I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 201 Xue Sanlang

Zhao Huanhuan's eyes sparkled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Xue Xiang realized that he wasn't just staring blankly; this vixen was incredibly skilled at flirting.

He glared at Zhao Huanhuan with lustful eyes. Zhao Huanhuan giggled, released his grip, and said with a smile, "It seems this deal won't go through."

As soon as she finished speaking, several lecherous men who had long been lusting after her swarmed forward, urging Xue Xiang to make way. They also pretended to be in a hurry to shop and needed to ask about prices immediately.

Zhao Huanhuan's eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile deepened. She stood with her sleeves tucked in and said softly, "Since everyone wants to make purchases, how can I possibly manage it all by myself?"

She clapped her hands lightly, and several capable members of the Joyful Sect rushed forward.

Xue Xiang quietly retreated to a distance, leaning against a weeping willow.

A breeze swept across the lake, carrying a hint of osmanthus fragrance.

He was savoring Zhao Huanhuan's "hidden universe in her sleeve" when he suddenly felt a fragrant breeze coming from behind him. Without even looking, he knew that Sect Leader Zhao had followed him.

"What, would a dignified Master Xue be afraid of a mere woman? You ran so far the moment you met her."

Zhao Huanhuan chuckled softly, and as she spoke, she moved closer.

With a gentle twist, her full breasts nestled into Xue Xiang's arms.

The lush weeping willows provide some cover, which can effectively conceal their presence.

She gently squeezed, crushed, and shook it, and Xue Xiang was already ready to charge.

"What are you making a fuss about? I'll find you later."

Xue Xiang couldn't take it anymore.

"You're such a liar. You eat and then wipe your mouth, never thinking about anyone else."

As Zhao Huanhuan spoke, she crawled out of his arms, her eyes fixed on Xue Xiang, her eyes already reddening.

Xue Xiang, who considered himself no stranger to the world of romance, was still no match for this enchantress and quickly changed the subject, "Why are you using the name of the United Trading Company?"

Zhao Huanhuan rolled her eyes at him, "Isn't it all because of you that we're allowed to develop our Huanxi Sect towards Suiyang Ferry?"

I took your letter and went to see Mr. Dong Jiacun.

He's a shrewd man, and he thinks highly of our Huanxi Sect. Now the two sides are cooperating closely, with the joint trading company handling the shipments and our Huanxi Sect providing the distribution channels.

Everyone makes money, and the cooperation goes smoothly.

Now, they're rich.

As she spoke, Zhao Huanhuan reached out her slender fingers and hooked Xue's chin, "Young master, are you short of money?"

If you're short of money, just serve your older sister well tonight, hehe..."

Although Zhao Huanhuan was dressed in men's clothing, her figure was perfectly proportioned, showing off her exquisite physique.

As the flower branches trembled, the waves surged and the hills rose and fell.

Xue Xiang looked up at the sky, unaware that Zhao Huanhuan had once again caught his subtle gesture.

Sect Leader Zhao looked as if he had won a great victory, and was very pleased with himself.

As the two were chatting and laughing, a commotion suddenly broke out in front of their stall.

Zhao Huanhuan frowned, exchanged a glance with Xue Xiang, and quickly walked over.

The stall was surrounded by people, and a cultivator in a gray robe was slamming his fist on the table, holding a bluish-white jade pendant in his hand.

"There's something wrong with the goods your United Trading Company is selling!"

The man's voice was booming, and his face was full of anger. "I trusted your United Chamber of Commerce and today's monument viewing feast, which is why I didn't investigate further."

Upon closer inspection, I discovered that the jade core was grayish and lacked a concentrated luster—this is clearly a fake!

Behind the stall, Su Danqing, who was in charge, had a frosty expression on her face. "Fellow Daoist, please calm down. All the dust-avoiding jades we sell have a unified seal and spirit pattern number. The number on your jade is not on the register, so it is obviously not one of our own products."

