Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Chen Cheng exchanged a few brief pleasantries with his martial brothers. The moment he emerged from the crowd, he saw the members of the Shen Family, who had been waiting for some time.

Their spirits lifted at once. They quickly straightened their robes and hurried forward to greet him.

After Shen Mi made the concise introductions, Shen Chongnian, the most senior of them, completely disregarded his elder status. He clasped his hands in a salute and gave Chen Cheng a deep bow.

"Chen Honored Elder, I have long admired your great reputation and have been hoping for a chance to meet you! Today, I am finally fortunate enough to do so. You are truly a young hero!"

Shen Xingguo and Shen Xingwen were also extremely deferential, chiming in with praise from the side, their faces beaming with utterly sincere smiles.

"You’re all far too kind."

Chen Cheng returned the salute with clasped hands, then his gaze shifted to Shen Mi, who stood to the side.

"Master, I doubt you waited here all this time just for an introduction. If there’s something on your mind, please speak freely."

"It’s like this..."

Shen Mi wasted no time, getting straight to the point. She told Chen Cheng everything they had just discussed, including the bottom-line offer Shen Chongnian had given.

The expressions of Shen Chongnian, Shen Xingguo, and Shen Xingwen instantly turned sour. They never imagined that the ever-astute Shen Mi would reveal their entire hand to Chen Cheng right from the start.

’What if Chen Cheng decides there’s still room to negotiate? Or what if he sees our desperation as a weakness to be exploited and demands more? We’ll have no room to bargain at all!’

They simply couldn’t understand how Shen Mi could make such a foolish mistake on a matter of this magnitude.

However, in the very next moment...

...Chen Cheng agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

"No problem. We’ll do it just as you’ve said, Master."

"Excellent!"

Shen Mi’s face instantly lit up. Her beautiful eyes showed the profound relief of a burden lifted, mixed with the comfort and gratification of being so completely trusted by Chen Cheng.

The frozen, worried expressions on the faces of Shen Chongnian, Shen Xingguo, and Shen Xingwen instantly melted away, replaced by pure, heartfelt ecstasy.

They had thought their chances were slim, never expecting that Chen Cheng would show Shen Mi such deference, accepting the offer without any haggling whatsoever.

Lately, rumors had been flying about the Wu Family’s sponsorship of Xiao Yi. With silver, Herbal Decoctions, supplies, housing, banquets, and even the practically unobtainable Treasure Fish, the total monthly cost was likely upwards of five hundred taels.

And now, the price the Shen Family was paying for Chen Cheng was a mere one hundred taels per month. It was an absolute steal!

It was no wonder Shen Chongnian and the other two were so ecstatic.

Of course, Shen Chongnian was far from senile. Despite his elation, his mind remained clear.

He knew perfectly well that Chen Cheng had agreed so readily because Shen Mi had already provided him with significant support—not because he was only worth one hundred taels a month.

’If we fail to grasp that point, this relationship will never last!’

"Chen Honored Elder, you’ve been most forthright, so I won’t mince words either..."

Shen Chongnian quickly wiped the overt joy from his face and spoke with great solemnity.

"At present, our family is facing some difficulties... The compensation we’re offering you is, frankly, less than you deserve..."

"But I can assure you, we will never forget this gesture of goodwill! Should our circumstances improve in the future, your compensation will increase along with them..."

Shen Chongnian paused, then added four emphatic words.

"The sky’s the limit!"

"It’s a deal!"

Chen Cheng gave a sharp, decisive nod.

He didn’t say so, but he knew the Shen Family’s offer was already on par with what major powers like the Jiuan Hunting Manor or the Changfeng Escort Agency would provide. He wasn’t being short-changed.

Besides, Shen Mi had already given him a great deal.

Without even mentioning anything else, if it hadn’t been for those five doses of Five Dragon Soup, it would have taken Chen Cheng at least another half a month to form his Third Pillar of Blood Qi. How could he possibly have achieved today’s results without them?

Because of all this, once the deal was struck, both sides felt they had come out ahead.

As for the support Xiao Yi received from the Wu Family, Chen Cheng had heard the rumors. In his heart, he knew with perfect clarity that the method to obtain similar, or even greater, rewards was actually very simple...

All he had to do was keep getting stronger!

"Chen Honored Elder, are you available this evening? I would like to host a family banquet to celebrate your achievement!" Shen Chongnian asked.

"I appreciate the thought, Elder Shen, but I must continue my training tonight..." Chen Cheng politely declined.

At these words, Shen Chongnian’s expression suddenly turned serious.

"No wonder Chen Honored Elder is in the Inner Hall Top Three. He doesn’t waste a single moment! Xingguo! Xingwen! Look closely! Remember this well! Make sure our descendants all take Chen Honored Elder as their example!"

"Yes!"

In the distance, under an awning belonging to the Fuchang Trading Company, Lin Fengxiao’s gaze fell discreetly upon Chen Cheng and the members of the Shen Family. A strange, almost imperceptible glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.

As if sensing something, Chen Cheng’s gaze swept in that direction.

Over the past half-month, Chen Cheng had surveilled the Fuchang Trading Company nine times. He knew the area like the back of his hand, and he had already committed the names, faces, duties, and residences of their key figures to memory.

Chen Cheng recognized the men sitting under the awning with a single glance.

After seeing off the Shen Family, Chen Cheng had intended to find Qian Baolu to discuss a matter. But he had barely taken a step before the crowd of guests under the Outer Hall’s awning surged toward him.

Though these guests couldn’t compare to the nobles of the Inner City, they were all prominent figures in the South Outer City: the Lord Chief of the All Guard Patrol Office, the Masters of major trading companies, Landlords from wealthy households, the Gang Leaders of Major Gangs, and more.

Though their statuses varied, the smiles on their faces were all equally eager.

"Lord Cheng... Congratulations, Lord Cheng... Congratulations..."

The crowd gathered around, not only vying to strike up a conversation and curry favor with Chen Cheng, but also rushing to press gifts of money into his hands.

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