Chapter 209

The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord slowly spoke of the plan in his heart.

He wants to do a great undertaking!

Fengxi stood to the side as a silent listener; outwardly calm, but inside he was already on the verge of an upheaval.

Why?

Only because he has now truly witnessed the maneuvers of a great divine-ability wielder, interpreting the old sly and crafty in full detail.

First consider defeat before victory, pre-arrange a scapegoat, rehearse in advance, all kinds of behind-the-scenes deals…

"I wish to make a great vow, to heaven and earth, to the future, to all beings, borrowing an astronomical sum of karmic fortune and merit."

Claiming not to be Jieyin the Ancient Buddha, but actually doing the work of this great capable one, the Karmic Fortune Dao Lord said, "With this I will undertake a great enterprise."

"Fellow Daoist, with such lofty ambition, we certainly support you in spirit... but, what can we help you with?" The River of Hell... ah no, the Slaughter Fortune Dao Lord raised his eyebrows, "Feigning to be the demon ancestor, commanding the demon sect—what use is that?"

"Of course it's useful." The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord smiled, "For future plans, just in case."

"These days, borrowing isn't easy!" The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord's smile faded, replaced by a sigh, "Heaven and earth aren't easily fooled, nor are the myriad beings of the human realm."

"Not only do you need collateral, but also qualification review and guarantors... it's not something ordinary people can handle."

"Normally speaking, using my strength and labor as collateral, it's not impossible to obtain a loan."

"But that amount is too limited."

"How could that support my grand plan?"

"If I'm going to do it, I'll do it big."

The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord rubbed his bald head, "Fortunately, with years of experience I have roughly figured out some borrowing procedures in Honghuang heaven and earth, and devised a special set of PR tactics to get past qualification review and guarantors—that's enough."

"As for the collateral issue, I also have a method that can exempt a large part... I have already met all these preconditions, so I can consider borrowing."

"May I hear the Daoist's method?" the Seizure Fortune Dao Lord suddenly said, "Just curious, no other intention."

"Well... this isn't really something worth keeping secret." The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord chuckled, "In short, it's just a few words—people's hearts, their inclinations."

"Even if the collateral's value is insufficient, it's not absolutely impossible... In special times, when the overall situation demands, there is room for maneuver."

Several Dao Lords exchanged glances and nodded.

Fengxi also nodded.

This time, he wasn't just following the crowd; he truly understood.

In special times, special industries need it; some policy directives relax the restrictions, ease reviews, raise allowable quotas, to support certain industries…

"With room to maneuver, the estimated value of things hard to calculate precisely can be set higher... isn't that normal?"

The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord spread his hands, "Attached people's hearts, labor... all can be taken into account."

"That makes the demands of the time quite special and subtle." The Slaughter Fortune Dao Lord commented.

"Indeed." The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord nodded, "But isn't this the time that has arrived?"

"The Lich Great Tribulation... tsk tsk!"

"Amid this war and turmoil, with people's hearts in panic... I will open an insurance company, promising to guarantee believers' afterlife bliss, to reach the Pure Land of Ultimate Happiness."

"Look."

"Isn't this a very marketable business?"

The Dao Lord laughed and posed the question back.

The Slaughter Fortune Dao Lord shook his head, "Fellow Daoist, you are quite frank... aren't you afraid we'll get there first?"

"What am I afraid of?" the Karmic Fortune Dao Lord said leisurely, "Lowering the collateral requirements for borrowing is one thing; qualification review and guarantor procedures are another... I have a backdoor prepared, able to clear the middle link."

"As long as it looks generally fine, the loan can be granted... and looking across Honghuang, how many can actually accomplish all of this?"

"Those who are envious but can't complete it, while those who can complete it... won't be envious." The Dao Lord laughed, clasping his hands toward Fengxi, the 'Fortune Dao Lord', "Someone like you who directly controls the flow of fortune wouldn't care either way."

"There are countless ways to make money; Fellow Daoist has macroscopic control methods, grasps the big picture, invests with the trend, takes various stakes, without even getting his hands dirty—money just jumps into his pocket."

"How unlike me? I still have to coax and deceive, rush about, consider all sorts of consequences."

The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord sighed.

Fengxi blinked.

He very much wanted to say, "You're wrong."

The previous Dao Lord might have been like that; this temporary one of his... is hard to put into words.

However, Fengxi thought it over seriously, still cautiously nodded, uttering a casual sound as if money were dirt and clouds, "En."

This single word embodies the aura of the wealthy boss Feng who doesn't lack money in public, vivid and vivid.

