Fifty Thousand Taels of Dao Silver

The last traces of sunset were completely swallowed by the mountain peaks, yet West First Ward of Ask-Dao City remained as lively as ever.

Chen Xian followed Qian Yue into Ask-Heaven Pavilion, and the clamor of the streets vanished instantly, replaced by a wave of opulence washing over him.

The floor was paved with some unknown jade material—warm, translucent white, fitted seamlessly together. Stepping on it sent a faint warmth straight from the soles of the feet up through the spine, driving all the chill from his body.

Looking up, the entire main hall soared at least nine zhang high, the ceiling not fully enclosed. Between the beams and pillars, flowing cloud-like silk cascaded several zhang, with a glowing firefly pearl embedded every foot.

Their radiance interwove, as if starlight were drifting and shifting—dreamlike and illusory.

This establishment, hailed as the finest restaurant in Ask-Dao City, stood no more than seven stories tall, yet its interior decor exhausted the imagination of mortal men.

"Esteemed One, please."

Qian Yue walked ahead, his brocade robes gleaming under the flowing light, radiating an air of untouchable nobility.

Jian Shan leaned close to Duan Cui's ear, his eyes darting ceaselessly over the gold-inlaid, jewel-studded beams and pillars. He lowered his voice: "Junior Brother, do you see what's burning in those lamps? That's Great Flood Dragon Blood Oil—one drop can burn for seven days without going out!"

"With all these layers lit up, the daily cost just for oil must be several hundred silver taels. A single meal here would eat up a common family's income for years!"

Duan Cui nodded woodenly. Though he forced calm onto his face, his restless, fidgeting hands betrayed the shock within.

He was nothing but a boy from a mountain farming village. Even though he had joined the Sword Sect and become a cultivator, he had never seen such splendor.

The group was led to a private room on the top floor. A servant pushed open the window, and the entire bustle of West First Ward came into full view.

Everyone took their seats, and Chen Xian was guided to the place of honor.

The table was already laden with a dazzling array of delicacies, many of the ingredients exuding an intensely rich fragrance.

"Esteemed One, this Dragon Blood Red Heart is taken from the heart-tip meat of a third-realm Blood Beast, slow-cooked with secret herbs. It greatly nourishes the physical body."

Qian Yue chatted and laughed with ease, personally serving Chen Xian.

Jian Shan stared at a plate of pigeon meat that was entirely crystalline, shimmering with a faint, cool blue light. His throat bobbed violently, and he blurted out: "Snow Mountain Flying Pigeon? A single one of these costs three thousand Dao Silver—top-grade goods!"

Duan Cui was even more restrained; he hadn't even dared to pick up his chopsticks.

Seeing everyone's reactions, Qian Yue curled the corner of his mouth and lightly clapped his hands. From behind a screen, a zither melody flowed out like a babbling spring, and a group of graceful dancers in sheer gauze entered like colorful butterflies.

The dancers had slender figures and light, airy movements, their lively eyes sweeping across the guests at the table.

Accompanied by the zither music, which seemed to resonate with the very blood and qi, anyone sitting here couldn't help but drift into a state of intoxicating, ethereal bliss.

"Yesterday, some blind underlings offended the Esteemed One and the several Immortal Masters. I, Qian, feel truly sorry about that."

Qian Yue raised his wine cup, his expression sincere. "Those servants who made a move have already had their hands and feet broken and been thrown outside the city to fend for themselves. Today, everyone just eat and drink freely—consider it my apology to you all."

Chen Xian leaned back in the chair made of golden-thread nanmu, idly rubbing the jade thumb ring on his index finger.

After listening to Qian Yue, a smile spread across his face. He waved his hand and said, "Patriarch Qian is too courteous. Since it was a misunderstanding, clearing it up is enough. You lot, don't just stand there—this kind of good stuff, you can't get it up on the mountain."

With that, he picked up his chopsticks first.

"Eat, eat, eat!"

Seeing the Grand-Uncle Master start eating, Jian Shan dug in immediately, elbowing the dazed Duan Cui. "Junior Brother, junior brother, food's on!"

The feast officially began. Qian Yue kept introducing dishes and toasting Chen Xian, who didn't refuse his courtesy and responded with smiles throughout.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of delicacies, the atmosphere in the private room reached its peak.

Jian Shan and the others had eaten until their bellies were round and taut, thoroughly satisfied.

Sensing the mood was right, Qian Yue set down his ivory chopsticks and shot a glance at Li Youde beside him.

Li Youde caught the signal and hurriedly brought over a small, carved rosewood box, placing it on the round table and opening it gently.

Instantly, a faint scent of ink wafted into Chen Xian's nose.

He glanced at it. The box was neatly packed with stacks of crisp new banknotes, each one with a face value of a thousand taels.

Even though he had seen plenty in his time, having so much money laid out before him still made his heart skip a beat.

Was Qian Yue testing an old cadre with this?

