Stealing Immortal
Chapter 5 - 4: Subtotal

Chapter 5: Chapter 4: Subtotal

After a night of cultivation and meditation, he was once again full of vigor.

At the crack of dawn, Chen Qingyang had already gotten ready and headed straight for the Golden Summit.

Since Wu Boyou believed he had ’someone’ backing him, skipping his duties at the Hongling Token today wouldn’t be a major issue.

Rather than waste his thoughts on such meaningless matters, he might as well focus everything on alchemy.

’This is what a Cultivator should be doing. A hundred years as a miscellaneous task disciple has already cost me too much. How many more centuries can this body wait?’

After ascending the long flight of stairs, he had just set foot in the Golden Peak Pill Institute when Liu Tao sensed his arrival.

Without a word, she pulled him into a room and shut the door, acting a bit paranoid, as if afraid someone would snatch him away.

Though called a room, it was more like a small palace.

Inside, there was a pill furnace, medicine shelves, a bed for resting, and a place to store raw materials—it was fully equipped with everything one could need.

The Four Golden Peaks Pill Institute only had about twenty people, most of whom were Outer Disciples. The Alchemy Dao wasn’t held in high regard here; people only came to refine elixirs for their own consumption or to trade for Spirit Stones. This explained why he had been completely ignored when he first arrived yesterday.

"How did you manage to refine that Tier One Qi-Introducing Pill? You have to teach me!"

Today, not only had Liu Tao prepared tea and snacks, but her tone had also become exceedingly pleasant, a complete reversal of her foul temper from the day before.

"My method is exactly the same as yours, Senior Sister. You can observe from the side while I perform alchemy in a little while."

"Hah!" Liu Tao sighed. "That’s easier said than done. If learning was as simple as watching, I would have made a breakthrough by now. I even watched a Senior Brother achieve Foundation Establishment, but my own cultivation hasn’t changed a bit."

Her age was indeed advanced. Perhaps she was facing the same predicament as Chen Qingyang. ’The heart of a tiger, but a body as frail as a sickly insect.’

"Senior Sister, may I ask about your cultivation?"

"I’ve been at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm for over four hundred years. My lifespan has reached its limit. I can only rely on Qi-Introducing Pills to absorb Spiritual Qi like a normal person and keep myself alive. If I want to advance my cultivation, I need a Tier Two Qi-Introducing Pill every single day. Otherwise..." She cracked a smile, revealing a completely toothless mouth. "I would have died long ago."

So, to her, the Qi-Introducing Pill wasn’t just an elixir to improve her cultivation; it was her lifeline.

’No wonder she was so irritable yesterday. She’s a dying woman who was just waiting for the end. The reason her attitude changed so drastically today is that she’s seen a glimmer of hope for survival again.’

"By the way, could you refine a few more batches a day? Or produce more pills per batch? Or maybe increase their grade? If this Senior Sister breaks through, I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely in the future!"

She spoke with sincere earnestness, her eyes practically glowing.

"My... My cultivation is limited. For now, I can only refine two pills a day. Any more would harm my Primordial Energy. But don’t worry, Senior Sister, I’ll do my best to improve."

’Even if I could refine more, I have to control the quantity. Otherwise, once her cultivation breaks through, I’ll lose my value to her.’

Chen Qingyang was a cautious person. He knew his exploration of this Immortal Sect was just beginning. Therefore, this mutually beneficial arrangement had to last until he deemed it was time to end it.

Liu Tao still smiled. "Excellent, excellent... I hope that day comes soon..."

With yesterday’s experience, he was a bit more practiced in handling the raw materials today.

Then came Fire Control, Awakening the Medicine, more Fire Control, Energy Introduction, and yet more Fire Control... all the way until Pill Formation.

This batch of pills took from morning until noon. By the end, Chen Qingyang was gasping for breath, his entire body soaked in sweat.

’My foundation is still too weak.’

Liu Tao treated him exceptionally well, as if he were her lifeline, even preparing a towel for him to wipe his sweat. It made him feel that perhaps this old woman wasn’t so detestable after all.

"Not bad. These two elixirs are better than yesterday’s. At my cultivation level, a Tier One Qi-Introducing Pill can support my cultivation for one hour. I reckon this one will last for an hour and a half, at least."

The surface was smoother and even had a slight luster. The scent wasn’t overpowering, but a faint medicinal aroma wafted from it.

