From the fake emperor to the concubine

In the following time, Zheng Yi led Su Wanqing through the Black Forest. When they encountered Black Wolf Demons at the Nascent Soul Realm, Su Wanqing would deal with them, while he would take care of those at the Integration Realm.

Su Wanqing grew rapidly in actual combat, her swordsmanship became more and more refined, and she became more and more composed when facing enemies. Later, she was even able to take on five or six black wolf demons at the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm single-handedly without being at a disadvantage.

"Your progress is rapid," Zheng Yi praised. "At this rate, it won't be long before you're able to handle early-stage Nascent Soul Realm demonic beasts on your own."

"It's all thanks to Young Master Zheng's excellent guidance," Su Wanqing said modestly.

"The ability is yours to possess; I merely pointed you in the right direction," Zheng Yi said. "Alright, that's enough for today. Go back now."

The two returned to Qingyun City with their spoils.

In the days that followed, Zheng Yi began to consciously cultivate Su Wanqing.

He not only taught her the skills to hunt demonic beasts, but also imparted some combat techniques and tips to her. Su Wanqing was already exceptionally intelligent, and with the foundation of the Su family's inherited skills, her progress was rapid.

A month later, Su Wanqing was able to deal with early-stage Nascent Soul Realm demonic beasts on her own.

“You can lead the team out hunting now,” Zheng Yi said to Su Wanqing.

"Lead the team?" Su Wanqing was taken aback.

“Yes,” Zheng Yi nodded. “I can’t take you with me forever; you need to learn to be independent. Also, Zheng Bowen and Xiao Tianxing need practical experience; you can take them with you.”

Su Wanqing was silent for a moment, then said earnestly, "I understand, I will try my best."

Zheng Yi nodded, then gathered everyone and announced his decision.

"Starting tomorrow, Su Wanqing will lead a team to hunt monsters in the Black Forest. Zheng Bowen, Xiao Tianxing, and Chen Feng, the three of you will go with her. Zheng Hongzhi will stay behind to oversee the security of the residence. Liu Ruyan will be in charge of logistics, purchasing supplies and handling the spoils."

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

Zheng Bowen asked with some concern, "Patriarch, aren't you coming with us?"

“I have other things to do,” Zheng Yi said. “Don’t worry, Su Wanqing is strong enough to handle the monsters in the Black Forest. As long as you follow her instructions, there won’t be any problems.”

Zheng Bowen nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The next day, Su Wanqing set off for the Black Forest with Zheng Bowen, Xiao Tianxing, and Chen Feng.

Zheng Yi did not go with them, but stayed alone in the courtyard to think about the next plan.

Hunting monsters is profitable, but its efficiency has reached a bottleneck.

For the past month or so, he had traversed almost all the monster habitats around Qingyun City, hunting down almost all the monsters he could. The remaining ones were either too weak to be of any value, or extremely troublesome, requiring a great deal of time and effort to deal with.

Moreover, the reproduction rate of demonic beasts is limited, and his excessive killing has already led to a significant decrease in the number of demonic beasts in the surrounding area. If this continues, sooner or later there will be no beasts left to kill.

"I have to find other ways to make money," Zheng Yi thought to himself.

He thought of the Jade Pavilion.

As Miss Hongyu mentioned, Jade Pavilion is the largest intelligence hub in Qingyun City; you can find out all sorts of information there. Perhaps we could go there and ask around to see if there are any other opportunities to make money.

Thinking of this, Zheng Yi got up and went out, heading towards the Jade Pavilion.

The Jade Pavilion remains unchanged, with colorful lanterns hanging at the entrance and a constant stream of guests coming and going.

Zheng Yi walked straight in, gave his name to a maid, and was soon led to Miss Hongyu's small building.

"Young Master Zhang, it's been a long time." Miss Hongyu greeted him with a smile. "I heard you've been hunting demonic beasts quite well lately."

"The young lady is well-informed," Zheng Yi said with a smile.

“Jade Pavilion is in this business, so their information network is naturally excellent,” said Miss Hongyu. “Young master, is there anything I can do for you today?”

“I do have a favor to ask,” Zheng Yi said bluntly. “I’m looking for other ways to make money. Do you have any suggestions, young lady?”

"Other ways to make money?" Miss Hongyu raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't the young master earn a lot from hunting demonic beasts? Why are you thinking of changing careers?"

"Hunting monsters is profitable, but I've reached a bottleneck," Zheng Yi admitted. "I've killed almost all the monsters in the area; continuing like this will only decrease my efficiency."

Upon hearing this, Miss Hongyu couldn't help but chuckle.

