Chapter Forty-One: The Confucian Classics

Ge Qian took the token without ceremony and entered a room beside the counter. Inside, there was a cypress table and two chairs, simply furnished. An elderly man with a pale, beardless face sat behind the table, eyes closed, cultivating his spirit. He had reached the peak of the Qi Absorption stage, but it seemed he would never advance to the Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime. Serving as a steward in the Treasure Hall, he hoped to gain a stroke of fortune.

Out of respect for the old man, Ge Qian clasped his hands and said, “Senior, are you the steward in charge of magical artifacts? I have some artifacts I wish to sell.”

Upon hearing business was at hand, the old man’s spirit revived and he said, “Please sit, fellow cultivator. We are both at the Qi Absorption stage, so there’s no need to call me ‘senior.’ My name is Qian Tang. I won’t give you an extra spirit stone just because you honor me with that title. Show me the goods?”

Ge Qian sat down and placed four low-grade flying swords and a mid-grade magical artifact, the Fire Spirit Hook, on the table. Qian Tang’s eyes widened in surprise. He never expected a cultivator at Qi Absorption stage four to be so wealthy. The four flying swords were valuable enough, but the Fire Spirit Hook alone was worth a considerable sum—clearly the spoils of a deadly encounter.

He picked up the Fire Spirit Hook and stroked it, sensing its faint spiritual pressure. “This mid-grade magical artifact is a master-and-subordinate piece, nearly as valuable as a high-grade artifact. In all of Five Peaks City, only our Treasure Hall is honest and fair in pricing. One thousand low-grade spirit stones for the Fire Spirit Hook, plus four hundred for the flying swords, for a total of one thousand four hundred spirit stones. What do you think?”

Ge Qian had no idea the Fire Spirit Hook was worth so much; there was no reason to disagree. Besides, it was better to sell stolen goods quickly—only sold items truly became spirit stones in one’s possession. He smiled and said, “I agree with your price. Deal?”

Steward Qian skillfully put away the items and tossed Ge Qian a storage pouch. “Inside are one thousand low-grade spirit stones. Please check. If you’re not purchasing anything, I’ll immediately pay the remaining stones.”

Qian Tang was a savvy businessman, always looking for ways to encourage customers to buy something.

Ge Qian replied, “Convert the rest of the spirit stones into pill sand and talisman paper.”

Qian Tang clapped his hands. “So you’re skilled in crafting talismans. Our talisman paper and pill sand are top quality. We also have excellent Bone-Washing Pills and various elixirs, secret techniques, and cultivation methods. Are you interested?”

Ge Qian pondered for a moment. “I need secret techniques for body refinement and books of strange tales and mysteries.”

Qian Tang’s eyes gleamed. “From what I see, your aptitude is average. If you wish to go further on the path of cultivation, you’ll need superior methods. Our hall possesses a Confucian cultivation manual, which doesn’t require high spiritual roots. As long as you read diligently and accumulate scholarly aura, you can condense innate qi. Does that interest you?”

Ge Qian’s eyes brightened. Though he already had a main cultivation method, his aptitude was indeed lacking; another path could only help. “If it’s truly as you say, I’d be willing to buy it.”

Qian Tang narrowed his eyes. “Confucian methods emphasize understanding the essence of things. Those with great insight and ambition treasure them. It all depends on your perception.”

He produced a simple jade slip and pushed it toward Ge Qian.

Ge Qian picked it up and scanned it with his divine sense. The contents appeared in his mind—it was indeed Confucian in nature, filled with scholarly aura, but consisted only of stories about famous figures; there was no cultivation technique at all. Still, each story was quite compelling.

Ge Qian placed the jade slip on the table. “Steward Qian, this isn’t a cultivation method—just a collection of biographies. It’s merely mundane content imprinted onto a jade slip in the style of cultivation.”

Steward Qian was used to such doubts; it was indeed a Confucian biography, bought for a single spirit stone, hoping to profit from it, but it had yet to sell.

He replied, “You misunderstand. This method relies on perception and understanding. Only a hundred low-grade spirit stones, a rare opportunity. As for secret body techniques, there is one, Toxic Crystal Body, and I can offer you a discount.”

He then produced a verdant jade slip and handed it over.

Ge Qian took it and scanned with his divine sense, his expression changing. “This method is extremely dangerous—one misstep and it could cost me my life. Still, I’ll buy it just in case. If the price is too high, I’ll pass.”

Steward Qian’s eyes flickered, internally praying the buyer would take it off his hands. “Your artifacts were fairly priced. These two methods are a bargain—three hundred spirit stones for both. Take them or leave them.”

Ge Qian hesitated slightly. “Deal. I also want to buy some medicinal herbs. Here’s the list—please check.”

Steward Qian took the list and examined it carefully. All items were in stock. “Wait here while I fetch them. Your spirit stones are just enough for these purchases.”

Having been in business for years, Steward Qian was cunning and experienced, quickly emptying Ge Qian’s spirit stones and offloading a useless manual he’d been stuck with.

Ge Qian was deeply interested in the Confucian manual; each chapter was a complete tale, exemplifying the wisdom with which Confucian scholars triumphed over their opponents—essentially stories of scheming and intrigue.

He realized that behind each story lay the Confucian path.

Once all transactions were complete, Ge Qian felt he had gained much, truly experiencing what it meant to be wealthy.

Leaving the Treasure Hall, Ge Qian found an inexpensive inn—two low-grade spirit stones per day, quite reasonable.

He had intended to explore and broaden his horizons, but with his spirit stones spent, he couldn’t bear to touch the few remaining in his pouch. Best to keep a little nest egg.

There were still six months until his appointment with Yingxue. His cultivation would at most reach stage five; his only hope lay in learning new secret arts, aiming to preserve his life.

His room was small, lacking table, chairs, or bed, only two sleeping mats, but the spiritual energy was purer than outside.

Sitting cross-legged, Ge Qian took out the Confucian jade slip and immersed his divine sense, beginning to read.

The first chapter told of a Confucian sage, who as a general in the mundane world, used the art of substitution to conquer cities with minimal forces, establishing immortal achievements.

Ge Qian earnestly placed himself within the story, seeking to comprehend the general’s wisdom and legendary bravery. He read and reread, striving to grasp its essence, but could not connect it to Confucian cultivation.

A day passed. Ge Qian opened his eyes, thinking, “It seems a hundred spirit stones were wasted. That damned steward tricked me. He must be laughing now! Once I reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll make him pay back with interest!”

Suddenly, inspiration struck. If he were Steward Qian, would he deceive clients for personal gain, selling fake goods? Why had he only immersed himself in the general’s triumphs, never considering the bitterness of the defeated?

With this thought, he immediately placed himself in the role of the vanquished general.

Immortal Path, chapter 41—The Confucian Manual has been completely updated!