Unsheathed

The spring wind called over a curtain of spring rain.

Chen Ping’an was sitting under the eaves and flipping through the notes of a literati, and he stood up at this moment and reached forward to catch the raindrops.

Before returning to the Ning Residence from the city wall, Chen Qingdu had asked Chen Ping’an whether he wanted to leave a bonded candle over there. That way, even if he died in battle to the south of the Great Wall, he would at least still have a second chance at life, even if the foundations of his Great Dao were damaged.

However, the first step of rubbing one’s soul onto a tablet was very grueling, so grueling, in fact, that ordinary cultivators couldn’t withstand the pain. When gods and deities in the Majestic World punished their subordinate ghosts and yin spirits by extracting their souls and using them as lamps, the torture didn’t necessarily come completely from the pain, but rather from the extreme length of time that their souls were burned for. When looking at the short-term pain, the pain of this punishment didn’t hold a candle to the pain of having one’s soul etched onto a tablet.

The second step was to light a candle at one’s ancestral hall. After enduring the first step and completing the second, the biggest shortcoming of the bonded candle was how much it would cost to maintain. The candle wicks were crafted using a secret immortal technique, essentially meaning that cultivators would be burning a large amount of immortal coins each day. As such, it was generally only extremely wealthy sect-level forces in the Majestic World that would light bonded candles in the ancestral hall for their most important direct disciples.

Of course, the first barrier to overcome was whether or not an immortal force knew this technique, and the second barrier to overcome was the physical crafting of the bonded candles. Afterward, maintaining the bonded candles and the corresponding mountains of immortal coins would also be a huge expenditure for the ancestral halls.

This was because bonded candles couldn’t be extinguished once lit, or else they would instead trigger a backlash and wound the corresponding cultivator’s soul. If that were to happen, then suffering a fall in cultivation base would be very likely.

The third step was to use the bonded candle to reconstruct one’s yin soul and yang soul, a process that wouldn’t necessarily succeed. Even if a cultivator succeeded, they would still suffer a huge hit to their future potential on the path of the Great Dao.

Taking this into account, crafting a bonded candle was genuinely a last resort, a desperate measure to mitigate potential dangers used by cultivators in sect-level forces. No matter what, this was ultimately better than being killed and having their soul shattered and dispersed. If that were the case, they could only hope that their immortal force would search far and wide for their possible reincarnation, going to great pains to bring them back to the sect.

However, the three immortal souls and seven mortal forms of their previous life would often be severely damaged or partially missing, and it was up to fate how much could be replaced and whether they could regain their memories. It was also difficult to decide what to do with their past body.

Chen Ping’an returned to his senses and pushed away these thoughts, looking around to see Fatty Yan and the others. Die Zhang was also present in a rare sight, thanks to the rain. The wine shop was averse to rain and would always be closed for business whenever the heavens opened up. However, the tables and chairs wouldn’t be carried away when it rained, and they would simply be left outside.

According to what Chen Ping’an had taught her, Die Zhang would close the wine shop whenever it rained or snowed, but she would place a pot of the cheapest Bamboo Sea Small World Wine and a few wine bowls on each table. They wouldn’t charge money for this wine, and anyone who came across it could feel free to enjoy a drink. The only condition was that there was a limit of one bowl per person.

Ning Yao was still cultivating at Dragon Slaying Cliff, and both Grandma Bai and Nalan Yexing had noticed that something was slightly different about their young mistress after she returned to the Ning Residence from the main street last time. She was more diligent towards cultivation.

Fatty Yan had come to discuss business with Chen Ping’an and Die Zhang about buying stakes in his silk shop, while Chen Sanqiu and Dong Huafu were merely here to enjoy the atmosphere. They were all holding umbrellas as they walked under the eaves, then closed them and placed them against the wall.

Chen Ping’an held a book in one hand and a chair in his other hand as he walked into a wing room, and Fatty Yan felt as pained as could be when he looked around at the unbelievably bare room. Chen Ping’an was his good brother and the Ning Residence’s son-in-law, so how was he living in such a shabby little space?

Chen Sanqiu retrieved a tea set from his pocket treasure, one rumored to be a royal set from some large empire in the Middle Earth Divine Continent. He started brewing tea and very much wanted to invite Chen Ping’an to enjoy some tea with him. However, did he dare to? Did he still want to visit the Ning Residence as a guest in the future?

While brewing tea, Chen Sanqiu smiled and said, ”Thank you for your help with Fan Dache.”

