Chapter 4: Security Must Be Strengthened, the Market Must Prosper, Do You Understand? |
This domineering, triangle-eyed man was none other than Gao Jian of the Clearbrook Market Security Patrol. An Outer Gate Disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, he had also taken the Town Guardian Cultivator, Jiang Baobian, as his master of convenience—a blatant act of clinging to power.
Despite his name meaning "brilliant insight," he was short, with a wretched and mean-spirited appearance. In truth, he was simply despicable.
Who in their right mind opened a door with their foot?
He only dared to be so arrogant because his master was the Town Guardian Cultivator of Clear Stream Market.
Just as Yulou looked over in surprise, Householder Redbrow, who was sitting across from him, spoke up.
"Fellow Daoist Gao, what brings you here so suddenly?"
Householder Redbrow was the owner of Forge Peak Residence and an honored guest of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Foundation Establishment Town Guardian Cultivator in Clear Stream Market. When he asked, Gao Jian naturally did not dare to act too presumptuously.
Stepping forward, Gao Jian first bowed to Wang Rongyuan and Zhong Tianshuo before smiling.
"Fellow Daoist Redbrow, you might not know this, but the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Merit Hall will soon be relocating to Clear Stream Market.
Doing so will not only increase Clear Stream Market's surplus for the year but also boost everyone's business.
Speaking of which, this is a great thing for your Forge Peak Residence and Fellow Daoist Rongyuan's Flavorful Bistro, hahaha!"
Although Gao Jian's face was full of smiles, Yulou couldn't help but feel that his laughter was somewhat sinister.
"Oh, Senior Jiang's plan is quite good."
Wang Rongyuan stroked his beard and nodded slightly.
To the side, Gao Jian narrowed his eyes and added in his unpleasant voice.
"My master also said that with the grand event approaching, the security of Clear Stream Market must be strengthened, and the market must prosper. Notifying the nearby itinerant cultivators to attend will also require manpower.
Naturally, the expenses won't be low. Therefore, we need to collect a 'Unity Fee.'
If everyone works together and every shop in Clear Stream Market contributes some spirit stones, we can ensure this event is handled perfectly!"
A Unity Fee?
Why did it sound so much like a forced donation?
Were they really so brazen about extortion just by changing its name?
Standing off to the side, Yulou was completely dumbfounded.
Those who understood knew this was the cultivation world; otherwise, he might have mistakenly thought he hadn't transmigrated yet!
The Red Lantern Illumination Sect truly grasped the essence of management!
"A Unity Fee? Tell me, how much unity do I need to show?"
Householder Redbrow stared coldly at Gao Jian. He raised a hand to signal his daughter to stay quiet before slowly asking.
That Town Guardian Cultivator had always been like this. On the surface, he was polite and friendly to everyone, even shamelessly calling Qi Refining cultivators his brothers.
But...
Never mind. After all, the man was a disciple of a major clan within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. It was best to endure it.
"Since Forge Peak Residence can open a shop right by the Clear Stream of Qin Rhyme, and Fellow Daoist Redbrow has become my master's friend, you naturally do not lack spirit stones."
Gao Jian brought up his master once again.
Yulou felt somewhat curious. What kind of person was that Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Red Lantern Illumination Sect?
He had methods for skimming money and lackeys to do the dirty work.
To have a disciple like Gao Jian, his master's level of cunning was definitely not low.
Did you think Gao Jian was an idiot?
Wrong, his master specifically wanted an idiot like Gao Jian!
"I lack them, I lack them very much. In fact, just to earn a few spirit stones, I just accepted two disciples from the Wang Clan."
Zhong Tianshuo did not dare accept the bullshit label of "not lacking spirit stones," so he hurriedly explained.
As he spoke, Householder Redbrow even pointed at Yulou.
You ask about Yu'an?
Sorry, he was just a throw-in!
Gao Jian looked toward Yulou.
Being stared at by those sinister, triangular eyes, Yulou's back subconsciously stiffened.
"Fellow Daoist Gao, Brother Tianshuo is highly skilled in the artificing path, so we sent over two collateral descendants from our clan. Just before you entered, we finished the apprenticeship ceremony."
Sitting in the seat of honor, Wang Rongyuan spoke up indifferently.
Yulou, don't be afraid, your uncle is here!
