Cutting off someone’s source of income was tantamount to killing their parents.
Shu Xin had no parents in this world, so cutting off her source of income was the most serious offense of all!
There were plenty of other things Shu Xin wasn’t worried about. The one thing she cared about most was continuing to cling to the Longevity Dao Sect and collect kickbacks for as long as possible.
She was currently an outer sect elder in name, responsible for managing all sorts of mundane affairs. The sect’s profitable businesses—pill shops, artifact stores, and the like—were firmly controlled by the core factions within the sect. She couldn’t get her hands anywhere near them.
Shu Xin had considered opening a shop outside the sect herself. As long as she found a way to disguise and repackage the resources she had obtained from wiping out demon caves, she could sell them off. Who could have guessed that such a tiny idea would cost Shu Xin a hundred years of freedom?
In modern society, human lifespans were no more than a hundred years, yet that had already been enough to create so many aristocratic monopolies.
In the cultivation world, where some monsters could live for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, the class barriers built by sects and clans were truly impossible to overcome!
The prestigious righteous sects of the cultivation world had to support countless disciples and elders. Aside from making disciples with poor aptitude sell themselves into service to repay their debts and work hard at managing businesses, their most profitable method was “establishing monopolies.”
Pills, artifacts, cultivation techniques—almost everything cultivators needed was controlled by the major sects of the immortal and demonic paths.
They joined forces to keep prices within a uniform range, then connected the entire supply chain and drove costs as low as possible, ensuring that independent cultivators could never get their businesses off the ground.
If capitalists deserved to be hanged from lampposts, then every one of these sects in the cultivation world deserved to be hung from cliffs and left to dry in the wind.
Back then, Shu Xin had merely sold some pills and artifacts she had no use for, using “reliable product quality” and “honest business practices” as her selling points. She hadn’t made much money before attracting the attention of the Longevity Dao Sect, which left her with no choice but to be “recruited.”
The situation was stronger than the person.
The idea of carefree cultivation was something only novices who had just entered the path of cultivation would entertain.
Once they achieved something in cultivation, lived for several centuries or millennia, seized great power, held beauties in their arms, and enjoyed all the wonders of the cultivation world, most would then focus on expanding their families and ensuring that their bloodlines and clans remained among the elite for generation after generation. That was the goal of more than ninety percent of cultivators in the cultivation world.
Therefore, merely collecting kickbacks and passing off inferior goods as high-quality products was already a stable, risk-free business for Shu Xin.
As for Situ Jian, her fiancé… He was important too, but compared with her source of income, he wasn’t quite as important.
Cultivators emphasized the Dao, wealth, companions, and land—in that order. The fact that a cultivation partner ranked behind wealth said everything.
“Elder Shu, you painstakingly nurtured Dao Lord Situ for so many years. Now that he has finally reached the Dao Infant realm, how can he become one of the Lin family’s people? We can’t afford to make a loss like this.”
“That’s right, Elder Shu. If Dao Lord Situ is truly won over by the Lin family, our business will suffer greatly.”
“Elder, having two Dao Infant cultivators backing us is completely different from having only one. The deterrence alone is incomparable.”
These people controlled the sect’s banquet kickbacks, the private sale of banquet seats, and similar dealings. The outside world wasn’t entirely unaware of their activities. It was just that those who had the strength to compete with them disdained such “hard-earned” money, while those who wanted to compete lacked the backing to do so.
Even if Shu Xin wasn’t valued within the Longevity Dao Sect, she was still a genuine Dao Lord. Ordinary people simply couldn’t afford to provoke her.
Shu Xin’s expression turned solemn.
“That’s right. The Lin family can’t expect to take Situ Jian away so easily.”
Taking him away would already be bad enough. Interfering with her business was absolutely unacceptable.
“All right. I know what I’m doing. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
Seeing that Shu Xin had already been persuaded, her subordinates finally let out a sigh of relief.
Among cultivation partners, very few truly shared deep feelings. Most simply came together because their aptitudes, cultivation levels, and positions were a good match. Unless they had sworn the highest-level partner oath, it was common for cultivation partners to separate and reunite.
But for subordinates like them, having two backers was certainly better than having only one.
Once her subordinates had vanished from sight, the Sword Spirit slowly flew out of its scabbard.
【They clearly understand how important Situ Jian is. With your personality, can you really tolerate someone taking the food from your bowl?】
“It seems I haven’t motivated them enough. From now on, we can’t keep doing a straightforward seventy-thirty split. We’ll have to change it to one part base salary and two or three parts commission. Anyone who underperforms gets their performance bonus docked. That should motivate them to keep working hard.”
