Dao of Money

The prototype gun model firing a bullet was a big win, even if it didn’t seem like much. For Chen Ren, however, it was just the start. He knew there were countless improvements to make, both in the design of the gun and the powder itself. He shot the bullets a few more times, and while the weapon didn’t explode in his hands, it did jam after a while. It seemed the residual from the explosive powder was blocking the mechanism.

After a thorough discussion with Qing He and Feiyu, they determined the issue stemmed from the powder not burning as efficiently as it should. The gun’s design needed refinement to prevent the powder from sticking and clogging the system. What followed was hours of debate and idea-sharing as they brainstormed solutions and ways to enhance the current model.

Chen Ren contributed his knowledge of modern firearms, outlining key design details, while leaving the more technical aspects to the experts. The primary goal was to make the gun lighter and prevent future jamming, but the discussion quickly expanded to other concerns. One of the most pressing issues was the smoke that billowed from the barrel every time the gun fired. Chen Ren knew that older weapons produced this issue, but modern weapons had long since transitioned to smokeless powder. He wanted that same advancement, not just for efficiency, but because the smoke would give away the shooter’s position.

Another issue was the noise. In a real fight, being able to conceal your location was crucial, and the gun’s current sound was anything but discreet.

Qing He seemed to understand, and with that understanding came the reality: more experiments. Unfortunately, An Idiot Cultivator’s Guide to Blowing Himself Up – Volume 1 had nothing to offer on creating a smokeless powder formula. It was a task that would require her own ingenuity. Even she admitted it would be a tough challenge, and Chen Ren could only hope she’d manage to make some progress.

After wrapping up his discussion with both Feiyu and Qing He on the guns, Chen Ren headed back to his bedroom to focus on a task that had occupied his thoughts for the past few weeks.

As soon as he stepped into the room, he saw Yalan already lounging on his bed. For some reason, the cat had taken a liking to that spot. Closing the door behind him, Chen Ren barely had a chance to settle in when she asked, “How did it go?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You already know I was trying out the gun?”

Yalan lazily drew biscuits in his bed. “I heard the noise. I believe a lot of mortals know you’re up to something with Qing He and Feiyu, thanks to all the explosions and noise.”

“I’m interested to know how the guns perform against beasts.”

He sat on the chair and leaned back. “We’ll test it all out soon enough.” He paused for a moment, then pulled something from his robe. "Anyways, right now, I need to see if I can decipher this." He set the medallion on the table in front of him, his gaze fixed on it.

Since receiving it back from Feng Ming, and especially after the tournament, Chen Ren had found himself increasingly drawn to the heirloom. He knew Gu Tian wanted it, and that only fueled his curiosity. He had a feeling that this medallion held secrets he was yet to uncover.

He couldn't quite pinpoint why he was so interested in the medallion, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized it was tied to something bigger. He had heard the spectre mention something about a "Gate of Immortals," and it was easy to say that the medallion had a connection with this place or item. But how? What was this Gate of Immortals?

He had yet to find out. If the gate was truly important, then others might be coming after him, too. That made this even more critical to understand. But when he asked Yalan about the gate, even she had no answers. Qing He hadn’t been much help either, until, by chance, she mentioned Ancient Immortal script.

The mention of the script triggered something in Chen Ren’s mind. It reminded him of the strange characters at the back of the medallion, the ones that had haunted his thoughts ever since he had gotten it back. Curious, he had asked Qing He for a book on the script, hoping to decipher the ancient words.

But despite all his efforts, he hadn’t made any real progress. The script was elusive—too intricate, too foreign.

Still, giving up wasn’t an option.

He sat in his chair, poring over the ancient texts, comparing them to the letters on the back of the medallion. Every time he would feel like he had made some progress and a letter felt similar to the one in the medallion, he would realise that it was a bit different, making him start from the beginning again.

The hours slipped by unnoticed, with only Yalan’s occasional stretch on the bed to remind him of the passage of time.

He muttered to himself, frustration creeping in, “This script has thousands of letters, and although they seem identical to the ones on the medallion, I can’t find the exact meaning.”

Yalan stretched again and yawned before replying lazily, “I did tell you that the words on the medallion could just be written in a different dialect, or someone might have intentionally altered them, creating a secret code that only those they trust can understand. Higher realm cultivators often do that.”

Chen Ren looked at Yalan. “I understand that, but if the script is really a secret code, then it might make it impossible for me to decipher what's written here. And if it’s truly the Ancient Immortal script, then this medallion could be the oldest thing in the world." He paused, looking at the medallion more closely. "I originally thought it was made of some kind of copper, but now I think I could be wrong.”

