am-books Chapter 480: Aftermath (II)
Chapter 480: Aftermath (II)
Chapter 480: Aftermath (II)
Zhang Yuelu composed herself and changed the topic. “Let’s not dwell on these matters. How are you feeling now?”
Qi Xuansu replied, “The Xuan Jade is immensely beneficial. I think I’m only a step away from becoming a Heavenly Being.”
Zhang Yuelu shifted her gaze to scrutinize Qi Xuansu. “Tian Yuan, do you know Mogul Yao?”
“I don’t. You were the one who told me who she was.” Qi Xuansu shook his head.
Zhang Yuelu accepted the explanation and asked, “Then why did she throw the Xuan Jade at you?”
Qi Xuansu let out a small cough and muttered, “Maybe Mogul Yao found me pleasing to the eye?”
Zhang Yuelu clicked her tongue. “So, you’re quite popular with women, huh? You even managed to catch the eye of the distinguished Mogul Yao.”
“Well, I can’t compare to you, who caught the eye of the Earthly Preceptor.” Qi Xuansu argued confidently. “Besides, I even caught your eye. Doesn’t that just prove your excellent judgment? It’s like they say, fine horses are common, but a true scout is rare to come by.”
“Don’t joke around,” Zhang Yuelu said sternly, her expression turning serious. “Answer the question honestly.”
Qi Xuansu cleared his throat. “I think it was just luck. You saw it too. When Mogul Yao threw the Xuan Jade, I wasn’t the first one to come into contact with it. All the Sages and Deputy Hall Masters dodged it, and those who didn’t get away in time got knocked back.
“I don’t think Mogul Yao deliberately threw it at me. Logically, I should have been knocked away like the others, but something unexpected happened. Instead of repelling me, the jade fused into my body. I think that was also beyond Mogul Yao’s expectations.”
Zhang Yuelu thought it over and found the explanation reasonable. Besides, she did not suspect Qi Xuansu much, to begin with, so she accepted his reasoning.
Qi Xuansu continued, “After acquiring the Xuan Jade, I now have the Shaman lineage. However, I feel that Rogue Cultivators supplemented by the Xuan Jade aren’t quite the same as a natural-born Banished Immortal like you.”
Then, Qi Xuansu voiced his doubts.
Zhang Yuelu explained, “Actually, Banished Immortals can also regenerate flesh and soul travel without relying on external objects, provided we learn specific techniques for them.
“The reason Martial Arts Practitioners can gain body regenerative abilities is because of the set of techniques that the Holy Xuan compiled from the Manly Immortal lineage. As long as Daoist disciples follow the prescribed training, they are guaranteed to acquire this mystical ability. But the techniques from the Manly Immortal lineage demand extremely high levels of blood qi, making them exclusive to Martial Arts Practitioners.
“Qi Refiners and Diviners can’t practice these techniques, but Banished Immortals don’t have such restrictions. The reason I don’t possess these abilities is simply because I haven’t learned them. It’s not because the Daoist Order prohibits it. I just have limited capacity, so I have no choice but to prioritize my learning.”
“Due to this, you may be exempted from the tenure system and get promoted to a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master, just like I was. Meanwhile, I’ll likely be promoted to a third-rank Youyi Daoist master. That will finally make my rank match up to my position of Deputy Hall Master.”
Qi Xuansu’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”
“I’m about 80 percent sure.” Zhang Yuelu nodded. “Since it’s been acknowledged that we’ve made contributions, it’s not just empty words. Rewards will naturally follow.”
Qi Xuansu began calculating the benefits of a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master.
At that moment, Zhang Yuelu retrieved a large envelope from her magical receptacle. “Here’s your stipend and allowances for the past few months, up to the first day of June. You’ve been a fifth-rank Daoist priest for about five months, so you’ll get 50 Taiping coins per month, plus a subsidy of 20 Taiping coins for being a Prospective Mage.
“That totals 70 Taiping coins a month and 350 Taiping coins for five months. You also have a 1,000 Taiping coins relocation allowance, so the Duzhi Hall rounded it up to 1,400 Taiping coins.”
Qi Xuansu excitedly took over the envelope, opened it, and found a stack of crisp new cash notes that still smelled of fresh ink.
Having been on the brink of poverty, this sum instantly turned the poor Qi Xuansu into a wealthy man. This did not even include the 1,000 Taiping coins that Madam Qi promised him and the 300 Taiping coins in unspent mission funds. Altogether, it added up to 2,700 Taiping coins.
Qi Xuansu could now consider renting a new house in the Middle Eight Blocks of Jade Capital, with a lease of around 10 years. He could even afford to hire a helper. However, purchasing a residence in Taishang Place was still a distant dream.
Zhang Yuelu owned a residence in Taishang Place with a 100-year lease, valued at an astounding 100,000 Taiping coins. Zhang Yuyue had gifted it to her using the name of the Heavenly Preceptor—a testament to the opulence of affluent families.
Content, Qi Xuansu carefully put away the large envelope. That was when he noticed he was still wearing the Taiyi Cloud Robe he had borrowed from Zhang Yuelu.
Seeing this, he removed it, wanting to return it to the rightful owner.
Zhang Yuelu initially intended to refuse. However, upon reconsideration, letting Qi Xuansu parade this robe around would be tantamount to announcing their relationship to the public. Zhang Yuelu was more conservative, so she decided to accept it.
She took the Taiyi Cloud Robe from Qi Xuansu and put it back on. Although she was a Heavenly Being, which rendered the robe’s flight function unnecessary, its protective cloud aura still provided valuable defense.
After tidying her appearance slightly, Zhang Yuelu said, “Now that you’re awake, there’s no need for me to stay here. I’ll head to the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion. Rest well. I’ll check on you later.”
Qi Xuansu nodded in agreement.
Shortly after Zhang Yuelu left, the door opened slightly, revealing a face that was mostly covered by a pair of sunglasses.
“Madam Qi!” Qi Xuansu blurted out.