Chapter 238:

Bing State, Yucheng City.

As soon as Lin Jiang opened the door, he saw two birds kissing each other. Golden Feather Carving was holding a pill and feeding it to Small Shadiao, who swallowed it in one bite. Then, Small Shadiao picked up a piece of dried meat and fed it to Golden Feather Carving. Golden Feather Carving’s eyes were full of stars, almost overflowing with happiness.

"You have no shame, showing affection early in the morning."

Lin Jiang laughed and cursed, and Small Shadiao rolled its eyes and flew over.

"You dare to give me a dirty look. You are a scumbag, no, a scumbird."

"You are the scumbag."

"You still dare to talk back. Where is your bird companion? Don’t care about it, loving the rich and despising the poor?"

"Loving the rich and despising the poor is the talk of your human race. We demons don’t have such things."

"Wow, you’ve learned to talk back, but what you’re saying makes sense. How did you tame him, Golden Feather?"

"Big brother, me and Shun are truly in love with each other. Please don’t disturb us."

"Yeah, you should leave."

Two birds sang in perfect harmony, leaving Lin Jiang shocked. Had he been in seclusion for years? It had only been a few days, but everything had changed.

"Little Golden Feather, you go and play first. Small Shadiao, come with me for a moment."

Lin Jiang said with a big smile. He asked Small Shadiao to transform first and then brought him back into the house, otherwise they couldn’t get in. After that, he quickly set up a barrier.

"What are you doing?"

"What’s the matter with you? Weren’t you determined not to obey?"

"Did I say that?"

"Didn’t I say it?"

"Master, don’t tell me you believe in bird talk."

"I…"

Small Shadiao rolled his eyes again, making Lin Jiang furious. Who taught him this nonsense? Small Shadiao goes out to play every day, could he be playing with shady birds?

"Enough, there’s no one else here. Tell me, what are you thinking?"

"Master, you’ve been pushing for this all along and I agreed. Why are you changing your mind now?"

"Because I’ve realized you’re up to no good."

"No, I just want to mix some medicinal herbs. You never buy them for me."

"Those Beast Spirit Pills are too expensive, and you can’t afford them, Master."

Lin Jiang pursed his lips. It was the kind of medicinal herbs Yi Zhibai had sent before, and they were quite expensive, especially if they were to help Small Shadiao in his cultivation. Giving him a taste occasionally was fine, but it couldn’t be his main food. Lin Jiang couldn’t afford that.

"Then it’s settled, free food and drinks and a wife, isn’t that good?"

"You’re right, it makes sense. But let me warn you, be smart about it. Don’t mention anything about me, the Five Elements Sect, or the Lin family. And don’t go more than twenty miles outside the city. If someone attacks you, I won’t be able to save you."

Lin Jiang spoke seriously, the martial arts world is full of deceit and trickery, it’s hard to defend against. Lin Jiang doesn’t fully trust the Pure Jade Sect either. Since he arrived in Yucheng City, he has never left the city.

Small Shadiao is the same. Usually, no one dares to have any ideas about a fourth rank beast pet. But if someone does, Lin Jiang won’t be able to handle it. The persona he created may not be able to hold up.

"I understand, I won’t wander around."

"I’m not joking with you, you know. You’re fast, but there are ways to deal with you."

"Yes, I understand."

"Go on, finish the mission quickly. There are plenty of mother birds waiting for you in the future."

"·····"

Little Shadiao was shocked and wondered if he could be killed with a knife.

······

"Haha, thank you very much, Brother Xiao."

Two months later, Yi Zhibai came to visit. He wanted to take away the Golden Feather Carving, which belonged to his senior brother. This was considered a favor owed.

"It’s a small matter, why be so polite, Brother Yi?"

"How’s Brother Xiao considering the matter we discussed earlier?"

"No problem, we’ll send someone to collect it in a few days."

Lin Jiang nodded. Recently, Yi Zhibai had mentioned that in his gambling jade business, there were many low-grade spiritual jades and scrap pieces. He wanted their company to take them away, and Lin Jiang agreed.

The Five Elements Sect and the Lin family both have many low-level disciples. These low-grade spiritual jades are just right for them. There’s a way to handle them, and Lin Jiang won’t lose out. It’s just a bit of trouble.

"Thank you so much, Brother Xiao. Let’s talk about the price."

"You’re too kind, Brother Yi."

"Brother Xiao, why don’t you visit my place sometime? I’ve been open for so long, but you’ve never come."

"Okay, I’ll go when I have some free time."

"Don’t wait too long. How about three days from now? I’ll be waiting for you."

"Alright."

Lin Jiang didn’t keep refusing, and Yi Zhibai mentioned it several times, but he just kept making excuses. He definitely won’t go and play.

