"It's not that it's underhanded, it's just that our Secret Talisman Sect enjoys a great reputation in the surrounding counties and cities. Here, all underworld transactions must pay a 20% commission."
"The underworld? When did we get involved with the underworld?" Xiao Wenbing asked in surprise.
"It has nothing to do with them; they just have to give up 20% of the profits in order to make a living."
"So, would you provide them with protection?"
"No." Zhao Feng's voice was icy. "We don't care whether they live or die."
Xiao Wenbing was completely bewildered. After a long while, he asked, "Are you saying that we do nothing and bear no responsibility, but they have to pay 20% of the profits?"
“That’s right, Sixth Brother. Twenty percent isn’t much. Let’s just consider it as them paying taxes to the country.”
Xiao Wenbing smiled bitterly. Twenty percent wasn't much, but who had ever heard of paying taxes for doing business in the underworld?
What if they are unwilling to pay?
Zhao Feng was taken aback and looked at Xiao Wenbing with some surprise, as if his question was a bit naive: "No, no one would dare."
These six short words contain countless stories of bloodshed and turmoil.
Anyone involved in the underworld with a bit of a reputation is a desperate criminal. Getting these guys to obey you isn't something that can be achieved through mere preaching. The secret behind it is self-evident.
However, the thought that immortals would bully these mortals filled Xiao Wenbing with extreme strangeness. Could it be that someone with the cultivation level of the Immortal Daoist would covet worldly wealth?
Suddenly, an absurd image flashed through Xiao Wenbing's mind: the old Taoist priest Xianyun, Lu Jun, and Mingmei were standing in a room filled with colorful banknotes, counting stacks of cash while grinning wickedly.
A shiver ran down Xiao Wenbing's spine, and he stopped his wild thoughts.
These people have a rather otherworldly air about them; they would never do something so strange... no, so unconventional. On the contrary, it's quite possible that Zhao Feng, standing beside them, is using the name of the Secret Talisman Sect to swindle and deceive people everywhere.
However, this matter had nothing to do with him. Even if there was punishment, he would leave it to the old Taoist priest and the others to worry about. He would not concern himself with it at all.
"Junior Brother Zhao... I didn't expect you to be a master comparable to our master." Xiao Wenbing suddenly flattered him.
Startled, Zhao Feng's face immediately turned green, and he stammered, "Sixth...Sixth Senior Brother, words...words can't be said carelessly."
This fright was no small matter; if it reached the ears of the old Taoist priest, he would be guilty of a crime he could not defend himself against.
"Isn't that right? Master can tear open a safe with his bare hands, and Junior Brother Zhao, you can tear open handcuffs with your bare hands. You're both very capable."
"Phew..." Zhao Feng breathed a long sigh of relief. So that's what happened. It's really scary.
If his disciples spoke to him like that, he would have countless ways to make them regret it.
However, he didn't dare to show Xiao Wenbing any disrespect when it came to the person in front of him. He quickly put on a smile and said, "Sixth Senior Brother, you don't know this. Anyone with a little talent can master this skill after a few years of practice. It's really nothing."
"Can anyone do that?" Xiao Wenbing's heart skipped a beat.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Feng said, "Most people can achieve this after ten years of arduous cultivation if they cultivate correctly. Of course, since you, Senior Brother, are favored by our Master, it won't take that long. If you can cultivate spiritual power, it will be an easy task."
"Spiritual power?" Xiao Wenbing asked in surprise, "How do I cultivate spiritual power?"
“It’s actually quite simple. Spiritual power is just an upgraded version of true qi. There’s no fundamental difference in how they’re used. Although I don’t fully understand it, I imagine it’s all transmitted through the meridians in the body.” Zhao Feng said, extending his right hand. A golden luster appeared on his right hand. “I practice the Golden-Slaying Hand, but its power is only average. Sixth Senior Brother, when you cultivate spiritual power in the future, you only need to do this, and you will naturally achieve the same effect.”
Just as Zhao Feng was about to explain further, he suddenly saw Xiao Wenbing extend his right hand, which suddenly emitted a white, almost transparent luster.
