Li Yundong pondered for a moment, choosing his words carefully as he spoke, “I want to start some business related to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I’ve been thinking about this the past few days. From the May Fourth Movement, through the smashing of the Four Olds, right up to the Cultural Revolution, our traditional culture has been severely damaged. Although Western medicine is mainstream now, I felt while I was at the City Hospital that there is still a market for our TCM.”
Hearing this, Su Chan whispered, “You want to open a clinic? You want to be Sun Simiao?”
This comment made Li Yundong laugh wryly, “I could never be Sun Simiao. If I were sitting in a clinic all day, how could I even continue my cultivation?”
Ziyuan nodded in agreement, “That is indeed true. Although it’s often said that nine out of ten cultivators are also skilled in medicine, almost no cultivator practices medicine professionally. Whether it’s Ge Hong of the Dan Ding Sect or Zhongli Quan and Lu Dongbin of the Jin Dan Sect, while they have legends of healing the world, those were fortuitous instances that became famous anecdotes, not professional careers as doctors.”
It was then that Zhou Qin spoke up. As soon as she began, “Master…”
Li Yundong interrupted her immediately, “Why are you calling me that again?”
Zhou Qin smiled faintly and changed her address, “Li Yundong, are you planning to open your own hospital to promote TCM?”
Li Yundong sighed, “I would like to, but where would I get the money and the influence? Opening a private hospital—how much would that cost? What I’d rather do is focus on the medicinal herbs sector, but I have no idea how to even begin. That’s why I wanted to discuss this with both of you.”
As Li Yundong finished speaking, Ruan Hongling suddenly interjected, “The Ge Zao Sect and other major Outer Elixir Factions control many herb production bases and operational companies. If you try to get into this business, you’re likely to make enemies of the Outer Elixir Factions!”
Li Yundong was astonished, “No way! I do my thing, they do theirs, why would they pick a fight with me?”
Ziyuan picked up the thread of the conversation to explain, “Because the Outer Elixir Factions rely on alchemy to run their sects. The elixirs they refine often sell for exorbitant prices on the cultivation world’s black market. So, refining and selling elixirs forms an entire industrial chain for the Outer Elixir Factions. The most fundamental part of this chain is the production and control of various Chinese medicinal herbs.”
Among everyone in the room, although Su Chan had heard her Master mention quite a few things about the cultivation world, she knew very little about the Outer Elixir Factions. Li Yundong had only been cultivating for half a year and was completely in the dark, and as for Zhou Qin, it went without saying.
Zhou Qin listened with rapt attention, suddenly asking, “What exactly is the Outer Elixir Faction? Are they sects that specialize in making elixirs?”
Ziyuan smiled gently and explained, “In terms of cultivation methods, the cultivation world is divided into the Inner Elixir Factions and the Outer Elixir Factions. The Zheng Yi Sect is considered paramount among the Inner Elixir Factions, which includes sects like the Jin Shan Sect and the Dan Ding Sect. The Ge Zao Sect is paramount among the Outer Elixir Factions, which includes sects like the Maoshan Sect and the Qing Wei Sect. The Inner Elixir Factions primarily focus on cultivating the inner elixir within the body, whereas the Outer Elixir Factions primarily focus on consuming wondrous immortal elixirs.”
Zhou Qin finally understood, but her expression remained somewhat strange; she was clearly a newcomer to the world of cultivators and found it a bit unsettling.
Zhou Qin looked at Li Yundong and asked, “Then are you Inner Elixir or Outer Elixir?”
This question stumped Li Yundong. He felt his formal cultivation began after consuming the Ren Yuan Golden Elixir, so he should technically be considered Outer Elixir. Yet, his Inner Elixir cultivation was extremely solid, suggesting he should also be considered Inner Elixir.
Li Yundong thought it over until his mind became muddled. Ziyuan smiled and helped him out of the awkward spot, “Li Yundong should be considered a master who started via the Outer Elixir path and now cultivates both internally and externally.”
