Chapter 464

Chapter 464: The Knocking

Accompanied by Meng Fei and his group of Younger Siblings, Wang Chen made his way back to the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.

He summoned the estate’s chief steward.

The previous chief steward, along with a host of miscellaneous workers and maids, had been dismissed by Wang Chen. The new staff in the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion were primarily arranged by the Xi family.

While Wang Chen couldn’t place complete trust in the Xi family, they were undoubtedly more reliable than the previous group.

Take the new chief steward, for instance; he was remarkably diligent and dependable, managing the estate’s affairs with such efficiency that it significantly reduced Wang Chen’s burdens.

"Steward Zhang," Wang Chen stated straightforwardly, "These children are of great importance to me. Ensure their living arrangements are well taken care of."

Steward Zhang was momentarily startled but promptly responded, "Understood, Master Celestial Guardian. You can count on me!"

Wang Chen’s directive was clear, leaving no room for any form of negligence.

Wang Chen gave a nod of approval, "All expenses are to be covered from the public account."

As the Celestial Guardian of the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion, Wang Chen was entitled to a portion of the offerings from Xun district’s taxes.

These funds were allocated for daily living and cultivation purposes.

With nearly three hundred thousand inhabitants across the seven workshops and thirty-nine streets of Xun district, the offering was substantial!

The former Celestial Guardian’s incompetence had led to his power being usurped, rendering him a mere puppet, and he had clearly lost control over the financial authority.

Upon assuming office, Wang Chen made an example of the stewards beneath him, serving as a warning to others, subdued Chief Steward Wu Jingwei, and subsequently purged the entire Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion, thereby reclaiming the financial authority.

Even a small fraction of the public account’s funds would suffice for Meng Fei and his Younger Siblings to transform their appearances and live comfortably!

Steward Zhang led the group of children away.

In truth, since their departure from the Xun Seven Underground to the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion, they had been in a daze; only Meng Fei appeared somewhat composed, while the other children seemed to be in a dreamlike state.

It would likely take some time for them to fully adjust to their drastically altered fate!

Having issued his instructions, Wang Chen stepped back; the day-to-day matters could be handled by his subordinates, and his role was merely to oversee them.

He dispatched a talisman to Xi Manyun.

Upon receiving the talisman, Xi Manyun promptly arrived at the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.

She had recently taken over the workshop and five streets that were once under Xiang Yingzhe’s control, and her area of responsibility had expanded severalfold. Despite her family’s support, she was overwhelmed with work.

Yet, upon Wang Chen’s command, Xi Manyun made time to come over.

Wang Chen wasn’t seeking to cause trouble; he inquired about the recent developments.

Xi Manyun reported that the transition to her new territory was proceeding relatively smoothly. Several gangs that occupied the workshop and five streets had presented her with offerings, signifying their submission.

Throughout this process, Chief Steward Wu Jingwei had not caused any disturbances.

However, the Xiang family, who should have been the most reactive, remained unsettlingly quiet.

This left Xi Manyun, who had prepared herself for a confrontation, feeling as though she had thrown a punch into thin air.

Yet, she harbored no optimism; instead, she was filled with apprehension: "Master Celestial Guardian, Lesser Steward fears they may be secretly conspiring against us!"

Xi Manyun’s concerns were not without merit; such a scenario was highly plausible.

Master Wu Jingwei, as a Purple Palace master and the de facto ruler of the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion for many years, would never willingly submit to Wang Chen!

If this guy had been jumping around from the start, it would have been easier to deal with.

The current situation was undoubtedly quite tricky.

As the saying goes, there are a thousand days to be a thief, but not a thousand days to guard against one; an enemy who hides their claws is the hardest to deal with!

"I understand," Wang Chen nodded. "You keep an eye on them, and report to me promptly if anything happens."

Xi Manyun’s worries did not mean that Wang Chen shared the same concerns.

In his view, Wu Jingwei and the others were merely a group of clowns; no matter what schemes and plots they played, they were all jokes in the face of overwhelming power!

In this world where strength reigns supreme, the rules of the game are always set by the Strongest.

With his formidable abilities and holding the moral high ground, it would be absurd for him to fear these specters!

Of course, necessary precautions were still required.

"Lesser Steward heard a piece of news," Xi Manyun hesitated for a moment and said, "That day, Master Wu went to the Grand Celestial Guardian’s residences, but he didn’t even meet Luo Han. It is said that Luo Han has no intention of intervening in our internal conflicts at the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion."

"Mm?"

Wang Chen was a bit surprised. "Where did this news come from?"

"Lesser Steward’s subordinate heard it, but it’s unclear if it is true," Xi Manyun replied. "Lesser Steward thinks that if it is true, it must have come from the Grand Celestial Guardian’s residences."

This is getting interesting!

Wang Chen had slapped Wu Jingwei’s face and had been prepared for the other party to seek Luo Han to suppress him.

He did not expect Luo Han to completely ignore the situation.

It seemed that this Grand Celestial Guardian was not truly aligned with the local families.

But it could also just be a warning.

"Don’t worry about it," Wang Chen thought for a moment and said, "I will handle matters above; you just manage the marketplace Block below."

Xi Manyun bowed, "As you command!"

Wang Chen spoke with her for nearly half an hour.

After Xi Manyun left, Wang Chen had Meng Fei summoned.

Steward Zhang’s efficiency was truly impressive; in less than two hours, the boy had transformed completely.

He was now clean and tidy, his once messy hair neatly arranged into a bun. His features were handsome, his complexion rosy, and he wore a clean and crisp green robe, looking like a dashing young man.

Most importantly, Meng Fei’s energy, spirit, and mind were completely different from when he was in the underground.

"Good," Wang Chen said with satisfaction. "This is how it should be. From now on, you take good care of your Younger Siblings in the estate. If they make a mistake, half of the blame will fall on you!"

To nurture talent, giving them only sweets is not enough; necessary discipline is essential.

Wang Chen tied him and his younger siblings together to encourage this child of fortune to take initiative.

"Rest assured!" Meng Fei almost swore an oath, saying, "I will take good care of them, and if there are any mistakes, you can hold me accountable!"

He scratched his head, feeling a bit shy, and asked, "Immortal Master, when can I start practicing immortality techniques?"

Wang Chen smiled and said, "In about half a month, depending on your recovery."

If a normal person’s foundation is damaged, unless they have a miraculous medicine for fate alteration, it would take a long time to slowly recover.

But Meng Fei was exceptionally gifted; he would likely be fine in about half a month.

Meng Fei was overjoyed: "Thank you, Celestial Guardian!"

Just as Wang Chen was about to encourage him further, Steward Zhang rushed into the conference hall: "Master Celestial Guardian, a group of people just arrived outside and are all kneeling at the door!"