Dao of Money

Although it was decided that a few people from his sect would be heading to the Pagoda of Eternity, Chen Ren still had several matters to settle before they could even think about leaving for the Corpse Lands. With so many businesses under his name, disappearing for a few months without informing anyone would be irresponsible—borderline disastrous for a booming enterprise like his.

So, before anything else, he sent out letters to his two biggest associates, Hun Tianzhi and Tang Yuqui. Thankfully, Sori made the entire process far easier. The bird had turned out to be an incredible addition to the sect—fast, tireless, and frighteningly smart. With how quickly she delivered messages and returned with replies, Chen Ren estimated she saved him weeks of wasted time.

Their responses arrived within a few days, and both surprised him in different ways.

Hun Tianzhi wished him well, then immediately asked him to bring back any rare herbs or alchemical tools he could find inside the pagoda for the research he was conducting. That didn’t surprise Chen Ren much. It was exactly the kind of thing Hun Tianzhi would want.

What did surprise him was the warning that Darkmoon Sect was also preparing to enter the pagoda. Chen Ren paused at that. It wasn’t strange for major sects to know about the pagoda, but Darkmoon Sect being there would certainly complicate things.

Still, the most unexpected part came at the end of the letter. Hun Tianzhi mentioned that Gao Moyue and a group of their disciples were also heading toward the Corpse Lands to participate in the climb.

Chen Ren blinked at that. Pure alchemists choosing to enter a place packed with danger? He wouldn’t have predicted that. They would certainly have a harder time in the pagoda.

Anyone who didn’t follow a purely martial dao or lacked serious battle experience would struggle inside the pagoda. A big part of the climb involved fighting beasts and dealing with threats that didn’t care if you were a pill genius or a formation genius—if you couldn’t kill, you died.

Even so, Hun Tianzhi seemed confident that the Jadefire Hall disciples could handle themselves. And Chen Ren had to admit: having a few more familiar faces inside the pagoda wasn’t a bad thing. The more trustworthy people around, the better.

Coincidentally, Tang Yuqui’s reply was similar in tone. She didn’t ask for treasures or rare items the way Hun Tianzhi did, but she wrote two things very clearly.

First, “Don’t get yourself killed.” Second, her clan had recently learned about the pagoda through a merchant network, and Tang Boming—along with a small crew—would also be entering it to gather treasures for the Tang Clan.

She requested that Chen Ren pick them up from Cloud Mist City so they could travel together to the Corpse Lands.

Chen Ren didn’t think highly of the Tang Clan’s chances. Not because they were weak, but because the competition was insane—Guardian sects, Established sects, rogue cultivators, nobles and even royal family members.

Still, he wasn’t going to stop them. If he had to guess, the clan just wanted to grab one or two treasures, bring them home, and boost their standing in Cloud Mist City. After all, even one ancient treasure would be enough to elevate their influence.

After sending the letters to his two biggest partners, Chen Ren continued handling how his businesses would function without him. He wrote to every person from the sect who was stationed outside—those managing his businesses in other cities—and told them to route everything through Tang Xiulan while he was gone.

Fortunately, Zi Wen agreed to leave Sori behind to help with communication, despite the bird loudly protesting that she wanted to come along. He had to firmly tell her to listen to Xiulan, and thankfully, Sori understood.

With everything settled, Chen Ren didn’t linger in Meadow Village any longer. The moment the preparations wrapped up, he ordered carriages to be brought out and loaded their essentials. Princess Yanyue had already grown impatient two days earlier—apparently negotiations, waiting, and countryside air weren’t things she tolerated for long.

And honestly, Chen Ren also wanted to reach the Corpse Lands before the pagoda opened. The earlier they arrived, the better their chances of settling and avoiding rushing into it.

Everyone worked quickly. Supplies for the journey—mostly rations, pills and clothing—were stored inside the wagons. Princess Yanyue had reminded them repeatedly that no external supplies, spatial rings, or outside artifacts could be brought into the pagoda. Anything that wasn’t directly worn or carried on the body would be rejected.

It felt unfair, but rules were rules.

As they were finishing up and rolling a few remaining crates of ration toward the last carriage, the worst possible thing happened.

Princess Yanyue—hands behind her back, eyes sharp with curiosity—pointed straight at the wooden box Anji was dragging toward one of the carriages.

“What is in that box?” she asked. “And why not place it with the rest of the supplies?”

Anji froze immediately. Her shoulders stiffened, her grip tightened, and her eyes screamed in panic.

Before she could say a word, Chen Ren stepped forward with the kind of smile he used only when he was internally swearing.

“Just some personal items Anji has,” he said casually. “Nothing large, nothing dangerous. It won’t take much space in the carriage.”

He looked back to see Anji getting inside the carriage with Whiskey in tow, leaving the conversation between them for Chen Ren to handle.

