I, Who Hate Marine So Much, Have Become A Future Nika?

Chapter 40: Master, can I accept these spirit stones?

With the new decision, Zhong Cang's cultivation did not show any signs of slowing down.

The next day, Zhong Cang arrived at the training ground with a tired heart.

What made him frown was that today, Yan Hongyu and other members of the family also came.

"Brother Cang, you're here."

When Zhong Cang saw this, Zhong Yingying immediately ran over.

Seeing Zhong Cang's tired face, she took out a blanket and placed it under the tree where Zhong Cang was sitting, helping him sit down and rest.

Taking this opportunity, Zhong Cang quietly asked the doubts in his heart.

"Why are they here again?"

Glancing at Yan Hongyu and the others, Zhong Yingying cautiously said, "They are here to catch Miss Yan Lingdie's attention."

At this point, Zhong Cang instantly understood.

Just as Shui Bo said, becoming Yan Lingdie's bodyguard is not an humiliation for ordinary cultivators, but an opportunity.

The circle that Zhong Yingying relies on can be considered as members of the family, but for most parents who are only at the Foundation Building stage, this title is not a problem outside.

In the Cloud Firmament Sect, where there are many strong cultivators, it is quite insignificant.

At least, their parents cannot make them become inner disciples based solely on their status.

In this situation, resources become very important.

And joining Yan Lingdie is indeed the fastest way to obtain resources... Zhong Cang deeply understands this.

Just by being her sparring partner, Zhong Cang has received countless pills during this period.

This is what they call having a patron.

Zhong Cang sighed, while Zhong Yingying felt guilty and anxious, saying, "I'm sorry, Brother Cang."

"???"

"Why are you apologizing..."

As soon as Zhong Cang heard these words, he understood the reason for Zhong Yingying's guilt.

She thought that Yan Hongyu and the others, who had such thoughts, had become his opponents, and if it weren't for her bringing them here, Zhong Cang could have had Yan Lingdie all to himself.

In Zhong Cang's eyes, this kind of thinking is very ridiculous.

He cannot restrict the young miss of the Yan family, nor can he make decisions for her.

If his own strength is not enough, even if Yan Hongyu and the others don't come, he would still be abandoned by the young miss.

On the other hand, if his own strength is sufficient, no matter how many people come, it won't delay him from becoming one of the sparring partners.

In short, one's own strength is the most important.

While thinking, Zhong Cang spoke, "If they want to catch the attention of that young miss, your companions should take action next, right? Like challenging me?"

These words made Zhong Yingying feel even more guilty.

"Yes, when the young miss is about to arrive, they will start fighting to fully demonstrate their strength."

"And some people want to get the young miss's attention by challenging you."

"I'm sorry, it's all because of me..."

At the end, due to guilt, tears welled up in Zhong Yingying's eyes. Seeing this, Zhong Cang said helplessly,

"Alright, stop crying. This has nothing to do with you. I know you brought them here to increase my clientele."

"And they can indeed bring benefits to me."

"Huh?"

Zhong Cang's last sentence stunned Zhong Yingying.

She didn't understand why Zhong Cang thought it was a good thing to have competitors.

Seeing her puzzled expression, Zhong Cang smiled.

"This training ground is under my jurisdiction. When they fight here, they have to pay spirit stones. You can tell them that if they want to fight at noon, they need to pay three spirit stones each."

"If they want to challenge me at noon, they need to pay fifteen spirit stones."

Although Zhong Cang didn't think these people would make him lose his job, especially since he was preparing to attach Sword Heart to Yan Lingdie.

If it helps Yan Lingdie, his position will be unshakable.

But Zhong Cang naturally won't give these people a good face when they are competing for his position.

If they want to fight at noon (when Yan Lingdie is coming), they have to pay three spirit stones, and if they want to challenge him, they have to pay fifteen. This is the punishment Zhong Cang gives them, and also a way for him to make a small profit.

However, upon hearing these words, Zhong Yingying hesitated for a moment and reminded, "Brother Cang, those people, they might not listen to you."

