The Eternal Way-Chapter 143: Jin Bu Huan

In the central and most luxurious mansion of Clear Mist City.

This estate was vast, practically a city within a city. Its four walls were adorned with windows like fortress battlements, its lights shining brightly into the sky, drawing crowds like a bustling market. Spanning three to four li ( 2 kilometers), it resembled a palace from afar.

The mansion featured flying eaves and painted beams, intricately designed in all directions. From a distance, it looked like a forest of sails and trees, with thousands of households' smoke rising. Even the servants' quarters occupied an area of five to six li (3 kilometers), densely packed with buildings housing around eight hundred to a thousand people.

Beyond that, the grounds were even more spacious, lush with flowers and bamboo. There were over ten ponds, each crystal clear enough to count the fish swimming within. Each pond spanned about thirty mu (2 hectares) and was planted with thousand-petaled lotuses, surrounded by willow trees interspersed with peach and plum trees. Occasionally, fragrant plum blossoms and parasol trees added to the picturesque scenery of new blooms against old trees, remaining vibrant even in winter.

Elsewhere, there were chrysanthemum paths, secluded stone corridors, meandering pools, and halls capable of seating a thousand people. The estate boasted scenic terraces and flourishing gardens.

Towers and pavilions intertwined, their vermilion and emerald colors fresh and vivid. Upon entering, one would see a mirror-like pond, towering structures staggered across the landscape, and green locust trees lining the pathways, as if stepping into a fairyland of mountains and towers stretching for a thousand li.

And this was the residence of Jin Bu Huan.

His father, the Green Mountain Mountain God, was a white tiger born on Green Mountain.

The white tiger was no ordinary beast but a rare celestial creature akin to the jade rabbit or golden crow, formed from metallic energy and embodying the spirit of slaughter.

Besides slaughter, the white tiger also possessed the ability to gather wealth.

As the saying goes, "When the white tiger holds sway, fortune follows. If supported by proper conditions, it brings wealth and prosperity. Without interference, using official power leads to nobility, and using wealth leads to riches."

The poem says: The White Tiger holds sway when寅 (Yin) and卯 (Mao) are strong, As if arriving in the lands of巳 (Si), 午 (Wu), 未 (Wei), or戌 (Xu), Meeting it across the four plains brings wealth and honor aplenty, Surely destined for the imperial capital to serve as a pillar and beam.

Since the white tiger represents metal, and metal itself symbolizes wealth, these traits roughly outlined the essence of the Green Mountain Mountain God.

Cold, deeply murderous, and exceedingly wealthy.

Jin Bu Huan, inheriting his father's trait of wealth, now stood in the grand hall.

Before him hung a massive geomantic map, seemingly depicting the entire Green Mountain Kingdom.

From the map, the kingdom appeared dumbbell-shaped, with wide areas in the south and north connected by a narrow passage in the middle. This middle section, a mountain range, served as the crucial link between the north and south.

Unquestionably, the connecting force was Green Mountain.

Clear Mist City lay approximately two thousand li (kilometers) beside Green Mountain, serving as the transportation hub of the Green Mountain Kingdom.

Jin Bu Huan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression dark as he faced the enormous geomantic map, listening to the intelligence personnel behind him report their findings.

After listening, he turned around and tapped the table: "So, aside from his address, you couldn't uncover any other information?"

Though his tone was calm, the servant behind him immediately knelt, lowering their head: "Master, there is one more thing unreported! That Li Qi... he keeps a dragon steed. According to horse experts, this horse has the potential to transform into a dragon."

Jin Bu Huan clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction: "Transform into a dragon? Tsk, he seems to have everything—resistance to divination, blocking curses, and now such a fine horse, yet he treats it like trash, feeding it plain food and not seeking cultivation methods for it?"

"The horse expert lamented at the time," the servant continued, head bowed, "If properly nurtured earlier, this dragon steed could definitely transform into a dragon. Achieving ninth-rank is certain, and eighth-rank isn't out of reach."

The room fell silent.

Jin Bu Huan sank into deep thought, while the servant pressed their forehead to the ground, trembling with fear.

At this moment, the young master displayed none of his usual frivolousness, exuding instead the gravity and authority of someone in power.

After a while, he waved his hand: "Alright, you may leave."

The servant, feeling as though pardoned, quickly rose, hands on knees, bowing low, and carefully backed out of the room.

