Chapter 175: Zhang Yu Works Hard to Earn Money

Chapter 175 – Zhang Yu’s Hard‑Earned Money

In the eyes of the dragon‑folk, a mighty clan will gradually be swallowed by an even mightier one; this is the trend that will shape the first tier of Kunxu’s future.

As competition grows ever fiercer, the mass‑produced and refined offspring of houses like Hongta are destined to become the breeding model of the increasingly numerous aristocratic families.

“Continuously melding the strengths of one’s bloodline, we give birth to generations ever stronger than the last.”

He had long believed that Hongta possessed a considerable edge in this regard, allowing it to seize the market with speed.

The only regret was that the former Hongta Group had become too engrossed in the beast‑spirit and spirit‑descendant markets, lacking a sufficient quantity of high‑quality human seeds.

Moreover, the prized genes of many noble houses are guarded jealously; acquiring them is a troublesome affair.

Yet as he gazed upon Zhang Yu before him, the dragon‑folk felt he had glimpsed a future flagship product.

In his mind he murmured, “A top‑tier talent from Songyang City, with a string of competition awards; even before reaching the second year of high school, his metrics already match those of seniors.”

“If we could distill the advantageous elements of his lineage… no, even directly use his seed to refine the bloodline and breed superior progeny, it would surely attract the interest of many wealthy patrons.”

“Should we secure an exclusive agreement, the returns would be even greater.”

Thoughts flashed through the dragon‑folk’s mind like lightning; he laughed heartily and said, “No need for formalities—if you wish, you may call me ‘adoptive father’ right now.”

Zhang Yu remained silent.

Had it been a week or two after arriving in Kunxu, when he was poorest, most powerless, and barely understood the place, perhaps he would have knelt and called him “father.”

But now, especially after learning much about Hongta Pastoral, he dared not address the man as “adoptive father” at all.

Zhang Yu understood that titles like adoptive father or son were merely façades; the contracts and stipulations that followed were likely all traps.

The dragon‑folk said, “Oh? You’re unwilling?”

“I can offer you a rather generous package.”

“How about becoming the Chief of Reproduction at Hongta Pastoral?”

The dragon‑folk walked slowly to Zhang Yu’s side, his voice dripping with temptation, “Once you become the reproduction chief, you may freely restrict any employee’s personal liberty, strip away their will, and drain them completely. Don’t you desire such power?”

Zhang Yu blinked in surprise, “Aren’t those actions illegal?”

The dragon‑folk chuckled, snapped his fingers, and said, “Xiong Haohan, pull an overtime shift tonight; tomorrow morning I want to see the plan for the next reproductive advertisement.”

A respectful voice crackled from the communicator, “Understood, I’ll handle it immediately.”

The dragon‑folk turned his gaze back to Zhang Yu, “Won’t you give it a try? If you’re willing, countless spirit‑descendants will obey you as if by magic.”

Zhang Yu furrowed his brow, “Aren’t they all your sons? Sons receive this treatment; would an adoptive son truly fare better?”

The dragon‑folk replied, “That depends on the precise terms of the contract, of course.”

“I’m not a creature bound solely by bloodlines.”

“Those who don’t sign with me, even if their blood runs through my veins, are not my sons.”

“Those who do sign, even without my blood, may become my sons.”

“I can draft a contract with conditions so favorable you’ll be fully satisfied.”

“Once you sign, you’ll be my adoptive son—treated better than a biological son, with a higher standing.”

“Perhaps, in time, I could even pass my board seat to you.”

The dragon‑folk’s words were irresistibly seductive; a typical high‑schooler would find it hard to resist negotiating a contract.

Yet Zhang Yu, having weathered many temptations and traps, could not bring himself to accept the black‑dragon director’s lure.

He waved his hands repeatedly, “Alas, I’d like to sign, but it’s truly impossible. You know I’m already bound to Zhang Pianpian; the contract forbids me from becoming your adoptive son.”

“Zhang Pianpian?” The dragon‑folk stared deeply at Zhang Yu, a hint of surprise flickering within.

“This kid… can’t even show a hint of desire? Is his mind that clear? No… it’s more than clear.”

He understood that even the most clear‑headed individuals could not remain unmoved when a pie fell from the heavens.

Yet the Zhang Yu before him reminded him of many old men who had been badly duped.

“How badly did Zhang Pianpian trap him? Such keen vigilance!”

The dragon‑folk, with a sympathetic expression, said, “I understand you’re constrained by a contract.”

“If you won’t be an adoptive son, how about borrowing his seed?”

He clapped his hands, and instantly a crowd of women of all heights, builds, and temperaments sprang forth, among them many fox‑spirits, cat‑spirits, and other spirit‑descendants.

“Leave the seed inside them; for each successful conception I’ll pay you a hundred thousand. As long as you have the stamina, I’ll pay for any number.”

Watching Zhang Yu’s labored breathing, the dragon‑folk thought, “Indeed, a high‑schooler with vigorous qi, once his reproductive power is restored, is especially vulnerable; my offer makes it even sweeter…”

Zhang Yu shook his head with great difficulty, discarding the figures of a hundred thousand each from his mind.

“No… I’ll forgo that; I’ll sell the research rights instead.”

The dragon‑folk narrowed his eyes slightly, “I’ve already shown you plenty of goodwill. Since you won’t call me ‘adoptive father’ nor accept my invitation…”

“Am I being too easygoing?”

