Big Data Cultivation Chapter 774

Chapter 774: Chapter 774: The Small Goal Is Too Big Chapter 774: Chapter 774: The Small Goal Is Too Big The elders of the Mu Family were confounded by Duanmu Lao San's words–when had Mu Fengtang established a connection with the Duanmu Family?

“Stop teasing, Uncle,” Mu Fengtang said with a smile, addressing Duanmu Lao San, “This is an elder from my clan.”

Duanmu Lao San's brain seemed to be lagging a beat; it was only then that he nodded in sudden realization, “I actually thought your surname was the Water-Mu, but it's this Mu.”

However, the Mu Family's elder didn't think him simple-minded. He knew this man was a genius in the martial arts, and though he often spoke in an eccentric fashion, the truth was that he didn't bother with trivial matters.

Anyway, it was pointless to quarrel with such a person, so the elder didn't bother to argue. He was rather curious, “Fengtang, how come you're familiar with him?”

Mu Fengtang's acquaintance with members of the Duanmu Family actually took place in Qingning Prefecture.

He'd wanted to impress the eldest daughter of the Lang Family but didn't have any exquisite items on hand, so he inquired around the prefecture and accidentally heard that someone from the Duanmu Family had come to seek shade from the heat, believing that a household of nobility would certainly have some fine goods, so he made a special trip to the prefectural city to buy some curiosities.

The one from the Duanmu Family who came to the city was led by Lao San, who was there to buy several generators.

This man was rather hot-tempered and overbearing when it came to pricing–families that had encountered generators didn't want to deal with him, and he asked around just like Mu Fengtang had done earlier.

Hearing that some kid wanted to buy the Duanmu Family's curiosities, Lao San was furious. “Our family's treasures are scarcely sufficient for our own use, how could they be on your common family's mind?”

He wanted to take the opportunity to humiliate the other party as a way to vent.

However, upon meeting each other, the two actually got along well–the key was that Mu Fengtang knew where to buy generators.

Then, Mu Fengtang boldly guessed: If your family isn't buying generators from the Yu Family or other families, could it be that your finances are tight?

The Duanmu Family's finances were indeed not abundant. The term “nobility” might sound pleasant, but since the founding of the nation, the family's business had grown larger and larger, and their presentation more and more lavish, leaving their income stretched thin–transitioning from simplicity to luxury is easy, but the reverse is hard.

Duanmu Lao San initially kept this embarrassment within the family, but since he got along well with Mu Fengtang, he asked the young man what his family did and how he had the money to buy his goods.

Mu Fengtang, eager to curry favor, said that this was his own earned money, and explained how he made it.

–For him, securing Tianfeng County was enough. He wouldn't be greedy for more and naturally wasn't afraid to talk about it.

When Duanmu Lao San heard this, he thought he had really lucked out. He had been planning to scrape together some money to buy some generators to keep up appearances for the family, but unexpectedly, he found a new way to make money.

Then, relying on his family's connections with the Tiantong Commerce Alliance, he went straight to Chairman Huang Fu Flawless and said that the Duanmu Family wished to handle the distribution of Dew Fragrance Water and perfume in the capital.

Chairman Huang Fu wasn't about to show any favor to such a hotheaded youngster and rebuffed him: “For matters concerning the capital, you should talk to the central branch.”

Then it was Mu Fengtang who told him how to go about it–you should negotiate with the people from Mount Zhige, and you'd better not think about perfume, as Tiantong's people might get anxious if you touch that sector.

Lao San didn't believe in superstitions and thought, “Ordinary people might not dare touch perfume, but how could my Duanmu Family be afraid of it?”

He went to negotiate with the people from Mount Zhige, and they easily agreed to let him sell Dew Fragrance Water and perfume in two counties–while they couldn't manage the capital due to the Yongyi Duke's intervention, thankfully the Duanmu Family's strength in the other two counties was substantial, and they agreed to allow sales there.

Little did he expect that no sooner had he finalized the deal than Chairman Huang Fu summoned him and only said one thing, “Perfume has a high profit margin, and Mount Zhige hopes to see our two families in conflict–have you considered this carefully?”

Lao San didn't enjoy pondering such issues, but he wasn't brainless, so he promptly responded, saying, “I was just asking, my Duanmu Family truly cares for the commoners and primarily wants to promote Dew Fragrance Water–you Tiantong Commerce Alliance don't target the commoners, right?”

Then Chairman Huang Fu sent him off with a cup of tea and a meaningful remark: “Mount Zhige is playing games with us because they have the strength to do so–be good, Duanmu Family… don't let it happen again.”

Lao San left the courtyard of the Tiantong Commerce Alliance drenched in sweat; luckily, others thought it was just the heat.

That very night, he invited Mu Fengtang for a drink and said he was fortunate that Mu Fengtang had tipped him off beforehand; had he not reacted in time, it was entirely possible that he wouldn't have made it out of the Tiantong Commerce Alliance's courtyard alive.

Mu Fengtang was also pleased; being on good terms with such an influential figure was a good thing for him. He said that there were indeed many business opportunities with Mount Zhige. “I'm here chasing a girl while checking if there's anything else I can do on the side.”

Of course, there was an important point to consider, which was to never reach into someone else's bowl.

Although Duanmu Lao San was arrogant, he wholeheartedly agreed with Mu Fengtang's words–the place wasn't large, but it was truly filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

Originally, he wanted to assist his younger brother in securing his heart's desire. But upon hearing that it was the daughter of Mount Zhige's most trusted confidante, he immediately dropped the notion–“I'll just cheer you on from the sidelines.”

So, when the Mu Family's elder grinned at Mu Fengtang, the latter promptly stepped forward, ready to set things straight.

