Chu Hao nodded inwardly. The fact that the Ling Family could extend their reach into 37 cities was a testament to their formidable strength, that's why one would only be eligible to collaborate with them, or rather conduct business, after reaching the Vajra Realm.
Madam Yun had just done him quite the favor, which was essentially an early investment in goodwill for possible future collaboration. From the Ling Family's perspective, however, they had hardly given up anything.
"It's getting quite late, why don't we have dinner before returning?" Madam Yun suggested.
Both Chu Hao and Tang Xin readily agreed; they were both eager to learn more about the Ling Family. Unfortunately, Madam Yun was very tight-lipped, and even Chu Hao, with the soul of an adult, couldn't pry any substantial information from her.
However, Madam Yun was extremely sociable and kept the atmosphere pleasant by sharing a number of entertaining stories.
After a hearty meal, Chu Hao and Tang Xin bid farewell and left. Madam Yun naturally wouldn't insist on keeping them any longer and had Uncle Yuan see them out.
"Madam, why didn't we just recruit that young man directly?" Uncle Yuan asked when he returned, somewhat puzzled. "His comprehension is so keen that he could rival the Yue and Han War Gods. If you had recruited him, it would have been a great achievement!"
Madam Yun wore a thoughtful look before responding after a while, "Some people are destine to not live under others! Besides, he is still too weak now. History has seen too many geniuses lose their luster as they grew up, and people with high comprehension are not necessarily able to sense Star Force! So, let's wait until he reaches the Vajra Realm."
Uncle Yuan nodded, but then immediately added, "However, Madam, the Chu Family and the Ma Family have old grudges. Now that Chu Tianyun is dead, the Ma Family might take action in the dark, which could be detrimental to Chu Hao!"
"Go to the City Lord's Mansion and have Li Li issue an order that creating trouble is strictly forbidden in the near future. If any family disobeys, exterminate them completely!" Madam Yun said coldly, her beautiful face fierce with killing intent.
"What if Li Li asks for the reason?" inquired Uncle Yuan.
"Since when does a dog from the Chi Family have the right to question the Ling Family's actions?" Madam Yun said with disdain.
"Yes, Madam!"
If Chu Hao and Tang Xin had overheard this conversation, they would have been shocked! The City Lord's Mansion, esteemed by all, was apparently at Madam Yun's beck and call, and on top of that, there was the Chi Family above the City Lord!
"And another thing—" Uncle Yuan hesitated.
"Speak!"
"Yes!" Uncle Yuan stood at attention, respectfully said, "The Chu Family has newly opened a tavern... Heh, it's quite interesting!" He went on to explain the recent marketing strategies of the Fortune Full Building.
"This kid's got some tricks up his sleeve!" Madam Yun couldn't help but laugh. After pondering for a moment, she instructed, "Have Li Li book a table at Guest Full, on the opening day."
"Yes!" Uncle Yuan said with a chuckle, "Madam, this time you're bestowing the kid quite the enormous favor!"
Madam Yun smiled without responding. While Chu Hao was still weak, the favor given was precious; later on, such a trivial effort wouldn't count for much.
...
"Chu Hao, how were you ever called a fool?" Tang Xin asked with a face full of bewilderment.
This guy's comprehension was even more terrifying than that of the freak, Fu Xue—how could he possibly be a fool?
How should he answer this question?
"I just had a sudden epiphany!" Chu Hao casually responded.
Tang Xin didn't believe it. It might be possible for a fool to return to normal, but for a fool to become a genius, and a freakish one at that? Could that really happen? No matter how wildly he imagined, he could never conceive the existence of soul transmigration.
Nevertheless, Chu Hao had also received the Blood Wolf Order, and his Order Token was even a level higher than Tang Xin's silver one, which made Tang Xin think more highly of Chu Hao, solidifying his intent to befriend him.
The sky was dark, and the two quickly went their separate ways to return home as they still had body refinement training to do!
Back at the Chu Family, Chu Hao engaged in another hellish training session, with an intensity at least five times greater than that of an average person's. There was no room for compromise; take Tang Xin for example, although younger by a year, he was on the cusp of entering the Middle Mahayana realm.
"Young Master, your cousin-master and cousin-miss have come to see you!" Uncle Yu came over.
Chu Hao was momentarily startled, then remembered that these were Liu Heng's children, his cousin-brother Liu Yang, and cousin-sister Liu Wei! Their visit was definitely concerning Liu Heng's firing.
— Liu Heng originally thought that Chu Hao would soon give in and ask him to return to manage the Fortune Full Building, but Chu Hao had no such intentions. Having waited in vain, Liu Heng naturally grew anxious and, too proud to lower his facade, sent his children to probe the situation.
However, his cousin-sister was notoriously shrewish, and she was certainly not going to speak politely.
Since he couldn't avoid it, might as well see them. Why would he be afraid?
"Let them wait for me in the study!" Chu Hao got up from the ground, completely drenched.
"Yes, young master!" Uncle Yu obeyed and left.
Chu Hao took a bath first and changed into clean clothes before heading to the study. Inside, a young man and woman had been waiting for him. The man was very calm, leisurely sipping his tea, while the woman was visibly impatient, looking almost crazed.
