Chapter 972: Borrowing the East Wind

Chapter 972: Borrowing the East Wind

The Qilong Lane in Huaihuang County had suddenly transformed into a platform of ascension.

At the top, a woman still rested her hand on her sword, while a man sat beside her on the steps. Both possessed a pair of purely refined golden eyes.

The entire physical form and skin of the marten-hatted young woman "Xie Gou" instantly scattered like dust, then coalesced into a slender woman with a brand-new countenance.

Bai Jing held her sword in both hands, raising her head high to meet the gaze of the two figures at the top.

This was Bai Jing's true body and true face.

Xiao Mo said, "I advise you to sheathe your sword."

Bai Jing squinted and smiled, "A rare opportunity, just perfect for stretching my limbs. I truly don't believe they can actually drag me into the river of time from ten thousand years ago in one fell swoop. If they had that much ability, today wouldn't exist!"

Dragging a perfected Flying Ascension realm sword cultivator from ten thousand years later, from a world anchored by the three religious patriarchs, back to the old mountains and rivers of ten thousand years ago—not even the Fifteenth Realm could do that!

At the top of the steps, the man with his cheek resting on one hand was full of smiles. He said softly, "Our Xiao Mo is still favoring Bai Jing. Looks like there's hope."

She nodded, "True feelings are revealed in adversity."

Although Xiao Mo couldn't hear what the two existences at the top were saying, looking at this "master of his" who had both a familiar face and an unfamiliar aura, he always felt it wasn't anything good.

That "Chen Ping'an" squinted, smiling as he lightly waved goodbye to Xiao Mo. He said with a smile, "Xiao Mo, take it easy. Don't let yourself be cooked into mature rice."

The strange phenomenon dissipated along with his words. Xiao Mo and Bai Jing found themselves back in Qilong Lane.

Xie Dog adjusted her marten hat, sneered, "Fake, fake. Putting on airs and impersonating ghosts. Scared me for a moment."

Xiao Mo's expression was awkward. Purely innocent, yet he somehow had the illusion of being caught in bed.

Xie Dog complained, "Xiao Mo, it's all your fault. That existence tracked you down along the meridians of your sword path. It was like waiting by the tree stump at the lower reaches of the river of time, waiting for the rabbit, and caught us both red-handed."

As she spoke, Xie Dog raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Xiao Mo glanced at her, and Xie Dog immediately explained, "Even if it was fake, it was still very frightening. The world is only this big, and we see each other everywhere. No need to narrow the path. Come on, let's go drink to calm our nerves."

When they reached the Caotou Shop, Xiao Mo asked Jiu'er to bring two jugs of glutinous rice wine. He smiled and said there was no need to go to the kitchen to stir-fry dishes; they had a place where they could just drink.

Xie Dog sat cross-legged on the bench, drank a large bowl of fermented glutinous rice wine, and sighed, "Earning hard-earned money is really not easy. Xiao Mo, you don't know—after I came to the Haoran world, how hard I walked to save up some money. Picking herbs in the mountains, setting up stalls at the foot of the mountains, almost got harassed. Had a really tough time."

Xiao Mo took a sip of wine, "Only those who truly can't earn money have the right to say it's hard."

Xie Dog huffed, "Saying that really makes you sound like a human."

Xiao Mo put down his wine bowl and communicated with his mind: "Do you dare to kill a Flying Ascension realm?"

Xie Dog blinked, "Are you sleep-drunk?"

Dare or not, what's there not to dare?

The problem was whether it was possible. This wasn't the Barren Wasteland world.

Do you just want me to be captured by Junior Master and then eat prison meals with Liu Fork in the Merit Forest? That's right. If you can't see me, you won't have to worry.

Speaking nonsense, a heartless man's words hurt more than a flying sword piercing the heart. Xie Dog sniffled, wiped the corner of her eye, but seeing Xiao Mo across the table unmoved, she also found it boring. She changed her expression, lazy and indifferent: "Alright, who to kill."

Xiao Mo said, "The former master of Yeluoluo, Yang Zhi."

Xie Dog suddenly realized, "So it's her. Not bad at escaping, not top-notch at fighting, very not top-notch. All bust and backside, no cultivation. Wasted that dao transmission. Annoying to look at. If this woman hadn't been kept here by the Literary Academy, and was in the Barren Wasteland world now, huh."

Xie Dog had coveted one of Yang Zhi's innate divine abilities for many years. It was naturally unsuitable for Yang Zhi, but Xie Dog learned techniques and divine abilities with great comprehension, cultivated extremely quickly. Moreover, this path wasn't very suitable for Yang Zhi. But if Xie Dog could learn it, break it down, and mix it up, it just so happened to fill a certain great dao deficiency of Xie Dog's. With a little luck, she might truly break into the Fourteenth Realm.

In fact, back when Xiao Mo was chasing Yang Zhi, Bai Jing had been following far behind, silent and invisible.

