Chapter 225: Spending Money to Seek Immortality

Chapter 225: Money Seeks Immortals

The mountain city was drenched in rain, and the land of Shu, where water and cloth were intertwined, was naturally shrouded in the same rain pavilion on the mountain's waist that shielded from wind and rain. Likewise, he wore a simple, ethereal Daoist robe, as if a celestial being.

The only difference was that Yu Canhai was alone this time, with no guards following him.

Inhaling the musk emanating from the incense burner beside his ear, Yu Canhai sat in the pavilion, his face calm as he gazed at the stone path obscured by mist.

Yet the emotions hidden in his heart were far more turbulent than his outward demeanor.

During this period, he had used the Jinyiwei's channels to tentatively send multiple times military firearms and healing elixirs worth over ten million, even a batch of Daoist materials procured from other Daoist sects, secretly to the An Nan criminal district.

Likewise, the profits he received from Hong Hu had far exceeded the word "generous."

Just such a small-scale tentative cooperation had reignited the Dao heart that Yu Canhai believed had already half-entered the realm of forgetting emotions.

If this transaction channel could be solidified, why would he need to go to great lengths to snatch those pitiful shares of the Qingcheng Group from those old bastards?

However, Yu Canhai also understood that risk and profit were like the two yin-yang fish in the Taiji.

When one moved, the other would never remain still.

Hong Hu was classified as a rebel by the empire, and cooperating with them was naturally an act of treason.

Once the news leaked, he would have no place to stand, not only in the Qingcheng Group but even within the Daoist sects!

Alas, the heavens and earth were like a furnace, and all things were fuel.

To defy the heavens, a Daoist practitioner must have both wealth and magical companions.

Now, the Yu family's resources were only enough for him to cultivate into a peak Daoist seventh-grade golden elixir master, unable to support further advancement to become a sixth-grade mountain and water Daoist.

To continue ascending the ranks, he had to obtain more Baiyujing authority, to buy a celestial position.

"Those black-hearted Dao rogues even sell a Baiyujing celestial position at such a sky-high price, truly deserving of heavenly retribution!"

The intense emotional fluctuations made Yu Canhai unable to maintain his previous carefree immortal demeanor, and he couldn't help but curse.

But aside from cursing a few words, Yu Canhai had no other way.

After all, the Baiyujing located in the Huangliang dream realm was their new-school Daoists' "ancestral hall."

Unless one wished to sever their roots, no matter how expensive the celestial position, they could only seek their ancestors' help, grit their teeth, and sell everything to buy one.

While struggling, Yu Canhai unconsciously looked back toward the Daoist temple hidden in the sea of clouds atop the mountain, and suddenly a surge of resentment arose in his heart.

"If you old bastards were willing to give my Yu family more shares, why would I have to go this far?!"

The rain in the mountains grew heavier, and the mist became thicker.

At that moment, the thick fog several zhang away from the pavilion suddenly began to churn endlessly, and a pair of polished, gleaming black carved leather boots with a strong Western style suddenly burst out from the mist.

A man in a neat Western suit emerged from the fog and stood before the pavilion.

Yu Canhai's eyebrows twitched, and his eyes cast downward, scrutinizing the visitor.

Unfortunately, the upper part of the man was blocked by the umbrella, making it impossible to see his features, only a sharp jaw exposed at the umbrella's edge, and a pair of bloodless lips pressed into a straight line, as sharp as a straight knife.

Thin lips meant a cold disposition.

Yu Canhai's heart grew alert, and he lifted his sleeve, pointing to the seat opposite the stone table.

"Since you've come from afar, why not sit and talk?"

"Thank you, Daoist Yu, then I shall not refuse."

The voice from under the umbrella was clear and standard, the official dialect of the empire.

The man in the Western suit sat openly across from Yu Canhai, but strangely, the umbrella above his head was never put away.

"This rain pavilion has its own functions to shield breath and simulate scenery, why go to such lengths, sir?"

The man under the umbrella had flat features, dark skin, and an appearance with obvious An Nan characteristics.

