Chapter 31: A Gift
The Zhongbi Peak Master didn’t consider forging someone else’s handwriting to be fraud; he insisted it was an “artistic skill.”
Making money with one’s skills—how could that be deceit?
Under Qian Yuzhi’s promotional efforts, owning a piece of “Sword Sovereign’s Calligraphy” had become a status symbol among mortal cultivators. It was also seen as a stepping stone for small sects or families to gain recognition in the upper echelons of the cultivation world.
“Your household doesn’t even own a single piece of the Sword Sovereign’s calligraphy, and you still dare to host a grand banquet?”
“What? The piece I own is a fake? Someone, go buy me a genuine one immediately!”
At the auctions, Hengtong Juyuan would simply let rumors circulate, claiming the artwork was “possibly” authentic Sword Sovereign calligraphy. Guests were left to evaluate its authenticity and bid carefully. But in truth, none of the pieces had ever been genuine; all were crafted by the current Zhongbi Peak Master.
Anyone who thought about it would realize Ji Xiao spent all his time either in seclusion, training with his sword, or dealing with mortal crises. When would he ever have the leisure to grind ink, lay out paper, and create artwork?
If one were to ask where the most authentic treasure lay, it would undoubtedly be the book Introduction to the Path of Cultivation that Ji Xiao wrote for Meng Xueli. Inside, Ji Xiao had drawn vivid, full-color illustrations, featuring birds, beasts, grand mountains, and rivers—all lifelike and teeming with the richness of worldly scenes.
However, Meng Xueli himself had no idea. After listening to Qian Yuzhi’s story, he clapped his hands in delight and exclaimed, “Exactly! A happy ending for everyone!”
Ji Xiao could only sigh helplessly and press his palm to his forehead.
Seeing Meng Xueli’s enthusiasm, Qian Yuzhi grew even more talkative. “As expected of Ji Xiao’s Dao companion! Other cultivators don’t understand the beauty of my decision to abandon the sword for business. They only criticize me for indulging in frivolities and squandering my talent, but you, you understand!”
Unlike most in the cultivation world, who believed the Sword Sovereign had been bewitched into marrying a commoner and that the two were an ill-matched pair, Qian Yuzhi thought highly of Meng Xueli. To him, Meng Xueli was unafraid of public criticism and daring enough to set up Feng Shui arrays for wealth, fortune, and romantic success. At the very least, this proved Meng Xueli was genuine and no hypocrite.
Meng Xueli chuckled. “The wise have said, ‘To be praised by all does not encourage one to strive harder; to be criticized by all does not dishearten one.’ Brother Qian, you truly live up to your name—you’ve already achieved such a state of mind.” He admired how Qian Yuzhi remained neither overly diligent when praised nor discouraged by widespread disapproval.
The two began praising each other, which Ji Xiao found intolerable. He gave a soft cough and lightly tugged at Meng Xueli’s sleeve under the table. “Master…” Given his current role as a disciple, it was improper to interrupt his elders, but he hoped his young Dao companion would take the hint.
Meng Xueli patted Ji Xiao’s hand, mistaking the gesture as a sign of shared understanding. “Your Uncle Qian has it tough. Tingyun, remember this: maintaining a legacy is even harder than creating one.” He implied that Ji Xiao would one day have to safeguard his father’s vast inheritance.
Meng Xueli didn’t elaborate further, trusting his disciple would grasp the deeper meaning.
Ji Xiao: “….”
Qian Yuzhi, however, nodded in agreement. “Indeed, maintaining a legacy is harder than starting one. Though these businesses seem to be thriving, they are fraught with hidden dangers. One misstep, and it could all collapse, leaving nothing but ruin.”
Meng Xueli asked in surprise, “Why is that?”
Qian Yuzhi explained, “Elder Meng, you must remain vigilant. A man with a treasure is a target of envy. You are the sole heir to the Sword Sovereign’s legacy, and everyone knows your claim is legitimate. But if something were to happen to you, who would inherit all this? Not me—I couldn’t handle it. It might fall into the hands of the Han Shan Sword Sect, or perhaps the sect’s highest-ranking elder. That would effectively mean it belongs to his family. After all, the Zhou family of Huai Shui is large and has many mouths to feed. No amount of wealth is ever enough for them.”