When the Moving Mountain Ancestor Yuan Shou appeared, she followed suit and revealed herself. Dare to hit my man? Did you ask if Bai Jing agreed? Two against two, that was fair.

This pair of immortal lovers, dealing with a pair of lovers, would it not be a sure thing? How could they lose?

But unfortunately, Xiao Mo was unwilling to join forces with her and left directly.

Xie Dog said, "I have an agreement with White Lord and the Literary Academy. But still."

"Since you asked, I can consider it. On the condition that you guarantee I can leave the Haoran world alive."

Xie Dog stretched out a palm and raised an eyebrow at Xiao Mo, "What's the benefit? Even close brothers settle accounts clearly. If we were dao companions, we wouldn't need to discuss this, but we're not yet."

Xie Dog wiped her mouth, "I've been flipping through books a lot lately. Scholars and beauties, rivers and lakes epics—isn't it all the same? A hero saves a beauty, great grace and virtue, no way to repay, so the young lady can only offer herself in marriage, willing to serve as a pillow. Put it on us, same logic!"

Xiao Mo was about to speak, but at the wine table, Chen Ping'an quietly sat down and smiled, "Xiao Mo, never agree to give yourself in marriage."

As for Xie Dog, behind her, someone reached out and pressed down on her marten hat, "I didn't argue with you earlier, but you're still being cheeky?"

Xie Dog shrank her neck, her eyes resentful: "Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo, quickly say something fair for me. I have a small heart, I'm terribly scared."

For cultivators, traveling ten thousand miles with the mind was nothing. Had these two traveled ten thousand years with the mind?

Immortal Capital Mountain, Azure Gown Ferry.

Cui Dongshan began counting on his fingers, listing the names of several allies: "Dàquán Yao clan, Púshān Cloud Grass Hall, Tàipíng Mountain, Yùguī Sect, Ái'ái Island Liu clan, Zhōngtǔ Xuānmì Dynasty Yu clan. Six. That's all for now. Those with money contribute money, those with strength contribute strength. Everyone does their job, clear division of labor, love and help each other, share the same boat."

Zhang Zhi nodded, "It's a good combination."

An ordinary Flying Ascension cultivator couldn't pull together such a great situation.

This was the potential of a hidden official from the last generation of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

That Wu Shou's eyelids twitched, especially upon hearing Ái'ái Island Liu clan. He wanted to back out. He was now the third-in-command of the Bāofu Store's Tóngyè continent branch, not even the second-in-command. A demotion, under observation. If he didn't produce results, the Ancestral Hall would settle accounts with him later.

It wasn't that Ái'ái Island Liu clan was ruthless in making money, but that the Liu clan always liked to completely dominate a deal. Outsiders could only assist from the side, unable to meddle in the operation of key money veins.

Within Bāofu Store, many deals were just talk, boasting to the heavens. Useless. According to the Ancestral Hall's rules, if someone liked a business, half the money had to be paid out of their own pocket.

If they lost, whether selling everything or borrowing money, they had to make up the difference. If money wasn't enough, sign an IOU. Anyway, they had to prioritize filling Bāofu Store's holes. Definitely not taking the money to spend lavishly or embezzle. Moreover, the Ancestral Hall would send a special accountant, similar to a battlefield supervisor. Getting around this person and manipulating the accounts was harder than climbing to heaven.

Wu Shou had a master's junior brother who had spent a full seven hundred years repaying debts to Bāofu Store. In his heyday, in Liúxiá continent, the Tiānyú cave heaven even borrowed a large sum from him. Just by eating annual interest, he could lie down and enjoy wealth. Wealth rivaling a country? He could rival a continent. But he got too greedy, meddled in internal affairs of upper and lower sects, greatly injured his vitality, and ended up with nothing.

Cui Dongshan glanced at Wu Shou's subtle change in expression. Good at making money, only knew about making money. It seemed he had forgotten the pain after the wound healed.

Was Zhang Zhi here to fish at Azure Gown Ferry, using Wu Shou as bait? Like big fish are hard to catch and easy to slip the hook. But for an old fox like Zhang Zhi, once he reeled in a big fish, he could roughly infer his master's disposition. After all, Zhang Zhi certainly didn't have the guts to think he could really catch the hidden official "Chen Ping'an" in one go. Such a move would only be to deliberately let the big fish slip the hook, for the long-term plans of the entire Bāofu Store.

Cui Dongshan found this annoying and didn't want to beat around the bush. He communicated directly with his mind: "Zhang Zhi, a shrewd man like you, why deliberately bring this Wu Shou here to humiliate yourself?"

Zhang Zhi smiled, "Still not as shrewd as Sect Leader Cui and your master."

"How so? Watch your words. Don't follow the path of your ancestor Wu."

"Sect Leader Cui, why ask what you already know."

