The Crazy Son-In-Law

“I am Yang Tiancai. As you were asking about the Hero Cup earlier, I happen to know some things and can tell you about it,” the skinny man introduced himself first.

Perhaps worried that his unsolicited helpfulness would raise suspicion, Yang Tiancai went on, “You were asking if those people are the young masters and ladies of the Wen family earlier. The Wen family is a cultivation clan, so naturally they don’t think much of us independent cultivators.”

So-called independent cultivators refer to those from humble origins with average talents. They have no masters or sects, or if they do, the masters and sects are unimportant and cannot support them. These cultivators rely completely on themselves to progress in cultivation.

Cultivation clans often look down on such cultivators, seeing their path as unorthodox and illegitimate.

There are not many independent cultivators today, as a cultivator’s growth requires massive resources. It is difficult for an independent cultivator to acquire such vast resources. Many end up becoming bodyguards or even join underground organizations as thugs. Some leave the country and become mercenaries.

Someone like Song Linger, with excellent aptitude and wealthy family background yet undiscovered before meeting Xiao Shun, is like a fish that slipped through the net in the cultivation world.

“Thank you for the information,” Xiao Shun said after seeing no deceit in the man’s words and manner.

“You’re welcome. Meeting you must be fate,” Yang Tiancai grinned.

“The Hero Cup is a cultivation event held by the Old School Society every three days. Not only will the four major headquarters of the Old School Society send people to participate, many cultivation clans and cultivators will come to observe too, though very few actually join in since their strength speaks for itself,” Yang Tiancai explained fluently.

“The Old School Society has hidden dragons and crouching tigers and controls massive resources. Compared to them, those cultivation clans’ strength has a big gap.”

“The Old School Society holds the Hero Cup to demonstrate their power and deter other forces on one hand, and recruit talents and cultivators of sufficient strength to join them on the other. It is indeed a grand event, wouldn’t you agree?” Yang Tiancai spoke like a seasoned expert.

“Thank you for the pointers, Brother Yang,” Xiao Shun expressed his gratitude. “How long more till the Hero Cup starts?”

“There’s still one month left,” Yang Tiancai replied.

“Why are they here so early then?” Xiao Shun wondered aloud.

Yang Tiancai looked at Xiao Shun shrewdly. “Looks like little brother really doesn’t know about the Hero Cup. If not for your extraordinary bearing, it would be hard to believe you are a cultivator when you don’t even know this much.”

“I’m ashamed of my ignorance,” Xiao Shun smiled humbly.

“In the month before the tournament, there will be other events like martial arts exchanges, pellet auctions and more that will attract many cultivators. It is indeed a grand affair, wouldn’t you say?” Yang Tiancai spoke like a seasoned expert.

“I see, thank you for enlightening me.”NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

Seeing the day getting late and worried about keeping Yao Cen waiting too long, Xiao Shun decided to take his leave since he had found out enough about the Hero Cup. “Thank you again for the information, Brother Yang. Let’s meet again in the future.”

As Xiao Shun walked towards where he parked his car, Yang Tiancai hurried to catch up. “Don’t rush off yet, little brother.”

“Is there something else, Brother Yang?” Xiao Shun asked.

“I have something good to show you.”

Yang Tiancai took out a blue porcelain bottle mysteriously and poured out a blue pellet. Holding it out to Xiao Shun, he asked, “Take a look, what’s this?”

Xiao Shun immediately smelled a faint herbal fragrance. At a glance, it was just a low quality pellet that could aid new cultivators somewhat.

“This is…?” Xiao Shun pretended to look puzzled, curious to see what the man was up to.

“This can help low level cultivators like you strengthen your foundation and improve your cultivation. I went through a lot of trouble to get it. Since we met by chance today, I’ll give it to you as a gift,” Yang Tiancai said magnanimously.

“I shouldn’t accept such a valuable gift when we just met,” Xiao Shun declined with a laugh.

“Cough, we hit it off well. If you don’t mind, let’s exchange contacts. If you need any pellets in future, just say the word. I have some connections in the Old School Society. I’m not boasting, but I can get most pellets,” Yang Tiancai bragged.

“Here, take it. Don’t stand on ceremony with me, brother,” he said, holding out the blue pellet to Xiao Shun.

“Then thank you for your generosity,” Xiao Shun accepted the pellet, still guarding against the man’s overly enthusiastic manner. He wanted to see what the fellow was up to.

“I really have to go now, I’m in a hurry,” Xiao Shun said.

“No rush, no rush,” Yang Tiancai quickly added.

“Little brother, I gave this pellet to you as a gift, but you wouldn’t let your big brother work for nothing right?”

“Please speak plainly, Brother Yang,” Xiao Shun replied.

“It wasn’t easy getting this pellet. I had to ask my friends in the Old School Society for a favor. No need to pay for the pellet itself, but you should know maintaining contacts requires money these days, gifts and all that. You understand this, so you wouldn’t let your big brother take this loss right?”

“When we interact more in future, you’ll know what kind of person your big brother is. Whatever pellets you need, just say the word and I’ll try my best to get them for you. Us independent cultivators have it tough and need to help each other, right?”

Xiao Shun immediately realized this guy was just here to peddle these low quality pellets, like those hawkers selling local specialties at bus stations.

But this wasn’t salesmanship, it was practically fraud. How did a cultivator end up like this?

Xiao Shun was half amused, half exasperated.

Out of curiosity, he asked, “How much does it cost then?”

“Little brother, you know your goods. I can’t overcharge you of course. 50, 000 will do,” Yang Tiancai grinned, seeing Xiao Shun was no fool.

“50, 000?”

This guy was shameless. These low quality pellets cost just tens of dollars to produce using simple techniques. He’s treating me like an idiot!

“Don’t think it’s expensive. You really can’t buy this anywhere else. PR fees, little brother. Everything requires money nowadays. Treating my Old School Society brothers to high class clubs for one night is tens of thousands. If not for our affinity, big brother would never make such a loss-making deal,” Yang Tiancai said earnestly.

“Take it, don’t stand on ceremony with me,” he urged, holding out the pellet.

“Too expensive. I didn’t bring so much money. As you said, we independent cultivators have it hard. I’m not doing well myself…” Xiao Shun declined awkwardly.