Chapter 87: Composing Words into Tunes, A Novel Way to Make Money!

Dealing with the Xuantian Sect is no different from fighting a war, and the worst thing about fighting a war is not knowing where the enemy is or how strong they are.

What Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing were now discussing was the preparatory work beforehand.

He had originally been fully confident in this plan, but after chatting with Zhao Xing, he realized his preparations were still not thorough enough.

As the conversation with Zhao Xing went on, gradually filling in the gaps, by the time it got dark, Chen Shijie found that the preparatory work he had to do had doubled, but the plan itself had actually become simpler.

A plan doesn't really need to be complicated; as long as the preparations are thorough enough, actually executing the plan becomes very simple.

"Alright, let's call it a day for now." Chen Shijie rubbed his eye sockets. "You be careful lately too—try not to leave the city. If you absolutely must, notify me or Xue Wenzhong."

"Understood." Zhao Xing nodded.

He had originally had no intention of getting involved in the Xuantian Sect affair, but since he was now involved, he had to make thorough preparations.

Although Chen Shijie was the tall one standing in front, he, the short one, couldn't just rely entirely on the other man.

In the final analysis, one still had to be strong enough oneself to fear nothing!

Early the next morning, Zhao Xing brought the Mountain Cat to the Willow Scholar Academy to cultivate.

"I'm now at the Upper Ninth Rank. Although my realm is capped, there's still room to improve my spells." Zhao Xing looked at his panel.

The mid-tier Four Arts of Heaven—Yin Wind and Thunder Draw—were already at nine revolutions, but not yet perfected.

Ice Rain was perfected, but that didn't mean there was no room for improvement.

If he could continue to comprehend, he could break through the limit, push his spells past nine revolutions, and keep increasing their power.

"The Four Arts of Heaven is still missing the mid-tier Cloud Art."

"The Dili Sect only has the one spell, Earth Vein Convergence. If I could get the Cao family's Rending Earth Art, that would be great."

"The self-created mid-tier Thunder Art also has room for improvement."

"And the Strawman Art—I should try the mid-tier Strawman Art too."

It was very, very difficult to make breakthroughs in spells within a short time.

Now, with normal cultivation, mid-tier perfected spells no longer add progress—they've hit some kind of bottleneck. A timely opportunity is needed to break through.

For those at nine revolutions but not yet perfected, practicing for a day might not even add 1 point.

"If I want to break through in a short time, I can only spend money!" Zhao Xing muttered.

"Meow?" The Mountain Cat blinked in confusion. What was "spending money"? Was it edible?

"It's not edible, and during this period you can only eat Tianyuan Pears. I need to save money." Zhao Xing stuffed the Mountain Cat into the Asparagus Fern box and stood up to leave.

He brought the Mountain Cat and knocked on the door of the Zong residence.

The doorman didn't recognize Zhao Xing. He sized him up: "Young Master, who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Zong Zong Shichang. Please announce that Zhao Xing is here to visit."

"Oh? Zhao Sijia, please come in quickly, quickly! The young master said that when you arrive, there's no need to announce you." The doorman immediately warmly ushered Zhao Xing inside.

"Thank you."

After entering, the doorman immediately called over a young servant to go announce him, while another steward led Zhao Xing forward along the covered walkway.

The Zong family residence occupied more than half of East Main Street.

The covered walkways and towers, waterside pavilions and orchid halls, rockeries and gardens inside were almost dazzling to the eye.

To meet Zong Zong Shichang, they had to walk along the covered walkway for seven or eight minutes!

When they finally met, Zong Zong Shichang was fishing at his own waterside pavilion, and a table of food had already been prepared beside him.

"Zhao Sijia, welcome, welcome!" Zong Zong Shichang put away his fishing rod, called for Mao Jin to wipe his hands, and said, "Please sit."

"Young Master Zong, is your life really this simple, unadorned, and boring?" Zhao Xing glanced at the lavish spread of food.

Just the two of them, but twenty or thirty dishes—and he'd even prepared food for the Mountain Cat!

Zong Zong Shichang shook his head, however: "You're an honored guest, and this is your first visit. By rights it should be even more lavish. But you didn't notify me in advance, so we can only make do with what's here."

"Since you're here, you absolutely must stay for dinner today—no! Stay the night at my place!"

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised; he felt Zong Zong Shichang was being overly enthusiastic.

This was his first time visiting, and before this they'd only been nodding acquaintances. Wasn't this far too polite?

But he didn't say much more—he still had a favor to ask of Zong Zong Shichang.

Besides, the Mountain Cat could freeload food and drink here too. It would be a waste not to eat.