"Zhang Zhi, Zhang Zhi, I have my own skills and confidence in playing dumb. But if you play dumb with me, you're truly stupid. A word of advice: I am now the Sect Leader of Green Shrub Sword Sect. I can follow my master's example and issue a second eviction order. Your Bāofu Store's business in the south of Tóngyè continent is none of my concern—that's Yùguī Sect's territory. I'm not familiar with the current Sect Leader Wei Ying, nor particularly familiar with the previous Old Sect Leader Jiang of Yùguī Sect. But as for the northern business, from today onward, don't expect smooth sailing."

Back then, the Bāofu Store in Bǎopíng continent had been expelled by Embroidery Tiger Cui Chan. The outcome was similar to Liu Taozhi's Western Mountain Sword Recluse—a bad breakup, bearing grudges.

Cui Chan absolutely wouldn't allow any external forces to cause any divergence, hold things back, or act independently in the upcoming war.

That was because before the war began, Bāofu Store had already sensed the crisis. But among the Bāofu Store branches in the nine continents of the Haoran world, only Wu Shou's in Bǎopíng continent had been too mercenary.

Chen Ping'an didn't need to bother with the twists and turns. So earlier, Chen Ping'an's so-called "eviction order" on the table had made it very clear.

Now this great war between the Haoran world and the Barren Wasteland world was only half fought. Don't think about taking all the advantages. Since you have the ability to avoid harm, stop thinking about seeking profit. At least don't think about it in Bǎopíng continent.

And Zhang Zhi deliberately brought Wu Shou here to visit—wasn't this also a kind of test? For this young hidden official, Zhang Zhi had three things to verify: First, would he serve as the Grand Scholar of Dàlí, inheriting the literary vein of senior brother Embroidery Tiger Cui Chan? Second, did Green Shrub Sword Sect on this Tóngyè continent have the ambition to become the leading immortal mansion of the continent? Third, how similar was Chen Ping'an's disposition to Embroidery Tiger, and how different from Cui Chan, so that he, Zhang Zhi, and Bāofu Store could adjust their approach accordingly.

How much capital Bāofu Store would invest here could only be roughly determined after seeing the answers to these three questions.

Because what Bāofu Store truly cared about, "two ferries," was no longer the rapidly recovering Bǎopíng continent of the southern nations, but Tóngyè continent and Fúyáo continent.

Wherever there were immortal ferries in the world's nine continents, whether overtly or covertly, there were almost always Bāofu Store businesses.

Cui Dongshan suddenly chuckled, "Wu Shou's Bāofu Store, back in Bǎopíng continent, didn't do anything shady, did it?"

Zhang Zhi said calmly, "If it had, why would it need Sword Immortal Mi to remind Wu Shou to find a place himself? I would have already helped him choose one. Bāofu Store was created by me. I'm a hard-working fate, liking to oversee everything personally. So Bāofu Store has always been one-man rule. An example: if I were the Sect Leader of Zhōngtǔ's Dàlóngqiū, handling those unfaithful disciples of Xiǎolóngqiū, there would be no need for Ancestral Hall discussion. One word decides it. Just send the Dragon Beard Immortal to Xiǎolóngqiū on Tóngyè continent and execute them on the spot."

"Merchants have their own ways of making money, from ancient times. But merchants, in the end, are people. They still need to talk about a bottom line."

"If business wants to last, follow the general trend."

"But if you do too many bad deeds, if people don't punish you, heaven will."

Hearing this, Cui Dongshan nodded, "Now that's some clear talk from a reasonable person."

Zhang Zhi said, "Back then, after expelling Bāofu Store, Grand Scholar Cui immediately introduced Mr. Fan and the Merchant family to Bǎopíng continent, like clearing the field for the latter. After taking this loss, our Bāofu Store accepted defeat. It was our own fault, no complaints."

"Then as Mr. Chen said, regarding the reopening of business in Bǎopíng continent, when the world is at peace, Bāofu Store and Luòpò Mountain will discuss it properly."

"As for Tóngyè continent here, how sincere is Bāofu Store, and what is its foundation? I think we can start with cooperation on digging the great river. What does Sect Leader Cui think?"

Wu Shou knew his ancestor and the white-robed youth were communicating with their minds. The fat man regretted it deeply. Early on, he should have asked that little girl for a bowl of hot tea. It would have been better than sitting here idly.

For some reason, that young hidden official had walked out of the house again, followed by the black-clothed little girl carrying the stove.

Now when Wu Shou saw this Cave Dwelling realm little water monster, he—a dignified Nascent Soul realm—if the present company didn't find it embarrassing, he would be willing to kneel and kowtow, loudly calling her "Grannie."

Zhou Mili refilled tea for everyone again. When it was Wu Shou's turn, he quickly lowered his head and repeatedly thanked the little girl, almost in tears.

Cui Dongshan smiled, "That other fat man also walked Immortal Capital Mountain, but not as lucky as you."