[Chen Qingyang]

[First Realm of Qi Refining]

[Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique: (2/200)]

[Tier One Qi-Introducing Pill: (3/100)]

[Available Immortal Seedlings: 9]

He only just noticed that his progress in alchemy was far faster than his progress in cultivation. ’Could it be that I actually have some talent for this?’

Liu Tao examined both pills. Although greed flickered in her eyes, she kept her promise and handed one to Chen Qingyang.

"Senior Sister, I’ll be heading back now!"

But he heard her say, "Junior Brother, if you’re not busy, why not stay a little longer?"

He glanced at a round table in the distance. In the time he had been performing alchemy, Liu Tao had actually prepared a rather lavish-looking meal with food and wine.

’Miscellaneous task disciples all live frugally. I haven’t enjoyed some of these dishes in years. And I haven’t seen a kitchen on the Golden Summit... How on earth did she whip this up?’

Chen Qingyang hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "There’s no need. I have other matters to attend to. Since this is a partnership, Senior Sister only needs to keep her promise and share the pills with me. I will come up every day to perform alchemy, which will benefit both you and me."

Across from him, Liu Tao stood hunched over, her face a mass of wrinkles beneath her graying hair. She nodded slowly. "Very well..."

Her long sigh seemed to carry the weight of a century of lonely despair.

By the time he descended to the mountainside, the peaks were bathed in the light of the setting sun. A cool breeze rolled through, unfurling a few idle clouds as two white cranes weaved between them, one high and one low.

With this agreement in place, Chen Qingyang felt as though he had finally found his footing.

He went to the Hongling Token building first and ran right into Wu Boyou as soon as he entered.

Just as he expected, Wu Boyou was grinning when he saw him. "Junior Brother Chen! Haven’t seen you all day. Did you go up to the Golden Summit to meet someone again? What’s this? Found yourself a powerful backer and now you don’t even care about the work you’ve fallen behind on?"

Instead of going into one of the small cubicles, Chen Qingyang said, "Senior Brother Wu, if it’s convenient, could I have a word with you in private?"

The man’s large, greasy face squeezed his eyes into thin slits, from which a glint of light emerged.

"Sure! I heard the Tai Hao Sword Institute recently dealt with a demoness. She was the one who started the rumor that Senior Sister Li Qianxue was plundered by someone from the Demon Dao. Truly a disgrace to our Tai Xu Sect... Doesn’t she know what kind of person the Sword Master is? He doesn’t tolerate any slights!"

At this, he clapped Chen Qingyang on the chest. "You old dog, you’re in for some good fortune! The Sword Master is concerned about Senior Sister Qianxue, so her cultivation is bound to recover. When that time comes, you’d better act fast. Pay her a proper visit before she forgets all about you!"

’Outer Disciples like Wu Boyou are naturally better informed. If Li Qianxue really can recover, I must pay her a visit. It’s just that my Immortal Fate... it’s far too little right now.’

"Right, what did you want to talk about?"

"Please, Senior Brother Wu, a word in private."

"Heh heh, so mysterious!"

In an empty corner, Chen Qingyang took a Qi-Introducing Pill from his robes.

As far as he knew, Wu Boyou was at the Third Realm of Qi Refining. The effects of this pill would be much greater for him than for Liu Tao.

His eyes began to gleam. "Is this... for me?"

"I am indebted to Senior Brother Wu for all his care, and I have yet to properly express my gratitude. It is just a humble Qi-Introducing Pill, but I hope you will accept it."

Wu Boyou didn’t even hesitate, laughing as he stuffed it into his sleeve. "We’re brothers, what’s with all the pleasantries... By the way, you’re not planning to leave the Four Golden Peaks, are you?"

"I have no such plans for now."

Wu Boyou rubbed his chin. "So the person who gave you the pill isn’t taking you with them? Are they waiting for you to make a breakthrough?"

Chen Qingyang’s only response was silence.

"Ha... I get it. I won’t ask any more questions."

Chen Qingyang then added, "Actually, there is a matter I must ask for Senior Brother Wu’s help with."

Wu Boyou’s eyes darted. "Anything, anything!"

"There’s someone at the Hongling Token building that I’ve never gotten along with. I was hoping..."

Wu Boyou’s expression turned serious. "To have him killed?"

"That won’t be necessary. I just want him to leave—to leave in utter disgrace!"