Yalan, intrigued by his words, squinted her eyes, as if zooming in to see the medallion. “Yeah, that’s true. But we won’t be able to find out what material it is, nor will we be able to experiment to see how sturdy it is.”

Chen Ren nodded. The medallion was too precious and important for him to risk breaking it just to see its durability and the material it was made from. In a way, breaking it would free him from the responsibility of owning it, but if the people after it were demonic cultivators, then it could be the key to something valuable. And there was always the chance of them trying to kill him for the medallion.

But there were also questions that arose. Why had Gu Tian come after the medallion just now? The medallion had been in the Chen Clan for generations. So why now? Maybe he was missing something, maybe there was more context that he was not seeing, and those were always a thing.

Maybe he should contact the Chen Clan and ask them about it. But again, he didn’t have any connections with them. Even in his memories, Chen Ren hadn’t been close to anyone in the clan. Especially after his parents had died.

The thought of reaching out to the Chen Clan felt like a daunting task, and Chen Ren couldn't shake the sense of unease that clung to the idea. Despite everything, he knew that getting more information about the medallion could be the key to understanding what Gu Tian—and others—were truly after. And perhaps, in the process, he would learn more about himself than he cared to.

His mind briefly wandered back to the past of Chen Ren. He had been the typical young master—a figure who had once been expected to live up to the prestige of his lineage, but who had never been treated with the reverence such a role usually commanded. It wasn’t simply because of his behavior, though he had been rebellious and distant. There were deeper issues at play within the Chen Clan, things that festered beneath the surface, things even his memories struggled to clarify.

As he closed his eyes, a wave of thoughts and half-formed memories began to flood his mind, but before he could focus on them further, a knock on the door startled him out of his reverie.

He stood and walked over to the door, opening it to reveal one of the mortal members of the sect, a young man named Huang Hai.

“Sect Leader Chen,” he greeted with a deep bow. “There’s someone from the Tang Clan here to see you. They said it’s urgent.”

The mention of the Tang Clan instantly piqued Chen Ren’s interest.

“Urgent?” Chen Ren repeated, his brow furrowing. “Let’s go,” he said.

***

Li Xuan walked down the mountain path. It was rugged. The sword strapped to his side made him remember the journey he was on. His eyes were filled with a fierce determination as he scanned the distance. So very often, he found himself looking back at the path he had already travelled. The soot that fell on his face from the distant smoke only seemed to deepen his pensive mood. Was there truly a point to this journey? Was it the right path?

For a moment, he considered the comfort of staying in the sect. He could have continued his training there, surrounded by familiar faces and challenges. But then he shook his head, dispelling the thought. Staying in the sect had grown unbearable.

After his humiliating defeat at the Cloud Mist City tournament, the relentless challenges from both outer and inner sect disciples had only escalated. Every day, he found himself sparring for hours, sometimes with multiple opponents at once. They saw him as an easy target, thinking his defeat to the rogue demonic cultivator had weakened him. But he had crushed each one of them, one by one, his frustration simmering beneath the surface as he wiped the floor with their arrogance.

But it wasn’t the constant sparring that had pushed him to this breaking point. It was his master. After the loss to the demonic cultivator, his master had been… tireless. The man’s pride had been wounded, and in an effort to punish Li Xuan for his perceived failure, he had relegated him to menial tasks. Sweeping the sect’s steps, cleaning his master’s old clothes—tasks meant for the outer sect disciples. These were things Li Xuan had never imagined he would be subjected to. The tasks had been demeaning, and as the days dragged on, they only served to humiliate him further.

The real blow had come when his master had begun giving him personal sparring lessons, not to help him grow stronger, but as a punishment. Each session felt more like an exercise in breaking his spirit than in refining his skills.

Li Xuan clenched his fists, the memory of those painful lessons searing his thoughts. In the end, he had been unable to take it any longer. He had requested this journey, the one so many cultivators embarked upon to clear their minds, learn new things, and progress in their cultivation. He had hoped that this would be the escape he needed to regain his focus and find more success in his path.

But now, as he walked alone down the mountain, the weight of the sword seemed to grow heavier with each step, and the doubts crept in. Was this really the right choice? Would he find the answers he sought out here? Or had he simply run away from the one place where he might have truly grown? But these questions will be answered soon, he knew it.

