Chapter 77: That Day

“Who is this old man?”

I was daydreaming about delicious food when his shout startled me. Unexpectedly, Yun Xiaobao, who had been sitting calmly like a mountain, reacted even more dramatically. His mouth opened so wide it looked like he was about to swallow an egg, and he quickly stood up to support the old man who had rushed in.

“Dad, don’t get excited, don’t get excited, sit down first.” Yun Xiaobao supported him while speaking with concern.

So this excited old man was Yun Baochun. I looked at him curiously. He looked quite ordinary, but he carried a strong presence. Still, nothing special. Not even as imposing as my cheap master when he was performing rituals. Not even close.

“Sit my ass! A divine immortal has come to your door and you don’t even know, and you still dare neglect him?” Yun Baochun slapped Yun Xiaobao hard on the back without giving the middle aged man any face at all.

Yun Xiaobao stood nearby, not daring to speak. Yun Baochun turned around and instantly seemed like a different person. With a respectful and warm expression, he asked, “Which one of you is Disciple of Immortal Li? I should have known earlier you were coming to Chengdu. I would have personally welcomed you, personally welcomed you…”

At this moment, Old Man Jiang finally stood up and said, “Old Li is indeed my master.”

“Oh my, sit down quickly, sit…” As he spoke, Yun Baochun personally pulled Old Man Jiang to sit, then sat down beside him as well.

“May I ask which immortal of the Li generation you are? Is Old Immortal Li well?” After sitting down, Yun Baochun asked impatiently.

“Forget about immortals,” Old Man Jiang said. “I am Jiang Lichun. As for my master, he is traveling the world.”

When I heard mention of my grandmaster, I perked up. That was what I was most curious about. But Old Man Jiang was too cunning. He brushed it off in just one sentence.

“So it is Brother Lichun. Back then I was only about ten years old. When I saw you, you were three years younger than me. If not for your master, our family would have suffered a great disaster. I would not even have a son today. Thinking of it now, although your appearance has aged a lot, I can still vaguely see traces of an old acquaintance,” Yun Baochun said as if reminiscing.

“Alright, alright. All of that was my master’s doing. I did not really do anything. I do not deserve such courtesy,” Old Man Jiang said. “I came this time just to sell a piece of jade, jade I personally nurtured. Your son and this Ma Dudu could not recognize it, so I had no choice but to ask you to judge its value.”

He spoke lightly, but Yun Baochun’s expression changed instantly. Shock, disbelief, and joy all piled up on his face. He asked uncertainly, “You are saying you want to sell jade you personally made? Th this, what difficulties are you facing? I will do everything I can to help. This jade is far too precious.”

“No need. If there is a request, there is a return. I do not take things for free. Look at the jade first. If you also think it is ordinary, then I will leave.” Old Man Jiang directly refused Yun Baochun and insisted on selling only the jade.

But Yun Baochun did not even look at it. He immediately said, “Master Jiang, no need to look. Just name your price.”

At this moment, Yun Xiaobao also became anxious. He did not know anything about Old Li or the so called Li generation immortals. His business minded nature was ingrained in his bones, and he also had a bit of pride, believing that in Sichuan, there was no need to fear anyone. His father sometimes overemphasized so called Jianghu relationships, which was not good for business.

Actually, maintaining Jianghu relationships was not impossible. Helping out a bit generously was fine, but business rules could not be broken, especially with Ma Dudu here.

Thinking of this, Yun Xiaobao could not help but say, “Dad, at least take a look at the jade.”

When Yun Baochun heard this, he said nothing. He was originally holding a cane, but now he suddenly stood up and swung it toward Yun Xiaobao, shouting, “Have you been blinded by greed and money? I will beat you to death, you blind and heartless fool!”

Smack.

Old Man Jiang grabbed Yun Baochun in time, while Yun Xiaobao looked wronged.

“Just take a look,” Old Man Jiang said calmly, and handed the jade over.

Yun Baochun took a deep breath, still somewhat angry. He pointed at Yun Xiaobao, then finally sat down. His hands trembled slightly as he respectfully accepted the jade.

Then something strange happened.

Yun Baochun did not look at the jade at all. Instead, he closed his eyes and pressed it tightly against his chest, as if sensing something carefully.

Yun Xiaobao froze. Ma Dudu froze. Cao Er froze.

