Chapter 425: Determined Heart of the Dao Wang Qiuming

Qingyue Market, Sihai Restaurant. In the backyard, a large quantity of ingredients lay on the ground: spirit grains, spirit fruits, spirit fish, demon beast meat, and more.

Wang Qingze held an account book, examining it carefully, while Wang Qiuhong stood respectfully nearby.

Wang Qiuhong was twenty-four years old and at the fourth level of Qi Refining. At eighteen, he was assigned to work at Sihai Restaurant, starting as a server. Now, he was the purchasing manager, responsible for procuring ingredients.

"Qiuhong, I recall that Obsidian Spirit Rice costs two spirit stones per catty. You bought two hundred catties, but it only cost three hundred and fifty spirit stones. That's thirty spirit stones cheaper than before. Are you trying to save money by buying low-quality Obsidian Spirit Rice?" Wang Qingze asked with a frown, his tone serious.

Obsidian Spirit Rice ripened every three years and had a market price of two spirit stones per catty. It was suitable for cultivators above the fourth level of Qi Refining. Its small grains made it perfect for brewing porridge. Sihai Restaurant sold dozens of bowls of Obsidian Cloud Porridge daily, requiring a large quantity of Obsidian Spirit Rice.

"Third Uncle, don't you know me? Why would I do something so foolish? A new spirit grain store, Qiangu Hall, just opened. They're offering lower prices on spirit rice for their grand opening. I bought two hundred catties of Obsidian Spirit Rice to show you. If you agree, we should take advantage of the lower price and stock up. We can save some spirit stones, and we use a lot of Obsidian Spirit Rice." Wang Qiuhong explained.

Wang Qingze stepped forward to inspect the Obsidian Spirit Rice. After confirming its quality, he nodded with satisfaction and praised him, "Excellent, that's how you do business—seizing every opportunity to earn spirit stones. Saving thirty spirit stones is just like earning thirty spirit stones. Go to the accounts, draw five hundred spirit stones, and buy more Obsidian Spirit Rice from Qiangu Hall."

"Third Uncle, I've inquired and found that Su Guanghai, the manager of Qiangu Hall, is a cultivator from the Northern Liang Kingdom. He's just started doing business in Wei Kingdom and hasn't established himself yet, so he urgently needs big clients like us. I think we can cooperate with him. It should save us some spirit stones and also show other suppliers that they aren't the only ones with goods. We can switch suppliers at any time. By dealing with multiple parties, we can maximize our profits." Wang Qiuhong proposed.

Wang Qingze's face showed approval. He smiled and said, "Indeed, at your young age, to have such foresight, you are truly cut out for business. To be frank, Su Guanghai invited me to meet a few days ago, likely to discuss cooperation. I deliberately left him hanging for a few days. He just sent me a message, arranging to meet at Ziyue Residence tonight at酉时 (you shi - 5-7 PM). You'll come with me then; observe and learn."

"Yes, Third Uncle."

"Dad, I'm hungry! Is there anything good to eat?" A loud voice suddenly boomed.

Hearing this, Wang Qingze's brows furrowed slightly.

Soon after, a portly young man in fine silk robes walked in. His face was round, and his bulging belly seemed ready to burst through his clothes at any moment. The fat on his face squeezed his eyes into thin slits. He hadn't walked many steps before breaking into a sweat.

This was Wang Qiuxin, Wang Qingze's son. He was at the fourth level of Qi Refining and a First-Rank Mid-Grade Artifact Refiner.

Among Wang Changxing's grandchildren, Wang Qiuxin was the most promising, possessing a specialized skill. His only drawback was his immense love for food, which made him very stout.

Wang Qingze took out a heavy storage bag and tossed it to Wang Qiuxin, saying, "This is my monthly stipend. Use it sparingly; don't spend it all so quickly."

Wang Qingze had another son and a daughter, but their aptitudes were ordinary, and they lacked any specialized skills. Wang Qiuxin was his most outstanding son, and Wang Qingze always indulged his requests. Most of his and his wife's monthly stipends were spent on Wang Qiuxin, hoping he would go further on the path of cultivation.

"Hehe, thanks, Dad. Seventh Brother, you're here too! Perfect, let's go have a few drinks." Wang Qiuxin said, walking into the kitchen, grabbing two steamed buns, and devouring them in a few bites.

