<h4>Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Apologies and Schemes</h4>


    Even though he heard the hidden message within Pei Xuanjing''s words, Shen Xiang acted as though he hadn''t, continuing to apologize repeatedly, "I unwittingly caused you trouble this time, Brother Pei. Please don''t take it to heart. I''ll handle everything from here."


    Pei Xuanjing calmly nodded his head, "In that case, I''ll leave everything to you, Brother Shen."


    Pounding his chest, Shen Xiang assured him, "No problem, leave everything to me. Also, I must apologize once again for the inconvenience caused due to me. Aspensation, I shall gift you this residence."


    Without standing on ceremony, Pei Xuanjing nodded and simply said, "Fine."


    Shen Xiang had one of his guards bring out a box and set it upon the table, pointing to it, he added, "This box contains the Cultivation Method Manuals you asked me to find. Consider it part of my apology."


    A smile finally graced Pei Xuanjing''s face as he epted the Cultivation Method Manuals he had been looking for, and bowed in appreciation, "Thank you, Brother Shen."


    "No need for thanks, it was the least I could do."


    ...


    Half an hourter, Shen Xiang left with his guards.


    After getting on the chariot, a middle-aged man who was already seated inside greeted Shen Xiang. It was his older brother, Shen Mei, the real head of Shen''s Business Association in Anping Prefecture.


    Seeing Shen Xiang climb in, Shen Mei asked, "Is everything settled?"


    Shen Xiang simply nodded in response.


    With a motion from Shen Mei, the chariot set off, then he said nothing more.


    Unable to stop himself, Shen Xiang voiced his concern, "Big Brother, do you think they will believe us?"


    Shen Mei shook his head, "No."


    "Then why...?" Shen Xiang was cut off before he could finish.


    Shen Mei replied with a question, "You''re asking, why go through all this trouble?"


    "Yes," Shen Xiang nodded, then added, "After all, he saved my life, and has rendered a great favor to our association."


    The conflict between Pei Xuanjing and the Liu Family was no coincidence, it all happened under the nning of Shen''s Business Association.


    Otherwise, as the third manager of the Shen''s Business Association, how could Shen Xiang not be aware of the rtions behind this residence?


    Shen Meiughed, "Exactly because he saved your life and has granted our association a great favor, it is why we need him on our side."


    Looking at the somewhat puzzled Shen Xiang, Shen Mei continued, "A sixth-grade Martial Artist who isn''t even twenty years old is a rare talent among the younger generation in Northwest Dao. With adequate resources, he is more than capable of stepping into the Upper Three Realms. Given time, he could very well be another Tie Qianshan."


    Another Tie Qianshan?


    Shen Xiang had not expected his brother to hold such a high opinion of Pei Xuanjing, this made him even more puzzled, "Then why are we doing this?"


    Shen Mei exined, "Such a promising young man would be a prized asset for others too. The Liu Family has be increasingly domineering. If they manage to get him on their side, we will have another formidable enemy in the future."


    He let out a heartyugh, "However, the fact that he epted our gifts today indicates that he epts our friendship and won''t be won over by the Liu family."


    Shen Mei was confident, a young talent like this, who had already shed with the Liu Family, wouldn''t humble himself easily. At the same time, the Liu family''s status and their domineering nature would prevent them from yielding to one man, even if he''s a promising talent. By the time they realize his true potential, it would be toote.


    Seeing the puzzled look on his younger brother, Shen Mei didn''t offer any further exnation. His brother needed to understand this on his own if he was to manage their affairs here in the future.


    Pei Xuanjing had no idea about the conversation between Shen Xiang and Shen Mei inside the chariot, but he had roughly figured out the machinations behind their actions.


    To him, it seemed like Shen Xiang was trying to win him over while also preventing him from falling into the Liu family''s grasp.


    Moreover, Shen Xiang was very shrewd; even though Pei Xuanjing had been unwittingly drawn into a feud with the Liu Family, Shen Xiang immediately offeredpensation. Not only did he willingly give the residence, but he also gifted the Cultivation Method Manuals that Pei Xuanjing should have bought.


    Now that he had obtained so many Cultivation Method Manuals, focusing on refining his Taoyun, and improving his own strength was the righteous path.


    Although he saved Shen Xiang''s life, he hadn''t expected any rewards, and hadn''t nned on using Shen''s Business Association for anything. Since they offered, might as well treat it as a simple transaction.


    The feeling of being manipted was ufortable, but considering thepensation provided and how much money it saved him, Pei Xuanjing was willing to ept it.


    As for the schemes of Shen''s Business Association, Pei Xuanjing didn''t pay much attention. He would deal with them as they came.


    Currently, his main task was to improve his strength. As long as he was strong enough, he believed he could easily handle any situation.


    Picking up the Cultivation Method Manuals on the table, Pei Xuanjing opened them up for inspection and found two martial studies and one swordsmanship skill.


    The martial studies were lower grade studies, named "Geng Metal Jue" and "Gui Water Gong". The swordsmanship skill was a mid-level martial study named "Ruo Shui Sword Skill", which was unfortunately iplete, having only three steps.


    ''Shen''s Business Association, interesting. Well, I will remember this incident and see what happens next.'' He thought as he looked at the Cultivation Method Manuals in his hand.


    The value of the two lower grade martial studies was average, but even the iplete "Ruo Shui Sword Skill" was quite valuable, indicating the Shen family''s sincerity.


    For Pei Xuanjing, his current need was to gather different martial arts to develop his own cultivation method, and he had inferred that his cultivation methodbined the Five Elements, so he needed to gather martial arts rted to Gold, Water, and Earth elements.


    The fact that Shen Xiang had managed to find two such manuals for him in such a short time demonstrated the strength of a local bully. Though he stillcked an Earth attribute martial arts manual, the iplete mid-level martial arts "Ruo Shui Sword Skill" was a pleasant surprise.


    Martial arts were the foundation of cultivation, and martial studies were the guardians of the path of cultivation. Actually, a middle-level martial study often held more value than an equivalent martial art.


    After all, except for people like Pei Xuanjing who dared to create their own martial art due to owning a life simtor, most people could only cultivate one kind of martial art, but they could cultivate many martial studies.


    Setting aside the matter with the Liu family for the moment, Pei Xuanjing focused his attention entirely on the newly acquired Cultivation Method Manuals. He started to study and refining these arts, while also finding ways to incorporate the two martial arts into his current "Yi Wood Li Fire Skill", in addition to practicing the "Ruo Shui Sword Skill".


    However, sometimes, actions are dictated by circumstances, not personal will. The desire for peace and tranquility does not necessarily lead to it.