Chapter 140: Craftsmanship and Business (Part One)

Cheng Xinzhan put away the "Fire-Refined Chixiao" and left White Tiger Mountain.

Afterward, he headed toward Zhongling Mountain.

Zhongling Mountain was where the mountain gate of Sanqing Mountain was located, as well as the base of the External Affairs Bureau.

When he arrived at the External Affairs Bureau, there was a constant bustle of people coming and going. He noticed that some familiar fellow disciples looked at him with peculiar gazes. He glanced down at his White Tiger Bracelet—yes, it was indeed correctly worn on his right wrist.

"Xinzhan, well done!"

Someone passing by even called out this praise to him.

Cheng Xinzhan guessed that the events of that morning had already spread here.

He smiled at the person, quickened his pace, and walked into the External Affairs Bureau, hoping to finish his business quickly and return to Mingzhi Mountain. While such things were fine to do, it was best not to talk about them or show off.

Upon reaching the reception desk, he found the fellow disciple on duty and asked,

"Fellow Daoist, are there any calling cards from the Xiao family of the Peacock City in Jade Capital?"

The person on duty was an extremely young teenage Daoist priest, seemingly around the same age Cheng Xinzhan was when he first entered the mountain gate.

"Please wait a moment, Daoist Brother."

The young Daoist flipped through a ledger and said,

"Daoist Brother, is it someone named Lady Xiao? Ah, she submitted two calling cards. One is for the endorsement of Daoist Priest Cheng Xinzhan of Mingzhi Mountain, and the other is for the endorsement of Director Huo of our External Affairs Bureau."

Hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan smiled and nodded, "Yes, I am Cheng Xinzhan."

At the same time, he thought to himself: As expected, this is Eleventh Lady. Since she came all this way, it couldn't just be to pick up elixirs.

He remembered that the first time she came to Sanqing Mountain, it was also upon his invitation. The main purpose was for her to deliver seafood to Green Loach and Third Sister and to collect the talisman papers he had drawn. Another reason was to repay the hospitality from when Eleventh Lady had raised Sanqing Mountain's reputation at a tavern in Jade Capital; as a gesture of gratitude, he had specifically invited her to tour Sanqing Mountain.

That time, Eleventh Lady brought quite a few people. She swiftly completed the delivery of fish and collection of talismans, and then asked him to help pull strings with the General Kitchen Bureau.

Cheng Xinzhan helped with this favor, and Eleventh Lady seized the opportunity, successfully negotiating a deal for the Bohai Sea Market to supply seafood to the General Kitchen Bureau. They had discussed it for a long time, but it essentially boiled down to promoting quality goods at affordable prices.

Located in the inland of the Central Plains, Yuzhang truly rarely tasted any seafood. After a demonstration and cooking session on the spot by the sea market's staff, the Director of the General Kitchen Bureau tasted it and agreed it was indeed excellent. Coupled with the fact that Eleventh Lady had previously elevated Sanqing Mountain's reputation in Jade Capital and represented a prominent family, the director agreed to the venture.

Therefore, the meals for the registered disciples on Lesser All-Vastness Mountain now featured a much wider variety of dishes. Even many direct and true transmission disciples living on the various dharma lineage mountains would frequently return to Lesser All-Vastness Mountain just for a taste.

He just wondered if the good ranking Eleventh Lady received when she last returned to Haiqing City for her performance review had anything to do with this.

Coming here this time, Eleventh Lady was also going to directly visit the Director of the External Affairs Bureau. He wondered what kind of business she wanted to discuss.

"This Daoist Friend Xiao submitted her calling card yesterday, and it was approved very quickly. She must have visited before."

The young Daoist took a card from a cabinet specially used for storing calling cards, handed it to Cheng Xinzhan, and said,

"This one is for you, Daoist Brother. The other one has already been signed by our Director. By the way, Daoist Brother Cheng, she submitted an ordinary calling card. Please remember not to mistakenly guide guests into the Lotus Blessed Land or other peaks that are not open to outsiders."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, took the calling card, signed his name, and returned it to the young Daoist.

At the same time, he thought to himself that he had almost forgotten about this matter. Next time, he should give advance notice and invite Eleventh Lady to sit inside Mingzhi Mountain. Anyway, since he would be accompanying her, it would be fine.

The young Daoist put away the calling card and finished the task. Then, he looked at Cheng Xinzhan with bright, burning eyes.

