Chapter 121: A Bunch of Fools

The old Daoist knew that the decisions of Mount Sanqing were not easily changed; he sighed and became even more aggressive in his spending, not stopping until every last coin on him was gone, then left carrying a pile of goods.

He had to tell his junior brothers and sisters the news so they could hurry over to buy.

The Mount Sanqing Gathering is called that for two reasons: first, because it takes place on the territory of Mount Sanqing; second, because the gathering was originally upheld by Mount Sanqing Daoist Monastery.

Though more and more monks and Daoists have come since, and the goods have grown ever better, it cannot be denied that Mount Sanqing Daoist Monastery’s wares remain among the finest.

The old Daoist hid all the goods he bought on his person—he somehow managed it, stuffing so many bottles, jars, and talismans into his sleeves that they all fit without a trace.

And his sleeves remained wide and flowing, showing not the slightest bulge.

Fang Yuan was stunned by the cost of Daoist cultivation, the popularity of Mount Sanqing Daoist Monastery’s elixirs and talismans, and also curious about the old Daoist’s sleeves.

After putting everything away, the old Daoist addressed the Mount Sanqing Daoist Monastery disciples: “Brothers and sisters, please hold some of these items for my junior brothers and sisters—I’ll go fetch them right away.”

Tao Ji and Xuan Miao agreed on the spot and collected several bottles, jars, and talismans right before his eyes.

The old Daoist watched, reassured, and hurried off to find his junior brothers and sisters.

The moment he left, Tao Ji and Xuan Miao immediately took out the elixirs and talismans they had just put away and laid them back on display.

Tao Yanbai picked up a cloth sack and handed it to Tao Ji.

Tao Ji opened it and pulled out numerous elixir bottles, arranging them on the table—the stock, just moments ago nearly depleted, was now fully replenished.

Miao Zhen also handed a small cloth sack from behind her to Xuan Miao.

Xuan Miao opened it and withdrew stack upon stack of talismans; the talismans, just sold out, instantly reappeared in full supply.

Fang Yuan’s eyes widened in shock, and he let out an audible gasp.

Everyone turned to look—he was spotted; Tao Ji narrowed his eyes and said unamusedly, “Why are you still here?”

Xuan Miao frowned deeply; even Wang Cong and Pan Yun, who always greeted others with smiles, asked, “What else do you wish to buy?”

The unspoken meaning: if you’re not buying, leave quickly.

“N-no, I don’t want to buy anything…” Fang Yuan stammered and hurried away, his mind reeling.

Pan Yun, seeing the bustling world beyond the camellia tree, asked Tao Ji: “Third Brother, why don’t you ever take us out to stroll and buy things?”

Tao Ji: “What’s so interesting about their goods? We can make our own elixirs and talismans— theirs don’t match our quality.”

He paused, then added: “Still, going out to look around isn’t bad—it broadens your horizons. Only when you see how inferior their goods are will you truly appreciate how good ours are. And some materials are worth hunting for—you might even find a bargain.”

Pan Yun’s eyes lit up instantly. “A bargain? I love finding bargains! Brother, what kind of bargains are there?”

“What else? Herbs, wood, raw materials for cultivation—what else could you possibly find here?” Tao Ji said. “If you went to Long Hushan, you might actually find a real treasure.”

The old Daoist was scolding his junior brothers and sisters: “You think you can find bargains? Let me tell you, Mount Sanqing Daoist Monastery’s elixirs and talismans are the biggest bargain at this entire gathering. If I had more money, I’d buy every last one.”

His junior brothers and sisters were unconvinced. “Big Brother, you make us buy Mount Sanqing’s goods every year, but hardly anyone else does—why are we always the ones getting ripped off?”

The old Daoist grew angry, his face dark. “Ripped off? Then tell me—aren’t their elixirs and talismans better than everyone else’s?”

His junior brother flushed slightly and whispered, “They’re better, yes—but they’re also much more expensive.”

“Exactly! The price of one bottle of Zi Jin Dan here could buy two bottles elsewhere.”

The old Daoist groaned in frustration. “Don’t you look at the results? One Zi Jin Dan from them equals an entire bottle from others. And their rivals’ elixirs are poorly refined—full of residual poison. Do you know what happens if you take too much?”

“Do you really think Mount Sanqing Daoist Monastery has declined? Let me tell you—that’s the view of fools.” The old Daoist said. “Ordinary people have narrow vision—they see Mount Sanqing’s recent misfortunes and assume it’s fallen into ruin. But look up—would I dare show my face to Wang Feiyin?”

“My sect’s Yu Chengzi—hah! You think he’s impressive, chasing after him like a puppy? But in the eyes of the Heavenly Masters of Long Hushan, in the eyes of those with great cultivation, Yu Chengzi isn’t even fit to carry Wang Feiyin’s shoes.”

His junior brothers and sisters, outraged that he insulted someone they admired, panted with anger. “Big Brother, how can you speak so disrespectfully to a fellow Daoist? This year, our Fuxingguan is hosting, and Laozi Palace helped us greatly—especially Yu Chengzi, who came two days early to assist!” The old Daoist rolled his eyes impatiently and snapped: “Just tell me—will you go or not? I’ve told you: next year, Mount Sanqing’s elixirs and talismans will rise in price. If you have money, buy now while you can. That’s all I’m saying—do as you please.”