Wang Qiuhong looked at Wang Qingze, who waved his hand and said, "Go! But be quick. Qiuhong, you keep an eye on him. Don't let him get drunk; otherwise, he'll start talking nonsense again. Qiuxin, I'm warning you, if you dare to do anything foolish again, even if Ninth Uncle spares you, I won't."

Wang Qiuxin enjoyed drinking spirit wine. Last time, he got drunk and propositioned a female cultivator. Though it was drunken talk, Wang Qingze severely scolded him, whipped him twenty times with a python whip, and confined him for three months.

Wang Changsheng had learned from the downfall of other cultivating families and established strict clan rules: clan members were forbidden from proactively killing others for treasures or bullying men and women. Violators would be severely punished.

"Understood, Dad. I promise I won't cause trouble again." Wang Qiuxin agreed, then walked out with Wang Qiuhong.

At Green Lotus Villa, in a courtyard planted with green spirit bamboos, Wang Qingzhi's family of four was having dinner.

Wang Qiuhong had been assigned to work outside, while Wang Qiushuang remained within the clan, assisting Wang Qingzhi and his wife with raising spirit fish and spirit mussels. Wang Qiuming had been diligently cultivating within the clan and rarely showed himself.

Qi Shanshan hadn't seen Wang Qiuming in over half a year. Wang Qiuming consumed辟谷丹 (bigu dan - 'grain-avoiding pills') and cultivated in his room year-round, rarely appearing.

She continuously served Wang Qiuming food, urging him to eat more.

The family chatted and laughed, creating a warm atmosphere. Wang Qiushuang, being introverted, spoke little.

After dinner, Wang Qiushuang voluntarily took the bowls and chopsticks to wash them.

"Dad, Mom, I want to go hunt demon beasts with Eighteenth Uncle and the others. I've encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation and want to go out and gain experience for a while." Wang Qiuming said seriously. This wasn't a sudden impulse; he had planned it for a long time. After turning eighteen, clan members were usually sent out to work. Wang Qiuming had been able to remain within the clan to cultivate, firstly because his cultivation speed was fast, making him worthy of focused family training, and secondly, because he was Wang Changsheng's grandson.

Wang Qiuming had a clear plan for his future. Simply cultivating diligently made it difficult to reach higher realms. He had no interest in farming or working as a shop assistant. He preferred to be like Wang Qingshan, traversing the world with a sword.

Wang Qingshan was the foremost among those of the "Qing" generation. Many elders would use Wang Qingshan as an example when educating younger generations, encouraging them to learn from him.

As for Wang Changsheng, he was too distant for them.

"How old are you? Hunting demon beasts is very dangerous. Over the years, no fewer than thirty clan members have died at the hands of demon beasts, and over a dozen have been severely injured. Let your father find you a safer job. Or why don't you go to Sihai Restaurant and help your elder brother with purchasing ingredients?" Qi Shanshan said, sounding worried.

"The path of cultivation inherently involves fighting against fate. I have already decided to go hunt demon beasts with Eighteenth Uncle and the others. I have cultivated multiple spells to grand completion and have a complete set of spirit artifacts. With Eighteenth Uncle watching over me, there won't be much danger. I have no interest in purchasing; I usually consume grain-avoiding pills, so I have no interest in procuring ingredients. Mom, please don't worry!" Wang Qiuming said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with determination.

Wang Qingzhi pondered for a moment, then asked, "Have you thought this through? Do you really want to go hunt demon beasts with Eighteenth Uncle? Even if you're prepared, hunting demon beasts is still very dangerous."

"I have thought it through, Dad and Mom. Please grant my wish." Wang Qiuming nodded seriously, stood up, and bowed to Wang Qingzhi and Qi Shanshan.

Qi Shanshan protested, unwilling to let her precious son take such risks. She said, "Husband, Qiuming is still young, you can't..."

"Enough. Our son has grown; he's already twenty. It's time for him to gain experience. Since you've thought it through, then go! Take these two Second-Rank Hundred-Sword Talismans. Your grandmother personally refined them." Wang Qingzhi said, taking out two Hundred-Sword Talismans and handing them to Wang Qiuming.