There's an old story about Zigong redeeming a slave, and Madam Kong described it so well.

Grand Uncle Master, look at us these two times, we've put in so much effort—if we ask for nothing at all,

isn't that just putting everyone else on the spot?

Later, when people talk about it, the Scorching Sun Department will say, "Fuyu Mountain made such a huge contribution and didn't ask for anything,"

and then when it's your turn, you have the nerve to ask for compensation for doing this little bit?

If we don't ask for anything, won't we just offend everyone else, right?"

At Fuyu Mountain, Grand Uncle Master set the phone on the stone table and switched it to speaker.

Beside him sat three old Taoists, all looking very serious.

Upon hearing Wen Yan's words, the chubby Taoist couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing on the spot.

The skinny Taoist stroked his beard with a smile, nodding repeatedly.

Grand Uncle Master wore a smile too, wanting to say, "What kind of crooked logic is this?" But thinking about how Wen Yan even quoted Madam Kong, well, the meaning kind of makes sense… just feels a little odd somehow.

On the phone, Wen Yan detailed all the conditions.

The four old Taoists listened, their faces growing more and more serious with each word.

"Grand Uncle Master, that's basically it. As for more specific details, we'll have to send someone from Fuyu Mountain to negotiate. When it comes to implementation, that'll need our own people too. Please arrange a few folks for us, if you could."

"Alright. You've worked hard."

"Grand Uncle Master, if you keep praising me like that, I'll get cocky, hah…"

The old Taoists all burst into laughter together.

Once the call hung up, the skinny old Taoist kept nodding.

"Citing the classics with solid reasoning—just and reasonable, just and reasonable indeed."

"The kid's putting his heart into it. He's just still young; hope no one tricks him. Maybe it's better if I go myself." The chubby Taoist volunteered.

Grand Uncle Master looked at the group—it seemed the chubby Taoist was the youngest and healthiest, so a rough trip shouldn't be a problem.

"For a first time, it's not fitting for the juniors alone to handle it. Go ahead, pay them a visit."

"Heard Nanwu County hasn't been too peaceful lately—take the Great Zombie with you."

Grand Uncle Master gave a nod.

"Call if anything comes up."

Even the usually hands-off old Taoists were all interested now.

They hadn't even met him, but their favorability toward Wen Yan was maxed out already.

All these years, it's the first time a good thing like this came to Fuyu Mountain—plus, it was brought in from Nanwu County, which is even rarer.

With just a little thinking, they could tell Wen Yan must have gone through countless dangers, did who knows how much work and made how many achievements, just to make that dog Cai Qidong from Grand Uncle Master's mouth bleed so much this time.

And thinking that the long-declining Fuyu Mountain may finally have someone to hold things up, with new, talented blood to inject…

One old Taoist couldn't help but wipe his eyes.

Their usually low spirits seemed to come alive again.

The skinny old Taoist returned to his room, took a box from beneath his pillow, opened it, and found inside a three-and-three-inches-long hiltless mini sword.

The little sword was pitch black all over, with cloud-like patterns from tip to base, the designs glimmering with a dark-gold hue.

The old Taoist stretched out a hand and gently brushed the sword.

At once, the sword began to tremble, then with a whoosh, flew out of the box by itself, swirling around the old Taoist.

The old Taoist smiled.

"Old friend, I knew you wouldn't want to return to dust with me just yet."

The little sword landed in his palm, quivering lightly.

"I know, I know. I'd once thought my life would end here. If I could just hold this sect's gates and not bring in a calamity,

then even if I ended up buried, I could somewhat feel worthy facing our ancestor's spirit."

"But now, our Scorching Sun is reborn, and he's a promising lad."

"Looks like, going forward, old friend, you'll have to show your face again and get some things done."

As the old Taoist spoke, a subtle swishing sound kept rising—the little sword was now so fast it was almost impossible to catch with the naked eye, the room filled with sharp, flickering cold light.

On the other side, the chubby old Taoist strolled unhurriedly to the Zombie Cave.

He knocked on the stone gate.

"I'm about to head down the mountain and it may be dangerous. Fellow, care to come with me?"

As his voice drifted out, a stone coffin lid flew over from afar and slammed to the ground before him with a bang, standing firm and upright.

The chubby Taoist burst into laughter.

"My friend, you've slept for so many years—how come you're grumpier than I am? Don't get me wrong, I'm not scared off by the danger; I'm just waking you up, that's all."

From the darkness, a Great Zombie bound with chains on its hands and feet emerged.

The Great Zombie initially looked annoyed, but upon stepping out and seeing the chubby Taoist's face, it paused, then sighed.

"How'd you get so old…"

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death—that's just life."

"Why not die and come stay with me?"

"No, no, I should have a few more years left. Still got a shot or two left in me—who knows, maybe I'll transform and ascend, and leave something for the sect. Even if I don't manage to leave behind the Heaven Bestowed Talisman, if I could just leave a little power for the next generation, that'd be enough."

"Hah, you fat fool. Not to talk you down, but you? You can forget about ascension."

The chubby Taoist just laughed it off. Back then, being able to dupe this guy into joining him, trading barbs without falling out—that was key.

Now, all these years later, getting roasted again just made him feel even closer.

…

Wen Yan stayed at home, unplugged his desktop's network cable, then inserted the portable hard drive.

Looking at all that packed, categorized data inside, he felt a bit dizzy just from reading it.

He opened a few folders and found a method among them—it was a way to nourish and restore broken souls and minds.

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