Crossing the Cultivation Realm: Two Souls Coexist

As the afterglow of the setting sun filled the ancient mansion, a busy day finally came to an end.

Hu Qing stood at the gate of the courtyard, took down the wooden sign indicating that the yard was open, and turned back to the living room.

Sun Dajun was so tired that he slumped in the chair, with a satisfied smile on his tired face.

Qingyin was busy tidying up the living room and washing the used tea sets, her movements quick and meticulous.

Hu Qing called Sun Dajun and Qingyin to the table and poured out a pile of glittering silver coins from his storage bag.

The silver coins made a pleasant sound on the table and piled up into a small mountain.

Qingyin has become accustomed to this. She knows that Hu Qing always finds a way to make so much money.

It was the first time that Sun Dajun saw so many silver coins. His eyes widened, and he felt both surprised and impressed.

The three of them sat around the table and began to count the silver coins. They passed the coins one by one between their hands, and eventually calculated that they had earned a total of 156 silver coins today.

Hu Qing took out two silver coins and handed them to Sun Dajun as his wages for today.

"Sun Dajun, this is your wages for today, plus commission. Several customers praised you for your good work." Hu Qing said with a smile.

Sun Dajun's face turned slightly red and he felt a little embarrassed.

Today was the first day he met so many people and received compliments from the guests, which made him feel nervous and excited.

He carefully placed the silver coin in his hand and then carefully put it into the lining of his underwear, fearing that it would be lost.

Sun Dajun stayed in the ancient mansion for a while and exchanged his work experience today with Hu Qing and Qingyin.

Afterwards, he said goodbye to Hu Qing and Qingyin and prepared to go home to tell his mother the good news.

His heart was filled with joy and pride, not only because he made money, but also because he felt that he had finally found something he could do well.

Hu Qing and Qingyin watched Sun Dajun's figure gradually disappear at the corner of the alley. Only after they were sure that he had left safely did they gently close the gate and turn back into the yard.

He originally wanted to invite Sun Dajun to have dinner with him to show his recognition and encouragement for his first day's work, but Sun Dajun was eager to go home and wanted to share today's joy with his mother as soon as possible.

Qingyin was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner, while Hu Qing was carefully checking the condition of the hot air balloon in the yard to ensure safe flight the next day.

As the sky gradually darkened, Qingyin's figure went in and out of the kitchen door, smoke rose, and the aroma of food began to fill the air.

Just as Qingyin was about to set the table, Hu Qing walked up to her and handed her four silver coins as payment.

Qingyin was slightly stunned, but then she understood Hu Qing's good intentions. She did not refuse and directly accepted the silver coins.

Seeing this, Hu Qing nodded secretly in his heart, admiring Qingyin's straightforwardness and honesty.

Qingyin put away the silver coins and started to busy herself in the kitchen.

She was very skilled in the cooking process, and soon, delicious dishes were placed on the table.

Hu Qing continued to work in the yard, checking every detail of the hot air balloon to make sure everything was ready.

At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the gate. Hu Qing put down his work and walked forward to open the door.

A neatly dressed servant was standing outside the door, holding two exquisite invitations in his hand and handing them to Hu Qing.

"This is an invitation from the Qingmu Chamber of Commerce, inviting Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu to attend the auction at 11:00 p.m. tomorrow. Many rare treasures will be on display at that time." The servant said respectfully.

Hu Qing took the invitation and saw that it was engraved with a golden seal, which made it look very solemn and formal.

He thanked the servant and watched him leave.

Hu Qing sat at the desk, gently stroking the invitation from the Qingmu Chamber of Commerce in his hand. His brows were furrowed, and he was quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

He knew about the Qingmu Chamber of Commerce. When he first came to this city, he and Gu Yang went to gather intelligence.

But at that time they were extremely poor, and the Aoki Chamber of Commerce probably didn't bother to pay attention to them.

And last time in the palace, the national teacher was dissatisfied with the Qingmu Chamber of Commerce. All these made him feel that this invitation was not simple.

He was well aware of the influence of the Aoki Chamber of Commerce, which controlled the city's economic lifeline, and the emergence of hot air balloons undoubtedly affected their interests.

Hu Qing speculated that the Qingmu Chamber of Commerce may have tried to make hot air balloons privately, but was hindered by the emperor's decree and may even have failed.

Now they come to him, perhaps wanting to use Hu Qing's technology, or perhaps they have other intentions.

Hu Qing knew clearly that the world of cultivation was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, and his career had just started, so he did not have a lot of financial resources.

He even doubted whether his funds were sufficient to participate in the Aoki Chamber of Commerce auction.

But on second thought, even if this was a Hongmen Banquet, he had to go. After all, he could not show any weakness or retreat.

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the busy Qingyin outside, and his heart gradually became firm.

Whatever the Chamber's true intentions were, he had to go and be prepared.

Qingyin tiptoed into the study, ready to call Hu Qing to dinner, but saw that he was frowning in thought, so she asked him softly what happened.

Hu Qing did not answer directly, but handed her the invitation.

Qingyin opened the invitation curiously and saw the three words "Mrs. Gu" written on it. Her cheeks turned red and she looked at Hu Qing shyly.

She realized that because she had always lived in the ancient mansion, outsiders might have misunderstood her relationship with Hu Qing.

Hu Qing noticed the change in Qingyin's expression. How could he not tell what she was thinking? He chuckled and patted her head, interrupting her wandering thoughts.

"Read on." He gestured for Qingyin to continue reading the contents of the invitation.

Qingyin calmed herself down and continued reading, and soon understood Hu Qing's concerns.

She cleverly connected the dots and realized that the successful flight of the hot air balloon might have attracted the attention of the Aoki Chamber of Commerce.

There was a hint of worry in her eyes. For a small-scale operation like theirs, the Aoki Chamber of Commerce was undoubtedly a huge presence.

Hu Qing looked at Qingyin seriously and told her that he planned to go to the Chamber of Commerce alone tomorrow and asked Qingyin to stay at home to look after him.

After all, most of the people going there tomorrow are cultivators, and Qingyin is just an ordinary person. If something happens, it will be difficult for him to protect her with his strength.

However, Qingyin did not accept this arrangement. She insisted on accompanying Hu Qing to the auction.

"Sir, I will go with you. One more person means more care." Although Qingyin's voice was soft, her determination was very firm.

Hu Qing knew Qingyin's temper. Once she made up her mind, it would be difficult to change it. He pondered for a moment and finally agreed to Qingyin's request.

"Okay, but you have to follow my arrangements and don't act on your own." There was a hint of helplessness in his tone. He could only take things one step at a time tomorrow.