Jin Bu Huan then stood up and began pacing around the room, walking back and forth.

At this moment, a maid entered from outside.

She maintained her usual aloof demeanor, extremely beautiful, with a jade flute hanging at her waist, exuding an outstanding yet unassuming presence.

Indeed, she was truly inconspicuous. If she didn't speak or move, most people would instinctively overlook her existence.

However, she now spoke, her face slightly puzzled: "Young Master, since you're so wary... why not strike first?"

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As she spoke, she made a downward chopping gesture with her hand.

Jin Bu Huan quickly reverted to his usual frivolous demeanor, snapping open his folding fan with a flourish. "Strike first? Heh, that wouldn't align with my dao."

The maid frowned, her eyes full of confusion.

"What? You look down on it?" He waved his fan lazily, reclining on a lounge chair.

"The sages of human dao have said that even thieves have their dao. What is known as the dao of thievery includes: deducing what treasures lie ahead, which is the sagehood of thievery; being the first to enter and fight, which is the bravery of thievery; being the last to leave and cover others' retreat, which is the righteousness of thievery; knowing where to act and where not to, which is the wisdom of thievery; and dividing spoils evenly afterward, which is the benevolence of thievery."

"Even thieves must follow their dao, embodying sagehood, bravery, righteousness, wisdom, and benevolence. Without these five qualities, one cannot become a great thief, only a petty one. Thieves too have their dao—how can there be any place without dao? As a second-generation heir, do you think I lack my own dao?"

The maid listened with interest, covering her lips with one hand, her eyes bright with curiosity about how the usually eloquent young master would explain his dao as a second-generation heir.

It sounded absurd at first glance.

Seeing the maid's expression, Jin Bu Huan laughed heartily and explained: "Haha, this you wouldn't understand, right? Dao is a standard, a rule. In heaven and earth, dao is the principle governing all things. In humans, dao is the guiding principle for behavior."

"All things in heaven and earth operate according to dao, ensuring stability and order. Humans act according to dao to avoid chaos and confusion."

"As a second-generation heir, I cannot escape this rule either."

"To make my elders believe I can inherit their wealth without worry is the sagehood of a second-generation heir."

"To protect my inheritance rights, fearlessly eliminating threats when they arise is the bravery of a second-generation heir."

"To fulfill my duties as a second-generation heir and safeguard the wealth I'm to inherit is the righteousness of a second-generation heir."

"To discern what threatens my inheritance and know what actions increase my chances of inheriting my elders' wealth is the wisdom of a second-generation heir."

"To manage my inherited wealth rationally, avoiding reckless spending and using it systematically, is the benevolence of a second-generation heir."

"A second-generation heir's 'sagehood, bravery, righteousness, wisdom, and benevolence'—mastering these five points qualifies one as a competent heir, ensuring inheritance without mishaps."

Sitting up in his chair, he gazed at the sky and sighed: "If these five points aren't met, the identity of a second-generation heir will only bring calamity."

"Lacking sagehood means being abandoned by one's family and losing this status."

"Lacking bravery means indecision, leading to elimination in competition."

"Lacking righteousness means lacking perspective, failing to uphold what a second-generation heir should, ultimately losing the big picture over small gains."

"Lacking wisdom means failing to distinguish friend from foe, acting without discernment, inevitably harming oneself for others' benefit."

"Lacking benevolence means squandering inherited wealth until it vanishes, turning it into a fleeting dream."

He sat up straight and looked to the heavens: "My two older brothers, didn't they lose their way because they failed to follow the dao of a second-generation heir? Now I am the liaison between Green Mountain and Clear Mist City, while they are relegated to guarding gold mines at home."

"You see me indulging in pleasures, but when have my amusements ever violated these five principles? Precisely because I strictly adhere to the dao of a second-generation heir, I can confidently occupy this position. Even the seventh-rank Clear Mist Sect leader treats me courteously, and eighth-rank cultivators willingly serve me."

"This is the benefit of following dao." Jin Bu Huan smiled contentedly.

The maid, upon hearing this, set aside her previous expression and regarded her young master earnestly, her face showing surprise as if seeing him for the first time.

"Let me analyze further for you. Listen carefully," Jin Bu Huan said, sitting up from the lounge chair and facing the expansive courtyard outside, his demeanor composed. "I have absolutely no reason to conflict with Li Qi, do I?"

