Proofread by Claire.KK
In the study room on the second floor of Heart-cleansing Hall
The change of identity made Lin Xun fall into silence.
Looking at this handsome young boy, worries flashed in Young Ke’s eyes. She couldn’t help looking at Vulture as she was asking in silence whether they could help Lin Xun.
However, Vulture shook his head slightly. He knew that if one wanted to pursue honor, he must bear the responsibility first. Lin Xun must adapt to the change of his identity.
In the past, he was alone so he could be reckless and didn’t have any burden. But now, since he made the decision to take charge of Heart-cleansing Peak, he must make changes!
For a long time, Lin Xun took a deep breath and his deep dark eyes recovered calm. He said, “Thank you for reminding me.”
Vulture smiled.
Young Ke was stunned. In a trance, it seemed that Lin Xun had changed. But she couldn’t count exactly what it was.
“I have two things to do at present.”
Lin Xun murmured, “First, recruit available talents, not slaves or servants.”
“Second, I need specific information about the four branches of Lin family. I need to judge their attitude towards my return.”
Then he looked at Vulture.
Vulture thought about it, and a flash of bright light appeared in his clear eyes. She said calmly, “The second thing is relatively easy. Young Ke can make it.”
Young Ke beside him nodded her head, “Getting more information is not a problem for me.”
Vulture continued, “As for recruitment, there are many kinds of talents. What kind do you want? ”
Lin Xun said without hesitation, “I need some loyal and reliable people regardless of their combat effectiveness.”
“I got it. But you need to solve more problems before recruitment.”
Lin Xun asked, “What is it?”
“You need enough money.”
Lin Xun patted his forehead. He forgot that Heart-cleansing Peak was so poor now. How could he recruit people without enough money?
“I’ll solve it.”
Lin Xun started to go to Keystone Business in the Forbidden City.
“You need at least 50,000 gold coins to recruit reliable people. If they join Heart-cleansing Peak, their living and salary will also be borne by you. You should know this need a huge amount of money.”
Vulture reminded again.
“I won’t let you down. Wait for my good news!”
Lin Xun smiled.
“Hope for it.”
Vulture smiled. He was also curious about where Lin Xun would earn this wealth.
…
“Young master, there’s one thing I have to report.”
Lin Xun left the study room and walked along the road toward the bottom of the peak. Lin Zhong followed Lin Xun and suddenly spoke with hesitation.
“What’s the matter, Granddad Zhong?”
Lin Xun stopped and looked at Lin Zhong.
“If I’m not wrong, Vulture has some special identity.”
Lin Zhong whispered.
Lin Xun was stunned, “What do you mean?”
Lin Zhong struggled for a long time how to explain what he’d thought. He sighed deeply and said, “Young master, I can’t tell his identity for sure, but I recognized the poison he had must be Misfortune Powder.”
“Misfortune Powder?”
Lin Xun didn’t hear about this poison.
“Yes, this poison is extremely mysterious. It’s said that it’s a taboo prevailing in Empire of the Dark. Once the practitioner below Life-death Realm is infected, he is like to be cursed by misfortune. He may be forbidden to practice forever, he may be tortured both physically and spiritually or might die immediately.”
Lin Zhong lowered his voice and explained, “According to my observation, Vulture must been poisoned by this Misfortune Powder.”
Lin Xun felt complex. Unexpectedly, the secret Young Ke avoided would be revealed by Lin Zhong at a glance.
“Is this poison solvable?”
Lin Xun asked.
Lin Zhong shook his head, “We can’t find a master of medicine who can remove the poison in the Empire because the poison is too overbearing. It’s a taboo thing even in the Empire of the Dark. Since Vulture has been poisoned, his identity must be very special.”
Hearing this, Lin Xun suddenly asked, “Granddad Zhong, how can you know this poison so well?”
Lin Zhong was chuckled by this question and answered vaguely, “I’ve heard that once in a while.”
Lin Xun took a deep glance at Lin Zhong and didn’t say anything more.
But when he was about to leave Heart-cleansing Peak, he suddenly turned around and asked, “Granddad Zhong, are you Bronze Charming Shen Jinglun 60 years ago?”
Lin Zhong’s body was stiff. He seemed not prepared for this question.
Lin Xun smiled and waved to say goodbye, “Alright, don’t be hesitate. We have much time in the future when you’re ready to tell me in person.”
Seeing Lin Xun leave, Lin Zhong seemed to have mixed feelings. He heaved a long sigh, closed the door to the outside world, and turned away before his thin stopping figure disappeared in sight.
…
Keystone Business located in the center of the Forbidden City, so it was very easy to find it.
