Dao of Money

Yu Kuang’s expression was a sight to behold, something Chen Ren could appreciate and wouldn’t forget for as long as he lived. The suffocating aura that had once been so thick in the air, almost crushing him under its weight, had dissipated. It wasn’t just gone; it was replaced by something far colder, far more menacing—an aura that seemed to bleed directly from the necklace around Chen Ren’s neck.

The pendant looked small but it glowed as if there was a power that was trapped in it; pulsing with an energy that seemed to rise and fall like the heartbeat of some ancient beast.

The temperature in the air dropped by several degrees, and for a moment, it all felt too still. Yu Kuang’s eyes instinctively flicked toward the source of that chilling presence, the glimmer of the necklace catching his gaze.

His lips parted, but no words emerged.

His mouth opened and closed again as if he were trying to force out some coherent thought, but it was as though the very air had stolen his voice.

The confidence that had once been so prominent in his eyes shifted to a stunned bewilderment. Behind him, the baldy—who had been so brash moments before—was now kneeling, his face drained of colour, eyes wide with terror. His hands trembled on the ground as though he was too afraid to rise.

The third man was now sprawled unconscious on the ground, his body unable to withstand the pressure of the presence that surged through the air.

Chen Ren let the silence linger for a moment longer, allowing them to feel the full weight of the aura that radiated from him. With just one move, he had made a silent declaration that he was in control and he revelled in the feeling of it.

After a long moment, Chen Ren broke the silence.

“Now, I believe you understand why I was so confident coming here.”Yu Kuang’s voice was shaky when he spoke, still struggling to compose himself, his words barely a whisper of their usual certainty. “You... you’re a disciple of a Meridian Expansion realm master… one who gave you a spirit artifact with their aura locked inside it…”

Chen Ren’s smile widened slightly, but he made no effort to confirm or deny the claim. “She gave me more than that,” he said lightly, a playful tone dancing in his words. “But I’m not here to reveal all my secrets, and frankly, I’d prefer not to use this artifact on you either. You just left me no choice. Now, let’s move on to the matter at hand—our deal.”

He paused, letting his gaze shift to the kneeling baldy for a second before turning to Yu Kuang, who seemed to be still struggling with the shock. “You know what? I have to say, I respect you a bit. We both are businessmen,” he continued, “Though your business methods are something I would never replicate—honestly, I can’t bring myself to do it—I can’t deny that you’ve got skill to make such a gang. But even the best make mistakes, and this one? This was a wrong deal. And like any good businessman, I’m sure you’ll understand the need to take responsibility for it.”

The words hung in the air, as if to allow them to sink in fully. The temperature around them felt like it had dropped another degree, though it wasn’t from the necklace now, but from the expectation that Chen Ren threw at Yu Kuang. There was no hostility, no more attempts at intimidation. Just the quiet tension of two businessmen, each aware that a line had been crossed.

Yu Kuang’s expression shifted, his arrogance fractured, but his pride remained. His eyes flickered to the baldy and then to the collapsed figure of his other companion, before narrowing on Chen Ren. He opened his mouth again, but this time, he seemed to realise that whatever he said next would matter more than it ever had before. The game had shifted—no longer was it about threats, but about understanding. Chen Ren knew what would come next—a deal.

He gritted his teeth and with narrowed eyes, he visibly clenched and unclenched his wrist. His pride had been shredded, but there was no escaping the reality now. Yu Kuang finally spoke. “I’ll tell you everything.”

Chen Ren’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the shift in Yu Kuang. “It’s Bai Hu Trade Association’s doing, right?” he asked.

Yu Kuang gave a reluctant nod, his voice tight as he spoke the name that now bound him in this web of deceit. “It’s the chairman’s son, Bai Shen. He agreed to give us a thirty percent cut if we managed to get the formula from you and destroy your business.”

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, the surprise flickering across his face, but he quickly masked it with a knowing smile. “That’s a lot.”

Yu Kuang’s expression darkened, his voice barely above a whisper. “I got caught in greed. I did everything because of that. Like you said, I made a bad business deal, and now I’m paying for it.”

Chen Ren nodded slowly, his gaze calculating as he processed the information. Bai Shen’s desperation was more than obvious. Offering such a significant cut to an organisation like the Blood Snakes showed just how much was at stake for him. But something about this struck a deeper chord. His thoughts flickered, but he kept his focus sharp, unwilling to let his mind wander too far.

