The two of them were near the Huai River.
They found a random spot, sat down on the ground, and began to talk about everything under the sun.
Before long.
Liu Chang'an sharply pointed out the many fatal issues the Divine Fire Villa currently faced in trying to achieve greatness.
"Big Brother, establishing a top-tier power is not empty talk or an overnight affair. It requires not only a massive input of manpower and resources, but it also cannot be separated from huge financial backing."
One sentence went straight to the core: they were broke!
Dongfang Guyue's face immediately fell, looking utterly dejected: "Brother Han, do you have any way to make money?"
Liu Chang'an smiled faintly.
It was as if all the world's affairs were within his grasp.
If he were wearing a feather fan and silk scarf, he would be no less than Zhuge Liang reincarnated. He smiled and said: "Naturally."
"That's wonderful!"
"Brother Han, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Please tell me quickly!" Dongfang Guyue's eyes were shining, his tone urgent.
Liu Chang'an hadn't expected the other party to be so excited by a few casual words.
So.
He tidied his robe and spoke contemplatively: "You don't need to worry about the money, Big Brother. I have my own ways to solve it."
"The most thorny issue right now in expanding the Divine Fire Villa is the word 'reputation' (mingwang)."
"Only with a greater reputation can we continuously attract more talents to join the Divine Fire Villa, thus strengthening it."
"Exactly!"
"I was actually thinking the same thing."
Liu Chang'an's words perfectly aligned with his own thoughts.
It was completely to his liking.
Before meeting the other party.
Dongfang Guyue had indeed planned exactly this.
He was very satisfied with this.
Their meeting of minds and shared vision made Dongfang Guyue feel a strong sense of camaraderie with Liu Chang'an, regretting only that they hadn't met sooner in life.
He was only moments away from grabbing Liu Chang'an and becoming sworn brothers by the Huai River.
After exchanging confidences.
And strategizing for a while, Dongfang Guyue couldn't help but ask suddenly: "Oh, right."
"Brother Han, can you truly solve the financial problem?"
It wasn't that he doubted Liu Chang'an's abilities.
It was just that the other party didn't look like he had money at all.
Liu Chang'an cleared his throat, not embarrassed at all.
He confidently patted his chest: "It shouldn't be difficult to gather one hundred thousand taels in just three years."
"One hundred thousand taels?"
Dongfang Guyue's face was full of astonishment.
If not for the other party's extremely serious attitude, he would have almost thought he was joking.
Three years.
To earn one hundred thousand taels?
How was that possible?
It might be possible for a noble family's disciple.
But Brother Han was clearly just an ordinary person.
He truly couldn't imagine why the person in front of him dared to make such an audacious boast.
Noticing the look of disbelief on Dongfang Guyue's face.
Liu Chang'an's lips curved upward.
"Big Brother!"
"How about we make a bet?"
"We'll bet on whether I can earn one hundred thousand taels within three years. The loser treats the winner to a drink—the most expensive wine in the world."
Dongfang Guyue's eyes were complicated.
Although he was curious.
He chose not to ask further. His intuition told him that the other party was definitely not someone who liked to talk big.
Brother Han must have full confidence to make such a boast.
And just as Dongfang Guyue's intuition suggested.
Liu Chang'an already had a plan to make money, and it was already primarily fleshed out.
"Brother Han!"
"Your elder brother will wait and see. Just make sure you don't eat your words when you lose. Don't go back on your debt." Dongfang Guyue chuckled.
He didn't know.
The reason Liu Chang'an made such a boast.
Was entirely because he possessed the heaven-defying magic treasure, the Small Green Bottle, which could ripen spiritual herbs.
To put it frankly.
The Small Green Bottle could help even a dog take flight.
Of course, Liu Chang'an would never expose this secret; he intended to hide it for a lifetime.
Seeing that it was getting late.
Dongfang Guyue, who was impressed by Liu Chang'an's insight, couldn't help but humbly seek his advice.
"Brother Han!"
"What do you think I should do next to increase our reputation?"
"Isn't that simple?"
"You only need to continuously challenge martial world experts, and sooner or later, you will become famous throughout the land."
This sentence greatly enlightened Dongfang Guyue.
Indeed, he was good at fighting and spellcasting, but when it came to using his brain, ten of him couldn't compare to Brother Han.
Having Brother Han was like a fish finding water.
In the subtle workings of fate.
Brother Han was like a strategist sent by Heaven to help him, a divine arrangement.
Before long, he simply gave up thinking and continued to ask: "Brother, where do you think is the most appropriate place to build the Divine Fire Villa?"
Hearing this.
Liu Chang'an did not hesitate, pointing casually and saying.
"I think the mountain opposite the Huai River looks quite good. Why don't we choose this spot!"
Dongfang Guyue's heart suddenly shook violently.
He seemed to recall something.
He couldn't help but look deeply at the other person: "I never thought, Brother Han, that you would consider the big picture so thoroughly. Even I was almost kept in the dark."
"?"
Liu Chang'an.
A sharp glint flashed in Dongfang Guyue's eyes: "Brother Han, with your foresight, you must have considered the deeper meaning of choosing the area near the Huai River for the Divine Fire Villa, right?"
"???"
Liu Chang'an was stunned again.
Dongfang Guyue spoke confidently: "This area is secluded, far from the Central Plains. Doing this can indeed avoid a lot of trouble and draw less attention."
"Moreover, the Huai River connects everywhere, making transportation convenient."
"Your plan, my brother, is a chain of excellent strategies. Your vision is truly exceptional and far-reaching."
Faced with Dongfang Guyue's flattery.
Liu Chang'an felt somewhat awkward and unaccustomed to it for a moment.
But he still nodded earnestly, indicating his approval.
This unflappable composure.
When seen by Dongfang Guyue, made him admire the other person even more.
He believed that through their joint efforts.
The Divine Fire Villa would surely flourish in the future.
Suddenly.
Swoosh.
A gentle breeze blew across their faces.
Liu Chang'an met his gaze, and they couldn't help but exchange a knowing smile, hehehe...
Gain one Wòlóng (Crouching Dragon) or Fèngchú (Fledgling Phoenix) and you can bring peace to the world.
With both gathered, how could the world not be stabilized?
Under the setting sun.
By the Huai River.
Bamboo leaves fluttered.
As the wind blew, even the river water began to ripple.
At this moment.
Liu Chang'an secretly vowed in his heart that the future Divine Fire Villa must not be a flash in the pan that dies out after two generations, as in the original plot.
In the future.
He and Dongfang Guyue would work together, one in the open, one in the shadows, to build a glorious and prosperous family.
Dongfang Guyue would be the Clan Master, and he would do his best to assist.
To ensure its legacy lasts for thousands of years, standing tall and unshakeable.
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