Once human, you want to become immortal

Sitting behind his desk, Lin Zhishui noticed Cheng Buxiu's almost fearful unease and could not help feeling suspicious.

Isn't he being a little too humble?

He had clearly conned Cheng Qiyue out of over a hundred thousand yuan, yet her guardian looked as though he were the one who had done something wrong, and even seemed terrified that Lin Zhishui would refuse to forgive him.

Now he was even more confused.

What exactly had Han Suxin said to Cheng Qiyue's guardian yesterday to scare him this badly?

After all, Cheng Qiyue was only a high school student, yet she could produce over a hundred thousand yuan. She had also mentioned things like "the family" and "collectibles," so she clearly came from a wealthy, powerful household.

Thinking about it that way, Han Suxin probably had some serious connections. Could this be what people meant by...

Having friends in high places?

Still, he had looked up Han Suxin's psychological clinic online and found that her consultation fees really were high. Her clients were either rich or influential, and appointments had to be booked in advance. Without sufficient confidence and connections, she could hardly operate that way.

Looks like Miss Han really does have an incredible background. Tsk, someone like that is actually my diehard fan?

At that thought, Lin Zhishui could not help feeling rather pleased with himself, a sense of satisfaction welling up within him.

Now this is the life.

With a little more confidence, he unconsciously straightened his back behind the desk and stopped worrying about being pressed to repay the money.

"You seem a little nervous, Mr. Cheng. There's no need to worry."

Tapping his fingertips lightly on the desktop, Lin Zhishui smiled. "Perhaps Miss Han said some rather blunt things to you yesterday. She might even have mentioned..."

Halfway through, he raised a hand and pointed upward, meaning that Han Suxin had friends in high places.

At that, Cheng Buxiu lowered his head even further.

Yesterday, he had also investigated that female Cultivator's identity and learned that she was Han Suxin of the Infinite Heaven lineage. Her cultivation had reached the peak of the third Heavenly Pass, and she was every bit his equal.

And what Han Suxin had said to him yesterday had indeed been rather blunt. It had been not only advice, but also a threat.

She had also mentioned that Senior Lin cared nothing for so-called "Supreme Treasures," and that even her own ancestor had willingly given him the Azure Sun Ruler. Surely he was no mortal. Naturally, she had been hinting:

Senior Lin was an immortal master who had descended from the heavens!

Seeing Cheng Buxiu become even more deferential, Lin Zhishui grew increasingly certain that he had guessed correctly.

"What she said was certainly true."

Lin Zhishui continued, "But... I've always believed that when dealing with others, courtesy should be reciprocated, and one should think before acting. Wouldn't you agree?"

He was giving the man a way out. There was no need to go too far.

"You're absolutely right, Mr. Lin."

Cheng Buxiu immediately replied, "I failed to consider things properly earlier, and that led me to offend you. Please give me a chance to make amends and apologize."

As he spoke, he took something from inside his clothes, bowed his head slightly, and presented it to Lin Zhishui with both hands. "This is a small token of my apology. The gift may be of little worth, but it is fairly rare. Please forgive me and accept it."

He came to apologize in person, and he even brought a gift?

A little surprised, Lin Zhishui took a closer look.

It was a transparent crystal ball, slightly smaller than his palm, though it appeared to be made of glass. Inside the glass sphere was a winding sculpture of a white dragon, vividly lifelike. White mist shrouded its body, leaving it half-hidden. It was exquisitely crafted.

A beautiful, finely made crystal-ball ornament.

However, natural crystal balls generally contained cotton-like inclusions or fissures. Since this one was so perfectly clear and flawless, it was probably glass.

It really could not be worth much. Even if the labor was expensive, it would cost a few thousand yuan at most.

Still, as an ornament in his calligraphy and painting shop, it had a certain artistic charm.

After all, the man had not done anything terribly wrong. He had merely come to cause a fuss without understanding the situation. A gift was already more than enough.

"Hmm, it's rather interesting. I'll keep it here in the shop as an ornament." Lin Zhishui nodded lightly.

"Thank you, Senior."

Cheng Buxiu immediately breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly placed the crystal ball he was holding on the desk with great care.

As expected of an accomplished senior, he had seen through Cheng Buxiu's intentions at a glance.

Indeed, he had offered this object merely to make the senior find it "interesting," rather than "useful" or "valuable."