What did catch his attention more than anything was the complete shift in Yu Kuang’s demeanour. The arrogance had crumbled, replaced by something far more grounded—a man faced with the consequences of his actions. But it wasn’t just the sudden shift that intrigued Chen Ren. It was the power behind it, the very same power that was now asserting itself in this space. It wasn’t him that Yu Kuang feared, but the aura of influence that hung over him. That has always been the key in this world—power. Cultivation realms weren’t just a pursuit; they were the bedrock of everything.

Still, Chen Ren didn’t let his musings take hold of him. Instead, he kept his focus steady as he looked directly into Yu Kuang’s eyes. “I need your word. After this, you won’t go after my business, or the Tang Clan’s business.”

Yu Kuang’s mouth opened slightly with hesitation before he nodded, his voice almost hollow. “With your master behind you, I’d be a fool to go after you.”

Chen Ren’s lips twitched in satisfaction, but he didn’t let the matter rest. “Okay, I’ll take your word on it.” Then his expression shifted to something more amused, the corners of his mouth curling in a smirk. “But I’d like it in writing.”

Yu Kuang blinked in confusion. “What?”

Chen Ren’s smirk deepened. “Not just your word that you won’t harm me or my businesses anymore. I want you to put down on paper that Bai Shen was behind all this. That he made this deal with you.”

Yu Kuang’s face contorted in discomfort, his eyes darting around the room, as though seeking an escape from the situation. “My reputation will be ruined,” he protested, his voice tight.

Chen Ren shrugged nonchalantly, as if the matter wasn’t worth arguing. “A gang shouldn’t care about that. And you’re getting off easy here, trust me. I’m not using it to go after you or your people. I just need it to take down Bai Shen. Nothing more, nothing less. So just do it.”

He watched Yu Kuang hesitate, his pride clearly battling against the harsh reality of his situation. After a long pause, it seemed like the truth finally sank in. He exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his choice pressed down on him. ”Fine,” he muttered, and Chen Ren could see the bitterness in his expression as the words left his mouth.

Chen Ren gave a single, approving nod, his expression turning satisfied.

The light from the pendant flickered, its power undisturbed by the exchange, yet it had served its purpose—letting Yu Kuang know that any further resistance would be futile. The balance of power had irrevocably changed, and Yu Kuang understood this now more than ever.

He gave a final glance at Chen Ren before moving to a nearby table, where a piece of parchment and a quill were neatly placed.

He sat down, the motions slow, almost looking painful, and began to write. The scratch of the quill against the paper was the only sound in the room, and Chen Ren watched with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

“Sign it, too,” Chen Ren said, his voice calm, but there was an edge to it that left no room for argument. Yu Kuang paused, looking up at him with a slight narrow in his eyes before nodding and continuing. He scrawled his signature at the bottom of the paper, his hand shaking ever so slightly as he pushed it toward Chen Ren.

Chen Ren took the paper, his fingers brushing over it as he read the content. The words were exactly what he had asked for—Yu Kuang’s admission that Bai Shen had orchestrated the entire plot, using the Blood Snakes to destroy his business. There was no mistaking it now. Chen Ren nodded once, satisfied with the document.

He stood up, intending to leave, but as he moved toward the door, he paused. Something caught his eye. To the side, in a chest, he saw a sack filled with silver wen—heavy and full. It gleamed under the dim light, and Chen Ren could sense the amount of wealth it contained.

“What’s that?” he asked, his voice casual, though his eyes were sharp.

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Yu Kuang, though clearly unwilling to part with it, didn’t hesitate this time. “One thousand silver wen,” he muttered, almost apologetically.

Chen Ren’s lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. “I’ll take it as compensation for the injuries your men caused on Market Street,” he said, his tone indifferent but firm. “Also, consider it for the mental strain I’ve gone through.” He paused, watching Yu Kuang’s face for any sign of objection. “Oh, and one more thing—try not to send your men into Market Street again. I wouldn’t want to see more of this happening.”

Yu Kuang said nothing, his gaze falling to the ground as though ashamed. He knew better than to argue now. With a reluctant nod, he pushed the pouch over toward Chen Ren.

Without another word, Chen Ren grabbed the sack of silver and moved toward the door. He slid it open and stepped out, heading downstairs.

As he descended to the ground floor, the sounds of the chaos from earlier became clearer. There, in the dim light of the lower hall, the Blood Snakes were scattered across the floor. Bodies were sprawled in every direction, some groaning, others unconscious, their blood staining the wooden floor in pools. The air was thick with the scent of it. Yet, what struck Chen Ren most was the absence of Tang Clan members.