Upon hearing this, Ruan Hongling suddenly snorted and remarked, “If it weren’t for the Ren Yuan Golden Elixir and Sister Ziyuan’s Nine Revolutions Jade Dew Pill, how could you have advanced so quickly!”
This remark caused a sudden stir in Li Yundong’s heart. He looked at Zhou Qin, his gaze flickering, his thoughts racing: If only there were another Ren Yuan Golden Elixir, I could give it to Zhou Qin, and it would serve as repayment for her kindness in facing disaster on behalf of my family.
Ziyuan, however, gave Ruan Hongling a faint glance, her eyes carrying a hidden warning. She said to Li Yundong, “You must be able to feel for yourself how much an external elixir aids your cultivation. This illustrates that a single immortal pill is a treasure that every cultivator dreams of possessing.”
“Because external elixirs are so crucial, generating immense economic benefits, the sects that master the precious art of alchemy must control the upstream of this industry—that is, all kinds of precious Chinese herbs. Only by controlling this area can they secure enough raw materials to refine various elixirs. Otherwise, if someone else controls this trade, the Outer Elixir Factions would be close to extermination.”
Li Yundong suddenly realized, “I see. The Outer Elixir Factions view this area as their private domain, something others are not allowed to touch, is that right?”
Ziyuan nodded, “That is exactly the case. The Inner and Outer Elixir Factions have fought several secret, major battles over this issue. The emergence of the Ren Yuan Golden Elixir a few months ago stirred up a bloody storm in the cultivation world, even dragging the Fox Zen Sect into it.” As she said this, Ziyuan gave Li Yundong a meaningful look.
Su Chan and Ruan Hongling both turned their gazes toward Li Yundong, their looks complicated.
Li Yundong smiled, “Why are you all looking at me? Ziyuan, after all you’ve said, you essentially mean that dealing in Chinese herbs is impossible because it would lead to conflict with the Outer Elixir Factions.”
Ziyuan stated, “There is nothing in this world that is absolutely impossible; it all depends on whether your strength is sufficient. If the Fox Zen Sect were the strongest sect in the world, you could certainly go and compete with the Outer Elixir Factions for this business. But the Fox Zen Sect has just suffered a major upheaval and needs time to recuperate. If you suddenly intervene in this trade now, I fear you’ll be bringing trouble upon yourself.”
Li Yundong sighed, “This is not allowed, that is not allowed—then what can I do?”
Zhou Qin suddenly spoke up, “I actually think Li Yundong, you could consider the current problem from a different perspective.”
Li Yundong turned his face toward her, “Tell me, I’m listening.”
Zhou Qin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, speaking confidently, “The biggest difficulty right now is a lack of money, right?”
Li Yundong nodded, “That’s right. Just thinking about that five million due next month gives me a headache!”
Zhou Qin couldn't help but frown too, “Earning five million in one month—besides gambling or winning the lottery, I can hardly think of any good way. However, I do know of a path to generating wealth.”
Li Yundong became very interested and urged her on, “What path is that?”
Zhou Qin asked, “Do you remember the restaurant where we had French cuisine last time?”
Li Yundong immediately started to laugh, but just as he was about to speak, someone nudged his arm. Li Yundong turned his head and saw Su Chan smiling sweetly at him, clearly also remembering what had happened at the French restaurant last time.
Li Yundong and Su Chan exchanged a smile, then turned back to Zhou Qin and asked, “Of course we remember.”
Zhou Qin’s expression briefly dimmed, but she quickly recovered, saying, “A few shops on that street have vacancies for rent recently. I was thinking you could start by opening a small shop. After all, the initial investment would be lower. That street has a huge flow of people; as long as you choose the right path, I’m sure it will be a guaranteed profit.”
Li Yundong considered it and sighed, “Without taking small steps, one cannot travel a thousand miles. What you are saying is the fundamental rule of business. Thinking about it, how can one become a fat man in a single bite? Where am I supposed to find five million in a month?”