"Young Master is truly remarkable," she said, covering her mouth with a smile. "Many hunters could never kill all the demonic beasts around Qingyun City in their entire lives, yet you've almost wiped them all out in just over a month."

Zheng Yi shook his head, not taking up the topic.

Miss Hongyu's smile faded. After a moment of serious thought, she said, "Young master, there are many ways to make money. But with your abilities, being a bodyguard would be the most suitable option."

"As a bodyguard?" Zheng Yi frowned. "For whom?"

“Of course, I’d be a bodyguard for the rich,” said Miss Hongyu. “Young master, you may not know this, but in half a month, Qingyun City will be holding its annual grand auction. At that time, wealthy merchants from all over the Tianyuan Domain will gather in Qingyun City to bid on all sorts of rare items.”

"An auction?" Zheng Yi became interested.

“That’s right,” Miss Hongyu nodded. “This auction is the biggest event in Qingyun City, attracting countless people every year. The items up for auction include spiritual herbs, magical artifacts, cultivation techniques, secret manuals, and even some rare treasures, priceless.”

"Wealthy merchants and tycoons often spend lavishly to acquire their desired items. Some can spend tens of millions of spirit stones in a single auction."

"Tens of millions of spirit stones?" Zheng Yi was shocked.

He spent over a month hunting demonic beasts and only earned a few hundred thousand spirit stones. These wealthy merchants, on the other hand, could spend tens of millions at a single auction—the difference was simply too great.

“These people carry so much money, they naturally become targets for various groups,” Miss Hongyu continued. “Therefore, before attending the auction, they all hire skilled guards to ensure their safety.”

"These guards are very well paid, ranging from several thousand to hundreds of thousands of spirit stones depending on their strength. A master like you, young master, can earn at least hundreds of thousands of spirit stones from a single auction, and with good luck, even millions."

"Hundreds of thousands to millions?" Zheng Yi's eyes lit up.

This income is much higher than hunting monsters, and you don't have to endure the elements or fight monsters. It's incredibly profitable.

“However,” Miss Hongyu changed the subject, “not just anyone can take on this kind of work. Those wealthy merchants are shrewd; before hiring a bodyguard, they will carefully investigate the person's background and strength. Without sufficient reputation and credibility, you simply can't get good jobs.”

"Then how can I get good jobs?" Zheng Yi asked.

“There are two ways,” Red Rain Girl held up two fingers. “The first is to join a guard guild and get jobs through the guild’s introductions. This method is relatively safe, but the guild will take a cut of the commission, and the jobs assigned to you may not be the best.”

"The second method is to build your own reputation and have wealthy businessmen come to you. This method offers higher income and more freedom, but it requires time and opportunity."

Zheng Yi pondered for a moment, then asked, "Which one do you think I should choose, young lady?"

Miss Hongyu smiled and said, "With your abilities, young master, you should naturally choose the second option. However, you're new here and your reputation isn't great enough yet, so it might not be easy for you to rashly take on jobs." "But I, Hongyu, can do you a favor."

"Oh? What should we do?" Zheng Yi asked.

"Hongyu has been at the Jade Pavilion for so many years, and she knows some wealthy patrons," Hongyu said. "One of them is a gentleman surnamed Zhou, the second-in-command of the 'Zhou Family Trading Company' in the core area of ​​Tianyuan Domain. He comes to Qingyun City every year to participate in the auction."

"Although this Master Zhou is wealthy, his strength is average; he only has a few Nascent Soul Realm guards by his side. In previous years, he always kept a low profile, not daring to buy anything too expensive. But this year is different; it's said he's set his sights on a treasure at the auction and is determined to get it."

"This treasure is extremely valuable, and once acquired, it will undoubtedly become the target of everyone's envy. Therefore, Master Zhou is searching far and wide for skilled guards; the price is negotiable."

“Hongyu can recommend the young master to him. With the young master’s abilities, he should be able to catch his eye.”

Zheng Yi pondered for a moment, then asked, "What kind of person is this Mr. Zhou?"

"Master Zhou is a businessman, driven by profit, but he's also a man of his word," said Miss Hongyu. "He generally keeps his promises and never delays paying his guards."

"Moreover, his identity is not simple; he is the second-in-command of the Zhou Family Trading Company and has connections in the core area of ​​Tianyuan Domain. If you can establish a relationship with him, it might make entering the core area much easier in the future."

Zheng Yi narrowed his eyes slightly.

Entering the core area had always been his goal. If he could use this opportunity to establish a relationship with the Zhou family business, it would indeed be helpful for his future plans.

“Okay, could you please introduce me to someone?” Zheng Yi said.

