Free Web NovelChapter 39: Chapter 27: Reckoning the Distinguished Figures (Part 3)
However, the Immoral Taoist’s final words still weighed on his mind.
’Karma?...’ As Xuzhuang was lost in thought, a sudden commotion from behind made him turn. To his surprise, it was He Shanhai, once again approaching with his attendants.
Just as he was starting to frown, he saw He Shanhai glance around, then break into a smile and hurry over. Seeing Xuzhuang seated cross-legged on the ground, He Shanhai bowed slightly. "Daoist, please don’t take offense. I know I shouldn’t be disturbing your rest, but you left in such a hurry that I didn’t have a chance to present a small token of my appreciation."
He beckoned, and an attendant hurried forward with a small Qiankun Cloth Bag. He Shanhai took the bag with both hands, offering it to Xuzhuang. "A mere one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. It’s a small token, but I implore you to accept it, Daoist."
"There’s no need for this, Chief Steward. Please, take it back," Xuzhuang said with a sigh. "I agreed to stay and protect you for a time, not because I covet any reward. Have you forgotten what the Zhenren said before he left? This calamity of yours might be linked to me by fate, which is why I couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing."
"Regardless of the reason, everyone on this ship, along with our countless goods, is relying on your protection, Daoist. Such a great kindness must be considered separately from any matter of fate," He Shanhai said earnestly. "Please, Daoist, accept it. Otherwise, my mind will not be at ease."
"Be that as it may, I cannot accept these Spirit Stones," Xuzhuang said after a moment of thought. "Steward He, your ship carries commercial goods, does it not? I wonder, do you happen to have any top-grade fire-attribute cloud sand?"
"Top-grade fire-attribute cloud sand?" He Shanhai said at once. "Of course we do! On this voyage, I am carrying over a thousand pieces of the finest fire-attribute cloud sand. If it is of use to you, Daoist, I will have it brought to you at once."
Over a thousand pieces of top-grade fire-attribute cloud sand were worth more than double the one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, but He Shanhai didn’t hesitate in the slightest, immediately moving to call someone to fetch it. Xuzhuang smiled and said, "One moment, Chief Steward. That is not my intention. This material just so happens to be perfect for my cultivation. So if you have it on your ship, selling it to me at its original price would be help enough for my practice."
He Shanhai was taken aback for a moment. He then called over an attendant, whispered a few words in his ear, and sent him away before turning back with a smile. "Daoist, while you are unwilling to accept my gift, please understand my gratitude. Since you wish to make a purchase, I will take the liberty of selling this batch of cloud sand to you at the greatest possible discount. I’ll charge you only one Three Mountains Immortal Treasure—or one hundred Spirit Stones—for every two pieces."
"Rest assured, I guarantee it is of the highest quality, without a single flaw. I have already sent a man to fetch it. You will know once you see it."
One Three Mountains Immortal Treasure for every two pieces. A price like that was hardly different from giving them away for free. Xuzhuang hesitated for a moment, but then decided not to refuse any longer and slowly nodded.
He Shanhai was overjoyed. Seeing that the attendant had not yet returned, he called another man to go and hurry him along. A short while later, the two men rushed back, carrying a redwood chest with a golden lock.
The moment it was opened, its radiance added a new splendor to the moonlit night. The chest was filled with cloud sand, each piece as perfectly round and lustrous as a pearl. freeweɓnøvel.com
He Shanhai said, "As you can see, Daoist, the quality of this cloud sand is absolutely superb. There are over a thousand pieces in here. We won’t bother counting them all, so let’s just call it an even one thousand. What do you think?"
This chest of cloud sand, of course, contained more than an even thousand pieces. But since he had already accepted He Shanhai’s goodwill, Xuzhuang didn’t get hung up on it. "Then I thank you, Chief Steward," he said. "I wonder, do you accept Tai Su Magic Coins?"
"Tai Su Magic Coins? Of course, we accept them!" He Shanhai said with a chuckle. "I’ve heard Tai Su Magic Coins are equal in value to the Three Mountains Immortal Treasure and can be freely exchanged at Pengxuan Pavilion. I’ve never actually seen one before. It’s a rare opportunity to receive one from you, Daoist. I’m actually more inclined to keep it as a collector’s item. When I return from this journey, I can show it to my brothers and sisters to broaden their horizons."
Xuzhuang shook his head and chuckled, then took the magic coins from his sleeve and placed them in He Shanhai’s hand.
He Shanhai was a savvy merchant. Seeing the look on Xuzhuang’s face, he knew the man’s interest had waned. He shot a look at his attendant, had the man place the chest of cloud sand down in front of Xuzhuang, and then said respectfully, "I won’t disturb your cultivation any further, Daoist. I shall take my leave now."
Xuzhuang nodded slightly. As he watched He Shanhai and his men hurry away, he waved his sleeve and stored the chest. He then settled back into his cross-legged position, picked up a single grain of the cloud sand, and began to ponder.
’Out here on the open sea, fire-elemental Spiritual Qi is incredibly thin,’ Xuzhuang mused. ’To refine this Red Fire Gang Thunder, I’ll have to supply my own Magical Power. Still, it shouldn’t be too difficult to divert a bit of my mental energy to the task while I meditate.’
As he rubbed the grain between his fingers, it began to glow a uniform, brilliant red. A few moments later, a violent aura suddenly burst forth from it, and a faint CRACKLE echoed in the air. Xuzhuang freed one hand to form a Magic Formula, striking the grain with a Daoist restrictive seal. After another moment, the cloud sand finally stabilized. He had already refined a single Red Fire Gang Thunder.