Small Shadiao watched as the Golden Feather Carving was taken away. The two birds showed deep affection, tears swirling in their eyes. Lin Jiang and Yi Zhibai felt somewhat emotional. Birds are really better than humans.

"Finally leaving."

As soon as Yi Zhibai left, Small Shadiao’s reluctance disappeared instantly, like a magic trick.

"Oh my goodness, you…"

"What’s wrong with me?"

"What else can I say, amazing!"

Lin Jiang was greatly impressed, Small Shadiao’s acting skills were just a little bit worse than his, impressive indeed.

"Crying and blabbering, so annoying."

"Being tough is cool."

"She’s just too lousy, only a third-grade product, she hasn’t even caught any prey, not worthy of being an eagle."

"Why don’t you go catch a few, simple request, just third-grade is enough."

"·····"

Small Shadiao turned and left, determined not to give the capitalist any chance.

Three days later, Lin Jiang went to Yi Zhibai’s place. There is a specific area in Yucheng City for gambling with jade, and it is tightly guarded by the Pure Jade Sect. There is usually a Soul Changing Ancestor there to prevent any trouble.

"Brother Xiao, welcome"

"Brother Yi, this business is good"

"Just a small skirmish"

Yi Zhibai modestly said that there are dozens of jade gambling places in Yucheng City, and he is now among the top five because he has brought in a group of Nascent Souls as shareholders, and these Nascent Souls are backed by Soul Changing.

"Brother Yi, you underestimate yourself. I will still rely on your support in the future."

"We are life and death brothers, there’s no need to say that. Come on, let me show you around."

Yi Zhibai smiled and then wandered around the venue with Lin Jiang.

The venue was very simple, with piles of rough spiritual jade stones placed on the ground. These stones were differentiated by size, weight, and other factors, and had different prices. After buying them, the venue could help to cut them open.

"Brother Yi, some cultivators have mastered eye techniques. Aren’t they afraid of encountering experts?"

"Brother Xiao, no one in the world does unprofitable business. That’s what you said."

"I would like to hear more details."

"Cultivators have various mysterious techniques. Some eye techniques can see through illusions. That is indeed true. But how many people can actually master these secret techniques? And how many of them are low-level cultivators? Brother Xiao, take a look at the venue. How many customers are above the Nascent Soul stage?"

"I haven’t seen many. Mostly Qi Refining and Building Foundation stage, with few Golden Core stage cultivators."

"Exactly, if real experts come, we just have to admit a little loss and politely ask them to leave. Be friendly and courteous, and everyone will be fine."

Yi Zhibai laughed loudly. There must be such amazing people, just like in a casino where there are always some gambling masters. When encountering them, just add them to the blacklist.

"I understand, it’s just like playing at a regular casino, right?"

"Almost the same, Brother Xiao, are you interested in playing a few rounds?"

"Not interested, I’m just here to watch."

"Hey, no pressure, actually it’s best to stay away from this kind of thing. Human nature is inherently greedy. People who make quick money can never be satisfied with ordinary income. In the world of cultivating immortality, alchemy is the most profitable skill. But do alchemists really make a lot of money? With these raw stones, if you cut them open, maybe you’ll find an extraordinary spiritual jade."

Yi Zhibai said. Pill, Talisman, Item, and Formation can make money, but that’s just the impression of ordinary people. Even if these things make money, it’s all based on skills and hard work. There’s no way to get rich quick, and there’s no easy way to make money. As long as people have desires, their business will not be bad.

"Brother Yi, do these raw stones have anything inside them, like sealing an ancient divine item?"

"Brother Xiao, you’re overthinking it. These raw stones have been buried underground for tens of thousands or even millions of years. If there was really something inside, it would have died long ago."

"Alright."

Lin Jiang nodded. He was actually afraid of such things happening. If some unforeseen event occurred, he wouldn’t know what to do. He had nowhere to run.

Yi Zhibai always asks Lin Jiang to come here. The ultimate goal is to get Lin Jiang to invest money here. There are different levels of gambling on jade. Although Yi Zhibai’s place is large, there aren’t many high-end things here. He still wants to get a share of the high-end market.

However, entering the high-end market requires a lot of capital. Neither he nor his partners want to invest all the money themselves. They want to find others to share the risk. It is obvious that Lin Jiang is the wealthy person they have in mind. After all, you can’t afford to raise a fourth-level beast pet without money.

"Showing off too much. I’ll find an opportunity to leave again."

Lin Jiang sighed when he saw Yi Zhibai repeatedly looking for him. He really wants to find a place to practice well. It seems that he won’t stay in Yucheng City for long. He should look for an opportunity to escape again.