“We will see.” Cheng Xiao Xiao did not agree right away but gave an obscure answer.Deacon Bai was a bit surprised, but didn’t say anything. They couldn’t afford to offend the Cheng’s.They sold them the 300 mythical animals raised in the ranch, loaded them all into 5 separate horse-drawn carriages along with 100?jin?of rice. They received 8,000 taels of silver. Not too low, but not too high either.Seeing them off, Cheng Biyuan patted the stack of bank notes he had put away in the inner pocket and smiled happily. Mrs. Cheng smiled tenderly and Cheng Xiao Xiao smiled lightly.

  With these bank notes, they could now afford anything they needed.“What? Is that true?” Old man Ning almost jumped up from his chair. His eyes widened in disbelief.Ko Yang nodded with a helpless look, “Yes, it’s true. I saw it with my own eyes. Innkeeper Zhu brought people with him today to the Cheng’s and purchased all of their mythical animals, almost 300 of them filling 5 carriages!”“They….” Old man Ning had another comment to make but he stopped himself.If they didn’t completely destroy the relation with the Cheng’s, they could certainly be able to claim some of those mythical animals. He would be lying to say he didn’t regret. But what good would regretting do now?The Ning’s was pretty much on the Cheng’s black list!Naturally, Ko Yang could see the regret on his master. He sighed inwardly and felt unresigned. But what could he do? Their young master was so ridiculous that he thought he could just storm in and took the Cheng’s properties. That wouldn’t have been easy.Both the master and the servant felt unresigned. Ko Yang struggled with himself before he gritted his teeth and said, “Master, are we just going to back off like this?”“Ugh…” Old man Ning looked up, he was a bit surprised by Ko Yang’s words, “What else could we do other than waiting for the representatives from School of Divine Condor?”“Master, has it ever occurred to you do what good will it do for us when the representatives from School of Divine Condor gets here? Are they going to split the mythical animals with us? Or to prop up the Ning’s?”“Whatever do you mean?” Old man Ning still didn’t get what Ko Yang was trying to tell him.“Master, you know that mythical animals are in high demand for anyone who is cultivating. There are tens and thousands of teachers and students at School of Divine Condor, how many of these mythical beasts do you think they’d need? On top of that, words that the Cheng’s can raise mythical beasts would spread through the entire continent. Then all the noble families will be going after them. What do you think our odds will be then?”After these words, Old man Ning fell silent. They were the first who discovered these rare gems. They couldn’t just walk away, so they had to put their hops on the School of Divine Condor.Not much, they only need enough for themselves.After listening to Ko Yang’s analysis, putting their hopes on others would be like trying to scoop up water with a weaved basket – simply impossible.He had to think this one through!After thinking for a while, Old man Ning couldn’t make up his mind, or that he wasn’t able to come up with anything. He had no choice but to ask the one in front of him, “Ko Yang, any idea?”“Master, I have an idea. Just not sure if it will work!” Ko Yang frowned and was a bit worried.Old man Ning’s eyes brightened, he shouted, “Do share, quickly!”“Master, have you forgotten about Mr. Lin and the lot?” said Ko Yang slowly.“You mean to notify them?”Old man Ning went silent. Ever since they have found out about the mythical animals, they never informed their old friends. Or, it had never even occurred to them.

  Should they inform them now?Thinking about those mythical animals, old man Ning felt a burn in his heart. He just might have better odds putting his trust in his old friends than in the School of Divine Condor.“Master, we don’t do the negotiations. We let Mr. Lin and the lot to deal with the Cheng’s, then we ask for a share from them. That ought to be the best solution!”


  “You are right!” Old man Ning nodded, “We should place our bet on old man Lin and the lot rather than in School of Divine Condor. Not to mention that if we can get mythical animals from both sides, that would be even better!”“Right, master. Let’s notify Mr. Lin and the lot as quickly as possible. Once the folks from School of Divine Condor are here, there might be complications.”“Right! Let me send them a message immediately and have them come over as quickly as possible!”The two took actions immediately after their discussion.Speaking of, the deans and instructors of the School of Divine Condor gathered around discussing the news from their students — that a mythical spring was found at the foothill of Mt. Wan’an in Qing’an Province. More importantly, this spring water can raise mythical beasts. This news has stunned everyone!Was it true? Was it fake? Everybody has their own opinion!Some said it could be real. Others were skeptical. How could a mythical spring be possible? Even the School of Divine Condor has just a mythical vein, not mythical spring.After a full-day of discussion, the dean has made the decision of sending out one instructor with ten students to Qing’an Province to investigate it further before sending more people.If it was fake, it would be good experience; and if it was real, all the more better.There’s no such thing as completely insulated wall, and you can’t wrap fire

  ?with paper. A news this big was leaked in no time.The news spread like wild fire through then entire Dafeng. Still some believed the news to be true and others were skeptical of it.Regardless, a mythical spring would be priceless. Most people sent out helpers to seek? out this mythical spring in Ching’an Province and ascertain the truth.All of a sudden, the path to Ching’an was filled with people from all walks of life, all going after this mythical spring.Even the masters and elders of Cheng’s residing in the Emperor’s City reacted the same way as everybody else upon hearing the news – feeling suspicious and believing it at the same time. After all, the rumor must have started from something.A man in this thirties looked very surprised when he heard this news. He remembered clearly that his older brother, who was banished from the family, settled down in Willow Village in Qing’an Province.As far as he was concerned, Willow Village was a small village. He had never heard of any mythical spring before. He was certain this news was made up by someone.Listening to the family discussion, he watched on with a sneer and an anticipation of calamity!Perhaps others didn’t noticed his look, but one of the elders noticed and frowned.After the meeting, he called the man into his study. Settling down on his chair, he asked, “Cheng Bihua, you know about this?”“Dad, know about what?” asked Cheng Bihua, confused.___Note:1.?????Chinese idioms