Book 2 Chapter 55: Generous Gift - Martial God

Chapter 55: Generous Gift The following day, in the main hall of the Yuan family residence, Yuan Zeyu and his father sat with broad smiles on their faces. He Xuanxin entered with He Yiming and his brother. After the customary greetings, both parties took their seats. In the past few days, He Xuanxin and Yuan Chengzhi together ventured into the county city to handle the aftermath. It wasn't until today that they had managed to roughly tidy up the situation. Upon reaching the hall, Yuan Chengzhi immediately dismissed all the servants with a grand wave of his sleeve. With a cheerful demeanor, he said, "Nephews Yiming, Yitian, we gained quite a bounty from our city venture this time." Judging by his overwhelmingly joyful smile, one could tell his words contained not a hint of exaggeration. Seven days ago, when He Yiming had just returned to the Yuan residence, both Yuan Zeyu and Yuan Chengzhi started addressing him as Master He, never daring to directly call him by name. He Yiming had remained silent on the matter—only He Xuanxin found it inappropriate. Following his uncle's wishes, He Yiming continued to refer to Yuan Chengzhi in the uncle-nephew manner. Though their hierarchical relationship wasn't disrupted, their conversational tone had subtly changed. As seen now with Yuan Chengzhi, even while addressing him as "nephew Yiming," his demeanor and attitude resembled not that of a senior to a junior, but rather one even more respectful than with Yuan Zeyu. He Yiming smiled gently and said, "Uncle Yuan, congratulations." Yuan Chengzhi burst into hearty laughter, recounting the events that took place after entering the county city. When the servants and retainers of the Fan family spread news of Fan Shuhe's death and the disappearance of Lv Xinwen and Fan Haori, the entire Fan household plunged into chaos. At that moment, Yuan Chengzhi and He Xuanxin led their elite family members into the city, first capturing the only remaining bloodline of the Fan family, Fan Haoyue. This good-for-nothing was no match for his father and brother. Upon receiving the news, his world crumbled, and he was too panicked to rally what was left of the Fan family's forces. Instead, he retreated into the family's treasure room, attempting to gather all valuables for an escape. Yet, with the two pillars of the Fan family gone, the other servants and retainers were unrestrained. A few of them made schemes to rob him as he tried to flee, intercepting him along the way. Despite having a reputable father and elder brother, Fan Haoyue himself was weak, possessing merely a sixth-level inner energy. Confronted by a few second-rate retainers, his legs trembled, and he couldn't even speak coherently. At this moment, Yuan Chengzhi arrived at the Fan residence with his entourage, rescued Fan Haoyue, and then took control of the entire Fan family in his name. Seizing this opportunity when the Fan family was leaderless, the Yuan family smoothly took possession of all Fan family wealth. In fact, just yesterday, Fan Haoyue had signed an agreement with Yuan Chengzhi, selling all Fan family properties for a mere thousand taels of silver. For ordinary people, a thousand taels of silver represented a vast fortune. But for the entire Fan family, it was a pittance, the price of cabbages. Fan Haoyue was well aware of this, but with his life at the mercy of others, there was little he could do. As the saying goes, "If others lay the knife, you're the fish on the chopping board." Just preserving his life was a blessing. After the agreement was signed, Fan Haoyue took the thousand taels and left Zheng Tong County City in disgrace, disappearing without a trace. By this turn of events, not only did the Yuan family preserve their foundation, but they also acquired the entire Fan family estate, reaping unprecedented benefits. Of course, witnessing this fortune gain, other major families in Zheng Tong County City were envious. Yet, despite their envy, they all immediately sent representatives to congratulate the Yuan family, each presenting substantial gifts and stating that the downfall of the Fan family was deserved, with their assets rightfully going to the Yuan family. As He Yiming listened, his gaze sought out his elder uncle. He Xuanxin slightly nodded to him, prompting He Yiming to smile wryly. These families' willingness to express such sentiments surely stemmed from hearing about Lv Xinwen's fate. This "Butcher of Blood" once single-handedly annihilated a centuries-old family in Jinlin Country. Such a ruthless technique was unmatched, inciting deep fear among all major families. However, this time, the "Butcher of Blood" was defeated by the Yuan family, and rumors spread of his death. In this situation, no family dared to covet the Yuan family's gains. After narrating everything in detail, Yuan Chengzhi's expression grew solemn. "Nephew Yiming, Brother He, Nephew Yitian, after recent assessments, we've roughly calculated the value of the Fan family assets." He paused before continuing, "Though the Fan family was a newly risen minor power, during their ascent, they were ruthless. They annihilated several minor families, seizing considerable properties through force. Roughly calculated, the total value of these assets amounts to around seventy thousand taels of gold." He Yiming's face slightly shifted at this revelation; seventy