I lay lazily on the table as usual, because I knew the jade in my master’s room was different. If I concentrated and closed my eyes, I could vaguely “see” a faint yellow glow around it, sometimes strong, sometimes weak.

Hahaha...

Old Man Jiang, on the other hand, was even more relaxed. He simply lifted his teacup and looked out the window. I knew he was looking at pretty girls.

After a short while, Yun Baochun opened his eyes. His face was filled with uncontrollable joy. Holding the jade tightly, his lips trembled as he kept repeating, “Heaven bless my Yun family…”

Then he turned to Old Man Jiang and said, “Master Jiang, I guess this is spiritual jade. I did not expect you truly intended to sell such a treasure. This kind of thing cannot be measured in money. I must bow to you in respect.”

As he said this, he tried to stand up and bow.

But Old Man Jiang stopped him again. “No need to talk so much. We each take what we need.”

“How about half of my family fortune?” Yun Baochun said directly, striking his cane as he spoke.

Old Man Jiang said nothing, only sipping tea. No one knew what he was thinking.

Seeing that Old Man Jiang might refuse, Yun Baochun quickly said, “Master Jiang, I know your master’s rules. The easier the money comes, the more he takes. If the money is dirty, he will not even look at it, let alone act. The Yun family stopped doing underground business after listening to Immortal Li’s advice, so our money is clean. I believe you came here because of that. My family cannot compare to Hong Kong businessmen, but I am sincere. Over the years, I have also done many good deeds. How about this, I will only keep the operating funds needed for my business, and the rest will all be used to buy this jade.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Dudu nearly spat out his tea, and Yun Xiaobao immediately stood up.

Ma Dudu shouted, “No, no! Old Yun, you must tell me what this jade really is. Are you buying a favor, or are you really buying the jade?”

Yun Xiaobao also said in a deep voice, “Dad, I am involved in the family business too. You need to convince me.”

Yun Baochun still held the jade tightly. “Ma Dudu, I know you love jade. Yun Xiaobao, you want a reason, right? After studying jade for so many years, have you heard of a legendary type of jade? Spiritual jade! It is also called a protective jade. It can save your life at critical moments.”

“You are saying this is spiritual jade?” Ma Dudu’s eyes widened so much they looked like they were about to fall out.

Yun Xiaobao slumped back onto his chair in shock.

When money reaches a certain level, life becomes more important. After years of studying jade, they naturally understood how precious such legendary jade could be. But it was also elusive, with no reliable way to identify it.

It was said that some people are born with a heavenly eye, or that cultivators develop one. At the very least, only those with extremely strong intuition could see through spiritual jade.

Yun Baochun continued, “People who study jade for a long time develop a very sharp intuition. There is a method called heart sensing jade. It uses the heart to perceive jade. It has many limitations and is almost lost, but it can reveal something about spiritual jade. Experts who use this method can even feel the internal texture of jade with their eyes closed.”

“I know about heart sensing jade, I know! I have also heard you, Old Yun, can use it, but I did not think it was real. Could it be just now…” Ma Dudu said in shock.

“Dad, this is the second time I have seen you use heart sensing jade,” Yun Xiaobao said. “I did not expect it to be spiritual jade.”

“My skill is still lacking. But you do not know the legend of Master Jiang and his disciple. Anything they bring out must be extraordinary. The spiritual jade they nurture is stronger than ordinary spiritual jade. It is like a real consecrated relic from a high monk, even the kind made from a skull you once saw,” Yun Baochun explained. “Close your eyes and feel it. I once said ancient jade carries a heavy aura. You should find one to compare.”

After more than forty minutes, Ma Dudu stared at the two pieces of jade on the table in frustration, while Yun Xiaobao looked refreshed and calm.

They had compared it with ancient jade. When holding unearthed ancient jade with closed eyes, there was always a cold sensation that could not be explained. It was not physical cold, but a deep unease.

But when holding Old Man Jiang’s jade, there was an inexplicable sense of calm and peace, a comforting feeling rising from within that could not be controlled.

This was the effect of Old Man Jiang’s skill and the power of spiritual jade.

“Ah, treasure right in front of me, but I cannot grasp it,” Ma Dudu sighed, clasped his hands, and prepared to leave.

“Hahaha… Ma Dudu, you already earned plenty of money. You do not lack this one opportunity. There will be more chances in the future,” Yun Baochun said happily.

“Dad, is this jade going to be for Baogen to wear?” Yun Xiaobao asked with a smile. After all, even though the price was high, the family business would still run, and with a protective charm like this, it was different.