As for behind the scenes...

"Borrowed money comes quickly, but in the end it must be repaid."

The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord said faintly, "Even if I have the ability and means to arrange an infinite Great Calamity installment repayment... it still must be repaid."

"One can deceive heaven, earth, and all beings for a while, but not forever."

"Although their overall intelligence isn't high... they still can do the simplest arithmetic."

"I must prepare for being audited."

"If I can't repay the money, the consequences are severe... after all, I lack the ability to go bankrupt and flee." The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord sighed, "To successfully run away, one must have Pangu-level strength."

"Even if one has that strength, fleeing outright still incurs a cost."

"Therefore, I can only use some roundabout strategies... this will trouble you two." He looked at the Slaughter and Extinction Fortune Dao Lords, "At the critical moment, cooperate with me to put on a show."

"You lack such confidence? Can't you repay the borrowed money?" The Slaughter Fortune Dao Lord chuckled.

"That's not the case." The Karmic Fortune Dao Lord shook his head, "It's just this market contest—who dares say they will surely profit big and never lose?"

"When profiting, it's easy to say."

"When losing? It's miserable."

"Thus, necessary preparations are still needed."

So, you came to us…… the Slaying Fate Dao Lord clapped his hands, "Is this the routine of becoming a Buddha in one thought and a demon in the next?"

During an episode, do mental patients destroy social property?

The Demonic Calamity focuses on key targets, then naturally proceeds to submit a report to the lending bank—the Heaven and Earth Bank—stating that due to an irresistible strike, they apply for interest‑free deferred repayment?" The Final Fate Dao Lord also chimed in, thinking, "Or simply be harsher, let the madness of the Demonic Calamity flare up a bit, wiping out the whole family……"

It would be best to burn even the ledgers…… and beforehand, in fact, the transfer of assets had already been secretly completed?

……

The two Dao Lords closely related to the Demonic Ancestor exchanged words, having settled on the routine.

And seeing the Calamity Fate Dao Lord's expression of "exactly so," it was apparent……

Fengxi remained silent.

He truly had his horizons completely broadened, to the point that it frightened him.

The world of those with great supernatural powers…… is utterly insane.

Fortunately.

In this world, it's not purely like that.

Occasionally there are also some glimmers of light.

Like the Intercepting Fate Dao Lord, who at this moment holds a somewhat different view.

Of course, it's not aimed at those individual shady tricks—how to cook the books, deceive humanity…… but rather there is a slight objection to the industry involved in the Calamity Fate Dao Lord's affairs.

Your Dao tradition seems somewhat improper.

He weighed his words, "Having sentient beings place their hopes on you, contributing their faith resources…… will affect their autonomous enterprising mindset, having a negative impact on overall social progress and civilizational development, which is detrimental to the zeitgeist."

I understand your meaning." The Calamity Fate Dao Lord nodded, showing agreement, without quibbling or false excuses, "Of course I know that expanding this behavior will affect society, civilization, and the times."

Your Intercepting Fate Dao seeks to enable every sentient being to strive upward and take initiative, thereby achieving themselves…… such a grand aspiration, I also greatly admire.

However……" he shifted his tone, "First, when promoting my Dao tradition, I also mention related aspects, pointing the way for sentient beings who aspire to strive; second, Dao friend, you cannot deny——

Isn't our vision supposed to be higher and stronger than that of the vast majority of sentient beings?

The Intercepting Fate Dao Lord listened, pondered slightly, and nodded in agreement.

This settles it…… we, eternal and free in endless spacetime, have our vision and wisdom pretty much at the ceiling.

Not saying absolute, but certainly we can see farther than most short‑sighted people.

The Calamity Fate Dao Lord said, "This vision and ability, when applied to investment, will surely yield returns far beyond the limits of ordinary sentient beings."

I raise funds from sentient beings, operate, reap profits, and give back…… look!

What a perfect set of procedures!

Even if we openly tell them——this is soulless, they gain no practical improvement in this process, truly being compelled by competition to strive and advance, tempering their spirit.

But looking at the return rate, I think they will unconsciously overlook this issue.

The Calamity Fate Dao Lord spread his hands, "Even, they would rather have us arrange everything for them."

The Intercepting Fate Dao Lord was left speechless.

Fengxi also couldn't think of how to refute.

Because, this is inherently not a problem that can be refuted with words.

Only by taking it step by step, guiding sentient beings, educating all spirits, can it truly be resolved.

And before it is resolved?

