Immortality Path: From the Blind Man at the Pharmacy
Chapter 282 - 159, 160. Once again, True Martial Emperor Monarch, Xiao Family crosses the sea (Big Chapter - Subscription Request)_4

Chapter 282: 159, 160. Once again, True Martial Emperor Monarch, Xiao Family crosses the sea (Big Chapter - Subscription Request)_4

In the information conveyed by Ting, Song Cheng learned that the Qi Family of East Sea State was extremely dissatisfied with Zhao Hua...

Even now, in the remote Wine Prefecture, phrases like "Zhao Ni slaughters all the courtiers of the Imperial Capital, truly cruel and inhumane," "Zhao Ni fancies employing cruel officials, appoints only his favorites, and delights in torturing and slaughtering surrendered soldiers," "Zhao Ni embezzles taxes, excessively collects wealth, commits rape and forcibly takes people, causing the civilians to live a miserable life, and people harboring hatred towards him," echoed...

On the surface, it appeared only as the displeasure of the commoners towards Zhao Hua.

But with a little thought, it was clear that the Qi Family had almost torn their faces with Zhao Hua.

If not so, why would such phrases resonate in East Sea State?

If not so... where would such claims of "embezzling taxes, excessively collecting wealth, committing rape, favoring cruel officials, appointing only favorites, and universal hatred from the civilians" arise from?

Would such phrases appear without someone promoting and setting the tune?

In rural areas, there were also numerous semi-credible stories circulating, claiming how Zhao Hua fancied a certain girl, so he stormed into her home and did such things in front of her family...

Song Cheng was simply speechless.

He believed that Hua was not capable of doing such things.

It seemed everyone liked to create rumors that were beneficial to themselves.

Whether it was the truth or not, as long as the voice was loud, that was the truth.

These days, he had a premonition that something was about to happen...

Thus, Song Cheng particularly discussed his speculations with Madam Tong and Miss An.

Indeed, at the end of February, a huge ship several dozens of Zhang long docked on the coast of Northern Snow State.

This ship had come from Jiangnan.

To avoid trouble, they hadn’t taken the river route, but instead traversed the vast sea.

This time, the Xiao Family had brought two Noble Family Children.

One male and one female.

The male, named Xiao Bi, had a stable countenance, small slanted eyes, monolids, seemingly emotionless, showing neither happiness nor anger.

The female, named Xiao Yan, had a pretty face, quite thick lips, a delicate figure, and her demeanor was genuinely befitting of a Noble Family Child.

The two of them stepped into Hanping Village...

Although Xiao Bi and Xiao Yan did not have Song Cheng’s ability to see data, they could feel the orderly state of Hanping Village and had some ideas in their minds, knowing that this Mr. Song, "hidden in the north but famous throughout the world, especially among Noble Families," was indeed a capable person.

The three met at the Top Taste Gourmet Tower.

Song Cheng ordered the Nine Delicacies Carved Chicken and then smiled, "This is the favorite delicacy of my wife Su Ningyu from the Su Family."

Xiao Bi and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance, Xiao Bi said, "Mr. Song, I don’t know if the Su Family has mentioned, the Su Family... is from outside. Their realm in Greenbird Continent was long destroyed. Even in Greenbird Continent, they were not a prominent noble family."

Xiao Yan said, "Just a ruined household. Coming to Dashang, they were also ostracized, which is why they reside in this frigid northern land. With Mr. Song’s great talent, it’s a pity."

Song Cheng lifted his chopsticks, looking at the Nine Delicacies Carved Chicken, and said, "Let’s eat the chicken first."

Xiao Yan didn’t understand the intention behind his words.

Among Noble Families, although there was a hierarchy of strength, locally, they were absolute overlords, completely not needing to use their brains to solve problems...

Therefore, the intellect and emotional intelligence of Noble Family Children... could not even compare to ordinary people who constantly dwelled in conspiracies.

However, Xiao Bi was quite special. This talent of the Xiao Family had once hidden his identity and mixed well in the Government Office of Jiangnan for some years; thus... he sharply read the hidden meaning behind Mr. Song’s current words...

’My wife and I are so loving, and you actually think I would betray the Su Family to join the Xiao Family?

That would be quite tricky, very tricky indeed.

It would require more money.’

Seeing Xiao Yan reach out with her chopsticks to eat the chicken, Xiao Bi squinted his eyes and said, "Hold on."

Song Cheng could eat the chicken, but they could not.

If they did, wouldn’t that make them fools?

Xiao Yan turned to look at him.

Xiao Bi then smiled and looked towards Song Cheng, saying, "My Xiao Family also has unmarried young ladies whose nature is as soft and sweet as a spring in Jiangnan...

The lands of Jiangnan are different from the flat plains of the north; it has the great river as a natural barrier which renders cavalry utterly useless."

