Chapter 20: A Great Advancement

Chen Xuan did not involve himself in the grain distribution outside the city; he trusted Liu Shuyue’s capabilities to handle the matter well. Besides, as the shop manager, he was somewhat of an outsider to Qingzhou and even to Liu Shuyue’s world, so he ought not to get too deeply entangled.

However, Liu Shuyue would discuss the grain distribution details with him each time a new batch of goods arrived.

Every afternoon around three or four o’clock, it had become a recent routine for them to sit at the bar counter, each with a cup of coffee, chatting leisurely for half an hour.

It turned out that Liu Shuyue managed the affair even better than he had anticipated.

“I didn’t expect you to agree to let the refugees sell their relief noodles,” Chen Xuan praised as he refilled her coffee.

“Actually, I thought of this possibility the very first day I tasted them,” the young girl said cheerfully. “Just a few seasoning packets mixed with hot water can create such a delicious dish. Even for those wealthy families, it’s a novel experience. Despite the rising grain prices, they never worry about not having enough to eat or being unable to afford food. For the sake of novelty, the sons of noble families can easily spend a large sum at any time.”

“You wouldn’t believe it unless you saw it yourself. Many restaurants and inns in the city have introduced Lotus Cloud Spicy and Sour Noodles as a dish. The rich have to queue up just to taste it. Rich banquets of meat and fish can’t compare to relief food given to disaster victims. This world is truly absurd.”

“So, are they still distributing noodles now?” Chen Xuan asked.

“No more. It’s better to let them sell independently than to have merchants undercut them. I handle the negotiations myself,” Liu Shuyue revealed without hesitation. “Now, half of the noodles you give me I keep to sell, and with the money from sales, I exchange for rice, flour, and flatbreads. These are more filling than instant noodles. I calculated that one portion of noodles can be traded for five or six portions of grain—much more cost-effective.”

This was Liu Shuyue’s marketing strategy.

Relying on the two gimmicks of “miraculous grain by immortal methods” and “refugee food tastier than restaurant fare,” instant noodles became famous throughout the city in a very short time. When the wealthy came eagerly to try them, they had already fallen into Liu Shuyue’s trap. Relief noodles turned into commodities, their prices soaring several times over, exchanged for less delicious but longer-lasting dry food and cured fish.

Chen Xuan had originally thought he could only supply for about half a month continuously, but now it seemed Liu Shuyue could hold out for a whole month without trouble.

If he had initially provided rice instead of instant noodles, it probably wouldn’t have worked as well.

It must be said that disciples of the sect truly have some impressive skills.

“But what about the governor? You said he seemed burdened with worry recently?”

Liu Shuyue nodded. “Yes. He might think everything is as usual, but the chaotic energy surrounding him shows he has hidden concerns.”

With someone else solving the refugee problem, he should be grinning even in his dreams. Chen Xuan immediately imagined a grand spectacle of the local official embezzling disaster relief funds.

But logically, that didn’t make sense, as the relief money and grain were still en route. Moreover, Liu Shuyue’s handling of the refugees did not consume Zhangwei City’s resources. It was all benefit and no harm. Now that the refugees were effortlessly managed, the governor should feel less pressure to embezzle relief funds.

“Do you think there’s something wrong with him?”

“I did a simple investigation but found nothing. Since Shen Fang took office as governor of Zhangwei, his reputation has been excellent—upright, just in handling cases, and the people privately call him ‘Shen Qing Tian’ (Clear Sky Shen).”

Perhaps the “Voice of Trust” exchanged from Jende could help? Chen Xuan thought. Although it couldn’t detect lies, it could sense if someone harbored hostility.

Before he could speak, Liu Shuyue waved her hand. “Forget it. I don’t really care about what he thinks. I just heard that the first batch of relief grain for Qingzhou will arrive in Zhangwei in two days. Then my goal will be accomplished.”

Indeed... the refugees weren’t really her responsibility.

She stepped forward to take over the mess simply because she didn’t want to see so much suffering.

Once funds and grain from other regions arrived, the crisis here would naturally be resolved.

“What do you plan to do next?” Chen Xuan asked casually.

