While Mu Wansu was lost in thought, the attendant also seemed to have his own concerns.
After some hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said, “Chief Manager, Young Master Lin Xun’s current status seems far from enough to become our VIP, right?”
Mu Wansu offhandedly asked, “Why not?”
The attendant drew a deep breath and said, “Although Young Master Lin Xun is currently famous in Haze City and is a rising star, he’s ultimately only a Human Dipper stage cultivator. In addition, he doesn’t have any special status and doesn’t seem to be a descendent of a noble clan. The VIP seats are designed for the most important guests in the city such as Governor Liu Wudiao, Principal Wei Lingzhen, Commander Du Dongtu, and other bigwigs. Only they have the status deserving of such honor.”
After a pause, he continued, “If Young Master Lin Xun is allowed to sit together with these bigwigs, we will have committed a taboo and many people will be unhappy.”
Mu Wansu acknowledged and nonchalantly said, “Is that all?”
The attendant was stunned. “Chief Manager, what do you mean?”
Mu Wansu frostily said, “You are right but you made one mistake. Lin Xun is different from others. Remember this well. He must have a seat among the VIPs. Anyone who dares to be negligent about this matter should pack their things and leave at once!”
The attendant's body trembled as cold sweat appeared on his head. He finally realized that the Chief Manager was serious about making Lin Xun a VIP and was not joking around!
But what exactly was different about Lin Xun?The attendant did not understand.
The truth was that Mu Wansu also didn’t understand either. Why had Third Young Master Shi Yu personally given such instructions? Had Lin Xun already grown that important?
She could not help but envy Lin Xun. It had only been slightly over a year but the little imp’s life had been getting better and better…
……
After leaving the Rune Master Association, Lin Xun walked along the street and eventually entered a place called Precious Pill Workshop.
Precious Pill Workshop was a first-class apothecary in Haze City. It peddled various high-quality pills that were able to satisfy the needs of most cultivators.
Of course, the prices were also exorbitant and beyond the means of ordinary cultivators.
Most importantly, there was an amazing alchemist employed at Precious Will Workshop who could create several unique and precious pills. These pills could not be bought even in the Rune Master Association.
Lin Xun needed a cultivation pill called Cloud Dipper Purple Soul Pill that could only be purchased at the apothecary.
At this point in time, Lin Xun’s cultivation was showing faint signs of reaching the perfect Human Dipper stage. His cultivation had clearly improved after the numerous battles he had experienced recently.
At this rate, he should be able to reach the perfect Human Dipper stage before the provincial exam.
However, Lin Xun could not wait that long. The Great Azure Cloud Path’s third trial was going to begin in a month and there were only three attempts this time. Hence, Lin Xun did not dare to be negligent in his preparations.
Raising his cultivation was undoubtedly the best insurance he had.
Cultivation naturally could not be separated from supplementary tonics and pills. In the past, Lin Xun had been using the Blue Dipper Aeth Pill. Although it was a pretty high-quality product, it was still a little inferior to the Cloud Dipper Purple Soul Pill.
This could be seen from the price. A bottle of sixty Blue Dipper Aeth Pills cost fifty gold coins while a bottom of thirty Cloud Dipper Purple Soul Pill required a hundred gold coins!
A hundred gold coins were equivalent to ten thousand silver coins! However, even such an amount could only buy thirty Cloud Dipper Purple Soul Pills. Such a pricey item was indeed not something ordinary cultivators could afford.
Previously, Lin Xun was definitely reluctant to spend that much money on such a high-class pill. However, after agreeing to help Liu Qingyan repair her ocarina, he received a commission of ten thousand gold coins. As a result, purchasing Cloud Dipper Purple Soul Pills was no longer a big expenditure for him.
After leaving the apothecary, Lin Xun was a thousand gold coins poorer but also managed to secure ten bottles of Cloud Dipper Purple Soul Pills.
Such an expenditure would stupefy numerous cultivators!
However, Lin Xun did not feel the same. In his view, earning money was for the sake of obtaining better cultivation conditions. Instead, having money without spending it was a true waste of resources.
“With these pills, I should be able to reach the perfect Human Dipper stage before the third trial begins…”
Lin Xun was lost in thought as he walked.
However, his attention was soon drawn by the sound of squabbling nearby. He raised his head to look and saw a dozen thugs surrounding a store and loudly cursing at it.
From the looks of it, it seemed as if they were here to cause trouble for the store.
This was very commonplace in Haze City. When there was profit to be made there would be conflict. When there was conflict, there would be no lack of desperate criminals.
However, Lin Xun was stunned when he saw the store’s name. Golden Jade Hall?
He instantly recalled how the Golden Jade Hall owner Gu Yanping had taken good care of Lin Xun in Donglin City. In fact, Gu Yanping had even personally stepped forward to help Lin Xun resolve a dangerous situation.
