Chapter 971: This Money Cannot Be Borrowed

Dong Rui's eyes were wide. Whose face was more valuable, He Lingchuan's or Fang Canran's? "Can I borrow some?"

He also needed funds for his demon puppet research. Previously, he could only rely on banditry, but ever since he partnered with He Lingchuan, he no longer had even that freedom.

He needed money; a paltry sum wouldn't be enough.

Fang Canran maintained his polite smile and said, "Yes, you can. The interest is one-tenth of a percent, calculated as simple interest for you."

Dong Rui complained, "Hey, I participated in your operation in Lingxu City too!"

"That's why it's one-tenth of a percent. Otherwise, we'd charge at least one and a half tenths of a percent or more in compound interest."

He Lingchuan wasn't surprised. He knew his great achievements had earned him a good reputation with Mount Ling. After all, the Rongshan Sect had lent millions of taels to the Iris Kingdom for its war, largely thanks to him.

Of course, the Iris Kingdom also provided quality assets as collateral, so Rongshan would not lose out no matter how it was calculated.

After careful consideration, however, he politely declined Fang Canran's offer. "When I'm completely desperate, then I'll seek help from Mount Ling," he said.

He had too little interaction with Mount Ling and didn't want to owe such a large favor to this mysterious organization. Sometimes, you think you only owe a favor, but to them, it's tantamount to selling yourself.

For a mere three to five million, who knew what price he would have to pay later? In the long run, it wasn't worth it.

It was best to maintain equal exchanges and mutual benefit.

Fang Canran didn't press the matter. "Mount Ling would surely be pleased if you settled in the eastern part of Mu State. Shall I introduce you?"

"That would be excellent!" This was one of He Lingchuan's reasons for coming to Platinum Isle, and Fang Canran had brought it up himself.

What a shrewd person.

Fang Canran sought his permission first. "However, I'll need to report your great achievements for them to even consider you."

He Lingchuan didn't hesitate. "As long as you trust him."

He wanted to connect with Mount Ling and gain their attention and support. This secret certainly couldn't be hidden, so it was better to proactively reveal it as a bargaining chip.

Over a hundred years ago, his ancestor Lu Xun had represented Mount Ling in establishing contact with Panlong City and Zhong Shengguang. During his escape after causing chaos in the Heavenly Palace, he also heard the words "Mount Ling" from the myriad leaves of the Ask-the-Way Tree.

He Lingchuan felt a natural curiosity and affinity for Mount Ling, and naturally wanted to further interact with and understand it.

"Of course."

"Are there also people from Mount Ling in Mu State?"

"Yes, absolutely!" Fang Canran paused before continuing, "Mount Ling's secrets are endless; I only know a tiny bit. In fact, Mu State's very founding was led by Mount Ling."

Mount Ling was even instrumental in Mu State's founding? Dong Rui interjected, "Is it comparable to the Heavenly Palace's relationship with Beijia?"

The relationship between the Heavenly Palace and Beijia was complex, but everyone knew that Beijia served the Heavenly Gods, and thus the Heavenly Palace held a dominant position, able to influence Beijia's national policies.

"Why is this big brother's question so direct?" He Lingchuan glanced at him, thinking, "Good question!"

He still hadn't figured out the relationship between Mount Ling and Mu State.

There was no way, as there were too few people he could ask.

"It's not that close, nor is it a subordinate relationship," Fang Canran carefully chose his words. "Even today, Mount Ling holds a transcendent status in Mu State."

As soon as he heard this, He Lingchuan knew that Mu State's independence and autonomy were stronger than Beijia's.

But Fang Canran immediately followed up:

"To this day, most officials and common people in Mu State are unaware of Mount Ling's existence. Most who hear its name believe it's a mythical legend, and only a very select few have the chance to interact with it."

Mount Ling was secretive and ethereal, imperceptible to ordinary people. He Lingchuan had been secretly planning in Lingxu City for so long, and only accidentally heard the words "Mount Ling" when he was about to leave.

Dong Rui focused on the main point: "So, Mount Ling is very influential in Mu State, right?"

"Of course. Most high-ranking officials and famous generals in Mu State come from Taoist sects, and some of these Taoist sects are under Mount Ling. I heard that when an elder from Mount Ling emerges from seclusion, the Mu State monarch personally rushes to the foot of the mountain to greet them."

"Mr. Fang, do you know General Yu Tian Xia Pei of Mu State?"

"I've met him a few times before. Grand Protector Xia comes from the Hongshan lineage, and the Hong sect has been an ally of my Taihang Sect for many years," Fang Canran replied, then asked, "Do you have a previous acquaintance with him, Brother He?"

He Lingchuan said casually, "Just asking. We're completely unrelated."

Dong Rui immediately added from the side:

"This fellow bought the Yangshan Archipelago from Xia Pei's in-laws."

"Grand Protector Xia's in-laws?"

"Xia Pei's daughter, Xia Lishang, married Lu Qinglin, the second son of the Lu family of Bailie. The Lu family went to great lengths to curry favor with these in-laws," Dong Rui quickly explained. "The Lu family sold the Yangshan Archipelago for eighty thousand, thinking they got a bargain. Now they're kicking themselves and might even try to forcibly take it back at some point."

Some things He Lingchuan found inconvenient to say, so he let Dong Rui say them.

"Eighty thousand... for an entire archipelago?" Fang Canran was also stunned by the figure, pausing for a moment before saying, "Were the Lu family drunk at the time?"