"Are you the White Tiger Envoy in person?"

Cheng Xinzhan cupped his hands, "It is this poor Daoist."

"Thank you endlessly, Daoist Brother, for speaking up on behalf of people like us!"

The young Daoist said with excitement.

Cheng Xinzhan's expression changed instantly, "Does the External Affairs Bureau also suffer from oppression through official authority?"

The young Daoist shook his head hurriedly, "No, no, the External Affairs Bureau is very good. I spent a period of time in the Disciplinary Bureau a few months ago, but later resigned because the workload was too heavy. At that time, Director Ma of the Disciplinary Bureau even said I lacked drive. Later, I came to the External Affairs Bureau, and things became much better. The stipend is not low, the working hours are short, and it doesn't delay my cultivation at all."

Hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan's displeasure turned to joy, "That's good, that's good."

The young Daoist smiled and said, "Although I am no longer there, I still have to thank Daoist Brother for speaking up for those of us who serve in the offices."

Hearing these words, Cheng Xinzhan suddenly had a flash of insight. He asked,

"In the past, if there were injustices in the government offices, where did you go to appeal?"

The person shook his head upon hearing this, "That depends on the nature of the matter. If it involves bribery, physical abuse, or withholding stipends, then naturally one goes to the Disciplinary Bureau to file a complaint. However, such things rarely happen on our Sanqing Mountain; this junior has rarely seen any since entering the mountain. But for things like canceled shifts, being assigned private chores, or extended working hours, it's actually quite difficult to speak up about them. Moreover, even if reported to the Disciplinary Bureau, they simply don't interfere."

Cheng Xinzhan fell into deep thought upon hearing this. Having served in the offices of Pivot Mountain himself, he had a general understanding. On Sanqing Mountain, there were tens of thousands of people holding concurrent office duties, most of whom were registered disciples. Many of them were quite young and didn't even have a master of their own. He asked,

Since there are so many people holding concurrent office duties, have you ever thought of banding together to establish a 'Governing Body'?"

The young Daoist was stunned, "'Governing Body'? What kind of governing body?"

Cheng Xinzhan explained, "Let's tentatively call it the 'Office Workers' Governing Body.' It would be an organization that unites all those who hold concurrent office duties. When you suffer a grievance, you can use this 'Office Workers' Governing Body' to report it to the higher levels. After all, if you want to be heard, you either need a high position or a large crowd."

Listening to this, the young Daoist showed a look of panic. Wasn't this setting up an independent faction?

Seeing his expression and knowing what he was thinking, Cheng Xinzhan smiled and said,

"It's not as serious as you think. It's just a place to make your voices heard. Within it, everyone is a fellow disciple, and there won't be strict hierarchies like in government offices. It's just that the head of the governing body will have to work harder to listen more, ask for everyone's opinions, and then report them upward."

Although the young Daoist still felt somewhat afraid, he was also somewhat moved. He asked,

"Would this really be allowed?"

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and said, "Why wouldn't it be? When all is said and done, we are cultivating truth, not pursuing official careers. I will propose this matter to the Abbot. If the Abbot agrees, how about you become the head of this governing body?"

For a moment, the young Daoist felt his head spinning, "Can I do it too? I've only just opened my Dantian residence, and my cultivation is shallow."

Cheng Xinzhan chuckled softly, "Why ever not?"

    ---

Unwilling to delay, after leaving White Tiger Mountain, he went straight to Sanqing Palace. This was a major matter for the entire sect, and consulting any deputy abbot would be useless.

After listening to Cheng Xinzhan's idea, Ji Hehe nodded,

"What you say makes sense. We cultivate truth, not seek official posts. With such an 'Office Workers' Governing Body' in place, it will also serve as a wake-up call for those who fancy themselves officials. Let's do it this way. You can find people to make preparations first, and I will bring it up during the sect's regular meeting."

Cheng Xinzhan acknowledged the instruction and withdrew.

Upon returning to Mingzhi Mountain, Cheng Xinzhan wrote a letter in reply to Eleventh Lady, telling her to arrive on the morning of the next day.

    ---

When the next day arrived.

During the Chen hour, he came to Zhongling Mountain again, found the young Daoist on duty from the day before, and told him that the Abbot had already approved the matter.