Ziyuan suddenly spoke up then, “I think I understand your difficulty now. You are currently worried about not being able to afford the rent for the Fox Zen Sect’s Taoist temple next month, and you are also concerned about how you will support the dozen or so people of the Fox Zen Sect in the future, is that right?”
Li Yundong gave a wry smile, “You put it so bluntly, I feel quite embarrassed.”
Ziyuan smiled sweetly, “It’s fine, I’ll lend it to you! Six million—five million for you to pay the rent, and one million as startup capital for your business. Is that enough?”
Li Yundong was stunned in disbelief, “You’ll lend it to me? You have that much money?”
Ruan Hongling cried out loudly, “Sister Ziyuan, that’s all of our Ling Gong Sect’s savings!”
Ziyuan seemed not to hear, stating calmly, “This money is just sitting there anyway, and money is depreciating so fast. It’s better to give it to someone who needs it.”
Li Yundong thought for a moment and didn't stand on ceremony. He slapped his thigh and declared, “Deal! In the future, I’ll pay you back with an extra ten percent interest!”
Ziyuan smiled faintly and turned to Ruan Hongling, “Go to my room, check how much is left in the account, and bring the checkbook.”
Ruan Hongling grabbed Ziyuan’s arm in extreme astonishment, “Sister Ziyuan! Then what will we eat in the future?”
Ziyuan smiled meaningfully, “Are you afraid the renowned True Person Li will default on his debt?”
Hearing this, Li Yundong was filled with emotion. He thought: In my past life, what incense did I burn, what Buddha did I worship, to earn the favor and companionship of Su Chan? And now, I even have the wholehearted assistance of these two confidantes, Zhou Qin and Ziyuan. The debts I owe them both in this life might be impossible to repay.
Ruan Hongling stood up, clearly displeased, and glared at Li Yundong, “Hey, give me your bank account number!”
Li Yundong didn't mind; he pulled out the credit card he always carried and handed it over.
Ruan Hongling took the card and jumped off the balcony into her own residence.
Su Chan watched her leave, pulling Li Yundong’s arm worriedly, whispering, “Yundong, you’re borrowing so much money at once, how will you pay it back?”
Li Yundong affectionately pinched the little girl’s nose, “Stop worrying, I’ll handle it.”
Su Chan shook her head, “How can I not worry? Before, when you owed the bank tens of thousands, we almost ended up homeless. Now you owe millions!”
Li Yundong spread his hands and laughed at Ziyuan, “True Person Ziyuan, if I can’t pay you back in time, will your Ling Gong Sect hire temporary sweepers? Should I come sweep floors every day to repay the debt?”
Ziyuan smiled sweetly, “I couldn't afford to hire a Sect Master to be a temporary cleaner for our Ling Gong Sect. Besides, with your title as True Person Li, wouldn't that be wasting your talent?”
Li Yundong waved his hand and laughed, “Not at all. If you really feel bad about it, you can raise my wages!”
Su Chan loudly chimed in from the side, “If you’re sweeping floors, then what will I do?”
Li Yundong burst into laughter, “What could you do with those clumsy hands? Just don't cause trouble, that’ll be enough!”
Su Chan stamped her foot in annoyance, “You’re mean, you look down on me!”
Li Yundong put his palms together in a prayer gesture and laughed, “How dare I look down on the Great Fox Immortal like you? Amitabha!”
The group was chatting and laughing inside the room, but before long, Ruan Hongling burst back in from the balcony, flustered and shouting, “Bad news, bad news! Sister Ziyuan, bad news!”
Ziyuan’s face darkened, and she snapped, “Hongling, you are a cultivator, how can you lose your composure like this? Where has your cultivation focus gone? Has the sky fallen?”
Ruan Hongling said, her face pale, “Sister Ziyuan, the Zheng Yi Sect has frozen our bank account!”
Ziyuan, usually calm and composed, suddenly went wide-eyed at these words, crying out involuntarily, “What?!!”