Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 190 Old Chen, do you want a wife?
Everyone felt that Chen Shunan was neither arrogant nor impatient, and was well-versed in the ways of the workplace. Perhaps he was quietly breaking through to the realm of true meaning!

Therefore, after He Qiqiang failed to break through to the True Meaning Realm, many people began to speculate about when Chen Shunan would be able to break through.

What are the chances of success?

In particular, with the rise to fame of Shan Tongtian, Mo Long Atai, and others.

The former, having used paper to make a knife, slew water demons and was exceptionally absorbed into the Wuqing Sticky Rod Place.

The latter, due to his superb fishing skills, frequently catches large fish and is also highly sought after.

Some busybodies in the city even put together a "List of One Hundred Heroes of Wuqing" to rank all the martial artists who were named, had exceptional talent, and possessed special abilities.

Chen Shunan paid no attention to the rumors and gossip circulating outside.

Only through rigorous training can one become a star.

He was engrossed in his own affairs.

With the blessing of the Dharma protectors, he has gradually begun to understand the path.

Since it is a 'blessing', the prerequisite is that Chen Shunan possesses it.

Currently, he can only empower the two gods, Qingji and Ranyiyu, to grant the guardian deities additional abilities such as the ability to grow armored horses on their legs and the ability to open up the Niwan Palace.

Moreover, it can bless all sentient beings.

However, there are many limitations. Not only do the wishes required vary, but the divine image can also distort the mind and physique of the recipient. Furthermore, it can only bless those whose strength is far inferior to one's own.

The reason is that it is much lower than that.

The main problem is that Chen Shun'an can't find a true martial artist who can slay four or even three thieves to empower him...

Chen Shunan once tried catching a 'grandson fish' and blessing it with the spirit of the god Qingji. The required wish was not much, only 50 points.

But the 'grandson fish' couldn't eat its fill and burst open alive.

Then, Chen Shunan even spent a lot of money to buy a second-rate, perfected martial artist from the black market who was supposed to be executed in the autumn, but was secretly switched and sold as an armored slave.

He blessed Qingji, consuming 200 points of vows, but after less than a day of blessing, he bled from all seven orifices and died suddenly.

This also made Chen Shunan realize that empowering the guardian deity requires a high level of skill from the recipient, who probably needs to be at least at the level of a true martial artist.

Like believers, they value quality over quantity.

Looking at the few wishes left, Chen Shunan silently shook his head.

"The desires required for the cultivation of the divine path are simply a bottomless pit, and now there is an even bottomless pit of blessing and protecting the Dharma gods... Selling water and dew is indeed the foundation of my life, Chen, and cannot be neglected."

While Chen Shunan was engrossed in martial arts and the way of gods...

Lin Shouzhou, with a mischievous grin on his face and making strange "tsk tsk tsk" sounds from time to time, strode over to find Chen Shunan at Wohu Well. His first words stunned Chen Shunan.
"Old Chen, do you want a wife?"

……

In the Zhao residence, the charcoal stove burned brightly, dispelling the winter chill.

Chen Shunan looked helplessly at Zhao Guangxi and Lin Shouzhou and said,

"Master, all I want is a spacious courtyard with a pond and a waterside pavilion, preferably quiet... How did this whole thing turn into a daughter-in-law?"

Zhao Guanghui's entire power and territory were divided up and completely devoured by Zhao Guangxi, Liu Qingyi, and the other three.

In addition to taking over Guanghui Money Shop, Zhao Guangxi also owned many real estate deeds.

Chen Shunan deserves great credit for this matter.

Zhao Guangxi declared directly, "Now that your merits have been recognized, you deserve a generous reward. Whatever you desire, do not hesitate to speak!"
Besides martial arts supplies, what Chen Shunan wanted most was the mansion he had longed for for so long!

only……

It's one thing to bestow a mansion upon someone, but why send them a wife as well?

Mr. Chen is already old and frail, yet he was forced into an arranged marriage?!

Lin Shouzhou chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Zhao Guangxi also had a slight smile on his face, and said,

"What's wrong? You're still not satisfied with a free gift? Old Chen, you've been a widower for many years and haven't remarried. But you also know that Wan Niang is from a collateral branch of the Zhang family, making her your cousin. It's fine if you're close to her on a daily basis, but as for marriage, it probably doesn't conform to mainstream etiquette, and it might become a handle for them to criticize you in the future!"

Chen Shunan was somewhat reluctant and stammered,

"Who is this woman?"

"She is an innocent woman, with a charming and dignified appearance, but her background is somewhat complicated."

Zhao Guangxi stopped smiling and slowly explained.

In order to clear the debts of the King of Hell, Zhao Guanghui once searched far and wide for extraordinary women with unique talents and beauty.

Among them were two biological sisters from a nunnery. The elder sister possessed the third level of body refinement and could soak jujubes in yin water, but she was short-lived and her lifespan was short.

Later, Guo Guanfu sent him to the Wuhe branch of the Tongzhou Association, to the residence of Consul Jiang Hui.

Although the younger sister has no talent for martial arts, she is charming and amorous, with a beauty that could shame the moon and flowers, and it is said that she also has unique skills.

She's even as good as her older sister.

Zhao Guangxi said, "Don't worry, Old Chen. This woman is pure and virtuous, living a secluded life in her boudoir. No one has ever laid a finger on her. Zhao Guanghui is hoping to sell her for a good price. Normally, no man can get close to her."

After listening to Zhao Guangxi's account, Chen Shunan pondered for a moment, his tone carrying a hint of evasion.

"But... Chen was heartbroken and had no intention of remarrying."

"It doesn't matter."

