Martial Saint with Passives

Zhu Shichang took a leisurely sip of his tea, his small eyes narrowing as he nodded.

”Xiufen is right! The way I see it, if we’re going to hire someone, it has to be a master from one of the Three Great Sects! I’m talking about the Taiyuan Sect, the Profound Sound Sect, and the Cangyun Sect. With names like those, what gang in the entire Cangzhou Territory would dare show any disrespect?”

Yin Rong gave a bitter smile, shaking his head with a sigh. ”Son-in-law, it’s not that I don’t understand your logic. But masters from the Three Great Sects are lofty figures, practically untouchable. How could a family of merchants like us ever hope to make such a connection?”

Yin Rong had been in Cangzhou for some time now, having opened a textile business, so he had naturally heard of the Three Great Sects.

But while he had accumulated some modest wealth, he was utterly insignificant compared to the members of the Three Major Sects.

Hearing this, Wang Xiufen gently nudged her husband with her elbow, a look of pride on her face.

”Uncle, that’s where we can help! Shichang has a wide circle of acquaintances and actually knows two masters from the major sects! Isn’t that right, Shichang?”

Zhu Shichang set down his teacup, puffed out his paunch, and offered a restrained smile.

”Since you’ve asked, Uncle, I’ll naturally do what I can! I do happen to have two potential connections. The first is a friend from the Taiyuan Sect named Zhou Meng. He’s a master at the Mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm who has been at that level for many years. His Power is profound, and his reputation is formidable.”

Yin Rong quickly turned to Yin Yingying and asked, ”Yingying, what does ’Mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm’ mean?”

He had never undergone Martial Arts Training and was unfamiliar with the different Realms for Martial Artists.

This was precisely why he had asked Yin Yingying to join them.

Yin Yingying said, ”Father, the Mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm is a very high level. Do you remember my former instructor at the Martial Arts Hall? He had only reached the Force Integration Realm! Bone Forging is a Great Realm above Force Integration. To put it simply, a single Bone Forging master could easily defeat over a dozen people at the Force Integration Realm!”

After arriving in Cangzhou Prefecture, even though she no longer engaged in Martial Arts Training, Yin Yingying had kept up with news from the world of the Martial Dao. She knew that there were Realms beyond Force Integration.

However, despite her inner longing, she knew her aptitude wasn’t good enough to be accepted into one of the Three Major Sects. So, she had dedicated herself to helping her father run the textile business.

Yin Rong’s eyes lit up after hearing his daughter’s explanation. ”He’s that incredible! Then, may I ask what it would take to secure this master’s services?”

Zhu Shichang smiled, holding up five chubby fingers. ”His price is five thousand taels of Gold, and he’ll serve as a Tributor for one year.”

Yin Rong gasped.

Although his textile business was sizable, five thousand taels of Gold was not a sum he could part with lightly.

”And the other one?”

Zhu Shichang continued:

”The other is even more remarkable. He’s a genius disciple from the Profound Sound Sect who has risen to prominence in recent years—Chu Xuanyi! He’s only twenty, yet he’s already at the Early Stage of the Bone Forging Realm! While his Realm might be a bit lower than the first man’s, his combat strength is immense. He once challenged a master at the Late-stage Bone Forging Realm and fought to a draw! Someone with such limitless potential naturally commands a higher price. It would be six thousand taels of Gold a year, plus a monthly supply of two live, Top Grade Treasure Fish for his Cultivation. Uncle, if you have the means, I’d suggest investing in him. If he breaks through to the Refining Organ Realm or even higher in the future, the future of your business will be absolutely secure!”

Yin Rong was so shocked by the price he was speechless. After a long moment, he stammered, ”This... this price... isn’t it a bit too...”

He was too embarrassed to voice the word ”expensive,” but the troubled expression on his face said it all.

Zhu Shichang leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. ”Uncle, that’s just the market rate! This is the price for a true master from a Major Sect! You need to decide quickly. Every day you delay is a day you’re losing cold, hard cash!”

Yin Rong sighed. ”I understand. It’s just that this is no small sum. Let me think it over...”

After a short while, Wang Xiufen and Zhu Shichang rose to take their leave.

Yin Rong personally saw the pair to the door. When he returned, his expression was grave.

Only the father and daughter remained in the hall. Yin Rong’s voice was grim as he spoke.

”That genius from the Profound Sound Sect... his price is just too high! How can a small business like ours possibly afford it? And he wants Treasure Fish on top of that... The master from the Taiyuan Sect is a little cheaper, but we don’t know what kind of person he is, or if he’s even reliable. This is a matter of five thousand in gold every year. We have to be incredibly careful!”

Yin Yingying agreed. ”You’re right, Father. The masters from the Three Major Sects are far too expensive!”

Yin Rong sighed. He knew, however, that spending the money was likely the only way to get through this crisis.

He immediately summoned his old steward, Uncle Wang, and instructed in a low voice, ”Uncle Wang, I need you to send someone to discreetly look into the two men Shichang mentioned. Find out everything you can about their backgrounds and reputations. Be thorough!”

”Yes, Master!” Uncle Wang acknowledged the order and departed at once.

Yin Yingying stood to one side, watching her father’s troubled expression.

Suddenly, she thought of someone.

Jiang Che.

’If it were him...’

Yin Yingying’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.