Chapter 77: Alright, alright, I was wrong, can we move on now?

It’s said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. That night, after a series of intense battles took place.  The passion and tenderness of the process were beyond what outsiders could comprehend.  Since this trip back home would only last for three days, Lu Changsheng didn’t spend much time cultivating or making talismans.  Instead, he devoted his time to accompany his wives and children.  During this time, Lu Changsheng also mentioned to Lu Miaoyun about buying a handmaid in Jiulong Market. There was nothing to hide about such matters, as his wives would eventually know once Shao Yuyao became pregnant.  Lu Miaoyun understood her husband’s temperament and didn’t mind too much about it.  After all, when she agreed to marry Lu Changsheng, she was mentally prepared for this aspect.  She only showed concern and asked Lu Changsheng how his life in Jiulong Market was this month. Lu Changsheng was touched by his caring little wife and assured her that everything was fine except for missing his wives and children.  Afterward, Lu Changsheng went to visit the Fourth Elders to receive guidance on talismans.  During the process, the Fourth Elders also showed concern about his situation in Jiulong Market and whether he was adapting well.  Lu Changsheng naturally said there was no problem. On his way back, he also stopped by to see the Fifth Elder to buy a batch of spirit wine. In this way, three days passed in the blink of an eye.  Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge prepared to set off for Jiulong Market.  Their twenty-fifth child was due to be born in a few days.  However, Lu Changsheng did not wait at home for the child to be born before leaving.  Such situations would occur in the future, as he couldn’t be by their side every time.  There’s always a first time for everything.  On their way back to Jiulong Market, Lu Changsheng’s steel-feathered eagle carried an additional maid named Xiao Qing.  Sᴇaʀᴄh the NʘvᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality. Bringing Xiao Qing to Jiulong Market was not only because Lu Miaoyun had mentioned it before, but also because childbirth couldn’t be paused, and having only one Shao Yuyao by his side wasn’t enough.  If it weren’t for the inconvenience of the steel-feathered eagle carrying too many people, Lu Changsheng would have wanted to bring Guan Xin along to Jiulong Market as well. However, he wasn’t in a hurry, and he will bring her next month.  Because of Xiao Qing’s presence, this trip took half a day longer than before.  At the same time, without the protection of a talisman robe, Xiao Qing consumed three wind avoidance talismans as Lu Changsheng’s steel-feathered eagle shuttled through the clouds.  If it weren’t for Lu Changsheng having many talismans on him, this would have been quite a significant expense, costing six spirit stones for just these three wind avoidance talismans.  Upon entering the city, Lu Changsheng also arranged for Xiao Qing to have a long-term identity card, which made him couldn’t help but think that bringing someone to live in the market was also quite an expense. When Lu Changsheng brought Xiao Qing back to the Lu Family compound, he encountered Lu Miaohuan again.  She couldn’t help but give a disdainful snort and a cold hum when she saw him, which annoyed Lu Changsheng.  Occasionally snorting a couple of times would be fine, but to do it every time they met, with such a disdainful expression, was uncalled for. After all, he was the dream of millions of future immortals. Was it necessary to be so unwelcoming? Moreover, during their first meeting, although he was at fault, it was because Second Miss was too demanding and would not allow him to marry multiple wives that he refused.  Otherwise, with her face, figure, legs, and sixth-grade Spirit Root, as long as she had half the good temper of Lu Miaoyun, Lu Changsheng felt he would have agreed. “Second Miss, do you have any health problems? Every time I see you, you’re always frowning and grumbling,” Lu Changsheng said, glancing at Second Miss in a bad mood. “If there’s really a problem, you should go get it checked out early. Otherwise, it won’t be good if it’s dragged out,”  Lu Changsheng said, taking Xiao Qing back to his own yard. Lu Miaohuan didn’t expect Lu Changsheng to not only fail to apologize to her after all this time but also to mock her. She immediately felt displeased. In a cold voice, she said, “I’m perfectly fine. I’m just displeased with you. Is that not allowed?” Her voice was still clear, cold, and charming. Lu Changsheng was momentarily at a loss for words when he heard Second Miss’s direct and confident words.  Looking at her puffed-up face, still exquisitely beautiful, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but retort, “Then don’t look at me.” “I want to look. What’s it to you?”  Lu Miaohuan’s face was puffed up, her delicate chin raised, her expression still cold and noble. “I have nothing to do with it. If you insist on finding fault with yourself, then you can enjoy being displeased,”  Lu Changsheng shook his head and left.  “Lu Changsheng, you stop right there!”  Lu Miaohuan saw Lu Changsheng’s attitude and her delicate face puffed up like a pufferfish.  “Aren’t you unhappy with me? Why are you asking me to stop? Are you looking for trouble for yourself?”  Lu Changsheng paused his steps and turned his head slightly.  “What kind of attitude is this!?”  Lu Miaohuan’s face was as cold as frost and her chest heaved with anger. “Alright, alright, I was wrong, can we move on now?”  Lu Changsheng looked perfunctory and said something that could make people angry to death.  “What do you mean ‘can we move on now’? It was clearly your fault! Is that your idea of an apology!?”  Lu Miaohuan was so angry when she saw Lu Changsheng like this.  A nameless anger surged within her, making her especially displeased. Lu Changsheng looked at the latter’s posture and remembered that the second young lady had a spoiled temper.  There was no understanding of human relationships or social etiquette in her. Not bothering to argue with her, he turned around, cupped his hands slightly, and said seriously, “Alright, it was my fault. I sincerely apologize to Second Miss and hope she can forgive me.” Seeing Lu Changsheng’s sincere apology, Lu Miaohuan’s puffy cheeks deflated, and she let out a cold snort, then turned on her high heels and left with an air of cold elegance. Lu Changsheng was somewhat speechless at the scene.  Why is this second miss like a child?  Although the eldest lady looks aloof from the world, she has a very high level of conduct and emotional intelligence.  He couldn’t help shaking his head.  He felt it was unnecessary to argue with Second Miss. It was better to apologize when needed. Just treat it like soothing a little girl, and that would be it. “Master, it seems like Second Miss has some interest in you,”  Xiao Qing, the maid, said with a smile as she watched the verbal sparring between the two. “Nonsense,”  Lu Changsheng flicked his finger at Xiao Qing’s white forehead. “It’s obvious,”  The little maid knew her master’s temperament. She rubbed her forehead where she was flicked and pouted. Lu Changsheng chuckled lightly, feeling that the second lady’s behavior was really like a child using certain actions to attract other people’s attention.  He didn’t pay too much attention to it. After all, if Second Miss really had feelings for him and wanted to marry him, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.  He didn’t have the energy to entertain her.  Arriving in the courtyard and settling Xiao Qing down, Lu Changsheng suddenly thought of a problem.  If the number of wives and maids on this side increased, would he need to consider renting a house in the market?  After all, this courtyard was only about a hundred square meters and felt a bit cramped.  Moreover, if there were more wives and maids, it wouldn’t be convenient for them to live together in such a large courtyard.  But for now, with only three people, Lu Changsheng wasn’t in a hurry. If he planned to add more people, he would consider renting a house in Jiulong Market. Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.  Every day, Lu Changsheng practiced cultivation, made talismans, and went to work.  Occasionally, he went out with the little maid and servant girl to stroll around the streets.  Sometimes, he invited the Eldest Miss to have a meal together.  Life was quite leisurely and comfortable. One day, Lu Miaocheng came to find Lu Changsheng again.  Lu Changsheng thought he was coming to repay the money, but unexpectedly, he came to borrow money again.  If you borrow something, you must repay it.  Since he didn’t repay the first time and instead went to drink tea, Lu Changsheng naturally wouldn’t lend him money again.  He directly said he had no money.  Not only did he claim to have no money, but he also pretended to be penniless and asked when Lu Miaocheng would return the spirit stones.  Under Lu Changsheng’s act, Lu Miaocheng could only leave disappointed.  After all, in the eyes of ordinary people, Lu Changsheng’s income wasn’t much, considering that he had to support so many wives and children. “He came to borrow money from you? You should avoid people like him. But you two seem to have similar tastes, no wonder he came to borrow money from you,”  Lu Miaohuan, who was on her way back from work, saw Lu Miaocheng leaving and guessed what had happened, then laughed. “Why would we have similar tastes?”  Lu Changsheng snorted disdainfully at Lu Miaohuan’s appearance. “I, after all, have five wives, six concubines, two favored concubines, and three maids. Why would I need to go to such places?”  Lu Changsheng saw Lu Miaohuan’s expression and chuckled disdainfully.  After speaking, he left directly. When Lu Miaohuan heard Lu Changsheng’s words and saw his leaving figure, she didn’t know why her anger was rising again, and she was very unhappy.  That night.  Afterwards! Shao Yuyao and Xiao Qing nestled lazily in Lu Changsheng’s arms. “Master, it seems like I might be pregnant,”  At this time, Shao Yuyao said softly.  “Pregnant?”  Lu Changsheng’s spirits lifted at the news.  