Baili Bingyun, that woman, must have known for a long time that Zhuang Rong and her son were after her daughter, right? He’s dragging me into this, even stepping into the arena himself.

Although, it was just an accident, no one expected...

Headache.

If I had known, I wouldn’t have rushed here.

There’s still a year left, who knows what changes may occur.

Nie Tian from the Heaven-Dominating Tower suddenly advanced to Celestial Essence, which was unexpected to him. He wanted to end the chaos in Li Hen City, but he never aimed to eliminate the Heaven-Dominating Tower and the Skull Association.

A city can be dominated by one family, but it can also coexist with others. The path to prosperity is a hundred flowers blooming.

First, the hidden dangers within the embroidery workshop must be resolved.

Three days later, Nie Tian is hosting the Celestial Essence Banquet at the Heaven-Dominating Tower, inviting comrades from Li Hen City and Longchuan Canyon to celebrate his advancement to Celestial Essence.

In addition, there are various celebration activities, discounts at the Heaven-Dominating Tower’s restaurants and shops, double challenge bonuses at the beast arenas, and complimentary chips at the casino, among others.

The most anticipated event is the year’s biggest auction two days after the Celestial Essence Banquet.

Rumor has it that the auction’s star item is a priceless Celestial Essence Fruit. The news has already spread wildly.

"Master, should we inform Miaoxue that you’ve arrived?"

"Yes, you may."

"Then I’ll go out and check if dinner is ready. If you need anything, call Liansuo, she’s outside." Lianxin said.

"Alright."

...

"Let’s go. There are some clothes, dry rations, and silver taels in here. Not much, but enough for you two to get by for a while. I suggest you quickly leave Li Hen City; this place is not for you..." Yu Dazui handed a bundle to Mu Yun and her daughter.

"Thank you, big brother."

"Don’t thank me, thank the young master who brought you here." Yu Dazui said hurriedly.

Mu Yun shouldered the bundle and carried her child away. She knew that she had already troubled others along the way. Being helped this far was already benevolence to the utmost.

...

Although the Snow Mountain Residence is his own turf, Lin Miao wouldn’t mess around here, to avoid leaving a bad reputation.

Senior sister Sun Youwei shared a room with Ling Yu’Er.

While Lianxin and Liansuo moved into Lin Miao’s large room openly, as they were originally concubines.

Such blessings should be enjoyed.

Early the next morning, Lianxin tended to Lin Miao, helping him get up and comb his hair, while Liansuo personally brought the hot water, assisting with the wash.

Who wouldn’t wish for such a life?

Coming to this world, he was initially not used to long hair. Grooming long hair was quite a troublesome thing.

However, now he didn’t need to handle it personally; there were people to help, making it less bothersome.

"Master, Miaoxue has returned to Lin’s, asking when will you be coming over?" Lianxin asked while combing his hair, leaning to his ear.

"After breakfast, I’ll go."

"Who will accompany you?"

"You stay here, let Liansuo accompany me, change into a different outfit, don’t let people recognize us." Lin Miao instructed, "Liansuo should also wear men’s clothes."

"Alright."

"You continue to inquire about the Celestial Essence Banquet and auction news, wait for my return." Lin Miao said.

"Master, that mother and daughter left the Snow Mountain Residence and went to the embroidery workshop." Liansuo reported.

"Oh, you followed them?"

"Hmm, they took a ride with us all the way here, it’s essential to know who they are and where they are going, to avoid being used without knowing."

"Suosuo is smart, good." Lin Miao praised with a pointing gesture at Liansuo, then said to Lianxin, "Xin’Er, your sister teaches well."

Lianxin smiled with pursed lips.

Liansuo curled her lips, thinking, am I that dumb? I just didn’t want to learn from my sister, simply didn’t want to use my brain.

But it cannot always be idle, otherwise, she might become marginalized.

"Master, Yu Dazui wants to ask you for a favor..."

"His internal hidden injuries, right?" Lin Miao anticipated readily, understanding Yu Dazui’s intention without waiting for Lianxin to speak.

"Master’s insight."

"I don’t have time during the day today, let him come find me at night. It’s a small issue." Lin Miao nodded in agreement, staying at someone’s place naturally requires reciprocation.

Hidden injuries, for him now, are just a trivial matter.

...

"Liansuo, take that box with you. There’s something in it for Miaoxue." Before setting off, Lin Miao instructed Liansuo to carry a long box.

"Young Master, you came all this way just to bring Lady Miaoxue a skewer of candied fruit?"

"No, it’s two skewers," Lin Miao corrected.

"Let’s go." Lin Miao, now in his thirties, appeared as a middle-aged man with long sleeves and a wide robe, and a long beard under his chin, exuding an aura of otherworldly grace.

Liansuo was dressed as a manservant, following closely behind in disguise.