He had instructed them to leave, to retreat after the battle had reached its peak and avoid unnecessary casualties. It seemed they had followed his orders well, as none of them were seen among the fallen.

The Blood Snakes, however, had not fared nearly as well. Their members were bruised, battered, and broken. Though the fight had been brief, the result was decisive.

Chen Ren gave a brief glance over his shoulder as he exited the building, his eyes scanning the area one last time to ensure no one was following. The last thing he needed now was a loose end to tie up. The heavy tension from earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a calmness he liked. He felt the weight of the situation easing as the cool night air brushed against his face.

It was then that he felt a sudden movement from his back, a light squirming sensation. Before he could react, a small form popped out, emerging from his clothing. A tiny kitten the size of his palm landed gracefully on his shoulder, its soft fur brushing against his skin. It was Yalan, but in a form far more fragile and small than he had ever seen before— a kitten.

Yalan’s expression was one of clear discomfort, her brow furrowed in frustration. ”This form takes too much of my energy,” she muttered, her voice sounding almost strained. It was a squeaky, small sound that came from her. ”Especially with trying to oppress that unsightly man.”

Chen Ren glanced at her, his lips twitching as he resisted the urge to reach out and pet her. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to; he could feel the urge rising within him. The sight of her, so small and cute, was enough to melt anyone’s hard front. But he knew better. This entire plan had succeeded because of Yalan’s techniques and the energy she had poured into their success. The last thing he could afford was angering her by treating her like a mere pet.

He kept his gaze steady as he continued walking, allowing her to rest on his shoulder. Yalan, for her part, didn’t seem to mind the perch, though her feline eyes glinted with annoyance at the situation.

Chen Ren spoke softly in his mind, his tone reflective. ”That worked pretty well, I think. Yu Kuang totally bought my story.”

Yalan’s voice, calm yet laced with a tinge of weariness, echoed in his thoughts. ”It’s the truth, either way. Although not a formal disciple, I do teach you.”

Chen Ren couldn’t help but smile slightly at her words, but there was no time to linger on that. His attention returned to the task at hand, and he slowed his pace for a moment, speaking aloud this time. ”The only lie we told was about the trinket. I wonder how many people would believe that thing is more than just a dim light source.”

Yalan’s voice responded with a faint, exasperated sigh. ”The trinket... It’s useless. Nothing more than a faint glow. But it served its purpose today.”

Chen Ren nodded, his lips curling into a small smirk.

”Yeah, it’s funny how that trinket turned out to be one of the few things the previous Chen Ren actually got right. He bought it from a random merchant, thinking it was some sort of treasure. It was too late before he realised he had been scammed.” A chuckle escaped his lips, though it was quiet. ”I suppose it’s coming to our rescue now, in a way. Who would have thought?”

Yalan didn’t respond immediately, perhaps contemplating the odd series of events. After a moment, she purred softly, as though giving him silent approval. ”It may be useless, but in the right hands... even the most invaluable trinket can have its value.”

Chen Ren considered that for a moment, letting her words sink in. It was true, after all. Sometimes, even the most insignificant things could be useful when used correctly.

His thoughts were interrupted as he finally reached the main street, stepping lightly through the dim light cast by lanterns. His mind sharpened as he glanced around, aware that his actions earlier might have left traces. But everything was in place. The plan had gone off without a hitch, and now, it was time to take the next step.

”Alright, let’s keep moving,” he muttered, pushing forward into the night. The game was far from over, but it helped that he let himself enjoy the quiet after a hell lot of chaos and blood.

***

Chen Ren walked through the streets, the cool night air brushing against his face, Yalan still perched on his shoulder. The sound of his footsteps echoed softly in the narrow alley, and his mind was already preparing for the next phase. The plan had gone off without a hitch, but there was more to do, more to achieve. The feeling of victory was fleeting—there was always something else to move towards.

As they reached the familiar alley where Tang Xiulan and Yuqiu waited, the two of them immediately relaxed when seeing Chen Ren’s face. Their tense postures softened, the worry they had carried on their shoulders melting away in an instant.

Yuqiu was the first to speak. “How did it go?”

Chen Ren gave a small, satisfied smile. “As good as I could have hoped for.” He reached into his cloak, pulling out the signed document. He handed it over to them, watching their expressions as they unfolded it.

