SWNOVELXO Chapter 147: Relocation
Chapter 147: Relocation
“Your family lives in Green Bamboo Town?”
The sudden question in the cabin of the two-mast ship startled Xu Lian. He thought it might be a ghost, but when he turned around, he saw Jiang Yunyan walking out of the cabin.
Xu Lian looked at her strangely. When he left First Street earlier, he had seen Jiang Yunyan talking to Xiao Xixi. Now, just after boarding the ship, Jiang Yunyan was already here, which meant that she had arrived faster than him. This was too obvious.
Xu Lian decided to stop beating around the bush and looked at her warmly. “Sister, do you like me?”
Jiang Yunyan was taken aback by his directness. Then, her face turned red as she glared at him. “Who likes you? I’m just curious about how a remote town like Green Bamboo Town could produce a top-tier genius like you, who has reached the Transformation Strength rank at such a young age. That’s why I came to see for myself.”
To explain is to justify, and to justify is to admit the truth… Xu Lian had always been straightforward about matters of the heart because he didn’t have time to play guessing games.
Xu Lian said seriously, “Sister, I’ll ask you one last time. If you like me, then let’s be together, because I have a good impression of you too. If I misunderstood, then I’ll apologize. Do you like me or not?”
This time, Jiang Yunyan hesitated. After a moment, her face flushed as she lightly bit her lip and mustered up the courage to say, “Yes, I like you. I want you to be my cultivation partner.”
Xu Lian was overjoyed. Without further ado, he took her hand and led her into the cabin.
One and a half days later.
The twin-masted ship arrived at the dock of Green Bamboo Town.
Only then did Xu Lian take the time to check Jiang Yunyan’s favorability level.
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Rank: Transformation Strength Rank, Stage 1]
[Skills: Sacred Spirit Record (Complete), Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volumes 1-3), Seven Styles of Primal Gang (Complete), Short Fist – Shadow Pursuit]
[Note: Jiang Yunyan’s favorability toward you is 70/100]
Starting with a favorability of 70 meant that Jiang Yunyan had a very good impression of him.
Xu Lian led Jiang Yunyan off the ship and went to the mine.
When the miners at the mine saw Jiang Yunyan, they were all stunned, including Pu Ling, Zhang Yuan, and Lin Bufeng, the overseers. They had never seen a woman who had achieved such success in cultivation. She carried an ethereal, otherworldly aura, as if she was untouchable and unattainable, like a cloud in the sky while they were the mud on the ground. It was a strange but real feeling.
This was indeed the case. Cultivation was a leap up in the hierarchy of life. When ordinary people saw someone who had succeeded in cultivation, they would naturally feel inferior.
Xu Lian had Pu Ling gather everyone together and publicly announced that Pu Ling’s position as assistant manager would be made official, appointing him as the manager of the mine.
Next, Xu Lian appointed Yang Ye as the mine’s assistant manager to help Pu Ling manage the mine. Although Yang Ye wasn’t here, it didn’t matter.
Zhang Yuan became anxious and looked at Xu Lian with eager eyes.
Lin Bufeng, on the other hand, was content. Being an overseer was enough for him.
After some thought, Xu Lian appointed Zhang Yuan as the leader of the team of overseers and Lin Bufeng as the deputy leader.
Zhang Yuan complained, “Brother Lian, the entire mine has only me and Bufeng as overseers. Am I only managing one person?”
Xu Lian replied, “In the past, I kept the number of overseers low to save on expenses. But now that the mine has more workers, you really need more overseers. It’s time to hire more.”
Zhang Yuan was delighted. “Now that’s a real overseer team leader!”
Xu Lian didn’t say anything and left with Jiang Yunyan.
Pu Ling would handle the mine’s affairs, and Xu Lian no longer needed to concern himself with them.
Once he took Wang Cuiyun and the others to Pingyang County, he would likely rarely return to Green Bamboo Town.
The days he spent as the mine’s manager were probably the most unforgettable and beautiful days of his life. But people must always move forward; they can’t stay in the past forever.
In this world, there are people who live long lives, even eternal lives. Like countless other cultivators, Xu Lian was no exception. He, too, was striving step by step toward the goal of immortality, yearning to become a supreme powerhouse, to possess a sanctuary of his own, free from the threats of the supernatural and the control of any external forces.
Returning to the town and the house on New Street, Xu Lian informed Yang Ye of his appointment as assistant manager and his plan to take Wang Cuiyun and the others to the county town. “Father-in-law, would you like to go to the county town? If so, you can travel with us.”
Yang Ye almost immediately refused. “I’ve spent most of my life in Green Bamboo Town, enduring hardship for decades. It wasn’t until Chan’er married you that I finally started to live a good life. Now I feel happy and satisfied every day. As for the outside world, I have no desire to explore it or know more about it. I just want to spend the rest of my days peacefully in Green Bamboo Town”.
Xu Lian didn’t push any further, respecting Yang Ye’s decision. After all, Yang Ye now had wealth, food, status, and a household of seven or eight young and beautiful women. It was no wonder that he had no interest in leaving. Even if he was offered the position of a deity, he’d probably refuse.