Zhao Guangxi waved his hand and said in a low voice,
"Whether you marry or not is up to you, Old Chen. The key is to have an heir and continue the family line... Otherwise, even if I were willing to pass on my position as the head of the family to you, the higher-ups would prevent it."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shouzhou's eyes widened in surprise.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Dongjia valued Old Chen so much.

Why would he leave the position of employer to an outsider like Old Chen, instead of his son?!
In fact, for Zhao Guangxi, even his own son would have to give way to anyone who could make money for him and was loyal to him!

Old Chen devised that amazing Ganlin lottery, which led to a significant increase in the daily revenue of Wohujing and Shalijing.

Every time the well water gushed out, that was the sound of coins going into a pocket!
If this practice were implemented, it would benefit every well... It's just that Zhao Guangxi doesn't have a daughter, otherwise he would have been tempted to marry her off...

Wait, never mind.

I heard that Old Chen is like a centipede, and he's highly poisonous.

Chen Shunan raised an eyebrow, understanding the unspoken meaning in Zhao Guangxi's words.

He, Chen Shunan, has no weaknesses!
Those in power are afraid they can't control him!
A stranger from out of town who has no children, no parents, and no wife, if he were to undergo three rounds of martial arts training, he would one day achieve great success in his true cultivation.

He is practically invincible.

Who dares to suppress him?

Who dares to mess with him!

I dare not use him!
They must have offspring, and possess various vices such as greed, lust, and incriminating evidence.

Thinking of this, Chen Shunan fell silent for a moment.

Never mind, it's all for the sake of making a living, and to silence the gossip.

Then I'll just have to make do with it.

"In that case, I will accept it. Thank you for your kindness, sir... By the way, where is the key to that mansion? If the goods are not as described, I will not take responsibility for any trouble that may arise."

……

Chen Shunan received the land deed and key, and was about to leave with Lin Shouzhou.

But then Zhao Guangxi suddenly called out to him.

Zhao Guangxi took out several IOUs, written in black and white, all bearing Chen Shunan's name and fingerprint.

Zhao Guangxi snorted coldly and said,
"Old Chen, how did you end up borrowing a whopping seven thousand taels of silver from Zhao Guanghui?"

Guangxi Money Shop is essentially a resurrected version of Guanghui Money Shop. Apart from the owner changing and cutting the exorbitant interest rates of the "King of Hell" (a notorious debtor in Chinese banking), it remains largely the same.

So they took over the debts as well.

After all, debt, in a sense, is also equivalent to commercial value.

As a result, Zhao Guangxi investigated...

Damn it, how come there's a debt owed to Chen Shunan by the King of Hell?

Based on Zhao Guangxi's understanding of Chen Shunan.

That guy probably has no intention of paying it back at all!

This is like throwing a meat bun to a dog – it's gone forever!
Even Zhao Guangxi suspected that Chen Shunan had known all along that Zhao Guanghui had turned a corpse into a spirit, but deliberately borrowed money from him multiple times, only to pull the rug out from under him when he could no longer hide it.

With all the credit accumulated, there's no need to repay the loans.

That's killing two birds with one stone!
Unfortunately... Zhao Guangxi was also a beneficiary, reaping huge benefits.

This left Zhao Guangxi speechless.

only……

Zhao Guangxi had just taken over Guanghui Money Shop when seven thousand taels of silver mysteriously vanished and became bad debt!

Debt doesn't disappear; it only moves on.

Now, Zhao Guangxi has become the aggrieved party.

Upon seeing this, Chen Shunan's gaze quickly shifted.

In truth, Zhao Guangxi wasn't particularly angry.

It was just a slight reprimand.

Thinking of this, Chen Shunan's face instantly showed grief. He walked a few steps to the desk in front of Zhao Guangxi and cried out repeatedly,

"Please forgive me, Master. I am truly short of money. Firstly, the path of martial arts is arduous, and the daily rations are exorbitantly expensive. Secondly, the children in the maternity ward have no fathers or mothers, and it pains me to see them suffer. I have to put more money into their care!"

"Chen is the kind of person who's obsessed with saving face, even to the point of death. He was too embarrassed to ask his colleagues or boss for money, so he could only... sob sob, I'm sorry for the boss's training, I'm not worthy of this manager's position..."

"Stop, stop, stop!!"

Zhao Guangxi realized something was wrong.

Leaving aside the complaints of poverty, why the need to retire and return to one's hometown?!
"Fine, fine, you don't need to pay back the money... Let's leave it at that, and don't let it happen again!"

Zhao Guangxi waved his hand dismissively, tore the IOU to shreds, and threw it into the charcoal stove.

"Thank you so much, boss, thank you so much..."

Chen Shunan immediately put on a grateful expression, bowed repeatedly, and slowly retreated.

He was already starting to think: since they were all acquaintances and he knew them well, could he get some small loans from Guangxi Money Shop again in the future?
After Chen Shunan left.

Zhao Guangxi summoned the steward and said,
"In future lending matters at Guangxi Money Shop, we must strictly examine the borrower's background and capital. Guarantors and collateral are both indispensable!"

"Especially... the four major mills and Chen Shun'an, they must not lend money!"

……

To gain Zhao Dongjia's further favor and reassure his superiors, he had to bear the stigma of being a womanizer.

As soon as he left the Zhao residence, Chen Shunan headed straight for the 'Mianyi Residence'.

Lin Shouzhou, being tactful, took his leave and departed.

Mianyi Residence is located in the eastern part of the county, in the Jiujia area.

It is called the Nine Great Families because it was once home to the nine wealthiest families in Wuqing County.

The residence that was built was naturally made of blue bricks and green tiles, and was exceptionally grand.

However, as the Emperor made several incognito visits, seeking justice (and extorting money), these nine wealthy households had their homes confiscated, some were exiled, and others were banished...

(End of this chapter)