A terrifying pressure bore down, as if to force Zhang Yu to the ground in a kneeling posture.

Zhang Yu mustered his resolve, “I… I am still bound by the contract with Zhang Pianpian.”

The dragon‑folk furrowed his brow, thinking, “The contract Zhang Pianpian signed even covers this? Such a wide scope…”

In that instant, a trace of pity softened his gaze toward Zhang Yu.

The dragon‑folk recalled a time a thousand years ago, when slaves and servants still roamed the world, and masters dictated whether slaves could bear children, how, and how many.

Later the slave market faded, giving way to a talent market; matters of breeding and offspring became far rarer. “I never imagined Zhang Pianpian would be so protective,” the dragon‑folk sighed lightly, patting his shoulder, “You’ve worked hard, too.”

“What if the subject were male? Would that also breach the contract?”

At that moment, Zhang Yu felt a sudden shock, and saw the dragon‑folk’s form shift; the once androgynous face became even more bewitching, sprouting numerous feminine traits.

The dragon‑folk smiled, “Or perhaps I’m neither male nor female, neither dragon nor human—would that still constitute a breach?”

“If you dislike this form, give me a few minutes for surgery; I can alter it at any time.”

“What do you think?”

Zhang Yu stepped back repeatedly, his face troubled, “No, that would also violate the contract.”

The dragon‑folk gave a faint smile, having reverted to his original shape, “Very well, the research rights remain the research rights.”

“Go sign the agreement.”

Watching Zhang Yu depart, the dragon‑folk’s eyes turned cold, his thoughts inscrutable; the earlier compassion and kindness seemed merely a façade.

A fox‑spirit slipped beside the dragon‑folk, wrapped an arm around him, and whispered, “Director, do you value Zhang Yu’s seed so highly?”

The dragon‑folk replied, “Initially I thought his bloodline was promising, worth keeping as material for a reproductive bank—quite profitable.”

“But if his contract truly binds him so tightly, I’m even more curious whether his lineage hides any secret.”

“I’m not sure whether the boy speaks truth or falsehood, but either way he doesn’t seem the type to be swayed by a simple temptation.”

“Let the research team study his seed without delay.”

If there truly is a mystery, we’ll devise a plan when the time comes.

……

Several hours later.

Inside the apartment.

As the apartment door swung open, Zhang Yu strode in, chest puffed with pride.

Bai Zhenzhen turned her head, gazing at Zhang Yu's slightly waned appearance, and asked curiously, “Did it work?”

“How much did you sell it for?”

Zhang Yu smiled arrogantly, replying, “I was under‑prepared this time, the quantity was small; I sold it for about one‑hundred‑and‑fifty thousand.”

“If they still want it next week, I can sell another batch.”

“That much?” Bai Zhenzhen’s face flushed with envy, “That’s a huge profit, isn’t it?”

In that moment, Bai Zhenzhen could only curse herself for not being able to earn money as effortlessly as Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu waved his hand grandly, saying, “Ah Zhen, don’t worry about the money; if you’re short, just ask me to lend you.”

“Father!” Bai Zhenzhen hurriedly embraced Zhang Yu, exclaiming, “You’ve worked hard to earn this.”

Zhang Yu nodded with a sigh, “It’s indeed tiring; it takes a lot out of you.”

“Is there anything left to eat at home?”

Bai Zhenzhen hurried to fetch food, “There’s some leftover medicinal beast meat from the last meal; I’ll bring it to you.”

She set the dish before him, massaging his shoulders as she urged, “Father, eat more, boost your protein; next time we’ll aim to sell even more. Our whole family depends on you.”

Zhang Yu let out a quiet sigh, aware that the money would not last, thinking, “I must accelerate my potential growth.”

With that thought, he swiftly contacted Yu Xinghan, arranging a trip to the Spirit Realm’s Inquiry Hall.

……

Inside a quiet room at Bai Long High School.

Yu Xinghan sat cross‑legged on the floor, eyes shut, silently inhaling and exhaling the spirit’s essence.

Yet the mature visage of Li Xuelian kept flashing through his mind, unsettling his thoughts.

“Alas.”

“Continuing like this won’t work.”

“The damage of this calamity root is too great.”

“But if I eradicate it outright, how will I practice the Tian‑Gang Qi‑Gong? I can’t abandon this art forever, can I?”

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Xinghan finally reached out to Master Xinghuo, intending to seek his mentor’s counsel.

“Hello? Master, I have a friend—uh… Zhang Yu—who’s run into a problem…”

More than ten minutes later, Yu Xinghan hung up, his brows knit tightly.

Master Xinghuo’s advice to his friend was simple: two options.

Either retain the calamity root, temper one’s will, overcome inner desire, and continue cultivating Tian‑Gang Qi‑Gong—a path of the strong, though it will inevitably delay his forthcoming progress.

Or eradicate the calamity root and pause Tian‑Gang Qi‑Gong practice. Though it is a form of avoidance, it spares his immediate advancement; yet if he must eventually master the art, this escape may render the future even harsher.

Both roads bear merits and flaws, leaving Yu Xinghan momentarily unable to choose.

At that instant, a call from Zhang Yu arrived, and a sudden notion surged in his mind.

(End of Chapter)