Chapter 134: Pouting Mouth

Because Auntie Ye was present, Bai Lao did not elaborate on the person whose life was nearing its end.

Although Auntie Ye and Zheng Fa were already in a cooperative relationship.

The three still consciously held back from her—regarding matters related to cultivation, they tried not to mention them when Auntie Ye was present.

Even Tang Lingwu was the same.

By midnight, the car ride had left Auntie Ye's expression slowly tinged with weariness, and the muscles on her face had become somewhat stiff.

Zheng Fa knew this was because exhaustion had caused her condition to relapse slightly.

Tang Lingwu, standing nearby, also looked somewhat tense.

"Shall I give you a massage?"

Zheng Fa asked softly.

Auntie Ye's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly nodded.

Tang Lingwu glanced at the driver ahead, stood up, and bent down to look at her mother.

To an outsider, it seemed she was observing Auntie Ye's condition, but in reality, she was blocking the driver's view from the front for Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa extended his hand, gently kneaded Auntie Ye's shoulders and neck twice, and the Spirit-Nourishing Talisman shot from his fingertips into the back of Auntie Ye's head.

By the time Tang Lingwu sat down again, the driver in the rearview mirror could only see Auntie Ye fast asleep.

And Bai Lao, staring eagerly at Zheng Fa beside her.

Zheng Fa ignored Bai Lao's pleading gaze.

It was not that Zheng Fa was stingy, but in the modern era, every Yuanfu Talisman could only be used three times; if used too much, the Yuanfu Dao Foundation condensed within the body would scatter.

By the time they reached the first suitable mountain range, it was already one in the morning.

It was not good to climb the mountain in the dark.

The group simply found a hotel at the foot of the mountain to stay in.

At first light the next day, the four of them got up and, led by the driver, headed up the mountain.

Only then did Zheng Fa learn that the driver from the night before was a member of the expedition team, specially hired by Auntie Ye.

It was late spring, and the scenery on the mountain was perfect.

As the group walked along the mountain path, the mountain breeze brushing against their faces dispelled much of the sleepiness from the overnight journey.

On the mountain path, they occasionally encountered hikers wearing outdoor sportswear.

The driver leading the way explained as he walked: "The scenery of this mountain is somewhat famous in Jingcheng, and it is convenient to drive here; many outdoor enthusiasts like to come play—building a nursing home here would be just right."

It was clear he was more recommending building the nursing home on this mountain.

Reaching the high point of the mountain peak, silver light flickered in Zheng Fa's eyes as he looked down at the foot of the mountain.

After a while, Zheng Fa nodded, but only said: "Let's go check out another mountain."

The other mountain was not as well-connected; they drove from the expressway to the provincial road, then crossed a stretch of country road before arriving at this place.

"There's not much to say about this place..." The driver's tone held some disdain: "This mountain belongs to the village collective, it's a bit remote... probably not many people would be willing to come to this nursing home."

Zheng Fa's face wore a thoughtful expression.

After returning to the hotel.

Old Chen and the others were probably still touring Jingcheng University with other students.

No one was in Zheng Fa's room.

The four people sat inside the room.

Tang Lingwu and the other two fixed their gaze on Zheng Fa, wanting to hear his thoughts.

"Both places are suitable," Zheng Fa said first: "What needs consideration are other aspects."

The "Treatise on Spirit Veins" lists about ten types of spirit veins; these two mountain ranges happen to match two of them respectively, so from the perspective of cultivating the "Spirit Mountain Method," the difference between these two places is not great.

He turned to look at Auntie Ye: "Auntie, what is your opinion?"

Auntie Ye thought for a moment before speaking: "In terms of cost, the difference is not that great—the approval process for contracting the first place will be more troublesome, but the transportation costs for the second place will be higher."

"How to choose between these two depends on how you plan for the future."

Zheng Fa nodded lightly, looked at Auntie Ye, and signaled her to continue.

"The first place is near the scenic area, and there are some villa districts nearby." Auntie Ye paused, then said: "If Zheng Fa you want to befriend some big shots, or become a guest of someone or someone else, then the first one is better."

"As for the second one, it is quieter."

"Which one to choose depends only on what you want to do."

Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment; he knew this was Auntie Ye testing him.

Seeing the silent Zheng Fa, Auntie Ye seemed to know she should give him some time to make a decision.

She walked toward the door, then turned her head and nodded at Tang Lingwu, signaling her own daughter to follow.

But Tang Lingwu's gaze was fixed on Zheng Fa's face, and she simply did not see her gesture.

Seeing her daughter's unblinking stare, Auntie Ye helplessly shook her head and gently closed the door for the three of them.

"What do you two think?"

Zheng Fa asked Tang Lingwu and the other.

Bai Lao smacked his lips and spoke: "Choose the first one! The Divine Doctor descends the mountain, shocking the great families of Jingcheng with his medical skills! Turning clouds with one hand and rain with the other!"

"..."

Why did it feel like this old man's taste in reading was getting lower and lower?

Tang Lingwu, standing nearby, pouted, seeming somewhat disapproving, but meeting Zheng Fa's gaze, she still shook her head and said: "I'll listen to you."

Zheng Fa shook his head.

He looked out the window and suddenly said:

"Auntie Ye's words gave me some reminder; since the nursing home is to be built, I think some principles need to be clarified; you see what you think."