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Days had bled into one another since he left the city. The hours spent in cultivation felt like a blur—wild beasts slain, rogue cultivators dispatched, yet none of them had truly tested him. Their strength paled in comparison to his, their movements too predictable, too weak.

A small, nagging thought kept tugging at him: What if he wasn’t ready? What if his past defeat still lingered in his blood, in his mind? Should he call for a spar with Chen Ren again? The idea of facing Chen Ren again, of tasting another loss, sent a cold shiver down his spine. No, he wasn’t ready. Not yet. He needed more time. More strength.

So, he walked. The winding mountain road leading up to Ashen City became his path, his sanctuary from the noise in his mind. The few carriages that passed by were nothing more than fleeting distractions. The heat from the volcanoes made the air thick, oppressive, but Li Xuan breathed it in, as if trying to fill himself with something more than doubt.

His lips moved quietly, reciting lines from [Heavenly Soaring Manual], the familiar rhythm offering some semblance of peace. His thoughts drifted to his techniques—how to refine them, how to make them flawless. Each step was a thought in motion, each breath a subtle reminder that he wasn’t where he needed to be yet, but he was getting closer. At least, he hoped so.

Then, a sound—sharp, thunderous—split the air, snapping him out of his thoughts. ROOOOOOAAR!

His feet slowed, his heart pounding in his chest. The cliff ahead loomed high, jagged rocks forming a natural barrier, and from behind it came the unmistakable sounds of struggle. The clash of weapons, the roar of the beast, and human shouts blended together into a cacophony of desperation.

He moved quickly, his boots crunching over gravel and debris, sliding between boulders and weaving through the sparse trees that dotted the rocky terrain. The scent of burning herbs and sweat mixed in the air as he crouched behind a large rock to take in the scene before him.

A massive creature that looked over seven feet hovered below the cliff. He was covered in rough, scaled armor. And the texture—similar to a serpent but far thicker and more… menacing. The long tail seemed to be its weapon as it whipped through the air, knocking one of the cultivators aside, sending him to the ground with a loud force. Its mouth opened in a horrific snarl, revealing rows and rows of bloodied teeth. It hissed at the group of cultivators trapped against the cliff face.

The men were skilled, he could tell by the way they moved, using techniques that seemed honed by years of practice. But even their combined efforts weren’t enough. The beast’s movements were swift, and its attacks relentless. It wanted blood. Each strike of its claws sent shockwaves through the air, rattling the cultivators’ stances, their swords barely able to penetrate its tough scales.

From their clothes, Li Xuan could tell they were not normal cultivators. Their robes were fine, decorated with patterns that marked them as affluent individuals from prestigious clans. They should have been able to handle such a beast, yet here they were, struggling for survival. It almost made him laugh, but he refused to, understanding the sheer magnitude of the situation they were in.

These men weren’t prepared for a fight this dangerous, nor for the overwhelming power of the creature before them. The mountain path was their only escape, but climbing the cliff in their condition seemed impossible.

Li Xuan’s mind raced. The beast was clearly Tier 2, far beyond their abilities, and if they couldn’t subdue it, they’d be doomed. The thought of turning back and leaving them to their fate flickered in his mind, but something inside him stirred. He couldn’t just walk away—not when they needed help, not when there was something he could do.

It was in these moments that the true nature of a cultivator was revealed, wasn’t it? The righteous path was not just about personal growth or victory in battles—it was about using one’s power to protect others, to stand against the darkness when others couldn’t. The thought of what his master would say to him if he walked away from this only hardened his resolve.

Without a second thought, he unleashed his sword and gripped it. His breath steady, he took a step forward and jumped down, revealing himself from behind the rock. The cultivators seemed momentarily startled by his sudden appearance.

The beast’s reptilian eyes locked onto him, a low growl rumbling from deep within its chest as it shifted its stance, clearly sensing a new threat. Li Xuan stood tall, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.

He took a deep breath, his mind clearing as he called upon his cultivation, feeling the surge of energy within him.

He was already in motion as he leapt into the air, his body a blur of motion. He charged toward it with a ferocity that shook the very ground beneath his feet. The beast’s elongated body rippled with muscles as it crouched low, preparing to strike with its sharp claws, its massive tail whipping through the air like a deadly whip.

He didn’t have time to think.

Not when its eyes locked onto his. A low growl came from its throat, echoing against the cliffside. The claws— they were much scarier to upfront; long as swords, capable of rendering through steel with a single swipe.

