As the final light of day dimmed and darkness began to envelop the mansion, Old Man Feng busied himself with preparations for their departure to Shanghai. Knowing they wouldn't be coming back anytime soon, he meticulously arranged everything necessary for their journey.
Meanwhile, Yi Chang sat at a desk in his room, his focus intense as he meticulously compiled a list of medicinal items. Each entry was detailed and specific, featuring rare herbs and spiritual ingredients. When he finished, he folded the list and summoned Old Man Feng. The steward entered, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern as he accepted the list.
"Old Man Feng, please ensure these items are procured before we leave for Shanghai," Yi Chang instructed, his face betraying no hint of the purpose behind the items. "If you can't get them all, focus on obtaining as many as possible."
Old Man Feng's brows furrowed as he glanced over the list. The items were indeed unusual, known primarily within the martial arts community for their specialized uses. His experience had brought him into contact with such individuals, and he recognized the significance of these herbs.
"Are you sure about this, Young Master? These items are quite rare and unconventional," Old Man Feng asked, unease evident in his voice.
Yi Chang nodded, his demeanor calm and resolute. "Yes, I'm certain. Please just see to it that they are acquired."
Though unsettled by the nature of the list, Old Man Feng knew better than to question Yi Chang's instructions. He set about contacting his connections, leveraging every resource at his disposal to gather the requested items. Over the next few days, he managed to procure the majority of the items on the list.
As the departure day approached, Yi Chang's thoughts turned inward. Despite having received the herbs and medicinal items, he couldn't shake his frustration with their quality. The herbs, while rare, were still of mortal grade and barely met the standard of even Grade 1 medicines from his past life. The qi within them was weak and insufficient for his needs.
In his room, Yi Chang carefully arranged the herbs. Sitting cross-legged amidst the collection, he began channeling the cosmos-chaos qi through each item, absorbing their essence. His cultivation in the Qi Gathering Realm, now at Stage 1, required these external aids to progress further. Without such resources, advancing would be nearly impossible.
In a matter of minutes, Yi Chang had absorbed the essence of all the herbs. He couldn't help but lament the inadequacy of the resources available to him. "Even these plants, though useful, are far too weak," he mused. "The qi is so diluted. This is hardly worth the effort. Mortal-grade herbs, barely any Grade 1 medicines… This world's resources are truly lacking. It's no wonder it's hardly helped me to break through to the 3rd stage of qi gathering."
Feeling the limitations of his current environment keenly, Yi Chang resolved to make the most of what he had. He knew that the journey ahead would be crucial in expanding his horizons and reaching his goals.
As the preparations neared completion and the medicinal items were used up, Yi Chang called out to Old Man Feng. "Please arrange our tickets for the flight to Shanghai. We depart tomorrow."
Old Man Feng, though still troubled by the circumstances, nodded in agreement. "I'll take care of it immediately, Young Master."
Finally, the day of their departure arrived. With no need to keep a car they would no longer require, Yi Chang and Old Man Feng took a cab to the airport. The journey was uneventful until they reached the busy departure terminal.
As their cab pulled into the drop-off lane, they encountered an issue. Another vehicle, a sleek black luxury car, was parked in front of them, blocking their way. The cab driver honked impatiently, but the luxury car didn't move. A well-dressed chauffeur stood by the door, waiting for his passenger.
"What is this nonsense?" the cab driver grumbled. "We're all in a hurry here."
Old Man Feng stepped out of the cab, his calm demeanor unchanged, though Yi Chang remained seated, observing.
Just as Old Man Feng approached the chauffeur to ask him to move, a young man emerged from the backseat of the luxury car. He was impeccably dressed, with sharp features and a faint smirk of arrogance. Old man Feng recognized him immediately, this was Liang Huiyan, a second-generation heir to one of the wealthiest families in the country.
"Is there a problem?" Liang Huiyan asked lazily, glancing between the cab driver and Old Man Feng with mild amusement.
"Yes, there is," the cab driver snapped, stepping out of his car as well. "You're blocking the way, and we've got a flight to catch!"
The chauffeur, standing defensively by Liang Huiyan's car, folded his arms. "You can wait. We have a schedule to keep too."
Tensions rose quickly as the two drivers argued, their voices growing louder. A small crowd began to gather, curious about the commotion. Airport security soon arrived to defuse the situation, but the argument showed no signs of calming down.
Yi Chang, still seated in the cab, narrowed his eyes at the scene. He could tell that both parties were being unnecessarily stubborn. But just as he was about to step out and resolve the issue, Liang Huiyan interjected.
