Chapter 379
A Bountiful Harvest
"There are a total of 3,421,076 strings of cash for incense offerings here. Unfortunately, the explosion at the mint destroyed a lot of it, otherwise there would have been even more."
Inside the Bodhisattva's treasure trove, atop the mountain of money, the group couldn't help but show a hint of awe upon hearing Zhou Sheng's introduction.
"Master, are you sure it's... Guan?"
Someone asked in a trembling voice.
That number was already enormous, but it wasn't just a single coin; it was a string of coins. One string of coins equals one thousand coins, so when you calculate it like that…
Many people who are bad at arithmetic, and can't even calculate the exact number, still know that it must be an astronomical figure.
The Zhou Family Troupe has made it big!
“It is indeed true. When Master went into seclusion, Hongying and I had already counted the money. From now on, this money will be put into the Zhou family's treasury and stored in Zhong Kui's gourd. Anyone who needs it can apply to use it.”
"As for now, take as much as you can."
As soon as Zhou Sheng finished speaking, the members of the Zhou Family Troupe's eyes lit up, and they shouted "Long live the troupe leader!" and began to frantically grab money.
Calling it robbery wouldn't be an exaggeration. Everyone was so angry that they didn't have enough pockets and wished they could stuff their bodies full of incense money.
Even if a few people risked their lives to take it, it would be pitifully little compared to this mountain of money.
Zhou Sheng watched this scene with a broad smile.
The fact that everyone followed him into dangerous situations and went through life and death shows their respect and love for him. However, if he is unclear about rewards and punishments and cannot share the benefits to inspire people, then even the greatest prestige will be gradually eroded.
Looking at the excited smiles on the faces of the Zhou family members, even Tan Sheng couldn't help but feel a little envious and longing.
Following Boss Zhou, you really do get to eat meat (benefits).
After taking the money, Zhou Sheng waved his sleeve and used Zhong Kui's gourd to collect most of the incense money, but there was still a small mountain left.
"Senior Yu, please don't refuse this 500,000 strings of cash for incense offerings. We all perform underworld operas, and it's not easy to train talent in this profession. It's extremely expensive. Although the Southern School is doing better than the Northern School now, it's still declining. I believe this money will be of help to you."
Zhou Sheng's words stirred something in Yu Tianheng's heart, and he swallowed back the words he had originally intended to say in refusal.
He could remain indifferent to this wealth, but considering the increasingly declining legacy, he had to admit that Zhou Sheng was right.
"Kid, the North-South conflict isn't over yet, aren't you afraid—"
"Not afraid."
Before Yu Tianheng could finish speaking, Zhou Sheng's voice rang out decisively.
The young man's eyes were bright, frank, and radiant.
"I'm only afraid that the descendants of the Southern School are not strong enough."
Yu Tianheng raised his eyebrows and said, "Boy, don't be too sure of yourself. With you here, the Northern School will be the most respected in Yin Opera for the next hundred years. But what if you're gone? Your descendants and disciples may not be able to continue this glory."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Sheng smiled faintly, his voice calm.
"If one day the descendants of the Southern School surpass the Northern School, it will prove that my disciples of the Northern School are arrogant, lazy and unable to endure hardship. In that case, this wake-up call may not be a bad thing."
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng gave him a deep look and said, "Youth is wonderful."
"Yes, it's wonderful to be young."
Yu Zhensheng also sighed, as if he were recalling those passionate years.
"Next up are the treasures collected by the Bodhisattva, which is the main attraction, although there aren't many of them."
Zhou Sheng opened all the boxes, and instantly the cave was filled with a dazzling light that made it difficult for people to open their eyes.
"Originally there were fifteen treasures. Chief Longbo took one, and Master Zhang took one. Now there are thirteen left."
Zhou Sheng introduced the thirteen treasures one by one. He had already calculated the identities of some of them using the Luoshu (a magic square), and now he was openly telling everyone about them without any intention of keeping them to himself.
"This one is called the Nine Transformations Dragon Pill. If a mortal takes it, he can temporarily transform into the true form of a celestial dragon for the time it takes to burn an incense stick. If a dragon or python swallows it, it can be equivalent to three hundred years of arduous cultivation. However, there is only one pill left. It should have been taken by that dragon girl."