"Not your goods?"

The cultivator sneered and suddenly flung out a thin, pale gold talisman.

The talisman bears the mark of the "Commercial Affairs Department," indicating it is an official tax invoice.

"Here's the tax receipt! You're saying you didn't sell it? I paid and registered at this stall yesterday!"

As he spoke, he looked around and said, "Fellow travelers, bear witness! This United Trading Company has audacity to sell counterfeit goods at the monument-viewing banquet!"

The onlookers immediately began to discuss among themselves.

"United Trading Company has a good reputation; they wouldn't sell counterfeit goods."

"During the event, there's a mix of good and bad, and it's possible that counterfeit goods might slip in."

"Dust-avoiding jade is a commonly used item in cultivation. If its spiritual light is unstable, the consequences could be severe."

Su Danqing frowned, but still tried to remain calm. "Please be patient. If there is indeed a problem with the goods from my company, we will refund the original amount and compensate you tenfold."

"Okay! Let's test it on the spot!"

The gray-robed monk said sternly.

Su Danqing said, "What's the point of testing? What you have is already fake, so testing it won't change anything."

As for tax invoices, they were everywhere, with only tax marks on them and no indication of what kind of goods they were for.

You are clearly making trouble out of nothing, falsely accusing my United Trading Company.

"Well, you guys at United Trading Company are shameless..."

The gray-robed monk shouted loudly, immediately attracting onlookers from all around.

Zhao Huanhuan panicked and was about to step forward when Xue Xiang stopped her, saying, "They're clearly here to cause trouble. What can you do if you go over there? Are you planning to reason with them?"

Zhao Huanhuan leaned closer and quickly pecked him on the cheek, then curtsied and said, "It's all up to you, sir."

With this squat, her graceful figure revealed her perfect curves.

Xue Xiang felt that if he didn't find something to distract himself, he would definitely be driven crazy by this vixen.

Xue Xiang strode in and shouted, "What are you yelling about? What do you think this place is?"

The gray-robed cultivator glanced at Xue Xiang and, seeing his extraordinary bearing, assumed he was an official responsible for maintaining order at the scene. He loudly repeated his previous statement and waved the tax bill in his hand.

This time, he brought out a man in a green robe as a witness, and the two of them insisted that the dust-avoiding jade in the gray-robed cultivator's hand was bought at the United Merchants' stall.

A murmur arose from the audience, like the surface of a lake being stirred by the wind.

"Look at that tax bill, and there are witnesses nearby. There's probably something fishy going on here."

"If it really is counterfeit goods, we need to investigate thoroughly. How can such a grand event as viewing the monument be tainted?"

"Although the United Trading Company is a rising star, it has made quite a stir in Canaan County. It is not surprising that the person in charge is bound to be impetuous and make a mistake."

"Yes, if it's true, they should be expelled from the venue!"

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, and many cultivators' expressions grew cold, their initial onlookers turning into skeptics.

Several minor officials in robes, who were maintaining order, were also whispering among themselves, looking uneasy.

Su Danqing's face was slightly pale. Although he tried to remain calm, it was clear that his mind was wavering.

Zhao Huanhuan's phoenix eyes darkened, sensing that things were getting complicated.

Xue Xiang said loudly, "Everyone, please be quiet."

As far as I know, each piece of the Dust-Avoiding Jade produced by United Commercial Corporation has an anti-counterfeiting number, which can be seen under a backlight array to reveal the background pattern and sequence.

Whether it's true or false, it can be determined on the spot.

As he spoke, he turned to Su Danqing and said, "Take out a few of the same batch of dust-avoiding jade pieces and compare them with the one that man has. The difference will be clear."

Su Danqing was incredibly intelligent; he immediately realized that Xue Xiang was playing tricks. Remaining calm, he loudly agreed.

The gray-robed monk's face tightened.

Xue Xiang stared at him and said, "However, before we verify it, we need to be upfront about what's going on."