"Can I pet it?" Zong Zong Shichang looked at the Mountain Cat, clearly delighted, and seeing how cute it was, wanted to reach out and touch it.

"Wait until it's done eating before petting it." Zhao Xing smiled. "Once it's eaten and comfortable, it'll be easier to pet."

"Fair enough." Zong Zong Shichang poured wine for Zhao Xing. "Come, shall we have a drink together?"

"If we're drinking, switch to big cups—otherwise how can it be satisfying?"

Zong Zong Shichang was taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter: "Good, you're indeed straightforward enough! Someone come, bring out my Moon-Water Glass Cups."

With the big cups deployed, Zhao Xing didn't stand on ceremony either. Whatever Moon-Water Glass Cups they were, he simply picked up a pot and filled them to the brim, and began eating and drinking with Young Master Zong.

After taking the Giant Whale Pill, his physique had grown considerably stronger; taking on ten of Young Master Zong in a drinking contest would be no problem at all.

In no time, Young Master Zong was already half-drunk, while Zhao Xing was only slightly tipsy.

Seeing the state was about right, Zhao Xing began to discuss business.

"Young Master Zong, I have something I'd like to ask—see if you can help arrange it."

"Arrange it? Absolutely!" Zong Zong Shichang said grandly. "Just say the word, brother—I'll do everything in my power to handle it for you!"

He'd been waiting for Zhao Xing to open his mouth. He wasn't worried about you having needs; he was afraid you had no requests.

Otherwise, how would he fulfill what he'd promised Lu Qian?

"I want to purchase Dao-Composing Paintings. I'm too lazy to run to Nanyang Commandery myself, so in Gucheng here, I imagine only your family has the connections." Zhao Xing said.

"Dao-Composing Paintings?" Zong Zong Shichang waved his hand. "What rank? Third-rank ones I have right here at my Gucheng residence—I've collected some of every type. I'll give you a few scrolls!"

"Third-rank won't do—I need fourth-rank."

Hearing it was a fourth-tier Dao-comprehension painting, Zong Zong Shichang sobered up a bit: "Fourth-tier, now that's a bit tricky."

He had money, but having money didn't mean he could casually give away a fourth-tier Dao-comprehension painting.

That stuff wasn't cheap.

Zhao Xing smiled and said: "Would I, brother, be one to take advantage? Of course I'll pay for it. As long as Brother Zong can find a way, that would be a huge help."

This was the truth—when it came to business, Chen Shijie couldn't compare to the Zong family; he wasn't a local, and his roots weren't in Nanyang Commandery either.

Zong Zong Shichang nodded and said: "It's not that I'm being stingy, brother, but fourth-tier Dao-comprehension paintings rarely circulate on the market. Generally they're just collected by the major families, waiting for the right price, only moving within small inner circles."

"Of course, I can guarantee that whatever price I, Zong Zong Shichang, get it at, that's the price I'll give you."

Zhao Xing said: "What kind of price would a fourth-tier Dao-comprehension painting fetch?"

Zong Zong Shichang scratched his head, then called toward the back: "Uncle Tang, tell Uncle Tang to come over here!"

In a short while, a middle-aged man in a long gown arrived at the waterside pavilion.

"Young Master."

"Uncle Tang, what's the usual price for a fourth-tier Dao-comprehension painting?"

Steward Tang considered and said: "Young Master, that depends on the quality and type."

"Generally, martial arts secret-skill types are a bit cheaper; spell-type Dao-comprehension paintings are more expensive."

"Among them, the most expensive are those for Ritual Cultivators, Music Cultivators, Mechanism Masters, and Pharmacists."

Zong Zong Shichang said: "What about Si Nong Dao ones?"

Steward Tang said: "Then it depends on what the requirements are."

Zong Zong Shichang turned his head and said: "Zhao Xing, what are your requirements?"

Zhao Xing said: "If it's related to the Four Arts of Heaven's Timing, I'd most want a Cloud Art Dao-comprehension painting, with Rain Art next."

"If it's Earthly Advantage spells, then Rift Earth Art, Earth Store Art, Earth Palace Art, Mysterious Earth Art—anything else I don't want."

"Also, prioritize defensive and enemy-trapping auxiliary-type paintings; offensive ones come second."

Zong Zong Shichang looked at Steward Tang: "Have you got it all down?"

Steward Tang nodded: "All noted, I'll go inquire right away."

Zong Zong Shichang said: "Can you find out?"

Steward Tang thought and said: "For Dili Sect spells, going to the Cao family would surely yield results. As for paintings of Heaven's Timing sect spells, the Master prepared some for you, but they're in the commandery—just send someone to ask and we'll know."

