Since Wang Yu was planning to attend the upcoming auction, he naturally had to bring Qingyang along.
But after his recent spending spree at Tianbao Pavilion, his spirit stone reserves hadn't recovered. He'd likely need to sell off some of his treasured assets to raise funds.
Qingyang agreed readily to accompany him.
What Wang Yu didn't expect was a visit from Goldfull Pavilion's long-absent branch master, Ye Qing—bearing what seemed to be good news.
Years ago, Wang Yu had commissioned a custom pill furnace. It had finally arrived: a tier-three mid-grade artifact—Starfall Cold Furnace.
A fine result. But it also meant he now owed a hefty final payment.
"City Lord Wang."
"Branch Master Ye."
They exchanged no pleasantries. After Han Jia's arrival, Tianbao Pavilion had crushed Goldfull Pavilion's influence. Ye Qing had poured in all his resources and was now visibly haggard—his face pale and splotchy, like poorly applied powder.
That he personally delivered the furnace was surprising, considering Wang Yu was the architect of his downfall.
"This is the furnace you ordered. The Pavilion fronted some materials, and the artifact master requires a final payment—420,000 spirit stones."
"So much?" Wang Yu frowned.
He'd already paid 100,000 and provided a tier-three material. Now they wanted another 420,000—enough to buy half a Core Formation treasure.
Did they think he was a fool?
Ye Qing's expression soured. "City Lord, by custom, if the final artifact exceeds the expected grade, the refiner receives a bonus."
Wang Yu nodded. That was standard.
"How much?"
"200,000."
Ye Qing held up two fingers. Wang Yu's brow furrowed.
"You're joking. Ten thousand to commission, twenty thousand bonus, plus a tier-three material? I could've bought a new artifact for that."
"It's the refiner's demand. I can't change it."
"Heh—"
Wang Yu stored the furnace in his Oceanheart Ring and tossed over a pouch. "Here's 220,000. Let Jin Miaoshan handle the rest."
Ye Qing's face darkened.
"City Lord, this isn't how business is done."
Wang Yu didn't flinch.
"I don't care about your 'customs.' If it were 30,000 or even 100,000, I'd accept it. But 200,000? That's robbery."
Ye Qing said nothing. He bowed perfunctorily and left.
Wang Yu watched him go, then activated stealth and silence techniques and followed him. He also contacted Han Jia via transmission jade to verify the refiner's pricing.
While tailing Ye Qing, Han Jia confirmed: the bonus was real, but typically 50,000 spirit stones—200,000 only applied to top-grade artifacts.
Now Wang Yu understood.
The refiner was from Jin Miaoshan's network. Ye Qing couldn't have hired him alone. This was a setup—an attempt to provoke Wang Yu into offending the refiner.
"To make me clash with Goldfull's artifact master? What's the point?"
As he pondered, Wang Yu recalled his first meeting with Jin Miaoshan. Ye Qing wasn't stupid—he must have a backer.
With Jin Miaoshan in deep seclusion for over five years, her rival—Qian Zhong's so-called 'Young Master Jinlin'—was likely behind this.
But why target Wang Yu?
Using his stealth, Wang Yu followed Ye Qing into Goldfull Pavilion's top floor, where a soundproof array was activated.
With his tier-three divine sense and intimate knowledge of the building, Wang Yu was able to eavesdrop.
"Master, it's done. Wang Yu refused to pay the full amount."
Then came a cold, arrogant voice.
"Of course he did. He's not stupid. But making Jin Miaoshan suffer proves Wang Yu's capability."
Ye Qing: "What are your next orders?"
Jinlin: "Jin Miaoshan oversees the Yunling branches. Recently, a tier-three ore—Deepsea Sinking Silver—was discovered near the Ancient Chaos Sea on Crimson Kite's eastern shore.
"It may yield tier-four Sinking Silver Essence. But the site lies in Youzhou—under Yellow Spring Temple's control. The local branch master is my third uncle."
Ye Qing was confused at first, then understood.
"Master Tianshui is a peak tier-three refiner. To break through, he must forge a tier-four artifact. If he hears of this ore, he'll go himself."
"Exactly. I'll make sure he hears."
Jinlin continued:
"Tianshui supports Jin Miaoshan. He'll stay at Spiritridge's branch. Your job is to provoke him—insult his skills.