Baogen was Yun Baochun’s only grandson, and Yun Xiaobao’s only son.

“Of course it is for Baogen. He has been weak since childhood,” Yun Baochun said joyfully. “And thank Master Jiang.”

“Wait. I never said I was selling it like that,” Old Man Jiang finally spoke.

I silently sympathized with Baogen. Wearing something like this around his neck, wouldn’t he get laughed at by classmates? A kid holding a potato. Hahaha... I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

If I had known earlier, I should have sold them the one carved with hotpot instead.

“Master Jiang…” Yun Baochun panicked.

Old Man Jiang stood up slowly. “The Yun family has indeed done many good deeds in recent years. I have heard about it. It seems you have kept my master’s words in mind. I also understand your business. Although not entirely clean, it is built on old connections and not too harmful, since you do not handle freshly unearthed goods. Let me ask you, how much does it cost to buy a building in the county seat?”

Old Man Jiang asked this question.

Yun Baochun was unsure what he meant but still answered, “In big cities, private housing is rare and mostly state owned, so it is hard to buy or sell. But in county towns, there are more private houses. For a good location, around 800 to 1,000, and average ones around 500.”

“Then that is settled. I will charge you 3,000 yuan for this jade.”

Yun Baochun could hardly believe it. That price was extremely cheap. He was wealthy, one of the richest in Chengdu. He could easily afford thirty or fifty thousand, and had originally prepared even more, yet it was only three thousand.

“This… Master Jiang, is that really appropriate?” Yun Baochun asked hesitantly.

“Of course it is not finished,” Old Man Jiang said. “That is only my payment. But I do not intend to sell it for just this amount. From this year onward, for the next ten years, I require one third of your annual business profit to be used for charity, for ten full years.”

“Agreed!” Yun Baochun and Yun Xiaobao answered almost at the same time.

“Do not think about cheating. Old brother Baochun, you know you cannot fool me,” Old Man Jiang said sternly.

“We absolutely will not!” Yun Baochun promised firmly.

After that, I had a very satisfying time. When Old Man Jiang got money, he lived freely, taking me around Chengdu and even buying me a set of ugly new clothes, all earthy red. He also bought himself a set of ugly new clothes, all earthy yellow.

I, who had no sense of aesthetics at the time, felt that having new clothes was happiness.

Even better, he took me to eat legendary snacks like Zhong Shui dumplings and Lai Tangyuan. I ate so much my stomach became round.

On the road, I kept saying, “Master, those Zhong Shui dumplings are really good. Thin skin, one bite each. The sauce on top is spicy but also slightly sweet, really delicious.”

“It is not dumplings. It is jiao’er, as in horns. It is called Zhong Shui Jiao originally because it looks like a horn,” my master explained.

The night wind was very comfortable. With a full stomach, I felt so relaxed that my eyes almost closed as I was led by my master.

After we returned, my master gave my father 00 yuan. That money was more than enough for buying a house or starting a business. For the sake of my eldest sister and second sister’s education, my father gritted his teeth and really moved.

There was not much to pack. Everything was done in a few days. On the day we left, we treated the villagers to a feast and left in several tractors, quite ceremoniously. My mother cried a lot and could not bear to part with me.

I did not cry at the time. I only remember that when the tractors drove away, the sunset filled the sky, accompanied by the putt-putt-putt sound, as I watched my father, mother, eldest sister, and second sister grow farther and farther away.

Only then did I realize they had all left, and I was the only one remaining. I suddenly felt panic, and an overwhelming loneliness surged up inside me. I crouched down, holding my head, and cried.

At that moment, a warm large hand rested on my head.

“What is it? Feeling upset? Can’t bear to part? Crying?”

I stood up and wiped my tears hard. “Who said that? I can still visit them in the county anytime.”

But even as I spoke, tears kept falling.

“Yes, so stop crying. Boys are not supposed to be like this,” my master comforted me rarely with warmth.

After a long silence, I said sadly, “Master, I always hear my mother say my fate with my parents is thin. I am starting to get scared. I am afraid I will miss them.”

“You will miss them. Keep that feeling in your heart. No need to show it too much. As long as the feeling is deep enough.”

“Master, you will not leave me, right?”

I suddenly felt, as if everyone in my family had left, that I was becoming overwhelmingly angry from loneliness.

“Let’s go. We should return to the mountain.”