142: Chapter 142 Hidden sects launch a major offensive into the mortal world, intending to treat it as their backyard?
The old man's eyes pierced through thousands of kilometers of thick fog, staring fixedly at the direction of the capital, his gaze as cold as ice.
Outside the window, the originally clear sky began to drift with black ash again.
The sweet, fishy smell in the air was enough to make one feel nauseous.
"Seriously, these old geezers really think the secular world is their family's backyard?"
Gu Qianqian blew her nose hard and tossed the tissue into the trash can by her feet.
The trash can was already full.
Several used tissues had fallen to the floor, emitting the scent of cold medicine.
Qin Yuan pulled open a drawer and rummaged through it.
He pulled out an ear pick and proceeded to poke it into his ear in a leisurely manner.
"Those old geezers have been cooped up in the mountains for thousands of years; it's finally daybreak for them."
Qin Yuan scraped out some earwax and flicked it onto the floor.
"Coming out to fight for territory is perfectly normal. It's called instinct."
He glanced sideways at the big screen.
On the screen, an emergency midday news broadcast was playing.
A female reporter held a microphone, and the Golden Summit of Emei Sect behind her had already been fenced off with barbed wire.
"According to the latest news from our station, Emei Sect, Qingcheng, and many other scenic spots have announced an indefinite closure."
"Tourists claim they have seen sword-wielding martial artists in ancient costumes on the mountain trails..."
The footage was shaky.
Faint, shrill screams could be heard in the background.
"Snap."
Gu Qianqian clicked the mouse, cutting off the news.
"Boss, it's not just the scenic spots. President Gao Qiqiang just sent a message."
She sniffed, her voice sounding congested.
"Several large sand quarries in Jiangzhong City were occupied by people this morning."
"Occupying sand quarries? Do those antique immortals need sand to build houses?"
Qin Yuan found it amusing.
"It's not about the sand. Those people said there's an underground water vein there with plenty of spiritual energy."
Ah Fu chimed in from the side; he was using a file to trim his nails, and nail clippings fell onto his pant legs.
"The leader is a lay disciple from Wudang Mountain. He brought over a dozen people and broke the legs of all our workers."
"What about Big Brother Wang Hu? Didn't he take people to scout the path?"
Qin Yuan leaned back in the grand armchair, finding a comfortable position.
"He went. He took fifty brothers and brought gear."
Ah Fu spat and wiped it on the sole of his shoe.
"But he didn't even touch the corner of their clothes before they smashed three of our vans with a single palm."
"That kid, Big Brother Wang Hu, is lying in the hospital now, three ribs broken, groaning in pain."
"What a waste."
Qin Yuan replied indifferently.
"Boss, this isn't about being a waste or not."
Gu Qianqian turned the computer around; on the screen was a large transfer receipt.
"Shen Fu from Jiangnan, that old man, transferred five hundred million to an account called 'Qingcheng Sect' this morning."
"He said it was a disaster-avoidance fee. They complained that he reeked of copper, and if he didn't pay, they would wipe out his entire family."
"Shen Fu actually paid it?"
Qin Yuan squinted slightly.
"What else could he do? They split his private villa in half with a single sword strike."
Gu Qianqian curled her lips.
"The old man was in bed with his mistress at the time; he was almost scared into impotence."
"Now the families in Jiangnan are all queuing up to send money, acting like grandchildren."
Qin Yuan picked up his teacup and blew away the tea leaves floating on top.
The fragrance caused by the spiritual energy in the tea now smelled a bit nauseating.
"This bunch of ignorant bumpkins. Just got a little charge and they think they can set the rules."
He took a sip of tea and spat the leaves back into the cup.
"Go. Notify President Gao Qiqiang and tell him to stop the projects in his hands."
"Get all the heavy machinery from Jian Gong Group and move them to the outskirts of Jiangzhong."
"Boss, why move excavators? To dig up their ancestral graves?"
Gu Qianqian blinked, unable to keep up with Qin Yuan's train of thought.
"Not digging graves. Go and seal off the roads they use to come down the mountain with reinforced concrete."
Qin Yuan sneered.
"Don't they want spiritual energy? I'll cut down all the trees around there and build chemical plants."
"Emitting exhaust fumes every day, let's see how much spiritual energy they can absorb."
"Got it! That's a brilliant move; I'll notify President Gao Qiqiang right away!"