"This isn't worth your time," Liang Huiyan said dismissively to the cab driver, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I suggest you leave before you embarrass yourself any further. My time is more valuable than yours."
The cab driver was fuming, but before the situation could escalate further, Yi Chang stepped out of the cab, his calm, composed demeanor contrasting sharply with the rising tension. He observed Liang Huiyan for a moment, noticing the subtle unease behind the young man's arrogant facade. There was something more to him than met the eye.
Yi Chang also seemed to sense this and addressed the chauffeur with a measured tone. "It's clear this is all just a misunderstanding. We're all heading to the same place, so let's not waste any more time arguing."
Liang Huiyan glanced at Yi Chang, surprised by his calm yet authoritative presence, which seems to give him some goosebumps. It was clear that Yi Chang wasn't like the others—the air of superiority that Liang Huiyan projected didn't seem to faze him at all, this type of presence he senses from his grandfather, maybe something even stronger.
With a subtle nod from Liang Huiyan, the chauffeur finally relented and moved the car forward. The cab driver grumbled under his breath but was satisfied with the resolution.
As the security officers dispersed and the tension subsided, Liang Huiyan turned to Yi Chang with a smirk. "I'm surprised. Most people would've either bowed out or escalated the fight. You seem different."
Yi Chang merely offered a nod. "There's no point in meaningless conflicts."
Liang Huiyan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're right. Still, most wouldn't have the patience. I'm Liang Huiyan, by the way."
"Yi Chang," he replied, his tone polite but distant.
Old Man Feng exchanged a glance with Yi Chang, trying to pass information through his gesture about the Young man's identity.
As they all proceeded inside the terminal, it became clear that Liang Huiyan's curiosity about Yi Chang hadn't waned. They went through security and boarded the plane together, discovering that they all had business-class tickets.
Once seated, Liang Huiyan leaned back in his seat and sighed. "This trip isn't just for leisure," he began, speaking more to Yi Chang than to Old Man Feng. "I'm heading to Shanghai for my grandfather's birthday. The old man's health is failing, but there's a lot riding on him staying alive. If he goes, my entire lifestyle could collapse." Said jokingly.
Yi Chang listened silently, his mind already shifting away from the petty conflicts of the world. But Liang Huiyan's words revealed layers of deeper trouble. The veneer of arrogance was merely a cover for the chaos beneath the surface.
"My uncles, they're all waiting for the old man to die so they can fight over his fortune and my father being the last born would probably be the first to suffer" Liang Huiyan continued, his voice bitter. "But the truth is, if he dies now, it'll be a disaster. My family's holding too much power, and none of them are capable of running things like he does."
Old Man Feng listened intently. Despite the outward appearance of wealth and influence, it seemed the problems Liang Huiyan was facing weren't so different from what Yi Chang had once known—a family consumed by greed, power, and selfish desires.
Liang Huiyan sighed, looking out the window of the plane as it took off. "Anyway, enough about me. What brings you to Shanghai?"
Yi Chang offered a small, enigmatic smile. "Well, I study at ZA University"
Liang Huiyan's eyes widened slightly. "You're kidding! I'm transferring there as well. What a coincidence. Perhaps this is fate bringing us together."
Yi Chang raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Indeed. What are you studying?"
"Business and management," Liang Huiyan said. "I suppose it's in my blood."
They fell into a conversation with Liang Huiyan doing most of the talking. Liang Huiyan leaned in, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know, Yi Chang, I like your demeanor. It's like you have this brother-like quality that resonates with me. Not in a weird way, just… genuine."
Yi Chang nodded, acknowledging the sentiment. "Well, that's quite acknowledging."
As they continued their conversation, Liang Huiyan's curiosity about Yi Chang's background and motivations grew.
Once they landed in Shanghai, Liang Huiyan's demeanor shifted to one of business. "I have an invitation to an antique auction tomorrow. It's a high-profile event, and it might be beneficial for you to attend. There's more to these auctions than meets the eye—often, you'll find connections and opportunities that are worth more than the antiques themselves."
Yi Chang's eyes sparkled with interest. "An antique auction, you say? I'll consider it."
With a subtle nod, Liang Huiyan offered his contact information. "If you're interested, let me know. It's an exclusive event, but I can arrange for you to get in."
Yi Chang accepted the offer with a nod of appreciation. As they parted ways at the airport, Liang Huiyan entered into a luxurious vehicle seems to be waiting for him, while Yi Chang and Oldman Feng tries to find a cab to Yi Chang rented apartment here in Shanghai.
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