Chapter 44: Laying the Groundwork

Hongxi and Xieming were both overjoyed. Zhu Xiaoyuan, however, was puzzled.

They had already taken the painting and were looking extremely pleased—so why hadn’t they said anything about payment? How could these people be so oblivious!

With a helpless sigh, Zhu Xiaoyuan realized he would have to speak up himself.

“Since you are both so satisfied with the painting, then please hurry and pay up! I’m just a small business, and I don’t do credit!”

The moment these words left his mouth, both Xieming and Hongxi froze in place.

What did the elder mean by this?

“Elder, is this… is this your way of avoiding karmic entanglements?”

No sooner had Xieming thought this than he became convinced it was true.

That must be it!

He secretly shared this thought with the Supreme Hongxi at his side.

Upon hearing it, Hongxi nodded in firm agreement. “A person as powerful as the elder would never casually become entangled in cause and effect. Otherwise, he might not be able to remain above it all. We should be careful not to bring him unnecessary trouble!”

“Exactly!”

Both men now saw the situation with perfect clarity.

But understanding the matter didn’t make it any less difficult. While they were willing to settle the transaction with Elder Zhu, the “Gathering of Myriad Mountains” painting was worth a fortune—what could they possibly offer that would be an even trade?

In the world of cultivators, the currency in common use was spirit stones, which were filled with energy and generally used to help cultivators absorb spiritual energy during cultivation.

But would such things be of any use to an elder as powerful as Zhu? He was someone who could annihilate a yaksha with nothing more than the aura in his courtyard!

“I think what the elder wants isn’t money, but our sincerity! As long as our sincerity is real, the elder will understand.”

Someone descended from the Immortal Realm had surely seen every treasure imaginable—why would he care about mere trinkets?

Hearing this, Xieming gritted his teeth and drew something from his sleeve.

In an instant, an exquisitely crafted little box appeared in his hand. Xieming respectfully offered it with both hands.

“Elder Zhu, I have nothing worthy of exchanging for such a treasure—this is my entire fortune. Forgive my meagerness.”

Seeing Xieming do this, Hongxi immediately followed suit, producing a small box of his own and placing it beside Zhu Xiaoyuan.

“Elder, this is everything I possess as well.”

They had laid all their belongings out—it was now up to Elder Zhu to decide. If he refused them, they would have nothing more to say.

Even so, the sum value of all their treasures paled in comparison to the “Gathering of Myriad Mountains” that Elder Zhu had painted.

Zhu Xiaoyuan, on the other hand, hadn’t thought so deeply. Seeing the two boxes, he happily accepted them, his eyes gleaming with delight.

Were these filled with gold and silver?

The boxes felt satisfyingly heavy in his hands. Zhu Xiaoyuan was thoroughly pleased—whatever was inside, it weighed enough!

“In that case, gentlemen, our transaction is complete. The goods are paid for—I’ll keep these, and you may take the painting. If you ever need another, you’re welcome any time.”

After all, his paintings were just things he created in his spare time. If he could trade them for money—well, well! Just the thought made Zhu Xiaoyuan quite happy.

Yet when Supreme Hongxi and Supreme Xieming heard this, it struck their ears very differently.

Had the elder already foreseen everything that would happen? Was this all a carefully laid chessboard, with every possible outcome accounted for?

And what about themselves? Perhaps even their respective holy lands were nothing more than insignificant pieces in Zhu Xiaoyuan’s game?

The more Hongxi and Xieming thought, the more uneasy they became.

They dared not pursue this line of thinking further—it was clear that matters had already far exceeded anything they could control.

“Thank you for the painting, Elder. We won’t trouble you further today. We’ll take our leave and call again another day,” Xieming said quickly.

Zhu Xiaoyuan replied, “Very well, then. Off you go.”

He had already been paid—what reason did they have to linger?

He certainly wasn’t about to provide them with a meal!

Xieming and Supreme Hongxi immediately took their leave from Zhu Xiaoyuan’s courtyard.

Not until they were far away did Xieming finally dare to let out a long breath.

“The pressure from Elder Zhu is overwhelming. I hardly dared to breathe in his presence—even speaking felt terrifying.”

“It’s true. My clothes are soaked with sweat,” Hongxi agreed wholeheartedly.

“It seems we made a mistake from the very beginning—we underestimated the elder’s power. As things stand, Elder Zhu is not just an immortal; his abilities may well surpass those of ordinary immortals,” Hongxi said, still shaken.

“Of course! He can casually plant celestial peaches from the Immortal Realm in his own garden—what can’t he do?”

After all, the Immortal Realm was utterly beyond their reach. Even at the pinnacle of their power, they could scarcely imagine such a place.

Moreover, across all the long history of the Tianwu World, only a handful had ever set foot in the Immortal Realm.

Given that, for someone as capable as Elder Zhu to descend from the Immortal Realm to the mortal world, he must have some purpose in mind.

“In the eyes of the elder, the power of our holy lands is nothing more than a chess piece,” Hongxi said self-mockingly.

“My friend Hongxi, it’s not just us. Did you notice the two women who returned with Elder Zhu and stood behind him today? They’re from the Void Sanctuary!”

Xieming heaved a long sigh. “The great powers of the Tianwu World—admired by all—are merely pawns in a greater game. It seems the elder’s chessboard is vast indeed.”

…

Meanwhile, in Zhu Xiaoyuan’s courtyard.

“Reporting to the elder: thanks to the treasure you gave us, we have successfully taken the Anluan Kingdom,” An Yue’er said, rising and bowing deeply to Zhu Xiaoyuan.

Hearing this, Zhu Xiaoyuan savored the words for a moment.

They had taken Anluan Kingdom? That meant they’d already sold his painting? Perhaps at a good price.

That ought to be enough for them to find a decent place to live—otherwise, they wouldn’t be this elated.

At this thought, Zhu Xiaoyuan couldn’t help but sigh with satisfaction. “Well done. Keep it up. As long as you persevere, you’ll live well in time!”