Chapter 270: Mature and Steady Wang Qingyuan

He genuinely considered Wang Mingjiang's welfare. With the war's uncertain end, completing this task would provide a legitimate reason to recall Wang Mingjiang to the rear for rest.

Wang Mingjiang carefully considered it, then shook his head and refused. "I'm only at the third level of Foundation Establishment; my strength is meager, so I won't join this particular fray," he said. "In recent years, most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators I've killed were also at the third level, and I relied on several second-tier puppet beasts to do it. Two of those puppets are now severely damaged and unusable. You should find someone else. If you don't trust me, I'll stay by your side from this day forward, never leaving, and I won't leak this matter."

He was perfectly lucid, understanding that opportunity and danger went hand in hand. A reward of a Foundation Establishment Pill and a recall to the rear for rest meant the danger was certainly not trivial. Even the residual energy from a Core Formation cultivator's fight could easily kill him.

While fighting on the front lines was dangerous, he could rely on his puppet beasts and a complete set of flying swords to protect himself, even if outmatched, especially with Wang Shuyuan's assistance. However, attacking a Devil Path supply depot would mean fighting individually once the battle began, and being targeted by elite Devil Path disciples would undoubtedly lead to his demise.

The Devil Path's supply depots were certainly heavily guarded; the fact that both Chu and Wei sent four Core Formation cultivators for this mission spoke volumes about its difficulty.

Su Cheng gave a bitter smile, having come to understand Wang Mingjiang's character over their years of interaction. Wang Mingjiang was a cautious individual, never greedy for glory or prone to rash advancement. He always prioritized risk, and if the danger was too great, he wouldn't act, no matter how substantial the potential reward. However, if the risk was relatively small, even for a modest gain, he would take action. It was precisely this cautious approach that allowed Wang Mingjiang to operate on the front lines for several years without incident.

"Alright then! There's another task: a small spirit stone mine under the Sword Palace's jurisdiction has been occupied by the Devil Path. We plan to send people to attack that stronghold, eliminate some Devil Path cultivators, and indirectly weaken their forces. This mission will be led by a sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Sword Palace. While it carries some danger, it's less risky than attacking the Devil Path sect's supply depots."

"A small spirit stone mine? Where is it located? How strong is the Devil Path's defense there? And how many people will be going?"

"It's located in Shangyong Commandery, where the spiritual energy is faint. That spirit stone mine is a newly discovered one, and the Sword Palace has only been mining it for a few years. Because Shangyong Commandery is deep in the rear, that stronghold hasn't been attacked before, so its defenses shouldn't be too strong. This mission requires seven Foundation Establishment cultivators; originally, we planned for cultivators at the third level and above. However, Uncle Twenty-One, you have a certain reputation. If you accompany us, and with my personal guarantee, others won't object. Any gains after eliminating the villains will be yours, making this a lucrative assignment."

Wang Mingjiang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, I'll take this mission. When do we depart?"

"Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), we'll gather outside the city. For specific details, please follow Daoist Zhao's instructions."

Wang Mingjiang agreed. Su Cheng was quite busy, so after a brief chat, he bid farewell and left.

Early the next morning, Wang Mingjiang left the garrison and headed towards the city outskirts. The leader was a refined scholar in a green robe, carrying a green sword box taller than himself on his back.

"Everyone has already been briefed on this mission," the leader stated. "I have only one requirement: obey orders. If anyone cannot do that, you may withdraw now. But if you join us and defy my orders along the way, I will not be lenient."

No one else had any objections to this.

"Good," the leader said. "Since everyone is willing to obey orders, let's depart."

Soon after, the scholar in green and the other six cultivators disappeared into the vast mountains.

***

At Wang's General Store, Wang Qingyuan sat behind the counter, reviewing ledgers. He was twenty-two years old, at the fifth level of Qi Condensation. Many clan members of similar age had already reached the sixth level, and Wang Qingshan, who was younger, was already at the ninth level. Wang Qingyuan, however, was not at all anxious. He practiced when he should, and worked when he should. Compared to his peers, he was far more mature and steady.

The "Yao" and "Ming" generations of the Wang family were now old. Currently, the "Chang" generation served as the main support, while the "Qing" generation represented the family's future. With his maturity, steady demeanor, and diligent work ethic, Wang Qingyuan served as the manager of Wang's General Store, responsible for buying and selling low-grade materials.

