C20 I'll Settle It

"Yuan?"

A call echoed from outside the door.

Jiang Yuan swung the door open to find his father, Jiang Wenn, with joy lighting up his face for the first time in a year. He greeted him with a smile, "Father, what brings you here?"

Without a word, Jiang Wenn pulled Jiang Yuan into an embrace, his voice quivering, "I just knew it! My child, you've returned!"

"Father..."

Jiang Yuan was struck by the sight of the middle-aged man before him, whose temples had unknowingly been touched by strands of grey. Clearly, he had aged significantly over the past year.

It was this man who had borne the brunt of all the overt and covert conflicts for him!

"Yuan, this is your reward, the first-place prize—the Spirit Gathering Pill that was always meant for you..."

Jiang Wenn revealed a pill with a chuckle.

"Thank you, Father."

Jiang Yuan accepted it.

Jiang Wenn's voice dropped to a whisper in Jiang Yuan's ear, "Tell me, child, does the matter of Jiang Ming and Jiang Zhan involve you?"

"I was the one who killed them. They tried to ambush me in the woods..."

"Well done! Truly my son, Jiang Wenn's son. I'm well aware of the shady dealings of my brother and the Great Elder—they're after the position of family head. And now they've dared to target you directly! Despicable!"

Jiang Wenn sighed deeply, his fists clenched tight.

"Then why haven't you acted, Father? They're the parasites of the Jiang Family!"

Jiang Yuan inquired softly, puzzled.

"It's not the right time. They may be parasites, but they have ties throughout the family. Without solid evidence, acting rashly would only provoke them to retaliate."

Jiang Wenn shook his head, sighing once more.

"Father, if you trust me, leave this to me. I'll handle everything."

Jiang Yuan patted his chest confidently.

"You've truly grown up, my child. Whatever you need, just ask. I'll do everything within my power to assist you!"

Hearing Jiang Yuan's assured words, Jiang Wenn, though suspecting his son might just be boasting, couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over him.

"I'm in need of some funds."

Jiang Yuan got straight to the point.

"How much do you need? Would five thousand gold coins suffice?"

Jiang Wenn asked, as he tossed a Universe Bag into Jiang Yuan's hands.

"Enough."

...

At the Nine Spirits Shop.

"I'll take one of these... and one of these... and also one of these."

"All of these items!?"

The shopkeeper was visibly bewildered as Jiang Yuan seemed to have pointed out nearly every item in the shop.

"Yes, just one of each," Jiang Yuan confirmed with a nod.

"Young Master, surely you're not jesting with us..."

The shopkeeper, thinking Jiang Yuan was playing a prank, managed a wry smile.

"Are 5000 gold coins insufficient?"

With a flourish, Jiang Yuan tossed the Universe Bag onto the counter.

"Quite sufficient! The young master of the Jiang Family is truly generous!"

It would be against all reason to leave such money unearned.

In no time, nearly a hundred herbs were neatly packaged and set before Jiang Yuan.

"Young master, does this look good to you? The total comes to 5500 gold coins, but we'll waive the extra 500."

The shopkeeper, with some effort, presented the herbs to Jiang Yuan.

"Thank you. Additionally, I'd like to inquire if you purchase Spirit Gathering Pills here? What's the going rate?"

As he spoke, Jiang Yuan placed a wooden Brocade Box before the shopkeeper.

"Spirit Gathering Pills of the yellow rank? We'll definitely take them!"

The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed at the mention. If there was anything Tianyang Town was in dire need of, it was certainly these pills.