Chen Ping'an sat on the bench, with Zhou Mili sitting beside him.

He took out a folded jade bamboo folding fan from his sleeve, lightly placed it on the table, and smiled, "Just now in the house, I remembered that previously at Yuānyāngzhu, Mr. Zhang personally opened a Bāofu Store named 'Harmony.' Opening for business, indeed harmony brings wealth. I and a few friends happened to be there and carefully browsed Harmony Store. It opened my eyes. It seems I owe Mr. Zhang a favor—two IOUs. Worldly matters, each separate. If business doesn't go through, goodwill remains."

It turned out that earlier in Harmony Store, Chen Ping'an had taken a fancy to this precious fan at first sight. But he didn't have much immortal money on him at the time, his purse was shy. Unexpectedly, a beautiful talisman-wielding woman soon arrived gracefully and took the initiative to suggest he take the fan. He could pay later at any Bāofu Store at any port. Afterwards, Bāofu Store would destroy the IOUs on its own. Later, Li Huai had set his eyes on that "Mountain Immortal" resembling a miniature landscape, with an old willow tree spirit dwelling inside. Bāofu Store had priced it at ten Rain Grain coins. Chen Ping'an had written another IOU on Li Huai's behalf.

Cui Dongshan reached out, took the fan, and snapped it open. One side was a calligraphic excerpt of Suzi's Prayer for Rain, the other was the "Dragon Hibernation Poem" written in grass script by Exiled Immortal Mountain's Liu Zhou. The fan itself could be considered a water-based heavy treasure, definitely of Dharma artifact rank. A sufficiently talented sword cultivator, with good luck, could choose a day of thunder and lightning and heavy rain, bathe and change clothes, then open the fan. While looking at the grass script and at the weather, by coincidence, they might even learn a bit of the sword intent and immortal aura of the former sword immortal Liu Zhou.

Cui Dongshan asked doubtfully, "Master, wasn't Bāofu Store located at Yīngwǔ Islet at that time, not at Yuānyāngzhu?"

Chen Ping'an suddenly realized, "Is that so? Then I remembered wrong."

Wu Shou was almost breaking down. Hidden Official, are you speaking with such sincerity?

Zhang Zhi took out two IOUs from his sleeve. The signatories were both "Luòpò Mountain Chen Ping'an." One IOU was for fifty Rain Grain coins for the folding fan, and the other "Immortal Mountain" miniature landscape was ten Rain Grain coins.

Cui Dongshan glanced at them, then with lightning speed quickly took out sixty Rain Grain coins, intending to resolve his master's worries, pay off the debt, and reclaim the IOUs. Don't destroy them—they should be kept. Later Cui Dongshan could show them to Tender Daoist. Ten Rain Grain coins? Fool! That old willow tree spirit had once debated the Dao with Pure Yang True Lü Dongbin. The two characters "Immortal Mountain" on the fist-sized stone were written by Lü Dongbin with sword qi. Such cliff carvings were genuine!

But Zhang Zhi pressed down on the two IOUs with his finger and smiled, "If Mr. Chen gives sixty Rain Grain coins today, the debt will be settled. According to the rules, these two IOUs need to be destroyed immediately. But I want to discuss something with Mr. Chen. Can our Bāofu Store spend seventy Rain Grain coins, effectively buying these two IOUs from Mr. Chen?"

Zhou Mili was stunned. Good person Mountain Lord's handwriting—two instances of "Luòpò Mountain Chen Ping'an," ten characters—would earn ten Rain Grain coins? Was it that valuable?!

Chen Ping'an smiled and shook his head, "Too irregular. It's cleaner to exchange goods and cash."

Zhang Zhi smiled, "It's not a special exception for Mr. Chen. There are precedents in Bāofu Store's history for such matters."

Cui Dongshan sneered, "Seventy Rain Grain coins? Giving alms to a beggar? Seven hundred!"

Xiaomi was shocked again. The white goose—no, the lovable and respectable senior brother—did he always talk so big when doing business? Wasn't he afraid of being beaten?

Unexpectedly, Mr. Zhang immediately took a large pouch from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and quickly returned the two IOUs to his sleeve. "Then it's settled! Goods and cash exchanged!"

The genuine signatures of "Luòpò Mountain Chen Ping'an" would only become more valuable in the future. Of course, it was hard to imagine ten characters being worth seven hundred Rain Grain coins—that was too exaggerated. A few dozen Rain Grain coins was a more appropriate and safe price. Later in Harmony Store, when encountering mountain rustic rich men who would spend a fortune on what they liked, they wouldn't worry about selling. But these were two IOUs, extraordinary in significance. Especially as they were written before Chen Ping'an attended the Zhongtu Literary Academy council. That added a profoundly meaningful and interesting "historical anecdote." Thus, seven hundred was truly not expensive.

Wu Shou saw this scene and was deeply impressed. As expected of his own Bāofu Store's old ancestor: decisive in business, fast and ruthless enough.

