Chapter 121: The Grand Way

Seeing how unbrotherly Zhang Shijie and the other were.

Zheng Fa’s expression turned slightly wounded.

He said to Zhang Shijie: “Zhang Shijie, I did all this for the marketplace, for Jiushan Sect, for you.”

“...For me?” Zhang Shijie looked bewildered.

“Zhang Shijie, when I saw the Heavenly Chamber in the Sect Master’s pavilion, I asked myself one question—could this be displayed in the marketplace for others to see?”

Zhang Shijie froze, her eyes gradually brightening, as if Zheng Fa had just awakened some insight in her.

She said to Zheng Fa: “Go on.”

“Our Jiushan Sect marketplace has seen some improvement, but as you know, it’s only a temporary fix—other marketplaces and sects will likely copy our reception boats.”

Zhang Shijie nodded lightly.

Other sects aren’t fools; the reception boats are already available.

Once they hear about the results, many sects will imitate us.

“Besides, spirit talismans are the same wherever you buy them—we’re just cheaper, and that cheapness comes from having too many talisman masters.”

Zheng Fa had pointed out a truly fatal problem.

The only way they attracted customers was through cheap spirit talismans.

The product line was too narrow.

Moreover, these cheap talismans were the result of internal competition among Jiushan Sect disciples—they earned hard-earned money.

And most people didn’t need to come themselves; they could just ask a friend or relative to buy for them.

Jiushan Sect’s marketplace didn’t feel like a modern mall—it felt like a wholesale market. Sure, things are cheap at wholesale markets, but how many people actually want to go to a wholesale market themselves?

Especially a wholesale market that sells only one thing.

In short, they had no compelling reason to spend at Jiushan Sect.

But the Heavenly Chamber was different.

This thing could become a cinema.

Even a holographic cinema.

It was already a major traffic driver in modern malls.

And it was Jiushan Sect’s exclusive business!

“You mean... turning the stories from those novels into performances using the Heavenly Chamber?”

The Sect Master’s anger slowly faded from his face; he too fell into thought.

“Sect Master, do you think this idea is feasible?”

Zheng Fa asked.

“It’s possible,” the Sect Master nodded. “The Heavenly Chamber is essentially a spirit-narrative-controlled talisman array that conjures a world—it doesn’t require high cultivation.”

“But... will people really watch this?”

The Sect Master’s tone carried self-doubt.

“Aren’t you the one who came down the mountain?”

“What?”

Zhang Shijie and the other two froze, staring at Zheng Fa.

“You, who hate leaving your pavilion, still came all this way—doesn’t that prove how captivating those stories are?”

“...”

Zhang Shijie glanced at Zheng Fa, then at the Sect Master, stepping in front of Zheng Fa.

Her face clearly read: He’s still useful.

Sister, you’re being too pragmatic!

“Was that why you lured me down the mountain?” the Sect Master suddenly asked.

“I wish to become your disciple!” Zheng Fa said frankly.

“What if I still refuse?” the Sect Master refused again.

“Then I’ll have to ask True Person Pang if he knows the Heavenly Chamber technique.”

“Pah! That wooden-headed fool has never read a good novel—he’d ruin these!” the Sect Master cursed.

“No problem—I have plenty of novels; enough for True Person Pang to get familiar with.”

Hearing the words “plenty of novels,” the Sect Master’s expression grew increasingly conflicted.

“All of them!” Zheng Fa added.

“I accept!” the Sect Master’s face shifted back and forth: “But I have a condition!”

Before he finished speaking, Zheng Fa reached into his backpack and pulled out several books.

“These are...”

“The rest.”

The Sect Master silently took the books, then sighed: “I always thought you’d be more troublesome than those two... if not for someone speaking up for you.”

“Speaking up for me? Yuan Shijie?”

“Jiushan’s Founder,” the Sect Master said, glancing at him.

“The Founder?”

“He said you went through all the options—and chose Ling Shan Fa,” the Sect Master smiled. “Good. I practiced it too.”

On the way to Zheng Fa, Zhou Gan’s face was full of gloom; Sun Da Yu beside him looked equally sympathetic.

“Younger brother, don’t overthink it... the Master’s decisions aren’t for us to defy.”

“Senior brother, I’ve accepted that the Master wants to take Zheng Fa as a disciple... but why must I be the one to invite him? It’s too...”

Sun Da Yu’s face grew even more sympathetic: “Isn’t it because you’re closest to Zheng Shi-di?”

Zhou Gan’s face remained gloomy.

“Younger brother, think about it—the Master is trying to appease Zheng Shi-di.”

“Appease?”

“The Master’s adoption carries a hint of coercion—after all, our two branches have always been at odds,” Sun Da Yu explained. “Sending us to invite Zheng Shi-di shows we value him.”

Zhou Gan sighed and nodded: “Thank you, Senior brother, I understand now.”

“Never harbor resentment again,” Sun Da Yu warned. “As the Master said, Zheng Fa joining our branch will benefit us—least of all, you won’t have to face Zhang Shijie and Zheng Fa together.”

Zhou Gan nodded silently.

“Given how much the Master values Zheng Fa, he’ll definitely extend favors,” Sun Da Yu speculated. “Only then will Zheng Fa willingly become his disciple. Just look at how the Master acted today—you’ll know how to treat Zheng Fa from now on.”

