"Mr. Dong, what’s the situation?"

"He doesn’t admit to smuggling and tax evasion, and he claims his refined sugar has a legitimate origin..." Pei Jian glanced at the departing figure of Lin Miao and said.

"So, what does Mr. Dong plan to do next?" Zhuo Qingfeng paused for a moment and asked.

"Since he says so, just let it be." Pei Jian withdrew his gaze, instructed the driver, "Let’s go, we’re going back."

The cooperation between both parties was initially unequal. Pei Jian wanted to bring Lin Miao under his control, but the other party is a proud and talented young man; how could he easily bow and submit?

...

Lin Miao naturally understood Pei Jian’s intention. He wanted to use this to manipulate him; dreaming. Although he had helped him before, could such a small favor make him surrender and pledge allegiance?

Dream on.

He still remembered that Mr. Pei was present that day, and if Mr. Xue succeeded, Mr. Pei was an accomplice too.

Just apologizing would settle everything?

He disliked Pei Jian’s patronizing attitude of charity.

Everyone is calculating for their own benefit, why put on an act of being a saint, speaking noble words while doing disgusting things.

...

Earlier in the year, Liuli had followed Lin Miao’s instructions and stockpiled a large amount of raw sugar, even acquiring some from nearby counties and going to Lanzhou to purchase more.

Using these raw sugars as materials, the refined white sugar was enough for them to use for two months.

And they were still continuing to purchase raw sugar.

Lin Miao also knew that the exposure of the white sugar was inevitable, but if it was exposed too early, it might bring significant trouble to himself.

Therefore, the later it is exposed, the better, at least until he has some strength, to ensure that his interests are not compromised.

"Liuli, take out all the raw sugar at home and do not bring any more into the city. Store the incoming raw sugar in the warehouse at the estate outside the city." Lin Miao returned to the inn, had dinner, and called Liuli to the study to instruct.

"Mr. Lin, why is that?"

"As our pastries from Furong Garden sell well, our use of white sugar as a raw material in the pastries will surely be known. And if we hold the technology for refining white sugar, it’s unknown how many wolves will set their sights on us; we must plan ahead." Lin Miao said, "In the future, sugar refining work cannot be done inside the city. It needs to be moved out."

"But if we continue to use white sugar, transporting it from outside the city, we’ll have to pay high taxes?"

"In the future, the price of refined sugar will decrease, and we won’t need to bear high taxes. Although the costs will rise substantially, it’ll be safer." Lin Miao explained.

Pei Jian can discover this secret, and others can too. The benefits are too significant, and once such substantial interest is targeted, there’s endless trouble.

It’s not guaranteed that Pei Jian knows about the white sugar refining technology he holds but won’t be tempted...

He is an authority in a mansion, and once he uses the power of the government, his current strength is too weak, unable to compete.

Even a minor Ye Mi Yuan, an insignificant eighth-rank detective officer, made him quite embarrassed, not to mention Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion. Although conflicts haven’t been publicized, everyone knows, if it weren’t for the other party having concerns, there might already be direct force in play.

Even though he has allied with the Su Family and the Snow Mountain Sect, he doesn’t feel safe now, besides relying on others is never a long-term solution.

Only by becoming strong himself can he protect all of this, and growth and strengthening require time.

"Liuli will follow Mr. Lin’s instructions."

...

Si Miaoxue moved into Number 13, Huadian Lane, and announced her retreat.

Three days later.

A profoundly mysterious aura arose from Si Miaoxue, and upon opening her eyes, a gleam of joy flashed across her eyes.

Si Miaoxue successfully completed her retreat and broke through to the Meridian Passage Realm; reaching the Meridian Passage Realm before turning thirty is rare but not completely unheard of.

Reaching the Blood Fusion Realm at thirty is considered to have a very good aptitude; achieving Great Perfection before forty can likely lead to an advancement to the Meridian Passage Realm.