Cui Dongshan carefully dragged over that large pouch of Rain Grain coins. Fortunately, it wasn't officialdom, or could this count as some kind of refined bribery?

Alas, luck came unstoppably. Another seven hundred Rain Grain coins fell from the sky. How happy their accountant, Zhong Qiu, would be.

Chen Ping'an smiled, watching Cui Dongshan who looked like a thief.

Cui Dongshan had to change tactics midway, pushing the money bag to Xiaomi and earnestly saying, "Right Protector, this money belongs to the public. Remember to keep it safe. Hand it over to Accountant Wei on the Kite Ferry boat later. Don't embezzle it."

Xiaomi hugged the money bag with both hands and pushed it toward herself. Hey, heavy! The little girl straightened up, "Orders received!"

Suddenly she frowned, secretly glanced at the generous Mr. Zhang, scratched her face, but didn't say anything.

She was so poor now. The private money she had scraped together wouldn't add up to a single Rain Grain coin. If something went wrong and a Rain Grain coin was missing from the bag, she would sell herself and still not be able to repay the debt.

Zhang Zhi smiled, "Exactly seven hundred, not more or less. Little Immortal Master, rest assured."

Xiaomi, seeing her thoughts seen through, smiled shyly. Great Immortal Master was truly a kind and understanding good man.

Chen Ping'an touched Xiaomi's head and smiled at Zhang Zhi.

Zhang Zhi smiled and asked, "Mr. Chen, Sect Leader Cui, may I be so bold as to ask: for digging this great river on Tóngyè continent, the first batch of immortal coins—roughly how much?"

Cui Dongshan clicked his tongue, "That's not just bold—it's really bold."

Both were old foxes.

If Zhang Zhi found out the amount of Rain Grain coins, the scale of that future great river could be roughly estimated. If Bāofu Store was careful, it might even completely bypass forces like Green Shrub Sword Sect, making early arrangements. By carefully studying a feng shui map of central Tóngyè continent and the landscape geography of various nations, and using the Dàquán's Buried River and the Pei River, which flowed into the sea in opposite directions, as starting points for deduction, Bāofu Store could have some confidence in calculating the course of a great river waterway. Then secretly, with those already desperate dynasty emperors and feudal lords, they could buy those currently worthless mountains and territories at low prices, quickly transfer land deeds, and wait for the great river to "come knocking at the door." A rolling wealth, guaranteed harvest regardless of drought or flood.

So Chen Ping'an directly shook his head, "No comment."

Zhang Zhi said, "Bāofu Store truly hopes through the great river excavation to seek both profit and fame—and seek fame more. We can earn less, even nothing at all. We won't and shouldn't bypass Green Shrub Sword Sect to build our own stove. Making the same mistake again would be a loss outweighing a gain."

Cui Dongshan crossed his arms, "The reputation of your Bāofu Store in the world of Haoran is indeed average, very average. Compared to Ái'ái Island Liu clan, you're not just a hundred eighty thousand miles behind. Compared to Mr. Fan's Merchant family, you're still dozens of streets behind. Just imagine: a hundred years, a thousand years later, every time Bāofu Store disciples pass through Tóngyè continent—whether busy earning money or sightseeing—just by looking at that great river flowing endlessly towards the sea, whether crossing by boat, standing on the shore, or on an immortal ferry in the sky overlooking that winding water dragon traversing Tóngyè continent from east to west, they can say to their friends with a clear conscience, like Ancestor Wu bragging here: this great river has a share of credit from our Bāofu Store!"

Chen Ping'an smiled, "A person leaves a name behind; a wild goose leaves its call."

Leaving aside those solely seeking enlightenment and immortal longevity—those with high swordsmanship, strong fists, power, and money should still leave something for the world.

Wu Shou sighed. You two are putting on a double act here.

Then Wu Shou saw the white-robed youth with the mole between his eyebrows staring straight at him.

Wu Shou's body instantly tensed, his heart bitter.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhi helped him out, continuing the previous topic with a smiling nod: "Such an undertaking that benefits all beings and merits for a thousand autumns truly cannot simply pursue profit on the books."

Zhang Zhi then smiled, "To be honest, the reason I only brought Wu Shou here to hit a wall this time is because the couple in charge of Bāofu Store on Tóngyè continent, plus the accountant from Bāofu Store's Ancestral Hall who handles the books, all hold too much admiration for Hidden Official. Unlike Wu Shou, who only recognizes money, I'm even worried that if they came here, they wouldn't haggle at all. Seeing Hidden Official, with their impulse, they wouldn't treat business as business."

Chen Ping'an dismissed it with a smile. Such polite words in business, heard and forgotten. No need to take them seriously.

Zhang Zhi brought up old matters, "Then count us in? Six thousand Rain Grain coins. Tóngyè continent Bāofu Store covers half, and I'll pay the other half out of my own pocket."