"At that time, the archipelago was shrouded in sinister energy, and humans couldn't approach it," Dong Rui said, pointing at He Lingchuan. "Only this inhuman fellow managed to forcefully dispel the sinister energy."

He Lingchuan lowered his head and sipped his wine.

Fang Canran suddenly understood. "I see!"

He had only been on Platinum Isle for a few months and wasn't very familiar with the surrounding area.

"What good is their regret now? Money was exchanged for the island; surely you both had a contract?"

"Contracts aren't important; strength is key," He Lingchuan said calmly. "The Blade Port that Bailie leased to Qing State expired over a decade ago, but they still haven't been able to reclaim it."

"Indeed," Fang Canran mused. "Grand Protector Xia is domineering and fiercely protective of his own, and Mu State regards Bailie as a subordinate. But ultimately, your purchase of a piece of land is a minor matter. It would be beneath the esteemed Xia family to intervene over this, especially since it's not even within Mu State. Furthermore, Bailie has sold off many territories over the years, and we haven't seen them demand any back."

He Lingchuan said lightly, "If I dared to buy the island, I'm not afraid of them taking it back."

Dong Rui added a "but": "They've been causing a lot of trouble behind the scenes. When we buy things, they collude with merchants to inflate prices. When we sell things, they try to obstruct us in every way."

Fang Canran nodded. "As the rulers of Bailie, the Lu family certainly has some tricks up their sleeve."

He Lingchuan then asked, casually, "By the way, the Lu family always claims to be descendants of immortals. So, is there any connection between Bailie and Mount Ling?"

Fang Canran smiled. "What if there is?"

"If there is a connection, I'll hit them a little lighter when they offend me." In the Panlong world, Lu Xun traveled across the ocean to deliver a message from Mount Ling to Zhong Shengguang.

This at least indicated that the Lu family ancestors had a close relationship with Mount Ling, and Mount Ling greatly trusted Lu Xun.

But circumstances are unpredictable. Has this relationship continued to this day?

Although He Lingchuan's words were arrogant, Fang Canran still detected his intention to curry favor with Mount Ling. "I'm sorry, I don't know either," he said.

As he had just said, he also knew very little about Mount Ling.

Fang Canran continued, "However, from a practical perspective, I think even if there is a connection between the two sides, it can't be very close."

He Lingchuan nodded. "I thought so too."

In fact, observing the neighboring countries' attitudes toward Bailie, he had already understood most of the situation. If Bailie truly had Mount Ling's strong backing, why would it be invaded, forced to pay reparations, and even have a large part of its territory carved away?

Why would the Lu father and son go to such lengths to flatter and appease General Yu Tian of Mu State, constantly donating money and grain to Mu State, and even sending their beloved son to the western front?

It was precisely such a delicate situation.

Fang Canran changed the subject. "Brother He, what are you selling these days?"

He Lingchuan took a sip of wine. "Products from the Yangshan Archipelago. This season, it's mainly palm oil."

Fang Canran said, "Oh. The palm oil from your region is truly excellent. Our restaurants and pastry shops here all use it."

"Of course, the goods from our island are good; we use them ourselves," Dong Rui said while cracking sunflower seeds. "It's just hateful that Bailie always tries to undermine us, getting others to undercut prices and steal our agreed-upon clients. Those scoundrels would rather harm themselves eight hundred to hurt us a thousand."

Fang Canran chuckled, "For grand achievements, Brother He is excellent. But for business... it's more about constant entanglement."

Facing this successful merchant, He Lingchuan honestly replied, "I still have a lot to learn; these are lessons I'll have to pay for."

The three of them raised their cups in a toast.

Fang Canran added, "Oh, by the way, some distinguished guests from Mu State will be coming to Platinum Isle in a few days. I can introduce you; it might be helpful."

He Lingchuan gladly assented.

Fang Canran stood up and said, "Now that business is concluded, I'll take you to dinner. Platinum Isle's roasted seafood is absolutely divine! And the night market is a lot of fun, with many strange and wonderful things."

Dong Rui's spirits lifted. "I was just about to go check it out!"

He Lingchuan also said, "I need to purchase over a thousand sets of weapons—swords, spears, and shields—plus seven hundred sets of medium and outer armor."

Some items couldn't be bought through normal channels and had to be acquired through unconventional means, such as the Platinum Isle night market.

Fang Canran's reply was straightforward: "As long as the price is reasonable, it's no problem."

Dong Rui then pulled out a slip of paper. "This is my shopping list. Can you get these?"

Fang Canran took it and read it intently.

He Lingchuan leaned over to look, seeing a densely packed list.

Fang Canran mused, "These are all uncommon materials."

"Exactly, that's why I need to buy them from you. They're for my experiments."

He Lingchuan couldn't help but interject, "Hey, how much will all this cost?"

Fang Canran casually estimated, "At least eighty thousand silver taels."

He Lingchuan's eyes widened. "How much?!"

At the same time, Dong Rui pointed at He Lingchuan. "He's paying!"

"Ah, wait," Fang Canran waved his hand. "My apologies, I didn't see the whole list just now. I can get most of the items on your list, but these three materials—"

He pointed them out to the two. "—are always 'have price but no market.' I'll go ask someone; please wait here."

With that, he strode out.

He Lingchuan glared at Dong Rui. "What exactly are these for?"

"For making demon puppets," Dong Rui replied with a completely straight face. "You know what I do, don't you?"

What else would a demon puppet master research besides demon puppets? Cookbooks?