It’s said that yin and yang must harmonize for conception to occur. These past few days, he had been harmonizing with Shao Yuyao every night. Now that she was pregnant, it was only natural. Immediately, he leaned his head against Shao Yuyao’s belly. He could faintly sense a weak aura of life budding within. “That’s wonderful!” Lu Changsheng exclaimed joyfully, his face lit up with happiness. “When did you realize?” Shao Yuyao, being a cultivator herself with the cultivation of the Second Stage of Qi Refining, could naturally feel her own pregnancy. “It was just a couple of days ago, but I wasn’t sure at the time. I only confirmed it today,” Shao Yuyao whispered. She knew that Lu Changsheng loved children dearly. “Alright, from now on, take good care of yourself and pay attention to your health. If there’s anything you need in terms of food or drink, just let me know,” Lu Changsheng said. Since she was now pregnant with his child and became the child’s mother, her position in his heart naturally elevated. Seeing this, Xiao Qing’s eyes shimmered with a coquettish charm as she looked at Lu Changsheng and said in a sweet voice, “Master, I want to have your child too!” Taking a deep breath, Lu Changsheng responded, “Alright, alright, we’ll have children!” In two months, Lu Miaoyun’s child would also be born, and Xiao Qing’s pregnancy was also progressing.  With determination, he rose to pursue the path of becoming an immortal! The next day. Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge went to work, thinking about Shao Yuyao being pregnant, and now he only has Xiao Qing by his side.  Previously, he hesitated because Lu Miaoyun was pregnant, so he didn’t let Xiao Qing get pregnant.  Now, without considering this, it’s estimated that under daily Yin and Yang harmonization, Xiao Qing won’t take long to get pregnant either. “How about going to White Jade Tower again to buy some maidservants?” “Now that Yuyao is pregnant, she needs someone to take care of her. If Xiao Qing also gets pregnant, she will also need someone to take care of her too,” Lu Changsheng thought to himself. He didn’t necessarily think about buying maidservants; it was essential to have Spirit Roots.  After all, he was thinking about eugenics, but only to the extent possible given the conditions.  At present, he obviously did not have this condition. “However, the most urgent thing is to earn some spirit stones.” Lu Changsheng shook his head lightly.  The Spirit Stones he had earned earlier were used to buy magic tools, talisman pens, talisman paper, and talisman ink, as well as the expenses he had incurred during this period, had almost used up all of his Spirit Stones.  So even if he wanted to buy ordinary maidservants without Spirit Roots, it would be difficult for him to sustain himself financially. Because if he wanted to buy maidservants, it was naturally impossible to buy just one or two; he had to buy more at once.  And if he had many maidservants, the matter of renting a house would also have to be put on the agenda. “Ah, money is essential everywhere.” “If it weren’t for my talisman-making skills, wanting to cultivate immortality would be simply impossible.” Lu Changsheng sighed, deeply feeling the difficulty of cultivating immortality.  If he was already like this, let alone other ordinary cultivators, it was simply unimaginable. Immediately after greeting Lu Miaoge, Lu Changsheng went out, and through disguise, he visited several spiritual talisman shops and sold nearly two hundred talismans.  This time, he was even more careful and did not go to the shops where he had sold talismans before, lest he be noticed by someone with malicious intent. “Sigh, this is not a long-term solution.” “After a few more times, the spiritual talisman shops in Jiulong Market will all have been visited by me, and maybe someone with ulterior motives will notice me again.” In the inn, Lu Changsheng checked his situation with a purification talisman, ensuring he wasn’t being watched, and let out a sigh of relief. “The Lu Family’s spiritual talisman shop will purchase talismans from outside every month. In a few months, Miss Lu won’t be here every day, and by then, I’ll be fully responsible for the shop.” “At that time, I can also assess the situation and sell the talismans on me through the channel of the Lu Family’s spiritual talisman shop, without having to run around like this, worrying about being watched,”  Lu Changsheng’s eyes flickered.  He had previously thought about whether he could sell the talismans on him through the Lu Family’s spiritual talisman shop.  And the understanding he gained over the past month made him increasingly feel that it was feasible.  He only needed to forge a supplier, and as long as the goods provided were fine, that would suffice. Once the shop was under his full control, such matters would be as simple as could be. That night, Lu Changsheng also had Xiao Qing find out about the housing prices and rental situation in Jiulong Market, preparing to rent a house of about four to five hundred square meters.  As for the location of the house, he instructed Xiao Qing to look in the eastern and northern districts and avoid the western district.  