Chapter 11: Section 11: Keep Bluffing

The Second-in-Command Chen at his side didn't care who Cao Chuan was messaging; instead, he was very concerned about Cao Chuan's health. "Why bother with all that? True Man, you haven't had a drop of water or a grain of rice for days — you must be starving. There's cured meat congee over at Green Stone Terrace. Come with me now, True Man, eat first, then talk."

Cao Chuan threw his head back and laughed heartily. "I'm grateful for your concern, Second Master. This humble Daoist has just finished my cultivation cycle, and for now, I'm not hungry. You've all been so attentive these past days. I have some simple things here, transported from my own Sect — consider them gifts for everyone."

Before any of them could react, twenty stacked hemp sacks appeared before them.

Just like the day a certain someone had materialized out of thin air, everyone was petrified on the spot again. Off to the side, Zhao Si was once more stealthily backing away.

The group first exchanged bewildered glances. Then Zhou Tong turned his head, clasped his hands toward Cao Chuan — who was now striking a pose as if surveying the landscape — and said, "True Man, your divine power is profound. The brothers thank you for bestowing these treasures. Ahem, but how should we handle these treasures? Please instruct us."

Grand Master Cao very much wanted to ask, "Surprised? Unexpected?" But at this moment, he could only clutch his chest and laugh long. "Whose treasures come packed in hemp sacks? They're just some simple things. Fort Master, open one up and you'll see at a glance."

From this moment on, a certain someone's confidence was fully bolstered. Speaking with these men, he no longer felt the terror and trepidation of their first meeting — for no other reason than the Ring on his finger backing him up.

Since a dog could be swept into the Ring with a wave of his hand without any resistance, then presumably a living person could too — though they'd come out dead. With his most basic personal safety secured, Cao Chuan was now at ease, chatting and laughing freely, putting on airs without a single worry.

The group looked at each other, and finally Zhou Tong roared, "Where's Zhao Si? Get your ass over here!" But when they turned to look, Zhao Si had somehow vanished at some point.

Zhou Tong shot Cao Chuan an awkward glance, gritted his teeth, and was about to step forward himself — but to his surprise, Chen Huoding had already walked up. Cursing under his breath, Chen pulled a dagger from behind his back and slashed open one of the hemp sacks with a single cut.

With a rustling sound, salt grains spilled out from the slit. Chen Huoding grabbed a handful, examined it closely, picked out the largest grain, and tossed it into his mouth.

As he tucked the dagger back behind his waist, he stood there smacking his lips, driving Zhou and Lü nearly frantic with impatience. After a moment, Chen Huoding finished smacking his lips with a solemn expression, then suddenly broke into a hehe grin. "It's salt! Top-quality sea salt — no bitterness at all, even a hint of sweetness!"

Hearing this, Zhou Tong hurriedly turned his back to Cao Chuan and started coughing. Lü Wenda quickly walked up to Cao Chuan, gave an embarrassed smile, and cupped his hands. "Mountain folk have limited knowledge — forgive us for making the True Man laugh. That divine power just now — could it be the legendary Sleeve Cosmos?"

Cao Chuan saw that Zhou Tong was a bit embarrassed and knew Accountant Lü was changing the subject. He didn't expose it, but smiled and began his lecture. "The Sleeve Cosmos does exist. When wielded by a Primordial Lord, it can seize a thousand mountains and swallow the sun and moon — truly wondrous beyond words. With this humble Daoist's meager cultivation, I can barely manage to hold some hemp sacks — catching turtles in my sleeve, nothing more."

Accountant Lü smiled apologetically. "No wonder it took the True Man five full days and nights to complete his cultivation cycle. This transporting and shifting must surely drain one's Dao attainment."

Cao Chuan nodded. "Transporting goods does take more time. I saw that life in these mountains is not easy — it was simply a gesture of goodwill."

