Chapter 263: Management (1/2)

Chapter 263: Management

Translator: TransnEditor: Transn

There were not many words on the letter, but Junior Leopard's heart kept pounding: ”Messystar Stone, Sea Bile, Wind Bead!”

Those nine words made Junior Leopard's heart beat more quickly because all three of those things were materials to refine Air-frozen Beads.

He only had one method for refining Air-frozen Beards. And in the Immortal Palace, the seat of Water Leopard had been vacant for a long time, so there were no refining materials. When Junior Leopard had told Green Spirit about it, unexpectedly, Green Spirit's tone changed when he heard Air-frozen Beads. It never came to Junior Leopard's mind that Air-frozen Beads were not celestial devices, but a fairy weapon, the Taihao Fairy Weapon.

But after that, through careful inquiry, he understood that the Air-frozen Beads that Green Spirit had told him about were not the same thing as what he had spoken of because their materials were totally different. After his description of the material and refining technique, Green Spirit thought for a while and told him that the Air-frozen Beads given by the Immortal Palace could also be called Air-frozen Beads. But some materials of the Air-frozen Beads had been changed into some other materials that were easier to obtain. It was a simplified Taihao Fairy Weapon. Even if it was successfully refined, its effectiveness would be greatly reduced. But, it was still a Pure Yang Celestial Device, and even better than an ordinary Pure Yang Celestial Device. After all, it was a copy of fairy weapon. The mystery of fairy weapons could never be compared with an ordinary Pure Yang Celestial Device.

Because of that, he extinguished the thought of refining the Air-frozen Beads because the most important material for refining genuine Air-frozen Beads was called the Heaven Nine Essence Pearl. It had been rare even in antiquity times, not to mention at present. The material given by the Immortal Palace was replaced by Wind Beads. In Green Spirit's words, Wind Beads were rare oddities. Their essence came from the wind. In the present world, Wind Beads were just like the Heaven Nine Essence Pearls. They did not appear for tens of thousands of years, so how could they be easy to obtain?

But unexpectedly, Prince Xiaoming's letter had mentioned Wind Beads.

”It seems Prince Xiaoming is also from the Immortal Palace. Which constellation is she among the 28 constellations?” Junior Leopard thought to himself as his hand vibrated lightly and crushed the letter that he was holding, but his smile became gentler. ”So, brother Cao is a friend of Prince Xiaoming. You should have told me initially. And by the way, who dared to stir up trouble with you? You can just tell me and I will make him pay.”

”Who would dare?” Cao Xuetang answered quickly, looking embarrassed. ”I was set up, but I'm not so sure who did this to me. For this, I will make them pay.”

”If you need me, you can just tell me directly. I will help you if I possibly can!” Junior Leopard promised him as he patted his chest.

”Alright!” Cao said, ”That's very kind of you, Your Excellency!”

”Please don't be so courteous. Don't call me Your Excellency. I'm, at most, a landlord in the shabby and poorest area. You can just call me Junior Leopard if you don't mind that.” Junior Leopard laughed, then suddenly, he became serious. ”You were badly injured. You shouldn't stay in such a terrible place. Though my place is remote, it is big. What about moving to my place, so we can look after each other!”

”Um…” Cao Zhi murmured to himself. As a Venerable of the Sect of Flame, although he could not be called a rich and powerful man, he had never got into so much trouble before. At first, he tried to cooperate with Junior Leopard, but unexpectedly, he almost got into a dilemma. He almost lost his face. It was so embarrassing for him to move to Junior Leopard's territory. But, he did feel uncomfortable living in this shabby room, so he hesitated. Finally, he nodded. ”With such being the case, sorry for bothering you. And thanks!”

...

The fire was burning hot in the charcoal brazier, which made the whole room so warm. The cold north wind was whistling outside, but it gave off no hint of a chill in the house.

Inside, Cao Xuetang had changed his clothes and his wound had been bandaged. He had regained his Qi and blood and looked much better than before.

”I never expected that you were not only good at cultivation, but that your medical skills would also be so amazing!” Though he still felt weak in Qi and blood, he knew that the poison was gone. Thinking of Junior Leopard's mysterious and effective method, he felt even more surprised.

”Shitty medical skills. I was just lucky years ago to get a treasure which could eliminate poison!” Junior Leopard chuckled. There were so many treasures to eliminate poison, not only the Poison-absorbing Green Bead. He just mentioned a ”treasure” and changed the subject. ”You made this more complicated and mysterious. If you offered this letter to me earlier, there wouldn't be such a big problem.”

”You are right. I was too cautious. I had no idea that you and Prince Xiaoming were friends.” Cao Xuetang gave a wry smile.

Those simple words made everything clear.