Wu Boyou narrowed his eyes. "Just a mere miscellaneous task worker, not even a proper disciple. That should be simple enough... Is this person Liu Jinyuan from your courtyard?"

"The very same."

"I understand completely. That fellow was fawning over me just the other day, and it was getting on my nerves. Not only was he spreading rumors about Senior Sister Qianxue, but he even tried to give me a large sum of gold and silver to have you thrown off the mountain... As you know, I’m a man of principle. How could I ever agree to do such a thing?"

Hearing this, Chen Qingyang felt that merely having Liu Jinyuan sent down the mountain was letting him off too easy.

"Then about my situation..."

Wu Boyou clapped him on the shoulder. "I can’t stand sniveling opportunists like him. In seven days... no, three days, I’ll find a way to get him off this mountain. You can rest easy, Junior Brother Chen."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Wu. If I come by any more elixirs in the future, I will be sure to send them your way."

"Of course, of course."

’Just as I thought. To deal with an opportunist, you have to use an opportunist’s methods.’

...

He only managed to complete two Dao Rhyme Patterns today, which took an hour.

Even if he couldn’t catch up on this month’s quota, he couldn’t fall too far behind. If Wu Boyou assigned all his work to someone else, he would likely incur some karmic debt.

’Then again, if I don’t engage with karma, how can I ever accumulate Immortal Seedlings and achieve my own Great Dao?’

’When it’s time to act, I can’t hesitate!’

「In the courtyard, at dusk.」

Beneath the locust tree, three people were resting and sipping tea after their meal.

Liu Jinyuan worked at the Hongling Token building, the same job as Chen Qingyun.

Lü Yunshen was at the Yiyang Token building, responsible for recording daily output—a petty clerk, in effect.

Xu Yong was at the Fire God Token building, a place responsible for the initial refining of iron and stone.

Ever since Senior Brother Zhao left, their courtyard had been short one person.

Unlike the usual idle chatter about everything under the sun, the courtyard was exceptionally quiet today. The three of them sat with their heads lowered, not saying a word.

This time, Chen Qingyang didn’t go back to his room. Instead, he walked over and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Xu Yong looked up. "Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Liu got a harsh scolding from Steward Wu at the Hongling Token building today. The steward even punished him with a new quota of eight Dao Rhyme Patterns a day. If he can’t complete them by tomorrow, he’ll be thrown off the mountain."

’It’s only been an hour. Wu Boyou is certainly efficient when it comes to dirty work!’

"Senior Brother Chen, Steward Wu used to look after you quite a bit. Your relationship with him should be good, right? Why don’t you talk to him and ask him to be lenient with Senior Brother Liu?"

’When it comes to being thick-skinned and shameless, these guys truly have me beat. Yesterday we were trading fists, and today they can pretend it never happened and ask me for a favor.’

’It seems this world really does revolve around self-interest. That’s fine. It means I’ll have no psychological burden when I use Stealing Immortal.’

Chen Qingyang sneered. "Wu Boyou has said the same thing to me. It’s just a shame for you that I was always able to meet his demands. I think Junior Brother Liu had better rely on himself."

Having been silent for a long time, Liu Jinyuan finally looked up. "You... Was this your doing?"

Chen Qingyang said, "It was. I’m the one who asked Senior Brother Wu to make you leave."

"Hey now!" Lü Yunshen interjected. "We all know what’s become of Li Qianxue. He can barely protect himself, so how could he possibly have the power to make you leave? Think hard, where might you have offended Senior Brother Wu?"

Liu Jinyuan knew perfectly well that he’d only had one recent dealing with Wu Boyou, but how could he possibly admit to that?

Chen Qingyang continued, "I suggest you just accept your fate. You won’t be able to stay. Even if you did, you’d still be far beneath me, capable of nothing more than pitiful, useless struggles." As he spoke, he shot a glance at Lü Yunshen. "Besides, you’re a vulgar person to begin with. What’s so bad about going back to being a commoner?"

Liu Jinyuan grew more and more furious as he listened. He was about to start cursing at Chen Qingyang, but a sudden, faint ache in his chest reminded him of his opponent’s strength, and he was forced to swallow his anger.

Xu Yong remained silent between them, his gaze shifting from one to the other.

Lü Yunshen, on the other hand, looked utterly dejected and sighed dramatically. "Time waits for no man! It waits for no man!"

’He really knows how to put on an act.’