Zhou Tong's face was now somewhat flushed. He walked over and bowed deeply to Cao Chuan. "Even while cultivating, the True Man still thought of us brothers, understanding the hardships of us mountain folk. All of Pingfeng Stronghold, high and low, are deeply moved by your kindness. Should the True Man ever have need of us in the future, the brothers will not hesitate for a moment."

In truth, during the several days a certain someone had been in "seclusion," Zhou Tong and his men had privately assessed this "envoy from above" incident multiple times.

The tales of foreign gods and monsters Cao Chuan had told that day — the group had merely listened for the time being. They unanimously agreed they couldn't be entirely disbelieved, but neither could they be fully believed; after all, they were simply too shocking.

But no one dared to dig to the root of the matter. True Man Cao's arrival across the void had been witnessed by everyone with their own eyes — his divine power and magic were undoubtedly real. His entire attire and his speech and bearing truly did not resemble a person of the Great Ming.

After detailed analysis, the group ultimately decided to take the safe route: entertain him well with good food and drink, do not slight him, and treat him as a young master visiting the stronghold for leisure. If he ever wished to leave, they would see him off courteously, gift him some travel funds, and thus forge a positive karmic connection.

They had never expected that just yesterday they had unified their thinking, and today they would witness the legendary Five Ghosts Transportation. Seeing the tangible benefits laid out before him, Zhou Tong naturally could no longer maintain his aloofness — he had to put out some diplomatic words first.

Cao Chuan hurriedly reached out to symbolically help him up. "It's merely some salt grains piled in the kitchen. In West Kunlun, salt is worthless. I was simply accumulating some merit in passing — hardly worthy of the Fort Master's grand courtesy. If we stand on such ceremony, it'll be difficult for us to get along in the future."

Hearing this, Zhou Tong rose accordingly. He conferred briefly with Accountant Lü, intending to call men to carry the salt into storage. When he turned back, he discovered Zhao Si had somehow reappeared beside the hemp sacks, eyebrows blooming with smiles, smacking his lips.

Zhou Tong made as if to kick him. Zhao Si turned and ran. Shaking his head, Zhou Tong said, "He's a relative. In the whole stronghold, this monkey is the craftiest."

Leaving Old Lü to arrange for men to carry the salt, the group returned to Green Stone Terrace. About an hour later, Accountant Lü came over, sat down, and reported the tally. "The sea salt the True Man transported is top-grade. Each sack is a hundred and seventy jin. We just finished weighing — the total is over three thousand three hundred jin."

Zhou Tong broke into hearty laughter upon hearing this. He cupped his hands toward Cao Chuan. "This is a tremendous help to the stronghold. Normally, when the brothers procure salt from down the mountain, it's bitter, mixed with sand, and short on weight. The able-bodied men of the stronghold, the villagers beyond the mountain — getting salt has never been easy. Zhou Tong thanks the True Man once more."

Cao Chuan smiled and waved his hand. "No more thanks. This humble Daoist has some matters to discuss with you all."

The three men's spirits lifted. Here it comes, they thought, and said in unison, "True Man, speak directly, please."

Cao Chuan paused briefly, first organizing his words, then began. "The first matter —"

He tapped the table with his finger. "This humble Daoist has entered the mortal world on Master's orders. By custom, I am to assume an ordinary mortal identity. I must ask the leaders here to pass the word: from now on, do not mention my origins or background again. Just keep it in your hearts. If too much leaks out here and the Sect investigates later, none of you will benefit."

Seeing the group nod with solemn expressions, Cao Chuan continued. "The title 'True Man' — let's discard it entirely. From now on, could everyone simply call me 'Sir'?"

"Rest assured, Sir. We understand." Zhou Tong and the other two exchanged glances and cupped their hands in unison.

Cao Chuan nodded and continued. "There is one more matter I must consult the Accountant about."

"Sir, speak directly, please." Lü Wenda was somewhat puzzled.

"A few days ago, I noticed two large red seal stones in the Accountant's room. I'd like to borrow them for a couple of days to admire. Does the Accountant still recall where these stones came from?"