However, attempting to advance to the Tianyuan level requires a very hard benchmark, that is, reaching the Meridian Passage before thirty; almost 80% of those who succeed before thirty eventually reach the Tianyuan level, becoming the pinnacle among martial artists on the continent.

Advancing to Tianyuan allows one to be called "Heavenly Lord."

Si Miaoxue indeed has very high talent, but she managed to cultivate to the Upper Grade Blood Fusion Realm before thirty, which is already fast.

This was Long Po’s expectation of her.

But since she met Lin Miao, within just a few months, she made three consecutive advances, directly crossing from the Blood Fusion Realm into the Meridian Passage Realm.

This is something unbelievable.

Lin Miao is indeed Si Miaoxue’s benefactor for her lifetime, almost altering her fate by heaven.

Right after her retreat, she impatiently had Chun’Er boil water for a bath, then changed into beautiful, sexy clothes to find Lin Miao and deliver the good news.

In the middle of the night.

If it wasn’t for that familiar scent, Lin Miao almost threw a steel needle over.

"Mr. Lin, I’ve broken through, Meridian Passage Realm!" Si Miaoxue dove into the bed, immediately hugged Lin Miao, with the hot breath spraying right on his face, eager as though wanting to melt Lin Miao.

No, it’s about melting herself into the other’s body.

She is now wholeheartedly devoted to this young man; even if the Saint Heir appeared before her, she wouldn’t waver for a moment.

"Let me see, indeed it’s somewhat different..." Sensing the profound change in the aura emanating from Si Miaoxue’s body.

She could evade Lianxin and Liansuo’s stealthy infiltration into her room, which sufficiently indicates her cultivation level is far above these two.

Otherwise, we would have been discovered long ago.

"Meridian Passage Realm, we finally have a bit of self-preservation ability." Lin Miao was also very happy, but he was a step slower and estimated it would take some time before he could break through to the Blood Fusion Realm. He had some issues he hadn’t figured out yet.

"Mr. Lin, I want to..."

"Don’t move, my room is not soundproof. Do you want everyone to know about us by tomorrow morning?" Lin Miao forcibly held down Si Miaoxue’s hand that was exploring.

Si Miaoxue’s cheeks were flushed, "It’s been four days since I sent the eagle message. There’s no news from headquarters, and I’m worried that what Yue Mei’er said is true."

"What did she say?"

"The Sect Leader intentionally detained my master Long Po to control me. Ten years ago, he wanted me to sleep with him. My master made an excuse to find the Saint Heir and took me away to escape the disaster, but unexpectedly, he still hasn’t given up on me." Si Miaoxue said.

"If that’s the case, then he definitely won’t release your master." Lin Miao naturally felt angry upon hearing this—as no man can tolerate someone wanting his woman. "However, on the other hand, if he still has designs on you, then he won’t harm your master for the time being."

"I feel that Yue Mei’er hasn’t told me everything; she must be hiding something from me." Si Miaoxue said, based on her understanding of Yue Mei’er and her woman’s intuition.

"Miaoxue, the business of colorless glazed objects is hugely profitable. Right now, no one has noticed it, so it’s temporarily safe. But once it is discovered, we don’t have enough power to protect our interests. Therefore, I want to find a safe place to set up its production workshop, at least to deter some people from coveting it." Lin Miao said.

"Don’t we have the Su Family and the Snow Mountain Sect as support? What is there to fear?"

"Yes, but can you guarantee they won’t covet it?" Lin Miao replied, "Sure, the Su Family is now as close to me as family, and the Snow Mountain Sect is bound by interests with me. But among the three parties, we’re the weakest. Besides, I’m not only thinking about colorless glazed objects, I have more profitable ventures in mind. We need to have our own autonomy."

"Mr. Lin, what do you want to do?" Si Miaoxue asked.

"I have an idea and I need your help!" Lin Miao said solemnly.

