Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion-Chapter 79: Paid to Get Things Done
On the third day of the new year, while the festive atmosphere on Celestial Gate Mountain had yet to fade, Fang Qingyuan took a heavy gift and went to pay Zhao Liangde a visit.
It seemed many disciples had sought out Zhao Liangde in the past few days. When he saw Fang Qingyuan, a single glance was all it took for him to understand his purpose.
So, Zhao Liangde spoke with a stern expression:
"I’ve had at least eight, if not ten, people come to me for favors in the last few days. I know what all of you are after. But in my presence, connections are useless. If you’re planning on talking about personal relationships, you can save your breath."
Hearing Zhao Liangde’s declaration, anyone who didn’t know him might have thought the head of the Miscellaneous Affairs Peak was a man of incorruptible integrity. But his next words immediately revealed his true nature.
"Personal feelings don’t work on me. I care about one thing and one thing only: Spirit Stones. If you cough up more Spirit Stones than everyone else, then naturally, your name won’t be on the list for White Mountain."
With the matter laid so bare, Fang Qingyuan knew the critical moment had arrived. He took a Tier One Upper Grade magical artifact from his storage bag, presented it to Zhao Liangde, and said,
"Some time ago, I came across a magical artifact that I feel isn’t a good fit for me. I’ve brought it for you, Peak Head Uncle, to take a look at."
A Tier One Upper Grade magical artifact was worth about one thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones. This was no small gesture from Fang Qingyuan; after all, his monthly stipend was a mere fifty low-grade stones.
To ask for a favor, he had just handed over nearly two years of his entire income. Fang Qingyuan was confident that very few of his fellow disciples could afford to be so generous.
Besides, a trip to White Mountain wasn’t a guaranteed death sentence. The sects there would surely fight, but they probably wouldn’t be ruthless enough to kill.
The main belligerents were the Artifact Talisman Alliance and the Wei Family. The Beast Taming Sect was merely there to lend support and face off against the Luo Family. It wasn’t a cause worth dying for. Therefore, even the disciples who didn’t want to go and came to pull strings wouldn’t likely empty their entire coffers to get out of it.
Things went just as Fang Qingyuan had predicted. Upon seeing the magical artifact, Zhao Liangde casually tucked it into his storage bag and said with a broad grin,
"This is a fine item. Barring any surprises, you won’t have to go on the trip to White Mountain."
Joy lit up Fang Qingyuan’s face. He bowed in thanks and said,
"Thank you for your benevolence, Peak Head Uncle. I’m counting entirely on you for this matter."
Zhao Liangde nodded, gesturing for Fang Qingyuan to leave. It was clear he was ready to receive the next disciple, so Fang Qingyuan, taking the hint, promptly excused himself.
After leaving Zhao Liangde’s residence, Fang Qingyuan watched the snowflakes drift down from the sky and let out a soft sigh. He then mounted his beast, Silver Treasure, and made for the docks of the Celestial Gate Mountain Marketplace to start soliciting business.
...
Half a month later, Lechuan announced the sect’s mandatory conscription order. Sure enough, Fang Qingyuan’s name was not on the list. Upon hearing the news, he instantly felt a great sense of relief.
’That Zhao Liangde might be greedy,’ he thought, ’but at least he keeps his end of the bargain when he takes your money.’
However, this mobilization order conscripted half of all Inner Sect Disciples, forty Outer Sect Disciples, and seven Core Disciples, along with twice that number of Spirit Beasts.
Furthermore, over a thousand cultivators from neighboring sects were conscripted. Led by three Foundation Establishment Uncles, they formed an imposing army and marched with great pomp toward Shandu.
As a result, cultivators became a rare sight around Celestial Gate Mountain, and Fang Qingyuan’s business suffered even more.
He could spend half a day plying his ferry trade without a single customer, and the entrance to his little shop in Black River Square was utterly deserted. All Fang Qingyuan could do was sigh in frustration.
Zhang Yuan was part of the expedition. ’Fifty-fifty odds, and he didn’t manage to avoid it,’ Fang Qingyuan mused.
’Then again, maybe the odds weren’t really fifty-fifty. With people like me paying our way out, Zhang Yuan’s chances of being picked were probably closer to two in three.’
