Shang Luoluo laughed as she extended her hand, "Also, if you’re really planning to deal with that Wei Hongbin, count me in."
Looking at the hand stretched out before him, Zhao Ya didn’t immediately respond; instead, he looked at Shang Luoluo with some curiosity.
"Why?"
Shang Luoluo withdrew her hand and said casually, "No reason. Maybe it’s because Wei Hongbin just came and took over my dad’s office, or maybe I just can’t stand him. Anyway, I just want to take care of that guy."
Saying this, Shang Luoluo flashed Zhao Ya a smile, her pearly white teeth seemingly reflecting light.
"So, how about it? Partner up?"
...
After Zhao Ya left with Zui’Er, Shang Luoluo sat alone in the room.
A moment later, Shang Jingchuan walked in from outside.
"So how did it go? Did he agree?"
"Of course, Daddy’s girl here personally stepped in. How could Zhao Ya say no?" Shang Luoluo smiled.
Shang Jingchuan also smiled.
"Right, my mistake. My Luoluo is the best."
"What did Wei Hongbin say to you when you saw him today?" Shang Luoluo asked.
"What else could he say? Just asked me to hand over the city’s security to his men and to turn over the treasury silver."
"Did you hand it over?"
"I did. Wei Hongbin has so many cavalrymen under him. I’m just like a powerless commander, how could I defy him?"
"But just yesterday, the warehouse storing the tax silver caught fire, and most of it got burned up. What’s left are just some charred silver lumps. He can take those if he wants."
At this point, Shang Jingchuan and Shang Luoluo both burst into laughter.
Their laughter sounded like two foxes.
"Honestly, I still feel a bit ashamed now. I can’t believe I had illusions about someone like Wei Hongbin. If it weren’t for the persuasion of Zhao Ya and you, I might have been the one opening the doors to let him in." Shang Jingchuan sighed.
"He’s quite menacing, but he is very perceptive about people and situations — he’s got more brains than most martial artists." Shang Luoluo said.
"If this got out, most martial artists would probably curse at you."
"Let them curse; I don’t care anyway."
Seeing his daughter’s nonchalant face, Shang Jingchuan hesitated to speak.
He really wanted to say that for an unmarried young woman, reputation is very important.
But the words stuck in his throat.
Because he knew, there was no way he could persuade her, and he might even end up being scolded by Shang Luoluo.
After all, when it comes to eloquence and strategy, he as a father couldn’t even come close.
Finally, he could only sigh helplessly, "Alright, do what you think is best. I’m off."
"Okay!"
Shang Jingchuan left.
Shang Luoluo remained seated by the window.
At this moment, the moonlight outside the window cast on her face, making her expression appear mysterious and unreadable.
After a long time, she smiled sweetly.
"Interesting."
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya had already returned to Dingtai Martial Arts Hall with Zui’Er.
Luckily, there were many rooms in the martial arts hall. Even though many disciples were staying there now, there were still plenty of empty rooms.
Zhao Ya simply tidied up a small courtyard and moved in with Zui’Er.
Although the room was simple, it had the necessary bedding.
Zui’Er wasn’t picky about these things either.
To her, as long as she could be by Zhao Ya’s side, she was willing to endure any hardship with pleasure.
However, while cleaning, Zui’Er hesitated for a while and finally couldn’t help but ask, "Ya, are you unhappy about something?"
"No, I’m pretty happy. Why do you ask?" Zhao Ya asked with a smile.
"I just felt that since we came back from Luoluo’s place, you’ve been frowning and haven’t smiled." Zui’Er said softly.
Zhao Ya was taken aback.
He had been lost in thought and hadn’t realized his expression; he didn’t expect this little girl to notice.
He smiled and reached out to pat Zui’Er’s head.
"Alright, stop overthinking. I’m not unhappy; I was just thinking about what Miss Shang said."
"Oh, that’s good!" Zui’Er breathed a sigh of relief.
She had really been worried that Zhao Ya was unhappy because she had returned with him.
Now that she knew it wasn’t the case, she was relieved.
"By the way, Zui’Er, what do you think of Miss Shang?" Zhao Ya suddenly asked.
Zui’Er was taken aback, then bowed her head and thought seriously for a moment before saying, "I think Luoluo is a very smart person. During the time I stayed with her, she taught me many things."
