The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 520: I love you

Qing Ru’s smile seemed somewhat forced.

At only twenty-three, a twenty-three-year-old Sixth-level Alchemist was indeed hard for anyone to accept immediately.

Although she trusted Zhou Shangyun, she had not known Jing Yan before, so it was only natural for her to hesitate momentarily.

Seeing Qing Ru’s expression, Jing Yan of course understood her thoughts. However, he had said all he needed to say. If Qing Ru was unwilling to believe in him, Jing Yan did not want to go out of his way to prove anything further.

Qing Ru was the president of Youhai Commerce, a witness to all sorts of people. Observing Jing Yan, she found this young man to be unnaturally calm and composed. Although his appearance certainly suggested he was in his twenties, if Jing Yan had not disclosed his age himself, Qing Ru would never have imagined he was merely in his twenties.

”Alchemist Jing Yan, my Youhai Commerce is willing to pay twenty million in remuneration for you to endorse our commerce,” Qing Ru finally made up her mind.

Regardless, she did not believe Zhou Shangyun would deceive her. Even if she did not trust Jing Yan, she had to trust Zhou Shangyun.

Twenty million Spirit Stones were indeed quite a sum. An ordinary Martial Artist in the Daoist Master Realm would have a fortune of only about ten to twenty million Spirit Stones. Take Mr. Yin, the Dark Night Ace whom Jing Yan had slain, for example; the total value of the items he carried was just a few tens of millions of Spirit Stones. Of course, Mr. Yin likely had many more resources not on his person, but it was worth noting that Mr. Yin was the Dark Night Ace, having killed some Daoist Master Realm Martial Artists.

Prince Zhou Shangyun also felt this compensation was about right.

He nodded and smiled at Jing Yan, ”What do you think, Jing Yan?”

”I think it’s acceptable,” Jing Yan said with a smile.

Five million Spirit Stones were enough for him to endorse Youhai Commerce, so twenty million was naturally even better. More resources were always beneficial; no one would complain about having too many Spirit Stones.

”Since Alchemist Jing Yan has no objections, then I will immediately call a board meeting to discuss this matter,” Qing Ru said joyfully.

After bidding farewell to Zhou Shangyun and Jing Yan, Qing Ru went to prepare for the board meeting. Jing Yan and Zhou Shangyun, on their part, waited patiently.

For Youhai Commerce, twenty million Spirit Stones as cash payment was not a particularly large figure. However, moving such a large sum at once was not a decision that President Qing Ru could make lightly; the other directors had to be informed.

Directors of the commerce were stakeholders in the organization.

Like the Five Great Commerce of Pill Country, they were essentially not entirely owned by a single person, with many directors involved. And the president of the commerce, who typically held the largest share, was the executor of the commerce’s operations.

In less than two hours, the board meeting was convened.

President Qing Ru also invited Jing Yan and Prince Zhou Shangyun over.

Inside a grand hall of Youhai Commerce, Jing Yan and Prince Zhou Shangyun arrived earlier and took their seats in the guest area, chatting casually with President Qing Ru.

One after another, the directors entered the room.

”President, we just had a board meeting yesterday. Why are we having another one today?” A middle-aged man with a puzzled look inquired Qing Ru.

”Today’s board meeting is to discuss an important matter with all the directors,” President Qing Ru said with a smile to everyone.

”Who are these two?” Some people glanced at Jing Yan and Prince Zhou Shangyun.

Upon entering the hall, the first thing most directors did was notice Jing Yan and Prince Zhou Shangyun. Although most refrained from questioning, as they knew Qing Ru would introduce them, one person took the initiative to ask.

Seeing that all directors had arrived, Qing Ru stood up and said, ”This is Prince Zhou Shangyun from Lanqu County, and this is Alchemist Jing Yan from Lanqu County.”

”Prince Zhou Shangyun!”

”Haha, I visited that place, Lanqu County, some decades ago.”

”...”

More than ten directors greeted Prince Zhou Shangyun politely, his status warranting a certain degree of respect. Of course, the identity of the Lanqu County Prince was not significant enough to make these directors go out of their way to please Zhou Shangyun.

Two or three people also exchanged pleasantries with Jing Yan, but it was obvious that the directors were not particularly focused on Jing Yan.

An alchemist from Lanqu County...

They had heard of an alchemist named Li Xingjiu from Lanqu County before, but none had heard of an Alchemist Jing Yan. Presumably, he wasn’t a very strong Pill Master.

”Alchemist Jing Yan, there is an alchemist named Li Xingjiu from Lanqu County who used to be president of the Lanqu Alchemist Association and is now with the Golden Sparrow Commerce,” said a dark-skinned man, speaking to Jing Yan.

”This director is well-informed,” Jing Yan replied with a smile, looking at the man.

Jing Yan could tell there was a mocking tone in the man’s words. However, Jing Yan couldn’t be bothered to care too much about it, as President Qing Ru was very courteous to him.

”Hehe... Alchemist Jing Yan, are you familiar with Alchemist Li Xingjiu?” Seeing Jing Yan’s casual demeanor, the man felt somewhat displeased and asked another question.

”We’re not very familiar. I haven’t interacted with Alchemist Li Xingjiu much, but our relationship is decent,” Jing Yan replied with a flash of sharpness in his eyes, speaking indifferently.

The other directors, noticing the dark-skinned man’s conversation with Jing Yan, turned their attention to the two.

”It seems Alchemist Jing Yan’s expertise in the Alchemy Dao is quite profound, having a good relationship even with the Sixth-level Alchemist Li Xingjiu. So, would you be interested in joining our Youhai Commerce? If your Alchemy Dao is competent, there would be no issue with you joining. We at Youhai Commerce welcome capable individuals, and our treatment won’t be any worse than other commerces,” the man said loudly and assertively.

His words carried a clear intention to belittle Jing Yan, which was evident to everyone present.

Jing Yan frowned slightly and took another look at the man. He didn’t know the man at all, but this provocation irritated Jing Yan.

”President Qing Ru, you invited us here not to inform us that Alchemist Jing Yan is joining our Youhai Commerce, did you? Actually, such a minor matter doesn’t require such a fuss. As long as Alchemist Jing Yan is competent, we directors welcome him wholeheartedly,” the man said, turning to Qing Ru before Jing Yan could reply.

Qing Ru’s brows furrowed slightly.

It was clear she was not pleased, but she regained her composure in a moment.

”Director Ximang, you misunderstand,” Qing Ru said with a renewed smile to the dark-faced man, shaking her head, ”Alchemist Jing Yan is here to represent our Youhai Commerce in this edition of the Alchemy Competition. And if Alchemist Jing Yan wishes to join our Youhai Commerce, that would be even better, but it depends on whether Alchemist Jing Yan is willing.”