Chapter 17: In Need of Money - Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

### Chapter 17: In Need of Money "That Shang Ziliang is the son of Yun Yaofeng's peak master," Xu Ziqing huffed to Chu Liang as they exited the Sword Transmission Hall. "He always flaunts his father's status as the peak master, acting as if he's something special. I've never liked him. And yet, he keeps trying to get close to me—it's so annoying." So that's how it is. The peak master of Yun Yaofeng, Shang Shuwen, is a Confucian cultivator renowned across Jiangnan and well-respected in the martial world... Yet, his son doesn't seem to measure up to him at all. While contemplating this, Chu Liang saw what seemed like a shooting star streak down from the southeast toward Silver Sword Peak. His eyes lit up immediately. "Junior Sister Ziqing, my master must have returned. I'll go to greet her." Chu Liang said. "Oh..." The young girl nodded and watched longingly as Chu Liang departed. She gazed after him with reluctant fondness. Chu Liang flew back to Silver Sword Peak on his sword, and indeed found in the peak master's pavilion, the magnificently imposing Emperor's Daughter Phoenix sitting there in a black and red-trimmed robe, visibly agitated. Her Phoenix Spirit Blood Jade glimmered and faded with her anger. “Master.” Chu Liang stepped forward, saying, “I greet my master upon her return.” “Mm, were there any issues these past few days?” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix inquired. “No issues. I completed a mission without trouble,” Chu Liang nodded and asked, “How did your journey go, Master?” “Don’t mention it.” At the mention of this, Emperor's Daughter Phoenix's eyes flared with frustration. “I was investigating disturbances by sea monsters in the East Sea, but those people from Penglai Sect accused me of disrupting the marine ecosystem! They wanted to drive me away! If not for considering the entire Shu Mountain Sect, I'd have fought with them already!” “...” Chu Liang remained silent for a moment. His master behaved exactly as he had predicted. Though she downplayed the monster search, her actions were likely not so subtle. When monsters cause havoc, the Emperor's Daughter Phoenix can clear out the danger; when there are no monsters, she herself becomes the threat. It seems her turmoil attracted attention in the East Sea, forcing the Penglai Sect to step in and intervene. Penglai Sect, being one of the celestial sects of the Nine Heavens, naturally wouldn't allow such disruption at their doorstep. Their intervention was perfectly reasonable. As he mused on these things, he outwardly commented, “The Penglai Sect people were quite rude!” “Exactly!” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix nodded in agreement. Then she sensed something amiss, and glanced at Chu Liang. “You've never been this well-behaved. You came to greet me as soon as I arrived? You must have some request, don't you?” “Greeting my master is what I ought to do,” Chu Liang smiled, “But... I do happen to have some matters to discuss with you.” “Hah.” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix snorted. “Speak, then.” “During my recent mission, I was with disciples from Jade Sword Peak,” Chu Liang began. “One of them, an early-stage Golden Core cultivator, was far superior to me. His flying sword and spells were exceedingly powerful. Yet, he wasn't even the main force of Jade Sword Peak. I'm concerned... How will we compete at the Shu Mountain Summit?” he asked. “Isn’t there still time for you to become stronger? Believe in yourself.” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix said nonchalantly. Chu Liang seized the moment, “So I was thinking of ways to enhance myself. Besides diligent cultivation and improving my skills, I believe I know too few advanced spells. I was hoping Master could teach me some powerful techniques.” “Spells?” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix was momentarily stunned. “I have no spells to teach you.” She was being honest. The reason the Shu Mountain Sect master initially opposed her taking disciples was not only due to her unruly nature but mostly because she practiced body cultivation. Body cultivation follows the path of Dao to strengthen the body—without practicing martial arts, just forging a powerful physique. Emperor's Daughter Phoenix cultivated the Red Flame Divine Phoenix Body, using body cultivation to seek Dao, and her prowess was undoubtedly terrifying. However, body cultivators are extremely rare, requiring unique circumstances; she couldn't pass her techniques on to a disciple. Nevertheless. Shu Mountain disciples had other means of acquiring spells beyond master’s teachings—by purchasing them from the Guardian Hall. If he sought spells even his master hadn’t mastered, he should just buy them there. Chu Liang nodded with a slight smile, “So I was thinking of purchasing some from the Guardian Hall.” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix squinted slightly, a hint of danger in her eyes, “Then go buy them.” “But this disciple... is short on funds,” Chu Liang said softly. “Heh.” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix let out a cold laugh, “This whole elaborate speech, you're just here to ask for money, right?” “It’s all for the master’s grand cause,” Chu Liang pleaded earnestly. Ever adept at the art of persuasion. “Hmm…” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix rested her chin on her hand, her sleeve sliding to reveal a pale wrist. "You need spells and artifacts; I might find a way... But as for money, I truly have none." “Master’s monthly stipend from Shu Mountain is substantial, isn’t it? And the peak master receives additional funds…” Chu Liang cautiously inquired. He had long wondered why Silver Sword Peak always seemed so poor, something he was accustomed to from childhood. However, as he grew, seeing the affluence of other peaks piqued his curiosity. Especially given that he was the only disciple, resource allocation wasn't an issue. Even a small monthly allowance from his master should have been enough to save up for a flying sword. "Sigh.” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix sighed, “What can those meager funds accomplish... I have no cash to my name and I'm buried under a mountain of debt.” “Why is that?” Chu Liang was puzzled. Emperor's Daughter Phoenix patted her wine gourd at her waist, “Do you think this liquor that can intoxicate someone of my cultivation is readily available? Each gourd of this Drunken Immortal Brew costs 500 sword coins.” "What?" She’d always been drinking this since he could remember, and just one gourd equated to the price of a flying sword? Shocking. This wasn’t just drinking—this was burning money. “I’m telling you the truth. Other than debt, I possess nothing. All these years traveling the world, aside from this Phoenix Spirit Blood Jade, I’ve never owned a single magic weapon. I rely solely on my own body.” Emperor's Daughter Phoenix spread her hands, assuming a nonchalant “what-can-you-do” posture, “Even if you’re desperate for money, I have nothing valuable to sell. If you truly need it, I could sell off this body.” Chu Liang's eyebrow twitched, “Is that even possible?” “Scram.” ... Chu Liang returned dejectedly to his little wooden hut—his plan to ask for money had failed, and he had learned the dire truth that Emperor's Daughter Phoenix had no intention of quitting drinking anytime soon. It seemed he would have to rely on himself in the future. If he desired flying swords, magic weapons, elixirs, betrothal gifts, or talismans, he would have to save for them himself... Or not buy them at all and hope for something from monster hunting. Just as he rounded the hill, he unexpectedly encountered a familiar figure. With bushy eyebrows, bright eyes, and a brocade robe, the sunny-looking Jade Sword Peak disciple Lin Bei stood there. “Hey hey hey!” Seeing Chu Liang, Lin Bei immediately greeted him with a hearty laugh, “Brother Chu, you’re finally back.” “Brother Lin, what brings you here? Is there something you need?” Chu Liang asked. “Of course.” Lin Bei beamed brightly, “I’ve found a richly rewarding mission that requires two skilled and clever Divine Intent Realm disciples to complete. When I thought about it, I realized that no one in the Shu Mountain Sect fits the bill better than the two of us!” Chu Liang ignored his flattery and asked, “Where are we headed?” “Yan Jiao City, Nan Shan Academy.”