Chen Ping’an waved a hand, gesturing that there was no need to thank him. The literati notes on the table, A Collection of Essays on Flowering Trees and Parasol Shade, was a high-quality printed book that Chen Sanqiu had helped him purchase from Mirage Market. There were several other officially printed history books as well, and Chen Sanqiu had presumably spent a good sum of immortal coins to purchase them all. However, it didn’t make sense to talk about money with a top-notch young master like Chen Sanqiu.

As for Dong Huafu, who also hailed from a large and wealthy clan, he was a completely different story. He was even more creatively skillful than Chen Ping’an when it came to how miserly he was, and from childhood until now, it was said that he had never spent a single snowflake coin from his own pockets. Chen Ping’an almost wanted to ask someone to set up a gambling game, wagering on when Dong Huafu would actively spend his own money. At that time, he and Dong Huafu could secretly make a killing.

Feeling like there was a ripe opportunity to make money, Chen Ping’an mentioned this matter to Dong Huafu.

Dong Huafu shook his head and replied, ”I don’t spend money anyway, so what’s the point of earning money? It’s not like my clan is short on money either.”

Chen Ping’an immediately fell into deflated silence.

This... seemed like a fair call?

Die Zhang was the happiest as she laughed, but it wasn’t long before she heard Chen Ping’an say, ”There’s no need for you to spend any money. I’ll have a chat with the person hosting the bet, and people will have the option to bet on you spending money within ten days, within one month, or continuing not to spend money for the next month. They’ll also be able to bet on the specific amount of money you spend, whether that’s one snowflake coin, several snowflake coins, or even lesser heat coins.

”Afterward, I’ll ask him to purposely leak some news, saying that Chen Ping’an placed a huge bet on Dong Huafu spending money in the near-term. However, he’ll stubbornly refuse to say whether the time frame for this bet was ten days or one month. In reality, however, I’ll bet you won’t spend any money for the next month. See, you don’t need to spend money, and you can continue to drink wine while earning more money without any investment.”

Die Zhang felt like the second shopkeeper was even more ruthless than A’Liang when it came to setting up these bets.

Chen Sanqiu wanted to drink when he heard this.

Yan Zhuo was eager to participate, and he exclaimed, ”I also want to earn some money! I’ll bet on Dong Huafu not spending money!”

Chen Ping’an shot a sideways glance at him and said, ”You naturally need to help the host of this bet, whom I spent a lot of money to invite over. You need to help him stabilize the situation, and when some clever gamblers are hesitating between the various options, you need to ’accidentally’ instruct a subordinate from your clan to openly walk over and place a wager.

”Having ’unexpectedly’ revealed your bet, news of this will spread like wildfire, and everyone will become aware of the fact that Young Master Yan secretly placed a huge bet on Dong Huafu spending money within the next ten days. This will confirm the rumors that I previously placed a bet on Dong Huafu spending money.

”Otherwise, these clever gamblers most likely won’t take the bait. No matter how much money Young Master Yan spends, it will simply take a small trip to my pockets before returning to your pockets, no? And when all is said and done, I’ll make sure to split the earnings with you and Dong Huafu.”

Yan Zhuo struck the palm of his hand with a fist and exclaimed, ”What a brilliant idea!”

Die Zhang and Chen Sanqiu exchanged glances with each other.

Die Zhang wanted to participate, but she would only spend a small sum, something like a few snowflake coins. After all, this went against her conscience, so earning a small amount would be enough. She would be riddled with guilt if she earned too much.

Chen Sanqiu unexpectedly shook his head and said, ”Don’t try to drag me into this. My conscience will ache.”

Die Zhang became very hesitant after hearing this.

There was a look of disdain on Chen Ping’an’s face as he said, ”We can’t use the same tactic again and again anyway, and the more we use it, the more people will grow suspicious.”

Chen Sanqiu cupped his fists and shook them at Chen Ping’an, saying, ”Why, thank you.”

”I want fifty percent, and the two of you can split the remaining fifty percent,” Dong Huafu said frankly.

”Dong Huafu, I’ve heard that everyone in the city is aware of Ning Yao being able to defeat one hundred Chen Ping’ans with a single hand,” Chen Ping’an said in a meaningful and heartfelt voice. ”I don’t think much about this, and the recent events are more than enough to prove this. Fan Dache not only scolded me on my own territory, but he even threw a bowl at me. Despite all this, did I hold a grudge against him? Not at all. And now, we’ve even become good friends who have forgotten our hostilities with a single smile.”

Dong Huafu’s expression remained calm and composed as he said, ”What I meant to say just then was you can take fifty percent, and Fatty Yan and I will split the remaining fifty percent.”

They started discussing the proper matters afterward, with both Chen Ping’an and Die Zhang each planning to take a ten percent stake in Yan Zhuo’s silk shop.

