Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 109: Turning Retreat into Advance

The next day, Li An personally counted the inheritance left by Song Mingzhang, including spirit stones, resources, and handed them all over to Song Anning.

A very generous sum of money!

In fact, it would have been very easy for Li An to swallow it all. He was chosen by Song Mingzhang as his "son-in-law" and had the rightful inheritance.

The only obstacle was Song Anning, but that was also simple. If Li An had a good heart, he could marry her first and then divorce her, or if he was more ruthless, he could kill her directly. Who would stand up for her?

She was like a child carrying gold through a bustling market!

However, Li An did not do so.

Firstly, in a sense, Song Mingzhang did have a favor towards him.

Secondly, if he took these resources by force, although no one could say anything, who would trust him in the future?

He still had a long way to go in the Treasure Pavilion, and he couldn't ruin his reputation and credibility.

It wasn't worth it.

"Mr. Zuo, I have someone prepare dinner, please eat before you leave--"

After receiving the inheritance, Song Anning was very happy and became more enthusiastic.

Li An declined.

He went to "Wuyang Street" and asked the owner of the Yundao Teahouse, Cai Chao, to help him rent a clean and tidy residence. Although it was not as grand as the Song Mansion, it was enough for him.

Moreover, in the past ten years, in order to enter the Treasure Pavilion, he had been studying hard and had no time to deal with talismans and formations. Now was the time.

Living alone was important to him.

That night, Li An began making talismans!

Many years ago in Baihu City, Xu Qiuhui gave him a second-grade talisman pen and dozens of talisman papers.

That night, Li An made five exploding talismans, three swift talismans, two breaking talismans, and two shocking thunder talismans, all of which were second-grade inferior quality!

Since Foundation Building, making second-grade talismans was no longer difficult for him.

With talismans on him, he also set up two advanced formations in his residence, giving him a sense of security.

He could currently make second-grade formations as well, but there was no need to set them up without sensing any movement. That would be a waste.

The safety in Tianyang City was still guaranteed, and now that he was a member of the Treasure Pavilion, he didn't need to worry too much about this aspect.

"Peak..."

His eyes narrowed slightly. Currently, his most urgent concern was his situation within the Treasure Pavilion.

He pondered repeatedly.

He felt that it would be very difficult to compete with Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao to become an official appraiser.

Lack of connections!

That was the biggest problem.

After all, to become an official appraiser, in addition to being recognized by the appraiser he studied under, he also needed the votes of nine other appraisers.

"Turning retreat into advance..."

He had an idea!

...

In the following period of time, he remained patient and obedient, listening to Gao Feng's words.

Another year and a half passed.

In the past year and a half, Gao Feng and Hua Ming's offspring have also become candidate appraisers through assessment.

In two more months, Gao Feng will officially retire.

By then, two out of Li An, Lu Hua, and Zheng Xiaoxiao will officially become candidate appraisers.

On this day, Gao Feng finishes appraising treasures.

Li An comes in to make tea for him, hands him the tea, and suddenly asks, "Master Gao, I have a question to ask..."

Gao Feng takes the tea but completely ignores him, engrossed in tasting the tea.

"The item that the guest brought earlier should be a second-grade spiritual medicine, Blood Lingzhi. It looks similar to the first-grade spiritual medicine, Fur Lingzhi, but its medicinal fragrance is more complex..."

Gao Feng suddenly raises his eyebrows, looking at Li An with some surprise!

The treasure he just appraised was indeed a second-grade Blood Lingzhi.

But the appraisal he gave to the guest was... a first-grade Fur Lingzhi.

Did Li An figure it out?

"Why are you saying this..." he speaks in a deep voice.

Li An is extremely respectful, "I am just eager to learn, please don't misunderstand, Master Gao."

"Also, the Five-Colored Gold and Five-Color Gold, Peacock Stone and Swan Stone... these things have become a bit confusing for me, please enlighten me, Master Gao."

But Gao Feng's heart is pounding!

What Li An mentioned are all the shady things he has done in the past two years!

For some easily confused treasures, he would intentionally appraise them as lower-grade items, so that he could buy them at a lower price from the customers.

Generally speaking, since the customers have no exact knowledge and Gao Feng has a respected status, with the reputation of the Treasure Pavilion as a guarantee, they would directly sell to Gao Feng or someone he recommends, and there wouldn't be any major issues.

This is also the norm within the Treasure Pavilion. Which person in power doesn't engage in corruption?

Are they even human?

But he didn't expect that Li An would know about all these things?

At this moment, he couldn't help but refresh his understanding of Li An!

For the past two years, Li An has always been respectful and obedient, but who would have thought... he had this trick up his sleeve.

Now he suddenly understands that when Li An suddenly became so humble and took the initiative to clean for him...

It was all to make him let his guard down!

When he looked down on Li An and got used to his service, he became careless.

And that's why it has come to this!

Approaching him proactively, waiting for two years... this Li An's patience is somewhat terrifying, isn't it?

"What exactly do you want to say!"

He couldn't help but ask in a deep voice.