"When Wang Yu and Tianshui clash, given Wang Yu's temperament, he won't let it go."
Then, with a chilling tone:
"Tianshui must die in Spiritridge. I'll send a squad of death warriors. You'll command them."
"If you succeed, I'll ensure your Core breakthrough and transfer you to Golden Toad City's main branch."
Ye Qing bowed deeply.
"Ye Qing will serve Young Master Jinlin to the death."
"Good. I await your success. Hahaha—"
—
Back at Spiritridge Manor—
Wang Yu didn't act immediately. He returned to his quarters, deep in thought.
Frankly, Jinlin's plan was idiotic.
All this effort just to kill one of Jin Miaoshan's loyal supporters?
No—he wanted to frame Wang Yu.
The goal was to make Wang Yu attack Jin Miaoshan's ally. But even if the plan worked, the premise was flimsy.
A misunderstanding over 200,000 spirit stones? That could be cleared up with a single sentence. Jin Miaoshan had personally arranged the commission—she'd surely briefed Tianshui.
They wouldn't fight over something so trivial.
Even if Tianshui died in Spiritridge—so what?
Jin Miaoshan was in deep seclusion. She wouldn't even know. What would it change?
Then Wang Yu realized—
Jinlin didn't know Jin Miaoshan's current state. He was probing—trying to eliminate her support and see who reacted.
But why drag Wang Yu into it?
Why not ambush Tianshui near the ore site and blame rogue cultivators?
Why involve Spiritridge?
Did Jinlin think Wang Yu was impulsive? That he'd order another massacre like he did with Goldfull Pavilion?
"Wait…"
"If Jinlin thinks I'm reckless, then this convoluted plan makes sense."
Last time, Wang Yu's actions damaged Goldfull Pavilion's reputation. Jin Miaoshan was punished. Wang Yu escaped thanks to Zhuo Shouqing's intervention.
That favor was heavier than the Mystic Heaven Secret Realm quota.
So when Zhuo Shouqing visited Spiritridge, Wang Yu didn't ask for more resources.
In hindsight, the two high-grade Core treasures he received were equivalent in value.
Some favors can't be asked twice.
Zhuo Shouqing had warned him clearly. Wang Yu wouldn't make the same mistake.
If Jinlin thought otherwise—he was a fool.
This didn't match the profile of a candidate for succession.
As Wang Yu pondered, he realized how troublesome these elite heirs could be. He even postponed his plans to attend the Yanluo Ghost Market auction.
The last person to leave such an impression was Moonlight Fairy Changxi of the Heavenly Void Sword Sect. Now Jinlin joined that list.
Honestly, Wang Yu wished he hadn't overheard the conversation.
From the moment Qian Zhong tried to use the Everliving Branch to sabotage Jin Miaoshan, Wang Yu had been dragged into this mess.
Now Jinlin was targeting him again.
How long could he avoid it?
Just then, Qingyang flew in with news.
"City Lord, He Valley Master sent word—he succeeded. He'll return in three months."
Wang Yu was pleased—then suspicious.
"What exactly did he say?"
Qingyang handed over a jade slip. After reading it, Wang Yu's eyes lit up.
"I see! So that's the plan."
"What do you mean?"
Wang Yu narrowed his eyes.
He now considered He Valley Master an enemy. The Purplegold Chamber president was also suspect.
Three months later was the Ghost Market auction. He Valley Master would return then. Tianshui would also arrive at Spiritridge.
Too convenient.
He Valley Master's disguise technique was so refined that even Luo Chen couldn't detect it. That was suspicious.
Could he really be a rogue cultivator? And why offer to serve Wang Yu?
Think worst-case.
If He Valley Master knew nothing, then three months later, Wang Yu and Qingyang would be at the Ghost Market. Ye Qing would bring Tianshui to Spiritridge.
If He Valley Master impersonated Wang Yu, a fight with Tianshui would be inevitable. With death warriors in place, they'd kill Tianshui and order the City Lord's Manor to destroy the Spiritridge branch.
Wang Yu would be blamed for everything.
He'd considered this before—but dismissed it due to the City Lord's Seal.
That seal was tied to the city's formation array—nearly impossible to fake.
But now he realized—
The plan didn't require activating the array.
"Damn you, Jinlin!"
(End of Chapter)
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