Chen Ping’an led them to the opposite wing room, opening the door to reveal a table that was filled with seals of various styles and sizes. There were no fewer than one hundred seals, and there was also a seal guide that Chen Ping’an had personally put together, a book by the title of Seal Manual of the Hundred Sword Immortals.

Chen Ping’an smiled and explained, ”All of the seals have been carved and inscribed, and the characters on the seals are all auspicious ones that have good omens. They’re extremely suitable as gifts between men and women alike.

”These seals won’t be given away to customers who simply buy fabric from the silk shop, and only those who give us a deposit of at least one lesser heat coin will be given a free seal. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and those who place a deposit earlier will be able to choose a seal first.

”However, the sides and backs of these seals haven’t been inscribed with characters yet, and if the customers want these additional inscriptions, especially my signature, then they’ll need to pay more. I’ll also need more than my ten percent share in profits.

”If female customers pay a deposit, then we can give them a small discount when they purchase garments and fabric from our shop in the future. It’s just a token gesture. If they’re willing to directly place a deposit of one grain rain coin, however, then we can afford to give them a bigger discount.”

Yan Zhuo picked up a seal with the characters ”The Room of Longing” and asked in a hesitant voice, ”We do have some female customers from wealthy clans, and they do somewhat engage in literary arts. However, their knowledge is only very ordinary, so will they like these kinds of seals? In any case, is the material of these seals a bit too ordinary?”

”Does it make sense to give the seals away for free at the silk shop if their quality is too good? That would be completely pointless and asking to make a loss,” Chen Ping’an explained. ”These seals are nothing more than curios to play with and appreciate. In addition, there’s not a single person in the world who doesn’t like auspicious phrases and well-written characters. There are only people who haven’t had the opportunity to come across them before.”

Chen Sanqiu rifled around and eventually settled his gaze on a small and exquisite seal with the characters ”My heart is set on my beloved, I think of her and I long for her.” He tossed a grain rain coin to Yan Zhuo and said with a smile, ”Just treat this as placing a deposit of one grain rain coin at your store, so this seal is mine now.”

Yan Zhuo knew that Chen Sanqiu was much better than he was at appraising these items, but he still wasn’t too sure, so he said, ”Chen Ping’an, I have no issues with you and Die Zhang taking a ten percent stake each, but I’m worried that only people like Chen Sanqiu will take a fancy to these seals. After all, there are far too few people like Chen Sanqiu here, people who have nothing better to do than read.

”What if we don’t manage to give these seals away, much less sell them? I don’t really mind, given that the shop’s business was already quite mediocre to begin with. However, you definitely can’t blame my shop for having bad feng shui if you end up embarrassing yourself and losing face. Moreover, will our female customers truly be willing to pay a deposit first?”

Chen Ping’an retrieved a small notebook from elsewhere, handing it to Yan Zhuo and replying with a smile, ”Take it back and read it a few times. You can follow it word for word, and it’s not like the silk shop’s business will become any worse.”

”I want this seal,” Dong Huafu suddenly interjected and said.

Chen Ping’an glanced over, immediately recognizing the seal. He had crafted these seals himself, so he knew that the vermilion characters on this seal read: ”The journey through the mountains is too short, the sword unleashed leaves a long radiance.”

”You’re spending money already?” Yan Zhuo asked with a smile. ”Then how are we going to proceed with the bet?”

”We’ll change the forty-ten split in my favor to thirty-twenty in my favor,” Dong Huafu replied.

”Deal!” Yan Zhuo responded without hesitation.

Die Zhang was also looking through the seals.

There was a seal that read: ”Limpid radiance.”

Another read: ”A youth with ancient dreams, gentle winds accompany sweet rain.”

”An individual bows in greeting to a sword immortal.”

”To the north behind me, beautiful eyes gaze longingly.”

”The deer bleats softly, the orioles sing sweetly, I part reluctantly.”

”Here exists the longest sword qi in the world.”

”I dare not ascend the city wall with my sword, lest I frighten away the three moons.”

The rims of Yan Zhuo’s eyes suddenly became red when Die Zhang retrieved this final seal, and he asked Chen Ping’an in a quivering voice, ”How should I pay if I want this seal?”

Die Zhang was astonished, and Dong Huafu was also stunned.

There was a look of sadness on Chen Sanqiu’s face.

After losing his arms, Yan Zhuo’s father had never ascended the city wall to gaze into the distance again, bar the time he had carried the severely wounded Fatty Yan down the city wall.

Chen Ping’an gently accepted the seal from Die Zhang’s hand and passed it to Yan Zhuo, replying, ”Even brothers need to keep clear accounts when it comes to doing business, but this seal is my present to you and not a transaction, so there’s no need to talk about paying.”