107: Chapter 107: Queuing to Pay the Ransom! You call this a discussion of Taoism? It's clearly robbery!

"Five... five million?!"

Hearing this figure, the dozens of "Great Masters" present nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

In their daily lives, they helped the wealthy with Feng Shui and performed rituals, which did earn them quite a bit.

But the market had been poor these past few years, and with everyone having to support Disciples and maintain Daoist temples, the liquid capital they had on hand wasn't actually as abundant as one might imagine.

Five million—that was practically asking for their lives!

"Su Yang! Don't push people too far!"

A quick-tempered Old Daoist Priest clutched his chest, standing up tremulously to accuse him.

"We came here to discuss the Dao! Not to be extorted by you!"

"By doing this, aren't you afraid of inciting public outrage and being blacklisted by the entire Mystic Gate?!"

"Blacklisted?"

Su Yang looked as if he had heard a joke and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He stood up, walked over to that Old Daoist Priest, and helped him pat the dust off his taoist robe.

"Old man, have you still not figured out the situation?"

"Right now, it's you lot who set a trap to kill me, only to be counter-killed because your skills were inferior."

"The fact that I didn't kill you all to feed the dogs is already me showing mercy for the sake of us being in the same trade."

"As for being blacklisted..."

Su Yang's gaze turned cold as he scanned his surroundings.

"All of you trash added together aren't enough for me to beat with one hand."

"Blacklist me? Are you even worthy?"

"You!!"

The Old Daoist Priest was choked with rage, just about to flare up.

"Stop the nonsense."

Su Yang picked at his ear with some impatience.

"I'll count to three."

"After three counts, whoever hasn't paid up, I'll invite them to stay in the communal bunks inside my ten thousand souls banner."

"One!"

As the word "One" left his mouth, the ten thousand souls banner at Su Yang's waist suddenly moved without wind. An extremely cold black Qi diffused from it, and the shrill screams of countless vengeful ghosts could faintly be heard.

That sound pierced straight into the brain, causing everyone present to shudder.

"Two!"

Mary cooperatively opened her parasol, its tip turning into a sharp spearhead—that was her combat form.

Chu Ling also made her knuckles crack loudly, purple corpse Qi swirling around her fingertips as if she would pounce and tear someone apart in the next second.

The threat of death was close at hand!

These Great Masters, who usually lived in comfort and dignity, finally broke down.

Face? Dignity?

In the Face of life, those were all bullshit!

"I'll pay! I'll pay!"

A Feng Shui master sitting at the end was the first to buckle under the pressure. He scrambled over to Ye Yuqing and pulled out a bank card.

"There's exactly five million in here! It's the down payment I prepared for a house! I'll give it all to you! Just let me go!"

"Very good."

Ye Yuqing smiled slightly and took out a portable POS machine she carried with her.

*Beep!*

Transaction successful.

"Next."

With the first person taking the lead, the rest, no matter how unwilling, could only line up to pay.

For a moment, the originally solemn and dignified Mystic Gate Convention turned into a bustling... toll station.

"Young Miss Ye, I only have three million in my card. Can I write an IOU? Can I use my Daoist temple as collateral?"

"No! No credit allowed! No money? If you have no money, have your Disciple transfer it! Or... I see that jade thumb ring on your hand is decent, it'll count for two million."

"Director Ye, can you issue an invoice? I want to get reimbursed..."

"Reimbursement? From whom? The Supreme Elder Lord? Get lost!"

Ye Yuqing now fully displayed her dominance in the Domain of money.

She sat on the chair that hadn't collapsed yet, holding the POS machine and a money counter. She collected money while estimating the value of the Magical Artifacts that people wanted to use to pay off their debts.

That gaze of hers was sharper than an X-ray!

"Even though this peach wood sword is a hundred years old, it has cracks. At most, it's worth five hundred thousand."

"This compass was bought wholesale from Yiwu, wasn't it? Trying to fool me? Go away!"

"This jade pendant is not bad. Although its appearance is average, it contains Spiritual Qi. Accepted!"

Watching the Great Masters act submissively before Ye Yuqing, even having to force a smile, Su Yang sat in the main seat sipping tea, his mood exceptionally pleasant.

Is this what it feels like to be the male lead of a power fantasy novel?

It really is... unadorned and boring.

"Daoist Xuan Chengzi."

Su Yang looked toward the organizer who had been slumped in his chair without moving.

"Everyone else has paid. As the chairman, shouldn't you set an example?"

"Su Yang..."

Xuan Chengzi looked up, his originally ruddy Face now appearing ten years older.