In Li Hen City, there are all kinds of people, so Lin Miao and Liansuo walking together on the street didn’t seem out of the ordinary.

If they were on the streets of Dongshan City, they would likely attract more attention.

Here, you could see all sorts of odd outfits. In such cold weather, someone could be carrying a ghost-head saber, striding down the street with their chest exposed, walking with a haughty gait, looking as if they owed no one anything, or someone with their body covered in bright feathers, so ugly it could make one lose their appetite.

These were far more eye-catching than the pair of Lin Miao and Liansuo.

In fact, Lin Miao hadn’t really toured Li Hen City much before; the last time and even the time before that, he passed through briefly, only catching a glimpse.

This time, he came with his true identity. After all, he didn’t plan to hide his identity as Lin Xiao Sheng of Yongning Hall in Dongshan Prefecture.

Although in the martial arts world, it wasn’t a notable name, he was somewhat famous, especially now that he was connected with the Snow Mountain Sect and the Su Family, the wealthiest family in Lanzhou. It was certain he’d draw some attention.

Li Hen City was bustling, more so in some aspects than Dongshan City, though things here tended to be pricier.

Even without official governance, three factions balanced each other here, maintaining stability most of the time, which was quite significant.

Only stability leads to prosperity; otherwise, if people flee in fear, business couldn’t thrive.

If they can’t attract wealthy outsiders to seek adventure, spend money, and consume, how would Li Hen City make money?

...

Snow Mountain Residence was near the South City, so naturally, Lin Miao walked from South City toward East. East City was the territory of Xiuzhuang, the area with the most entertainment options in the whole of Li Hen City. Xiuzhuang’s management was relatively lenient, and merchants within their domain who paid protection fees were naturally under their protection.

Each of the three forces maintained their own teams to protect their interests: Skull Association’s team was called Black Skull, Xiuzhuang’s name was elegantly chosen as Hongxiu, and Heaven-Dominating Tower’s team was grandly named Tiger Roar.

The teams, ranging from hundreds to thousands, consisted of highly skilled individuals, which is why the government dared not send large military forces against Li Hen City.

These were not ordinary soldiers; all were at least in the Bone Forging Realm, skilled enough to stand independently outside and even earn a captain’s rank in the military.

Here, they were ordinary team members, though the benefits here were certainly much better than those of a captain in the military; otherwise, who would want to come to such a place?

There were also those who committed crimes outside and chose to join a faction’s team for protection, so these teams had no lack of talent, and few dared to commit crimes within the three factions’ territories.

Baili Yuyao served as a captain in the Hongxiu team, so it was easy to run into her while she was patrolling the streets.

Her objective and fair handling gained Captain Yuyao significant popularity in the East District, and people generally supported the idea of her eventually taking over Xiuzhuang.

Besides entertainment, East District was famous for buying and selling clothes, particularly ready-to-wear stores, attracting many women for shopping.

There were also stores selling armor, particularly soft armor and sheaths. Though fur processing was more elaborate and had a strong scent, it was a profitable business, albeit not Xiuzhuang’s main revenue source.

If well managed, this business could quietly generate substantial wealth.

Lin Miao contemplated future investments in leather goods, leather clothing, and leather shoes. However, leather processing consumed a lot of water resources and caused some pollution.

In this world, industrialization hadn’t occurred yet, so even with some pollution, the environment could quickly remediate, posing little problem.

On Blue Star, women went crazy for a handbag, so this business had potential for growth into a luxury brand, becoming a legacy.

However, women in this world hadn’t developed a habit of carrying bags yet, but habits could be cultivated, and fashion could be led.

"Young Master..." Liansuo softly reminded him that they’d been wandering for quite a while and should go meet Si Miaoxue.

Don’t keep her waiting.

"Yes, I know. Help me pack this bracelet in that box." Lin Miao picked out a silver bracelet and asked the shopkeeper to pack it.

"Alright, Young Master, please wait a moment."

"Suosuo, did you see something you like? I’ll buy it for you."

"No, Young Master, let’s hurry up and go."

"Haha." Lin Miao paid, tucked the boxed bracelet into his sleeve pocket, and left the shop.

At Lin’s.

Si Miaoxue had already grown impatient waiting, nearly sending someone to Snow Mountain Residence to inquire, but ultimately held back.

"Mr. Lin, why are you only now here? I’ve missed you so much!" It had been nearly a month since they last met, and Si Miaoxue truly missed him.

This was a feeling she had never before experienced.

Liansuo thoughtfully closed the door, giving them some privacy and standing guard outside to ensure no one disturbed them.

Once the door closed,

Lin Miao held down Si Miaoxue’s restless, undressing hand. "Miaoxue, don’t rush, let’s discuss business first."

Si Miaoxue batted her eyes, unable to contain herself, "Mr. Lin, to me, this is the most important business. I’ve gone one month, five days, and seven hours without your affection..."

Remembering so precisely?