I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Must Pass

This matter, originally, Duan Rong didn’t really mind, it’s nothing more than a small setback.

But, some things, if not spoken openly, are just like the wind; once it’s over, it’s over.

However, once it’s brought to the forefront, even a trivial matter like a sesame seed can become overwhelming!

Luan Jingfu snorted coldly upon hearing the words, turned to look at Ruan Fengshan on the tall broad chair, and said, ”Since Duan Rong is an apprentice escort master of my Yuan Shun Escort Agency, he broke the rules by secretly going out to sell paintings. Just based on this, he can be expelled.”

”Furthermore, he almost caused an incident on the street, making a big mess, and disgraced our Yuan Shun Escort Agency.”

”Moreover, this kid is still here, speaking eloquently about how fortunately no casualties occurred, further showcasing his cunning and evil nature.”

”For these two reasons, not only should he be expelled, but we should also destroy his dantian! Lest he causes trouble outside and it gets blamed on us, saying the skill was taught here, and puts the blame on us at Yuan Shun Escort Agency!”

Luan Jingfu glanced at Xiao Zongting when speaking of the skill being taught here.

Duan Rong listened and felt a chill in his heart!

This Luan Jingfu really is a master at concocting charges!

But he also knew in his heart, this matter could be big or small.

To make it big, it’s exactly as Luan Jingfu said, an unforgivable crime. But to make it small, it’s nothing, not worth mentioning.

And the subtle change in between depends on the thoughts of those in power.

Although Luan Jingfu had much to say, the one who truly decides his fate is not him, but Ruan Fengshan!

Duan Rong carefully looked at Ruan Fengshan, sitting on the tall broad chair.

Ruan Fengshan’s ominous face was expressionless, he merely tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly aimlessly flickering toward Xiao Zongting.

Xiao Zongting noticed the change in Ruan Fengshan’s gaze and then looked at Luan Jingfu, speaking in a deep voice, ”We have to speak one thing at a time.”

”Just now Mr. Luan said Duan Rong broke the rules and should be expelled. May I ask, Mr. Luan, which rule did he break?”

Luan Jingfu snorted coldly from his nose and said, ”Since he is an apprentice escort master, how can he be engaged in other professions?”

”Apprentice escort masters are apprentices, not escort masters. Escort masters fall under your chief leader’s jurisdiction. Since he is not an escort master, how can there be talk of engaging in other professions?”

”Even if apprentices are managed by you as the chief tutor, you can’t allow them to behave recklessly outside!” Luan Jingfu’s face muscles twitched, clearly suppressing his anger.

Xiao Zongting’s words were essentially saying he was meddling in affairs.

Furthermore, escort masters are under his supervision, apprentices are under Xiao Zongting’s. Now he wants to interfere in apprentice management, this is overstepping authority.

In an instant, he violated Ruan Fengshan’s major taboo!

Xiao Zongting’s words were truly heart-piercing!

Ruan Fengshan coughed lightly, smiled, and said, ”Both are my right and left arms, it’s best to be harmonious. As for this little guy, since he’s an apprentice, he should focus on martial arts, he can contribute to the agency in the future. But now painting, since when has my Yuan Shun Escort Agency become an art academy?”

Ruan Fengshan’s words were questioning Xiao Zongting’s lax management.

Luan Jingfu’s expression remained unchanged, but behind him, Luan Bao’s face showed a slight movement; in Luan Bao’s mind, the shopkeeper seemed to be speaking in favor of his father.

”Shopkeeper, do you know how much silver coins this kid’s painting can fetch?” Xiao Zongting suddenly looked at Ruan Fengshan with interest and casually asked.

”How much silver coins?”

”Ten taels!”

”Ten taels?”

Ruan Fengshan was slightly stunned, glancing at Duan Rong.

Recalling the previous commotion on the street, it’s said to be in high demand.

This kid has now become a small fortune holder!

Ruan Fengshan, with a look of interest, took another look at Duan Rong.