"You're too kind, young master," Miss Hongyu said with a smile. "I owe you a favor, so helping you with this small matter is only what I should do. If you come again at this time tomorrow, I will arrange for you to meet."

"Thank you, young lady," Zheng Yi said, bowing slightly.

After chatting for a while, Zheng Yi said goodbye and left.

Back at the mansion, Su Wanqing and the others also returned.

"Patriarch!" Zheng Bowen rushed over excitedly, "We had a good haul today! We hunted down over a dozen Nascent Soul Realm black wolf demons, and two early-stage Integration Realm demons!"

“Well done,” Zheng Yi nodded.

He looked at Su Wanqing and asked, "How are things? Did you encounter any danger?"

"Everything went smoothly," Su Wanqing said. "There are far fewer monsters in the Black Forest than before, and we haven't encountered any particularly strong opponents."

"That's good," Zheng Yi said. "You all rest first; there's something I need to tell you."

Everyone sat down, and Zheng Yi told them the news he had found out at Cuiyu Tower that day.

"An auction? Serving as a bodyguard for a wealthy businessman?" Zheng Bowen exclaimed in surprise. "The patriarch is going to be a bodyguard?"

“It’s not just about being a bodyguard,” Zheng Yi said. “This is an opportunity. If we can establish connections with those wealthy businessmen, it will be much easier for us to enter the core area in the future.”

Everyone nodded in understanding.

“But before that, you must continue hunting demonic beasts,” Zheng Yi said. “The auction doesn’t start for another two weeks, so you need to seize the time to earn money and improve your strength.”

"Su Wanqing, you're in charge of leading the team. Don't fight recklessly if you encounter danger; safety first."

“Yes,” Su Wanqing said earnestly.

"Zheng Bowen, Xiao Tianxing, and Chen Feng, the three of you must follow Su Wanqing's instructions and not act on your own."

"Yes!" the three replied in unison.

Zheng Yi nodded, gave some more instructions, and then told everyone to go and rest.

The next day, Zheng Yi came to Cuiyu Tower again.

Red Rain Girl is already waiting for him.

“Young Master Zhang, Master Zhou has arrived,” said Miss Hongyu. “Please follow me.”

Zheng Yi followed Miss Hongyu to an elegant room in the backyard of Cuiyu Tower.

Inside the elegant room, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe was sipping tea. He was slightly overweight with a prosperous face, clearly someone accustomed to a life of luxury. Behind him stood two guards in close-fitting clothes, their eyes warily scanning Zheng Yi.

"Master Zhou, this is Young Master Zhang Yuan, whom Hongyu recommended to you," Miss Hongyu introduced.

Master Zhou put down his teacup, looked Zheng Yi up and down, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Is this young master Zhang?" he asked. "He looks very young."

Zheng Yi knew that he was doubting his strength, so he didn't waste any words and directly released a trace of his aura.

Although the aura was only a trace, it carried the unique pressure of a Mahayana Realm expert, causing the two guards behind Master Zhou to change their expressions drastically and involuntarily take a step back.

"The Great Ascension Realm?" Master Zhou's eyes widened. "You're actually a Great Ascension Realm expert?"

Zheng Yi regained his composure and said calmly, "I apologize for making you laugh, Master Zhou."

Master Zhou's attitude immediately became respectful.

"My apologies!" He quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "I was unaware that Young Master Zhang was a master of the Mahayana Realm. I have no respect for such an important figure. Please forgive me."

"It's alright," Zheng Yi said. "Miss Hongyu said that Master Zhou needs to hire skilled guards?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Master Zhou nodded repeatedly. "To be honest, I came to Qingyun City for the auction because I've set my sights on a treasure and am determined to acquire it. However, this treasure is extremely valuable, and buying it might bring trouble. Therefore, I would like to hire a few skilled guards to ensure my safe departure from Qingyun City."

"What treasure?" Zheng Yi asked.

Master Zhou hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's a thousand-year-old Blood Spirit Mushroom."

"A thousand-year-old blood-ganoderma?" Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow.

Blood Ganoderma is an extremely rare medicinal herb with the power to bring the dead back to life. Ordinary Blood Ganoderma is already quite valuable, but thousand-year-old Blood Ganoderma is even more precious, said to be able to help cultivators break through bottlenecks and even prolong their lives.

Such a treasure would indeed attract the covetous eyes of countless people.

"How much is Mr. Zhou willing to pay for this Blood Spirit Mushroom?" Zheng Yi asked.

"I, Zhou, have prepared five million spirit stones," said Master Zhou. "If the competition is fierce, I can raise it to eight million."

"Five million to eight million," Zheng Yi thought to himself, his jaw dropping. (End of Chapter)