Just one look, and Chu Hao had an intuitive understanding: this cousin was a fool—clearly revealing her emotions—but Liu Yang was different. Despite his young age, he was extremely deep and thoughtful, definitely a significant figure.
Indeed, this cousin had a talent for martial arts. At only 19 years of age, he had reached the Fourth Tier of the Middle Mahayana realm. In the Eastern Sect's Heavenly Court, he could even rank within the top 20, or even the top 15!
"Chu Hao!" Upon seeing Chu Hao enter, Liu Wei immediately jumped up and pointed accusingly, "You put on quite the airs, making us wait for so long! Do you even consider me, your cousin?"
Chu Hao smiled and said, "I just finished my Body Refinement practice and was all sweaty; surely, I couldn't meet my cousin like that, right? So I took a bath first. That way, cousin would feel more comfortable seeing me, wouldn't she?"
Liu Wei, upon hearing this, was at a loss for words! It made sense to meet people cleanly, but why did it still feel like something wasn't right?
"Cousin, I heard about your illness being cured, and that you made a splash today at the academy, so we specially came to congratulate you!" Liu Yang spoke up.
"Thank you for your concern, cousin!" Chu Hao responded with a smile.
Liu Wei also realized she was here for a purpose. She assertively said, "Chu Hao, why did you dismiss my father? Fortune Full Building's success today is all thanks to my father's hard work! Without him, you'd be begging on the streets! I want you to rehire him today, no, right now!"
She was sure of herself; whenever she reprimanded her usually meek cousin, he could only nod and agree.
Chu Hao replied calmly and indifferently, "Uncle is not suitable for his position at the restaurant—"
"You ungrateful bastard, if it weren't for my father toiling for your family's business, managing Fortune Full Building, your family would have been begging on the streets long ago!" Liu Wei yelled like a shrew, which was not surprising considering at 22, she still had no suitors. Who could stand such a temper?
—And those who could tolerate her temper, she might not even consider.
"Cousin is right to do so!" Unexpectedly, Liu Yang chimed in, "You're not unaware of Dad's faults; he has a gambling habit. If he managed the restaurant, he might get desperate and gamble it away!"
Liu Wei was immediately furious, which side was her brother on, twisting the knife like that? However, recalling her mother's repeated warnings to listen to Liu Yang before she left, she could only huff petulantly.
Chu Hao, however, was inwardly sounding the alarm. If Liu Yang was like Liu Wei, this opponent would be easy to handle. But his cousin was more like a venomous snake, seemingly calm but always ready to launch a fatal bite from the shadows.
Moreover, Liu Yang only mentioned Liu Heng's bad gambling habit, deliberately omitting the real reason for his dismissal—embezzling the restaurant's profits. That was the crucial part!
"I came today just to see how cousin is doing. Now that your illness is cured, Uncle will be able to rest in peace in the Nine Springs!" Liu Yang said with a smile, patting Chu Hao on the shoulder, "Cousin, do your best!"
"Thank you, cousin, I will!" Chu Hao replied, also smiling.
"Let's go, sister!" Liu Yang tugged at Liu Wei, and only after a moment of stubbornness did she reluctantly leave.
But once outside the doors of the Chu Family, Liu Wei couldn't help but pull on Liu Yang's sleeve, saying, "Is that it?"
"What else can we do?" Liu Yang replied indifferently.
"Force that kid to rehire dad!" Liu Wei huffed.
"It's useless. His gaze was very determined. Such a person will not be swayed by others, no matter what you say—it would be a waste of breath!" Liu Yang shook his head, then revealed a scary smile under the dim moonlight, "Besides, such people usually don't live very long."
Seeing that Liu Wei was still clueless, he added, "If our cousin dies, who will inherit the Chu Family's wealth?"
"Us, of course!" Liu Wei blurted out before realizing the implication, and then excitedly said, "How do we kill that bastard quickly? Every day Fortune Full Building is in his hands, it's another day's loss; that's our family's wealth!"
Liu Yang smiled faintly, "It's not good to make a move in the city, after all, there's a City Lord's Mansion above us!"
"So, what do we do?" Liu Wei deflated immediately.
"The Ma Family and Chu Family have always been at odds. I heard that today the young master of the Ma Family wanted to make things difficult for our cousin, but instead, our cousin used it to shed his fool's reputation!" Liu Yang calmly said, "Don't worry; the feud between the Ma Family and the Chu Family isn't newfound. Now with the uncle gone, the Ma Family will surely seek to eradicate the roots."
"I really hope the Ma Family makes their move quickly!" Liu Wei said, filled with anticipation. She never had any familial feelings for that idiot cousin; for the sake of Fortune Full Building, she couldn't wait for Chu Hao to die!
Liu Yang clenched his fingers; he, too, hoped the Ma Family would act soon, as his Cultivation urgently needed funding.
But what he could never have expected was that a decree would soon come from the City Lord's Mansion, strictly prohibiting anyone from causing trouble! Under such pressure, what would the Ma Family dare to do?