Meng Xueli’s expression grew serious as he listened. He lightly patted Ji Xiao’s arm, silently vowing to shield his disciple until he was strong enough to stand on his own.
Qian Yuzhi unfolded his folding fan with a dramatic flourish. “It’s like a piece of succulent meat—visible but unattainable. People salivate over it yet can’t bear to destroy it.”
Meng Xueli noticed the writing on the fan and exclaimed, “Huh?”
Qian Yuzhi glanced at it and hurriedly flipped the fan around. “Oops, I grabbed the wrong one. It’s been a busy end-of-year season, and I’ve been a bit irritable.”
It turned out the fan was double-sided. One side read “Harmony Begets Wealth” while the other bore the blunt phrase, “Mind Your Own Business.”
How extreme, Meng Xueli thought.
Meng Xueli remarked, “Such an extensive enterprise would be difficult for others to manage. You must genuinely enjoy it to bear all the hardship without exhaustion. What use would it be in someone else’s hands?”
Qian Yuzhi chuckled. “Once money reaches a certain point, the increase is just numbers. What grows with it is influence. Sitting in Hanmen City in the north, I can send out a single transmission talisman and cause Spirit Gathering Pills to sell out in distant Yong’an City or make the price of beast hides in Qinghe City soar overnight. They might not enjoy the simple pleasure of earning or counting money, but they love the sense of control that comes with it. Do you understand?”
Meng Xueli was momentarily stunned. He thought to himself, I understand every word you’re saying, but when put together, I have no idea what you mean. It seemed far more complicated than mere fighting and killing.
Ji Xiao noticed his young Dao companion staring blankly, clearly lost in thought, and softly reminded him, “Master, the mountain paths will be difficult to traverse after sunset.” It was time for them to take their leave.
This was the longest sentence Ji Xiao had spoken since entering the room. Qian Yuzhi’s gaze shifted to him, and suddenly, as if struck by an idea, his eyes lit up.
“This senior disciple of yours—he has an innate sword spirit. He should have been a disciple of the sect master or the grand elder. Yet, by the decree of Brother Hu Si, he became your disciple and now resides on Changchun Peak. Isn’t that right?”
From an outsider’s perspective, this was indeed the case. Meng Xueli nodded in agreement.
“Do you know how people outside Han Shan Sect talk about you? In private, they call you the ‘illegitimate child of the heavens’ because of your unparalleled luck!” — Depending on your partner in the first half of your life, and on your disciple in the latter half.
Meng Xueli rubbed his nose. “It’s just a matter of bad times giving way to good ones.” Before bonding with Ji Xiao, his life had been full of ups and downs, far from what anyone would call “good fortune.” He had no idea why Qian Yuzhi had suddenly brought this up.
“Elder Meng, let’s not beat around the bush. I want to sell golden silk peach saplings from Changchun Peak through Hengtong Juyuan!”
Qian Yuzhi smiled warmly, as if speaking to a deity of wealth. “I’ll buy each sapling for 60 top-grade spiritual stones upfront, then sell them with a base price of 200 top-grade spiritual stones. After the profits roll in, we split it three to seven—I’ll take three, you take seven. How about that?” His offer was generous, showing concern for the Sword Sovereign’s partner who was still young and raising a disciple.
Meng Xueli was startled. “No way! Everyone says it’s tacky. If it doesn’t sell, you’ll suffer a huge loss!”
Qian Yuzhi burst into hearty laughter. “They call it tacky, but deep down, they envy you. It’s just sour grapes—mocking what they can’t have!”
Meng Xueli countered, “As I recall, golden silk peach trees are quite delicate, and their market price is only about ten top-grade spiritual stones each. If you price them that high, who would buy them?”
“It’s not the same! These are saplings from Changchun Peak, personally planted by the Sword Sovereign’s Dao companion. Planting them in your yard would feel like living on Changchun Peak itself, basking in its warmth and sweetness…” Qian Yuzhi’s eyes sparkled. “And most importantly, if you pray sincerely, you might acquire a bit of Meng Xueli’s ‘good fortune.’ From then on, your life would turn around effortlessly, and amidst the falling peach blossoms, you could forge a love story that captivates the world. Now, after hearing all that, would you buy it?”