"Oh? What did she teach you?"
"Chess, writing, painting, and oh, also tea-making!" Zui’Er counted on her fingers one by one, and then said with a bitter face.
"But I’m too slow; I didn’t learn any of them."
Zhao Ya couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Alright, alright, not everyone can learn so many things in just a few days; there’s no need to feel inferior."
"But Luoluo..."
"She’s different," Zhao Ya sighed softly.
When Zhao Ya returned, his mind wasn’t only occupied with thoughts of Wei Hongbin; he was more curious about Shang Luoluo.
Although over this period, he had come to deeply appreciate this girl’s intelligence.
So when she could analyze the city’s situation so clearly, Zhao Ya wasn’t surprised at all.
The key was matters of the Capital City; she could narrate them with such familiarity.
Bear in mind that the Capital is thousands of miles away, and although there are occasional travelers, the information is not always so well-informed.
Yet this Shang Luoluo knew a lot about the Capital City from her home, evidently having her own information channels.
It seems this Shang Luoluo is far more complex than I imagined.
At this moment, Zui’Er said timidly, "Ya, the bed is ready, shall we sleep?"
"Wait a moment, I haven’t practiced yet."
Despite how busy he was, Zhao Ya always found time for training.
Today was no exception.
"Alright!"
Zui’Er was used to this and turned to go to bed.
"Don’t sleep yet, come practice with me," Zhao Ya said.
Surprised, Zui’Er pointed to her nose, "Me?"
"Yes!"
Zhao Ya had long wanted to teach Zui’Er the Eight Vajra Skills.
He also wanted to see if this cultivation technique would work on others.
Zui’Er, somewhat bewildered, stood beside Zhao Ya, who began to teach her step by step.
"First, stand up straight, regulate your breathing, then raise your arms parallel to your shoulders..."
The actions of the Eight Vajra Skills were indeed simple; so after demonstrating a few times, Zui’Er was practicing quite decently.
After finishing, sweat appeared on Zui’Er’s forehead.
Zhao Ya asked, "How do you feel?"
"Well, I feel warm all over, like holding a furnace."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing else!"
Zui’Er thought for a moment and answered honestly.
Zhao Ya nodded.
He wasn’t surprised by this.
After all, although the Eight Vajra Skills are effective, they won’t yield results overnight.
Consistent practice is required.
Zui’Er’s warm feeling was due to her Qi blood circulating faster under the guidance of the Eight Vajra Skills.
Over time, while she might not achieve immortality like himself, she could certainly achieve health and longevity.
Zhao Ya continued to teach Zui’Er the Longevity Skill.
Zui’Er was sweating profusely and wanted to open the window, but Zhao Ya stopped her.
"Don’t open the window."
"Why not?"
"It’s nothing, these two techniques are special; once you learn them, don’t show them to anyone, understand?"
"Yes, I’ve remembered, don’t worry, Ya," Zui’Er nodded obediently.
Zhao Ya was a bit doubtful in his heart.
Since returning to the city, he often felt as though someone was secretly watching him.
The feeling was very faint, so subtle that ordinary people couldn’t sense it at all.
But Zhao Ya’s sensory perception, honed through years of practicing the Vajra and Longevity Skills, surpassed fellow Martial Artists and even the usual Fifth Realm practitioners.
That’s how he could sense a trace of it.
But he couldn’t determine where exactly this feeling came from.
So Zhao Ya kept the doors and windows closed while training indoors.
After all, other martial arts are one thing, but the Vajra and Longevity Skills are Zhao Ya’s foundation. Even though outsiders might learn them, they might not be effective.
But Zhao Ya couldn’t take even a small risk in this matter.
After practicing the Vajra and Longevity Skills, Zhao Ya opened the panel.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 19. Remaining lifespan: 228 (+199 days) years
Skills: Eight Vajra Longevity Skill (Peak Performance 25%)
Five Tiger Fist (Peak Performance 99%)
Gale Saber Technique (Returning to the Essence 2%)
Light as a Feather (Peak Performance 99%)
Concealing Breath Technique (Peak Performance 91%)
Great Stone-Throwing Hand (Refined Skill 3229/5000)
Great Vajra Fist (Refined Skill 78/5000)
Golden Body Technique (Refined Skill 1765/5000)
[Kidney Unlock Progress: 94%]