Where there were people, there were conflicts. It was a rule in the Imperial Court and among well-known families, barons, and even the Sect of Flame. Cao Xuetang used to be a powerful Venerable of the Sect of Flame, but later, when another influence of the Sect of Flame arose, he gradually lost his power and became just a figurehead as a Venerable, like those titular Elders in the well-known families. Though he was a Venerable, his cultivation was only at Level Seven, which was not prominent in the Sect of Flame. It was fine when he had real power, but now, without real power, he could only be used as a soldier. When trouble came, he worked as a sword for others. He was a man seeking fame and wealth, so he felt unwilling but had no alternative. He had lost power with only a Level Seven cultivation, so he had no strength to fight against those who had real power. Unexpectedly, he got some information about Nanming Ignis, so he thought maybe he should obtain the fire seed to improve his power, then he could go back to the Sect of Flame to regain his power.

As a man in Jianghu, he knew clearly the perils therein. As for this kind of good news, he would never tell outsiders and had to be careful. However, he could not smile anymore when he knew the exact location of the Nanming Ignis.

Because it was the exact territory of Zhou Bao.

After the complete collapse of Northern Yuan, the Great Jin had conferred titles of nobility on lots of people and carved up numerous fiefs to give to them. The enfeoffment map of Northern Yuan circulated among the people, but only a few names could be remembered, including the territory of several schools and powerful families as well as some territories with good fame, strong power, and good merits. Unfortunately, Junior Leopard's territory was included.

Cao Xuetang knew it was trouble when he saw that the location belonged to Junior Leopard's territory. If it were another place, he would not care even if it was in those millennium families because they did not have many powerful people. But, it was different in Junior Leopard's territory. It was known that Zhou Bao was in his own territory now, and it was impossible to conceal it from Zhou Bao because it would cause a big movement if he wanted to get the kindling of Nanming Ignis. So, he just wondered if it would be a better way to cooperate with Junior Leopard.

Junior Leopard cultivated the Fire Way Method, so the kindling of Nanming Ignis was also beneficial to him. Besides, Cao Xuetang did not know Zhou Bao at all. Zhou Bao was a rebel of the Imperial Court, while he was the viscount and lord of the Imperial Court. They had no connections at all. In theory, they were enemies. It would not be easy for him to cooperate with Junior Leopard.

Furthermore, he was not sure if that thing was still in Junior Leopard's territory, so he had asked his capable assistant, Cao Zhi, and his son and to go and investigate first.

There were so many people doing trafficking activities in the north. So, Cao Zhi and his son went into the territory of Junior Leopard as trafficking businessmen.

He thought he had done it secretly, but actually, he was noticed from the very beginning. His enemy in the Sect of Flame was not ordinary. Once his strange movement was noticed, he was spotted by his enemy's followers, who did not know his purpose. They hid in the dark and inquired about his movement. When they found that both Cao Zhi and Cao Xuetang's son had gone to Junior Leopard's territory, they realized that something was really suspicious and continued to tail after them.

As for Junior leopard, on one hand, he did not have that many people, on the other hand, he did not care about that stuff, so he did not perceive it at all. Even if he realized it, he would not care. It was none of his business, after all.

But finally, things were now out of control. Cao Zhi made things troublesome, and Cao Shun, the son of Cao Xuetang, was young and unable to make a decision. With no other people that could be trusted, Cao Xuetang sent his son and Cao Zhi to come here. Cao Shun was nervous so that he kept on nagging. When he was free, he liked to chat with Cao Zhi. Then, the message had leaked out during their chats just like on that day that he inadvertently blurted it out it in front of Junior Leopard.

Originally, it was impossible for Cao Xuetang to get that matter done well. He even did not know that his son had blurted it out. Unexpectedly, Prince Xiaoming came to find him one day, offering him a letter and requiring him to have a conversation with Zhou Bao. He did not know it until now that his father had done a favor for Prince Xiaoming, who had come here exactly for returning the favor and had pointed him in the right direction. He felt so surprised and happy. Meanwhile, he received a letter from Cao Shun. According to the letter, the location was in the exact territory of Junior Leopard.

In this way, the matter became simpler. Packing their luggage, he and his wife started their way toward Junior Leopard's territory. Unfortunately, he had been intercepted along the way. Although he killed those killers, he was badly injured and he tried his best to get here. Maybe he would only have one breath remaining now if Junior Leopard had not detoxified him.

”This has been made so complicated. Prince Xiaoming should be the one to blame. Why didn't he tell you about it at first? He didn't show up until you had been so heavily wounded. Why? To show his strength?” Junior Leopard complained to him.

But Cao Xuetang dared not complain like that and spoke hurriedly. ”The Great Venerable should not be blamed. It was confidential information, so I kept it secret and had no expectation that it would leak out, which has caused so much trouble.”

”Trouble? It didn't get that far.” Junior Leopard said, ”Don't worry, brother. I promise that there won't be any trouble in my territory. Just take a rest and heal your wounds. When you are ready, I will keep you company to find the kindling of Nanming Ignis!”

”All right. Thank you.”

”Not at all. It's beneficial for both of us!” Junior Leopard said with a laugh.

When Junior Leopard left, Cao's wife stared at him with a worried look and asked, ”Xuetang, do you think Zhou Bao…?”