Bai Lao and Tang Lingwu exchanged a glance and listened silently to Zheng Fa's words.

"First, don't pretend to be mystical or supernatural. Though cultivation is hard to explain, if someone comes asking for treatment, we treat them—just maintain a disguise. In daily life, present ourselves as an ordinary convalescent home."

Upon hearing this, Bai Lao and the other understood that Zheng Fa had already made his choice.

"Second, do not pursue secular power—neither fear it nor flatter it."

"Third, I want the convalescent home to be a relatively pure research institution—treating people, developing agriculture—all merely to sustain its operations and research."

Zheng Fa's voice was soft, but grew firmer as he spoke.

To him, modern fame and fortune were nearly useless—he could not bring modern material goods into the Xuanwei Realm.

At least, they were useless for cultivation.

What was useful were the various talents and knowledge modern science could provide.

Through cultivation, he had already accessed wealth that once lay far beyond his reach, and perhaps even more lay ahead.

But he had always known exactly what he wanted.

After saying this, he looked at Bai Lao and the other.

These three statements were, on one hand, Zheng Fa's own ideas.

On the other hand, they were demands upon the two—especially Bai Lao, who liked to overthink.

Bai Lao's face showed no disappointment; instead, he seemed to exhale in relief, muttering, "I was wondering—those sidekicks and lickspittles in the books, their brains must be full of holes… I could never act like that!"

"…"

You've already picked your role?

Tang Lingwu beside him…

Uh, this girl now seems to say yes to whatever Zheng Fa says.

…

Xuanwei Realm.

It was another day of "Saving Saving Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian" being screened.

Zheng Fa, Zhang Shijie, and Yuan Shijie stood in the Fangshihe Sect's manager's pavilion, watching the reception boat slowly descend onto the dock.

Before the reception boat had even stabilized, a crowd surged out and rushed toward the theater.

Zheng Fa saw Han Qi and the other two disembark, as if they had something urgent, heading straight for the pavilion.

"Zheng Shidi… our reception boat is a bit insufficient." The first words Han Qi spoke upon seeing Zheng Fa left him momentarily stunned.

"Insufficient?"

"Yes." Han Qi's eyes sparkled with excitement: "After the last screening of 'Saving Saving Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian,' some outside cultivators watched it… When they returned to their sects, this time far too many have come to Jiushan Sect!"

Zheng Fa looked toward the stream of people rushing toward the theater.

The word-of-mouth for "Saving Saving Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian" had begun to spread.

The Xuanwei Realm had no advertising channels, but the outside cultivators who had watched "Saving Saving Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian" had become its organic promoters.

Although the number of outside cultivators who watched "Saving Saving Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian" last time was small, their origins were diverse; they returned to major Fangshihe Sects and sects, spreading the word tenfold and hundredfold—and now the effect had arrived.

"We originally planned to visit three sects and two Fangshihe Sects, but after visiting just one sect, this boat is nearly full…" Han Qi said helplessly: "Even when we go elsewhere, people are willing to pay to board."

"…"

The reception boats dispatched by Jiushan Sect had limited capacity—barely enough to hold three hundred cultivators.

Before "Saving Saving Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian" was screened, each reception boat brought only about a hundred cultivators.

Sometimes they didn't even fill half.

This time, it was wildly popular.

"Zheng Shidi, look… should we send more reception boats?" Han Qi suggested.

Hearing this, Zheng Fa glanced at Zhang Shijie beside him and said to Han Qi: "We'll discuss this. You've traveled far—rest first."

Upon hearing this, Han Qi bowed to the three and withdrew from the pavilion.

Zhang Shijie said nothing, only leaned against the window.

The cultivators who disembarked from the reception boat, after buying tickets at the theater, likely had nothing to do, so to pass the time, they began wandering the Fangshihe Sect.

As always—once you've come, you might as well stay.

Moreover, the cultivators willing to pay to watch "Saving Saving Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian" were more willing to spend than previous outside cultivators—

Because the previous group came only for Jiushan Sect's cheap spirit talismans and the free reception boat.

This group, however, were those willing to pay relatively high prices to watch a play.

The same number of people, but different spending attitudes—resulting in a world of difference in revenue for Jiushan Sect's Fangshihe Sect.

Watching the bustling Fangshihe Sect below, Zhang Shijie gave Zheng Fa a slight nod: "Zheng Shidi, you've done well with the play…"

"Sister, our Jiushan Sect will become richer in the future."

Zheng Fa suddenly said.

"Hm?"

"In the future, when you want to research anything, you won't need to use sect resources."

This remark left Zhang Shijie silent for a long time.

Zheng Fa continued: "Jiushan Sect lacks resources—we'll earn resources from outside. That way, Uncle Pang won't mind."

"…Zheng Shidi, I suddenly remember I have something to attend to."

After another long silence, Zhang Shijie said to Zheng Fa, her expression utterly calm.

"Farewell, Sister."

Zhang Shijie and Yuan Shijie landed in her backyard, standing there as if lost in thought, staring silently at the waterfall cascading down the mountain.

"Sister, if you want to laugh, just laugh," Yuan Shijie sighed, looking at Zhang Shijie. "Your mouth is already curled up like that."