Chapter 826

Chapter 826: The Torrent of Humanity (Part Two)

"Wang Chen, do you realize the trouble you’ve stirred?"

The newcomer, short and stout with an unremarkable appearance, carried himself with an air of superiority before Wang Chen, as though he wielded all authority: "Many fellow travelers in the palace are deeply dissatisfied with your recent actions, including two Elders Zhang."

“If it weren’t for our alliance, you would have already been apprehended and brought to justice!”

Facing the reprimand, Wang Chen remained composed and inquired, “Then what do you suggest I do?”

This man from Qinyun Palace was Zhao Zheng Yu, a manager in the Qinyun Alliance’s Civil Affairs Hall, and also Mo Han, official of Taiwu Pavilion!

“It’s simple,” Zhao Zheng Yu declared with arrogance. “Immediately disband White Deer Academy, transfer Ci Shi Pharmacy to Taiwu Pavilion for oversight, and then spend three years in seclusion at the Cliff of Reflection. That should resolve this matter."

Disband White Deer Academy, surrender Ci Shi Pharmacy, and retreat to seclusion for three years?

Wang Chen chuckled, "And if I decline?"

“Fellow traveler Wang, consider your decision carefully!”

Zhao Zheng Yu’s expression darkened ominously: "It’s not too late to see the error of your ways."

In Zhao Zheng Yu’s eyes, Wang Chen’s actions were a direct path to ruin, and his deeds were beyond comprehension.

What baffled many was the source of Wang Chen’s vast wealth, which he so freely spent on White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy.

Moreover, the elixirs he crafted were of exceptional quality, significantly undercutting the business of clinics and pharmacies throughout Taiwu City.

Rumors suggested that Wang Chen had come into possession of Elder Yao’s treasure, accounting for his substantial wealth and extensive knowledge of formulas, enabling him to become an extraordinary practitioner at such a young age.

Zhao Zheng Yu had even caught whispers linking Wang Chen to the recent disappearance of Master Ji Yun.

Any single one of these issues could spark a major incident, and combined, they were a powder keg.

The Qinyun Alliance had shown considerable restraint by waiting this long to act!

Zhao Zheng Yu was convinced that under the Qinyun Alliance’s overwhelming oppressive force, Wang Chen stood no chance of resistance.

Thus, he regarded Wang Chen as nothing more than a fish on the chopping block.

What irked Zhao Zheng Yu the most was that, despite his prolonged presence, Wang Chen had offered nothing beyond a cup of hot tea, blatantly disregarding him as a representative of Qinyun Palace.

A sharp edge of menace crept into Zhao Zheng Yu’s tone!

“Then consider me obstinate.”

Wang Chen casually tapped the teacup on the table: “Manager Zhao, with your many pressing duties, I won’t detain you further.”

“Fine, very fine!”

Zhao Zheng Yu exploded in fury, rising sharply: “Since fellow traveler Wang chooses to remain obstinate, we shall see how this unfolds!”

With that, he stormed out of the room.

Wang Chen shook his head and took a sip of tea.

Such fine tea should not be wasted.

“Are you planning to sever ties with the Qinyun Alliance?”

At that moment, a white fox leaped into his arms and, looking up, spoke, “Shall I deal with that bothersome individual from earlier?”

Wang Chen gently patted Hu Jiao Jiao’s head and smiled, “Not for now. I don’t think they will act rashly until they figure out my true capabilities.”

For over a year, Wang Chen had been managing White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy without returning to Qinyun Peak.

However, thanks to Mo Han acting as his informant, he remained well-informed about the situation in Taiwu City and Qinyun Palace.

Wang Chen was acutely aware of the envy his establishment of White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy had stirred.

Particularly among the families whose direct interests had been harmed. They dared not confront him openly but instead used their connections to lodge complaints with Qinyun Palace, spreading endless slanders!

The reason Qinyun Palace had waited until now to send someone to probe was due to the lingering awe from his use of the Thousand Thunder Great Formation months ago, which annihilated a horde of beasts.

The higher-ups couldn’t discern Wang Chen’s true strength, so how could they dare to provoke him lightly?

It was important to note that the Qinyun Alliance was far from united; otherwise, how could Mo Han, who had close ties to Wang Chen, gather such detailed information?

Some cultivators were indifferent to fame and fortune, preferring to avoid worldly entanglements, while others were entirely focused on their training and had no time to meddle in others’ affairs.

Then there were those who valued their lives too much to risk conflict.

Let alone act as tools for powerful families!

The most vocal critics in Qinyun Palace were those practitioners with direct stakes in the matter.

Moreover, Wang Chen’s growing influence had made some of the elders uneasy.

Then Zhao Zheng Yu arrived.

Wang Chen knew full well that he was merely a pawn, a disposable scout sent by Qinyun Palace to test the waters.

Killing him would serve little purpose.

Hu Jiao Jiao pouted, “But he’s just so irritating!”

Wang Chen chuckled softly.

“Let’s not dwell on it. If no one provokes me, I won’t provoke anyone.”

Though he spoke lightly, Wang Chen knew this was only the beginning.

Neither the Qinyun Alliance nor the various factions in Taiwu City would allow him to grow any stronger.

And as it turned out, his suspicions were entirely justified.

Just three days later, trouble arrived.

The staff responsible for daily procurement at White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy suddenly found themselves unable to purchase supplies in the city.

With over thirteen thousand students at White Deer Academy, their daily food consumption was immense. Meanwhile, the stream of patients seeking treatment and medicines at Ci Shi Pharmacy was unending, and the quantities of medicinal materials required for crafting elixirs were equally substantial.

As a result, many grain shops and pharmacies in the city seemed to have reached an unspoken agreement: small quantities were available, but large purchases were either out of stock or subject to exorbitant price hikes!

Under normal circumstances, bulk purchases would lower prices, yet these shops had turned that logic on its head.

Not only that, but they also simultaneously raised the base prices for grain, meat, and medicinal materials.

Their justification was that the high demand from White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy had caused a shortage, necessitating price increases.

“Several major grain shop owners have hinted that prices will rise again soon!”

One of the procurement managers, his brow furrowed, reported to Wang Chen, “Lord, I fear this will incite public outrage, and we’ll be blamed as the true culprits!”

Taiwu City was home to millions, and under normal circumstances, food prices remained stable without significant fluctuations.

However, any price increase would inevitably affect countless lives.

Even though White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy currently enjoyed stellar reputations, being seen as the cause of rising prices would make them the target of public scorn, leaving them defenseless against the backlash.

Wang Chen nodded, “I understand.”

It was clear that certain forces in Taiwu City had begun to act.

Their methods were undeniably shrewd, striking directly at the lifelines of White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy.

And this wasn’t even a covert scheme—they had made their intentions plain!

The managers exchanged uneasy glances.

Wang Chen spoke in a deep voice, “Send someone to other cities to procure medicinal materials. I’ll handle the food issue myself.”

A bunch of insignificant fools really thought they could corner him this way?

Dream on!