I wouldn’t! Ji Xiao thought. This was utterly ridiculous.
He grew increasingly concerned, fearing that Junior Brother Qian’s wild ideas might lead Meng Xueli astray.
Meng Xueli, however, replied earnestly, “But matters of ‘luck’ are elusive and difficult to quantify. If someone spends a fortune on one of these saplings and later feels deceived…” Wouldn’t they come to smash your shop?
Qian Yuzhi stared at him in disbelief. “It’s not deceit. We’re not guaranteeing they’ll definitely turn their fortunes around. It’s all about sincerity—if your heart is true, the results will follow. Look at the people burning incense in temples. Not all of them are Buddhist practitioners; some just seek comfort. It’s the same concept. Customers who buy the peach saplings will experience one of two outcomes: either their fortunes improve or they don’t—each has a fifty percent chance. Those who do experience change will claim the saplings are miraculous. Think about it carefully.”
Meng Xueli thought it over and nodded in agreement. “If that’s the case, I’ll leave it to you, Brother Qian. My second disciple, Yu Qishu, will deliver the saplings in three days. Let’s start with twenty. If they sell well…” Besides, Yu Qishu needed to practice combat techniques in the peach grove anyway, so he could chop some small branches while he was at it.
Although the gold and silver Ji Xiao had left behind were more than enough for several lifetimes, Meng Xueli wanted to earn a living and support his disciples on his own terms!
At that moment, Meng Xueli had no idea that, years later, the golden silk peach trees of Changchun Peak would become treasures revered by the cultivation world—so precious that even a fortune couldn’t buy one.
“No trouble at all! If they become a hit, I might even have to send you gifts to secure exclusive rights,” Qian Yuzhi said thoughtfully. “Speaking of gifts, the jade box that the Sword Sovereign entrusted to Hengtong Juyuan—he said it was a gift for you. When would Elder Meng like to retrieve it?”
Meng Xueli was stunned. “What? What did my Dao companion do?”
Qian Yuzhi was equally surprised. “You mean you didn’t know? It’s been here all along.”
Meng Xueli’s mind lit up, and he murmured, “That’s right, he did mention it.”
It felt as if he were back on the day Ji Xiao left. The sky was moonless, and the night blanketed Changchun Peak in darkness. Ji Xiao had come to find him by the pond, his black cloak billowing in the wind, his face as cold and pale as ice.
“I have something for you. Wait for my return.”
And then, he never came back.
Qian Yuzhi: “Wait a moment.”
Shortly after, the manager who had guided them earlier knocked on the door, presenting a small iron box with great care before quietly retreating.
Ji Xiao, watching the scene, sighed again, resting his forehead in his hand. He had lost count of how many times he’d felt helpless that day.
Three years ago, Hu Si had told him that a partner’s bonding ceremony required a gift. Ji Xiao had personally crafted this one, but back then, Meng Xueli had just recovered from severe injuries and was too weak to use it. So, Ji Xiao had left it in safekeeping at the foot of the mountain, intending for Meng Xueli to retrieve it when he was strong enough to venture down.
As for the “gift” Meng Xueli thought Ji Xiao had promised before leaving, that was an entirely different, unfinished item. The two gifts had nothing in common.
Still, Ji Xiao mused, perhaps this was for the best. Giving Meng Xueli the present now felt like perfect timing.
Meng Xueli opened the iron box and lifted out a white jade case about three feet long. The jade was warm to the touch, smooth and delicate—a rare piece of warm jade.
He traced the intricate water cloud patterns on its surface. “What’s inside?”
Qian Yuzhi gave him a mischievous smile and whispered, “How would I know? It’s a gift between Dao companions—I wouldn’t dare open it. Elder Meng, take it back to your peak and open it there. Don’t let me see anything I shouldn’t.”
Cough, cough, cough! Ji Xiao suddenly began coughing violently, his face tinged with a faint redness.
Meng Xueli immediately stood up to pat his back. “Tingyun, take it easy.”
Then he picked up the jade case. “Brother Qian, it’s getting late. Thank you for your hospitality. We’ll take our leave now.”
Qian Yuzhi waved his fan inscribed with “Harmony Begets Wealth” and called out, “Take care! Safe travels!”
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