The young Daoist was both startled and overjoyed, because Cheng Xinzhan had also told him to take charge of planning this matter. As long as he drafted the charter and the Abbot reviewed and approved it, the matter would be settled, making him the very first head of the "Office Workers' Governing Body."

The young Daoist had not expected that this idea, having just been proposed, would be implemented so soon, which initially threw him into a panic. However, he quickly calmed down and told Cheng Xinzhan that he was willing to undertake this task.

Thus, Cheng Xinzhan learned his name.

Wen Qingzhang, a disciple of Moyan Mountain.

Hearing his name, Cheng Xinzhan experienced a momentary trance. When he entered the mountain, there wasn't even a "Qing" generation yet; it had already reached the forty-ninth generation!

While waiting for Eleventh Lady here, he offered suggestions to Wen Qingzhang on how to contact people, how to manage the roster, and pointed out that given the numerous official offices on Sanqing Mountain, sub-governing bodies would also need to be established.

Just as they were talking, he saw someone descending from the sky, heading straight down toward the mountain gate of Sanqing Mountain.

"I'll stop here for now. Ponder it yourself; you can do it!"

He smiled and waved to Wen Qingzhang, then went to welcome Eleventh Lady.

To outsiders, Sanqing Mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist year-round. If someone accidentally wandered into the mist, after walking for a while, they would walk out on their own and return to the exact spot where they had entered.

If one tried to forcefully charge through repeatedly, the longer they would be trapped by the formation.

If one launched an attack against the sea of clouds, they would be swallowed up by the mists and never come out again.

Yet amidst this vast sea of clouds, only a tiny green dot was exposed on the eastern side. Viewed from afar, it looked like a lotus leaf floating on the surface of the water—very striking and easy to find.

When someone landed on this lotus leaf, they would discover that the leaf was exceptionally large—a huge, flat, high-mountain meadow large enough to park dozens of flying cloud-shuttles.

This high-mountain meadow, exposed outside the mountain-guarding array, was actually a cliff protruding from the eastern side of Zhongling Mountain. A little further inward were the office buildings of the External Affairs Bureau.

Standing on the meadow was a giant boulder about ten zhang tall, inscribed with two columns of ten characters in iron-hook and silver-pencil strokes:

Lotus Peak Blessed Land,
Sanqing Mountain Grotto-heaven.

At this moment, Cheng Xinzhan was right at the foot of this boulder.

Seeing that the person under the stone was already there, Eleventh Lady smiled sweetly and descended on a cloud.

"Eleventh Lady, long time no see."

Seeing her land, Cheng Xinzhan stepped forward to greet her. At the same time, seeing an old man behind Eleventh Lady, he asked,

"Eleventh Lady, who is this?"

Eleventh Lady introduced him, "Xinzhan, this is my third grand-uncle, Xiao Yuan. He is the elder with the highest cultivation in my lineage, who specifically came from Haiqing City to Peacock City to support me in doing business. Third Grand-uncle, this is Daoist Priest Cheng Xinzhan."

The old man cupped his hands in a salute to Cheng Xinzhan and said with a smile,

"Greetings, Daoist Priest Cheng. I have long admired your great reputation."

Cheng Xinzhan quickly returned the salute, "Greetings, Layman Xiao. It is just some floating fame. Come, please enter the mountain gate."

Cheng Xinzhan led the way, Eleventh Lady followed closely behind, and Xiao Yuan trailed a few steps further back.

Passing through the clouds and mist, the group soon came to the External Affairs Bureau built along the mountain. The offices of the External Affairs Bureau were constructed with great elegance; those unaware would easily mistake them for a Daoist temple.

Cheng Xinzhan then asked, "I heard that Eleventh Lady also wants to visit Director Huo. Paying respects to elders first is only proper. Shall I take you and Layman Xiao over there first? I just inquired, and Director Huo is currently in the bureau."

Eleventh Lady looked at him and agreed with a sweet feeling in her heart, thinking that he truly did not blame her for meddling, and moreover, with him present, it would naturally be easier to speak with Director Huo.

The three of them entered the External Affairs Bureau and asked someone to announce their visit to Director Huo.

However, because Cheng Xinzhan had just taken office as the White Tiger Envoy, the massive commotion he had caused was still spreading, and the staff working here were mostly concurrent-duty registered disciples. These people looked at Cheng Xinzhan with an extra trace of deep reverence.

Taking this in, Eleventh Lady and Xiao Yuan gained a fresh understanding of Cheng Xinzhan's status on Sanqing Mountain.