“No plans yet. I heard there’s an evil cultivator lurking in the neighboring Yuanzhou. Maybe I’ll check it out,” she said with a bright smile, taking a sip of her coffee. “After all, this matter was resolved so smoothly largely thanks to you. Without your extensive knowledge of ancient and modern things, I probably wouldn’t have thought of hyping the Lotus Cloud Immortal Noodles; without your freedom to guide the people, I couldn’t have united thousands of refugees in a single day.”

“You make it sound like I gave it to you for free,” Chen Xuan laughed, shaking his head.

“You paid a price to get them, so the results belong entirely to you.”

“Is that so?” Liu Shuyue glanced at him slyly. “I remember the shop has a rule: if you’re not satisfied with an ability, you can return it within a month at full price?”

Chen Xuan’s smile froze on his face.

“Uh, well... do you want to return it?”

“Hmm... no, I’m quite satisfied with both abilities.” Seeing him unconsciously relax, Liu Shuyue felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

These days had been the most relaxed she had experienced in years, not just because her new home was filled with abundant spiritual energy, like a fairyland, but because she suddenly had someone to share ideas with. Solving the refugee problem was no longer a solo struggle. Just knowing that behind her stood such a mysterious shop providing support filled her with confidence.

Chen Xuan no longer seemed like a mere merchant; he felt more like a friend.

Even if it was only her illusion, she hoped it could last a little longer.

After all, once they parted this time, who knew how many years would pass before they met again.

When Liu Shuyue finished chatting and went upstairs, Chen Xuan finally had some free time. He had been busy these days arranging the purchase of instant noodles and hadn’t yet had a chance to appreciate the new abilities in stock. Now he could finally experience them.

The “Heavenly Glow Technique” was immediately transferred to himself upon acquisition, replacing the previous “Clear Heart Formula,” though the overall feeling did not change significantly.

He could tell this technique was far more complex than the Clear Heart Formula, but its functions did not entirely replace it. For example, the Clear Heart Formula could calm the mind and regulate body temperature—keeping one cool in summer and warm in winter, like a portable air conditioner—something the Heavenly Glow Technique lacked. Instead, it provided stronger enhancements to other spells. If the Clear Heart Formula was more supportive, this was more combat-oriented.

Though the description mentioned self-evolution and ascension, he had not grasped any secrets.

All his understanding of this ability came from Liu Shuyue, who naturally did not comprehend what ascension meant.

Perhaps the shop’s evaluation of abilities was often exaggerated and should not be taken as absolute truth.

In any case, it was a secret heart technique of the Lotus Cloud Sect, only the most outstanding disciples qualified to master it. Now that it had fallen into his hands, Liu Shuyue had, in a sense, seriously violated sect rules. Of course, she had discussed this with him—she hadn’t taught him the incantations, hadn’t copied the manual, nor explained even the basic circulation methods. It hardly counted as an external transmission.

One had to admit she was flexible in her standards.

The other three abilities—“Divine Eye Technique,” “Golden Cicada Shedding Technique,” and “Thousand Thought Sword”—were much more accessible.

After switching to Divine Eye Technique, Chen Xuan found he could easily see clothes hanging on a balcony hundreds of meters away and catch the moment a bird took flight from a branch. This ability was like a cybernetic eye, greatly expanding his visual perception range.

Golden Cicada Shedding was a life-saving spell, its principle quite mysterious. As Liu Shuyue put it, it used one’s life fate to negate a fatal crisis, but it wasn’t fully automatic. If the caster didn’t foresee their own death, it wouldn’t activate. This non-passive nature disappointed Chen Xuan a bit. Without protection against surprise attacks, its practical value dropped significantly.

As for the Thousand Thought Sword... it was literally as its name suggested. When mastered to a high level, one could summon a thousand meditation swords, each an extension of the consciousness. You could strike from any direction you desired, making it extremely flexible. Chen Xuan tried it casually in the shop and felt the sword was somewhat like a unique drone—difficult to defend against.

Unfortunately, at his current level, he could only summon two or three sword spirits simultaneously; more than that made his head spin and concentration falter.

According to the shop manager-level explanation, a Level 2 manager restricts the maximum level of abilities traded to Level 2. In other words, if given to others, the Thousand Thought Sword might be at Level 10, but for himself, it was capped at Level 2.

Is the shop afraid the manager would embezzle abilities?