In Xufu Town, the brothers Yuchi and Wei Zhe walked with masks on, with no guards following them, to blend in with the crowd.
They passed two brothels and three blacksmith shops, and then arrived at a station where they took a carriage towards the Twelve Linked Huts.
They arrived by noon.
It was really far.
"This is our warehouse." Wei Zhe pointed to a tall building by the dock.
"Ah, can I take a look?" Yuchi asked puzzledly.
"Of course you can."
After verifying their identities, they arrived at the warehouse by the big river in Xufu Town.
The warehouse was about two acres in size, with various types of clothing piled up inside.
Yuchi picked up a garment fit for a little girl, sized it up, and noted that it was about the right size for Qinghan.
Hmm.
He left it behind.
As they left, he advised, "Big brother, you need to ensure fire safety here. With so many clothes piled up, it's worrying."
"Fire safety?" Wei Zhe was puzzled.
"Uh, it means fire prevention. Pay attention to it," Yuchi reminded.
"Yes! Rest assured, we will definitely handle it well! Recently, we've had issues with the Twelve Linked Huts, which is why there's so much stock. Otherwise, we usually only have a backlog of ten thousand pieces at most."
"Ah, alright!" Yuchi stroked his chin, well aware of the dangers of fire, but knowing his brother was on top of it, he felt reassured.
Then they left the warehouse.
Looking at the series of circular buildings spanning the big river, Yuchi was impressed.
So this is the Twelve Linked Huts!
What a massive structure!
One wonders how the head of it is doing...
Meanwhile, Wei Zhe looked at his younger brother, pondering: Is my brother interested in women's clothing too?
Quite playful, huh?
After a pause.
I'm interested too, how about sharing thoughts later?
...
In the Twelve Linked Huts, Yuchi and Wei Zhe went inside. It looked large from the outside, but inside it felt even larger.
It was like a giant fortress built with various structures over a wide river, immense in scale. No wonder Wei Zhe previously said the Twelve Linked Huts was ten times larger than the Wei Mansion, not just in area but in population too!
Yuchi followed Wei Zhe, walking along planks on large boats over a hundred meters long, loaded with goods ready to be transported to various parts of the realm.
Yuchi stood by the wooden railing, looking at the water below, observing many sailors in the Twelve Linked Huts transporting goods. Despite appearing not overly strong, they handled the loads with remarkable stability—truly impressive.
Especially when you consider the boats swaying on the water.
Yuchi's mind was a bit scattered.
"The Wei Family happens to be in the clothing business, and I can't help but think of clothes," he mused.
"Should I consult a tailor?"
"Start with black and white silk?"
Yuchi's expression turned a bit awkward.
Having just visited the warehouse, he noted that the local clothing leaned conservative.
Women's garments were expected not to reveal wrists or ankles.
Men's clothing was relatively looser but similarly conservative, not baring arms or calves.
All typical classical styles, appearing quite reserved overall, with only a few recurring hairstyles.
"Can't launch directly into this; I might ruin the Wei Family," he thought.
"Take it slow."
"Start with conservative styles first."
Yuchi remembered many styles of women's clothing from online games, which, though he wasn't a tailor, he broadly understood their structure.
Such clothes would appear ethereal and perfect!
He envisioned holding the sect leader in one hand while steering the Wei Family towards clothing production.
Hmm.
Seems feasible.
"Once Qinghan grows up, she could even be a model."
Shen Qinghan said, "Thank you, Sect Leader Senior Brother!"
"When reputable disciples lead fashion, trends should follow," he speculated.
"If that doesn't work, pay for a sect maiden to showcase?"
"The denizens of this land are too innocent."
"They surely won't market the goods."
Remembering previous peddlers made clear how brutal the merchandising industry could be.
"I might as well open a clothing shop called... hmm, Immortal Robe Pavilion?" he mused.
"That way, I can ensure high markups while gradually improving quality."
He had no intention to deceive the inhabitants for profits, nor engage in price wars.
The mark is on the disciples.
Fat and complacent, easily targeted!
Thus, in one hand he held an Ascension Gate, and in the other an Immortal Robe Pavilion.
If the right hand fails, try with the left.
At least, on this vast expanse of land, it would slowly deter any attempts against him, right?
While Yuchi pondered.
Wei Zhe emerged from an inner room.
"Alright, younger brother, you can go now. Qian Wenshi has agreed to let you give it a try," Wei Zhe sighed in relief.
"Done!" Yuchi temporarily put the clothing matter aside.
Qian Wenshi was one of the twelve leaders of the Twelve Linked Huts, and his sailors frowned deeply.
These sailors were all Qian Wenshi's loyal ones, casting suspicious glances at Yuchi.
Their leader's illness had even stumped a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, could someone from the Wei Family handle it?
Impossible, right?
...
After an incense stick of time.
Yuchi frowned as he emerged from a bedroom, and Wei Zhe rushed over upon seeing him.
"How's Qian Wenshi?" Wei Zhe asked with concern.
"Basically dead," Yuchi responded.
"Is that so?" Wei Zhe sighed, "Indeed, with such severe poisoning, even a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator is powerless, let alone us."
"But not completely dead yet," Yuchi added.
Wei Zhe was speechless, "Can you say it all at once, younger brother?"
"Sure." Yuchi nodded, stroked his chin, and looked at the river water below, "It's difficult."
"..."
Wei Zhe rolled his eyes; he had no patience for Yuchi's drawn-out speech, reminiscent of their father's habit.
"But it's alright."
"Yes."
"I've already saved him."
Yuchi nodded slowly. Seeing the shocked expression from his brother, he smiled and said, "I'm not very skilled in medical arts, just occasionally, only occasionally."
For Yuchi, saving was not hard; wasn't it just about elixirs? He had them.
As for how precisely he was poisoned, Yuchi didn't know, but considering Qian Wenshi was at the Peak of Qi Refining, he figured a Foundation Establishment Stage elixir should suffice, assuming the perpetrator wouldn't use top-grade poison, right?
Qian Wenshi wasn't worth it.
Qian Wenshi, "?"
Having been saved, Qian Wenshi was already capable of walking. As the brothers conversed, a burly middle-aged man with a tigerish face emerged.
He wore water thief attire, his face aflame with excitement.
"Father!" Qian Wenshi knelt before Yuchi.
"I don't have such a large son!" Yuchi quickly lifted him.
"I've already sworn, whoever saves me, I acknowledge them as my father, and now you are my father!" Qian Wenshi declared resolutely.
Still wiping away tears.
It was indeed frustrating; though the Twelve Linked Huts were vast, the twelve leaders didn't have harmonious relationships.
After being poisoned, they merely paid perfunctory visits, offering unhelpful platitudes before leaving.
Who would have thought he would be saved by the third young master of the Wei Family!
Yuchi naturally declined.
What would he want Qian Wenshi as a son for? That seemed like a disaster!
However, when he saw Qian Wenshi produce a jade ring from his pocket, his expression changed.
"You're my brother, right?" Yuchi patted his shoulder as Wei Zhe watched with his heart pounding, "This way, we're closer!"
Unnoticeably pocketing the jade ring.
"Great!" Qian Wenshi was touched, having noticed Yuchi's action, and felt even more elated.
For the occupants of the Twelve Linked Huts, they only valued money. If one wasn't interested in wealth, there was no common ground.
As Yuchi accepted the jade ring, it indicated they were alike!
Thus.
Qian Wenshi immediately said to Yuchi, "Right, big brother, come with me, I have something to show you!"
"Ah?" Yuchi's face subtly changed, "Why is this so familiar?"
Little Shen Qinghan said, "This I know."