Cui Dongshan asked, "Who's asking whom?"

Zhang Zhi smiled, "Of course it's me asking you."

Cui Dongshan turned to look at his master. The general direction, of course, still had to be decided by his master.

Chen Ping'an nodded, "Mr. Zhang can make requests. Dongshan, before that, give Mr. Zhang a general situation."

Only then did Cui Dongshan begin to show some sincerity, explaining to Bāofu Store the first batch of immortal coin contributions: Green Shrub Sword Sect gave three thousand Rain Grain coins, Yùguī Sect gave five thousand, Dàquán Yao clan would each borrow a thousand Rain Grain coins from Green Shrub Sword Sect and Yùguī Sect, Ái'ái Island Liu clan and Xuānmì Dynasty Yu clan each contributed ten thousand and two thousand Rain Grain coins. They would soon arrive in installments, and this was only the initial investment in the first stage. To dig a brand new great river was a massive project, involving many aspects. Just the various old and new courts along the great river that were restoring national fate or establishing new orthodoxies: this opportunity to provide relief through work, to help refugees displaced from their homes, would require mobilizing millions of laborers. Nations could use this opportunity to tidy up their old mountains and rivers, gather refugees from all over, with court and local government centralized management. At the very least, it could ensure that within the country, in famine years, there wouldn't be skeletons scattered for a thousand miles. Additionally, Ái'ái Island Liu clan promised to voluntarily provide three hundred different-sized talisman boats to help transport people to the new great riverbed. However, the spiritual energy consumption of these Liu clan private ferries, the scheduling of the immortal masters controlling the talisman boats, and the immortal coin expenses for the ferries traveling around—all were to be borne by the various nations along the way themselves.

After hearing this, Zhang Zhi had a rough idea. As he was about to speak, Cui Dongshan emphasized in a heavier tone, "Zhang Zhi, you must know that the Liu clan and Yu clan have put out so much money. If operations go wrong, losses are losses. They'll treat it like money wasted. No complaints. No IOUs at all. Even if money can be made in the future, once the great river is running, no matter how it profits, Liu Jubao and Yu Panshui have already promised, in black and white, signed contracts. At most, both families will earn only ten percent of the principal. After earning that immortal coin, the Tóngyè continent great river will have nothing to do with them."

As for the specific revenue sources of the great river, presumably that was what Zhang Zhi and Bāofu Store were most interested in. But sorry, they had to see real gold and silver first before being qualified to know. Otherwise, they could guess.

Zhang Zhi said, "When it comes to settling accounts in money, we can do the same as Wealth God Liu and Yu Panshui. If we lose, we accept the loss. If we profit, at most we take ten percent of the principal amount. Additional, and also the only requirement, is that all immortal ferry crossings along the great river—regardless of whether old or new—we build Bāofu Stores. The various courts won't collect land rent. Bāofu Store will buy them with money. Cleaner, no wrangling, no wasted energy. Unless the local dynasty changes and the ruling surname changes, then we'll renegotiate ownership. Otherwise, the business is a one-time price. As for the specific prices of the new Bāofu Stores at each crossing, I'll have Wu Shou and others negotiate. That also gives the various courts an extra income, so that national rulers and treasury departments won't feel strapped for cash and delay the progress of the great river excavation."

Cui Dongshan laughed in anger. Good heavens, this was blatantly grabbing land.

Zhang Zhi smiled and explained, "Whether an immortal ferry has a Bāofu Store or not makes a very big difference in popularity."

Wu Shou finally felt he had a chance to make up for his mistakes. He was just about to speak up to sell a favor, saying at this Azure Gown Ferry, he could be the first to spend money, using Tóngyè continent Bāofu Store's manpower, materials, and finances, covering all the various buildings that an immortal ferry should have...

Zhang Zhi immediately turned around, fingers together, lightly tapping the table: "Wu Shou, honestly, drink your tea."

The rarely angered Bāofu Store old ancestor was truly furious. I really want to slap you to death.

If there were ulterior motives, why would Green Shrub Sword Sect consume so many mountain immortal relationships as the initiator of the great river excavation to fill this seemingly bottomless pit?

If you, Wu Shou, gave the suggestion in your heart, it would be announcing to the entire continent—no, your Green Shrub Sword Sect—that you actually have selfish motives.

Cui Dongshan grinned, "Mr. Zhang, don't be too harsh on all your subordinates, demanding they all have the same broad vision and grand pattern as you. Otherwise, your Bāofu Store would have already replaced the Merchant family, established your own lineage, and been taken a fancy to by Mr. Fan and invited to become the third ancestor of the Merchant family."

Zhang Zhi smiled helplessly, "This kind of talk can't be spread outside."

Indeed, as Cui Dongshan said, in a sect, the style of conduct and ways of making money can't all be the same.