The Calamity Fate Dao Lord can then hop on this bandwagon, ensuring he always has profit.

Gathering sentient beings' wealth into oneself, managing the era, reaping boundless fate and merit…… even the portion given back remains far more than what ordinary sentient beings could earn through effort, leaving no fault to be found.

Dao friend, you are exceptionally talented.

Finally, the Intercepting Fate Dao Lord let out a soft sigh, "But Dao friend, you must also be careful…… should a supreme holy sovereign ascend in the future, you might be purged."

No problem! No problem!

The Calamity Fate Dao Lord waved his hand and laughed, "Before that, my Dao tradition was already harmed by the Demonic Path…… all the great powers were wiped out in battle!"

Afterward, upon re‑establishing, I would discard all burdens, focusing solely on research, making it a pure academic and ideological Dao tradition.

Fengxi glanced sideways.

This arrangement is crystal clear!

No wonder they had to coordinate with the two Demonic Ancestors…… no, the Slaying Fate and Final Fate Dao Lords had communicated beforehand.

And these two Dao Lords, after a brief internal discussion, finally agreed.

However, they also set a price.

"Backing your Dao tradition…… that's easy to discuss."

The Slaying Fate Dao Lord spoke as representative, "We can arrange a script…… for example, in the Age of Dharma Decline, the Buddha is tainted by demons!"

"Demonic offspring don monastic robes, feigning to be Buddhist disciples."

"But, the price……"

The Slaying Fate Dao Lord rubbed his fingers together.

The Calamity Fate Dao Lord understood.

"In the future, my Dao tradition can help your sect take over business."

The Calamity Fate Dao Lord was decisive, "We specialize in lending fate and merit of heaven and earth's sentient beings; if you have any key talents you wish to cultivate who need to start a venture, they can certainly go through our Dao tradition!"

"Arrange a clean identity, put down the butcher's knife, and instantly become a Buddha."

"Then, go through our channels and borrow a sum of merit‑wealth!"

He indicated he would open a port to show sincerity in cooperation.

"Not enough!" the Slaying Fate Dao Lord said lightly, "Cooperation between Dao traditions is still insufficient."

"I want a portion of the original shares."

How much?

"This number!" He stretched out one hand, five fingers wiggling.

"Impossible." Calamity Fate Dao Master shook his head, not minding the sky-high asking price, merely helping to fold down four fingers: "This number."

"No way, no way!" Killing Fate Dao Master flicked up three fingers: "At least this?"

"Daoist friend, you can't do this... then what do I have left to earn?" Calamity Fate Dao Master pursed his lips, gestured a two: "That's about right."

Two great experts haggled, not at all particular.

They talked for a long time, yet still couldn't reach an agreement.

"How about this?"

Killing Fate Dao Master finally said, "How much you can profit is still a question; discussing the share split isn't appropriate."

"When that day comes and the actual results are out, I'll visit again... then we can discuss how?" Killing Fate Dao Master inquired, "At that time, it would also be good to help you place an advertisement before all beings, laying groundwork for the future."

"Good!" Calamity Fate Dao Master nodded, "First sign the cooperation agreement; the specific profit split can be discussed later."

……

Fengxi personally witnessed a shady deal being concluded.

Both sides swore an oath, scheming for eternity.

And this, in fact, is not yet complete.

After the Killing Fate and Ultimate Fate Dao Masters, Calamity Fate Dao Master turned his sights on the Intercept Fate Dao Master, "Daoist friend... let me tell you something."

"Um... could you lend me some talent? I'm completely destitute here... don't worry, I'll definitely give a fair price!"

Calamity Fate Dao Master spoke eloquently, his words like golden lotuses.

"Sigh... although we have some differing opinions on guiding that era, in short, it's 'different Dao'."

"But what does that matter?"

"There's a good term, perhaps called... 'seeking common ground while reserving differences'?"

"Yes! That's it!"

"Even if our views often differ... but in the stance of seeking profit, aren't we in agreement?"

"Besides, I'm doing this for your own good."

"Your Intercept Fate concept will affect who knows how many people's interests in the future... the ultimate of self-reliance and self-strengthening is nothing less than achieving Great Luo!"

"And each Great Luo that emerges will affect the previous profit structure... this will surely offend many people!"

"So, we've discussed this beforehand."

"What if one day things go awry?"

"Let's put on a show; you let your Sect Disciple defect to my side, which can serve as a final retreat!"

Calamity Fate Dao Master said this, causing the Intercept Fate Dao Master's eyes to flash repeatedly.

(End of Chapter)