Chapter Sixty-Three: Taking Up Residence

Three days later, on August 4th.

In Silver City, on the bustling central avenue, stood a twenty-story building, crowned at its peak by four neon-lit characters: "Stellar Chamber of Commerce." In peacetime, such a building would pale in comparison to many residential towers, but here, aside from the highest office beneath the dome, it ranked among the tallest structures in all of Silver City.

On the top floor, an office adorned with extravagant luxury displayed the utmost in opulence. Rare furnishings, antiques, and murals filled the space, eliciting a single word from any visitor: “Sumptuous.” Even in more peaceful times, few places could rival it, for the treasures here were not merely a matter of wealth—many could not be bought at any price.

Behind a gray-brown ebony desk sat a woman with black hair—the steward system’s host, Lin Zhongqing. Reclining in her executive chair, she dozed, loose hair draping over her brow, her demeanor one of calm indifference.

In front of her desk, an elderly man in a suit, hair half silver, stood delivering his report.

“Another 4.3 tons of gold have arrived from the northern estate, along with fifty-seven thousand spirit cores. Together with the sixty-three thousand we recently acquired, it should suffice for your needs for some time.”

“Well done,” Lin Zhongqing responded without opening her eyes.

“According to secret intelligence, the Silver Chamber of Commerce secretly hired a rogue cultivator from North Hunt City named Wu Zicheng, a Silver-tier practitioner. Three days ago, he perished outside Refuge 364.”

“How interesting,” Lin Zhongqing finally lifted her head, brushing stray hair from her forehead, a flicker of intrigue lighting her gaze. “I was wondering why their response was so sluggish. Have you discovered the cause of death?”

“Allegedly, the cause is unknown,” the old man replied.

Lin Zhongqing straightened, fixing him with a sharp stare. “Unknown? Impossible. With the capabilities of that entity, they should have been able to monitor the area. Is it that you failed to uncover the truth, or they did?”

“It’s their failure. They conducted a secret supplication ritual—we had our people present. The ritual ultimately failed, and Li Xing, who presided over it, was gravely injured and is now in the ICU at First Hospital,” the old man hastily explained.

“Hah…” Lin Zhongqing stifled a laugh, composing herself. “Well, that’s excellent. It seems another power has intervened in this nascent land. That is good news for us.”

The old man did not look pleased, hesitating. “Their trump card wasn’t that man. It’s—”

“Who is it?” Lin Zhongqing leaned back again.

The old man whispered a name and spoke at length.

Even more intriguing. That fellow still hasn’t given up? Pity—this isn’t a world out of a novel. In reality, the more you lack something, the more fate is determined to force it upon you… Lin Zhongqing narrowed her eyes, straightening once more, supporting her chin with her hands atop the desk. Clearly, this name warranted her full attention.

The old man nodded. Indeed, wasn’t it so? Things some people could never obtain in a lifetime were delivered unsolicited to this woman.

He continued his report. “Additionally, our chamber has recently secured five security contracts. The electronic versions have been sent to your email.”

At this, Lin Zhongqing immediately opened the laptop on her desk. “At last, some truly good news. Let me see.”

“Nantan, Horse Market… As expected, these are all areas beyond the Silver Chamber’s reach.”

“Yes,” the old man replied, “each contract exceeds three hundred thousand silver coins, but all parties hope you will personally take charge.”

“Excellent.” A longing gleamed in her eyes.

“Frankly, this price would only hire a Silver-tier expert. It’s an affront to your abilities,” the old man said cautiously.

“No matter. The first to try must be offered some benefit, after all.”

……

Meanwhile, at the mouth of the valley near Refuge 364, a new merchant caravan was making its way along the ruined road into the valley. The caravan was small—just two large trucks and two SUVs, one leading and one trailing.

The lead vehicle held three people: a driver up front, and a man and two women in the back.

The man, sitting by the window, gazed outside. He had a strong, upright face; yet his eyes held a persistent gloom.

Both women were young and attractive. One, in twin ponytails and headphones, sat close beside the man, humming softly with a sunny, girl-next-door air, clearly quite intimate with him.

The other, dressed in professional attire and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, turned to speak to the man.

“Captain Lin, I still don’t understand why you insist on developing in such a remote place with so few people and no mineral resources nearby. The Silver Chamber of Commerce invited you to their domain and offered extremely generous terms. Over there your path would be smooth—they would surely support you.”

“It’s simple. I won’t be anyone’s tool.” The man answered calmly, still watching the scenery.

“Wait, Stone, are you planning to forcibly seize others’ holdings to strike out on your own like those villains?” The ponytailed girl seemed to misinterpret, pulling down her headphones with a look of surprise. “I knew it—growing up in that environment, you were bound to turn dark eventually…”

“Nonsense.” The man flicked her on the head. “I told you—I will use my own hands to prove to them all: even without talent, I can surpass what they imagine to be possible. I will never lose to that person.”

The ponytailed girl clutched her head, tears brimming in her eyes.

“I heard she has already broken through to the Gold tier. Do you still have the same confidence?” the professional woman asked softly.

The man fell silent.

“Indeed. Every time I think I’m about to catch up, she pulls ahead once more, opening the gap,” he murmured, turning his gaze southeast as if he could see through the mountains to her.

“Always the same wicked sense of humor, sister. But this time, you’ll be disappointed.”

“Stone, you can do it!” the ponytailed girl cheered him on. “After all, you’re the strongest Stone!”

“All right, all right, Xiaohong, Xiaolu, both of you settle down. Everyone else, too,” the man said as the vehicles advanced further into the valley, about to turn south. “Remember, a skilled expert almost as good as me died here just recently.”

“Stone, you’re too modest. But Xiaolu is a good girl—she’d never do anything bad,” the ponytailed girl promised earnestly.

The vehicles slowed as the mountain road became even rougher.

“There seem to be no evil spirits left around. In this terrain, they’d usually be drawn here. You’re right—the people here are few, but their strength is not to be underestimated,” the professional woman observed seriously.

“Not surprising—anyone who’s survived this long must have some hidden cards,” the man agreed.

“If that’s the case, what if they don’t welcome us?” Xiaolu asked, rubbing her head in worry.

“Don’t worry. We have something they can’t refuse,” the man replied with confidence.

Xiaolu immediately brightened. “Oh, that’s good. I really don’t want to keep sleeping in the truck. Peddling on the road is exhausting—being a resident merchant is much easier.”

“You’re the one who slacks off the most. Every time we settle somewhere, you’re the first to relax,” the professional woman retorted, giving her a flick on the head as well…