Chapter 1830: Chapter 1830: Winning Over Han Yan Makes Everything Easier

Yesterday, the Family Head gave me a harsh reprimand, and also ordered me not to meddle in family affairs anymore, or even step out of the courtyard. If it was another woman facing such a blow, she would probably be crying daily and feeling shame, but Zhu Yulan is certainly not someone else. Her thick skin is so admired by Ling Baobao, it’s impossible for her to truly be subdued.

It must be said, though this woman is somewhat shallow in her views, and a bit harsh in her ways, she does have some cleverness. Last night at the banquet, she easily discerned how grateful and appreciative the old man was of Mu Hanyan. The thunderous fury earlier wasn’t simply because she offended Shen Yuhe, but more due to her disrespect towards Mu Hanyan.

From this, she realized that as long as she pleased Mu Hanyan, the old man would definitely show her some leniency, certainly not holding on to yesterday’s small matters.

Of course, she also knew the relationship between Shen Yuhe and Mu Hanyan, so she dared not treat her as before. After talking with Mu Hanyan, she held Shen Yuhe’s hand with a face full of kindness, care, and affection, almost more than a biological mother.

"I’m planning to take a casual stroll in the city, and wanted to find someone to ask for directions." Mu Hanyan couldn’t be bothered bickering with such a minor character and said indifferently.

"I’m familiar with Tianyang City, there’s no one in the Gu family who knows it better than me, why would you need to find someone else? I’ll lead the Master Priest." Zhu Yulan said, patting her chest.

"Isn’t that inappropriate? Didn’t Family Head Gu order you not to leave home yesterday?" Mu Hanyan hesitated for a moment, thinking Zhu Yulan had managed the Gu family’s businesses for many years, and surely knew more about Tianyang City’s ins and outs than anyone else. She indeed was the best choice for a guide. However, Family Head Gu had just grounded her yesterday, and now she was thinking of leading her out; it might appear as interfering in others’ family matters.

"It’s nothing, nothing. I’ll accompany the Master Priest out for business, the old man will be delighted. I’ll just go tell him; you wait for me a moment, okay? You must wait for me!" Zhu Yulan said as she trotted over towards Gu Qingyang’s courtyard.

Before long, Zhu Yulan returned, out of breath but with obvious delight, clearly having received permission from the Family Head.

"Master Priest, where would you like to stroll?" Zhu Yulan asked after leaving the Gu Mansion.

"Are you familiar with the Chamber of Commerce in Tianyang City?" Mu Hanyan asked directly. There were two days left before the ritual ceremony, and she planned to return to Huayu City as soon as it ended. Huayu City had only been rebuilt recently, and she was somewhat concerned because she’d been away for too long. Therefore, time in Tianyang City was short and she didn’t wish to waste it.

"Sure, there’s no one in the Gu family who knows it better than me." Zhu Yulan patted her chest again and said, "Tianyang City has twenty-four chambers of commerce, thirteen belong to the Priest Families in this city, and eleven belong to the Priest Families from other eleven main cities. This is the norm for all temple main cities; everyone profits, and nobody misses out. Our Gu family used to be involved with some chambers of commerce, but we’ve withdrawn now. However, if the Master Priest wants to do business, the shopkeepers still have to show me some respect."

"By the way, Master Priest, do you plan to buy or sell something?" Zhu Yulan asked again at this point.

"I’m going to sell some relic soul beads in exchange for silver taels, and while at it, buy some medicinal herbs and meteorite gold to take back." Mu Hanyan said.

"Relic soul beads!" Zhu Yulan paused briefly, showing a hint of hesitation.

"What’s wrong?" Mu Hanyan asked.

"Master Priest, you know, Long Wucuo has already spread the word, clearly intending to cause trouble for your Huayu Temple. If you just want to buy a few things, we could randomly choose a chamber and forego revealing identities; after purchasing, nobody would dig into your background, and it’s hassle-free.

But the relic soul beads are different, especially the five-colored soul pearls which often go for millions of taels apiece, and prices surge higher at auctions, definitely catching the Long family’s attention. Plus, out of the city’s thirteen chambers, the Long family somewhat owns stakes in them, and has many informers. Once they trace your identity, nobody would dare accept the deal." Zhu Yulan said.

Mu Hanyan had forgotten this aspect, never realizing the Long family wielded such influence within Tianyang City, with stakes in all thirteen chambers. Originally, she thought of taking some relic soul beads to an auction to make a fortune, but it was clearly impractical now.

"What about the black market? It can’t possibly be under the Long family’s control too." Mu Hanyan had to settle for a lesser option.

"The Long family can’t control the black market. Let me tell you secretly, don’t tell anyone." Zhu Yulan cautiously looked around, then lowered her voice, "I heard the black market in Tianyang City is run by a Penalty Priest of the Life God Temple; his precious son runs it, so the Long family wouldn’t dare offend."

"There’s such a matter? Aren’t they afraid that if it leaks out, it’d affect their reputation?" Mu Hanyan was somewhat surprised. A black market, after all, is something that shuns light, and many dealings run counter to temple law. A Penalty Priest opening a black market seems akin to knowingly breaking the law.

"What’s strange about that? Whoever holds such a position has strength and backing; no one dares to offend them. Moreover, others wouldn’t dare open a black market if they feared rumors escaping; they wouldn’t leave any evidence. If anyone dared expose it, it wouldn’t harm them at all; getting revenge from the Penalty Priest isn’t something anyone could bear." Zhu Yulan said disapprovingly.

"Quite true, then we’ll head straight to the black market." Mu Hanyan nodded, realized with clarity, compared to the Holy Court, the temple’s power was more centralized, making such actions even safer.

"It’s a bit early to go to the black market, it only opens in the afternoon." Zhu Yulan said.

"Then let’s browse a few chambers for now, and find a place to change clothes too." Mu Hanyan said.

Earlier, she hadn’t considered the aspects related to Long Wucuo, but with Zhu Yulan’s reminder, she wouldn’t openly wander around displaying identity.

Given her thoughts, Mu Hanyan felt rather fortunate to have brought Zhu Yulan along, otherwise a minor misstep might have caused trouble.

Since relic soul beads mostly dispensed by the Life God Temple or Main Temple, those willing to sell were rare, and adventurers exploring the depths of the wilderness seldom obtained relic soul beads, so the market trading volume was smaller. Instead, a good number of high-level priests who died at hands of bandits might have a significant stash flowing into the market.

Don’t underestimate the bandits; when martial arts cultivation reaches a certain level, typical Divine Heart Priests may not match them. Take Xiang Qiuzhan as an example, even Zhuge Qiu, a Penalty Priest, couldn’t withstand a single strike from him. Other Hall Chief Priests encountering him would meet certain death.

Such bandits, Divine Continent doesn’t only have one Xiang Qiuzhan, just their appetite is large, they disdain minor scuffles, and ordinary folks rarely encounter them, some aren’t even aware of their existence.

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