Princess Yanyue’s expression didn’t change. She stared at the box, then stared at Chen Ren, then her gaze went back to Anji, who looked like someone had caught her stealing spirit stones.

Her tone cooled slightly. “What kind of personal item?”

Chen Ren didn’t blink. “Nothing important. Why don’t we get moving? We need to stop at Cloud Mist City to pick up some friends before heading to the Corpse Lands.”

Silence stretched for a moment.

Then Princess Yanyue’s lips pressed together—not irritated, but evaluating. She clearly noticed Chen Ren wasn’t going to answer, but she also wasn’t the type to forcefully pry into something if he was dead-set on not telling her.

But just as Chen Ren was heading toward his own carriage, Princess Yanyue called out to him.

“Sect Leader Chen,” she said, “why don’t we travel in my carriage?”

Chen Ren froze mid-step.

He turned back slowly, and even a few of her guards widened their eyes. It wasn’t a small offer. It wasn’t even a normal one. A princess inviting someone of his rank to share her carriage… that crossed about a dozen social boundaries.

“Princess Yanyue, I… don’t think that’s a good suggestion.”

“And why,” she asked, tilting her head slightly, “is it not?”

Chen Ren rubbed the back of his neck. “Social obligations. Traveling with you would break a lot of established etiquette between us. I don’t think I’m ready to do that.”

Princess Yanyue’s grin appeared instantly. “In the pagoda, everyone will be treated equally. Why don’t we start practicing that on the journey to the Corpse Lands?”

Chen Ren opened his mouth, fully intending to reject her again… but one look at her smile told him refusal wasn’t an option. Not unless he wanted to offend a princess and possibly trigger an entire sequence of political headaches.

So he nodded.

Princess Yanyue turned with a satisfied expression and stepped into her carriage. Chen Ren threw a helpless shrug at his sect members before reluctantly climbing in after her.

He barely had time to sit before a figure slipped in through the window.

Yalan landed lightly on the seat beside him. “I’m going to travel with Chen Ren too,” she declared.

Princess Yanyue didn’t even blink. “I don’t have a problem with that, Elder spirit beast.”

Yalan nodded, then got comfortable in her seat. Chen Ren, meanwhile, tried not to look confused. For a moment, he wondered if Princess Yanyue wanted to discuss something important—strategy, politics, or pagoda secrets.

But as the carriage rolled forward and the palisade slowly disappeared behind them, she said absolutely nothing.

No questions. No conversation. Not even a sideways glance.

Instead, she sat quietly like she had already won whatever strange little game she was playing.

Chen Ren eventually gave up trying to decipher her intentions and turned to the window instead. The trees rolled past in blurred streaks of green and brown.

For the journey, they were using the princess’s own mounts—massive spirit beasts named silver elk, creatures known for their speed and stamina. And Chen Ren had to admit: spirit beasts were far better at pulling carriages than horses. The entire carriage barely shook, and the speed was unmatched.

The princess’s carriage was also surprisingly spacious—wider than most rooms Chen Ren had slept in during his days back on Earth. The cushions were thick and soft, wrapped in a material he couldn’t immediately identify. Not silk. Not leather. Something in between—smooth, cool, and faintly warm at the same time. Spirit beast hide, maybe? Or some royal-exclusive fabric?

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He could easily imagine himself falling asleep on these seats.

As he was still wondering what the seats were made of, Princess Yanyue finally spoke, her voice soft but precise.

“You didn’t tell me you were a soul and body cultivator, Sect Leader Chen.”

Chen Ren blinked, startled for a second before narrowing his eyes at her.

“Do your rings identify that too?”

“Maybe.” Her lips curved faintly. “But it really surprised me. I haven’t met any soul or body cultivators in a long time, much less someone walking both paths and actually progressing well on them.” She tilted her head slightly. “Your talent is vast. I wonder why your clan banished you.”

Chen Ren didn’t respond immediately.

The princess’s tone wasn’t mocking, nor pitying—just observant. But the topic itself tugged at something he never wanted to discuss. So instead of snapping or evading, he simply breathed once and said.

“I wasn’t a good person a few years back.”

He paused, staring out the window at the passing trees.

“I don’t think I’m a good person even now, but I at least know how to act decently. If you really want the reason, I’m sure you can easily find it out. Assuming you haven’t already.”

Princess Yanyue chuckled under her breath. “I’m not all-seeing, Sect Leader Chen.”

“Yet you seem to have information about everything.”

That earned him a sharper grin.

“Information is one thing I can excel in. My talent isn’t above my brothers’, so I have to be good at something.”

Chen Ren leaned back slightly. “I believe talent isn’t as necessary as understanding one’s dao.”

Princess Yanyue’s eyebrows lifted with genuine interest.

“That’s a good line of thought. I’ll ponder over it during the ride.”

