Free Web NovelChapter 121: Chapter 121: Paying Respects
"Brother Shui is on another level!"
After a flatbread and half a bowl of water, the meal was over.
Sun Qiao, tired from talking and his enthusiasm waning, didn’t bother telling Bai Mo all the gossip the neighbors were spreading behind his back.
After his remark, Bai Mo took out the account book his senior brother had given him and began to examine the entries.
For the past few days, Shui Ziming had been holding down the fort at the shop. No matter how others tried to probe, he never revealed his name or background.
His nonchalant, unconcerned demeanor, however, had greatly infuriated his visitors.
In the eyes of Sun Qiao and the others, their senior brother was fearlessly baiting a trap, confident in his backing.
Considering the Xuandao Sect’s style and the impression his senior brother had made on him, Bai Mo thought it over and concluded that it was entirely possible.
This had sparked quite a few rumors. From one end of the long street to the other, people gossiped about how successful Bai Mo had become since becoming a Pill Master.
And the tales grew more and more outrageous.
’When the shop officially opens, I’ll invite some senior brothers from the sect to show their support. That should clear things up for everyone.’
’It’s a trivial matter. No need for a special clarification.’
After reviewing the accounts once, Bai Mo had a clear picture of the shop’s expenses and decoration progress.
"Perfectly accounted for."
He let out a soft breath.
’Thank goodness. That fellow Sun Qiao even said our senior brother often paid out of his own pocket.’
’He said that when people delivered furniture and decorations, Brother Shui would casually pay with Spirit Stones to send them on their way, then return to his quiet meditation. Sun Qiao mentioned over ten such payments that weren’t recorded.’
’But now it seems he was just fronting the money.’
These amounts had to be clearly separated. Even if it was a trivial matter to Shui Ziming, Bai Mo didn’t want to owe any unnecessary favors.
’Enough of this. Time to rest. I have to get up early tomorrow.’
...
「The next day.」
When Shui Ziming arrived, he found Bai Mo already dressed and ready.
The latter was even carrying several brocade boxes.
They weren’t valuable items, just things like pastries and Pills.
Shui Ziming nodded in approval.
"Our senior brother’s personality isn’t like mine. The necessary courtesies can’t be skipped."
"You are quite thoughtful."
Bai Mo had woken up early precisely to prepare these things.
He had been worried that since his gifts weren’t valuable, his gesture wouldn’t be well-received, but now it seemed he had overthought things.
The city had indeed become much livelier.
Cultivators from all walks of life were bustling about, their hands never idle as they worked for their livelihoods and their paths to the Dao.
The long-absent energy of the populace had returned, finally making it worthy of the name Immortal City.
Bai Mo followed Shui Ziming to a grand residence located in the city center.
Red walls and glazed tiles adorned its pavilions and waterside terraces. With flying eaves, bluestone paths, and a tranquil, classic elegance, the estate was a world of its own.
Two disciples walked toward them.
"Brother Shui!"
"Brother Guo just woke up not long ago. He should be having his morning meal right now. You can go straight in."
Shui Ziming gave a slight nod and led Bai Mo directly inside.
Bai Mo glanced around, noticing dozens of disciples rushing in and out of the massive residence.
All of them wore hurried expressions.
"We’re here!"
Past two rockeries of different heights, a pavilion stood over a stream of turquoise water.
A man was hunched over a table, eating voraciously.
Bai Mo focused his gaze and saw that the man had regular features, with thick eyebrows and large eyes.
However, the knot between his brows gave him an unfriendly air.
Bai Mo stared for two breaths longer, and the man, as if sensing his gaze, raised an eyebrow and looked up, his eyes sharp and bright.
"Brother Guo, quite the appetite!"
Shui Ziming flicked his sleeves and walked straight up to him.
Bai Mo quickly averted his gaze and followed closely behind.
"This is Guo Lingjun, Brother Guo."
"He’s the one who spoke up for you, which allowed me to secure those benefits for you at the Deacon’s Office!"
Shui Ziming made the introduction as soon as they stepped into the pavilion.
Bai Mo followed his lead smoothly.
"Greetings, Brother Guo. I am your junior brother, Bai Mo. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and have come specifically to pay my respects!"
The knot in Guo Lingjun’s brow smoothed out the moment he saw Shui Ziming.
"None of that polite nonsense."
