Chapter 47: The Funding Problem Solved

Under Gu Zhao's explanation, Daoist Yan Song understood his situation.

"This is a new world brimming with spiritual energy."

"This world still operates under a county system similar to ancient imperial centralization, but the power of the imperial court is currently in decline."

"There are spirits and demons here, as well as human mages; it is a supernatural world."

"Can all the various cultivation methods of us Daoists... such as spirit preservation and Qi refinement, internal balancing of Long Hu, drawing Talismans and chanting Spells, and performing hand seals and stepping on the Big Dipper, all be used?"

"The souls of evil demons and ghosts carry evil qi; if we simply slay demons and subdue evil spirits, we can eliminate evil and accumulate merit, absorb the evil qi to advance our cultivation, and even condense new Thunder Seeds to help other Daoist brothers?"

"Then what is there to discuss?" Daoist Yan Song immediately started rolling up his sleeves, "Roll up your sleeves and work hard!"

Gu Zhao looked utterly bewildered, "Why are you more radical than me?"

Daoist Yan Song waved his sleeve, "Evil demons run rampant in this world, ghosts and spirits run wild, the imperial court is in decline, and the people suffer; this is the perfect opportunity for us to expand our territory and spread the glory of the Three Pure Ones and the majesty of the Jade Emperor throughout the world!"

Gu Zhao was speechless, "You really watched too many short dramas about domineering CEOs..."

"But what you said makes sense too." Changing his tone, Gu Zhao became serious, "As disciples of the Three Pure Ones, spreading the faith of the Daoist sect is our unshirkable duty!"

The two foxes, one large and one small, exchanged a smile; everything was understood without words.

Next, Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song discussed their origins and titles for traveling in this world.

First, their origin: they came from a hidden sect; although Gu Zhao was young, he was the newly ascended young Sect Master, holding a prestigious status.

As for titles, Gu Zhao addressed Daoist Yan Song as Junior Uncle, and Daoist Yan Song addressed Gu Zhao as Sect Master, taking care of both status and seniority.

"First, I'll take you to the village to get acquainted; there are other matters later that I need to trouble you with." Gu Zhao led Daoist Yan Song toward the village.

"What matters?"

"I want to build a timber mill in the village." Gu Zhao pointed around, "These are small-leaf red sandalwoods, rare on the Blue Star; transporting them back will be worth a fortune, and the profits can support our development here."

Daoist Yan Song's eyes lit up, "In that case, why not build a Daoist temple here to serve as our base? Otherwise, we can't keep crossing through the forest every time; if someone sees us, it won't be good."

"Using small-leaf red sandalwood?"

"The timber will be small-leaf red sandalwood, but the main structure will naturally be reinforced concrete!" Daoist Yan Song chuckled, "This is in the mountains; if it accidentally burns down in a forest fire, it would be a pity."

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I can see you haven't gotten used to your current identity; if a forest fire starts, you can use the Cloud-Rain Spell!"

Daoist Yan Song, "..."

"I, this old Daoist, come from the Quanzhen Sect; I condensed the Three Flowers and Five Qi, harmonized the Dragon, Tiger, Yin, and Yang, and never learned these Talismans, Arts, and Spells!" Daoist Yan Song said speechlessly, "Historically, those who performed rituals on altars to pray for rain or clear skies were mostly Daoist Priests of the Zhengyi Sect."

Gu Zhao blinked, having not considered this point, but it didn't matter, "With magic power at your disposal, isn't learning these things easy?"

"I'll give it a try." Daoist Yan Song nodded, "Daoist Priests of the Quanzhen Sect rely entirely on their internal elixir and true Qi to subdue demons and evil spirits when traveling the world; they lack the numerous methods of the Zhengyi Sect. Now, in this other world filled with demons and ghosts, we indeed need to learn more things."

Speaking of this, Daoist Yan Song became quite proud, "However, now the Daoist sects under heaven are one family; I, this old Daoist, once internally balanced the Long Hu, harmonized water and fire, and also learned some ancient Daoist techniques and Secret Arts passed down from Qingcheng Mountain."

"What are they?" Gu Zhao asked.

Daoist Yan Song sensed for a moment, then shook his head, "Now my magic power is insufficient, and I don't know if I can use them; in a few days, when I am prepared, we will try them together."

Then the two arrived at the mountain village while chatting and laughing, meeting He Laozhang, He Xiuniang, and Bai Ke.

Even though he had heard Gu Zhao say so, upon seeing the white fox that could speak, Daoist Yan Song still exclaimed in wonder.

However, he had to maintain his persona; Daoist Yan Song did not show surprise, but simply explained that upon learning the Sect Master was missing, he had pursued him all the way and finally found him.

Bai Ke then "knew" that Gu Zhao was actually a Sect Master, but recalling that Gu Zhao's magic power seemed not very thick yet he knew such powerful various Talisman Arts and Spells, she did not doubt the truth of Daoist Yan Song's words at all.

He Laozhang was even more relieved; fortunately, this old man arrived a bit late, and Xiuniang was already Gu Zhao's maid; otherwise, he really worried this old man would interfere.

But now it didn't matter; people of their stature keep their word once spoken.

Xiuniang was very happy instead; since Gu Zhao's sect had sent someone, and this old man was so old, he must be very powerful, so Gu Zhao's safety was guaranteed.

"Hehe, no wonder!" Seeing Xiuniang's look, the old and cunning Daoist Yan Song immediately understood, chuckling, "So you like the 'raising' type."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Gu Zhao sternly refuted.

Daoist Yan Song looked at Gu Zhao, "Actually, you like them all?"

Gu Zhao fell silent, his voice deafening.

Daoist Yan Song: →_→

Daoist Yan Song returned to Qingcheng Mountain, informed the Pavilion of Taishang Laojun, then crossed into the other world and lived in the mountain village.

The matter of the temple was not urgent for now; the timber mill could be arranged first. Daoist Yan Song discussed with He Laozhang to clear a patch of land in the forest behind the village, asking villagers to fell small-leaf red sandalwoods in the mountain forest, process them roughly, and send them to the timber mill, with payment settled by weight.

He Laozhang, as the oldest and most respected person in the village, patted his chest and agreed.

Thus, in the following days, the timber mill was built in full swing.

Gu Zhao also bid farewell to his grandfather and grandmother, returned to Yangcheng, and used Daoist Yan Song's savings and his own pocket money to exchange a batch of silver, sending it to the other world to be melted into silver ingots.

As for the source of funds afterwards...

"Dad?"

"Huh?"

"Come with me."

"Wha... what's going on?" Gu Qi was completely stunned, "So much small-leaf red sandalwood? Where did you get it?"

"Imported from abroad." Gu Zhao said seriously.

"Where are the customs documents?" Gu Qi turned around.

"That will depend on you." Gu Zhao said earnestly, "I can give you a fifty percent discount."

Gu Qi:???

Gu Qi and Li Man were merely ordinary people after all, and the other world was indeed dangerous.

So Gu Zhao did not tell the truth; he simply pulled Daoist Yan Song out to raise a big banner. Under Daoist Yan Song's testimony, Gu Qi finally believed Gu Zhao had not encountered a scammer, but that Daoist Yan Song was a religious fellow traveler abroad.

Thus, Gu Qi quickly established an import-export trading company, handled customs declaration and taxes through all regular channels, and finally transferred the fees to the account provided by Daoist Yan Song.

A win-win!

Thus, the issue of funding was also resolved.