If these things were exposed, it would have a great impact on him.

Whether he can retire from the Treasure Pavilion normally is now uncertain.

"I deeply feel that my own discernment is still lacking, and I want to practice more."

"So, I want to go to the treasure vault and become a supervisor."

Li An speaks frankly!

This is his purpose.

Becoming an official appraiser is too difficult for him. Even if he can threaten Gao Feng, he cannot deal with other appraisers.

He chose to go to the treasure vault for a reason.

- All appraised treasures that are stored will pass through his hands.

This makes it convenient for him to find what he wants.

Moreover, through this position, he can fully interact with the situation of each appraiser and find an opportunity to get rid of a certain appraiser. As a candidate appraiser, he can successfully rise to power.

Taking a step back is a step forward.

Gao Feng breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.

He thought Li An was going to threaten him to help him become an official appraiser.

That would be difficult, after all, for Li An to become an appraiser, he would have to take away opportunities from others, which would create a great enmity. How could he easily form alliances with others?

But it's just a managerial position...

For an appraiser, this is not difficult!

With this position, Li An can secure his silence... it's worth it.

"Well, you have followed me for so many years, working diligently. Rest assured, I will consider it for you."

He agreed.

...

Two months later.

Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao officially became appraisers, and Gao Feng and Hua Ming officially "retired".

Li An, still carrying the title of a candidate appraiser, became the manager of the treasure vault at the recommendation of Gao Feng.

This year, Li An is already 107 years old.

He has spent 17 years in front and behind the treasure vault!

For anyone else, this would be an unbearable amount of time and a great cost.

But for Li An, it's nothing.

Firstly, during these 17 years, his cultivation has not been affected and has progressed as usual.

Secondly, his lifespan is far beyond that of an ordinary person. As long as he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage before the age of 400, he has plenty of time to utilize.

"In the future, should I call you Master Zuo or Manager Zuo?"

Lu Hua, who has become an appraiser, casually patted Li An's shoulder and laughed.

Li An replied, "Master Lu, you're being too polite. Just call me Xiao Zuo."

He also smiled.

Mo Cixi and the other three senior appraisers also appeared together to meet the newly appointed appraisers.

Seeing Li An's figure heading towards the treasure vault, Mo Rong's heart was slightly stirred.

What a waste of talent!

From the bottom of her heart, she preferred someone like Li An who truly had the ability.

But Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao's elders offered her more benefits.

In the end, interests overwhelmed everything.

...

There are six people in the treasure vault, four men and two women, all waiting for Li An.

"Manager Zuo, these are the current account books of the treasure vault..."

When Li An arrived, one of the women named Zhang Qingqing stepped forward and handed him the account books, while giving him an introduction.

The treasure vault is the most heavily guarded place in the Treasure Pavilion, protected by a second-level formation.

But with a quick scan, Li An could tell that it's not just one, but three formations!

Li An's main responsibility is to handle the storage of treasures and manage the subsequent processes.

Of course, the authority over the treasure vault is not solely in Li An's hands. The vault is inspected four times a month to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

"Well, keep things running as usual, but from now on, I need to personally inspect all the stored treasures!"

Li An added a rule.

Previously, when appraised treasures were sent over, it only required two people to receive them and keep a record.

...

In the blink of an eye, another half a year passed.

Li An became completely familiar with the situation in the treasure vault.

While familiarizing himself, he also began to cultivate his trusted subordinates.

Zhang Qingqing had already gained trust during her previous managerial positions and was very capable.

On the other hand, Wang Zi, another woman, had recently joined the Treasure Pavilion and had a lower status among the others, often doing hard and tiring work.

Over the past six months, Li An gradually made adjustments, gradually weakening Zhang Qingqing's position and letting Wang Zi replace her as his trusted subordinate.

As the saying goes, when the emperor has a new favorite, the old favorite is no longer useful. When he takes over, he certainly cannot use the people who were in charge before.

Li An had previously managed a cultivation clan in his past life, so these matters were like a piece of cake to him. Manipulating power was not difficult.

Moreover, he gave Wang Zi a promise that when he leaves in the future, he will recommend her to take over as the manager.

This made Wang Zi even more loyal.

At the same time, Li An continued to build a good relationship with Mo Rong. Although he was repeatedly rejected at first, over time, Li An finally managed to befriend the trusted people in her household.

...

In the blink of an eye, four years had passed!

"Manager, this is the recent list of treasures appraised by Master Lu Hua..."

On this day, Wang Zi brought over many account books again.

Li An nodded, "I heard that Lu Hua's grandfather also passed away three months ago?"

Wang Zi replied, "Yes..."

Li An said, "Good."

He picked up the account books, read them once, and then got up, ready to find Mo Rong!

After four years, he finally managed to kill Lu Hua's grandfather!

Four years ago, because Song Mingzhang died early, Li An had no one to help him in the Treasure Pavilion and was pushed out.

Now, Lu Hua's backer is also dead...

Everything he had prepared could finally be put into action!

...

(End of this chapter)