The room fell silent in an instant.

Jian Shan's eyes practically glued themselves to the pile of banknotes. His breathing quickened, and he felt the pigeon meat in his mouth lose all its flavor.

Duan Cui also stopped what he was doing, casting a sidelong glance at Chen Xian, as if pondering something.

Only Lin Xiaoyan continued drinking his wine on the side, not sparing the banknotes a single look.

"This is five hundred thousand Dao Silver."

Qian Yue stared into Chen Xian's eyes, pushing the money box over to his hand, his smile unwavering. "Elder Chen, I'm a merchant, and I enjoy making friends far and wide."

"Consider this five hundred thousand a meeting gift, my way of wanting to befriend Elder Chen."

Having said that, Qian Yue waited for Chen Xian's reply.

Chen Xian set down his wine cup, but his face turned stern. "Patriarch Qian, are you trying to overwhelm me to death?"

Qian Yue froze, not understanding why Chen Xian would react this way to seeing five hundred thousand.

When he had stuffed silver notes to Deacon Huang, that man had been all smiles.

Chen Xian pushed the money chest back again. "Since I came to this feast today, it's naturally to turn conflict into harmony."

"Now that I've eaten your food and drunk your wine, are we not friends?"

With that, Chen Xian set down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair, a hint of displeasure on his face.

Qian Yue was stunned for only a moment before quickly recovering.

This old bastard isn't as hard to deal with as I thought?

"Of course we are! Naturally, we're friends!" He clapped his hands with a laugh, hurriedly following Chen Xian's lead.

Then his tone shifted. "Since that's the case, I won't stand on ceremony. Dare I call you Elder Brother Chen?"

Chen Xian nodded. "There's no reason not to."

Qian Yue was overjoyed and seized the opportunity. "Elder Brother Chen, though friends shouldn't dwell on money, you must accept this five hundred thousand taels. To be honest, your younger brother here wants the recipe for your sugar-coated hawthorns. Consider this payment for the recipe. What do you think?"

"Buy my recipe?" Chen Xian was taken aback, not expecting Qian Yue to have his eyes on the sugar hawthorns.

If Qian Yue knew the recipe was just the formula for Blood Vitality Pills mixed with a pinch of Qi Induction Pill powder, he wondered if the man would still be willing to part with so much silver.

Chen Xian entertained the dark thought. If he didn't know the Qian Family might be in cahoots with the Blood Demon Sect, he might actually sell the recipe.

Five hundred thousand taels—how many resources could he buy for cultivation with that!

Chen Xian's aged face was etched with hesitation.

Seeing Chen Xian waver, Qian Yue didn't press. He was confident few could refuse such immense wealth.

He clapped his hands again, and the nearby dancers swayed their willowy waists, quietly settling beside the guests.

Two of the most alluring women leaned in from either side of Chen Xian, their fragrant veils brushing past his nose, making it itch.

Then, a pair of soft, boneless little hands slid up his arms, massaging his shoulders.

Well, well! Even the honey trap!

"Aiya, no need, no need!"

Chen Xian awkwardly pushed the women away, cupping his hands to Qian Yue with a wry smile. "Brother Qian, send these ladies away!"

"I'm eighty this year. This old bones of mine can't handle such excitement anymore!"

Qian Yue laughed heartily. "Hahaha, then you may all withdraw."

The dancers sighed in relief and retreated behind a screen, where the melodious sound of a zither resumed.

Gazing at the graceful silhouettes behind the screen, Chen Xian let out a deep sigh.

Right now, I've got the lust but not the lift!

He needed to train hard. They said reaching the Dao Venerable realm allowed one to reshape the body, and becoming a Saint could even restore youth.

Thinking this, he said, "It's not that I won't sell to you, but that recipe isn't worth five hundred thousand taels. Besides, even with the recipe, you couldn't make the Blood Sugar Hawthorns. I don't want to cheat you out of your money, brother."

Chen Xian wasn't lying. Even if Qian Yue had the recipe, he could at most replicate a hawthorn that looked similar.

Not everyone had the talent for Masterful Pill Crafting.

Qian Yue's face darkened slightly. He wasn't convinced, taking Chen Xian's words as an excuse.

Before Qian Yue could respond, Chen Xian changed the subject. "Truth is, I've long lost interest in such worldly riches and pretty faces."

"Oh? Forsaking both wealth and women, then what do you still need, elder brother?"

Qian Yue's interest piqued. This old bastard has something up his sleeve!

Chen Xian let out a faint sigh. "To be honest with you, this body of mine—alas—is failing day by day. My only worry now is whether I can get my hands on some longevity treasures, so I can see the sun in this world for a few more years."

Qian Yue's eyes had hidden a cold malice when Chen Xian refused, but at the words "longevity treasures," a sharp glint burst from his narrowed tiger-like eyes.

"Elder Brother Chen seeks immortality?"