"First, he poses no threat to my inheritance. If we avoid conflict, we'll likely remain strangers passing by. If I act rashly out of anger, creating unnecessary enemies, I'd only give my brothers an opportunity. Blindly making enemies shows a lack of discernment and judgment—this is called lacking wisdom."

"Second, he has a background. A minor conflict already left Yan Jun severely injured, costing three days' worth of Clear Mist City's tax revenue just for treatment. How many such days are there in a year? Killing him might vent my anger, but what about my property? What about the dead servants? This is wasteful—this is called lacking benevolence."

"How could I, as a typical second-generation heir, commit such acts lacking benevolence and wisdom?"

"Therefore, I won't create enemies with him. Instead, I'll send someone to offer compensation, letting this matter fade away as if nothing happened." Jin Bu Huan concluded.

The maid nodded, indicating understanding. However, she then asked curiously: "I see. But why did you speak so much today? Normally, you'd just act without explanation."

Jin Bu Huan laughed loudly, reclining again on the lounge chair, swaying his body as he pulled the maid into his arms, chuckling: "Haha, speaking so much to you today—this is called 'sagehood!'"

---

Several hours after Jin Bu Huan's afternoon indulgence.

The maid cleaned herself, adjusted her clothes, and quietly returned to her room, closing the door behind her.

Once certain it was shut, she performed a hand seal and silently chanted, sealing the room with spells so thoroughly that even internal inspection would reveal nothing.

Then, she removed her clothing, changing into an entirely white outfit. After preparing offerings on an altar, she knelt and struck a bronze instrument, singing hymns to the Western Deity.

If Li Qi had been present, he would recognize this as a ritual ceremony, with the object of worship being either the spirit of metal or the deity of the west.

However, this ritual was excessively humble, unlike the formal ceremonies used by legitimate practitioners.

Practitioners like him, despite acknowledging hierarchy, perform rituals without undue self-abasement. As someone who "aligns heaven and earth, worshipping myriad deities," they naturally maintain their dignity and status. Even when paying respects to higher-ranking deities, they adopt an attitude of reverence rather than humility.

Regardless, the ritual proceeded, completing the ceremonial connection.

The western deity and spirit of metal naturally referred to the Green Mountain Mountain God, embodied as a white tiger.

The ritual served as a means of communication.

But compared to the orthodox rituals Li Qi used at the Shaman Mountain, this ritual was far inferior, unable to create the kind of chaotic space that allowed a deity's will to reside.

Instead, a faint projection of the Green Mountain Mountain God appeared above the altar, allowing temporary dialogue.

The projection depicted a deity with a tiger's head and human body, dressed in a brocade robe, appearing refined and gentle. However, sharp fangs protruded from his mouth, giving him a fearsome aspect.

His eyes were half-closed, his gaze calm yet piercing. Even as a mere projection, he exuded immense pressure.

The projection pondered briefly before addressing the maid: "Hmm... Is it time for the routine report? Tell me, what has he done recently."

The maid acknowledged and began recounting Jin Bu Huan's recent activities.

First, his recent business arrangements, indulgences, luxury purchases, and gambling ventures.

Next, any gains or consequences resulting from these actions.

Then she recounted the conflict with Li Qi and its aftermath.

Finally, she meticulously repeated Jin Bu Huan's explanation of the "dao of a second-generation heir."

Concluding, the maid said: "Master, he said that explaining all this today was an act of 'sagehood.' My lord, what does this mean...?"

The Green Mountain Mountain God, after listening, smiled and nodded repeatedly. Then, hearing the maid's question, he chuckled softly and countered: "What does he mean by 'sagehood'?"

"To make his elders believe he can inherit their wealth without worry is the sagehood of a second-generation heir," the maid recited verbatim.

The Green Mountain Mountain God responded: "See, by conveying these ideas through your mouth to me, isn't he trying to persuade me to believe he can be a qualified heir? This is his 'sageliness.'"

The maid understood and fell silent.

But at this moment, the mountain god sighed: "Still, his killing intent hasn't ceased."

The maid didn't realize it, but he could discern the underlying meaning in his son's words.

Ordinarily, he wouldn't boast about himself like this. Doing so now was merely to draw attention.

With greater attention came more resources to deal with that passing traveler.