Chapter 60

Chapter 59. Is the Little Daoist Really a Daoist? (4)

"Father."

Huang Wenyao nodded slightly as he saw Huang Zongyi enter the room.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Hmm. It’s hard to believe, but my body feels as light as if it could fly. It’s as if I’ve become ten years younger."

"That is... quite an extraordinary thing."

"The doctors are baffled too, but they say my pulse is vigorous and I’m as healthy as a young man."

Huang Zongyi’s eyes showed confusion.

It was a joy and a cause for celebration that Huang Wenyao had risen from his sickbed. However, it was strange that Huang Wenyao, who had been bedridden for so long, had recovered so quickly, and even more bizarre that he was now healthier than before.

"In any case, I offer my congratulations."

"Stop with the formalities."

Huang Wenyao waved his hand lightly.

"It’s just a testament to the Little Daoist’s remarkable abilities. I merely received his favor."

Huang Wenyao recalled the first words Qingming had said to him.

- An immortal?

'It’s not that far off.'

If 'immortal' referred to someone who cultivated the Dao to transcend human limitations and perform feats beyond human capability, then it wasn’t wrong to call the child from Huashan an immortal.

Wasn’t he proof enough?

"So, what is it? You didn’t come just to check on my health, now that I’m fully recovered, did you?"

"I may not be the most filial, but I’m not ungrateful. Isn’t it natural for a child to check on their parent’s health?"

"Cut the pleasantries and get to the point. Time isn’t given freely."

Huang Zongyi bowed his head slightly.

Despite having just risen from his sickbed and being emaciated, Huang Wenyao had the sharp eyes of a merchant.

'So, he’s still the same.'

That makes it easier to speak.

"Father. Or, should I say, Head of the Chamber."

"Speak, Little Head of the Chamber."

By changing the title, the conversation shifted from a family matter to a business one.

"I heard you ordered to reduce our dealings with Zhongnan."

"I did."

"And you promised Huashan a substantial reward, didn’t you?"

"That’s right."

"Father, Zhongnan is the dominant force in Xian and a powerful sect in Shanxi. Distancing ourselves from such a place and allying with a nearly collapsing Huashan is far too risky."

Huang Wenyao nodded slowly without much of a response.

"It’s only natural for you to be grateful to the Little Daoist. However, the rewards you’ve promised him are excessive, and deepening our relationship with Huashan is also risky. If you’re set on this, at least maintain our dealings with Zhongnan as before."

Huang Wenyao’s eyes deepened as he picked up the teacup in front of him.

He savored the aroma of the tea leisurely before taking a sip and closing his eyes.

How much time had passed?

Huang Wenyao, who had quietly placed the cup back, spoke in a more serious tone.

"Little Head of the Chamber."

"Yes, Head of the Chamber."

"What is the duty of a merchant?"

"Well..."

After a moment of thought, Huang Zongyi spoke.

"The duty of a merchant is to conduct business ethically, contribute to the prosperity of the business world, and ultimately serve the nation and society."

"Hmm."

Huang Wenyao nodded approvingly.

"Little Head of the Chamber."

"Yes!"

"You sound like you’ve been eating too much honey. It’s quite convincing."

"Head of the Chamber?"

Huang Wenyao spoke firmly.

"The duty of a merchant is to make money. As long as it doesn’t violate the law or morality, or sometimes even when it does, a merchant must pursue profit. Isn’t that right?"

Huang Zongyi bowed his head deeply.

"...Yes."

"If you want to act ethically, do so with the money you earn. If you want to help others, do so with your money. The act of a merchant making money has no ethical or unethical side; it’s purely about efficiency."

"Then how...?"

If that were true, wouldn’t the current decision be even more peculiar? Reducing dealings with Zhongnan, which was clearly on the rise, and increasing them with Huashan, which was nearly collapsing.

If Zhongnan found out, it wouldn’t be surprising if they cut off all trade with the Galaxy Chamber.

"Have you forgotten? How did I make my money?"

"Of course, I know. But..."

Huang Wenyao’s method of making money was simple.

He identified the value of items others overlooked and distributed them, or he supported undervalued assets, whether they were sects, other chambers, or even ruffians.

This is how he built the Galaxy Chamber and eventually made it the top chamber in Shanxi.

"Are you saying you’re investing in Huashan this time?"

"That’s right."

"But, Head of the Chamber, your previous investments had clear justifications. I don’t see the reason to invest in Huashan."

"Have you not seen it for yourself?"

"…Do you mean that child?"

"Yes."

"But..."

Huang Zongyi bit his lip slightly.

Qingming is remarkable. There’s no denying that. But that’s just Qingming’s greatness. One person’s ability doesn’t necessarily translate to the greatness of an entire sect. Especially when that person is so young.