His mouth immediately opened wide, as if it could fit a large goose egg.
"Sixth Senior Brother? You...you've mastered spiritual power?" Zhao Feng asked, overjoyed.
“Yes.” Xiao Wenbing said nonchalantly, casually waving his arm. Following Zhao Feng’s instructions, he channeled his spiritual energy into his arm and immediately felt that his arm was as hard as iron, as if it could break through everything in the world.
He turned his head, looking east and west, and walked to a square table, where he gently chopped it with his palm.
The wind howled, and the power of this palm strike was indeed extraordinary, splitting the octagonal table in two as easily as cutting tofu.
"Good, good..." Xiao Wenbing exclaimed, "It really is a good product."
"Sixth Senior Brother, you are truly a genius, I admire you greatly. You have not even taken any Foundation Establishment Pills, yet you have been able to cultivate spiritual power. You are indeed exceptionally gifted and unparalleled in the world." Zhao Feng sincerely praised, "Since you possess spiritual power, you only need to circulate it throughout your body, and even ordinary firearms will not be able to harm you."
Volume One: Farewell to the Mortal World, Chapter Twenty-Two: Returning Home
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Even Xiao Wenbing, whose skin was as thick as a city wall, couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed. What extraordinary talent? I've already consumed a hundred or so Foundation Establishment Pills. If I don't even have this much skill, what kind of immortal cultivation am I?
"Sixth Senior Brother, I have no spiritual power, so the methods I came up with for circulating energy are not suitable for you. When Master returns, you can ask him for guidance yourself, and I guarantee that the power you can unleash then will be far greater than it is today."
"Hmm..." Xiao Wenbing responded, his gaze lingering on Zhao Feng. This thing is excellent for chopping things, and it's the best choice for chopping wood, but I wonder how effective it is at chopping people?
Zhao Feng suddenly felt a chill. He met Xiao Wenbing's gaze and seemed to understand something. He smiled bitterly and said, "Sixth Senior Brother, there's no need for that."
Xiao Wenbing grew increasingly fond of his older, kind-hearted junior brother, Zhao. He smiled and said, "How will you know if you don't try? Be careful, Junior Brother Zhao."
With a flick of his wrist, a palm strike landed squarely on his face.
Zhao Feng inwardly groaned; fighting him was truly a difficult task.
Although Xiao Wenbing's spiritual power was profound, far surpassing Zhao Feng's, the difference in their fighting skills was like heaven and earth. In a life-or-death struggle, Zhao Feng could be said to have a near certain victory, but a martial arts contest, especially one where Xiao Wenbing had to enjoy himself, was no easy task.
While parrying, Zhao Feng slowly retreated. He was extremely careful with his strength, not daring to use too much force—injuring Xiao Wenbing was definitely not something he could afford. But he also couldn't use too little force, otherwise his old bones wouldn't be able to withstand much more.
Fortunately, his decades of training had not been in vain. Although it was a bit troublesome, he was still able to handle it with ease.
Xiao Wenbing knew that Zhao Feng would not dare to fight back, so he punched and kicked him, using all his strength to bombard him, but he could not do anything to him.
Only then did I realize that the decades-long gap between the two could not be bridged in just a few days.
Having withdrawn his fists and feet, Xiao Wenbing sighed and said, "Junior Brother Zhao, I'm going back now."
Zhao Feng was taken aback, but immediately understood his meaning and said, "Congratulations, Sixth Senior Brother. Once you return this time and settle your worldly affairs, you can concentrate on cultivating the Dao."
"Hmm," Xiao Wenbing responded, though he didn't know what he was really thinking.
"After I've packed my things, I'll accompany you, Senior Brother."
“No need, I’m fine on my own,” Xiao Wenbing refused decisively.
"That won't do, Master..."
"Ai..." Xiao Wenbing interrupted him, saying, "You have young children at home who are about to take their medicine. How can you not feel at ease?"
As expected, Zhao Feng hesitated for a moment, unable to speak. His grandson was the apple of his eye. For those who had no hope of achieving immortality, the next generation was the continuation of their lives, so naturally they valued him more than anything else.