“Senior brother’s advice is deeply noted,” Zhou Gan murmured gratefully. “But... my heart still aches.”

“...”

“When I was a child, I had an old friend.”

“An old friend?” Sun Da Yu didn’t understand why his junior suddenly brought this up.

“He had a childhood sweetheart—they grew up together, close as siblings,” Zhou Gan continued. “Then he met a classmate, and the two became instant friends, perfectly aligned in spirit.”

Sun Da Yu listened, still confused.

Clearly, he didn’t grasp why his junior was telling this story.

“One day, he introduced his childhood sweetheart to his classmate...”

Sun Da Yu blinked, his expression pained.

“Later, he attended their wedding.”

After telling the story, Zhou Gan sighed slowly: “Senior brother, don’t I look like I’m introducing my childhood sweetheart to my classmate right now?”

Sun Da Yu fell silent for a moment, then asked: “Was your childhood sweetheart... somewhat like the Master in appearance?”

“...”

“Then why sigh? Your classmate should be the one sighing!”

“I’m just using a metaphor! And it’s not me—it’s my old friend!” Zhou Gan snapped.

“Younger brother, I understand... to experience this twice in a lifetime, you’ve truly had a rough go.”

“It’s not me!”

Sun Da Yu looked unconvinced, offering comfort: “But think of it this way—you’ve got experience now. First time’s awkward, second time’s easy!”

When Zheng Fa was summoned before True Person Pang, he was still confused.

He glanced at Sun Da Yu and Zhou Gan who brought him, his expression puzzled.

They said nothing—he had no idea why True Person Pang wanted him, especially since he’d already become the Sect Master’s disciple.

“You’re Zheng Fa?”

True Person Pang asked.

“Yes.”

In front of a Nascent Soul True Person, Zheng Fa remained obedient.

After all, he dared to threaten the Sect Master with novels because Yuan Shijie had told him the Sect Master wasn’t easily angered.

But... True Person Pang’s reputation in the sect was anything but gentle.

As head of the Discipline Hall, True Person Pang naturally left a stern impression on sect disciples.

Among sect members, especially those in the marketplace, True Person Pang was rumored to be stern-faced, even cruel, always scowling.

Of course—since these disciples all belonged to Zhang Shijie’s lineage, he had always doubted the objectivity of this evaluation.

But Zheng Fa had never expected this evaluation to be so biased.

Master Pang was clearly a smiling person!

“I’ve long heard of you,” Master Pang said gently. “I’ve seen the talisman arts you taught Qian Yuan—truly vast and profound.”

“I, too, deeply admire Master Pang’s talisman arts,” Zheng Fa replied in kind.

“Hah! Qian Yuan learned nothing—you’ll see for yourself later.”

Zhou Qianyuan’s expression darkened beside him.

Zheng Fa froze. What did he mean by “later”?

“Also, your improvements to the ‘Talisman Foundation Method’ left a strong impression on me.”

Did Master Pang know about this too?

“I know Zhang Shijie treats you well—she’s a generous person—but I’m not stingy!”

“Huh?”

“Take these two portions of thousand-year purple bamboo tears!”

“This… I cannot accept gifts without merit.”

“Have you never heard? A senior’s gift must not be refused?”

Master Pang shoved the two portions of thousand-year purple bamboo tears into Zheng Fa’s hands.

“But…”

“But what? One is for you to use; the other, you can give to your fellow disciples…”

Master Pang hinted further.

Zheng Fa suddenly understood—Master Pang likely believed he would surely become his disciple.

He’d already given him these gifts?

And an extra portion, to help him win over disciples of this lineage?

“Master Pang… I’ve already taken a master.”

“Taken a master? That Huang?” Master Pang’s face stiffened.

“No.”

“Who else would dare compete with me for a disciple?” Master Pang’s tone carried anger.

“The Sect Master.”

“...Who?” Master Pang’s face froze. Slowly, he asked: “Has Elder Yuan left the mountain?”

“...Yes.” Zheng Fa watched his expression and carefully returned the two portions of thousand-year purple bamboo tears: “Master Pang, perhaps you should take them back?”

“I said I gave them to you—I won’t take them back!” Master Pang fell silent for a long moment, then said: “Do you think I’m that petty?”

Watching Zheng Fa walk away with the thousand-year purple bamboo tears, Master Pang’s face twitched, his expression sinking.

“Master… those two portions of thousand-year purple bamboo tears?” Sun Dao Yu asked, puzzled: “Why did you…?”

Clearly, he didn’t believe his own master was generous.

“Do you know what the Sect Master is like?”

“What?”

“Fiercely protective of his own,” Master Pang sighed. “He’s only ever taken two disciples.”

“His first disciple seduced a demon sect enchantress—he protected her within the Nine Mountains Sect. The demon sect sent wave after wave, and he slew several Nascent Souls.”

“His second disciple broke an ancient seal—orthodox sects came to cause trouble… and he beat them all.”

“...”

“Even if he’d taken that Huang as his master, I could’ve reclaimed him. But now he’s taken Elder Yuan… it’s like throwing a meat bun at a dog,” Master Pang said bitterly.