"Tell me, after all, I’m yours for the rest of my life." Si Miaoxue said with unwavering devotion.

"Take over Li Hen City and make you the City Lord of Li Hen City!" Lin Miao boldly said, "Turn Li Hen City into our own power base."

Si Miaoxue gasped, shocked by Lin Miao’s idea that her scalp tingled. For thousands of years, although some people briefly occupied Li Hen City, they were quickly overthrown.

This lawless city of crime has never been monopolized by anyone; it’s always been divided or embroiled in chaos.

Consider it. The Heaven-Dominating Tower, the Embroidering Lady, and the Skull Association all want to dominate Li Hen City. But none of them can; they can only maintain this balance.

"Mr. Lin, are you serious?"

"I just have this idea, and it’s not mature yet. However, I will visit Longchuan Canyon sooner or later." Lin Miao nodded.

He had thought of living a peaceful and stable life, but reality doesn’t allow it. In this world, one cannot avoid conflicts.

Living a second life, should he become a hermit and live a life of hardship, passing an ordinary and mundane lifetime?

What’s the point in that?

Since stepping into this ’world,’ one can only continue to fight. How can one appreciate the scenery from the peak without striving to the top and seeing all below?

"By the way, I have a batch of things here; could you handle it for me..."

"Where did you get these things?"

"They kidnapped Mr. Xie, intending to lure me out of the city..." Lin Miao explained the origin of these goods in detail.

"Damn it, let me kill those people for you!" Si Miaoxue’s strength had greatly increased, and except for hidden masters, she was nearly invincible in Dongshan City.

"No, Ye Shengyuan is the Patriarch of the Ye Family. If he dies, it will cause too much commotion. The same goes for the Marquis Lingyang’s wife. The cost of revenge is to become a fugitive, which is not what I want." Lin Miao said, "I will make them pay for it one by one, but there’s no rush."

"Then I’m leaving." Si Miaoxue said pitifully and reluctantly.

"Mm, go back. I’ll find you tomorrow night." Lin Miao nodded slightly, giving Si Miaoxue a promise. She left with joy.

...

"Mr. Lin!"

"Patriarch Ye, you’ve come again. What is it this time..."

"As Mr. Lin instructed before, I brought Miyuan here for a follow-up consultation." Ye Shengyuan said with a face full of smiles.

"No problem. Mr. Ye Captain has limited mobility, just send someone with a message, and I’ll come to him for the follow-up." Lin Miao chuckled.

Ye Shengyuan still wore a smile, but inwardly cursed Lin Miao numerous times. Why didn’t he say that last time?

"Recovered well. Mr. Ye Captain is indeed a martial artist. Compared to an ordinary body, despite being seriously injured, he recovers quickly!"

"Could I ask Mr. Lin to prescribe some medicine to help my nephew recover faster?" Ye Shengyuan cupped his hands respectfully.

"Sure, I’ll give him a prescription for activating blood circulation, resolving stasis, and promoting bone growth." Lin Miao readily agreed.

"Thank you."

Lin Miao quickly wrote a prescription, stamped it with his seal, and handed it to Ye Shengyuan: "Patriarch Ye, this can be made into honey pills for morning and evening consumption, so you don’t have to decoct it every day. Your family has a pharmacy and should be able to make it, so there’s no need for me to explain further."

Ye Shengyuan left with Ye Mi Yuan.

...

"Who is Mr. Lin, Mr. Lin?"

"That would be me." Lin Miao came out of the consultation room and saw a man dressed in dark green, a member of the government office, with a large ’Station’ character on his back.

This signified his identity as a courier.

"Mr. Lin, this is your package, which Wan Bin of the Imperial Pharmacy entrusted to the court to be delivered fast by express." The courier handed a squarish and heavy-looking package to Lin Miao.

Lin Miao promptly reached out to take it, simultaneously taking a piece of broken silver from his bosom and handing it over.

"Thank you, Mr. Lin!"