How could he possibly produce some peerless treasure valuable enough to move a reclusive master who treated even Supreme Treasures as everyday objects?

Making it useful was even more out of the question.

Thus, he could only approach the matter through "interest." The key was to appeal to this senior's temperament.

At a glance, Senior Lin clearly enjoyed a quiet, ordinary mortal life and valued keeping his brilliance concealed. He behaved exactly like a mortal, yet was extraordinary beneath the surface, and used this calligraphy and painting shop to receive certain guests from the Cultivation World.

At the time, Cheng Buxiu had thought of an ancient treasure he had happened to acquire many years ago-

The Hidden Dragon Pearl.

Only after his family's ancestor consulted a vast number of rare ancient texts had he discovered that this Hidden Dragon Pearl was one of the components of the ancient Hidden Dragon Illusory World Formation.

That great formation had long since been lost. This component was probably merely a remnant from ancient times that had found its way into his hands by chance.

Although it was an ancient relic, a single component was hardly precious, and its effects were unremarkable.

This component, the Hidden Dragon Pearl, could only interfere with an area several dozen yards across, preventing mortals from approaching. Cultivators naturally had nothing to fear from it.

And Senior Lin happened to enjoy peace and quiet, receiving only Cultivators. The Hidden Dragon Pearl could not have been more suitable.

Its unremarkable effects, exquisite appearance, and underlying connection to ancient times and a peerless formation were just like the persona Senior Lin presented.

Now, it appeared that Senior Lin really was somewhat interested in the Hidden Dragon Pearl. His efforts had not been wasted.

Cheng Buxiu finally let out a relieved breath. It seemed he had escaped disaster at last.

"Since you've apologized and made amends, you're also a guest here, Mr. Cheng. There's no need to be so reserved."

Lin Zhishui smiled and said gently, "If you're interested in buying any calligraphy or paintings here, just say so. No need to stand on ceremony."

After all, he was a relative of two customers, Old Cheng and Cheng Qiyue. Since he had already apologized and made amends, Lin Zhishui naturally had to give him a way out.

Maybe... I can even turn this into a sale?

"Your calligraphy?"

Cheng Buxiu could not help pausing in surprise. "Do you mean... something like Miss Han's 'Steadfast' calligraphy yesterday?"

Immediately sensing an opportunity, Lin Zhishui smiled and nodded. "Of course. I wrote that for her yesterday. It was a character suited to her."

Cheng Buxiu's heart stirred. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Then... what would I have to give in return?"

How precious must a treasure capable of suppressing heaven and earth with a single character be?

Under normal circumstances, he felt that he could never possibly afford a sufficient price.

But Han Suxin was only a Cultivator at the third Heavenly Pass. If even she could afford it, perhaps he had a chance too?

"Give in return?"

Lin Zhishui chuckled. "You people always ask that question. Since my little shop is open here in the mundane world of the Mortal Realm, naturally I follow ordinary people's rules. I only trade for money. No other treasure, however extraordinary, can buy my calligraphy."

After all, hardly anyone would trade other treasures for it anyway...

Besides, he did not know how to distinguish genuine antiques or jewels from fakes. What if they gave him something counterfeit?

Money was still the most reliable.

Hearing that, Cheng Buxiu looked at Lin Zhishui in surprise.

Mundane money?

Still, he did not find it strange. After all, certain stages of cultivation required one to follow particular rules. It might also be a personal preference of this reclusive master.

He treated Supreme Treasures as ordinary tools and even the Hidden Dragon Pearl as an ornament. How could Cheng Buxiu possibly understand the thoughts of such an accomplished senior?

"Then... how much would it cost for you to bestow your calligraphy, Senior?" Cheng Buxiu did his best to accommodate the senior's rules.

A sale!

Lin Zhishui perked up, keeping a calm smile on his face. "As for how much you're willing to pay, you'll have to ask your own heart. Just don't exceed 129,600 yuan. The two guests from your Cheng Family, Old Cheng and Cheng Qiyue, both happened to spend that much on calligraphy and paintings here. You could call it a kind of completeness."

At those words, Cheng Buxiu immediately understood.

129,600... That is precisely the number of years in one cosmic cycle, symbolizing completeness.

Since even Supreme Treasures meant nothing to this senior, what he valued was naturally the meaning represented by that number.

He understood completely.

Senior Lin was practically giving such precious treasures away to Cultivators. Naturally, he cared nothing for that laughably insignificant amount of mundane money.