Their eyes widened, brows furrowing in disbelief. Yuqiu, in particular, seemed ready to burst into flames. Her eyes narrowed, a deep frustration flashing across her face as she muttered, “Bai Shen, that bastard…”

Chen Ren chuckled softly, but his voice carried a hint of amusement. “That sort of language doesn’t suit you.” Yuqiu shot him a glare, still bristling with anger. ”You seem to know him. Tell me more.”

She took a deep breath, her voice steadying, though it was clear she still had unresolved tension. ”Bai Shen... he’s the son of the chairman of the Bai Hu Trade Association. Spoiled. Arrogant. Far too confident for someone who’s barely a cultivator. He only has seven spirit roots, but he’s as stubborn as a genius blessed by heavens. Even after taking pills for his cultivation, he’s only at second star body forging realm. Last winter, I rejected his marriage proposal, and ever since then, he’s been sending me a letter every week asking me to reconsider. He’s convinced that I’m making a mistake.”

Chen Ren smirked, letting out a quiet chuckle. ”A love-sick young master. Sounds easy enough to deal with.” His thoughts drifted for a moment, considering how he could use this to his advantage. Those obsessed with their pride, were often the most vulnerable to manipulation.

Xiulan, who had been listening closely, looked at him with a raised eyebrow. ”But how did you manage to deal with Yu Kuang, young master? A Foundation Realm cultivator would never have written something like that.”

Chen Ren’s grin widened as he turned his eyes toward her. ”I told you I have my ways, but I like to keep my secrets,” he said and almost threw her a wink, but stopped himself from doing so. ”You’ll find them out one day, if I feel like it.” His gaze softened slightly. ”For now, we should focus on Bai Shen. I’m itching for a nice face-slapping.”

Tang Xiulan blinked at him, clearly taken aback. ”Face-slapping?”

Chen Ren’s grin grew wider, the anticipation clear in his eyes.

”You’ll find out. Soon enough.”

***

Bai Shen sat across from his father, Bai Hu, in the lavishly decorated office of the Bai Hu Trade Association.

His father’s piercing gaze was fixed on him, scrutinising every detail of his posture. Bai Shen clenched his fists under the table, but he knew better than to show any weakness in front of his father.

”Father,” Bai Shen began, his voice brimming with self-assurance, ”I’ve tried everything to get their formula and ruin their business. My methods haven’t worked, but don’t worry—soon enough, their formula will be ours. I’ve already made the arrangements. By any day now, I will present it to you. I’ve ensured that the deal is all but done.”

Bai Hu remained silent for a moment, his sharp eyes never leaving his son. The older man’s hands were folded neatly in front of him, his face unreadable as he processed the words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but carrying an undeniable weight. ”Are you sure?”

Bai Shen’s chest puffed out as he stood a little straighter, meeting his father’s gaze with a defiant grin. ”Obviously, Father. You don’t have to worry. You’ll see it for yourself. As your son, I can never lose face.” The words left his mouth with a smug assurance, as if he was already victorious.

But before he could continue, a loud voice suddenly boomed from outside the office, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade.

”Bai Hu! Bai Shen! Come out! I, Chen Ren, have come to deal with your unsightly tactics and put an end to them!”

Both father and son froze, their faces turning towards the door at the same time. Bai Shen’s smirk faltered, replaced by confusion. He shot a quick glance at his father, who was already rising from his seat, his expression darkening.

He immediately took a step back due to instincts as he felt the anger coursing through him.

”Let’s go and see what this is about,” Bai Hu muttered, his voice barely audible, though the command was clear. Without another word, both of them moved swiftly toward the door.

As they stepped outside, the sight that greeted them made Bai Shen’s blood run cold. Standing before them were Tang Yuqiu, a maid named Tang Xiulan who he had looked into, and Chen Ren—his eyes narrowed.

They radiated an unsettling aura, their expressions calm yet determined.

Bai Shen’s mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. What was this boldness? Who did Chen Ren think he was to speak to them like this? His gaze flicked over to his father, only to find Bai Hu’s face a mask of unreadable calm.

”What’s going on?” Bai Shen asked, his voice tinged with annoyance as he looked down at Chen Ren with a glare.

Chen Ren, standing in the front, did not flinch at the question.

His eyes were locked onto Bai Shen with a dead stare that held something deeper—something cold, calculating.

”Bai Shen,” he said, his voice sharp and clear, ”pleasure to make your acquaintance. But perhaps in a different situation, I would have treated you better. Today, I have come to teach you a lesson. For your unsightly tactics, for hiring the Blood Snakes to harm my businesses, I challenge you to a trial by might.”

***

A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

Merry Christmas everyone! Love you all! No homo!