Xiulan now had a pair of guards following her around. They were inexperienced and still weak but still it was a novel feeling being important enough to guard. They had been given uniforms with a embroidered gold coin on their chest to identify that they worked for the merchant Long Xiulan.

Xiulan was pleased with her purchases. After all, making money in the long term she could not rely on schemes and tricks. She needed to invest in proper assets. Xiulan could still not bear to spend down to nothing. This workshop had cost a few thousand to purchase and Xiulan now had only a thousand gold left in liquid cash.

The workshop was not on artisan row or any valuable riverside property. It was chiselled into the rockface of the gorge itself. It was right at the top of the gorge which was desirable for the wealthy residences but for a workshop it was terrible to be so high above the river and therefore the trade in the city.

Still there was a proper furnace and smelter in the workspace in addition to all the tools Fu Jinjing would need.

Fu Jinjing skipped up to Xiulan and hugged her, saying “Thank You Xiulan I love it.”

Xiulan winced, “I am sorry it is so small and out of the way. I promise to buy you a better place down by the river when we start to make money.”

Fu Jinjing shook her head, “I like the quite up here no one will disturb me. Besides you can take my products down to the river to sell I can just make them up here. I want to keep a small quality goods business anyway.”

Xiulan smiled and stroked Fu Jinjing’s head. It was easy to think of Fu Jinjing being younger than her despite her harsh life. Fu Jinjing was in fact older by some years at twenty-five.

Xiulan had three lovers now and after a few days of them being dutiful in their cultivation they were all starting to trend towards each other in cultivation level. Zheng Ling had a highest cultivation at the sixth level of qi condensation. Xiulan and Yen Wen had both achieved the fifth level and Fu Jinjing had reached the second level after only a few days.

Xiulan and the others had noticed that the rate off all of their improvement pushed them towards the same cultivation level. Once the four of the had reached the sixth level of Qi condensation then they should improve steadily at the same rate.

Xiulan was delighted to learn from the system that if she could purchase and increase in her own cultivation from the system. If she spent 100 000 thousand gold she could boost herself up to Foundation establishment and by doing so increase the growth rate of all of her lovers.

They would need to growth in strength quickly to fend off the Bai Clan and the general rise in cultivation that Zheng Ling’s pills were bringing to the area. It would also be necessary if Xiulan wanted to do business in the capital which was the economic as well as political centre of the Blue Crane Kingdom.

Xiulan left Fu Jinjing at the workshop with the first shipment of Zhao family iron ore from their new seam. Xiulan could start her plan to take away the Kang market share after that.

Xiulan was surprised to find that outside of their rented home a palanquin sat. When she approached the curtains parted to reveal Patriarch Kang and his son. Xiulan was not exactly surprised to see them, but she was surprised to see that they had brought a number of gifts.

Perhaps they are here to try any make peace? Xiulan thought to herself.

Patriarch Kang smiled at Xiulan as if she were a long-lost daughter, “Long Xiulan I must commend you on a game well played. I was furious when those pills started to be sold for a few silvers.”

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Xiulan gave Patriarch Kang a deadpan look and replied, “I assume Patriarch Kang has business to discuss?”

Kang Cai looked annoyed that his jovial tone had been rejected, “of course we can talk business inside over tea.”

He gestured at his servants to start bringing the gifts into the house, but Xiulan had her own guards intercept. “I do not take a gift, Kang Cai until I know what its price is!” said Xiulan sharply.

“The gifts stay out here until we have finished our talk. If I remember correctly from the auction you prefer black tea. I will have it prepared for us.” Xiulan swept past the father and son pair into her residence.

Kang Cai gave his son a look and then they both followed Xiulan in. After a few minutes of idle chatter about the weather Kang Cai came the point, “I am here to propose marriage on behalf of the Kang Clan.”

Xiulan paused before she burst out into laughter, “Kang Cai you tried to have me killed in Rockcreek. Besides your son might have told you of our first meeting and how we came to odds. I know exactly how much a marriage with your disgrace of a descendant would be worth.”

Kang Cai looked angry but tried to stay calm, “Kang Gang was young and impetuous. When he was out handling business in Rockcreek he was seduced by the pleasure of the brothels as many young men are. He would be faithful if you were to marry now. With your talents and the Kang family resources an alliance would benefit us both.”

Xiulan sneered, “unfortunately you have wasted a trip Kang Cai I will not allow you to recoup your forty thousand gold through marriage. Besides the Kang Clan clearly what to try and suppress me through marriage.”

At that moment a handsome young man walked into the room clapping, “well said Xiulan.”

Xiulan was affronted by the arrogant casualness of the man in using only her first name. An appraisal revealed:

Zhao Yaozu – seventh level of qi condensation, true fire spiritual roots. Worth 30 000 gold coins. Double to eliminate.

This had to be the prodigy Zhao heir but Xiulan was not sure why he was here.

While she was trying to figure it out Zhao Yaozu said, “Kang Gang is nothing but a dog. I on the other hand would treat you sincerely if you were to become my wife.”

Xiulan narrowed her eyes. She had already rejected the Zhao family’s advances. Xiulan started to make new plans for the iron mines. If this was the Zhao Clan’s way of doing business, she would have to reconsider their partnership.

XIulan probed, “does your father know you are here Zhao.” Xiulan returned his clan name bluntly to draw a distinction between them.

Zhao Yaozu smiled clearly in what he considered a charming fashion, “no I just heard of your capability and beauty, and I must say they have not been overstated.”

Xiulan gave a long-suffering sigh and then out loud said, “the arrogance of men. Why would I want to marry any of you? Everyone get out and Zhao Yaozu tell your father what you did here today and also tell him that if he does not give me an explanation, I will consider further countermeasures.”

Xiulan did not want to make her relationship with the Zhao’s clear with to the Kang clan just yet but Zhao Yaozu had probably already made them suspicious. Xiulan had her guards escort them all out and slam the door in their faces.

The guards were not yet their match in cultivation but the intent was clear and neither side wanted to press the dispute to open conflict.

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