As such, seeing Golden Jade Hall’s signboard appear in Haze City should have originally made Lin Xun happy. However, it was impossible for him to feel any joy at the sight of a dozen thugs trying to cause trouble.
Lin Xun walked forward and swiftly found Gu Liang surrounded by the crowd.
Gu Liang was the son of Gu Yanping and had a pretty good relationship with Lin Xun in Donglin City. Gu Liang’s presence made Lin Xun certain that this Golden Jade Hall shop was part of Gu Yanping’s business.
“We brothers have taken a fancy to this shop so you’d better get lost. If you keep being noisy, I will kill you on the spot!” said the thug leader with a sinister smile. He was a large man in black, had a fierce face, and looked like an unreasonable person. He appeared completely unafraid of causing trouble in public and clearly had a strong backer.
“Friends, there’s always room for discussion. If it’s protection money, I guarantee that I will pay on time every month. I hope these esteemed brothers can show some magnanimity and let my little shop off.”
Although Gu Liang was young, he was clearly very experienced. He displayed a strong composure the entire time and made sure to keep a friendly smile on his face.
As he spoke, he retrieved a bag of money and offered it to them with a smile. “Please accept this small gift.”
The thug leader sent the bag flying with a slap and disdainfully said, “Protection money? Do you think I lack chump change? I’ll be honest with you, if you don’t give us this store today, don’t blame us for being rude!”
The other thugs also sneered.
Gu Liang’s heart sank. He realized that this was not about protection money. Someone was targeting him!
“Why aren’t you talking? Has this kid gone deaf?”
Upon seeing that Gu Liang was not replying, one of the thugs moved forward and raised his hand to slap Gu Liang’s face.
Gu Liang’s eyes flashed. The other party pushing things too far had finally triggered the long-suppressed anger inside him.
However, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him right before he could take action.
The thug’s wrist was broken with a crack and was twisted like braided bread, causing him to scream in pain.
Lin Xun raised his foot and kicked the thug away.
“Lin Xun?”
Gu Liang never imagined that he would see Lin Xun at such a moment, causing him to be both surprised and overjoyed.
“We’ll talk later.”
Lin Xun smiled and nodded. He looked at the thug leader. “Are you guys going to scram yourselves or do I have to send you guys off?”
“Kid, how dare you find a helper! You’re dead meat!”
The thug leader was enraged.
Piak!
However, a slap struck his face before he could move. Several teeth were knocked out, and blood spurted from his mouth and nose as he was sent flying.
Lin Xun’s strong showing frightened the other thugs, making them realize that the situation was starting to spiral out of their control.
However, one of them still managed to sternly shout, “Kid, do you know who sent us? No matter your background, you’ll not survive past tonight if you dare to interfere in this matter!”
Lin Xun could not be bothered to reply. With another slap, he sent the speaker spiraling through the air before the man crashed into the ground. The man began to foam at the mouth and was no longer able to stand up.
The remaining thugs immediately began to panic. They hurriedly grabbed their injured comrades and fled.
While leaving, they made sure to leave behind a few threats. “Just wait! You guys are finished! No one can save you now that you’ve offended us!”
Lin Xun could not help but shake his head. He truly did not understand why these lowly thugs dared to act so arrogantly.
“Lin Xun, I didn’t expect that you would have to witness such a shameful scene. Sigh, how embarrassing. If my father was around, he would definitely not have allowed such a thing to happen.”
Gu Liang displayed a self-mocking smile.
Lin Xun frowned and asked, “You should have been more than capable of dealing with these thugs. Why did you hold back for so long?”
“It’s not convenient to talk here. Come, let’s continue the conversation inside.”
Gu Liang scanned the surroundings before he led Lin Xun into a private room in the shop.
Only then did he explain, “They’re just a bunch of small fries. I’m worried about the mastermind.”
Worry was clearly visible on his face.
Lin Xun nodded. “Do you know who is pulling the strings?”
A helpless smile rose on Gu Liang’s lips. “Who else but the other merchant groups in Haze City? After all, if Golden Jade Hall takes root here, they would have another competitor. How can they idly stand by and watch such a thing happen?”
Lin Xun was surprised. “That’s quite similar to the predicament you and your father initially faced in Donglin City.”
Gu Liang chuckled. “Yeah, but I’m not as good as my father. He managed to swiftly establish himself in Donglin City and integrate with the other businesses.”
There was a sense of pride in his voice. He had always viewed his father as his role model.
Lin Xun said, “Gu Liang, is there anyone in particular you suspect? I might be able to help you resolve this matter.”
Gu Liang was taken aback as a feeling of warmth surged in his heart. It had been more than a year since they last met and he had not been certain if Lin Xun had changed since then. However, those words told Gu Liang that Lin Xun was still the same as before!