Shu Xin’s attention was completely unrelated to her cheap fiancé. She had keenly noticed that the team she had built was beginning to lose morale.
Sigh. It couldn’t be helped. They had never received professional workplace training. Their professional standards were bound to be lacking.
【…Aren’t you focusing on the wrong thing?】 the Sword Spirit said after a moment of silence. 【I’m starting to feel sorry for your fiancé.】
“Since ancient times, how could anyone who accomplished great things have time for sentimental attachments?” Shu Xin waved her hand dismissively.
【Are you someone who accomplishes great things?】
“And how do you know Situ Jian isn’t?” Shu Xin raised an eyebrow. “Sword Spirit, you still don’t understand humans. Humans have always been vile, shameless, and hypocritical. We don’t possess any real sense of morality. Mere romantic attachment is smaller than a pebble stepped on by the roadside—so small that people might even think that, aside from hurting your foot, it has no value whatsoever.”
【What are you trying to say?】
“The flaws of humanity I just described? I happen to possess every single one of them. He really is a hero, but I’m also a genuine villain.” Shu Xin spread both hands. “We were never a good match from the beginning.”
A young man whose family had been destroyed had crossed countless mountains and rivers to find her after meeting her only once. He had even entered the core of the Longevity Dao Sect under the identity of a rogue cultivator.
That was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
The Sword Spirit fell silent once more.
It was beginning to feel rather sorry for Situ Jian.
“But what you said is right: I can’t tolerate someone taking the food from my bowl. Situ Jian is the best investment I’ve made in the past hundred years.”
Now that her investment was about to run away, how could she recover her losses without collecting some interest?
The Sword Spirit swayed from side to side in the air but offered no further comment on Shu Xin’s words.
It knew this woman had no excess emotion to spare.
No sooner had the thought occurred to her than Shu Xin acted. She knew very well that procrastination could ruin everything, so the moment her subordinates left, she flew straight toward the mountain where Situ Jian was staying.
The other disciples and sect members saw Shu Xin return to the sect and immediately hurry toward Dao Lord Situ’s mountain. Their eyes glittered with the light of gossip.
“As expected, Elder Shu heard the news after returning from her mission and immediately went to find Dao Lord Situ.”
“What the Lin family did was rather dishonorable. Elder Shu may not have been born and raised in our sect, but she has served it for a hundred years. If they wanted to break off the engagement, they could have discussed it privately and offered her adequate compensation. Deliberately choosing Dao Lord Situ’s Nascent Soul celebration to do it was clearly bullying her.”
“Isn’t this just a gamble? Will Dao Lord Situ remain loyal to his former wife, or will he break off the engagement?”
“I’m betting that Dao Lord Situ won’t break it off. He has always conducted himself honorably and helped his fellow disciples. He’s absolutely not the kind of petty man who abandons people once they’re no longer useful!”
“I’m betting that he will. They’re only engaged, not true Dao companions. So what if she’s a Dao Infant True Lord? Without sufficient resources, advancing any further is incredibly difficult. Look at Elder Shu—she’s been stuck at the Dao Infant stage for decades. Has her cultivation increased even a fraction?”
“Ah, what a pity for Elder Shu. She’s so young. If she hadn’t come from a rogue-cultivator background, she might well have become one of the future pillars of our sect.”
“A hero’s origins shouldn’t matter. This really is a bit…”
“Shh! Have you forgotten what happened a thousand years ago? Back then, the sect nearly fell into the hands of those recruited rogue cultivators. It’s only natural for the sect to guard against them!”
Some people’s eyes flickered, and they quietly slipped away to send messages.
Before long, Shu Xin sensed waves of formation fluctuations rippling through the air.
Mm. She could smell the corrupt, evil stench of capitalist wealth.
Sure enough, the next moment, a female cultivator dressed in a plain white Daoist robe appeared before her, gliding gracefully through the air like a goddess descending to the mortal world.
The only thing that drew attention was the exquisitely crafted jade pendant at her waist, shimmering with a rainbow of colors.
The Lin family of Splendid Garments—Lin Youwei.
Interestingly enough, the Lin family’s founder had loved luxurious clothing and magnificent residences, which was how the family had made its name. Yet among his descendants, most had come to revere simplicity. Aside from the jade pendant that represented the Lin family, they otherwise went about with bare, unadorned faces—at least in public.
Lin Youwei was the foremost example of this. She was renowned as the “Hibiscus Fairy,” famed for her beauty “like a hibiscus emerging from clear water.”