Chen Ping'an stood up, clasped his fists, and smiled, "Since the direction is settled, the rest is just grinding details. Let Dongshan discuss the specifics with Mr. Zhang. If there's arguing or scolding, don't hold back. Think of it as 'good things take time.'"

Zhang Zhi stood up, returned the salute.

Chen Ping'an smiled at Wu Shou, "Today we've truly gotten to know each other. In the future, don't brag to outsiders about drinking together. At least drinking tea together is real."

Wu Shou nodded eagerly, swearing, "I know, I know. Hidden Official's teachings are engraved in my heart."

Then Chen Ping'an, along with Xiaomi and Sword Immortal Mi, left Azure Gown Ferry and walked back to Dense Snow Peak on foot.

Zhou Mili asked, "Good person Mountain Lord, going home together?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded, "Halfway, I suppose. When the Kite Ferry reaches Old Dragon City, I'll accompany Senior Song off the boat and walk a stretch, then I'll return to Luòpò Mountain alone. I'll definitely be home before you."

Zhou Mili nodded, "That's good."

It was rare for Good Person Mountain Lord to wait for her to return home, not the other way around.

Happy, happy, very happy. Happier than receiving red envelopes at New Year.

Mi Yu glanced back at Wu Shou and asked, "Hidden Official, really just letting it go?"

Chen Ping'an rubbed Xiaomi's head, "Want to beat him up to let off steam?"

Xiaomi grinned, "Not angry, so why blow off steam? Traveling the world, one must be broad-minded!"

Chen Ping'an withdrew his hand and smiled, "Sword Immortal Mi, hear that? Learn from her."

Mi Yu wanted to rub Xiaomi's head like Hidden Official, but the little girl extended her hand to catch Mi Yu's wrist and said urgently, "Stop stop, what are you doing? If you rub my head again, I really won't grow any taller!"

Mi Yu hesitated, then communicated with his mind: "Hidden Official, haven't you always admired that Bāofu Store old ancestor? Don't you want to take this opportunity to chat more?"

Chen Ping'an smiled, "Admiration is real, but as Mr. Zhang himself said, when partnering with someone you admire, it's easy to get hot-headed and lose proportion. Besides, I find that fat Ancestor Wu annoying to look at."

Back at the table, Cui Dongshan began complaining to Zhang Zhi.

For the great river excavation, a temporary organization similar to an Ancestral Hall had been formed. His Green Shrub Sword Sect would send Zhong Qiu and Mi Yu—showing how much they valued this matter. Yùguī Sect had Wang Ji appearing. Dàquán Dynasty's Minister of Rites Li Xiling, plus a Vice Minister of Revenue who had left the capital specifically for this—a rare kind of official gilding. Púshān Cloud Grass Hall's Xue Huai, and from Tàipíng Mountain, the mountain protector Yu Fushan. Ái'ái Island Liu clan and Zhōngtǔ Yu clan would each send one person to Tóngyè continent, likely Liu Youzhou, who had ulterior motives and was later sack-bagged, and Yu Juanfu, an old friend of Hidden Official and Pei Qian.

Additionally, the various nations along the future great river could also arrange personnel to participate in discussions and have a seat in this "Ancestral Hall."

Just talking about Green Shrub Sword Sect: besides using Cui Dongshan's batch of talisman warriors, they also had puppets including Teacher Jin, Catch Fish, and Porter.

Zhong Qiu served as accountant. Chief Supplicant Mi Yu personally led the team. Tao Ran, Sword Immortal Tao, was responsible for protecting the Dao. He Gu, Yu Xie Hui.

Plus old Qiu Zhu Du. They would even dig up from Luòpò Mountain the Nascent Soul realm water dragon Hong Xia, and Yun Zi.

And of course, there were three great figures who could "move mountains and overturn seas as easily as turning a palm." Cui Dongshan temporarily didn't reveal the secret to Bāofu Store.

East Sea Water Lord, Wang Zhu. Former Throne great demon Yang Zhi, and Barren Wasteland's Taoting, the current Tender Daoist, who possessed half the Mountain Refining Technique.

Everything was ready.

The person adding tea had changed to the young girl Cu Cu.

Cui Dongshan finished his last bowl of tea and sighed, "Zhang Zhi, I really can't say this enough. My master originally held you in great esteem and admiration. You went and tested him like that. That was bad. Nearly turned into a falling out. Fortunately, I worked hard to salvage things. Today's meeting at least had a good start and a good ending."

Zhang Zhi self-deprecatingly said, "Better to be famous from afar than to meet in person."

Cui Dongshan sighed, "The affairs of a thousand autumns and ten thousand ages are always both unexpected and expected. Born in worry, accomplished in diligence, lost in pride, gained in sincerity, settled in simplicity, preserved in memory, die in oblivion, live in... Zhang Zhi, I'm out of words. You fill it in."

Zhang Zhi shook his head and communicated with his mind: "I am shallow in talent and learning, not worthy of Embroidery Tiger's true insights. Of course I dare not add an inferior ending to a fine work."