"I know, my intimidation alone is not enough to make them pay... Wait, when you tell them my conditions, say that I have some face in front of Yan Lingdie. It's difficult for her to have an additional training partner, but it's easy to ruin someone's reputation."

Saying this, Zhong Cang chuckled.

"Shifu... Sister, now, do you think I can collect this money?"

"You can."

After the response, Zhong Yingying glanced at her 'companion' and lowered her voice even more, saying, "Brother Cang, we can collect more. Yan Hongyu and the others have money. You can increase the venue fee to 30 spirit stones and the battle fee to one hundred."

"?!!"

This statement made Zhong Cang scrutinize Zhong Yingying several times.

He didn't expect her to be so ruthless.

Until she blushed under his gaze, Zhong Cang said speechlessly, "So much, will they be willing to pay?"

"They will. Spending a hundred or so low-grade spirit stones in exchange for an opportunity to catch Yan Lingdie's attention is profitable for them. I will make them thank you."

"...Go ahead, if you do well, we'll split the spirit stones seventy-thirty."

This statement made Zhong Yingying playfully hit him.

"Brother Cang, we are family. Are you no longer recognizing me as your sister when it comes to splitting the spirit stones?"

"What are you saying? It's just that even brothers need to keep accounts clear..."

"Yesterday, Brother Cang, you helped me with special training without asking for money. Also, we are siblings, not brothers."

Saying this, she said affectionately, "Brother Cang, our Zhong family only has you as a male descendant in this generation. If anything happens, you must protect me and Xiaodie."

"Don't worry, I will."

Suddenly, Zhong Cang found it difficult to handle his affectionate and gentle sister.

Especially since she was not only good at acting cute but also capable.

She managed to make Yan Hongyu and the others give up a hundred or so spirit stones in exchange for an opportunity.

She even said that they would thank him when they handed over the spirit stones.

Zhong Cang didn't know how she did it, but after leaving his side and mingling with Yan Hongyu and the others, she actually collected the money. The gazes of those people looking at Zhong Cang were filled with admiration.

One person even clasped his fists and apologized to Zhong Cang, saying, "Brother Zhong, we misjudged you with a petty mindset."

"?!!"

"You're too kind."

Although he responded with these words, Zhong Cang felt confused in his heart.

When Zhong Yingying returned to his side, he quickly asked the doubts in his heart.

"How did you do it?"

"Hehe, it's not my credit. It's because Brother Cang, you are truly generous... If you hadn't been willing to let them showcase themselves and weren't afraid to fight them at noon, I wouldn't have been able to convince them."

This was indeed the reason, but...

"Just that, it's not enough to make them grateful to me."

Seeing Zhong Cang's persistent questioning, Zhong Yingying hesitated for a moment and then revealed the words she used to convince her companions.

"I told them that Brother Cang, you agreed to let them fight here and were willing to accept any challenge. I also said that you would speak highly of them in front of Miss Yan."

"Hmm?"

Saying this would indeed earn the admiration of others, but it wouldn't make them hand over the spirit stones.

Just as Zhong Cang was puzzled, Zhong Yingying's voice continued.

"After telling them your thoughts, I told them that Brother Zhong, you have the spirit of a hero, but I won't sit idly by and let such a thing happen. I asked each of them to contribute thirty spirit stones as compensation for you. If they want to fight you, they have to pay a hundred."

"At the same time, I also told them that if they don't pay, Brother Cang, you will still fight them, but I will tell Miss Yan about this and see if she will accept such heartless and ungrateful people."

..."

If Zhong Cang really didn't care about trivial matters like this, while those young masters and ladies bullied honest people, this contrast would indeed highlight their heartlessness and lack of righteousness.

If they still wanted to find a way out with Yan Lingdie, they had to pay these spirit stones.

At the same time, this way of speaking also exposed Zhong Cang.

However, this was not without a cost.

Zhong Yingying bore all the blame on behalf of Zhong Cang.

Looking at her, Zhong Cang felt a bit sorry and said, "Why go to such lengths? By doing this, you will completely lose your friends."

(End of this chapter)