The first time Shu Xin had heard that title, she had nearly slapped her thigh clean off.
Good grief. They really knew how to come up with names.
Still, she had to admit that the Hibiscus Fairy was genuinely beautiful, with clear, limpid eyes and a fresh, lovely face.
Unlike Shu Xin herself, who carried the unmistakable air of someone worn down by office life.
“Senior Sister Shu, it must have been hard on you to complete your mission and return to the sect,” Lin Youwei said, her expression still warm and gentle. “I’ve already arranged a banquet. I hope you’ll do me the honor of attending. Junior Brother Situ has only recently broken through and is currently consolidating his spiritual soul, so I’m afraid he won’t be able to entertain you properly.”
Oh? Coming to stake her claim already?
The sect disciples in the distance quietly pricked up their ears, wishing they could hear every word more clearly.
This was explosive gossip.
Although Elder Shu Xin came from a humble background, her Dao Infant cultivation was genuine. As for Junior Sister Lin, she was comparable to a Dao Infant cultivator, but she had yet to take that final step. Still, the Lin family’s jade pendant was renowned as one of the finest defensive treasures in existence. If the two of them actually fought, the outcome would truly be difficult to predict.
“Huh? Why can’t we hear anything all of a sudden?” some of the disciples asked anxiously.
“…Because Elder Shu has put up a spell barrier. She’s a Dao Lord, after all,” sighed an older disciple. “Come on, let’s go. This isn’t something we can get involved in.”
Shu Xin was a legendary figure whom disciples of ordinary backgrounds could only look up to.
Yet even someone like her could only hand over her Dao companion to a cultivation clan when faced with one of those colossal aristocratic families.
What could they possibly do?
“Junior Sister Lin, a hundred years ago, when I first joined the sect, you had already begun probing the Dao Barrier. How is it that you still haven’t taken that final step?” Shu Xin went straight for the sore spot. “A dual-cultivation technique may help you for a time, but it won’t carry you through your entire life.”
Under normal circumstances, Shu Xin would have made at least a token effort to be polite. But now, everyone already knew the situation between the two of them, so there was no need to keep pretending.
If she didn’t bare a few sharp teeth, everyone would mistake her for a soft touch.
“I naturally can’t compare with you, Senior Sister. You possess extraordinary talent, and you’ve spent all these years consolidating your cultivation and building an exceptionally solid foundation.” Lin Youwei’s gaze turned slightly cold.
“Fine, I won’t pretend anymore either.” Shu Xin lazily stretched. “I know you were once the Lin family’s favored prodigy. Unfortunately, until you enter the Dao Infant realm, you’re ultimately no more than an ant. Now, countless younger members of your clan have surpassed you one after another, so you must be frantic to find a Dao Infant cultivator to practice dual cultivation with and help you break through.
“Not only does he have to be willing to return spiritual energy to you, he also has to remain pure and retain his primal yang. And you’re unwilling to lower yourself to those Dao Infant cultivators whose talents are inferior to yours and who have no future ahead of them. After searching around, the only person who meets all your requirements is Situ Jian.”
The great cultivation sects monopolized cultivation resources, while the various aristocratic factions within them schemed and fought against one another. A new family rose and an old one fell at regular intervals. The struggles among these cultivation clans were, each and every one of them, political intrigue novels set in the world of cultivation.
Anyone who could emerge from such a family was unlikely to possess much sincerity. The moment they saw you, they had already calculated your value. Drawing close to you, befriending you, even risking their lives to save you—all of it was simply preparation for selling you at the highest possible price when the crucial moment arrived.
“Still, Junior Sister Lin, a person shouldn’t be too greedy. Before Situ Jian showed any promise of breaking through to the Dao Infant realm, you didn’t offer the slightest bit of support. You never burned incense when things were calm, yet now you’re scrambling to embrace Buddha at the last minute. And you want to come here and pluck the peach after someone else has grown it? Don’t you think that’s a little excessive?” Shu Xin sneered.
If Lin Youwei had reached out to support Shu Xin and Situ Jian when the two of them had yet to establish themselves in the Everlasting Dao Sect, then so what if Situ Jian had to sell himself for the sake of cultivation? It wouldn’t have been a big deal. Shu Xin would have raised both hands and both feet in approval.
If Situ Jian had truly ended up together with Lin Youwei, Shu Xin would even have stepped forward to bear all the gossip and criticism herself. If the two of them had a child, she would have been willing to help with the postnatal recovery period!
But unfortunately, Lin Youwei had lacked the foresight.
