Chapter 28: Conversation
Qingyuan was momentarily stunned.
He had not expected the journey to go so smoothly.
The key was with the Bai family?
On his way here, he had imagined many unforeseen complications. Perhaps the key had already been taken by another, leaving only clues behind, or even that the trail would break off, forcing him to continue the search anew.
Yet when he heard that the key was in Bai Jiyi’s possession, he found himself somewhat surprised.
“This treasure was retrieved from Lixian,” Bai Jiyi said with a smile. “But the so-called treasure is actually a key. Unless, Mr. Qingyuan, you have already obtained the treasure?”
Qingyuan replied calmly, “I have not.”
Bai Jiyi’s expression did not change. “Even without the treasure, you must have found some clues, no?”
Qingyuan responded lightly, “I only heard there was a treasure in that place, so I went to have a look, and then gained a clue leading to Mirror City. That is all.”
“I see.” Bai Jiyi laughed softly, leaving Qingyuan unsure whether he believed him or not. He continued, “This treasure has been in the Bai family’s hands for many years. Unfortunately, I lack the talent to fathom its mystery, and after careful examination, I have found nothing remarkable about it. Since you have come in search of it, it is not difficult for me to part with this useless thing. It is of no use to me, so I do not feel any regret.”
Qingyuan was taken aback. He had not expected Bai Jiyi to get to the point so directly, catching him off guard.
“Let’s be frank,” Bai Jiyi said, taking a deep breath, as if feeling somewhat stifled. He took a sip of tea and smiled. “A human life lasts a hundred years, the sun rises and the moon sets, adding up to little more than thirty thousand days. Take away childhood and old age, and there are only a little over ten thousand.”
He sighed. “I was born frail, my lifespan shorter than most. I have little strength to waste on roundabout dealings. You are an honest man, Mr. Qingyuan, so I speak plainly.”
Qingyuan paused, then asked, “What does the master of the Bai family mean by this?”
“When the key was first sought, the families of Mirror City suffered greatly. Of course, I do not concern myself with the other three, but the Bai family also bore its share of losses.”
Bai Jiyi said, “I don’t care what use you have for the key, but since you wish to take something from me, I cannot simply give it away without compensation.”
Qingyuan was not surprised. He asked, “What is it you want?”
“I am a mundane man—I want silver.”
Bai Jiyi spoke slowly. “That key is neither jade nor stone, its material extraordinary. Let’s call it jade for the sake of argument: its craftsmanship is exquisite, and it is worth at least ten thousand taels of silver. But as its material is so rare, it may be more valuable than jade, so I ask for one hundred thousand taels.”
Qingyuan’s expression remained calm, and he said nothing.
“Beyond that, the Bai family suffered some losses, not great, but a few men were lost.”
Bai Jiyi continued, “I have calculated, and I’ll settle for two hundred thousand taels. What do you say?”
Qingyuan remained silent.
To weigh a treasure against money.
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By the standards of ordinary scholars, this was unbearably vulgar.
In the world of men, two hundred thousand taels of silver is a vast fortune no matter where it is placed.
But in Qingyuan’s eyes, the key was tied to a celestial treasure, and to his very life—no amount of silver could compare.
Moreover, cultivators regarded wealth as nothing but dirt. No magical treasure could ever be measured in terms of money.
Although Bai Jiyi’s cultivation was shallow, he was still considered at the Qi refining stage.
Especially the Bai family, large and prosperous, not lacking in silver.
Qingyuan vaguely sensed that Bai Jiyi’s price of two hundred thousand taels was not meant to hinder him, but rather to give him a bargain.
Qingyuan was silent for a moment, then said, “I do not have so much silver.”
Bai Jiyi took a sip of tea, smiling, “Cultivators possess abilities beyond ordinary men. Earning silver should not be difficult for you.”
Qingyuan replied calmly, “It is impossible for me to remain in one place, focused only on earning money to repay you.”
“That is a mundane concern,” Bai Jiyi laughed. “Cultivators travel the world, and in their leisure, a little attention suffices.”
Qingyuan asked again, “How am I to repay you?”
“Not difficult.”
Bai Jiyi smiled slightly, took out a token, then used a small knife to cut his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall onto it. He handed it to Qingyuan and said, “You have a token as well, do you not? Drop a bit of your blood on it and leave it with me. That will suffice.”
Qingyuan hesitated briefly, then took out his token and added a drop of blood.
Afterwards, Qingyuan pushed the token over, took the other token, and asked, “What is its purpose?”
“I have no great talents, but I keep some little creatures, barely capable of transmitting messages.”
Bai Jiyi smiled. “As long as you carry this token, my little creatures will know where you are. From time to time, I will send you information on the world’s affairs. If you have silver, send it back to me. How does that sound?”
Qingyuan tossed the token and said, “Are you not afraid I’ll discard it?”
Bai Jiyi, holding his teacup, replied, “Though my body is frail, my eyes are sharp. I dare say I have some skill in judging character.”
Qingyuan kept the token, saying, “Just the messaging alone must be worth more than two hundred thousand taels.”
Bai Jiyi answered, “It keeps my little creatures occupied. That is not a bad thing.”
Qingyuan regarded him closely, then asked, “Two hundred thousand taels—what is the deadline?”
Bai Jiyi shook his head. “There is no deadline.”
Qingyuan paused, then said, “No deadline?”
“Yes,” Bai Jiyi replied. “Give me what you can. If you repay in ten years, so be it; in a hundred years, so be it.”
“Does the master of the Bai family always conduct such losing business?” Qingyuan said slowly. “How has the Bai family not declined after all these years?”
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At this, Bai Xiao behind him grew angry.
Bai Jiyi turned his head and glanced at him coolly.
Bai Xiao fell silent at once, restraining his emotions.
Bai Jiyi looked back at Qingyuan and smiled. “This branch of the Bai clan is not the main family of East Lin. The reason we have grown so large is precisely because of such losing business.”
With that, he raised his hand. “Xiao Bai, go fetch the item.”
Bai Xiao gritted his teeth, then turned and left.
“Have some tea.”
Bai Jiyi chuckled. “The item has already been prepared. It’s in the study, and Xiao Bai will soon bring it.”
Qingyuan drank his tea, his expression unreadable.
Before long, Bai Xiao returned, carrying a box.
The box was made of sandalwood, fitted tightly.
“The treasure lies within.”
Bai Jiyi took the box, then offered it with both hands. “Please inspect it.”
“If the master of the Bai family is sincere in offering the treasure, why deceive?” Qingyuan thought to himself. If you meant to deceive, would I have to turn against your Bai family?
The Bai family was enigmatic, its residence deep and mysterious as a dark pool, its depths unfathomable. If it came to violence, Qingyuan knew escape would be difficult.
He accepted the box and handed it to Gu Cang the Mountain Demon.
Gu Cang took the box and stood beside him.
“Farewell.”
Qingyuan rose and said, “Two hundred thousand taels of silver—if I have spare funds, I will repay.”
“No hurry; after all, I do not lack money.”
Bai Jiyi also rose. “My health is poor, so I cannot see you off.”
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