The Great Deceiver, The Old Fox

"Fine, suit yourself."

Shen Gongbao stretched lazily, sat up from his couch, and recited the incantations for these two Taoist arts to Lu Chuan.

"Most techniques in this world do not stray from the Five Elements, and these two are no exception."

Shen Gongbao said, "These two arts are not particularly difficult to learn. Once you go out and practice them yourself, you will master them. Go on, and do not let your master down!"

"You got it!"

Having learned the two arts, Lu Chuan felt wonderful and turned to walk out the door.

Seeing Lu Chuan step out, Shen Gongbao finally let out a sigh of relief and muttered to himself, "Good thing this Daoist's reaction was quick..."

In the courtyard.

As for Lu Chuan, he had been in a great mood after leaving, heading straight for the well.

But once he reached the courtyard and the scorching sun beat down on him, he suddenly seemed to process what had happened, and the smile on his face froze.

"Wait, something... feels wrong!"

Lu Chuan pondered and looked back, only to see the door to Shen Gongbao's room had been closed silently and stealthily, without him even noticing.

"Ginger is indeed spicier when it's old. Master, I have to hand it to you... you're something else!"

Lu Chuan's expression shifted unpredictably, a truly spectacular sight. A moment later, he shook his head and sighed, "Disciple, I concede."

He had been played.

Self-proclaimed to be at least reasonably intelligent, he had just been swindled by Shen Gongbao, and only now did he realize it.

Initially, upon entering and seeing Shen Gongbao so comfortable, he had immediately voiced his protest, putting Shen Gongbao on the defensive.

But Shen Gongbao had immediately claimed that the sweltering heat was meant to temper his heart.

Cultivation is the tempering of one's Dao and techniques, but it is also the tempering of the heart!

The statement was somewhat profound; at first glance, it seemed to carry deep philosophical meaning that would invite contemplation.

The reason Lu Chuan had fallen for it this time was precisely because of that line.

If Shen Gongbao had offered any other excuse, Lu Chuan might not have been so easily fooled.

But once it involved cultivation, Lu Chuan had no choice but to take the bait.

After all, he had only just begun his cultivation. As a disciple still in the learning phase, who would dare to doubt their master's teachings?

Coupled with the tone, gaze, and expression Shen Gongbao used to show "care" and "consideration" for his disciple, it was hard not to be taken in.

Then, while Lu Chuan was busy pondering that sentence and had yet to react, Shen Gongbao had seized the initiative, quickly changing the subject, turning the tables, and shifting from a passive position to an active one.

The final result was that not only did Lu Chuan not blame him, but he had even left the room thanking him profusely.

"Have I been sold, and am I now helping them count the money?"

Lu Chuan muttered to himself. Today was a small joke between master and disciple, but it was also the first time he had truly felt the prowess of his master.

After stepping out, he suddenly realized: if such hot weather could temper the heart, why was his master hiding away to enjoy the breeze instead of sitting in the sun to meditate?

However, looking back on the sequence of events, Lu Chuan could only offer a big "respect" in his heart.

Just for that agile mind, that incredible ability to adapt, that Oscar-worthy performance, and that tongue that could leave you confused and swindled in just a few words...

Respect!

Utterly impressed!

He finally understood why, no matter where he went, Shen Gongbao could always thrive.

He also understood why so many people would eventually fall for that line of his: "Fellow Daoist, please stay your step."

"Great swindler, old fox!"

Lu Chuan whispered. He felt fortunate that they were master and disciple rather than enemies, though the "Fellow Daoists" targeted by him in the future would likely be in for a miserable time.

Lu Chuan offered a second of silence for them in his heart, then happily headed to the shop in front to practice his techniques.

Following Shen Gongbao, he could indeed learn many useful things—not just Taoist arts, but experience, the kind of experience gained through these schemes.

Losing to one's own master was no disgrace; after all, Shen Gongbao's intelligence was legendary in the Investiture of the Gods. As long as he learned from this mistake and didn't fall for someone else's tricks in the future, it would be fine.

In the shop.

Lu Chuan placed the half-bucket of water behind the counter. He had to be careful practicing his arts here so the passersby outside wouldn't see.

Afterward, he sat cross-legged in front of the bucket behind the waist-high counter, his entire body hidden from view.

"Ice Chill Technique, oh Ice Chill Technique, my 'get-rich-quick scheme' depends entirely on you."

Lu Chuan looked at the half-bucket of cool water and pondered. One had to realize that in this world, even if you had talent, it didn't mean you would live well—take Jiang Ziya, for example.

What use was knowing Taoist arts if his wife still forced him to go to the streets to sell sieves and flour?

However, he had been busy practicing the Samadhi True Fire lately and hadn't seen him; he wondered how his senior uncle had been doing recently.

In this world, if one wanted a good life and wealth, there was basically only one path: entering the imperial court, either as a civil official or a military general, to enjoy endless riches, power, and influence.

As the saying goes: "Master the arts of war and letters, and sell them to the Emperor's house!"

However, among the four professions of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant, aside from becoming an official, Lu Chuan had his sights set on business. Doing business at the very least meant making money, right? Having money was the hard truth!

Lu Chuan began to focus his mind and circulate his energy, pinching a seal with his right hand held before him, chanting the incantation for the Ice Chill Technique he had learned.

Hiss!

As soon as he finished chanting, a pale blue radiance emerged from the seal formed by his hands.

"Go!"

Lu Chuan's face lit up with joy. He pointed his seal toward the water bucket, and a blue light flew into it.

Crack-crack-crack!

The moment the blue light landed in the bucket, the water inside instantly froze at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It stopped quite quickly, however, leaving only a bowl-sized lump of ice floating on top of the water.

"It seems I injected too little true energy." After observing the result, Lu Chuan searched for the reason for his failure.

The power of some Daoist arts, once mastered, depended on the strength of the practitioner's cultivation.

Take this Ice Chill Technique, for example.

Although it was not considered a top-tier Daoist art, if cast by an immortal, it could freeze entire rivers; when cast by him, however, the power was much smaller.

In his first attempt just now, although he had successfully cast the art, he had failed to control the amount of true energy, resulting in his inability to freeze the entire bucket of water.

Splash!

After pondering, Lu Chuan looked at the floating lump of ice in the bucket, suddenly smiled, and reached a hand into it.

"Mmm... refreshing!"

After he had cast the Ice Chill Technique, the bucket was ice-cold. As his hand reached in, his pores were stimulated, and the hairs all over his body stood on end.

"Truly bone-chilling..."

Lu Chuan squinted his eyes with an expression of enjoyment, then took out the bowl-sized lump of ice, leaned in, took a bite, and began to crunch away at it.

Although it had no flavor, in this sweltering, unbearable weather that could bake a person alive, being able to gnaw on a piece of ice was a luxurious indulgence.

In such hot weather, aside from the households of princes and ministers who possessed ice cellars, where would ordinary families have such a luxury?

After gnawing a few bites, Lu Chuan put down the ice lump with a satisfied look and let out a comfortable sigh.

Finally, he had reclaimed that feeling of eating a popsicle from the past.

"Next, I need to get some sugar, mix it into sugar water, and then freeze it into ice. I'll also have to cut it into uniform pieces, and besides that, I'll need some small wooden sticks..."

With the Ice Chill Technique, Lu Chuan knew that his "get-rich-quick scheme" was basically half-successful.

"However, I am about to head into the mountains to hunt down that unknown fierce beast. It is better to prioritize cultivation; it won't be too late to carry out this 'get-rich-quick scheme' after I return."