Gu Qianqian brightened up instantly, her ten fingers dancing on the keyboard again.
"Young Master, it's not that simple."
Ah Fu put away his file, his expression solemn.
"I heard earlier that several old-school aristocratic families in the capital bowed their heads this afternoon as well."
"They gave away several office buildings in the city center to those newly emerged hidden sects for free."
"Giving away office buildings?"
Qin Yuan was somewhat surprised.
"Yes. Those sects find the mountains too cold and want to settle down in the city."
Ah Fu rubbed his sore neck, his bones making a crisp cracking sound.
"They are also sending people to recruit disciples in the city, saying that any mortal who hands over half their family fortune can get a spot as a named disciple."
"The young masters in the capital are acting like they've gone crazy, begging to be servants who pour tea and water for them."
Qin Yuan leaned back in his chair, looking at the ceiling.
This Heavenly Dao is really going all out.
Releasing this group of zombies living in ancient tombs has directly disrupted the class structure of modern society.
People who were originally wealthy and powerful have become the lowest ants overnight.
To survive, they have to kneel and lick those cultivators who know a bit of magic.
This is indeed the fastest way to reshuffle the deck.
Too bad.
He, Qin Yuan, doesn't buy that.
"Let them make a scene."
Qin Yuan closed his eyes.
"Once they've built up their appetite, they'll naturally come looking for me."
"After all, the fattest meat in this Huaxia is right here with us."
"Boss, you jinx!"
Gu Qianqian suddenly screamed, dropping the mouse in her hand onto the floor.
"They're already here!"
On the screen, the surveillance footage of the perimeter of Qin Family Manor suddenly shook violently.
Immediately after, the screen flickered.
Dozens of infrared sensors installed on the manor's perimeter walls were all rendered useless at almost the same time.
A sharp alarm sounded in the surveillance room, grating on the ears.
"Young Master, I'll go take a look."
A glint of ferocity flashed in Ah Fu's eyes as he reached for his lower back.
"No need. Let them in."
Qin Yuan opened his eyes.
He stood up in a leisurely manner and straightened the belt of his bathrobe.
"Since they've already walked to the door, not receiving guests would make our Qin Family look impolite."
Outside the main building.
Above the Qin Family Manor, which covers thousands of square meters, a fierce wind suddenly blew.
The wind carried a musty smell, like old clothes that had been stored for hundreds of years.
"Whoosh—"
Several figures appeared in mid-air without warning.
They wore wide, washed-out, ancient Daoist robes.
They had no magical artifacts under their feet, just stepping on the void, their clothes rustling in the wind.
The leader was a middle-aged Daoist, his face full of arrogance.
His chin was held extremely high, his nostrils almost pointing to the sky.
"Is Qin Yuan of the capital in the manor?"
His voice, mixed with true energy, boomed over the entire manor.
The bodyguards in the manor raised their guns one after another, the dark muzzles pointing directly at the sky.
But the Daoists didn't even glance at the guns.
"Is the master's name something a mongrel like you can call out directly?"
Ah Fu pushed open the door, stepped onto the stairs, and replied coldly.
"A mortal ant, daring to speak such wild words?"
The middle-aged Daoist looked down from above, his eyes as cold as looking at a dead person.
"Tell Qin Yuan to get out here and receive the decree."
He pulled a scroll of bright yellow silk from his bosom and shook off the dust.
"The Kunlun Immortal Decree: The Qin Family shall offer eighty percent of their family assets to ensure the safety of the entire household."
"Otherwise, today, this manor shall be the burial ground of the Qin Family."
Qin Yuan walked to the door.
He leaned against the door frame, still holding that cup of warm, leaf-filled Longjing tea.
"Receive the decree?"
Qin Yuan took a sip of tea and spat out the tea dregs.
"Did your ancestors not teach you to use the front door when descending to the mortal world?"
He raised his head, looking at the pretentious Daoists in mid-air, his eyes full of disdain.
"Arrogant brat! You're courting death!"
The middle-aged Daoist was furious, the silk scroll in his hand snapping shut.
"The Master said, disobedient mortals, just kill them."
A Little Daoist chimed in from the side, holding a rusty flying sword.
Qin Yuan laughed.
He casually handed the teacup to Su Qingxue behind him.
"Ah Fu."
Qin Yuan straightened his cuffs.
"These birds are chirping too unpleasantly up there."
"Go, pluck their feathers clean for me and throw them into the pot to make soup."