The western district was where Rouge Cultivators gathered, not only far away but also a place where it was chaotic and unpredictable, it was possibly to encounter unexpected dangers. So, he didn’t mind spending more money to avoid it.  Although the northern district was a commercial and entertainment area, it was also where many houses were available for rent.  The only downside was that the cost-effectiveness was relatively lower.  Considering the northern district, the main consideration was to be as close to the spiritual talisman shop as possible, for convenience.  This way, not only would he save time commuting every day, but it would also be easier to explain to the Lu Family. Two days later, Xiao Qing let Lu Changsheng choose from several houses she had selected.  After looking at the conditions and prices of these houses, Lu Changsheng also gained an understanding of the housing prices in Jiulong Market.  In the eastern district, a house of four to five hundred square meters would cost roughly between sixty to one hundred spirit stones per year, depending on the lease period, location, and environment.  On the other hand, houses in the northern district were relatively cheaper, with rents ranging from about thirty to eighty spirit stones per year.  After inspecting the houses Xiao Qing had selected, Lu Changsheng immediately made a decision and chose a house in the northern district not far from the spiritual talisman shop. It’s about a fifteen-minute walk. The house has around four hundred square meters, and the lease starts from five years. The annual rent is fifty spirit stones, payable annually, and requires a one-year deposit. After confirming the decision to rent the house, Lu Changsheng mentioned it to Lu Miaoge and briefly informed the second elder.  After all, it wouldn’t look good if he just moved out without saying anything while living well here.  He had also prepared his reasons.  He planned to bring several wives to stay in the city for a while, and the current residence was a bit cramped and inconvenient.  Besides, he didn’t want to commute every day, so he decided to rent a house near the spiritual talisman shop for convenience. Initially, the second elder suggested getting a bigger courtyard for Lu Changsheng.  However, upon Lu Changsheng’s insistence, he didn’t say much.  He simply asked if Lu Changsheng had already rented a house and if not offered assistance if needed.  Lu Changsheng mentioned that he hadn’t rented one yet but had some in mind and showed the second elder the selected houses.  The second elder reviewed them and after finding no issues, he advised Lu Changsheng to come around more often. The next day, Lu Changsheng went to the management center of the housing shop established by the Blue Cloud Sect and paid a hundred spirit stones and signed the lease contract.  During the lease period, he had the right to enter and exit the city without having to pay again or obtain an identity card.  Additionally, based on the size of the house, he also had three additional residence exemptions.  Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh at the stinginess of only providing three exemptions for such a large house. What made him feel even more frustrated was that the long-term identity cards he had previously obtained for himself and Xiao Qing couldn’t be refunded.  After completing the house rental, Lu Changsheng went to White Jade Tower again to purchase maidservants.  What he didn’t expect was that even ordinary maidservants at White Jade Tower were expensive.  Even those without Spirit Roots cost several spirit stones, and the expensive ones even went up to tens or hundreds of spirit stones.  Under Feng Jiuniang’s explanation, he understood why even ordinary maidservants were so expensive.  One reason was the reputation of White Jade Tower, ensuring the maidservants’ appearance, physique, and loyalty. Moreover, these maidservants have all been trained and educated by White Jade Tower.  They not only understand the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting but also excel in martial arts.  Some even practice martial arts techniques that can have a consolidating effect on the body’s essence and foundation.  For maidservants without Spirit Roots, there are plenty of options available.  It can be said that as long as one has the money, White Jade Tower can provide maidservants of any appearance, physique, personality, and talents. Among them, Lu Changsheng also saw exotic women like Jiuer, Shuier, as well as demon women.  However, most of these demon women possess partial demon bloodlines, activated by White Jade Tower through certain means to exhibit demon features.  These maidservants are only suitable as concubines and generally lack fertility, which disappointed Lu Changsheng. In the end, Lu Changsheng spent a hundred and sixteen spirit stones to purchase nine maidservants, each with their own unique characteristics.  Two of them were available immediately, while the rest would be delivered later. Shortly after, Lu Changsheng settled the two maidservants into his newly rented house. On the same day, he packed lightly and moved in with Shao Yuyao and Xiao Qing.