"I can understand that Huashan might develop because of that child. Perhaps it could become even stronger than I expect. But, Head of the Chamber, I don’t think Huashan will surpass Zhongnan just because of that child. Wouldn’t that make it meaningless?"

Huang Wenyao smiled.

"Do you think so? I have a different perspective."

"Head of the Chamber."

"Little Head of the Chamber. A merchant must see beyond the surface. While the Galaxy Chamber might have been important to Zhongnan once, we are now just one of many chambers to them. How long do you think we can continue to gain from Zhongnan?"

Huang Zongyi looked at Huang Wenyao with a dazed expression.

He hadn’t thought of that. Now that he considered it, hadn’t the attitude of the Qiming Sheng during this meeting been unusually arrogant?

Even if Huang Wenyao had been bedridden, if they had any respect for the Galaxy Chamber, they wouldn’t have acted so arrogantly.

"Zhongnan has nowhere else to go. Of course, they will continue to advance, but it will be slow. However, Huashan is different. If Huashan grows as I expect and we maintain a good relationship with them, the benefits will be unimaginably great."

"But, Head of the Chamber, I don’t think there’s any guarantee that Huashan will grow that much."

Huang Wenyao’s eyes narrowed.

"Zongyi."

"Yes, Father."

"You’re being foolish. A merchant doesn’t wait for evidence; he creates it."

"..."

"We’re not waiting for Huashan to grow. We must make Huashan grow. If we succeed, we won’t just be the top chamber in Shanxi; we’ll become one of the five great chambers in the Central Plains."

"It’s a difficult task. If we fail, there will be no turning back."

"Hehe. Now that I’m healthy, my heart feels young again. What if we fail? We can just start over. Are you worried about this wealth?"

"..."

"I am. I find it very precious. But what scares me more is the possibility of missing out on an even greater fortune."

Huang Zongyi nodded.

His father had made up his mind. Further discussion would be meaningless.

"I still have my doubts. But if you think so, I will trust and follow you. I will work to grow Huashan and clear my doubts."

"Good. It’s good to hear that after so long."

Huang Wenyao laughed heartily. However, Huang Zongyi wasn’t finished.

"However."

"Hmm?"

Huang Zongyi frowned, as if this was a point he couldn’t concede.

"Even so, isn’t the wealth and rewards you’ve given to that Little Daoist excessive?"

"That’s the key."

"Key?"

Huang Zongyi looked at Huang Wenyao with a questioning gaze.

Huang Wenyao smiled, answering his question.

"What do you think will become of that Little Daoist?"

"Do you mean his future growth?"

"Yes."

After much contemplation, Huang Zongyi spoke.

"Considering his insight and decisiveness, he will undoubtedly hold a high position in Huashan in the future. And if things go well, he might even become the head of Huashan..."

Huang Zongyi trailed off.

This wasn’t a topic to be discussed lightly.

"In any case, he will become a great person."

"No. He is already a great person."

Huang Wenyao shook his head and continued.

"I’ve lived as a merchant all my life. I’ve met countless great merchants and masters, but none have left me as impressed and amazed as that child. He’s like a dragon preparing to ascend to the heavens, not just a mere Immortal. I couldn’t let him slip away."

"Is he that remarkable?"

"You’ll see soon enough. Those called the greatest in the world can’t be understood by ordinary people’s thinking. Don’t try to understand; just watch. In time, you’ll naturally accept it."

Huang Zongyi nodded.

He still didn’t fully understand, but if Huang Wenyao said so, it must be true.

But one question remained.

"Then why give him such excessive wealth?"

"He is fundamentally a disciple of Dao. And he rushed here the moment he heard someone was ill, showing he has a sense of righteousness. While he didn’t come here solely out of righteousness, his nature is undoubtedly good."

"Hmm."

Huang Wenyao’s smile became more subtle.

"Then the wealth and gifts he’s received will become a burden he can’t forget. Especially at his young age, it will be even more profound. If we can bind him with such wealth, it will be a bargain."

"Is it really a bargain?"

"Actually, it cost about five times more than I expected. He’s a real snake."

"..."

Huang Wenyao’s face showed irritation.

"Really, what does a young brat want so much! Damn it, if I had known he’d take so much, I would have pretended to be sick and sent him away somehow! He’s not even a demon, yet he can extort like one! I thought he’d be grateful enough to cry if I gave him a little..."

"Calm down, Father. Someone might hear."

"Ahem. Ahem!"

Huang Wenyao, who had let his true feelings slip, cleared his throat several times and sighed.

"In any case, if he appreciates us and accepts us as lifelong friends, the chamber will not suffer. In the long run, we will gain many times over."

"I understand. We must become good friends."

"Exactly. Good friends."

Huang Wenyao and Huang Zongyi smiled at each other meaningfully.