"If Northern Snow State is ravaged by the Ghost Tide, and Jiangbei suffers from the Chaotic World of war-torn turmoil, then Jiangnan... enjoys a peaceful and prosperous era."

"If Mr. Song joins my Xiao Family, he can enjoy the lands of Jiangnan, and his family could also settle in Jiangnan, instantly becoming a top noble family."

After slight reflection, he added softly, "My Xiao Family controls the Dharma Method that genuinely survived the Reappear Calamity... If it’s the Su Family, and Mr. Song dares to undertake it, he is guaranteed to die within it.

As for the Cultivation Technique, my Xiao Family promises to procure the subsequent ’Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Sutra’ through trade."

Clearly, Xiao Bi still didn’t know "Su Mengzhen had already overcome the Reappear Calamity."

At that moment, he was pondering, the carrot and the stick, offering benefits and then a threat...

Song Cheng was completely uninterested in the Xiao family’s unmarried maiden.

"If unnecessary, do not add," this had always been his standard for choosing a spouse.

He had already basically understood the Noble Family.

From this Noble Family’s myriad challenges, just a scoop was enough from drinking from the "Su Sisters."

What followed, could only be no fate and no affinity.

"Mr. Song, please think carefully, my sister and I will not stay here long, please make your decision early," Xiao Bi quickly adopted the "hungry marketing" strategy, hoping to urge Song Cheng to make a decision.

Song Cheng smiled and said, "Then... you can’t go about reaping without sowing, right?

The Head of the Su Family is now in my An Residence, why not call her over, you negotiate the transaction, to confirm I can obtain the Cultivation Technique afterwards.

Once the transaction is confirmed, I will leave the Su Family immediately and join the Xiao Family.

If you do not trust this, I can even go with you to the Yin Residence on the spot, and then have my name written in your family ancestral book.

You should know, once the name is recorded, then I am a Xiao family member.

In the future, even if I am thousands of miles away, I can be summoned by the head of the family with a single thought;

If I do something wrong, the head of the family can also recall me, and then overpower me with force, sealing me in the Yin Residence, isn’t it?"

Old Artist Song skillfully converted "his own needs" into "the other party’s needs."

Xiao Yan looked somewhat disdainfully at this man.

Earlier he spoke of "the maiden’s favorite delicacy," but now when it comes to benefits, the maiden is thrown out of mind, truly disgusting.

However, she also knew the importance of Song Cheng.

These days many Noble Families knew "important figures in the Imperial Capital had become Song Cheng’s Medicinal Humans," if Song Cheng became a member of the Xiao family, then... it would also mean further control of the Imperial Capital by the Xiao family.

That Zhao Hua would also likely follow and pledge allegiance to the Xiao family because of this.

But Song Cheng probably didn’t know that, otherwise... with this man’s current demeanor, he would likely increase the price directly.

Xiao Bi upon hearing this, thought for a moment and said, "It is possible, Mr. Song, but we need to make some preparations, by this time tomorrow... we will formally meet the Head of the Su Family."

Song Cheng said, "Ok, but I came out quietly, don’t let the Su Family know."

Xiao Yan couldn’t help but look at him disdainfully.

Xiao Bi smiled and said, "Of course."

...

...

The Xiao family’s delegation was stationed outside Hanping Village.

After returning, Xiao Bi immediately went to a large tent.

There was an attendant inside the tent.

After dismissing everyone, Xiao Bi surprisingly said respectfully to that attendant "Namo Saint Heavenly Buddha," and then added, "That Song Cheng should be unaware of the situation in the Imperial Capital, but even knowing... I think now it’s harmless."

"Why?"

"Adrift in affection, content with a small corner, hesitating at a crossroad, utterly lacking ambition.

I suppose that Zhao Hua too foresaw this, hence he was assured and boldly used his power, transforming those nobles into his Medicinal Humans."

"Your judgment is really good. Previously, I met Song Cheng using a scholar’s identity. He was exactly as you described, content with a small corner, utterly lacking ambition.

Having such a person control the nobles of the Imperial Capital is actually a good thing indeed."

The attendant spoke faintly, "After several upheavals in the Central Plains, it will be time for the Southern State to advance northward... By then, Song Cheng’s control will be of great benefit to your Xiao Family."

Xiao Bi respectfully said: "Namo Saint Heavenly Buddha, what my Xiao Family truly cares about is not the power of the Dynasty, but... a stable environment for executing your plan.

The plan you mentioned, that which could ensure this continent is not drowned by the Ghost River."

Having said that, he looked up solemnly, and asked, "Channeling ghosts into the seas, a discharge spanning thousands of miles, is it really... feasible?"

The attendant nodded lightly, undeniably certain.

But as Xiao Bi bowed his head again, he revealed... an extremely vague look of doubt.

Oh Buddha...

Is it really... feasible?