"Of course, it isn't easy for you to run around doing errands for your master.
Since Senior Jiang intends to liven up Clear Stream Market, we will naturally support him.
How about this: the Wang Clan's Flavorful Bistro will first contribute twenty spirit stones!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Yulou instantly felt a deep sense of respect for Uncle Rongyuan.
What was skill?
This was skill!
Little Gao, watch your attitude—Zhong Tianshuo is now backed by our Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom!
Your master is at the Foundation Establishment stage, but the Wang Clan also has Foundation Establishment cultivators!
Your master comes from a major clan within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, but the Wang Clan also has a Core Disciple ancestor within the sect who took a Purple Palace cultivator as their master!
Just twenty spirit stones—take it or leave it!
Moreover, Wang Rongyuan taking the initiative to set a price was actually to bail Zhong Tianshuo out.
With Flavorful Bistro contributing twenty spirit stones, even if Gao Jian was utterly despicable, he couldn't possibly make an exorbitant demand of Forge Peak Residence, right?
Householder Redbrow sighed softly, feeling somewhat emotional.
What was the use of being formidable on your own?
Even if you had achieved success in the artificing path and reached perfect Qi Refining in your cultivation base, in the eyes of disciples from major sects, you were still just a beggar on your knees in Clear Stream Market!
Wang Rongyuan's cultivation base might have been slightly lacking, but by first beating up Lao Gui of the Beast Medicine Shop and then suppressing the disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Gao Jian, he fully displayed the spirit of an immortal clan.
Unyielding!
"Twenty spirit stones?"
However, Gao Jian did not acknowledge the Wang Clan's reputation. He mockingly raised his voice, repeating Wang Rongyuan's words.
Then, raising his hands, he bowed in the direction of the Town Guardian Cultivator's estate in Clear Stream Market and borrowed his master's authority, saying,
"My master will soon be transferred back to the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's Spirit Talisman Hall to serve as a Steward. Having been in Clear Stream Market for so many years, he has developed feelings for this place.
In his final year as the Town Guardian Cultivator, the old man wants to do something practical for Clear Stream Market.
After all, an official should benefit the region they serve. Everyone should be able to understand my master's good intentions.
Twenty spirit stones can hardly be considered support. Don't you agree, Fellow Daoist Rongyuan?"
Yulou lowered his eyes, feeling helpless in his heart.
Cultivating immortality, cultivating immortality—everyone was a cultivator, but without becoming a true immortal, there was no true freedom.
The Wang Clan could not be free, let alone Householder Redbrow, and even Jiang Baobian thoroughly displayed his greedy nature.
This Foundation Establishment Town Guardian Cultivator of Clear Stream Market had made it clear that he wanted to rake in one last fortune before his promotion.
Forced donations were being shoved right in your face; what could you do?
Uncle Rongyuan, you can't do anything foolish!
"Then tell me, how much should Flavorful Bistro contribute."
After a long silence, Wang Rongyuan finally spoke.
He had conceded!
There was only one year left; they just needed to see off the man surnamed Jiang. They couldn't afford to get into a conflict with Jiang Baobian over a few dozen spirit stones.
After all, the reasons and excuses the other party provided were too appropriate, making their greedy actions look quite respectable.
Hearing this, Gao Jian immediately beamed with joy.
"Not much, not much, fifty spirit stones will do, fifty will do."
This Outer Gate Disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect then looked toward Householder Redbrow and continued.
"Forge Peak Residence's business is much better than Flavorful Bistro's, but there is no need to pay too much either. Fellow Daoist Redbrow, showing a unity of one hundred and twenty spirit stones should be about right."
But there is no need to pay too much either.
Gao Jian was truly worthy of being a Foundation Establishment cultivator's disciple. A despicable master produces a despicable disciple; the moment he opened his mouth, he redefined the concepts of 'more' and 'less.'
"One hundred and twenty spirit stones, you—"
Seeing how black-hearted Gao Jian was, Householder Redbrow's good friend, Patriarch Wu Jinyan of the Qi Refining stage Wu Clan, couldn't hold back and spoke up half a sentence in defense of justice.
Finally, someone blind enough had given him an opportunity to perform, and Gao Jian naturally wouldn't let it slip by.
With a flick of his left hand, the Spirit-Binding Rope on his waist appeared in his grasp.