thousand taels of gold was indeed a hefty sum. Even the current He family couldn't easily amass such a fortune. Yuan Chengzhi then spoke earnestly, "I've discussed this with my father. Our success this time is owed entirely to the efforts of you three. Without Nephew He and you two, our Yuan family wouldn't have even a fragment remaining of the Fan family assets, and might have faced complete obliteration." He Xuanxin furrowed his brows and said, "Brother Yuan, you're being too formal. Your father and mine have decades of friendship, and the He family of Taicang has decades of business dealings with your Yuan family of Jinlin. With the Yuan family in trouble, we could never stand idly by." Yuan Chengzhi nodded deeply, expressing his gratitude. "Brother He, I understand your sentiments. But friendship and business are separate matters and should not be confused." He stood up, retrieving a document-like item from his sleeve, and placed it in He Xuanxin's hand. As He Xuanxin quickly scanned it, his expression subtly changed. "Brother Yuan, this gift is too valuable for us to accept." He Yiming and his brother exchanged a glance, both feeling immense surprise. They couldn't fathom what Yuan Chengzhi had offered to provoke such a reaction from the usually composed He Xuanxin. With a smile, Yuan Chengzhi said, "Brother He, this is a resolution my father and I reached. If you refuse, we would truly lose face." Yet, He Xuanxin continued shaking his head, refusing to concede. Yuan Zeyu cleared his throat softly and spoke, "Nephew Xuanxin, I've written a letter for you to deliver to Brother He, and these items are gifts for him as well. Please pass them along." He Xuanxin hesitated, forced into a wry smile. With the elder master Yuan himself saying such words, he couldn't deny the offer. After all, he wasn't He Wude himself and couldn't overstep such a boundary. Curious, He Yiming made a gesture, and the document laid on the table floated up, landing lightly in his hand. Although this act was simple, manipulating external qi in such a manner was a feat only possible for a master of innate strength. Even the late Lin Taoli, who could utilize innate hand seals to unleash his inner strength, couldn't employ qi control so elegantly. For a moment, Yuan Zeyu and the others paused, gazing at He Yiming with admiration. In truth, He Xuanxin was well aware that the unexpected heavy gift was not due to his merit. Without his nephew, retrieving the Yuan family's old promise would have been the most they could hope for. He Yiming opened the gift list and, despite his discipline, couldn't suppress his astonishment. The document declared a gift of fifty thousand taels of gold, numerous precious items, a twenty percent stake in the former Fan family shops in Jinlin County, a twenty percent profit reduction in annual business dealings with the He family, and even the designation of the former Fan family mansion in Jinlin County as He Yiming's personal residence. Dumbfounded, He Yiming looked at Yuan Chengzhi with a peculiar expression. Unbeknownst to him, he now owned a vast mansion in Zheng Tong County City, previously the Fan family's base, which likely meant significant in size. Beyond this, the earlier promise from the Yuan family was merely ten thousand taels of gold and a one percent interest break in private dealings. Yet now it was a whopping fifty thousand taels of gold, a two percent interest break, plus a twenty percent share in the newly acquired Fan family businesses. Though not a businessman, He Yiming, like He Xuanxin, recognized that the gift was excessively generous. Not to mention, the twenty percent stake in Fan family businesses was a scorching hotcake. It seemed appealing, with guaranteed annual profits flowing in, but accepting that stake would mean the Yuan family could seek aid openly in times of need. Thus, whether or not to accept this twenty percent stake was not a decision they could take lightly. However, having been given a substantial fifty thousand taels of gold, even the thick-skinned would find it hard to decline the twenty percent equity outright. Moreover, the annual profits from that twenty percent stake were undoubtedly significant. Accepting it would render the He family’s smuggling operations increasingly redundant. It would provide incomparable benefits for the He family’s footing in Taicang County. Suddenly, He Yiming felt something unusual. He looked up and caught He Xuanxin's gaze, which was filled with inquiry. In that moment, He Yiming understood his uncle’s intentions. It seemed that his uncle was also indecisive. Recognizing the complexities involved, yet understanding the He family's current need for substantial funding due to its rapid expansion, his uncle was seeking his input. He Yiming felt overwhelmed, silently lamenting his predicament. Uncle, you’re the elder. Now you thrust this decision upon me, putting me in a tough spot. He pondered for a moment, then his eyes landed on his elder brother, He Yitian. Despite He Yitian sitting calmly, seemingly meditative, He Yiming could discern his brother's unease from his subtly quickened heartbeat. Thinking back to a promise he once made, He Yiming reached a resolution. Once his decision was made, his entire being seemed to relax. He understood perfectly well that the Yuan family offering the twenty percent equity to the He family was just a move to