"If it is indeed found that the United Trading Company sold counterfeit goods, according to the rules, the United Trading Company will compensate tenfold and voluntarily leave today's monument-viewing feast." "However, if it is found that someone maliciously accused others of counterfeiting and used this opportunity to frame someone, then they must be punished according to the law. As far as I know, the crime of framing someone, calculated at tenfold compensation, is enough to send the false accuser to prison for eternity."

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell silent.

Those who had been watching the spectacle immediately changed their expressions and took a few steps back.

The gray-robed cultivator's face drained of color, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he craned his neck to look outside.

The man in the green robe, who was supposed to be a witness, also took a slight step, trying to escape, but Zhao Huanhuan blocked his way.

Seeing that the two were about to be exposed, a man stepped into the room and said coldly, "Verification is possible, but it must be done by someone from the Ministry of Commerce. What kind of law enforcement agency is your United Merchants Company?"

The man was extremely tall, middle-aged, with a pair of narrow eyes that were undisguisedly fixed on Zhao Huanhuan's towering breasts.

"you again!"

Zhao Huanhuan glared at the man with fierce eyes, "Su Pingyao, there's a wide road ahead, let's each go our own way."

Is the vast Canglan Prefecture not big enough to accommodate both my United Trading Company and your Kasahara Trading Company?
The other day, you sent people to cause trouble at my United Trading Company's branch in Canglan. Today you're doing the same thing again. What exactly are you trying to achieve?"

Su Pingyao smiled slightly and stroked his long beard. "Mr. Zhao, you are mistaken. There is no such thing as a difficult matter in business."

Let's stick to the facts. Your company, Union Trading, sells counterfeit goods, and you won't even let people talk about it?
"If you think I'm framing you and want to verify it, that's fine."

Having said that, he turned around, clasped his hands in a fist salute towards the back of the crowd, and loudly proclaimed, "Sir Wang, since you are here, you should uphold justice for us!"

The crowd parted, and a middle-aged official in a white uniform walked slowly towards them.

He was fair-skinned and beardless, with deep-set eyes, and wore a light-colored celestial talisman at his waist, indicating that he was an eighth-rank celestial official.

This man, named Wang Zhiqing, was a chief clerk in the Canglan Commercial Affairs Bureau, known for his strict judgment and tactful handling of affairs.

Wang Zhiqing remained composed, surveying the room before speaking in a deep voice: "The grand banquet for viewing the monument brings together like-minded people from all over the world; how can we allow counterfeit goods to disrupt it? Now that this case has been raised, the Ministry of Commerce will naturally make a fair judgment."

His gaze shifted and landed on Zhao Huanhuan. "Since you are the person in charge, take the goods and come with my entourage to the Ministry of Commerce for investigation."

Once everything is investigated, I will post an official document announcing the results.

After saying that, he raised his hand and waved it, and two attendants behind him immediately stepped forward, one on the left and one on the right, sandwiching Zhao Huanhuan between them.

Xue Xiang sneered, "Is this how the head of the Commercial Affairs Department handles cases?"
The governor repeatedly emphasized the need to promote commerce and create a favorable business environment for merchants from all over the country.

As for today's events, who is right and who is wrong is as clear as day.

Manager Wang insisted on blocking the operation of the United Trading Company and forcibly restricting the freedom of its owner.

What day is today?
Merchants and travelers are flocking here, and foreign friends are arriving in droves. Manager Wang, are you sure you want to do this?

Wang Zhiqing frowned, and his face darkened.

He knew perfectly well that every word Xue Xiang spoke was reasonable.

"You're all talk and no action. Who are you, kid?"

Su Pingyao pointed at Xue Xiang and demanded an explanation.

Xue Xiang smiled slightly and said loudly, "I am Xue Xiang from Yunmeng!"

boom!
Su Pingyao frowned.

Wang Zhiqing took three steps back, gasped, and looked as if he had seen a demon.

