Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 58 - 49: First Interim Board Meeting

Having known Wang Jiu for over two months now, Shen Qingming still finds herself occasionally shocked by his wild ideas. This Celestial Divine Sword Spirit seems completely oblivious to common sense, frequently putting Shen Qingming at risk of a heart attack with his mind-blowing notions.

"What... did you just say?"

Wang Jiu seriously repeated his request: "As the chairman, I request that you, as the company’s general manager, earnestly perform your duties and become an idol."

"Why should I become an idol?!"

Wang Jiu explained: "Because this is currently the only profitable plan that can be presented after collective discussion at the company’s top level, and you are the only candidate to execute this plan."

"This, this is too absurd!" Shen Qingming was dumbfounded, and after a while, questioned rather exasperatedly, "Why is this the only plan!"

"Do you have a second plan?"

"...Then why am I the only candidate!?"

Wang Jiu replied: "I’m the chairman and don’t interfere with specific operations, Li Chaolu and Li Xinyu can’t make a public appearance and don’t meet the basic conditions of being an idol, so naturally, you’re the only choice."

"I, I have no idea how to be an idol at all!"

Wang Jiu said: "No problem, I know a bit, I overheard it before when Rakugo and Yuming were chatting."

After he finished speaking, Wang Jiu paused for a moment, then pulled out a few scraps of cloth and some cotton wadding from his pocket, handling them with dazzling speed. Moments later, he had crafted a pair of cat ear-shaped head accessories and put them on Shen Qingming’s head.

"What are you doing?!" Shen Qingming shivered all over.

Wang Jiu said: "Next, try learning how to meow like a cat."

Shen Qingming protested indignantly, "Why do I have to meow like a cat?!"

"To become an idol." Wang Jiu seriously explained, knocking away the girl’s hand that was trying to remove the headgear, "I believe you have a serious misunderstanding about the concept of an idol. It’s not a ridiculous occupation. Being able to bring joy to others through your actions is a noble profession that highly benefits society, it’s not laughable, but rather admirable."

"But, but it’s so embarrassing."

"Embarrassment is only a distortion of perception." Wang Jiu said, "You come from a distinguished family, and as a cultivator, you naturally belong to the ruling class, exploiting the masses. Therefore, you think serving the public is a shameful act and that the public’s happiness is worthless. That’s why you feel ashamed of becoming an idol."

"I didn’t think that way..." Shen Qingming attempted to refute, but found her argument lacked strength, "I just, just don’t think I’m suited to be an idol."

"You don’t even have a clear understanding of what being an idol is, and you assume you’re unsuitable based on subjective conjecture. This is highly irresponsible; in fact, you’re just using this as an excuse to avoid the responsibilities you should undertake."

Shen Qingming opened her mouth several times, but found herself at a loss for words.

How did this Whiteboard Stupid Sword suddenly become so eloquent!

"Because this is how Rakugo refuted those doubters before."

"...Alright, it’s that story of your war between Immortals and Demons and the Jiu Immortal Venerables again."

After several rounds of stalemate, Shen Qingming had to admit she couldn’t out-argue this serious fellow. After mentally cursing Wang Jiu for a while, she reluctantly asked, "Alright, tell me what to do."

Wang Jiu thought for a moment and, through the Master-Servant Contract, transmitted an image into Shen Qingming’s mind.

Shen Qingming’s face turned bright red: "This this this, is this an idol?!"

"This is just one of the basic skills of an idol, similar to the first move in practicing the Immovable Tyrant Body. Although its effectiveness is limited, it matches your current ability. By repeated training, once you grasp the essence of this move, you can deepen your understanding of the idol’s way."

"Is, is that so?" Gleaned by this high-minded explanation, Shen Qingming felt there seemed to be some truth to it.

"Yes." After Wang Jiu gave an affirmative answer, he urged, "Alright, follow the illustration and try it out."

"Okay, I’ll try." Next, Shen Qingming cleared her throat, then placed her hands like cat paws in front of her chest, slightly bending her legs, her face flushed with embarrassment, head down, she softly meowed: "Meow..."

"Pfft!"

"Pfft!"

Simultaneously, Li Chaolu’s laugh and Li Xinyu’s nasal blood started flowing.

"Enough! I’m not doing it!" Shen Qingming blushed to the point of bleeding, quickly took off the headgear, threw it back to Wang Jiu, and fled awkwardly without looking back.

Li Chaolu laughed so hard she was almost rolling on the ground, unable to speak a word.

Li Xinyu, meanwhile, was wiping his nosebleed while reminiscing about the scene with a captivated expression.

"Wang Jiu, Sister Qingming... was amazing! I swear, that image just now could make many people willing to spend a fortune on it!"

Wang Jiu seriously responded: "That was just one of the basic skills of an idol from Qing Province during the Jiuzhou Era. The full set of equipment should also include cat paws, a cat tail, and a maid skirt."