And just like that, she went silent.

She folded her hands on her lap, closed her eyes, and her breathing steadied. The expression on her face shifted from mischievous princess to calm cultivator instantly.

She actually looked like someone meditating for enlightenment—on a random carriage ride, no less.

Chen Ren met Yalan’s eyes. She only shrugged, her expression clearly saying, You deal with her. I’m not getting involved.

He decided not to think too much about Princess Yanyue anymore. That was a path that led nowhere productive.

Instead, he turned inward.

He closed his eyes and used the hours of travel to keep cultivating, slowly circulating his qi, checking the state of his star space. After his breakthrough, he had been worried—truly worried—that new cracks might appear. But every sweep of his senses confirmed the same thing:

Just… fragility.

His star space felt like a delicate glass sphere. Completely whole, but one wrong push, one reckless breakthrough attempt, and it might fracture again. Chen Ren understood what that meant. He needed more balance, more accumulation, and more stability before trying to reach the next realm.

Time slipped past as he cultivated, as the scenery shifted from open roads to forest lines, then to the familiar walls rising in the distance.

Cloud Mist City.

A moment later Princess Yanyue stirred, opening her eyes as if she’d woken from a nap instead of deep contemplation. She glanced outside the window and said, “It seems we’re here.” Her gaze slid to him. “Which friends of yours will be tagging along? People from the Tang Clan?”

Chen Ren nodded, keeping his expression calm even though her knowledge once again jabbed at his nerves. “Yes. Just some of their cultivators I know.”

He couldn’t exactly confront her about having too much information. His association with the Tang Clan wasn’t a secret in the end, so he let it pass.

Their convoy reached the city gates. The long queue waiting to enter was the same as always—dozens of carriages, traders, cultivators, and mortal families waiting hour after hour.

But travelling with a princess had its benefits. The royal guards simply flashed the guards a golden token, and the next second, one of the side gates was opened just for them.

The guards even bowed deeply in respect as they passed.

Chen Ren made a mental note to ask—later—if there was a legal way for him to acquire such a token. It would save him hours on future business trips.

The carriages rolled straight through the bustling city and headed toward the Tang Clan estate. As they approached, Chen Ren saw several people already waiting outside, clearly expecting him.

Tang Yuqui stood near the entrance, arms crossed. Tang Boming was beside her with three more cultivators he recognized vaguely from previous meetings. And beside them… stood Clan Head Tang Jihao.

The moment Chen Ren’s carriage stopped, he took a breath and turned to Princess Yanyue.

“You can wait here. I’ll deal with it. It won’t take long.”

The princess gave a small, unreadable smile, leaning back in her seat. “Of course. I’ll be waiting.”

The cool city air hit his face as he dropped out of the carriage and walked toward the Tang Clan group with an easy smile. He immediately bowed toward Tang Jihao, whom he hadn’t seen in a long while.

But the moment he lifted his head, his smile faltered a little.

Tang Jihao looked… worse.

Paler than before. His hair noticeably thinner, cheeks slightly sunken, eyes ringed faintly with exhaustion. Yet despite all that, the clan head still mustered a warm smile.

“Chen Ren, you’re here. It’s been so long since I last saw you, but Yuqui told me everything you’ve been up to. You’ve really grown.”

Beside him, Yuqui flushed a bit and waved her hand quickly. “All of them were business matters. Don’t exaggerate, father.”

Then her eyes moved past Chen Ren towards the line of carriages and spirit-beast mounts behind him.

“You’re traveling with… a lot of people.”

Chen Ren chuckled. “Yes. Just some friends.”

He paused, expression turning serious for a moment. “You’re sure about the pagoda?”

Tang Boming stepped forward, wearing the same confident grin he always did. “Don’t worry, Sect Leader Chen. We’ll handle ourselves.”

Chen Ren nodded, looking over the five cultivators standing behind Boming. “I have no doubt you can. Your carriage can join the back of the convoy. Once we stop for food, I’ll share everything I know about the pagoda.”

Tang Boming nodded gratefully. “That’ll be very helpful. Thank you.”

Then Tang Jihao spoke again, voice softer, almost weary. “Try to look after Boming and his party. They’re good men… and I fear the pagoda won’t be kind to them.”

Chen Ren met the man’s tired eyes and gave a steady nod. “I will.”

He almost asked about Jihao’s health—almost. But when he glanced at Yuqui, she gave a small shake of her head. A silent plea: Don’t bring it up.

So he let it go and simply smiled.

“Anyway, I can’t stay long. We’re already a bit delayed, and there might be beasts on the road. So why don’t we get going?”

The Tang Clan offered final bows and goodbyes as Chen Ren turned back toward the carriages… Completely unaware that, far away on a nearby rooftop balcony, a pair of narrowed eyes had been watching the entire interaction.

Someone unexpected had taken notice.

***

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