Zong Zong Shichang was overjoyed: "Good, good, good! This is a matter of top priority. Uncle Tang, you must take it to heart."

Steward Tang didn't leave, and added one more question: "Young Master Zhao, are there any requirements on price?"

This was asking about Zhao Xing's ability to pay.

I can find the goods, but can you afford it?

Zong Zong Shichang said unhappily: "Just go look. Search up to fourth-tier superior grade. Find out the price first, then we'll talk."

"Yes, the Young Master is right. I'll go handle it now." Steward Tang cupped his hands in a fist and took his leave.

Having settled the main business, Zhao Xing saw that the mountain cat had also eaten its fill, so he planned to take his leave.

"Why are you leaving already? Didn't we agree to go to Moon-Gazing Tower in the east city tonight to admire the moon?"

"Did we?" Zhao Xing was a bit blank—he didn't remember agreeing to that. Zong Zong Shichang must have gotten drunk and confused.

"I've already arranged everything." Zong Zong Shichang said: "Admire the moon on Moon Worship Festival, then in two days the Harvest Festival, and we'll go play for another day…"

Zhao Xing's forehead was covered in black lines. Big brother, you're only thinking about having fun here? Really not doing a single bit of proper work? During the Harvest Festival he still had to go down to his jurisdiction to check on the harvest!

It was hard to refuse such warm hospitality, and he still had a favor to ask, so Zhao Xing could only say: "Fine, then. I almost forgot to mention—I brought some things this time, all good stuff obtained from the mountain."

"I can't estimate the price accurately. See how much you can sell them for."

To buy the fourth-tier Dao-comprehension painting, Zhao Xing had brought silver drafts.

But fearing the money wouldn't be enough, he also brought along the treasures seized last time—the Bamboo Horse, Tiger Soul Blade, Soft Armor, Que Ling Dharma Robe—as well as the third-tier Earth Sha Pills and Five Organ Sha-Expelling Pills from the Great Dream Academy.

Including the fourth-tier Venerable Han Bing Pearl salvaged from East Lake.

It's just that he wasn't very willing to sell this pearl, because after obtaining the 【Ice Rain】 spell, this pearl had come in handy, able to enhance the spell's power.

"Easy to say, easy to say, let me take a look." Seeing Zhao Xing sit back down, Zong Zong Shichang naturally agreed to everything.

"Third-tier lower-grade Bamboo Horse." Zhao Xing took out the Bamboo Horse.

In its inactive state, the Bamboo Horse was only the size of a low stool; the bamboo document box was half a person's height, more than enough to fit it.

"A Bamboo Horse mechanism beast, pity its spirituality has already grown very weak." Zong Zong Shichang examined it for a while and said, "A battle soul was once nurtured inside it—that's somewhat rare. If used long-term, it's still more likely than ordinary Bamboo Horses to give birth to a battle soul. If I had to estimate, it's worth about three to four hundred taels. Take the middle figure—three hundred fifty taels."

Zhao Xing nodded. Third-tier treasures fluctuated in value between one hundred and five hundred taels; some were very expensive, some relatively cheap—it mainly depended on the profession and characteristics.

Those for the Warrior profession were usually cheaper; the Bamboo Horse counted as a slightly more expensive third-tier treasure.

"Tiger Soul Blade, third-tier lower-grade, mass-produced stuff. These few blades of yours all have tiny nicks, ruining their appearance. The buy-back price is about eighty taels each." Zong Zong Shichang said.

Zhao Xing nodded; this price was also very reasonable.

"Ming Lou Soft Armor, third-tier mid-grade, produced by the Huo Family Weaponry Forge. The quality is decent, no defects, just a bit worn. It can probably sell for about one hundred sixty taels per piece."

Armor was more expensive than blades; this price was also very normal.

Four blades, three sets of armor, plus the Bamboo Horse, came to one thousand one hundred fifty taels in total.

Zhao Xing then took out the Que Ling Dharma Robe.

At the sight of the dharma robe, Zong Zong Shichang couldn't help but become dazed. The jade pendant at his neck flashed with light, and only then did he resist the influence of the eyes on the dharma robe.

"A Que Ling Dharma Robe made from roc-sparrow feathers? And there's even a fourth-tier feather among them—a rare item." Zong Zong Shichang's gaze turned playful. "This was sold by my family. There are only twelve in all of Nanyang Commandery."

Zhao Xing didn't notice Zong Zong Shichang's gaze, just asked the price: "How much is it worth?"

Zong Zong Shichang smiled and said: "At the time it was sold for two thousand eight hundred taels."

Zhao Xing was overjoyed: "That expensive? On par with a fourth-tier price!"