Xiao Zongting, noticing the change in Ruan Fengshan’s expression, continued, ”And, Shopkeeper, the reason I allowed him to sell paintings is that he needs silver coins for cultivation!”

”Elder Xiao, I don’t understand this. Who doesn’t need silver coins for cultivation! But apprentice escort masters receive a monthly salary of three taels of silver and five slices of deer antler, sufficient for their daily cultivation.” Luan Jingfu thought he caught Xiao Zongting’s weakness and immediately questioned.

”For an average apprentice, naturally it’s enough. But for him, it’s not!”

”Why? Does he have an extra egg compared to an average apprentice?” Luan Jingfu laughed.

The others in the room chuckled slightly at Luan Jingfu’s mocking joke.

But Xiao Zongting seemed not to hear Luan Jingfu’s mockery, continuing calmly, ”This child is a martial arts prodigy, with exceptional talent; given time, his achievements will surely surpass mine!”

Upon hearing this, Luan Jingfu laughed even harder.

Ruan Fengshan also smiled subtly, saying, ”Elder Xiao’s words may be overly flattering. Elder Xiao was considered a legend in our Xianggu County.”

”He became an apprentice escort master less than a month ago, and has already achieved the First Level of Inner Breath. The reason he needs to sell paintings is because twenty days ago, he started using potions.”

Xiao Zongting, disregarding the amusement in the room, continued with his cold, unaffected voice echoing throughout the hall. ”The formula I provided! One dose of potion costs thirty-four taels!”

Upon these words, the room instantly fell silent! As if they finally understood, Xiao Zongting wasn’t joking!

Luan Bao looked at Duan Rong with shock!

Starting to take potions for Inner Breath Second Level signifies something he understands very well!

The circulation path for Second Level Inner Breath is incredibly complex!

When he himself started practicing, he couldn’t even circulate one full cycle in a day, often making mistakes!

And the potency of the potion, it’s overwhelming, not like the slow nourishing warmth of deer antler slices...

He remembered starting to practice the Second Level and using potions only after about half a year.

According to Xiao Zongting’s words, Duan Rong almost began taking potions right at the start of cultivating the Second Level Inner Breath.

This... isn’t this monstrous?

Luan Bao, simple in nature, seeing Xiao Zongting’s seriousness, believed it eighty percent.

But Luan Jingfu, a sly old fox, absolutely didn’t believe this unremarkably born apprentice from servant disciples could be a born genius, this probability is much lower than accidentally stepping on dog poop.

”How can there be so many geniuses? Elder Xiao might be bluffing!”

Xiao Zongting’s nose snorted coldly and said, ”Although my martial arts is wasted, my eyes aren’t blind!”

”Since it’s like this.” Luan Jingfu’s face remained stoic with no visible emotion, coldly said, ”Luan Bao! Go test him!”

”Yes!” Luan Bao immediately clasped his fists in response.

Luan Bao stood sideways behind Luan Jingfu, but didn’t immediately act, his gaze passing over Ruan Fengshan and Xiao Zongting.

After a moment’s pause, seeing the two remain silent, Luan Bao lowered his fist and turned to face Duan Rong.

Just earlier, when bringing Zhao Mu to the Martial Arts Arena to catch him, he treated this person as nothing but a common thug, but now Xiao Zongting had suddenly praised him as a martial arts prodigy.

At this moment, Luan Bao truly wanted to test his weight!

When Duan Rong saw Luan Bao looking at him, his heart instantly skipped a beat.

Luan Bao, being the sole heir of Chief Leader Luan Jingfu, the origin and resources he has are absolutely untouchable by him right now!

Not to the point of being killed on the spot!

But getting injured is still unpleasant!

Duan Rong glanced at Xiao Zongting, who merely sat there silently, without any intention of preventing it.

Instantly, Duan Rong understood Xiao Zongting’s thoughts.

If he wants to resolve today’s predicament, he must overcome this hurdle!