Chapter 144: Taking Money

"Did you hear? When Lord Ling came to our master for a medical consultation, he immediately offered a million gold coins! How generous!"

At that moment, hushed whispers could be heard from the courtyard.

It seemed to be the guards at the gate, discussing in low voices after seeing their master leave.

"A million? Is that true?" one guard clearly disbelieved.

"Of course it's true, I saw it with my own eyes, absolutely real! A million gold coins is an astronomical sum for us, but for a renowned master like our master, it's nothing. I heard from Brother Sun that the master only accepted it to put Lord Ling at ease, not wanting anyone to feel indebted to him," the first guard chuckled.

"Now that you mention it, I remember Lord Ling knelt here all night. The master originally didn't want to bother with him. It was only after Lord Ling bribed Brother Sun with a lot of money, and Brother Sun, being kind-hearted, spoke on his behalf, that he was allowed in..." the second guard mused.

Although their voices were low, only a gate separated them from the street. Du Yuan, being less powerful, might not have heard clearly, but Du Miaoxuan heard every word.

"Yuan'er, stop kneeling. Go back to the family now and retrieve all my savings from these past years..."

Du Miaoxuan's eyes lit up.

He had extensive experience in the jianghu, primarily in combat and discerning people and objects. However, when it came to bribery or offering money, he couldn't compare to merchants. He hadn't even thought of offering money before, but hearing the conversation, he suddenly had an epiphany.

Of course! A renowned master maintains their dignity and doesn't ask for money, but their steward needs it!

The mansion, servants, food, drink—which of these doesn't cost money?

Even seeking a doctor requires payment. It would be strange if the master agreed to see him when he came empty-handed.

"Alright!"

Du Yuan didn't understand why, but hearing his father's instructions, he immediately stood up.

"I heard Brother Sun even got reprimanded by the master for it. Apparently, Lord Ling had offended the master before by questioning him. The dignity of a renowned master cannot be insulted. If a million gold coins is all it takes to plead for help, where would his authority be in the future? The master also said this was a one-time exception, never again. Honestly, a million is like the sky to us, but to the master, it's not even enough to qualify for a plea!" the first guard continued.

"Yes, indeed! I overheard people discussing this when I passed the front courtyard earlier, and I thought it was fake..." the second guard added.

Outside.

"Wait!" Before Du Yuan could leave, his father's voice continued in his ear, "Go back and sell all the valuable pills I bought recently, and also the accumulated hides of savage beasts. Bring all the money here..."

"Father..." Du Yuan was stunned.

What was wrong with his father?

Why was he talking about money and selling things again?

"Nonsense, of course it's true! I specifically asked Brother Sun. He said the master didn't even look at the million Lord Ling gave him. The main reason he agreed to treat her was because Lord Ling's wife was on the verge of death; saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. If someone came seeking his help while perfectly fine, bouncing around, or even capable of performing martial arts, he would absolutely ignore them..."

The first guard's voice continued to carry.

"Ah?" Du Miaoxuan swayed, then gritted his teeth and continued to instruct Du Yuan, "Go and sell my sword as well. And... hasn't the Third Elder always wanted to acquire some of the properties I control? Go tell him that as long as he pays, all those properties are his!"

"Father..."

These were already his father's most crucial assets within the family. What would they do once they were all sold off?

Du Yuan was bewildered.

"Now, go quickly!" Du Miaoxuan instructed again.

Seeing his father's stern expression, Du Yuan dared not argue and turned to leave.

"If they can even perform martial arts, it means their body is fine. For such a person to dare question a renowned master, they must be out of their mind!" the second guard sneered. "Though the master doesn't care about money, if someone doesn't offer even a single coin, utterly stingy, and still expects the master to guide them and expend his energy—isn't that just dreaming?" the second guard continued.

Du Miaoxuan gritted his teeth, "Also, bring me all your savings and your mother's savings too..."

"..."

Du Yuan staggered, almost bursting into tears.

It seemed his old man had lost his mind and completely gone mad.

---

The conversation between the two guards was precisely what Zhang Xuan had orchestrated earlier.

If he didn't give the other party a hint, how long would he have to wait for the money?

Besides, it was the guards who said it, so it had nothing to do with him. No one would dare accuse a renowned master of wanting money.

"As expected of the master; he could sell people and make them count the money for him..." Upon hearing the master's instruction, Sun Qiang was utterly speechless.

Originally, if the master guided someone, out of gratitude, the person would certainly offer some form of compensation. However, the amount was uncertain. Now, with the guards' conversation, who would dare to be stingy?

Without damaging his reputation, he could earn even more money. The master was truly ruthless, tricking people without any consequences... too devious.

He, like others, had initially thought the master disdained money. But now it seemed... renowned masters were also human and had expenses.

---

Leaving the manor, Zhang Xuan found a quiet, deserted street and washed off the disguise from his face.

Wearing those things for over a day had been quite tiring.

"A day has passed, so the guild should have the Pulse Warming Pills and Body Nourishing Fluid ready. I'll buy them first for Wang Ying, Liu Yang, and the others to use!"

The purpose of posing as a renowned master to earn money here was precisely for this. While Yin-Breaking Pills and Giant Rhinoceros Blood weren't available yet, these two items should be easy to prepare.

Arriving at the guild, these two items were indeed ready. As for the remaining two, President Ouyang had already submitted a request and was having them transferred from other guilds.

Alchemist Guilds were spread across all major kingdoms. If some pills or treasures weren't available in Tianxuan Kingdom, it didn't mean they weren't in other kingdoms. As long as a request was made to the headquarters, they would be transported from the nearest kingdom that possessed them, which would be faster. Otherwise, given the unknown distance from the headquarters to here, how could they arrive in just ten days?

He first paid a million gold coins as a deposit and smoothly retrieved the two items.

"Oh, and President Ouyang, do you have any Breath Generating Pills here? I'd like some of those too!"

After putting the two items into his storage ring, Zhang Xuan continued to ask.

Breath Generating Pills were extremely helpful for Martial Artists at the first realm, Gathering Breath. If Wang Ying and the others took them, it should significantly accelerate their cultivation speed.

"I actually refined quite a few of these recently and have some left over. I can give them to you directly!" President Ouyang smiled, taking out two jade bottles and handing them over.

Taking the jade bottles, Zhang Xuan saw there were dozens of pills inside. He knew the other party was trying to curry favor with him, and it would be impolite to refuse, so he nodded and accepted them.

Although Breath Generating Pills weren't of high quality, they were still genuine Grade-1 pills. Each one cost tens of thousands of gold coins, and President Ouyang giving him dozens at once showed real generosity.