The Crazy Son-In-Law

“In establishing the New School Society, Chief Xiao, the opportunity to use precious medicinal ingredients will greatly increase. The medicinal garden can supply what you need,” Ning Zhiyuan smiled.

Xiao Shun looked at him incredulously, “Are you planning to gift me the medicinal garden, senior?”

Ning Zhiyuan corrected him, “It’s not so much a gift to Chief Xiao, as it is a gift to those talented cultivators and children. Your recent act of righteousness truly impresses me.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shun smiled modestly and bowed to Ning Zhiyuan. “Senior, you are too kind. I simply wish to contribute to the martial arts tradition of our country and prevent talented individuals from being lost in the worldly matters.”

“Very well, the medicinal garden at my Pavilion of the Hanging Pot will be rightfully yours,” Ning Zhiyuan replied with a hearty laugh.

Inwardly, Ning Zhiyuan deeply admired Xiao Shun’s character. He had no doubt about the sincerity of Xiao Shun’s words earlier. After all, to establish a martial arts school and offer free education was a public commitment.

The words of a chief cannot be insincere.

“Since you are so generous, I, Xiao Shun, can only accept graciously,” Xiao Shun replied with a bow.

Ning Zhiyuan waved his hand, speaking candidly about his reasons. “This is not merely generosity. Chief Xiao’s alchemy skills surpass mine by far. Assisting you in alchemy will also bring me many benefits… The ownership of the medicinal garden is settled, but I will keep half of the Five-Colored Soil.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shun’s expression changed significantly. “Senior, are you saying that you will give me half of the Five-Colored Soil?”

When Ning Zhiyuan mentioned giving him the medicinal garden earlier, Xiao Shun did not show such a shocked expression. But when the offer of half the Five-Colored Soil was made, Xiao Shun couldn’t contain his surprise.

My goodness, that’s the legendary divine soil, a rare treasure that even masters have been unable to find after decades of searching!

Seeing Xiao Shun’s unexpectedly shocked expression, Ning Zhiyuan nodded. “No need to be surprised. Since my disciple and I have chosen to join the New School Society, we naturally won’t hesitate to share these things, especially entrusting it to Chief Xiao is much safer than keeping it ourselves. After all, it’s better to have a scapegoat!”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shun was puzzled. If Ning Zhiyuan mentioned having a scapegoat, why would he keep half of the Five-Colored Soil?

Of course, this was not due to greed, wanting to claim all the Five-Colored Soil for himself, but rather it held a secret significance.

Seeing Xiao Shun’s puzzled expression, Ning Zhiyuan chose not to explain further. After all, it involved the earth-shattering secret that had been protected by the Pavilion of the Hanging Pot for hundreds of years. He dared not easily divulge it.

Since the other party was unwilling to disclose more, Xiao Shun naturally did not press the issue. After agreeing to jointly go to Yaoshan the following week, they parted ways.

On the way back, Xiao Shun discussed the matter with his two disciples. Song Linger didn’t show much reaction, as she had just embarked on the path of cultivation and did not understand the extraordinary uses of such divine objects.

As for Yang Tiancai, he was so excited that he almost jumped for joy!

With a loud “thud,” Yang Tiancai accidentally knocked his head against the skylight in his excitement.

After a moment of pain, the expression of agony on Yang Tiancai’s face dissipated, replaced by unparalleled excitement. “Master, are they really going to give you half of the Five-Colored Soil?”

“Yes,” Xiao Shun nodded, then looked curiously at his disciple. “Why are you so excited?”

Yang Tiancai waved his hand nonchalantly, looking at Xiao Shun with a pleading expression. “Can I have a share of the Five-Colored Soil when the time comes? I have great use for it!”

Upon hearing this, Song Linger, intrigued, looked at him. “Junior Brother, do you have some extraordinary plants or objects from heaven and earth that require nourishment from the Five-Colored Soil?”

“Well…” Yang Tiancai hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Xiao Shun had long sensed that there were many unusual things about his disciple. Seeing him hesitate, a thought crossed his mind. He raised his hand to stop Song Linger’s further questioning and then signaled for Yang Tiancai to be patient, addressing him.

“Let’s discuss it after I obtain the Five-Colored Soil.”

Song Linger glanced curiously at Xiao Shun but said nothing. On the other hand, Yang Tiancai beside her couldn’t contain his joy.

The next day, Xiao Shun received a call from Yao Cen, asking him to come to the company immediately, sounding somewhat urgent.

Knowing his wife’s character well, Xiao Shun understood that she only sought his advice when facing unresolved troubles. Therefore, without hesitation, he drove to the office one hour later.

An hour later, in Yao Cen’s office.

Observing his wife’s somewhat troubled expression, Xiao Shun immediately knew she had encountered a problem, which surprised him. Harrow was no different from his backyard, nearly infiltrated from top to bottom by himself.

Since the fall of Persimmon Commercial to the Pearl Commercial Chamber, there was no opponent left on the Harrow road to contend with. Even the local merchants learned of Starline’s prowess after Tan Haohan suffered a setback.

Moreover, the “ledger” was now in Xiao Shun’s hands, deterring anyone from acting recklessly.

Thus, Yao Cen’s frustrated expression in light of this situation concerned him. “What’s the matter?”

“There’s a problem within the company,” Yao Cen replied.

Surprised, Xiao Shun said, “It can’t be. All the people who came with us are reliable employees!”

Realizing his misunderstanding, Yao Cen quickly explained, “Not Starline. It’s the Tans Group.”

“What’s the issue?” Xiao Shun’s expression turned serious.

Two days ago, he had learned some developments in Harrow from Zhuang Jin and Fatty. From their tone, Xiao Shun had already inferred that Tan Haohan had been up to something lately. However, the evidence at the time was not conclusive, and preparations for the “New School Society” banquet the next day left him with no spare capacity.

Addressing the situation over there was necessary, but dealing with his deceitful “ally” seemed more pressing. With this in mind, Xiao Shun didn’t act rashly but instead sought to understand the situation from Yao Cen.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“The Tan Group shareholders had agreed to help Starline expand its business channels. Under my guidance, we had decided to form a strategic cooperation alliance. But this morning, during the meeting, the board completely rejected my proposal!”

Frustrated, Yao Cen expressed her displeasure. Since obtaining half of Tans Group’s shares from Tan Haohan, she had been preparing to merge Starline Bio into Tans Group. Then, using certain business tactics, turn Tans Group into a vassal of Starline.