Chapter 148: Trade Partner
"Grand Elder, you should’ve told us sooner that your pill refining had improved. This way, we could’ve bought higher-level resources," Elder Huang remarked as she delicately savored each bite of her meal, appreciation evident in her eyes.
Xiang Yu nodded thoughtfully, setting down his chopsticks. "I was just about to discuss that today. Not only has my alchemy improved, but my blacksmithing has advanced significantly as well." He paused, his expression turning more serious. "I’ll need more materials to start mass-producing spiritual weapons for the sect."
Elder Huang’s eyes gleamed with unmistakable pride. "As expected of the Grand Elder," she praised, her tone carrying genuine respect rather than mere formality.
On the side, Meiling sat completely absorbed in her food, utterly taken aback by the casual exchange. The conversation flowing around her seemed surreal. What the hell? This guy not only excels at cooking, medicine, and alchemy, but blacksmithing too? He had just mentioned refining spiritual weapons as casually as one might discuss the weather, and they were acting as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
Spiritual weapons were quite significant—even their rank-five Golden Edge sect didn’t possess many of them. Yet here he was, talking about mass-producing them as if describing a simple daily chore. She strongly suspected he was also responsible for those formidable formations she’d been sensing throughout the sect grounds. Just what couldn’t this senior do?
She wondered if this was what a Grand Elder was truly supposed to be. Looking back at her own sect’s leadership, their Grand Elder suddenly seemed woefully inadequate—merely staying in seclusion and contributing nothing of value. The contrast was stark.
The three of them—Elder Huang, Xiang Yu, and his master—continued their conversation while Meiling and Xiuying ate in appreciative silence, savoring spirit food of a quality they’d never before encountered. Even the typically exuberant Xiuying remained quiet, completely entranced by the extraordinary flavors dancing across her palate.
After they finished their meal, Xiang Yu rose to collect the utensils. As he gathered the dishes, he felt the ambient temperature begin to drop. Unlike before, when the air had nearly crystallized with cold, this was merely a subtle change that most cultivators would overlook entirely. But Xiang Yu, having absorbed vast quantities of yin energy from Xiuying, had become exceptionally sensitive to temperature fluctuations. He immediately glanced in her direction.
Meiling had also noticed the shift, her worried eyes already checking Xiuying for signs of relapse. "Grand Elder, the effect wore off," she announced with barely concealed disappointment. "It’s only been half an hour."
Xiang Yu nodded thoughtfully, stroking his chin with deliberate gravitas, fully embracing his role as an elder. Inwardly, he noted that the duration was shorter than anticipated but still reasonable given Xiuying’s exceptional cultivation talent. Her naturally high qi reserves had likely consumed the pill’s capacity faster than an ordinary patient would.
"It’s just as I expected," he declared with a knowing expression, as if he’d calculated this precise outcome.
"Grand Elder, is there something you can do?" Meiling asked, her voice carrying a hint of desperation. "Even if the pill’s effect is just temporary, it’s still something remarkable." She leaned forward earnestly. "Do you have any more? I’ll buy them—just name your price."
When Xiang Yu heard this, a triumphant smile threatened to break through his composed façade. Got you, he thought, before quickly schooling his features back into a benevolent facade.
"Hahaha, no need to be so formal," he replied with humility. "The pill isn’t particularly difficult to make. As long as you provide the necessary resources, I can produce them for your sect without charge."
Hearing this unexpected generosity, Meiling’s face brightened considerably. The Grand Elder’s magnanimity exceeded her expectations.
"I just need you to do one thing for me," Xiang Yu continued smoothly.
Meiling tilted her head in confusion, wondering what he might request. A slight blush colored her cheeks. Was it that kind of request?
Noticing her discomfort, Xiang Yu hastily continued, "Our sect has recently advanced in rank," he explained, "but we lack connections." After consulting with his martial aunt, he’d come to understand that despite their newfound wealth, they remained without reliable trading partners. The existing market viewed them as merely fresh prey—a fat piece of meat to be devoured. They needed some insurance so they didn’t end up on the chopping block.
Before he could elaborate further, understanding dawned in Meiling’s eyes. A knowing smile spread across her face as she pressed her arm to her chest.
"Leave it to me," she declared confidently. "I will personally recommend that our Sect Master form a trade alliance with the Azure Cloud Sect. We’ll purchase everything you produce." Her expression grew even more assured as she added, "Once I inform the Sect Master about his daughter’s condition, he’ll definitely agree without hesitation."
...
Xiang Yu was genuinely surprised by Meiling’s enthusiastic response. Was she truly that confident the sect master would agree? After hearing about the arranged marriage for Xiuying, he had assumed her father was the classic uncaring parent who viewed his daughter as merely a political asset. From Meiling’s reaction, it seemed his assumption might have been incorrect.
"That’s good," Xiang Yu acknowledged with a measured nod. After a moment’s consideration, he added, "Actually, I might have a way to completely cure her condition."
Meiling’s eyes widened dramatically, her composed demeanor cracking. "Is that true?" she asked, leaning forward, hope and skepticism warring in her expression.
"Well, yes," Xiang Yu replied, carefully choosing his words. "But it requires some additional research."
In his mind, he calculated the situation precisely. He did indeed have several methods that might potentially work, but he deliberately withheld them for two critical reasons: first, he didn’t yet fully trust these visitors, and second, he wasn’t entirely certain of success.
By revealing just enough—that a permanent solution existed but wasn’t immediately available—he established a protective boundary. If the sect master suddenly decided to take over their sect instead of forming an alliance, this information would serve as valuable leverage.
The underlying message in his statement was clear: I have something you desperately want, but it’s not yet available for the taking just yet. Meaning you still need me. He thought to himself that Meiling seemed like a smart person so she should be able to understand what he was getting at.
Meiling studied his face intently for several heartbeats before bowing deeply, her expression suddenly serious and formal. "I understand. I will report this to the sect leader," she declared.
Xiang Yu smiled faintly, satisfied that they had reached an understanding. "Thanks for your understanding," he replied with a smile.
Meiling returned a smile as well.
Meanwhile, Elder Huang and Elder Guo observed this exchange with visible confusion.
"What are they talking about?" Elder Guo whispered, his brow furrowed in bewilderment.
"No idea," Elder Huang responded with a slight shrug.
After an awkward pause, Elder Guo leaned toward her, a mischievous sparkle entering his eyes. "So... round two?" he asked suggestively.
His question was answered by an immediate yelp of pain as Elder Huang pinched him sharply.
"Baka!" she scolded before launching herself into the air, leaving Elder Guo looking sheepishly after her retreating figure.