NOVEL WEB Chapter 31: 31. Planning
```
Shortly after Song Cheng returned to the commerce chamber, the chamber's ten ox carts were also ready to set off.
The reason for the one-day delay was that the world was still somewhat chaotic, and even when a merchant association traveled, they needed to send scouts to investigate first.
The lady had shed the luxurious clothes she wore when they first met, changing into simple cloth garments more convenient for work; the two snowy peaks of her chest showed through, looking flat and level.
The veil and bamboo hat were still there, but only to hide her exquisite face.
Clearly, An Chenyu was not someone who only sat in high places issuing orders; she was capable of doing real work and could shed her luxurious clothing.
"Song, cultivate well."
The lady lifted her veil, giving Song Cheng encouragement.
"I will, Sister An," Song Cheng said, clenching his fist with a smile, "Twenty days, Entry Level!"
The lady said indifferently, "Only eighteen days left."
"Okay, eighteen days," Song Cheng said.
The lady lowered the veil and entered the carriage of an ox cart, accompanied by a knife-wielding woman, in her early twenties, valiant and expressionless. She was the lady's other close maid—Ying.
Ying, who wielded the knife, had a strength rating of 28 to 50.
She was clearly the strongest person Song Cheng had seen in the eastern district of Shanghe County.
Ying also entered the carriage.
With his keen hearing, Song Cheng vaguely heard the sounds behind the curtain.
"Shi Yi should have been back long ago, but the lady waited an extra day and still didn't see him," Ying's voice said.
"There were some things I wanted to clarify with him..." An Chenyu shook her head and said, "Forget it, let's talk when I get back. I gave Ling a letter, she will deliver it to Shi Yi."
"Miss, do you really think that Song Cheng can in twenty days..."
The soft conversation continued, but Song Cheng could no longer hear clearly.
The strong man driving the carriage gave the reins a flick.
The ox cart jingled away.
Those who came to send them off also turned and left.
Ling ran over and asked, "Song Cheng, how's your practice going?"
Song Cheng said, "It's going okay."
"What's that supposed to mean, 'going okay'?" Ling asked with her hands on her hips.
Song Cheng said, "Going okay means... progress is normal."
Ling said, "Liar."
Then she ran off.
Her favorability level remained at 50, neither rising nor falling.
Young Mrs. Tong held her man's hand and returned to the courtyard together, then said, "It seems like Miss Ling has some issues with you."
Song Cheng glanced at the data beneath his sheathed blade, showing "39 to 78," while in Miss Ling's eyes, his strength should at most be a little higher than Ding Kui's, likely around the tens.
So, he smiled and said, "It doesn't matter."
For one thing, his strength was more than enough to handle it.
For another, Ling's favorability hadn't dropped to the "Kill Line."
Young Mrs. Tong smiled, "Hmm..."
...
...
Night fell quickly.
Young Mrs. Tong cultivated for another day under the "guidance of a master," then after eating "Demon Beast meat sent by the lady," continued to train hard, only stopping when the moon reached its zenith.
The couple took a bath like water-playing mandarin ducks, then went to bed.
As usual, Song Cheng sat on her, stretching her out.
Young Mrs. Tong, without her blade, had a strength of "3 to 3."
But today, with Song Cheng's manipulation, the data suddenly jumped to "4 to 4."
"That feels good," Young Mrs. Tong sighed softly, tilting her neck back.
Song Cheng rubbed his fingers along her spine.
He knew which areas the "White Snake Blade" affected, so he specifically targeted those places.
"You're really good at this," Young Mrs. Tong said happily, feeling a sense of getting stronger.
After a while, she added, "We seem to be living off the lady, not earning a living ourselves."
Song Cheng said, "Let's talk when she comes back."
With that, he stopped his movements, leaned over, embraced her, rolled together, and started pondering.
If he grew stronger, staying with such a commerce chamber wasn't a bad idea.
There was money, connections, contacts, and a dependable president... it was a great place to live.
Having connections meant not worrying about "settling" issues, or he couldn't even leave this small county.
Having connections also meant more opportunities to meet people, and access more cultivation techniques.
Money, of course, went without saying.
A reliable and rational president could ensure the chamber wouldn't decline, at least not due to internal reasons.
When disaster struck, in the Endless Hell...
Without influence, even escape wasn't possible.
Because you had to go where there were people, where there was influence, rules, and money.
Currently, no influence was more suitable for him than the Ruyi Commerce Chamber.
He had no choice.
The Ruyi Commerce Chamber was quite good, too.
However, he needed to quickly establish a deeper relationship with the lady, so he could settle there better and make better use of the Ruyi Commerce Chamber to enhance his strength and avoid disasters.
Otherwise... why should they listen to you? You say it's dangerous here, they move away? You say you want to spend money, they give you money? You say you want to connect with a certain influence for an "exchange," let everyone look at cultivation techniques and spar, they'll listen?
Who are you?
Based on what?
Song Cheng himself had no connections, routes, or money...
He was like a powerful seed, but he didn't know how much thought and time it would take to blossom, how many battles he would fight, and how many complicated interpersonal relationships he'd have to navigate to establish his own influence, and then worry about loyalty issues.
How was that faster than "hatching an egg with someone else's hen" or "having tendril-like roots clinging to an ancient tree"?
Song Cheng pondered for a long time, suddenly asking, "Madam, do you like it here?"
Tong Jia was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "I like being by your side."
The words Song Cheng planned to say suddenly couldn't come out.
Madam Tong's arms wrapped around his strong waist and said, "Speak if you want to, stop hesitating!"
Song Cheng then explained his thoughts, but didn't mention a crucial point at the end.
Madam Tong said, "We have to blend in with the Ruyi Commerce Chamber, and then use it to survive the chaotic world better... hmm..."
Young Mrs. Tong smiled with amusement.
The couple had their tacit understanding.
She tapped her man's forehead and asked, "Can you do it?"
Song Cheng also began to smile, only asking, "You don't blame me?"
Madam Tong said, "I just never mentioned it, but actually... I've tolerated you for a long time!"
"Huh?"
Song Cheng was taken aback.
Madam Tong said, "Do you realize how strong you are now? It really hurts, you know?"
Song Cheng: ...
Madam Tong said, "Now you can say it."
Song Cheng said, "I want to take another wife."
Madam Tong asked, "Who?"
Song Cheng replied, "An Chenyu."
Madam Tong kicked out and said, "You just love marrying your employer!"
Song Cheng let out a light laugh and said, "If I want to put down roots here, I must have her. I need her influence, and she... will need my strength."
"Your strength?"
"Yes... my strength."
Song Cheng nodded, glancing at the panel.
[Attribute Points: 30 points]
[Realm: Yellow Level, Grade C]
[Cultivation Technique]
Extreme Force (Yellow Level, Grade C) (Uninitiated) (0/4)
The stone of another mountain can polish jade; being knowledgeable offers a chance to advance further.
The Xuanwu Willow Brushing Force had a 16‰ chance to deduce a "Yellow Level, Grade B" cultivation technique.
The probability was gradually increasing.
Song Cheng squinted, contemplating Ling's behavior.
When a woman inexplicably gets angry with you, either she genuinely dislikes you, actually likes you, or... you got in her way.
Dislike?
That couldn't be it.
Like?
Unlikely.
In the way?
How could Song Cheng block the way of a close maid?
So... the logical conclusion was, he was blocking someone deeply connected to Ling.
Who could that person be?
Song Cheng remained silent for a long while, then suddenly revealed a dangerous smile.
'Shi Yi, huh?'
Even Song could be selfish and ruthless. If he blocked another's way causing them displeasure, and then they blocked his, would he be happy?
```