Fang Qingyuan felt no shame about this. ’If our own sect were being invaded, it would be one thing. Using Spirit Stones to get out of that fight would be inexcusable. But being forced to go fight a war for the Wei Family? What kind of sham is that?’
’So what if business is slow? Things will pick up once the fighting in Shandu is over. I have plenty of time. I can afford to wait a year or two.’
However, after only three months of peace, a new wave of conscription orders arrived. This time, Fang Qingyuan was not spared, because Lechuan had commanded that all remaining Inner Sect Disciples be deployed.
...
"Has Lechuan lost his mind? How can he send every last disciple to White Mountain? With everyone gone, what happens if someone attacks Celestial Gate Mountain?"
Fang Qingyuan couldn’t stop himself from roaring in anger in his small courtyard. He was so furious he even dared to use Lechuan’s name directly, a clear sign of his rage.
The reason was simple: Lechuan’s latest mobilization order was utterly preposterous. It demanded that every single Inner Sect Disciple remaining on Celestial Gate Mountain be transferred to White Mountain, leaving Fang Qingyuan no room to use his connections.
’And what’s more, doesn’t this mean my earlier bribe was a complete waste?’
Fang Qingyuan couldn’t decide what made him angrier. He was incredibly frustrated now. Once a conscription order was issued, there was no room for negotiation. The only way out was to make Lechuan retract the order, but that was something far beyond what he could achieve with Spirit Stones.
This meant he had no choice but to make another trip to White Mountain—the very thing he had desperately tried to avoid.
Fang Qingyuan was not alone in the courtyard. Jiang Kui was there too, and his angry outburst had been partly for her ears.
After hearing him, Jiang Kui offered a calm analysis.
"Lechuan must have his reasons for this move. Deploying all the Inner Sect Disciples is no great matter. As long as he remains on Celestial Gate Mountain, there is no risk of the mountain falling. And even if he weren’t here, what surrounding power would be foolish enough to attack the Beast Taming Sect?"
Jiang Kui’s words helped Fang Qingyuan calm down. He thought for a moment, then said,
"It seems there’s no getting out of it this time. If so, I have no choice but to make another trip to White Mountain. But before I leave, is there anything else you think I should do, Senior Sister?"
Jiang Kui narrowed her eyes at Fang Qingyuan and said earnestly,
"You still need to see Zhao Liangde. Even though Lechuan gave the order, the actual implementation is up to the Foundation Establishment Uncles. Keep Zhao Liangde happy, and you’ll surely make it through this safely."
Fang Qingyuan nodded, but the thought of Zhao Liangde’s appetite for bribes made him hesitate. ’What if I give him another gift, only for Lechuan to stir up more trouble? My Spirit Stones would be wasted all over again.’
’But this is no time to be stingy,’ he thought. He had no desire to die on the battlefield clutching a hoard of Spirit Stones. ’They’re meant to be spent. If I don’t use them now, it’ll be too late for regrets when I’m on the front lines.’
With that thought, Fang Qingyuan thanked Jiang Kui and hurried off to Zhao Liangde’s residence.
After Fang Qingyuan left, Jiang Kui watched his retreating figure and murmured to herself,
’Just wait a little longer... Zhao E Lian, Wei Tong, Lechuan... I won’t forget any of you.’
Fang Qingyuan, oblivious to Jiang Kui’s thoughts, arrived at Zhao Liangde’s residence to find several of his fellow disciples already waiting at the entrance.
Awkward smiles appeared on their faces as they saw one another. Fortunately, one of Zhao Liangde’s servants appeared just in time to lead them inside, saving them from further embarrassment.
By the time Fang Qingyuan met with Zhao Liangde, three other disciples had already gone in ahead of him. Zhao Liangde spoke, his face etched with exhaustion.
"This is a tricky situation. My master is truly furious this time. When he gives an order, we have no choice but to obey. So, you’ve come to see me a bit too late."
Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan’s heart sank. ’Have things really deteriorated this badly?’
But before Fang Qingyuan could think any further, Zhao Liangde added,
"So... it’s going to cost you extra this time."
