Li Jiabao felt a bit dazed for a moment, as though he were dreaming.
First, his younger brother Li Chengxuan, who had been missing for years, had returned—and had even become a Daoist.
Then, his brother had somehow gotten connected with the county magistrate.
The payment issue that had plagued him for two long years was resolved with utmost ease.
Hu Shihao, a man with influence in both legitimate and underworld circles, had completely shed his previous arrogant stance and was now downright flattering toward him.
Every few days, he would drop by to catch up and reminisce about the days when they used to get into petty trouble together.
He even patted his chest and guaranteed that all future fittings and piping for the mine would be sourced exclusively from Jiabao Supermarket.
Cash on delivery, without a single minute's delay.
Li Jiabao had possessed a notorious reputation in his youth.
Over the past two years, he had fallen on hard times and suffered endless gossip from various aunts and relatives.
Yet in just one short month, he had executed a complete turnaround, becoming a capable man whom everyone looked up to!
Even his wife—who used to constantly find fault with him and threaten divorce at every turn—had become gentle and attentive.
Even their marital life had grown smooth and harmonious.
This taste... was truly not bad at all!
“Hubby...”
Liu Lidan took the initiative to open a bottle of liquor, poured a glass for Li Jiabao, and said with a smile, “Has Little Yu's uncle contacted you recently?”
Li Jiabao took a sip of Maotai, savoring it thoughtfully. Looking thoroughly comfortable, he let out a satisfied belch and waved his hand nonchalantly. “The day before yesterday, he asked me to contact the county magistrate, saying he had something to discuss.”
“There's been no news these past two days. He's probably busy with other matters.”
Liu Lidan grew quite anxious upon hearing this. Such a powerful connection needed not only to be maintained well but also utilized as soon as possible. She eagerly shared her plan: “When it comes to affairs at the mine, Hu Shihao's word carries weight.
“My younger brother graduated from technical school and has never been able to find a job.
“Why don't you talk to Hu Shihao and arrange a job for my brother at the mine?
“He can't go down into the mine shafts; that's too dangerous.
“Mechanical repair or transport are filthy and exhausting, so those are no good either.
“You can have him watch the security monitors—it's safe, respectable, and easy.
“My brother is also at the age to go on blind dates and get married.
“As his brother-in-law, put a little effort into this!”
Li Jiabao's brows furrowed as he listened.
The entire Liu family, including Liu Lidan, had always looked down on him and given him endless grief.
Liu Lidan's younger brother was an outright good-for-nothing—a notoriously brainless fool who had been scammed out of over a hundred thousand yuan in an online dating scam.
Having finally held his head high, Li Jiabao could not be bothered: “Your brother can't even figure out how to use his smartphone properly, and you want him to watch security monitors?
“Who would dare entrust the lives of the underground miners to his hands?”
“You!”
Liu Lidan was about to blow her top and put Li Jiabao in his place, but remembering that things were different now, she forcibly suppressed her anger. “My brother is different now! He streams and makes videos—he already has thousands of followers!”
Seeing Li Jiabao still shake his head, she said in a fit of anxiety, “If we don't arrange it now while we can, it'll be too late once the county magistrate is transferred or the favor is used up!
“My brother will end up a bachelor for the rest of his life!”
Li Jiabao had spent time hanging around the streets himself. Though he had never made a big name for himself, his worldly experience and vision were far superior to Liu Lidan's. Curling his lips, he said, “So even you know your brother is a total waste of space who's destined to be a lifelong bachelor?”
Hearing this, Liu Lidan instantly flew into a rage, slamming the table to pick a fight.
Just then, a car pulled up outside.
The underworld figure Hu Shihao entered with a broad smile, carrying armfuls of gift bags, and called out loudly, “Brother Bao, Sister-in-law, are you home?”
After a round of pleasantries...
Hu Shihao sized up Li Jiabao, secretly sighing at how unpredictable fate could be.
Who could have imagined that a country bumpkin hoodlum would turn his life around in middle age?
It even looked as though he were about to soar into the clouds and become a true elite above ordinary men.
Though Li Jiabao had suddenly struck it rich, he hadn't completely lost his head. Acting as if he had forgotten how Hu Shihao had cheated him in the past, he asked with a smile, “Shihao, what brings you here?”
Suppressing the complex emotions in his heart, Hu Shihao explained his purpose: “Brother Bao, I'm here to deliver a grand fortune to you!”
Li Jiabao didn't take it to heart upon hearing this.
Over the past few decades, he had heard those words countless times and had grown immune.
