Chapter 393

Chapter 393: Calculation

Since Shangguan Qianxue hadn’t exposed him, saying this was definitely fine.

Sure enough, after hearing these words, Master Xuanlong didn’t ask anything more.

This kind of thing was always a routine inquiry. If the other party truly had an issue, he wouldn’t need to mention it—the Immortal Sect would send someone specifically to deal with them.

"Alright, leave now," Master Xuanlong said.

He had summoned Zhou Luo this time for two purposes: to confirm the collaboration and to inquire about the ancient ruins.

Since the matters were settled, nothing else needed discussion.

As for the Immortal City business assets, that counterpart’s little holdings were indeed insufficient. He would discuss it personally with Tian Xia Restaurant.

If not for the collaboration, he wouldn’t have seated that party in the front row.

This also gave him justification to present to Tian Xia Restaurant.

After all, his involvement would harm Tian Xia Restaurant’s interests.

Thus, by targeting Zhou Luo now, he avoided any backlash.

With that resolved, Zhou Luo stood and took his leave.

Outside, feeling the stares fixed upon him, he drew a deep breath and returned to his seat.

"Well, Pill Master Zhou, did your worry come true?" Hong Xiu transmitted her voice.

"How to put it… at least it proved my intuition was right," Zhou Luo said helplessly.

The banquet’s purpose had indeed been his business assets, though the methods used were gentler than expected.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but glance to the side.

Behind the screen sat Long Yunshuang, the manager of Tian Xia Restaurant.

After all the guests in the front row had spoken with Master Xuanlong, it signaled the banquet was nearing its end.

Everyone seized this moment to strengthen connections, laying groundwork for future cooperation.

Once the banquet concluded, Zhou Luo was detained alone.

Back in the chamber, he faced Fang Li once more.

Fang Li sat in a large chair, eyebrow slightly raised, lips curling. "I’d thought Pill Master Zhou didn’t want to partner up."

Zhou Luo sat down beside him calmly, neither submissive nor arrogant. "Friend Fang, now that Master Xuanlong has spoken and Manager Long agreed as well, I naturally have no grounds to refuse."

"As for the collaboration’s details, a friend is handling the businesses; discuss specifics with him.”

"I trust the master won’t let me suffer losses."

His tone remained measured, eyes dark and unwavering as they locked with Fang Li’s gaze.

Through Master Xuanlong’s words, Zhou Luo now understood: though Fang Li claimed cooperation under the master’s orders, deep down he aimed to seize the business, not merely collaborate.

By phrasing it this way, Zhou Luo warned Fang Li not to defy the master’s will.

Fang Li’s stare hardened. He recognized the intent, but let it slide.

After all, being a direct disciple placed him leagues above other disciples—how much higher was unknown.

Currently, he could cooperate with the other party as per his master’s wish, but in the future, he would definitely find ways to slowly squeeze the other party out.

"Pill Master Zhou is right, so I hope we can cooperate pleasantly." Fang Li showed a faint smile.

But that smile was somewhat cold and aloof.

From start to finish, he had never taken the other party seriously, so his attitude hadn’t been good at all.

Zhou Luo smiled without speaking.

Then, after a brief discussion on the cooperation content, Zhou Luo stated that he would hand over the follow-up to Wang Lang later, and then left the place.

After walking out of the mountain gate, Zhou Luo looked up at the azure sky.

It seemed his strength and status weren’t sufficient yet.

For now, he could only yield a portion of their profits to the other party under pressure.

But this matter was far from over, and a strange gleam flashed in his eyes.

Surrendering their profits so easily wasn’t that simple.

He might have to submit temporarily for now, but before long, he would definitely push the other party out of Tian Xia Pavilion.

Leaving the mountain gate, he returned to Zhou Fu and immediately summoned Wang Lang, informing him about the cooperation.

After hearing this, Wang Lang tightened his brow, a grave expression appearing on his face.

He couldn’t deny that he knew the Immortal Sect wanted to carve up their profits.

But in such matters, they truly lacked any ability to prevent it.

This was the sorrow of small characters like them without any backing.

"Having the profits divided is a minor issue; what matters is not to be tricked by others." After saying this, Zhou Luo spoke solemnly.

Unlike the loss of some profits, he worried Fang Li might secretly oust his personnel in the commercial district of Tian Xia Pavilion, leaving him unaware of the specifics.

Then, even if he wanted to retaliate, he’d have no means.

So he could only say sternly, "Master Manager, rest assured, I will pay extra attention to this."

Over these years, apart from cultivation, Wang Lang spent much of his time improving his commercial ability.

Moreover, with the commercial district in Tian Xia Pavilion for hands-on practice, his ability in business was undoubtedly strong.

Zhou Luo didn’t say much more, only adding that if the other party tried to exert pressure through status, he could send someone to contact Long Yunshuang.

By now, Long Yunshuang definitely had a different opinion of him, which was why she helped him during the banquet.

If any trouble really occurred, seeking her out might be a good choice.

Wang Lang nodded, then left.

After he left, Zhou Luo then summoned Yao Wu.

The current Yao Wu was no longer the young girl in her twenties from years ago; she wore a light yellow dress with a peony embroidered in golden thread, appearing graceful and virtuous.

Over the years together, she had grown increasingly composed, with her pinned-up hair and delicate face radiating a mature aura.

Though she wasn’t even forty yet, her experience managing Zhou Fu had made her resemble the mistress of the household.

Especially as a Gu Master, often dealing with Gu insects, she carried a faint aura that inspired fear.

"Husband, what’s wrong?" Yao Wu blinked her beautiful eyes and sat beside him.

"I met someone at the banquet…" Zhou Luo proceeded to tell her about encountering Hong Han at the banquet, particularly emphasizing what Wan Gu Sect was currently experiencing.

Hearing this, a flicker of shock appeared on Yao Wu’s delicate face.

Her knowledge of the Immortal Sect had always been limited.

Since childhood, she had been following her master.

Later, when she was older, her master would occasionally tell her about Wan Gu Sect.

He didn’t speak much, mostly wishing for her to have some understanding of the sect.

He had said that since her talent in refining Gu wasn’t bad, once she surpassed him, she could join Wan Gu Sect.

But later, a scheme by the evil cultivators of Hehuan Sect led to her master’s tragic death, and the matter was dropped.

So many years later, as Zhou Luo brought it up again, a hint of sorrow surfaced in her beautiful eyes, along with surprise that her master’s father had passed away.