Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 52: Chapter 18: Tempting with Empty Promises

Looking at Yan Tong standing outside the door, Li Ji’an was slightly surprised.

As he understood it, in the southeastern part of the Desolate Dragon Ridge Desert, the Yan Family, as one of the Eight Great Families, appeared as a colossal entity compared to Loose Cultivators.

Not to mention he was just a Servant who had recently joined the Pill Shop, aged and with poor aptitude.

”Get over here!”

As Li Ji’an opened the door, Yan Tong immediately scowled.

Turning his head, he barked at someone behind him.

Subsequently, the leading young man whom Chen Qingling had encountered while taking him through the Market half a year ago now came into view.

Li Ji’an remembered that Chen Qingling had called him ”Brother Quan” at the time.

”Steward Yan, this is...”

”Ah, let me apologize for making Fellow Daoist Li laugh.” Yan Tong smiled kindly, yet with a hint of frustration as if he hated failing to meet expectations.

”It’s a misfortune for our family, I, Yan, always value harmony, and have taught my son from an early age to form good relationships, and yet this... Ah, why don’t you pay your respects to your Uncle Li?”

Yan Quan, a youth of the same age as Chen Qingling, also began cultivation last year, stepping into the Qi Refining Stage, and now was close to the Qi Cultivation 2nd Layer.

In the current Cultivation Realm, aside from masters and kin, one’s status was often determined by one’s Cultivation and Dao Practice.

Normally, even though Yan Quan was young, if his cultivation surpassed Li Ji’an by a level, Li Ji’an would be expected to respectfully address him as senior.

Currently, both their cultivation levels were similar, both in the Early Period of Qi Cultivation, thus they should interact as peers.

Yet, Yan Tong was so furious... It truly left Li Ji’an a bit surprised, even though he had some inkling.

Sure enough, after inviting both of them inside, Yan Tong explained everything clearly.

In short, a few young men of similar age became familiar with each other at the Market. Due to the differences in their family backgrounds, and because Chen Qingling was worried about causing trouble for his brother, appearing a bit cowardly, bullying ensued.

Today, when Li Ji’an went to sign the contract, Yan Quan saw Chen Qingling waiting outside, and his actions and demeanor were noticed by Yan Tong, who then forced the truth out of him in the evening.

The matter was something Li Ji’an had sensed the first time, and he planned to subtly inform Chen Zhaohu when he asked him at the Market.

Little did he expect today’s unexpected turn of events.

Not long after, Chen Qingling was called up.

”What am I being called for again... Brother Quan... Steward Yan!” Today, having been played by Yan Quan again, and possibly unable to return to help his brother due to Li Ji’an, he was sulking, ready to complain as usual, but upon entering, he saw two people he feared considerably.

Yan Quan was beyond question; in the eyes of a Qi Cultivation Loose Cultivator like him, Yan Tong, a steward of the Yan Family, seemed truly imposing.

”Young friend, I, Yan, failed to strictly discipline my child; it’s shameful. First, I offer my apologies to you.” Yan Tong slightly nodded his head.

Without giving the already shocked and stiff Chen Qingling a chance to respond, he immediately looked at Yan Quan.

Yan Quan shivered slightly, not daring to be careless, and hurriedly bowed deeply: ”Qingling, I’m sorry, it was my fault before; it won’t happen again, I beg your forgiveness.”

”Brother Quan, this... it’s nothing, really it’s nothing, I can’t accept that.” Chen Qingling was somewhat at a loss.

”Young friend, say how should I punish this little brat, I will give you a satisfactory answer.” Yan Tong waved his big hand.

”This...” Chen Qingling immediately lost his grip, secretly glancing at Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an, however, sat calmly, pretending not to notice, not getting involved at all.

”Steward Yan, please calm down. It’s not necessary, Brother Quan and I were just messing around; as long as it doesn’t happen in the future, it’s all good, really it is.” Ultimately, Chen Qingling replied, bracing himself.

”Young friend has a noble heart. Humph, didn’t you hear? If the young friend hadn’t forgiven you, you definitely wouldn’t be let off easily this time.”

Yan Quan immediately thanked him.

Afterward, Yan Tong had the two go out to have a good conversation.

Li Ji’an understood that the main course was coming.

He naturally wouldn’t naively believe that in this Cultivation Realm, which respected cultivation and Dao practices, there could still be such understanding and forgiving parents.