enlist the He family’s martial might for protecting these shops. Previously, the He family might not have been up to the task, but with He Yiming, an innate powerhouse, the situation had naturally changed. Now that his status as an innate master was no secret to anyone, there was no need for further concealment. With that thought, he resolved to accept the twenty percent equity. His spirit brimmed with vigor, and his demeanor subtly transformed. "Uncle, since Grandpa Yuan and Uncle Yuan say so, it’s only polite for us to accept," He Yiming said with a serene smile. He Xuanxin was taken aback, not expecting He Yiming to agree so readily. In the past, he might have refused or tried to dissuade further, but ever since He Yiming's defeat of Lv Xinwen, his own demeanor had subtly shifted. Once He Yiming made a decision, resistance seemed unwarranted. With a wry smile, He Xuanxin said, "Alright, since it’s a kind offer from Uncle Yuan and Brother Yuan, I’ll relay our gratitude to my father." Yuan Zeyu and Yuan Chengzhi exchanged relieved smiles. Delivering a gift had never been this arduous, but now that it was done, they were finally at ease. They also realized that in Zheng Tong County City, many great families were eager for connections. Building a rapport with a young innate master like He Yiming was a priceless opportunity, one for which they would eagerly offer lavish gifts. Yuan Zeyu cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over the three representatives of the He family, "Esteemed nephews, given our business partnership and your new holdings in Zheng Tong County, I have a proposal for you to consider." He Xuanxin immediately adjusted his posture, "Please, Uncle Yuan, enlighten us." With a soft smile and a stroke of his long beard, Yuan Zeyu continued, "I have two granddaughters. One, Yuan Liwen, is exceedingly intelligent and well-mannered. If you wouldn’t mind, let her accompany Yitian back to Taicang." He Xuanxin’s eyes widened, and with a bemused expression, he replied, "Uncle, you might not be aware, but Yitian is already married to a prominent local, Cheng Yanli, from Taicang County." The suggestion caught Yuan Chengzhi by surprise; his expression momentarily changed as he grasped his father's intentions. Frowning slightly, he felt discontent with the arrangement. This wasn’t just about Yuan Liwen being Yuan Zeyu's dear granddaughter; Yuan Chengzhi contemplated far more. Should this proceed, and if Yuan Liwen won He Yiming’s favor, it might stir ambitions among their household’s senior members. Fortunately, He Xuanxin's immediate refusal eased his concerns. Yuan Zeyu’s face remained unfazed, and he continued resolutely, "No matter. Since Yitian already has a main wife, let Liwen serve as a concubine." He Xuanxin tensed up, "Uncle, this is against propriety. It shouldn’t be forced." Yuan Chengzhi also advised, "Indeed, Father, since Brother He isn’t keen, let's not press the issue." Seemingly unfazed by their words, Yuan Zeyu continued, "I have another suggestion. I have another granddaughter, Yuan Lixun, whom I’d like to offer as a concubine for Yiming. What does Yiming think?" This time, bypassing He Xuanxin, he addressed He Yiming directly. He Xuanxin and Yuan Chengzhi both moved to speak, but upon noticing He Yiming's firm expression, they fell silent, deferring to his decision. He Yiming sighed inwardly, somewhat bemused by the circumstance. Yuan Chengzhi’s reaction was expected, but his uncle’s deference was not. Evidently, ever since achieving innate status, even close family members like his uncle were wary of making decisions on his behalf. He wondered how his parents might react upon learning this. Surveying everyone's faces, the most striking was his elder brother He Yitian’s gaze—a subtle plea reflected within it. Heart warmed, it was evident that among all the changes, He Yitian had remained most steadfast. Steadying himself with a deep breath, a rare flush crept across He Yiming’s cheeks, "Uncle, I have met Miss Lixun. I trust your judgment in this matter." He Xuanxin's expression grew exceedingly peculiar. Though known as a martial fanatic, and typically indifferent to family affairs, he was no fool. Observing He Yiming’s expression and body language, he gleaned his true feelings. He subtly shook his head, tempted to offer some reprimand. Yet recalling that his nephew was an unparalleled innate master, what right had he to chastise him? Could he accuse him of indulging in romance? With a soft sigh, turning his gaze, he noticed Yuan Chengzhi’s elated expression, sparking a moment of realization. Perhaps Yuan Chengzhi was actually unaware of this arrangement. Yuan Zeyu seemed to have orchestrated everything behind his back. Though he harbored mild resentment, He Xuanxin said, "If that's the case, we gratefully accept your goodwill, Uncle." He Yiming smiled slightly, adding, "Thank you, Uncle. In that case, when we return, Miss Liwen and Lixun can accompany us." He Xuanxin was momentarily stunned, his lips twitched slightly, but seeing He Yiming’s resolute demeanor—despite his smile—betraying an unyielding determination, he swallowed his words. At that moment, the only thought in his mind was how He Yiming’s demeanor had become so compelling, instilling a reluctance to contradict him. This nephew of his, born from his brother’s household, was indeed an irreplaceable jewel of their He family.