They did not wait long outside the door of the Director's official office before it opened. Someone came out—it was Huo 静言 seeing a visitor off. Seeing this, Xiao Yuan of the Xiao family could tell at a glance that the person was wearing the Daoist robe of the Jingming Sect and was likewise at the Golden Core realm.

At that moment, the Great cultivator of the Jingming Sect saw Cheng Xinzhan and said with a smile,

"Little Friend Xinzhan, when you have free time, come visit my Wanshou Palace to guide that bunch of mischievous monkeys in our sect, so they don't look down their noses every day."

Cheng Xinzhan recognized him as one of the Golden Core team leaders of the Jingming Sect at the Dragon-Tiger Dharma Assembly, known as Daoist Priest Gao Jin.

He smiled, cupped his hands, and replied, "You flatter me, Daoist Priest. However, I will certainly come to impose upon you in the future and seek guidance on water magic from the Daoist brothers of Wanshou Palace."

Daoist Priest Gao Jin laughed heartily, cast an acknowledging nod toward the two members of the Xiao family, and strode away.

Huo Jingyuan then invited the three of them inside to be seated.

"I wonder what guidance brings the two of you to seek this poor Daoist out?"

Huo Jingyuan asked with a smile.

Eleventh Lady and Xiao Yuan hurriedly said they wouldn't dare. First, they each stated their family backgrounds and names, and then Eleventh Lady said,

"Sanqing Mountain is the ancestral ground of a major sect, the immortal lineage of Master Ge, dedicated above all to cultivating truth and maintaining quiet non-action. My Xiao family deals in copper coin filth and has yearned for it for a long time, yet we did not dare to disturb it lightly. It was only by a stroke of fortune that I befriended Xinzhan, which gave me the courage to submit a calling card. Please forgive our abruptness."

"Layman Xiao is a distinguished guest from Jade Capital; why speak with such modesty?"

Huo Jingyuan said with a smile.

"If Director Huo will permit me to explain, my family has some industries in Jade Capital and previously had dealings with the General Kitchen Bureau of your esteemed sect. Visiting Director Huo this time is an attempt to deepen those interactions."

"Oh, please go on."

"The brilliant disciples of Sanqing Mountain—I am referring to the Daoist priests of the first and second realms—are all individuals of profound Daoist techniques. Since your esteemed sect also practices the myriad methods, your daily cultivation must inevitably yield talismans, elixirs, treasures, spiritual plants, and the like. Production entails expenditure, requiring talisman paper, metal, minerals, raw materials, spiritual seeds, and so forth. Furthermore, some of these outputs are merely the practice pieces of your esteemed sect's brilliant disciples, not meant for personal use. More often than not, they are traded among fellow disciples or thrown out all at once as illusions during magical combat."

Huo Jingyuan nodded, looking at Eleventh Lady and signaling for her to continue.

"Actually, the practice pieces of your esteemed sect's brilliant disciples are incredible treasures in the hands of impoverished rogue cultivators. Director Huo, do you think it might be possible not to let the practice pieces of Sanqing Mountain's brilliant disciples go to waste so easily? Your esteemed sect could collect them centrally, and my Xiao family could acquire them. As compensation, we can trade in gold and silver, or provide raw materials. Our Xiao family has its own commercial firm, and we can procure rare treasure materials from all corners of the world."

Finished speaking, Xiao Xiao Eleventh Lady fixed her eyes on Huo Jingyuan without even blinking.

Listening from the side, Cheng Xinzhan thought to himself that Eleventh Lady had found inspiration from him.

As for Huo Jingyuan, he had closed his eyes and fallen into quiet contemplation.

After a long while, Huo Jingyuan opened his eyes, nodded to Eleventh Lady, but then turned to Cheng Xinzhan and said,

"Xinzhan, it is rare for Layman Xiao to visit Sanqing Mountain. Take her around to tour the sights. As for Daoist Friend Xiao Yuan, I will arrange for someone to entertain him. This matter does not only concern the External Affairs Bureau; it is also connected to the Teaching Bureau, the Affairs Bureau, and the various peaks. I will go discuss it with them, and once there is a result, I will invite the two of you for a detailed talk."

Overjoyed, Xiao Eleventh Lady and Xiao Yuan stood up, bowed, and repeatedly expressed their gratitude for the trouble.