He looked at Su Yang with a complex gaze.

There was hatred, fear, but also a hint of... helplessness.

"This round, this humble Daoist admits defeat."

He tremulously pulled a yellowed ancient book from his robes and placed it on the table.

"This humble Daoist doesn't have much savings. This 'True Explanation of Qingcheng Formations' is the Secret Manual of my Qingcheng Mountain."

"Its value far exceeds five million."

"How about using this to settle the debt?"

"True Explanation of Formations?"

Su Yang's eyes lit up.

He happened to be lacking high-level knowledge of Formations right now. Although the 'Encyclopedia of Formations (Middle Volume)' given by the System before was good, some parts were still obscure and hard to understand. If he had this practical Secret Manual for reference, it would be perfect.

"Deal."

With a wave of Su Yang's hand, the ancient book automatically flew into his palm.

"Thank you for your generosity, Daoist."

"Since all the money has been collected, we won't disturb everyone's 'elegant interest' any longer."

Su Yang stood up and straightened his suit.

"I enjoyed this meal very much today. I hope there's another chance for us to... exchange pointers next time."

Hearing the words "next time," everyone present turned pale.

Again?

If he came again, they would lose even their underwear!

"Let's go, home."

Su Yang led the richly rewarded Ye Yuqing and the three "female bodyguards" away with style, under the awe-struck and resentful gazes of the crowd.

...

In the car.

Ye Yuqing was still excitedly counting today's harvest.

"Boss! We've struck it rich! We really have!"

"We received a total of 130 million in cash! Plus various antiques, Magical Artifacts, and jades, with a conservative estimated value of over 50 million!"

"This one trip out has directly doubled our assets!"

"Basic operation, stay calm."

Su Yang leaned back in the rear seat, toying with the 'True Explanation of Qingcheng Formations'.

"Take a portion of this money to upgrade the Formation in our courtyard."

"As for the rest, you decide on the investments. Just don't let the money grow moldy."

"You got it!"

Ye Yuqing was now completely obedient to Su Yang, practically treating him like a God of Wealth.

"Following the Boss really means there's meat to eat!"

Mary sat in the passenger seat, looking into a Bagua mirror she had just snatched, her mood also quite good.

Su Qingcheng and Chu Ling sat quietly in the back. Although they didn't speak, the auras on both were much more refined than when they had left. Clearly, the battle just now had benefited them greatly as well.

...

It was already late at night when they returned to Locust Tree Alley.

But the courtyard was still brightly lit.

Reba and Liu Waner weren't asleep. They were sitting on stone stools in the courtyard, teasing that golden Pixiu Divine Beast.

"Rice Bucket, come, shake hands!"

Reba was wearing a cute dinosaur pajama set, holding a teething stick made of spirit crystal rice, attempting to train the Divine Beast.

"Awoo~"

Rice Bucket lifted its paw extremely perfunctorily, snatched the teething stick, and then lay on the roof to continue absorbing the moonlight.

"The Boss is back!"

Seeing Su Yang push the door open, Liu Waner's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly went to meet him with a plate of sliced fruit.

"Boss, you've worked hard! Have some fruit to quench your thirst."

"Waner is still the most thoughtful."

Su Yang smiled as he took the fruit plate, casually rubbing her head.

"Why aren't you two asleep yet?"

"Waiting for you to come back."

Reba also ran over and helped Su Yang take off his coat.

"Sister Yuqing sent a message saying you beat all those masters into submission? Is it true?"

"It must be true."

Ye Yuqing waved the bank cards in her hand and said proudly:

"Not only did we beat them into submission, we also collected some protection fees while we were at it."

"Wow! That's amazing!"

Watching this warm scene, the hint of Killing Intent in Su Yang's heart instantly dissipated.

This was his home, his foothold in this world.

No matter how much wind and rain there was outside, as long as he returned here, he could feel at peace.

"Alright, stop crowding around."

Su Yang picked up a piece of watermelon and took a bite.

"So sweet."

"Everyone is tired, so get some rest early. We still have to count money tomorrow."

"Yay!"

Just as everyone was about to return to their rooms.

"Ding! System prompt!"

A piercing alarm suddenly rang in Su Yang's mind.

"Special energy fluctuation detected!"

"Location: Backyard dry well!"

"Warning: An unknown creature is attempting to break through the Seal!"

*Pfft—!*

The bite of watermelon Su Yang had just eaten was sprayed straight out.

The backyard dry well?

Wasn't that the place he used to modify the [Spirit Spring Wellhead]?

Could it be...

Under that well, besides water, something else was hidden?!