Or perhaps people born into noble cultivation clans had simply never been willing to spare a glance for someone from a rogue-cultivator background.
“What do you want?” Lin Youwei’s gaze gradually turned cold.
“Over the past hundred years, I kept records of every expense I paid for Situ Jian’s cultivation. You’ll reimburse me at twice the current market price.” Shu Xin smiled sweetly and raised one finger.
“That’s fine.” Lin Youwei nodded.
“Second, during the period when Situ Jian and I are breaking off our engagement, I’ll inevitably suffer ridicule, neglect, and all manner of other mistreatment from people within the sect. I want you to pay me compensation for the emotional distress.” Shu Xin raised a second finger.
Since when had you ever cared about such empty reputations?
Lin Youwei was not one of those ignorant people who devoted themselves solely to cultivation. She knew perfectly well what Shu Xin did in private.
If Shu Xin had been thin-skinned, how could she have kept siphoning off benefits all these years?
“Fine.” Lin Youwei had no choice but to agree.
“Also, I want a public-relations fee from you.” Shu Xin stroked her chin. “Unlike me, a country bumpkin, you still care about your reputation. Give me a PR fee, and I’ll make sure no one calls you a homewrecker.”
“You can even use that to make money?” Lin Youwei was utterly baffled. She voiced the question burning in her heart. “Shu Xin, do you really not care about your reputation?”
Honestly, what a hypocrite—putting on this fake show of sympathy after all.
Who does she think caused this mess?
Shu Xin silently rolled her eyes and named a figure. “I’ll allow you to pay with pills or magical artifacts.”
Lin Youwei assumed this was merely an excuse for Shu Xin to extort her, but she had no choice except to agree.
“Also, once Situ Jian and I are no longer connected, some of my businesses are bound to suffer. You’ll have to compensate me for the loss of profits.”
“Shu Xin, don’t push your luck.” Lin Youwei’s face had already turned livid.
“I’ll even let you pay in installments. I know your assets are limited, but cultivators live a long time. All you need to do is sign a contract, pay a little interest, and we’ll call it even.” Shu Xin beamed. With a windfall dropping from the heavens, she naturally needed a steady source of income as well. “Besides, if you and Situ Jian become Dao companions, then once you reach the Dao Infant Realm, your clan certainly won’t skimp on resources for you. Why would you care about these three melons and two dates of mine?”
“Fine!” Lin Youwei agreed through gritted teeth.
“Lastly…”
“You still have another demand? Shu Xin, I’ll say the same thing back to you: don’t be so greedy.”
“You misunderstand.” Shu Xin smiled. “What I want at the end isn’t money, but a guarantee.”
“What kind?”
“I’m taking so much compensation from the two of you. There will certainly be no shortage of people in the sect who are green with envy. I want you to keep me safe. At the very least, no one is to come after me for the next fifty years.”
“I can’t do that,” Lin Youwei said flatly. “If I had the power to protect you, I’d be able to protect myself too. If I possessed that kind of ability, why would I need Situ Jian to help me break through my bottleneck?”
“Fine, then let’s change it to a favor. When I need it, you can help me.”
“It can only be within the limits of what I’m capable of.”
“Of course.” Shu Xin smiled. “Junior Sister, you really are straightforward. Don’t worry. As long as you pay enough, I’ll smooth over every storm. Rest assured, I can take it. I guarantee your reputation won’t suffer even the slightest blemish. I’ll show you exactly what it means to get more than your money’s worth.”
Lin Youwei’s face filled with scorn.
Since she had come to steal someone else’s man, she had already prepared herself to be vilified.
But once her cultivation succeeded and enough time passed, people would only praise her for being decisive.
There were countless cultivators outside who fought over cultivation techniques, pills, and spirit stones. Why shouldn’t she fight over a man?
What could Shu Xin possibly do to keep her reputation intact?
Just as Lin Youwei’s thoughts were beginning to drift, Shu Xin suddenly withdrew the spell barrier around them, allowing her voice to carry clearly to the sect disciples lurking nearby to listen in on the gossip.
“Junior Sister Lin, I won’t hide this from you. Before I reached the Core Formation stage, I was a man. I cultivated a special technique and remade myself as a woman.” Shu Xin pretended to dab at nonexistent tears. Keeping up with the times, she delivered a joke only she understood. “Actually, I still believe I’m a man at heart. Junior Sister, haven’t you noticed my feelings for you all these years?”
Lin Youwei looked as though she had been struck by lightning.
The sect disciples nearby, who had been listening in, stood frozen like stunned chickens, their minds seemingly grinding to a complete halt.