"We’re from the same sect. Brother Shui here appreciates you, so I just put in a good word. It was a small thing!"
With that, he gestured magnanimously for the two to sit.
"Come, have some top-quality fresh crab. They’re big and fat—you can only buy these with Spirit Stones!"
A plump, bright red crab was placed on the plates in front of them.
Bai Mo’s gaze swept across the table.
The spread before him was truly lavish.
There was seafood from rivers and oceans, stewed poultry, roasted meats, and fruits—a complete feast.
And in front of Guo Lingjun, a small mountain of shells and bones was already piling up.
"Brother Guo, you’re being a bit too indulgent. This is not beneficial for your cultivation..."
Shui Ziming commented with a frown.
Guo Lingjun saw nothing wrong with it and shot him a reassuring look.
"Damn it, only after coming here did I realize what kind of life those people from the Marvelous Dharma Sect live!"
"How could I not follow their example and get a taste of it myself?"
He began to vent his frustrations.
"Brother Shui, you know as well as I do that my life in the sect was, to put it mildly, plain and ascetic."
"I can forget about romance, but the food was so bland my mouth nearly forgot what flavor was!"
Shui Ziming listened quietly until he finished, then nodded gently.
"As long as you know your limits."
Guo Lingjun chuckled, then looked at Bai Mo and slid half a portion of bone-in roasted meat over to him.
"Junior Brother Bai, just dig in! Don’t mind him!"
"Everyone in the sect knows Brother Shui’s temperament. He abides by the rules, taking his cultivation path one steady step at a time."
"If he ever truly let loose, entering the inner sect would be a simple matter for him. Even I could only hope to follow in his footsteps. But alas, he’s unwilling!"
He was very enthusiastic, ladling a bowl of hot soup for Bai Mo as well.
Bai Mo couldn’t refuse and took a few small sips.
Guo Lingjun was very pleased.
"Don’t follow Brother Shui’s example. Very few people can walk the path he’s chosen!"
Shui Ziming sat upright, watching the two of them with a placid expression.
"I brought Junior Brother Bai here so you two could meet."
"Junior Brother Bai is setting up a business in Immortal Arrival City. Brother, please look out for him!"
"Of course!" Guo Lingjun slapped his chest.
"Don’t you worry, Brother Shui!"
His tone shifted as if he’d just remembered something.
"Oh, right. Junior Brother Bai, about me speaking up for you... I was actually instructed to do so by someone else. It wasn’t entirely my own idea..."
Bai Mo froze and put down his spoon.
"Please explain, Brother!"
Guo Lingjun tossed aside a crab claw and said softly,
"A certain senior in the sect, who reviewed the events of the Celestial Barrier Mountain expedition, knows I’m in the city now and specifically asked me to keep an eye on you."
"Junior Brother Bai, if you enter the outer sect in the future, you should consider Broken Blade Peak. It’s a great place!"
Broken Blade Peak, one of the pillars of the Xuandao Sect, was known for its extraordinary combat strength.
Back in the mountains, Bai Mo had met their disciples and was indeed deeply impressed.
However, after seeing their wide, sweeping combat style, Bai Mo knew that Broken Blade Peak’s methods were not suitable for him.
Guo Lingjun seemed to read his mind and said,
"Junior Brother Bai, think about it again. Broken Blade Peak has many different paths. Besides the direct, powerful killing techniques, they also have abstruse and mysterious arts."
"And if you make it to the inner sect, the number of techniques is even greater!"
Bai Mo gave a wry smile. "I’ll think about it."
"I’m just a Daoist Child right now. I don’t need to consider things so far in the future..."
Hearing this, Guo Lingjun shook his head slightly, seemingly unconvinced.
"I’m just passing on a message. Don’t feel any pressure, Junior Brother."
"Come on, eat up, drink up!"
"..."
An hour later, Bai Mo and Shui Ziming left the residence.
They hadn’t done anything else; they had spent the entire morning feasting with Brother Guo.
"Brother Guo isn’t a devious person. You can be more casual when dealing with him, but don’t imitate his lifestyle."
"He’s been worn down by the sect for so long that he’s on the verge of developing a mental block."
Bai Mo listened intently, nodding from time to time.
"By the way, Brother Shui, a senior brother from Broken Blade Peak once asked us to bring something to you..."
"I’ve already received it."
"Mm..."