Zhou Sheng opened the bottle, and a strong medicinal fragrance immediately wafted out, making the entire cave sound like a medicine furnace, and faintly echoing with the sound of a dragon's roar.
"This item is called Taiyin Corpse Dissolution Ointment. Before a soldier dissolves his body, he should apply it to his entire body to preserve a trace of his true spirit, so that his spiritual aperture will open early after reincarnation." Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng and Yu Zhensheng's eyes both flickered.
Although this item is not as miraculously manifest as the Dragon Transformation Pill, it is even more precious because it involves the mystery of the womb. If it were to circulate, countless old monsters nearing the end of their lives would be envious.
"This is a magical artifact, the Yu King Water Dividing Ruler. Legend has it that it was cast from copper refined from the Shouyang Mountain of Longmen when Yu the Great was controlling the floods. When thrown into the river, the waves will split in two; when pointed at the clouds, rainbows will appear. It can also measure the depth of the water veins in the world and find the dragon veins and acupoints."
It was with the help of this ruler that the Bodhisattva was able to bring this city of the unjustly dead to the bottom of the deep sea of the underworld and use the power of the water to set up a heaven-reaching array.
"The Ziwu Cave Void Hairpin, once pulled out and swung, can tear apart the Yin-Yang barrier and travel to and from the Netherworld."
This is a very special magical artifact that can only be used to travel between Yin and Yang, and it can play a significant role in crucial moments.
"Five-colored mica is something everyone is familiar with, but this one is a fist-sized piece, which is extremely rare in the world."
"The Phoenix Weeping Blood Orchid, when it blooms, its petals fall like drops of blood, and there is a phoenix's shadow and mournful cry in the flower's stamen. It is said to grow on the remains of a phoenix after it failed to be reborn. Consuming it can greatly improve one's physical and mental qualities."
Zhou Sheng noticed that Yu Tianheng's eyes lit up when the treasure was being introduced.
In fact, he no longer needs this item, because the Phoenix Blood-Weeping Orchid can only be used by cultivators below the fifth level.
"The Great Yi Shooting the Sun Diagram, The Secret of Stealing the Sky and Changing the Sun, The Five-Colored Auspicious Cloud Technique..."
After Zhou Sheng finished introducing all thirteen priceless treasures, everyone was stunned, even the well-informed Yu Zhensheng showed a look of amazement.
This Bodhisattva's collection is truly abundant.
"I want that Phoenix Blood-Weeping Orchid."
Without any hesitation, Yu Tianheng immediately spoke.
Tan Sheng was moved upon hearing this, because this item was of no use to his master; his master had chosen it purely for his own sake.
"it is good."
Zhou Sheng immediately handed over the Phoenix Weeping Blood Orchid and carefully explained the precautions for taking it.
"In addition, please make a copy of these magical spells and supernatural abilities and take it back with you, Elder Yu."
Yu Tianheng was taken aback.
"True friendship is revealed in times of adversity. Regardless of our senior's motives, he helped us, master and apprentice, during our most difficult time. We hope that this friendship will transcend geographical boundaries and last forever."
Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng sighed deeply, now truly convinced.
Despite his young age, Zhou Sheng's Taoist skills, supernatural abilities, wisdom, magnanimity, and even his interpersonal skills are all admirable.
So much so that even at his advanced age, he felt an indescribable sense of admiration.
If I were twenty years younger, I probably would have wanted to join the Zhou family troupe with this kid.
Yu Zhensheng stroked his beard and nodded, the smile in his eyes almost impossible to suppress.
"Even so, I will fight your master and I will not hold back in the slightest."
"That's natural."
Zhou Sheng laughed and said, "This junior wishes you, senior, to overcome your inner demons and achieve a great victory, so that my Yinxi lineage may gain another grandmaster."
"Old fool, your apprentice is much better at dealing with people than you are."
"Bullshit! How have I ever been a bad person? Come on, let's compete now, I promise I won't kill you!"
Yu Zhensheng rolled up his sleeves, his eyebrows raised and eyes wide.
Yao Taifeng couldn't help but smile, finding it extremely amusing.
After their powers were restored, Old Master Yu became as impulsive as his disciple, while Zhou Sheng became as composed as his master.
...(End of this chapter)