Of course, since it was all in the family, things could be resolved with a discussion. Having heard that the clan intended to reclaim control over financial avenues, Mu Fengtang ultimately offered, “I'm willing to return double the support provided by our public fund, or alternatively, share three-tenths of my future profits with the public fund.”

He felt that the journey he had forged was not an easy one. Of course, since he was a scion of the Mu Family, it was impossible not to provide some measure of contribution to the clan. Offering up thirty percent of the profits was his way of showing sincerity.

Interestingly, when Long Branch wanted to reclaim this lucrative venture, the share of the profits they left for Mu Fengtang was also thirty percent. It really seemed like the saying 'those who are not family do not enter the same door' was true.

A mere thirty percent in profit-sharing, of course, could not satisfy the Mu family members. However, on someone else's turf, it wasn't a good time to quarrel, so their attention returned to the Lang family's eldest daughter.

The eldest daughter's appearance clearly indicated she was a girl from a small household, and even her father, Lang Zhen, at first glance, was the burly and crafty type from the rougher edges of society.

But at that moment, the party from the Mu Family didn't dare to underestimate this family. Didn't even Duanmu Laosan, that blockhead, have to grin and bear it in front of Lang Zhen?

While the Mu family members were observing Lang Zhen and his daughter, the father-daughter duo paid them no heed. One was puffing a rolled cigarette, scanning the surroundings, while the other was busy calling out instructions to workers, completely disregarding these influential figures.

This was not pretense. Lang Zhen already knew who they were, but did the current Lang Family need to care about these people? His attitude towards his daughter's marriage was to–let it be.

The Lang family's eldest daughter shared the same mindset. She hadn't accepted Mu Fengtang, so naturally, there was no need for her to show any respect. Being able to offer a pot of cold tea was already within the norms of hospitality.

Right then, an all-terrain vehicle approached from afar, and a young woman descended. She was extraordinarily beautiful and delicate, with a demeanor and poise that was truly pitiable.

Mu Fengtang's mother glanced at her, then at her son, thinking this girl would make a fine daughter-in-law, which was somewhat satisfactory.

She looked again at the Lang family's eldest daughter. The initially passable girl now seemed utterly dull in comparison. Without comparison, there would be no harm felt.

However, the Lang family's eldest daughter looked sweetly at the young woman, “Auntie Yun Shan, is there something you need?”

“Nothing too urgent,” Yun Shan smiled back at her, then glanced at Lang Zhen, “Brother Lang, tonight the Spirit Formation will be activated… it's the one in the backyard, I came to give you a heads-up.”

Lone Wolf, with his rolled cigarette, nodded with a smile, “Thanks, Miss Mi… Mind saving a spot for me?”

Mu Fengtang's mother whispered to her son, “What Formation are they talking about?”

“The Spirit Gathering Array,” Mu Fengtang whispered back, “The Divine Doctor is a Cultivator. When he cultivates, those around him can partake in some Spiritual Energy–truly the envy of others.”

“Spirit Gathering Array?” The mother inhaled sharply; even in the esteemed Da Limu Family, such a thing was the stuff of legends, “Is there really such a thing here?”

After a pause, she whispered again, “Lao San, I think this girl isn't bad either.”

“Pssh,” Duanmu Lao San let out a derisive laugh, speaking with disdain, “She's an Intermediate Level Cultivator shedding her mortal roots, the servant of the Divine Doctor. Elder, you do indeed set quite an 'achievable' goal.”

The mother's eyes momentarily dimmed upon hearing this, then lit up again, “She calls this Lang Zhen 'big brother'?”

At that moment, she felt that her son's choice wasn't wrong after all. With a Mountain Master recognized by a Cultivator as 'big brother', the prosperity of the Lang Family could indeed be expected.

When the Mu family elder heard this, he suddenly recalled something horrifying, with his face turning pale in an instant, “Miss Mi… this little girl's surname is Mi?”

“How rare is that,” Duanmu Lao San gave him an annoyed glare, “Could Miss Mi possibly have the surname Mu? Even if you gouge out her eyes, her surname will still be Mi.”

“Shut up for a moment!” The elder snapped, shooting him a glare, “It's you who would want to gouge out Miss Mi's eyes, not me!”

Then he turned to look at Mu Fengtang, asking solemnly, “From the Yuanguang Mi Family?”

Duanmu Lao San was about to speak again, but Mu Fengtang spoke first, “Exactly, she's a Cultivation Seedling of the Yuanguang Mi Family.”

“Damn,” the Mu family elder clicked his tongue, looking uncomfortable. He thought of how they had just been tough on the Mi family's members, “They can produce a Cultivation Seedling?”

“Shush!” Mu Fengtang, alarmed, turned white, quickly silencing him, “You can't say that anymore. She was delayed during her Guidance, and she dislikes this subject… Otherwise, she might already be in the Qi Refinement Realm by now.”

“Damn,” Duanmu Lao San looked at him in astonishment, “Little Mu, you seem to know everything.”

Mu Fengtang gave a slight nod of his chin towards the Lang family's eldest daughter, speaking with a bit of pride, “All from chit-chatting with the eldest sister… Remember, you mustn't tell anyone about this.”

He and the eldest sister had not yet defined their relationship, but thanks to his efforts, they at least considered each other friends.

“Of course, Little Mu, you can count on me,” Duanmu Lao San nodded, then stroked his chin, pondering before asking, “Based on what you said, does the Divine Doctor allow people around him to cultivate next to the Spirit Gathering Array?”

(It's the end of the month, so there will be an extra update in the early morning, along with a request for next month's guaranteed monthly pass.)

Chapter end

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