That's why Xiao Wenbing's act of gifting the pills earned Zhao Feng's heartfelt gratitude.
Now is a critical time for medication, and I can't rest easy if it's handled by someone else.
“I’m a grown man, and now I have spiritual power protecting me, what disaster could possibly befall me? You can stay home and take good care of your grandson. It’s not too late to come back when he’s better. Perhaps…” Xiao Wenbing smiled and said, “Perhaps by then, I will already be back.”
※※※※
The journey back was smooth, and Xiao Wenbing was in a good mood, seeing everything as wonderful.
He's finally home, back to the place where he was born and raised.
The first thing he did upon arriving home was to go to Ye Qingchun's car detailing center. However, upon reaching the door, Xiao Wenbing was surprised to find it tightly shut and not yet open.
Looking at the time on his phone, Xiao Wenbing cursed under his breath. It was only 7:30. He realized he had arrived too early.
He was bursting with energy at this moment. Aside from stopping at restaurants and refueling his car, he had only rested once along the way. He hadn't yet experienced the true wonders of spiritual power, but his physical condition had already improved a hundredfold.
Just as Xiao Wenbing was about to make a phone call, a sudden realization struck him; he seemed to hear some noises coming from inside the center. Could there already be someone inside?
With a slight smile, he dialed the phone number. He knew he wouldn't be back for at least a year or two. He needed to see his close friends, no matter what.
The phone rang only a few times before it was answered, and Ye Qingchun's boisterous laughter came through: "Goodness, you finally remembered to contact me."
Xiao Wenbing felt a warmth in his heart and said, "It's already so late, why aren't you opening the door? Don't you want to do business anymore?"
"Is it late? What time is it?"
“It’s already 10:30,” Xiao Wenbing said casually.
"What? It's so late?" Ye Qingchun seemed surprised and shouted something. After a moment, the tightly closed door opened from the inside, and several young men hurriedly tidied up their things.
Ye Qingchun walked out while holding the phone. He glanced around and immediately realized something was wrong, yelling into the phone, "You little bastard, you lied to me!"
Xiao Wenbing got out of the car, laughing so hard he almost fell over.
Ye Qingchun put down the phone, strode forward, and angrily stood in front of him, giving him a big bear hug: "Welcome back."
Xiao Wenbing patted him on the shoulder and said, "You still remember me, kid? I almost got killed because of you."
Ye Qingchun was taken aback and quickly asked for the reason.
Xiao Wenbing pointed to the 2007 Santana station wagon and asked, "To be honest, where did this car come from?"
Ye Qingchun glanced around, then pulled him into the center, leading him to the manager's office at the very back. Upon entering the room, the two men inside immediately stood up and respectfully greeted him, "Brother Chun."
Xiao Wenbing, with his sharp eyes, glanced around casually and immediately noticed that besides the two young men, there was another person in the room, dressed in tattered clothes with several bruises on his upper body, curled up motionless on the sofa.
However, he didn't want to pay attention to it, so he pretended not to have seen it.
Ye Qingchun casually agreed, then asked Xiao Wenbing to sit down before replying, "That's stuff that a friend in the underworld got. I haven't had time to deal with it yet. You needed it urgently, so I lent it to you first. What's wrong?"
"A friend from the underworld?" Xiao Wenbing suddenly remembered something; he had also asked him to sell his jewelry. A strange smile appeared on Xiao Wenbing's face: "Qingchun, you don't happen to be someone who specializes in selling stolen goods, do you?"
"Hehe..." Ye Qingchun gave an awkward laugh and said, "No, no, absolutely not. I just do some processing and beauty work, which is not illegal."
Xiao Wenbing rolled his eyes. It wasn't even illegal, yet he dared to say it so openly.
"Your car was stolen from Qiu'ai, and that's exactly where I was going. I almost ended up in jail because of this guy. Tell me, wasn't it your fault?"
"What?" Ye Qingchun looked at him in surprise and said, "What a coincidence?"
Volume One: Farewell in the Mortal World, Chapter Twenty-Three: Old Friends
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