Feeling the softness in his arms, Li Chang'an had the sudden urge to Tightly hug her.
Fortunately, he knew his boundaries. This wasn't the time or place to get tangled up with a woman like Bai Xue—at least, not in the open.
"You're too kind, Madam. Since I've accepted this mission, naturally, I'll protect you," Li Chang'an said righteously as he pushed Bai Xue away, putting on a front of upright sincerity.
"Then… might I trouble you to keep Master Yan restrained for a while longer?" Bai Xue's voice was sultry again as she shot him a flirtatious glance. "At least until we reach Heaven Dou City. I'll be sure to reward you handsomely when we arrive."
Li Chang'an nodded without hesitation. After all, dealing with a poisoned spirit Sage wasn't difficult for him—it was just a matter of effort.
He walked over to the old man Yan, who was sitting on the ground forcing out the poison, and quickly struck several acupoints on his body with a few precise taps. Each strike carried his soul power, effectively sealing Yan's soul force for the time being.
Seeing that Bai Xue and the others were still weakened from the poison, Li Chang'an said, "Madam, why don't we rest here for a while until the poison wears off?"
"That would be wonderful. If I may trouble you further, could you help me onto the carriage?" Bai Xue extended her pale, delicate hand, her voice sweet and feeble.
Thankfully, Shou tao's poison was mainly targeted at spirit masters. Otherwise, Bai Xue and her people might've already been dead.
"Of course," Li Chang'an replied calmly. He supported her carefully, not taking any advantage, and helped her toward the carriage.
However, things became awkward when they reached the steps—Bai Xue was too weak to climb up. With a soft "pardon me," Li Chang'an gave her a push on the rear, sending her up into the carriage.
Once inside, Li Chang'an was struck by the level of luxury. The interior was decorated in soft pink tones, the seats were padded with plush animal-skin cushions, and the windows were made of the clearest, most durable glass available.
As soon as they were inside, Bai Xue gave a graceful curtsy. "I failed to recognize a mountain before my very eyes. I had no idea the great Holy Son himself would grace us. Please forgive this foolish woman."
Clearly, she had guessed his identity the moment he revealed his soul rings, but she had kept quiet until now. Waiting until they were alone in the carriage showed that she had her own motives.
"You're clever. And cautious too," Li Chang'an said with a slight smirk as he leaned back and crossed his arms. "So, tell me—what do you want?"
"I'd like to ask for the Holy Son's support… help me gain full control of the Hong Chamber of Commerce. In return, I'll fulfill any request you make," Bai Xue replied, her seductive tone returning. She knew how to use her assets well.
"Any request?" Li Chang'an gave her a once-over, recalling how she had just felt in his arms. His thoughts stirred, but he said nothing.
In terms of beauty alone, Bai Xue fell a bit short compared to someone like Hu Liena. She wasn't enough to cloud his judgment—but her mind, now that was what impressed him.
"I'm curious. How exactly do you plan to take over the Hong Chamber of Commerce?" he asked casually.
Bai Xue secretly cursed him—still not taking the bait. This man clearly had more than just looks and power; he had self-control, too.
"To be honest, the only reason I even have a chance at this position is because I was the official wife of the late young master of the Hong Chamber. My deceased husband also had a second wife—that's the woman the others refer to as 'Second Madam.'
"The Hong family has always followed a strict single-line inheritance system, and my late husband was the only direct heir. But, laughably, he had… issues."
She flushed slightly, even with her bold personality. "He enjoyed certain solo 'activities' a bit too much growing up. As a result, by the time we married, he was already impotent. We never had any children."
That explained it. Li Chang'an finally understood why the Hong Chamber was locked in a power struggle between the first and second branches—there was no heir. And Bai Xue? She was now a widow.
'Hmm, a widow…'
"As for my plan," she continued, "I already have a rough outline. Now that I have both Master Yan and Xiao Huan in my hands, I can use their testimonies to accuse the second branch. With Master Yan's status as a Spirit Sage, his word will carry weight. That alone will be enough to disqualify them from competing for control.
"I also have the bodies of assassins from the Ye Chamber of Commerce. Whether they admit it or not, I'm planning to frame them. It'll elevate my status and solidify my authority.
"The Second Lord is from a collateral branch. Once I make my move against the Ye Chamber and establish my dominance, he won't dare challenge me again."
Li Chang'an nodded slightly. She had calculated everything carefully. What started as a game of deception had now turned into her chance to seize power. All she needed was a powerful backer—someone who could give her the confidence to push forward.
"I can support you," Li Chang'an said, raising his head. "But I have conditions. I want you—and I want the Hong Chamber of Commerce under my control. Not under Spirit Hall's name—under mine."
"Heh. Isn't that a bit much?" Bai Xue chuckled, shaking her head. "I can give myself to you. I can even share the profits every year. But I've worked hard to gain control of the Hong Chamber—I won't just hand it over. That's something I can't do."
"Relax," he said calmly. "I won't take your authority. You'll be my sole representative within the Hong Chamber, second only to me. You'll have the highest authority beneath me.
Not only that, but I'll give you something—something that will push the Hong Chamber into the top three on the entire continent. And you will still be the one at the helm. How about that?"
"What is it?" Bai Xue asked immediately, fully focused now. This was what truly interested her.
"Ironworking technology," Li Chang'an said, raising two fingers. "I'll give you the latest iron refining methods—20% more efficient than anything on the market. And one more thing: cement."
"The Hong Chamber will be the sole distributor of cement for the next three years. I swear it on my title as Holy Son."
"Deal!"
Bai Xue didn't hesitate. The moment she heard those two words—cement and exclusive rights—she knew this was no ordinary opportunity. Not only had she heard that the Li Chamber had exclusive control over cement, but she also knew how revolutionary it would be in the future. And now, she would hold the monopoly—for three years.
As for the ironworking tech, she believed Li Chang'an had no reason to lie.
Everyone had their passions—and for Bai Xue, business was her greatest love.
_____
T/N:
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