Cui Dongshan asked doubtfully, "You've seen me before?"

Zhang Zhi was even more puzzled. What kind of question was that? "Back in Bǎopíng continent, wasn't it you who announced your name and personally told me to get lost?"

Cui Dongshan nodded, "Then I must have learned one of the essences of my master's learning. I accidentally remembered it wrong."

Until Zhang Zhi left Azure Gown Ferry that day, Luòyáng Woodcarver Pang Chao on Dense Snow Peak never appeared to chat with this junior from the mountains.

The Kite Ferry began its voyage south. Chen Ping'an and Xiaomi both boarded. Mi Yu accompanied them. After this trip, Sword Immortal Mi would need to devote himself entirely to the great river excavation.

Back in the study of the mansion on Dense Snow Peak, after bidding farewell to his master and Xiaomi, Cui Dongshan returned here. He sat in a chair. Next to him stood the law enforcer Cui Wei.

On the wall hung a piece of xuan paper. At the top, in ancient seal script, was written "Green Shrub Sword Sect." Below were some nameplates and annotations, divided by different cultivation realms.

At the highest spot, "Fourteenth Realm" was written, blank.

Flying Ascension realm was still temporarily vacant.

Under Immortal realm: Cui Dongshan, half-swordsman. Mi Yu, sword cultivator.

Below that, Jade Pupil realm: Chai Wu, half-swordsman. On the xuan paper was a line of tiny regular script: "At most ten years, strive for five."

Nascent Soul realm: Cui Wei, sword cultivator. Sui Youbian, sword cultivator. Qiu Du, old qiu.

Golden Core realm: Cao Qinglang, half-swordsman. Tao Ran, sword cultivator, with a note: needs sword supplement. Wu Gou, ghost cultivator. Xiao Manying, ghost cultivator.

Cui Dongshan asked, "Cui Wei, do you know the market conditions for noble sects in the Haoran world?"

Cui Wei nodded, "I am clear."

Cui Dongshan said, "So as the law ancestor of our Green Shrub Sword Sect, you must break into the Jade Pupil realm before Sui Youbian. That Sui Youbian doesn't compete for this—that's her affair. She also has the right not to rush breaking the Nascent Soul bottleneck. But that's not a reason for you to slack off."

Cui Wei said, "Previously, Mr. Xiao Mo taught and imparted at the Falling Treasure Beach dojo. I consulted him many times on the sword path. I've had sudden enlightenment and greatly benefited. Within three years, I will definitely reach Jade Pupil."

Cui Dongshan hummed, "This is what you said yourself. If three years pass and it's not done, don't blame me for falling out."

Whether a world's sect in Haoran could be called a top sect had one threshold: whether it currently had a Flying Ascension realm great cultivator sitting in charge.

For first-rate sects, whether they currently had an Immortal realm as a golden signboard. Among them, those with ancestors who had reached Flying Ascension were naturally superior. Those with two or more Immortals looked down on those with only one. Second-rate sects might temporarily have no Immortal realm but had several Jade Pupil realms, or perhaps a Jade Pupil ancestor who had been in seclusion for many years and was expected to become an Immortal. Among third-rate sects, the bottom rung of the sect-headed immortal mansions, they might have only one Jade Pupil realm. Some sect mansions with a gap in generations didn't even have a Jade Pupil realm cultivator as ancestor or sect leader.

Of course, a sect-headed was a sect-headed. Not anyone could disregard them. For ordinary registered cultivators and mountain wilderness rogue cultivators, they were still an unapproachable behemoth.

Cui Dongshan smiled and asked, "Great Law Enforcer Cui, do you know why I chose this place as the foundation of Green Shrub Sword Sect?"

Cui Wei shook his head, "I don't know."

Cui Dongshan leaned back in the chair, twisting his wrist, "One reason is to find a reclusive master. Throughout his life, he hated fighting the most, but he was still very capable. Back then, he found the retreat route of Fei Fei. But this wandering immortal's greatest skill is in sword forging. He's not from the Haoran world—he comes from the Azure Underworld world. Since he is an enemy's friend, he is our friend."

Cui Wei asked, "Name and dao name? Cultivation realm?"

Cui Dongshan said, "You don't need to know these. Just know there is such a figure. We'll meet sooner or later."

The foremost swordsmith in the Azure Underworld world: Xu Furen.

He is not a woman; his surname is Xu and his given name is Furen.

"Clouds and waters leisurely, sharing sorrow with you. Under the flowers, a true man surnamed Xu. Only dreaming of idle people, not dreaming of you. Buying wine all the way to Yuhang. Self-proclaimed a drunkard seeing the true nature. Exhausting all life's handsome spirits, nothing left."

"This one who can be called an otherworldly cultivator—whether he appears or not for now doesn't matter. After all, I still need to borrow the east wind from my Immortal Capital Mountain."