Wang's General Store was not large, merely a simple stone house. Wang Qingyuan did not cut corners simply because the premises were small. He occasionally visited other general stores to observe the goods they sold and their purchase prices, comparing them to his own to adjust his pricing accordingly. For items sold to customers, Wang's General Store offered slightly lower prices. For materials purchased, they would also offer higher prices than other shops. Consequently, many rogue cultivators preferred to sell or buy items at Wang's General Store.

"Daoist Wang, could you take a look at these items and tell me how many spirit stones they're worth?"

A burly, dark-faced man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, accompanied by a plain-looking young woman in a green skirt, entered the store. The dark-faced man placed a green storage bag on the counter.

"Daoist Lin, long time no see! I thought you had forgotten about me," Wang Qingyuan greeted them. "Let me brew you a pot of tea first; we can look at your items afterward."

Wang Qingyuan didn't rush to examine the goods. Instead, he took out tea sets and tea leaves and brewed a hot cup of tea for the two guests. These two were a couple who earned their living by hunting demonic beasts. Both were at the seventh level of Qi Condensation and were long-time customers of Wang's General Store, so Wang Qingyuan naturally treated them with great courtesy.

"Haha, Daoist Wang, you're always so considerate!" the dark-faced man chuckled. "Whenever I sell things at other general stores, none of the managers bother to brew tea for my wife and me." He took the teacup and took a sip.

Wang Qingyuan then took out the contents of the storage bag and examined them carefully. The dark-faced man and the young woman in green didn't rush him, patiently drinking their tea and waiting.

After examining all the items, Wang Qingyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Daoist Lin, I can offer you two hundred and fifty spirit stones for these first-tier demonic beast materials."

"Deal."

Wang Qingyuan took out two hundred and fifty spirit stones and paid them to the dark-faced man, smiling as he said, "Daoist Lin, if you acquire anything else next time, please prioritize Wang's General Store. You'll never be at a disadvantage with our prices."

"Of course, of course," the man replied. "We have other matters to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."

"Daoist Lin, travel safely."

After seeing off the two guests, Wang Qingyuan returned to the counter and recorded the received goods and their purchase prices.

"Qingyuan, you haven't had lunch yet, have you?" A man's voice sounded.

Wang Qingyuan looked up and saw Wang Changsheng standing before him, with Wang Qingjing beside him, holding an exquisite food box.

"Sixth Brother, Father and I have brought you lunch," Wang Qingjing said with a sweet smile.

"Ninth Uncle, Eighth Sister, what brings you here?" Wang Qingyuan asked, quickly putting down his brush and stepping out.

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly. "I heard from your eldest brother that you're managing a general store and doing quite well, so I came to visit you. Knowing you hadn't had lunch yet, Qingjing brought you some food. Eat up! No matter how busy work gets, you must eat."

Wang Qingyuan thanked him, took the food box, set it aside, and then handed the ledger to Wang Changsheng, saying, "Ninth Uncle, these are the store's account books. Please take a look."

Wang Changsheng took the ledger and flipped through a few pages. "Why are your material purchase prices always higher than other general stores?" Wang Changsheng asked. "Sometimes, you sell items for only two more spirit stones than you bought them for. And the monthly rent isn't cheap. What's your reasoning behind this? Tell me."

Wang Qingyuan nodded. "Ninth Uncle, it's about small profits but quick turnover. Many rogue cultivators choose to sell their items to me precisely because I offer higher prices than other general stores. While the profit margin on each transaction isn't high, we can compensate through sheer volume. Even after deducting the rent, we still manage to make a profit."

"I understand it's profitable," Wang Changsheng replied, "but last month's profit was only sixty-three spirit stones. That works out to about two spirit stones a day, which is far too little."

"Sixty-three spirit stones is indeed a bit low," Wang Qingyuan admitted, "but this approach helps us build a base of repeat customers, which will be beneficial for expanding our business in the future. Customers are the most important thing. Sometimes, if you offer just two more spirit stones, that customer might bring all their future business to us."

Wang Changsheng showed a look of approval. "It's rare to find such foresight," he advised. "Keep up the good work; diligently managing the business is commendable. However, don't neglect your cultivation!"

"Your nephew has noted that," Wang Qingyuan replied.

"Alright, you get back to your work," Wang Changsheng said. "Qingjing, let's go. We shouldn't disturb your sixth brother."

"Goodbye, Sixth Brother, and remember to eat your lunch," Wang Qingjing called out.

After Wang Changsheng and his daughter left, Wang Qingyuan took out his meal and began to eat.