Xu Lian then brought Jiang Yunyan into the house.
Hearing the commotion, Wang Cuiyun came out of the room, her face beaming with a smile as she greeted him. “Master, you’re back.”
Xu Lian looked at her carefully. “Aunt Wang, you seem to have gotten a bit younger.”
Wang Cuiyun chuckled. “It’s all thanks to you, Master.”
Jiang Yunyan’s eyes flickered with curiosity. One called him ”Master”, while the other was addressed as ”Aunt Wang”. She couldn’t quite figure out their relationship.
Wang Cuiyun took Jiang Yunyan’s hand warmly, praising her effusively. “What a beautiful girl! Her figure is so slim, yet not too thin, and her skin is smooth and white like silk. Master has excellent taste.”
Xu Lian had to admit that Wang Cuiyun’s assessment was spot on.
Wang Cuiyun smiled at Jiang Yunyan. “We have beef stew at home tonight. You’re in for a treat.”
Jiang Yunyan didn’t know what to say. Beef? To her, it was nothing special. She had grown up eating the meat of exotic animals. Ordinary beef was something she had only tried once as a child, out of curiosity.
When she heard the voices outside, Caixia, Yu Qingning, and Miao Yueyue also came out. Since they had not seen Xu Lian for almost two months, they were naturally overjoyed.
The six of them had dinner together.
When Jiang Yunyan saw the other five devouring their food, she felt out of place.
Xu Lian said, “I’m going to stay in Pingyang County for a long time to cultivate. I plan to take you all there to live with me.”
Caixia, Yu Qingning, and Miao Yueyue were thrilled. This meant that they wouldn’t have to live apart from Xu Lian anymore.
However, Wang Cuiyun was reluctant. She had a comfortable life at home and didn’t want to leave. “You all go ahead. I’ll stay here.”
Xu Lian insisted, “That’s not enough. I can’t leave you here alone. Yang Ye has been appointed as the assistant manager of the mine and won’t be guarding the house anymore. If some troublemakers sneak in and something happens to you, how could I explain it to Xiya? Besides, I have many women in the county town, and I need someone like you to keep things in order.”
Wang Cuiyun was pleased. “Master, you don’t mind my presence?”
Xu Lian replied sincerely, “When have I ever been bothered by you? I’ve always said that having an elder at home is like having a treasure. You’re the living treasure of this household.”
Wang Cuiyun laughed. “Alright, I’ll go then.”
Xu Lian nodded. “That’s the spirit. Staying here alone would be lonely and boring. Life in the county town will be lively and fulfilling. There’s not only chicken, duck, fish, beef, and mutton – there’s also exotic beast meat that can prolong your life.”
Wang Cuiyun’s eyes sparkled. “Then I’m even more determined to leave!”
After dinner, Xu Lian took Jiang Yunyan for a walk in the courtyard to strengthen their relationship. Caixia, Yu Qingning, and Miao Yueyue were too intimidated by the noble lady to join them.
When it was time to rest, Xu Lian arranged a guest room for Jiang Yunyan. Then, he returned to the main house where he stayed.
As expected, Caixia, Yu Qingning, and Miao Yueyue were all there. Since he had been away for over two months, none of them were willing to back down. As the saying goes, “When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman wins”. Xu Lian had no choice but to play the role of the fisherman.
Late at night, he got up to visit the “Crazy Demon” in the backyard’s old well. After some comforting words, he managed to stabilize their sisterly bond.
The next day, Xu Lian checked the favorability ratings. Caixia’s remained unchanged at 93/100 – it was already too high to improve further. Yu Qingning’s had increased from 80/100 to 85/100, while Miao Yueyue showed significant progress, jumping from 60/100 to 75/100. This was a small breakthrough that showed great potential.
After breakfast, Xu Lian went to the Pei family compound to meet with the patriarch and matriarch of the Pei family. He updated them on Pei Heng and Pei Zhaoxi’s martial arts training in Pingyang County, as well as the matter of the spirit residence on First Street.
The Pei family patriarch and matriarch were overjoyed and immediately began packing to move to the county town with him. Xu Lian arranged to meet them at the dock in the evening, mainly to accommodate the female family members’ travel.
Next, he went to Lichun Brothel to find Chuntao. He placed the hundred taels of gold in front of Aunt Fang and asked her to relocate Lichun Brothel to the county town, offering her a storefront there.
Clutching the hundred taels of gold, Aunt Fang grinned from ear to ear and agreed without hesitation.
That evening, Xu Lian, Wang Cuiyun, and the others left their house on New Street. They locked the main gate, as it might be a long time before they returned.
At the dock, they met the Pei family’s patriarch, matriarch, and several of their children, as well as Chuntao, Aunt Fang, and a group of lively women from the Lichun Brothel.
Under the stunned gaze of the dock manager, Xu Lian led them onto the ship.
The dock manager cautiously asked, “Sir, with so many people leaving Green Bamboo Town, won’t the higher-ups hold you accountable?”
Xu Lian replied indifferently, “What authorities? I am the highest authority here. Understand?”
The dock master quickly nodded, not daring to say another word.