The surrounding crowd erupted in uproar.

"It is Xue Xiang of Yunmeng, Xue Xiang, the Lamenter of Autumn, a rare talent in Canglan Prefecture, a man of exceptional talent."

"He...he...is he Xue Xiang, the one who solved the strange case at Suiyang Ferry and won first place in the county examination?"

"What are these? With just one move from Friend Xue, an entire aristocratic family in a prefecture was wiped out. Such a feat is truly earth-shattering!"

"........."

A roar of discussion erupted, and the crowd seemed to be ablaze.

Whether it was the first time they had heard of Xue Xiang's name or they had long been familiar with him, they couldn't help but be filled with the discussions.

Zhao Huanhuan stared at Xue Xiang with a smile, her eyes full of admiration and pride. She felt that her courageous leap in the carriage that day had not only caught a handsome young man, but also a genius and a hero.

“Manager Wang, if you still insist on taking Boss Zhao away, I might as well go with you. To be honest, I have also invested in United Business Company.”

Xue Xiang readily admitted it.

Wang Zhiqing waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, this case is easy to solve, easy to solve, there's no need to... make a fuss..."

The four characters “Yunmeng Xue Xiang” carry weight that outsiders may not realize, but how could those in officialdom, especially those in the Canglan officialdom, not know their significance?

He annihilated four powerful families in a prefecture, yet remained unscathed and even received commendation from the central government.

That would require terrifying strength.

Wang Zhiqing asked himself that compared to the four great families, he was utterly insignificant, so why should he risk offending Xue Xiang for Su Pingyao's sake?

While everyone was shocked, Su Pingyao remained unmoved, staring at Xue Xiang with a contemptuous expression, "Others may be afraid of you, but I, Su, am not."

I don't care how powerful you are; since this involves counterfeit goods, it should be verified with the Commercial Bureau. All Mr. Su wants is justice!

"Fairness? Fine. You want fairness—I'll give you fairness."

Xue stepped forward, his hands flashing out like lightning, capturing the gray-robed cultivator and the green-robed witness in his palms.

Xue Xiang's palms trembled slightly, and his strength penetrated into the bodies of the two men like silk threads.

The gray-robed cultivator groaned, his body convulsing, his spiritual energy flowing in reverse, and his veins bulging.

The man in the green robe, who was acting as a witness, suddenly collapsed to his knees, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth.

Xue Xiang's eyes were as cold as stars as he condensed his hidden spiritual energy into a "needle-shaped aura" and guided it along his meridians.

"Big, bold, crazy, crazy..."

Su Pingyao's eyes bulged, almost unable to believe their own eyes, and he shouted angrily, "Torture and forced confession! Torture and forced confession in public! You all saw it, you all saw it..."

He was met with utter silence.

No one is blind, but no one can understand how confident Xue Xiang is to act so recklessly.

After more than ten breaths, both the gray-robed cultivator and the green-robed witness could no longer hold on, letting out broken screams as they demanded a confession.

"I...I was...forced. I refused to come, so they..."

"I...I said...someone...ordered me to come!"

"who is it?"

Xue Xiang stared at Su Pingyao.

A voice came from behind, "It's me."

The crowd parted, and a figure slowly walked in from behind.

He was only in his early twenties, dressed in brocade robes with gold trim and wearing black boots.

His pace was neither fast nor slow, yet with each step he took, an invisible aura seemed to press down upon him.

He wore a nonchalant smile, but his eyes were sharp as knives, exuding an innate arrogance.

"Son."

Su Pingyao bowed respectfully.

"waste."

He uttered two words calmly.

Su Pingyao shuddered, lowered his head, and dared not utter a sound.

The man's gaze fell on Xue Xiang, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if he were looking at an interesting toy. "Yunmeng Xue Xiang? Not bad, quite interesting."

"I am Xue Sanlang from Jiangzuo."

(End of this chapter)