Meng Qiuqiu's proposal gave Li Xiang and Qi Chengyu a glimmer of hope.
The two men looked at Meng Qiuqiu with grateful expressions.
If they were truly forced to repay one hundred million xuanfeng coins, there was no way they could afford it.
However, if they only had to pay half, they could still manage by selling some of their family's assets.
Although it would be a painful loss, it was far better than being burdened with an overwhelming debt.
Li Xiang stood up, cupped his hands respectfully, and said,
"You two are truly honorable people."
"I, Li Xiang, sincerely thank you."
Qi Chengyu also bowed awkwardly.
"Please forgive my earlier offense."
"We were blind to your abilities."
"This lesson has been an expensive one, but we'll consider it tuition."
Zhao Mu had no objections.
After all, fifty million xuanfeng coins earned for free was equivalent to Tiangong Hall's profits for an entire month.
Besides, forcing the two men into a corner wasn't a wise choice.
Desperate people often resorted to desperate measures.
If Tiangong Hall intended to establish itself in Lujiang City's weapon industry, it needed to maintain good relationships with the major players.
Making enemies everywhere would only create unnecessary obstacles.
Li Xiang and Qi Chengyu immediately transferred the agreed amount to Zhao Mu using their electronic wristbands.
Although losing such a huge sum was painful, they were genuinely grateful that Zhao Mu and Meng Qiuqiu had shown mercy.
This gamble had allowed Tiangong Hall to gain both profit and prestige.
---
Zhao Mu intended to transfer the money to Meng Qiuqiu as company funds.
However, Meng Qiuqiu shook her head.
"You earned this money through your own abilities."
"You should keep it."
Zhao Mu smiled and shook his head.
In the end, he transferred almost everything to Meng Qiuqiu, keeping only two million xuanfeng coins for himself.
"I don't have many personal expenses."
"Use the rest to purchase ember remains materials and spirit sources."
Meng Qiuqiu nodded.
"Alright."
"But this time, your needs will take priority."
After this card game, Tiangong Hall had finally earned recognition within Lujiang City's weapon manufacturing industry.
---
Not long afterward, a guard entered the reception hall.
He looked around before asking,
"Is General Manager Meng from Tiangong Hall here?"
Meng Qiuqiu immediately stood.
"That's me."
The guard smiled politely.
"Department Head Gu has returned."
"He'd like to see you and your partner first."
The two followed the guard toward the offices at the rear.
The moment they left, the reception hall erupted into discussion.
"Tiangong Hall is becoming more and more impressive."
"Even Department Head Gu values them so highly."
One merchant sighed.
"The Meng Family truly deserves its reputation as imperial merchants."
"I only hope they leave some business for the rest of us."
Another laughed.
"Don't worry."
"The ember remains market is enormous."
"There'll always be enough business to go around."
---
The guard led Zhao Mu and Meng Qiuqiu into the office of the Military Commerce Department.
Standing casually beside the desk was a young man dressed in a crisp green military uniform.
His neatly styled hair and relaxed posture made him look less like a military officer and more like the carefree young master of a wealthy family.
This was Gu Ningyuan.
Only in his early thirties, he had already become the head of the Military Commerce Department.
Although the position wasn't particularly high-ranking, it held considerable authority.
Without powerful family backing, someone his age could never have reached such a post.
Rather than giving off the imposing aura of a soldier, Gu Ningyuan carried himself like a shrewd businessman.
The moment he saw the pair enter, he greeted them with a warm smile.
"Manager Meng!"
"So you've finally arrived."
His gaze shifted toward Zhao Mu.
"And this young gentleman is...?"
Meng Qiuqiu smiled.
"This is Tiangong Hall's Chief Ember Remains Expert."
"He is also one of our company's general managers."
"Zhao Mu."
Gu Ningyuan's smile froze.
The surprise on his face was impossible to hide.
"You're the chief craftsman responsible for producing Tiangong Hall's ember remains?"
"You're the one who led your team of Jinhai Masters to supply us with two batches of high-quality ember remains?"
He asked two questions in quick succession.