The youngest junior brother muttered, “Raise prices again? They’re already the most expensive! If none of us buy, they won’t sell anything—they’ll have to lower prices!”

The old Daoist finally snapped. “How did Master ever take in such a fool? Look at other sects’ junior brothers and sisters—they bring honor to their masters. I don’t even expect you to bring honor—just don’t be so stupid!”

“Do you know how often I want to shove your heads into Fen River and scrub your brains clean? Did you get brain damage at birth? Did you swallow amniotic fluid instead of air? I’ve never met anyone dumber than you!”

“Fine, I accept your brains are useless—but can’t you at least wipe your eyes? Look at how others behave: Yu Chengzi of Laozi Palace, Shi Ji Dao of Lingji Temple, Xuan Yu and Xuan Ling of Yuling Monastery, Hui Yuan and Hui Shen of Fuyuan Temple—even me—when have any of us ever treated Wang Feiyin with anything but respect? Can’t you use your stupid brains to ask why everyone treats him so respectfully? Is it because he’s old?”

The old Daoist jabbed his own chest with a trembling finger. “Am I not older than him? Don’t I have more wrinkles on my face? Who has ever dared treat me like that? If you won’t use your brains, use your eyes—do as others do!”

Junior brother: “But Long Hushan doesn’t even respect Mount Sanqing. Wang Feiyin’s letters are torn up by their junior disciples—and I don’t think Zhang Zi even respects Wang Feiyin…”

The old Daoist instantly calmed.

His junior brothers and sisters, seeing his fury vanish into calm, fell silent, afraid to speak.

“Go on,” the old Daoist said calmly. “Why stop? Let me see just how foolish you can be.”

!

His junior brothers and sisters turned bright red, unable to speak.

The old Daoist spoke in a flat tone: “I never thought you’d believe Zhang Zi’s words. Do you really think Wang Feiyin’s letter was destroyed by some junior disciple?”

He sneered. “You use Zhang Zi’s attitude as your standard? If you think he’s someone important, then tell me—what did he look like in front of Xuan Miao?”

“He bows to Xuan Miao— isn’t she from Mount Sanqing Daoist Monastery? Isn’t she Wang Feiyin’s junior sister?” The old Daoist sneered again. “How could you think Wang Feiyin is inferior to his own junior sister? Why do you separate Xuan Miao from Mount Sanqing and treat her as something else?”

The old Daoist grew more agitated, his anger returning. “Zhang Zi publicly humiliated Wang Feiyin—did he even look around? This is Yushan County! This is Mount Sanqing’s territory! Do you think the other Daoists here would side with an outsider against Mount Sanqing?”

“He has no brains—and neither do you. Go outside, ask anyone with sense: what does Zhang Zi have beyond his Long Hushan lineage?”

“But Xuan Miao? She’s no longer Zhang Li of Long Hushan—she’s Xuan Miao of Mount Sanqing! Wang Feiyin—hah! You know nothing about him. You’re fools. All of you—just a bunch of fools!”

Spittle flew, splattering his junior brothers and sisters’ faces.

Though still bewildered, they dared not provoke him further. Their minds were a muddy mess; they hurriedly said, “Big Brother, don’t be angry—we’ll go buy right away.”

The old Daoist clutched his chest and waved them off. “Go, go—I’m about to die of anger.”

His junior brothers and sisters sprinted toward the gate.

To give them privacy, the old Daoist had summoned them to the very back of Fuxingguan—the courtyard where they lived—so no one else was around.

False.

Wang Feiyin quietly poked his head out, sighed when he saw only the old Daoist, and whispered.

The old Daoist, still weeping, froze—then spun around sharply, locking eyes with Wang Feiyin, who had emerged from behind a bamboo stalk.

Wang Feiyin showed no embarrassment, but offered an explanation: “Brother Qingyin, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I found them too annoying, so I hid here to rest. Usually, with all the bustle up front, no one from Fuxingguan comes this far…”

The old Daoist felt awkward, tugging at his lips. “No matter. I know you didn’t mean to. Sigh—I thought not having children would spare me from the rage of unworthy heirs, but my Master gave me this gaggle of fools.”

Wang Feiyin sympathized. “Indeed. That’s why it’s best to choose your own junior brothers and sisters. I, for example—every disciple my Master took in, I helped Him select.”

The old Daoist tugged his lips, unpleased. He had a mountain god as his Master—could he ever have one like that?

If only his Master had listened to his advice, he wouldn’t have ended up with so many fools.

The old Daoist didn’t want to reopen his wounds. He changed the subject: “Brother Wang, let’s go out.”

Wang Feiyin didn’t want to go, but now that he’d been seen, he couldn’t keep hiding in their backyard mountain—it would make him look like a creep—so he leapt down and followed the old Daoist to the front.

Last digit is 9

(End of Chapter)