If Senior Lin had been willing, Cheng Buxiu would have gladly handed over a hundred million outright. But what meaning did money have?

For an immortal powerhouse like him to act in the mortal world as though "spreading the Way and aiding humanity," he was either seeking the elusive merit and fortune of legend or placing pawns in the mortal world, perhaps planning a game that would shake the heavens.

And by telling him to consult his own heart and setting the upper limit at one cosmic cycle, Senior Lin was probably asking him to search his conscience: just how much help did he need?

After careful consideration, he gradually came to understand-

This was actually an immensely complex question involving multiple perspectives. His answer had to account not only for the kind of help he needed, but also for the fact that the more he received now, the more he would have to give in the future. At the same time, he had to consider what sort of repayment he would be willing to offer as a pawn...

Such profound subtleties lay hidden within a seemingly simple question!

For a moment, Cheng Buxiu fell silent.

Lin Zhishui did his best to maintain a composed expression, while inwardly muttering, Why isn't he saying anything? Does Cheng Qiyue's household not have much standing in the family, so he's reluctant to spend the money? Does he think I'm using Han Suxin's influence to force him to buy my calligraphy?

So he spoke up. "No need to overthink it. Just consider your actual circumstances."

Cheng Buxiu's heart jolted.

That's right, I have to consider my own circumstances. With my aptitude, passing the Five Passes is almost impossible. I can only contribute some effort in the mortal world, becoming an insignificant pawn at best. If I ask for too much now, the price I'll have to pay in the future will surely be even more outrageous. One careless mistake could condemn me forever...

At that thought, a chill ran through his heart, and he reined in those overly extravagant hopes.

"I would be satisfied if you bestowed just one character upon me."

Cheng Buxiu took a deep breath and said respectfully, "I dare not ask for too much. I'm willing to pay 129,600, the number of one cosmic cycle, for just a single character."

Lin Zhishui was taken aback. Has this guy misunderstood something?

Does he think I'm still threatening him?

Is he choosing to pay the highest price for calligraphy because of pressure from Han Suxin, just to buy himself some peace?

Still, the man did not seem particularly pained by the expense, so it probably was not much of a financial blow. Lin Zhishui said softly, "Indeed, peace and security are also a choice."

"Thank you for your understanding." Cheng Buxiu spoke with gratitude in his eyes.

He had chosen to ask for only a single-character piece of calligraphy so that he would have less to pay when he became a pawn in the future. Naturally, Senior Lin had seen through that at a glance.

"As for which character I should give you..."

Lin Zhishui considered for a moment, then asked, "Do you have any wishes? Or rather... what is your goal in life?"

"My wish is naturally to live freely, without restraints, and walk the Great Way that leads to heaven," Cheng Buxiu sighed. "But I know that, with my aptitude and talent, I probably won't have such good fortune in this lifetime. I only ask to preserve my Cheng Family and fulfill the charge entrusted to me by my ancestors. That would be enough."

Live freely? A Great Way leading to heaven?

Lin Zhishui was a little speechless.

He really is Old Cheng's descendant. Family upbringing makes all the difference. They even talk alike, and their wishes are just as unrealistic, without a trace of ordinary humanity.

Why not just say you want promotions and wealth, financial freedom and the freedom that comes with status... and be done with it?

These people who love traditional culture really fucking love talking in circles.

Lin Zhishui grumbled inwardly, but still nodded with a deliberately literary air. "It's all right. Everyone is like that. Once human, you want to become immortal; born upon the earth, you want to ascend to heaven... I was no exception once."

Yes, Mr. Lu Xun said that.

Really.

Hearing this, Cheng Buxiu's reverence deepened even further.

It seemed this senior had once been a mortal too, rather than a celestial born in the Heavenly Realm. Through nothing but the great resolve and aspirations in his heart, he had risen step by step from a mortal body to his current place among the Immortals and Gods!

He truly was worthy of admiration.

P.S. 1: Another long chapter of almost four thousand Chinese characters. I didn't know where to break it, so I just posted the whole thing.

P.S. 2: I saw a piece of cynical "inspirational advice" today that made me laugh, and I thought it suited this book's theme pretty well-"Boys are actually very simple. You don't need to fool him at all. As long as he likes you, he'll fool himself." Change that to: "Customers are actually very simple too. You don't need to fool them at all. As long as they admire you enough, they'll fill in the blanks themselves."