"Patriarch Jinhuan," Lady Jii said calmly, "It’s not that I am stingy, but my brother Mingyu spent a high price in academic credits to exchange for this Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl in the Academy. His expenses alone reached around three hundred thousand Qian Gold, and he still owes quite a few favors."

"I won’t take advantage of you, but I want to secure a benefit of one hundred thousand Qian Gold for my brother Mingyu."

"Four hundred thousand Qian Gold..."

Huangfu Jinhuan’s eyes tightened; this price clearly exceeded his expectations.

"No, four hundred and fifty thousand Qian Gold," Lady Jii said with a slight displeasure, "Favors are favors, but I’ve been busy here and there for so long and still owe Brother Mingyu a favor. Doesn’t Patriarch Jinhuan have any consideration?"

Huangfu Jinhuan had once asked someone to exchange for the Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl, but the exchange threshold for this item was extremely high, requiring not just a large amount of academic credits, but also the status of a Direct Disciple.

Over the years, Jii Mingyu performed well and was accepted as a Direct Disciple by Binglan Ascendant, thus gaining the qualification for exchange. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Direct Disciples in the Academy were all Celestial Pride, with prestigious identities. If the Huangfu Family were at its peak, they could have befriended them. But now, the Huangfu Family even struggles to be relevant in Changning Guard, let alone the Purple Mansion Academy, where they originally had no connections.

"Lady, this price is indeed a bit high," Huangfu Jinhuan’s expression turned somewhat embarrassed and awkward, pleading weakly, "Huangfu Family’s situation over these years must be clear to Lady Jii. I hope you can ease the amount a little."

"If you can’t produce the money at once," Lady Jii said, "I’m willing to let you owe it for a period."

"Thank you, Lady Jii," Huangfu Jinhuan’s face showed joy, repeatedly bowing, "In my family’s time of crisis, having Lady Jii provide such vigorous support, both I, Huangfu Jinhuan, and my family shall remember it deeply. If there’s an opportunity, we will surely repay."

"Don’t be in a rush to thank me," Lady Jii raised her brows flirtatiously, "The Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl is invaluable; although you can owe the money, you need to offer collateral."

Huangfu Jinhuan’s expression froze, smiling bitterly, "Lady, my Huangfu Family over these years..."

"No need for pleasantries. Given the current reputation of your Huangfu Family, which has fallen to the bottom, if I can borrow ten thousand Qian Gold without tangible collateral, I’ll take your surname," Lady Jii’s expression turned cold, waving her fan and changing her demeanor, "I considered Huangfu Family a friend, yet it was like the bright moon shining over gutters. Huangfu Jinhuan, do you think I am a fool? Someone, see the guest out!"

"Collateral, our Huangfu Family is willing to accept it," Huangfu Jinhuan quickly agreed, appeasing Lady Jii, "Lady, please calm down. Earlier it was Jinhuan’s recklessness."

In recent years, the Huangfu Family had already mortgaged many less valuable fixed assets. Now, what remained were family foundational properties such as estates and pastures.

However, the young master had urged several times, gradually losing patience, leaving Huangfu Jinhuan with little time to plan. This excellent opportunity for the Huangfu Family to rise again couldn’t be missed.

Consequently, the Huangfu Family made a firm decision and offered some valuable estates on the outskirts of Changning Guard City as collateral.

These estates were located in the core area of Changning Guard, always maintaining high value and price.

Estates close to Guardian City naturally cost significantly more than remote countryside ones, and they were always in demand, rarely sold in the core region.

This also showed the profound heritage of the Huangfu Family. Suppressed by Wang Family’s marriage alliance until now, they were starting to use their foundational industries.

And Huangfu Jinhuan offered these four central estates, altogether worth about five hundred thousand Qian Gold.

Now, with Huangfu Jinhuan signing heavily, all four central estates were mortgaged to Lady Jii, stating that if forty-five thousand in cash wasn’t returned within three years, these four estates would belong to Lady Jii.

As a reward,

Huangfu Jinhuan finally obtained the Sixth-Grade Yang Flame Pearl, one of his turning-point cards.

The reason it’s one of them,

Is because Huangfu Jinhuan, having suffered many losses at Wang Shouzhe’s hand, has learned his lesson; as the saying goes, anticipate the enemy broadly and prepare several trump cards just in case.

This time, the Huangfu Family must turn the tables!

...