Liu Lidan, however, perked up her ears to listen closely.
“It's like this...”
Not daring to keep them in suspense, Hu Shihao said excitedly, “The county is planning to develop a comprehensive tourism resort in the Lijiawa subsidence area! It's a huge project, personally spearheaded by the county magistrate!”
Li Jiabao was utterly baffled, then suddenly realized with an epiphany, “Are they buying hardware fittings and plastic piping from my supermarket?!”
Hu Shihao choked on his own breath and could not help rolling his eyes.
He didn't even care for that tiny supermarket business, let alone the county magistrate!
“Brother Bao, aren't you pulling my leg?!”
Hu Shihao gave an embarrassed smile and lowered his voice. “I mean taking over the entire project!”
Li Jiabao's chopsticks froze in midair as he turned to look at Hu Shihao. “Aren't you pulling my leg too? How much money do I have to qualify for running some resort?!”
Liu Lidan's eyes widened, however. Her face flushed red with excitement, her body trembling as she pulled hard on Li Jiabao's sleeve.
With the county magistrate's tacit approval, money wouldn't be an issue at all!
“Heh heh, look, Sister-in-law gets it.”
Hu Shihao smiled obsequiously and whispered, “This matter can only be done by you, Brother Bao!
“Secretary Bai said we first fence off the land, then get loans directly from the bank to build some antique-style structures, plant some fruit trees, release some fish fry, and lay down a few solar panels.
“We'll claim all the subsidies for subsidence zone renovation, rural tourism, and new energy for the countryside!
“Without spending a single cent of your own, at least this much will land in your account each year!”
Liu Lidan gasped as she looked at the five fingers Hu Shihao spread out!
This... money came way too easily!
Li Jiabao was equally stunned, feeling as if working himself to the bone for half his life had been nothing short of a joke. His mouth felt dry as he said stammeringly, “I... I have to ask my brother first.”
...
Mount Taixuan, General Affairs Hall.
Hua Chunning stood in the center of the hall with her eyes lowered, submissive and silent.
Li Chengxuan's trip to Earth had truly tempered his mindset.
Although he had not successfully subdued Duanmu Ren to accumulate 【Merit】...
...his gains were far from small, and his Dao cultivation had undoubtedly made great progress.
No wonder the saints once said: “The human heart is unpredictable.”
Having entered the Dao through 【Mortal Qi】, he needed all the more to abandon the aloof attitude of an immortal cultivator, plunging himself into the fray to temper his heart in the mortal world.
Li Chengxuan pulled back his thoughts and looked toward Hua Chunning in the hall. “Speak, what is it?”
“Reporting to the Sect Master!”
Hua Chunning, who was now acting as the mountain's chief steward, spoke cautiously, “News has arrived from down the mountain. A middle-aged man surname Liu holding a Taixuan Token claims to be a personal disciple of Mount Taixuan's Sect Master, causing quite a stir in all directions!
“Mortal aristocratic families down the mountain and the various sects of the Nanya Immortal Alliance have all sent people to inquire.”
That was likely Liu Zhijian.
Li Chengxuan nodded upon hearing this. “He is indeed my disciple.”
Hua Chunning's heart trembled.
The Sect Master had taken a personal disciple, yet she had actually learned of it from down the mountain.
Clearly, she had not yet gained his trust.
Hua Chunning bowed her head. “Understood. I shall notify the various families and sects.”
“Mm.”
Through the 【Two-World Bead】, Li Chengxuan could vaguely sense Liu Zhijian's location and status, though he lacked the ability to monitor him in real time. “Where is he now?”
Recalling briefly, Hua Chunning answered, “Immortal Master Liu has been acting chivalrously along his journey. He has currently settled at Mount Yandang, gathering mortal disaster victims alongside a body-tempering cultivator and a hunchbacked old man, building quite a momentum.”
Li Chengxuan smiled upon hearing this.
Liu Zhijian was certainly free-spirited. Not content with merely acting as a hero, could he be planning to raise a banner of rebellion?
Could he still be dwelling on the 【Jade Pool Sacred Cauldron Meridian-Opening Method】, preparing to gather a sovereign destiny?!
However, this seemed to conflict with the 【Kan Water】 disposition.
Li Chengxuan furrowed his brows in thought and asked casually, “Is there anything else?”
Hua Chunning hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, “Reporting to the Sect Master, your subordinate has also gathered much information regarding the Qingyun Sect and the New Method...”
“The Qingyun Sect and the New Method...”
Li Chengxuan's expression turned solemn as he looked at Hua Chunning.
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