Without hesitation, his sword cut through the air, the blade shimmering with a surge of lightning as he moved to meet the beast’s charge. It met the beast’s stomach, a burst of electric light erupted, sending jolts of lightning coursing through its body. The beast recoiled with a shriek, its sharp claws tearing through the air in an attempt to strike Li Xuan down. He rolled on the ground, missing one of its sharp claws by an inch.

Shit!

The cultivators behind him gasped in awe, witnessing the display of power, but Li Xuan wasn’t interested in their reactions. His focus was entirely on the battle. "Stay back!" he ordered coldly. He didn’t have time to explain, and he didn’t want them interfering.

“ROOOOAAARRR!”

His escape angered it as it swiped at him with claws again, and again. Li Xuan was already in motion. He moved around its attacks, and felt the power of his recent training coursing through his veins. Now at the third star of qi refinement realm, his confidence had been sharpened with the knowledge that he was more than a match for this creature.

Yet, he tried to avoid attacks until he found a good, weak spot to retaliate.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw its tail lash out suddenly, aiming to crush him, but he was quicker. He jumped over the swinging tail, his sword flashing with lightning as he sent a rush of electricity coursing through the air, trapping the beast in place for just a moment. It let out a growl of frustration, its body twitching, momentarily stunned by the electric trap.

Seizing the opportunity, Li Xuan closed the distance in a flash, his sword slashing downward. The blade struck the beast’s underbelly with precision, cutting through its tough scales as easily as slicing through cloth. The creature’s cry of agony filled the air, but it was too late. Before it could react, Li Xuan twisted the blade, driving it deep into the beast’s vulnerable underside.

The beast convulsed once, then collapsed, its body spasming as its life force drained away.

Blood oozed out of its body as it let out one final roar that sounded like a moan of pain before its body went limp. Li Xuan stood over the fallen creature, panting lightly as he withdrew his sword from its body, the blade still crackling with residual lightning.

Finally, Li Xuan huffed loudly and looked behind.

The cultivators stood stunned, staring at him in awe. They had watched a creature they had thought unbeatable be taken down in a matter of moments. Li Xuan’s gaze swept over them.

One of the cultivators, a tall man with sharp features and a well-maintained robe, stepped forward cautiously, bowing deeply. "Honoured Cultivator, thank you for saving mine and my friends' lives," he said respectfully. "I, Zhu Renjie, am deeply grateful for your assistance and would like to know your name."

Li Xuan gave a small nod, sheathing his sword as the crackling of lightning in the air died down. “Li Xuan,” he replied simply, the name flowing easily from his lips. He then raised an eyebrow, curiosity piquing. “But tell me, how did you come across such a beast? None of you seem to be in the qi refinement realm.”

Zhu Renjie hesitated for a moment, then looked toward his companions, before turning back to Li Xuan. "We were hunting a few young backbreakers like the one you just fought near their nest," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "We didn’t realize the full-grown one was nearby, and it attacked us, chasing us all the way here. We were fortunate you came when you did. Had you not intervened, I fear we would not have made it."

Li Xuan nodded, his face impassive. "You were lucky," he said flatly. "Next time, try to think things through before challenging a nest. It might save your lives."

Zhu Renjie bowed again, looking both humbled and impressed. "We will remember that, Daoist Li Xuan," he promised. Then, as if considering something, he added, "For your help, I would be honoured to host you at my Zhu Clan in Ashen City. You can partake in a feast there and we even have a batch of moonshine from the Divine Coin Sect. Every cultivator in the city loves it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it."

Li Xuan’s expression shifted at the mention of the Divine Coin Sect, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had heard of them before, in passing. But he wasn't able to put where he had heard it until the face of the man who had defeated the opponent he hadn't been able to pop in his head. Hasn't his master mentioned that Chen Ren had rejected the Soaring Sword Sect to create his own sect? And the name of that sect was also similar.

Slowly, the connection became clear. Without hesitation, he fixed Zhu Renjie with a sharp gaze.

“Wait,” Li Xuan said, his voice steady but with an edge of interest. "Is this moonshine from the Divine Coin Sect connected to a cultivator named Chen Ren?"

Zhu Renjie’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Yes, it is," he confirmed, his brow furrowing slightly as he processed the question. "Do you know him?"

Li Xuan’s pulse quickened at the mention of Chen Ren’s name. His gaze hardened, and he took a step closer to Zhu Renjie, his voice low but firm.

“I do," Li Xuan replied, the weight of his words settling between them. "Tell me everything you know about him."

***

A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

PS - Will be looking into the gun advice in the last chapter.

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