"Don't be afraid, Yulou. Your uncle is here!
"Of course, it isn't easy running errands for your master.
"Since Senior Jiang intends to liven up Clear Stream Market, we support it.
"How about this: the Wang Clan's Flavorful Bistro will contribute twenty spirit stones to start!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Yulou felt a deep sense of respect for Uncle Rongyuan.
What was skill?
This was skill!
'Little Gao, watch your attitude. Zhong Tianshuo now has the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom backing him!
'Your master is at the Foundation Establishment stage, but the Wang Clan also has Foundation Establishment cultivators!
'Your master comes from a major clan within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, but the Wang Clan also has a Core Disciple ancestor within the sect who took a Purple Palace expert as a master!
'Just twenty spirit stones. Take it or leave it!'
Moreover, Wang Rongyuan setting the price himself was also a way to bail Zhong Tianshuo out.
If Flavorful Bistro only contributed twenty, no matter how despicable Gao Jian was, he couldn't make exorbitant demands of Forge Peak Residence, right?
Householder Redbrow sighed softly, deeply moved.
What was the use of being powerful when fighting alone?
No matter how accomplished you were in the artificing path, or even if you had reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage, in the eyes of a major sect disciple, you were just a lowly itinerant cultivator begging in Clear Stream Market!
Wang Rongyuan might be slightly weaker in terms of his cultivation base, but by first beating up Lao Gui from the Beast Medicine Shop and then suppressing Gao Jian, the disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he displayed the full demeanor of an immortal clan.
Overbearing!
"Twenty spirit stones?"
But Gao Jian refused to respect the Wang Clan's reputation. He repeated Wang Rongyuan's words in a high-pitched, sarcastic tone.
Then, he cupped his hands in a bow toward the residence of the Clear Stream Market town guard, borrowing his master's prestige.
"My master is about to be transferred back to the Red Lantern Illumination Sect to serve as a Steward in the Spirit Talisman Hall. Having been in Clear Stream Market for so many years, he holds affection for this place.
"The old man simply wishes to do some practical good for Clear Stream Market during the final year of his term as the town guard.
"An official's term should benefit the local area. Everyone should be able to understand my master's good intentions.
"Twenty spirit stones can hardly be considered support, wouldn't you agree, Fellow Daoist Rongyuan?"
Yulou lowered his eyes, feeling a sense of helplessness.
Cultivation, cultivation. Everyone was a cultivator, but without becoming a true immortal, there was no true freedom.
The Wang Clan could not act freely, Redbrow even less so, and even Jiang Baobian displayed a thoroughly greedy nature.
This Foundation Establishment town guard of Clear Stream Market clearly wanted to make one last big score before his promotion.
When a forced donation was shoved right in your face, what could you do?
'Uncle Rongyuan, you can't do anything foolish right now!'
"Then tell me, how much should Flavorful Bistro contribute?"
After a long silence, Wang Rongyuan finally spoke.
He accepted it!
There was only one year left; they just needed to send this guy surnamed Jiang away. They couldn't afford to get into a conflict with Jiang Baobian over a few dozen spirit stones.
After all, the reasons and excuses the other party gave were flawless. The extortion was executed quite elegantly.
Hearing this, Gao Jian immediately beamed with joy.
"Not much, not much. Fifty spirit stones will do. Fifty spirit stones is fine."
The outer sect disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect then turned to Householder Redbrow and continued.
"Forge Peak Residence's business is much better than Flavorful Bistro's, but there's no need to pay too much more. Fellow Daoist Redbrow, you can just show your unity with a hundred and twenty spirit stones, and that should be about right."
'But there's no need to pay too much more.'
Gao Jian was indeed the disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. A despicable master produces a despicable disciple; as soon as he opened his mouth, he completely redefined what constituted a little and a lot.
"A hundred and twenty spirit stones? You..."
Seeing Gao Jian being so extortionate, Householder Redbrow's good friend, Wu Jinyan—the Patriarch of the Qi Refining immortal clan, the Wu Clan—couldn't hold back and blurted out a half-sentence in righteous indignation.
Finally, someone was blind enough to give him an opportunity to assert his dominance. Naturally, Gao Jian would not let it slip by.
He flicked his left wrist, and the Spirit-Binding Rope at his waist fell right into his hand.
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