His shock was genuine.
It wasn't that he had never seen such a young First-Grade Jinhai Master before.
But no matter how talented a young craftsman was, their manufacturing skills should still be limited.
He had always assumed Tiangong Hall's technical leader would be an experienced Second-Grade Jinhai Master.
Instead...
It was this young man.
Zhao Mu smiled as they shook hands.
"Actually..."
"I'm the only Jinhai Master at Tiangong Hall."
Gu Ningyuan blinked.
Then he burst into laughter.
"Little Zhao..."
"You're quite the joker."
"I know Tiangong Hall is trying to build its reputation in Lujiang City."
"But there's no need to exaggerate in front of me."
"You're telling me one person can produce over a dozen medium-grade first-grade ember remains every month?"
Zhao Mu merely smiled.
Ordinarily, he would have preferred to keep this secret hidden.
However...
To resolve his current difficulties, he needed the military's full support.
More importantly...
He needed to become an honored guest of the Lujiang City Garrison.
Without explaining further, Zhao Mu glanced toward Meng Qiuqiu.
She immediately understood and placed the prepared safe on the table.
Opening it, she revealed its contents.
Inside lay a meticulously crafted first-grade ember remains—
Wufeng.
It had reached High Grade quality.
Gu Ningyuan handled military equipment every day.
The moment he picked it up, he recognized its exceptional craftsmanship.
The workmanship was flawless.
Simply holding it filled him with a refreshing sense of satisfaction.
Zhao Mu smiled.
"This is our first meeting."
"So I specially prepared a gift."
"I crafted this ember remains myself."
"Please have a look."
Most of Gu Ningyuan's doubts instantly disappeared.
Throughout Lujiang City, only a handful of Jinhai Masters could produce High Grade ember remains.
If such a craftsman already existed elsewhere, there would be no reason to borrow Zhao Mu's reputation.
"Genius!"
"You're truly a genius!"
"I never imagined Lujiang City would produce someone as talented as you."
Suddenly remembering something, Gu Ningyuan hurried over, grabbed Zhao Mu's arm, and asked excitedly,
"How long did it take you to make this?"
Zhao Mu answered calmly,
"About one week."
Strictly speaking, that was while balancing his studies and cultivation.
Gu Ningyuan slapped his thigh excitedly.
"Excellent!"
"You've arrived at exactly the right time!"
His face was full of excitement.
"Master Zhao..."
"I have a favor to ask."
"You must help me."
His form of address changed instantly.
He was now respectfully calling Zhao Mu Master Zhao.
Within the Empire, powerful Jinhai Masters always enjoyed extraordinary status.
Ironically, Zhao Mu had been wondering how to slowly build a relationship with Gu Ningyuan so he could borrow the military's influence.
Instead...
Gu Ningyuan approached him first.
Zhao Mu smiled politely.
"Department Head Gu, please go ahead."
"If there's anything I can help with, just ask."
Gu Ningyuan sat down opposite him, completely abandoning his previous airs.
"You probably know that the Military Commerce Department is under the military logistics division."
"To be honest..."
"The director of the logistics department is my third uncle."
"My third uncle also has a cousin currently serving in the Qingzhou Army."
"His birthday is coming up in about ten days."
"I've been worrying about what gift to send him."
He looked at Zhao Mu hopefully.
"Master Zhao..."
"Could you craft a custom-made ember remains for him?"
"I want the highest possible quality."
---
High Grade was already considered the pinnacle of ordinary ember remains.
However, a High Grade ember remains specially customized to match a Spirit Power User's unique abilities was on an entirely different level.
Such masterpieces were known as Ultimate-Grade Ember Remains.
They could maximize an Ability User's combat potential to its absolute limit.
Every Spirit Power User dreamed of owning one.
Unfortunately, producing even an ordinary High Grade ember remains was extremely difficult, with an exceptionally low success rate.
Creating one specifically tailored to an individual was even more demanding.
Because of this, the market value of a customized High Grade first-grade ember remains could sometimes exceed that of a low-grade second-grade remains construct.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)