Chapter 1

"Stinking peasant! I’ll give you three more days. If you don’t pay the land tax for this month, I’ll send you to the King of Hell!"

In a thatched hut, a soldier in armor, with a fierce expression, stood with his foot on a young boy dressed in rough cloth.

The boy mustered his courage, "But... but, I already paid for next month at the beginning of the month..."

"Bang!"

Before the boy could finish, the soldier kicked him in the face, knocking out several teeth and causing blood to flow.

"Still talking back! Let me tell you, remember, if you don’t pay the land tax in three days, I’ll kill you!"

The soldier coldly threatened, then turned and left to collect taxes from other households.

The boy clenched his fists, his body trembling, not out of fear, but out of anger.

His name was Jiang Pingan, and he was fourteen years old, living in Dahexiang Village, where his family had been farmers for generations.

Life had been manageable, but a few years ago, the country went to war and began to levy taxes crazily.

Land tax, head tax, city entry tax... in short, they wanted money.

His mother had died from overwork, and his father was eaten by a tiger on the mountain while hunting.

Now, only he was left in the family, yet these people still wouldn’t let him off, even though he was just a fourteen-year-old child.

He was so tired, he wanted to die, but his parents had repeatedly urged him to live on.

He didn’t know the meaning of living, but if he had to have a goal, it was to kill these oppressive bastards.

However, he was only fourteen, malnourished, and extremely weak, unable to fight against these trained soldiers, some of whom were said to have the power of immortals.

Jiang Pingan, limping, stood up. He hadn’t eaten for a day, and the beating had left him barely able to stand.

The thatched hut was empty, with only a table and a bench, both of which had been sold.

Jiang Pingan’s gaze fell on a broken basin by the stove.

This was the only thing left in the house, a bronze basin his father had found by the river, covered in cracks, used to hold water, and slightly larger than his head.

Jiang Pingan, limping, walked to the broken bronze basin. It was the last thing he could sell, and he didn’t know how many copper coins it would fetch.

No matter what, he had to sell it first, to buy a few baked buns. Even if he died, he wanted to die with a full stomach.

As he picked up the bronze basin, blood dripped onto it, and a brilliant green light flashed from within.

Jiang Pingan was stunned. What was happening? Why was the bronze basin glowing?

Was he hallucinating from the beating?

"Brother Pingan!"

At that moment, a small girl with a tiger-like face appeared at the door. She was about eight years old, her clothes patched and barely covering her body.

"Tiger Girl." Jiang Pingan responded instinctively.

Her real name was Li Yueyue, but Tiger Girl was her nickname.

Li Yueyue quickly ran in, opened her small white hand, and quickly placed a copper coin in the basin in Jiang Pingan’s hand, saying in a childlike voice:

"Brother Pingan, this is what I stole from my dad. You need to gather the tax money quickly."

Then, she pulled a half of a steamed bun from her chest and stuffed it into his hand, "Eat it quickly, it’s what I had left."

"No, this money..."

Before Jiang Pingan could finish, Li Yueyue ran off with a smile.

Looking at the copper coin and half a steamed bun, Jiang Pingan, who hadn’t cried even after being beaten by the soldier, felt tears welling up in his eyes.

The world wasn’t short of people who added to one’s glory, but it lacked those who helped in times of need.

In such a desperate situation, someone still cared about him, and the feeling was indescribable.

Suddenly, a green light flashed in the bronze basin.

Then, something astonishing happened: the broken bronze basin suddenly filled with copper coins.

He was stunned for a moment, then shivered, quickly closing the door.

He looked down at the bronze basin again, and the copper coins were still there!

Was it a hallucination? No, it definitely wasn’t!

Jiang Pingan, trembling, reached into the bronze basin and picked up the copper coins.

Not counting the one from Li Yueyue, there were ten in total!

Why?

Why did so many copper coins suddenly appear?

He suddenly remembered the stories his father had told him about immortals, who were extremely powerful, could summon wind and rain, and could easily create money, never worrying about food or clothing.

Some immortals had powerful magical treasures, like the treasure basin, which could continuously generate money when money was placed inside.

Could this be an immortal’s treasure basin?

Jiang Pingan, though young, quickly understood and was so excited that his heart almost leaped out of his chest.

With this treasure, he would never lack money again! He could pay the taxes!

Jiang Pingan threw another copper coin into the basin, preparing to replicate more.

But after a long time, the copper coins inside didn’t change.

"Is it only a one-time thing? Or is there a time interval?"

If it was only once, that would be too disappointing.

Jiang Pingan ate the half steamed bun Li Yueyue had given him, but it didn’t satisfy his hunger, making him even hungrier.

Looking at the ten copper coins in his hand, he realized it was exactly enough for the land tax.

Jiang Pingan decided to eat first and then go buy some food to fill his stomach.

He wanted to take the bronze basin out, but feared it would attract attention and be stolen.

If he left it at home, he was afraid it would be stolen.

Before, he didn’t know the power of the bronze basin, so leaving it at home was fine. Now, knowing it was a treasure, he felt it wasn’t safe anywhere.

The bronze basin, as if sensing something, turned into a green light and entered Jiang Pingan’s body.

Jiang Pingan was startled and quickly checked his body.

"What’s happening? Where’s my bronze basin?"

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, the bronze basin turned into a green light and appeared in his hand.

Jiang Pingan was stunned for a moment, then said, "Put it away."

The bronze basin turned into a green light and disappeared into his body.

"Bring it out."

The bronze basin appeared in his hand.

Jiang Pingan was overjoyed, realizing it could be stored and retrieved at will.

After a few more tests, he was completely reassured and more certain that this treasure wasn’t a one-time use item!

His stomach was growling, and he couldn’t stand it anymore.

He quickly took the money and ran to his neighbor, Uncle Li’s house.

At that moment, Li Min was scolding Li Yueyue, "You little brat, you know how to steal money! Who taught you that!"

"No one taught me, I just didn’t want Brother Pingan to get beaten." Li Yueyue’s hands were clenched, and her eyes were filled with tears.

"You..." Li Min picked up a stick to hit her, but seeing her pitiful look, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

At the same time, he noticed Jiang Pingan at the door.

Li Min coldly said, "Get lost."

Jiang Pingan quickly said, "Uncle Li, I’m here to return the money."

"No need, get lost." Li Min continued to scold.

His family wasn’t well-off, and they had been searched several times, leaving them with little. But he knew Jiang Pingan was even poorer.

Li Min felt sorry for him but didn’t want to be too involved, fearing more responsibility.

Jiang Pingan didn’t leave but opened his hand, revealing five copper coins.

"One to return to you, and the remaining four, I want to buy four steamed buns."

Li Min was stunned, "How did you get so much money?"