Such actions were either due to fear or something they wanted.

The former was impossible; it was naturally the latter.

”Fellow Daoist Li, it’s really, ah, shameful, shameful. Our family has always required us to be modest and humble in dealing with others, to retreat in everything to maintain harmony, yet this child... Ah, it’s embarrassing.”

”It’s no matter; Steward Yan is deeply principled, and the family discipline is very strict. Surely your descendants will flourish and the family will prosper.” Li Ji’an replied.

”Oh, by the way, since we’re on the topic, I might as well mention, you’re aware I’m not actually a member of the Yan clan, right? I was orphaned from a young age, fortunately taken in by the family, bestowed the Yan surname, and became a true member of the Yan Family.

The Yan Family treats us, outsiders, very well.

If it were any other family, who would be at ease entrusting such an important Pill Shop in the Market to an outsider?” Yan Tong lamented, admitting his weakness.

Li Ji’an respectfully replied, ”I wasn’t aware of Steward Yan’s experiences; hearing this, the Yan Family truly is extraordinary, no wonder it became a giant in this region.”

”Hehe, indeed, well, let’s not talk about the past. What I want to discuss today is that, Brother Li, you have to seize the opportunity.”

Yan Tong said, gesturing towards the outside, then lowered his voice: ”I might as well reveal some news to you, our Yan Family has made a great discovery while developing new territories, a piece of Upper Grade Medicinal Field!”

”Currently, we are in need of personnel. The Patriarch is ambitious, aiming to recruit talents without any limitation, if you can seize the opportunity to join the Yan Family, when the Medicinal Field yields results, tsk tsk, the prospects will be boundless.”

...

After some conventional temptations and promises, Li Ji’an handled it generously and wasn’t in a hurry.

It wasn’t until the end that he finally revealed the true purpose of his visit today.

”The eldest young lady has been studying Alchemy Dao intensively with Alchemist Mo for three years, yet hasn’t been able to grasp its essence... If, Brother Li, you could meticulously note the details of the tasks assigned to you by Alchemist Mo in the future, it would be a significant contribution. Naturally, the monthly salary would double...”

As expected!

Li Ji’an chuckled inwardly.

The Yan Family... or perhaps the eldest young lady must be truly anxious now.

”Considering this, the matters about the Medicinal Field revealed might likely be true.”

”Heh~ what does it have to do with me.”

With a swift thought, Li Ji’an stood up and thanked, ”Steward Yan, rest assured, I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties.”

His goal was merely to exchange time for Pill Technique while establishing a foothold in the Market.

As for their mutual interest contest, it had nothing to do with him.

On the contrary, the longer they tugged, the easier it would be for Li Ji’an to gain an advantage amidst the chaos.

With Li Ji’an’s response, Yan Tong left satisfied.

”Dad! Was that necessary? He’s just the Pill Shop’s Servant of our house!” Yan Quan was quite annoyed.

”Not knowing your place again? What do you mean our house? That’s the Yan Family’s! Remember, the surname can never compare to the bloodline!” Yan Tong scolded.

”Moreover, keep in mind, the reason your father could become this steward as an outsider was not due to strength or luck; choosing the right side is very important, the eldest young lady is exceptionally talented, with a grand ambition, make sure you don’t stand on the wrong side!”

”Alright, I listen to Father!” Yan Quan obediently replied.

Yan Tong nodded in satisfaction: ”Back then, with my poor Spirit Root and inferior bone structure, I failed in Body Refining and had no access to Cultivation Techniques. Hometown folks used to say I was doomed to never walk the Immortal Path, but now, heh~ though I made no more progress in the Early Period of Qi Cultivation, I’ve paved the way for you; if you can stand well this life, the next generation might truly hope for the Immortal Path... compared to those fellow villagers, dying in foreign lands or living in poverty without descendants...”

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”Li... Brother Li! How did you... how could you have made them act like this?” Chen Qingling, usually somewhat arrogant in front of Li Ji’an, looked antsy at Li Ji’an, fingers tightly clutching his clothing, displaying some unease.

Li Ji’an smiled and waved his hand: ”Naturally, it’s due to Steward Yan’s strict household discipline and noble character.”

”I don’t believe it!”

”Then just assume they heard your brother is a Mid-stage Body Cultivator and got scared!”

Chen Qingling’s expression changed, and he finally revealed an innocent smile: ”Brother Li, you must not be simple!”