"Wow, what an inspiring era." Li Xinyu’s nosebleed started flowing again.

After Li Chaolu finished laughing, wiping tears from her eyes, she asked, "Then what should we do next, let Sister Qingming... uh, Shen Qingming strive to become an idol?"

Wang Jiu said, "This is currently the only business plan. Next, I will follow the Qing Province idol training method from back in the day and seriously train Shen Qingming."

"Puhahaha." Li Chaolu couldn’t help but start laughing again, speaking between fits of laughter, "I will also work hard at my job to help Sister Qingming become a qualified idol, hahaha!"

——

After the company board meeting, Wang Jiu returned to Shen Garden and found his mount in a state of utter despair.

Out of basic humanitarian consideration, Wang Jiu poured her a cup of hot water, which only made Shen Qingming look even more sad and downcast.

After some thought, Wang Jiu fetched a water jug and a set of clothes for her from the warehouse.

But Shen Qingming slapped them to the ground: "I can’t stand you! What are you thinking!"

"I’m thinking you might need these right now, unless your standards for personal hygiene have dropped to the level of non-civilized creatures, otherwise..."

"That’s not what I’m thinking at all!" Shen Qingming protested angrily, "I’m against your idol plan! It’s too ridiculous!"

Wang Jiu said, "I see, you’re opposing the current business strategy of the company. As the general manager and company director, you indeed have the right to suggest ideas, so hold on a moment, I’ll call for an emergency board meeting to discuss it."

"What?"

"Now I announce the start of Jiulinglu Company’s first emergency board meeting, attending members are Chairman Wang Jiu and Director Shen Qingming. The first topic is the objection to the business strategy. Given that the participants are already familiar with the objection, let’s proceed directly to the vote. One vote for supporting, Shen Qingming. Two votes against, Wang Jiu."

"Wait, why do you have two votes?!"

Wang Jiu frowned, "Because I’m the chairman, it’s written in the company’s articles of association, didn’t you read it?"

"...Wait, so now there are only the two of us on the board, no matter how the voting goes, you’ll win!"

"Yes, so please continue to implement the company strategy and work hard to become an idol."

"I’m not going to do it!" Shen Qingming stood up angrily, "Enough, I’m done, this game is too stupid, whatever company, whatever idol, find whoever you want!"

Wang Jiu pondered for a moment, "Are you saying you intend to resign from both the general manager and director positions?"

"That’s right! I’m quitting!"

"You can, but according to the personnel management regulations, you need to pay a breach of contract penalty of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones."

"A penalty of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones!" Shen Qingming jumped three feet high again, "Why is there such a thing!"

"It’s a basic constraint to prevent senior management from quitting on a whim and affecting normal company operations, the amount is based on executive salaries..."

"What I mean is, this was just a game from the start! Why are you taking it so seriously!"

Wang Jiu explained, "Even in a game, there are basic game rules. Can you move a horse like a rook, or a bishop like a knight in chess? Respecting rules is a fundamental quality of a person, game or not."

Once again, Shen Qingming was driven into a corner.

With several times being cornered by Wang Jiu’s words, Shen Qingming felt broken inside. She knew she wasn’t exceptionally smart, but not being able to outwit even a Dull Sword was truly...to the point where she had to question whether there might be a defect in her IQ.

In desperation, Shen Qingming had to consider whether she needed to harm her body or self-destruct her Divine Sense and then apply for years of labor exemption due to a work injury...

"I personally suggest you don’t do that."

Shen Qingming was startled by the voice suddenly appearing in her ear, "Hey, you’re eavesdropping on my thoughts again! I told you a long time ago, don’t read my thoughts without permission!"

"Yes, I won’t use the Master-Servant Contract’s power to read your mind unless there are urgent situations, such as war, coup, flood..."

"Then how did you know what I was thinking just now?"

"You accidentally said your thoughts out loud while spacing out."

Shen Qingming let out a desperate groan of "aaahhh," wishing she could just die on the spot.

After a long time, the girl’s heart was utterly desolate: "Alright, I understand, I won’t resign. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it seriously. However, don’t forget, running the company is just a side job, my main job is still cultivation."

Wang Jiu said, "Yes, so this afternoon’s theme is to practice a new sword technique."

"A new sword technique?"

"Yes, in response to the incompatibility between your Immovable Tyrant Body and Nine Dragon Sword Heart, I’ve been trying to design a sword technique tailored for you, but due to my limited understanding of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Wind and Dao Laws of the new world, it was only recently completed." Wang Jiu explained briefly, summing up, "Overall, this sword technique has average strength but excels in its low cultivation threshold and low resource demand, making it suitable for a cultivator like you with poor aptitude and scarce resources."

"...Thank you."

"The sword technique is called Spirit Cat Swordsmanship, now I’ll demonstrate the cultivation method for you."

"Wait, what did you say it’s called?!"