Hearing Yu Canhai's teasing words, his smile remained unchanged: "There's an old saying: be careful to steer the boat for ten thousand years. The Qingcheng Group has dragons and snakes lurking, and I really can't take that risk."

"Since you're so cautious, why did you dare come up Qingcheng Mountain alone today?"

Yu Canhai smiled without smiling: "The head of Honghu's southwestern region, with the title 'Hidden King.' If the Qingcheng Group captures you, that would be a tremendous merit!"

"What Hidden King, it's just a mocking nickname. Besides, in the empire now, the word 'king' is not a term of praise. You can call me by my real name, Ding Huan."

Ding Huan said with a smile: "As for today, braving the rain to come up the mountain, it's naturally to sincerely seek the immortal, to let the immortal see my resolve."

"Seeking the immortal? Who is the immortal?" Yu Canhai pretended to be surprised.

"Right before your eyes, isn't it you?"

Ding Huan looked at the Daoist who feigned ignorance, his wrist flicking, and a bank card made entirely of gold was pressed onto the stone table.

"I am not an immortal, but an official."

Yu Canhai shook his head, placing a badge on the stone table: "This official is the Baihu of the Chengdu Mansion's Jinyiwei."

Ding Huan's eyes flickered, and his cold lips moved slightly closer to his ear.

"I was blind, it turns out it's an immortal official before me, so this sincerity is naturally not enough."

Click... another bank card was pushed in front of Yu Canhai.

"A small gift, please accept it, Immortal Official."

Yu Canhai's body remained still, his eyes didn't even glance downward, his face neither sad nor happy.

"Sir, you may not know that in the main hall of the Qingcheng Daoist temple, there is a merit box. If you put the banknotes from these two cards into it, you can naturally see the Three Pure Ones' incarnations descend to grant you blessings."

"What use is a false god to worship? Ding Huan only seeks the true immortal."

Ding Huan smiled with narrowed eyes: "Besides, as far as I know, there are three keys in this mountain to open that merit box, and the incense money is divided into three parts. The sincerity would not be enough."

Yu Canhai remained calm: "Traces converge to form rivers and seas."

"Rivers and seas can be formed, but unfortunately, time is merciless. If we wait until the black hair turns white, the celestial position would become a flower in the mirror and a moon in the water."

Yu Canhai let out a cold hum, his face showing irritation.

"Since you seek the true immortal, being sharp-tongued won't help. There's only one way: sincerity moves the heart."

Tap... tap... tap, Ding Huan's fingertips lightly tapped the table.

"Then I wonder, for the Immortal Official, what counts as sincerity?"

"Future transactions, the profits will be increased by thirty percent on the current basis!"

Yu Canhai could no longer care about the demeanor of an immortal, and a lustrous glint appeared in his eyes. He spoke directly, making his demands.

"So this is what sincerity means!"

Ding Huan laughed heartily, and when Yu Canhai's face showed embarrassment, on the verge of fury, he said: "Then let's do as the Daoist suggests."

Yu Canhai's face, which was originally otherworldly and had been customized in his youth according to the Daoist classics about the "Eight Immortals" and Lu Dongbin, suddenly lit up with joy.

His expression changed dramatically, like a face-changing performance.

"However, the devotee has a small wish, I wonder if the Immortal Official can fulfill it?"

"Let me hear it."

"In the future, the materials bestowed upon An Nan must be worth at least two hundred million banknotes."

Ding Huan said with a bitter smile: "You do not know, Master, each day I open my eyes, there are hundreds upon hundreds of brothers awaiting their meals. With fewer possessions in hand, this household is no easy task to keep."

Yu Canhai’s expression wavered, and after a long pause, he clenched his teeth and uttered a single word: "Very well."

"Since your heart’s desire is fulfilled, I shall not further intrude upon your peace."

Ding Huan’s eyes gleamed, and without further delay, he rose from the pavilion, propping himself up with his umbrella.

"Someone from the Chongqing Prefecture has extended a warm invitation—I have finally returned to my homeland, and must seize this chance to honor the appointment!"