This was the most prosperous place in the Forbidden City. It was impossible for a firm without a solid foundation to run for a long time here.
Penglai Restaurant was the first-class place for party.
Taiyi Battlefield was the most ancient battleground of the Empire.
Smile of Beauties was the most appealing brothel for countless practitioners.
Keystone Business enjoyed the reputation of circulating the treasures all over the world!
In the afternoon, a chariot drove into this block and stopped at the gate of Keystone Business.
Lin Xun saw a magnificent and majestic building at the first sight when he stepped out of the chariot. He narrowed his eyes for what he saw.
Keystone Business covered an area of several thousand square meters and was about three hundred meters high. It was enveloped by illusory and mysterious luster under the sunshine and looked crystalline.
If someone looked down from above, he would find that Keystone Business was like a crystal palace that came from sea, full of brilliant spirits.
Magnificent!
Luxurious!
Lofty!
Illusory!
This was the headquarter of Keystone Business, which owned the highest reputation as the First Chamber of Commerce in the Empire.
When Lin Xun arrived here, he found the Keystone Business was very busy. There were men and women in all ages and in colorful clothes coming in and out. All of them were rich or dignified people.
Lin Xun had viewed much in the past two years, but he still felt amazed at the bustling scene of Keystone Business when he stood in front of it.
He wondered how long it would take Golden Hall to achieve such remarkable achievements as Keystone Business.
Lin Xun walked in Keystone Business without hesitation.
It had a huge space inside. Many kinds of elixirs, treasures and spiritual objects were displayed everywhere. It was almost like a beautiful palace. Hundreds of practitioners were wandering around and browsing. But it was not crowded at all.
Although Lin Xun was dressed in ordinary clothes and his appearance was not outstanding, he had calm and quiet temperament and his behavior was decent, so he was not ridiculed or slighted by others.
Soon a beautiful maid welcomed Lin Xun.
“I want to visit Shi Yu.”
Lin Xun showed his purpose directly.
“Excuse me, who it is?”
The beautiful maid was stunned.
“The third Childe of Keystone Business.”
Lin Xun explained.
The pretty maid frowned imperceptibly and said, “I’m sorry, hundreds of guests want to visit out master every day. I’m afraid that you’re not qualified to visit him if you are not recommended.”
Before she finished, he smiled in understanding, took out a token and handed it to the maid.
As the beautiful maid took a look at the token, her eyes narrowed and she said in surprise, “Is it… the token of the eldest Childe?”
Lin Xun replied, “Yes, it could not be fake, but I want to visit Shi Yu instead of Shi Shuan.”
The pretty maid’s eyes suddenly were suddenly filled with enthusiasm and respect. She said, “Wait a moment, Childe. It’s a big deal. I need to ask for instructions.”
Lin Xun nodded.
Immediately, the pretty maid left in a hurry. Soon, she came back with a middle-aged man who looked like a steward.
“I’m Lu Chuan. May I know your name, Childe?”
The middle-aged man cupped his hands and asked with a smile.
“My name is Lin Xun.”
Lin Xun introduced himself.
“This way please, Childe Lin Xun.”
Lu Chuan invited and led the way in person.
Before long, he took Lin Xun to an antique elegant room.
He explained then, “Childe. Lin, our third Childe is dealing with affairs now. I will report in person later. Please wait in this elegant room for a while.”
Lin Xun nodded, “Thank you then.”
Lu Chuan left at once and Lin Xun pushed open the door of the elegant room.
To Lin Xun’s surprise, there were many figures waiting in the elegant room. All of them were practitioners, including men and women.
When they saw Lin Xun, they took back their eyes soon due to Lin Xun’s ordinary clothes and young age.
“Another man comes here to visit the third Childe.”
“Alas, I have been here for a month in a row and I have waited here every time I come here. Up to now, I haven’t been summoned by the third Childe. What can I do if thing goes on like this…”
“You’ve only been waiting for a month. I have visited here for half a year as long as I have time. But I haven’t been able to face the third Childe since then.”
“What’s the use of complaining? The third Childe is one of the three sons of Fortune God Shi. He was so spoiled by his father. How can anyone meet such a young and noble person?”
Some people sighed, complained and sneered when they talked about it.
Lin Xun realized that the practitioners in the elegant room had the same purpose as him.
This made him frown. Depending on the situation, it was not a easy thing to meet Shi Yu. It was beyond Lin Xun’s expectation.
“Now that I’m here, let me wait for a while. I could try another firm if things do not go smoothly anyway.”
Lin Xun thought about his plan, found a sit and sat down at will.
He was here to sell things. He intended to dispose of all the spoils captured in the previous battles, convert them into money and prepare for his recruitment.