Zong Zong Shichang said unhurriedly: "The price of course far exceeded the treasure's own value, but women's things—making ten times, dozens of times the profit is all very common."

Zhao Xing was very happy: "How much can a secondhand one sell for?"

Zong Zong Shichang shook his head: "Secondhand luxury goods like this can't fetch a high price, because it's an intimate-worn item. Of course you could tell outsiders it's brand new, but without the auction hype conditions my family has, you'd probably only get about forty percent of the price."

"I'll sell it to you," Zhao Xing said. "I'll take seventy percent."

Zong Zong Shichang smiled and shook his head: "Brother, take my advice—don't sell it. Even if you sell, I wouldn't dare take it."

Zhao Xing asked: "You mean there'll be trouble?"

Zong Zong Shichang blinked: "It's not exactly trouble, but if I took it, she'd beat me half to death."

Zhao Xing caught on: "You know the owner of this treasure?"

Zong Zong Shichang nodded: "Yes, her name is Lu Qian, the daughter of the Lu family of Nanyang. She's known me since we were young. This Que Ling Dharma Robe is what she spent over two thousand to buy back then, and she'll also be coming to Moon-Gazing Tower tonight."

Zhao Xing asked tentatively: "Brother Zong, your warm hospitality today—is it because you want to help her get the dharma robe back?"

Zong Zong Shichang laughed: "How could I come here to play such a villain?"

Then what does he mean?

"She wants to find a chance to meet you. From what I know of her, she has no intention of calling you to account."

Zong Zong Shichang suddenly made a face and whispered: "You're handsome and talented beyond compare—if you could… what's the harm in returning the dharma robe? Do you catch my meaning?"

Zhao Xing understood.

The Que Ling Dharma Robe is an intimate-worn item, and it's now in his hands—there are only two possibilities.

One: Lu Qian was robbed by him and the robe was taken. Two: Lu Qian was saved by him and gave him the robe.

Because of the Forget-Worry Stele's existence, no one remembers what happened.

That Miss Lu probably misjudged it as the latter case.

Zong Zong Shichang playing matchmaker here—he was actually hinting that he could live the soft life!

He had gained too much good fortune on the mountain; when fortune peaks it declines, and there were bound to be a few unlucky moments ahead.

＿ttkΛn＿co

Could it be manifesting right here? A peach-blossom tribulation?

Zhao Xing said coolly: "I have no interest in this matter. I won't go to Moon-Gazing Tower."

He planned to avoid it, to spare himself unnecessary trouble.

Whatever Lu Qian's purpose was, staying out of it was one way to handle it.

Zong Zong Shichang said urgently: "No, Brother Zhao, you absolutely must go. If you don't go, how will I see Miss Liu next time?"

Only then did Zhao Xing realize Zong Zong Shichang had someone he liked, and had made a deal with Lu Qian.

The two were each other's strategist, and also the parties involved.

After Zong Zong Shichang laid everything out, Zhao Xing suddenly changed his mind.

Because he found that this Lu Qian was quite determined—it wasn't the first time she had approached Zong Zong Shichang about this.

He felt that even if he refused this time, she'd find some reason to meet him next time.

Since he couldn't avoid it, he might as well go settle it.

It was within the city anyway—no matter how unlucky it got, it couldn't get too bad. There was definitely no threat to his life, and no great danger either.

It had been a long time since he'd seen the Music Master and the Dance Master; he heard the two of them would still be performing the dance "Six Songs," so going to watch wouldn't hurt.

"Going isn't out of the question. Brother Zong, since you admire that Miss Liu, how about I give you a hand?" Zhao Xing suddenly thought of something.

Zong Zong Shichang asked back: "How would you help me?"

Zhao Xing said: "I'll sell you a poem. You can use it to express your feelings. At tonight's Moon-Gazing Tower banquet, you can give it to that Miss Liu."

Zong Zong Shichang was only mildly interested; he didn't think Zhao Xing could have any good poems.

But after Zhao Xing whispered it in his ear, Zong Zong Shichang's eyes lit up: "Eh? This poem actually has something to it…"

Zhao Xing smiled: "A Music Master setting a new poem to music can greatly boost her cultivation—the wider it spreads, the better the effect. The Miss Liu you mentioned is a Music Master, so she'll surely like it."

"If you don't believe it, try it tonight. If it doesn't work, I won't take your money. If you think it's good, how about this poem in exchange for a fourth-tier Dao-Dissemination painting?"

Zong Zong Shichang didn't know the ins and outs, but he trusted Zhao Xing wouldn't deceive him. He might not understand it himself, but plenty of others would. So he nodded: "Deal, I'll take it!"