The Great Seminary

Chapter 242 All Eight Paths Cut
Shen Shijing took a piece of fruit, took a bite, and then held up a finger and waved it.
"The imperial edict is just a bonus that allows you to take a shortcut; it's free."

I only charge a fee for the ritual of the 'Earth Vein Acupoint Creation Secret Realm Method,' which is one million taels of gold.

"It seems that your true nature is quite different from the gentle and refined person you used to be."

They'll ask for any price!

Shen Shijing, already on the verge of breaking down from Zhang Gui's sarcasm, made no attempt to hide his anger.
"The nation and its people, which have been passed down for thousands of years, are now being ruined."

It was said that they were migrating to the 'underground realm' to await the future, but in reality, it was no different from fleeing.

Soon, they could no longer borrow any of the clan's power.

At a time like this, who am I supposed to impress with this pretense?

"That being said, my frustration and bewilderment when I first met Mr. on the street were genuine."

It's clear that you still have a conscience and a sense of pride.

Zhang Gui said earnestly.

Shen Shijing looked at him and said with the same serious expression:
"Dragon Tiger, to be honest, when I first met you, I was amazed by your divine bloodline and excellent cultivation aptitude, and I thought you had a bright future."

I once wanted to do you a favor and form an alliance, so I fed you some 'bait' without expecting anything in return.

But that will never happen again.

"clear.

"Then let's continue. Is there anything else 'good stuff' you'd like to sell?"

"There are also some cultivation techniques that, while not of a high level, are plentiful and inexpensive..."

After listening to Shen Shijing's description, Zhang Gui discovered that she was selling only "extraordinary knowledge," without a single rare or precious item.

In other words, apart from the jade tablets recording the methods of entering the Dao, the cost is almost zero.

Truly risk-free and highly profitable.

"Sir, although I understand that 'extraordinary knowledge' is to some extent equivalent to power and has infinite value."

But you asked for two million taels of gold, and all you sold were these kinds of things…”

"Stop talking nonsense and acting innocent. This kind of thing is, 'I ask for an exorbitant price, and you try to bargain.'"

Tell me what you want and what price you're willing to pay. As long as it's not outrageous, there's always room for negotiation.

"I want all the 'goods' you've shipped!" Zhang Gui said, his eyes gleaming.

"Priced at 150,000 taels of pure gold."

Shen Shijing was taken aback, then resolutely rejected the idea:
"You're greedy."

If you want them all, you can get a discount, but fifteen taels is absolutely impossible.

"We need to add at least one zero, making it 1.5 million in pure gold."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui showed an extremely troubled expression.

"Sir, think about it, I've only been in power for a short time. Even if the fief wharf is very profitable, it's impossible for me to accumulate the gold and silver mountains that wealthy families have."

Even with 150,000 taels of gold, I have to borrow money from friends to make ends meet!

Well, what can I do? You really did produce 'good stuff,' and I sincerely wanted to buy it.

"It's really hard to afford to pay a penny, but if we add another 1 to the first digit, it'll be 250,000 taels of gold..."

The two engaged in a heated debate for a long time before finally agreeing on a price of 380,000 taels of gold.

However, Zhang Gui naturally couldn't carry that many gold notes with him, so he only took out a 10,000 gold note as a deposit.

Shen Shijing then gave him an advance of an imperial edict from Han Li, which read:
"In the third year of Jingde of Hanli, the year of Jia-Yi, on the first day of the twelfth month of Geng-Chen, the King of Hanli respectfully presented this oath to the Crown Prince of Shishi Kingdom."

We have jointly upheld this pledge and reverently made this covenant, agreeing to contribute to the expenses of the long journey, in accordance with local customs and traditions, with a total of 380,000 taels of silver…

Instead of sending envoys to pay homage, they simply ordered someone to deliver the message to Princess Shen Shijing of the 'Four Clans'...

After payment, the following areas were designated as follows: Gyeonggi Province, Hanseong Prefecture, Gaeseong Prefecture… Gyeongsang Province… Gyeongju Prefecture, Sangju Governor, Jinju Governor… Jeolla Province, Jeonju Governor, Chungju…

The entire territory of the Eight Paths was ceded to the Stone Corpse Kingdom…

"This decree is presented to the gods of heaven and earth, and to the ancestral temples and altars. If any of my descendants violate this decree, may Heaven, in its clear light, punish them all..." Zhang Gui, suppressing his immense excitement, accepted the decree, only to find that nothing had happened. At first, he thought he had been tricked by Shen Shijing.

But upon closer reading, I discovered that it was clearly written in black and white.

'The expenses for the relocation, amounting to 380,000 taels of silver…are to be delivered by messenger to Princess Shen Shijing of the Four Clans…After payment…the entire territory of the Eight Provinces will be ceded to the Stone Corpse Kingdom…'

Since you haven't paid yet, it won't have any effect on the mystical realm.

"Mr. Shen, it's still you royals with your thousand-year-old noble stomachs who have so many cunning schemes."

This isn't some advance 'imperial decree,' it's clearly a carrot dangling in front of a donkey's eyes.

He carefully examined the national seal of Han Liguo, which was neatly affixed to the top of the imperial edict, along with the imperial seals of the four great patriarchs: Chenglie, Yingyang, Xiangong, and Chuanjian.

Sensing the overwhelming imperial aura that seemed to emanate from the paper, Zhang Gui sighed like a deflated balloon.

Shen Shijing smiled slightly.
"Longhu, I will go back to Dongzhou with you to visit some old friends and say goodbye."

After all, this journey might be one where they never return to the 'human world' again.

"Then let's land in Zhihai Town. That way, it'll be easier for me to raise the money and get you a ticket, and we'll settle the payment on the spot."

"That's what I meant."

"Sir, now that the transaction is complete, could you please tell me about it?"

How many people have you "Han Li Four Sects" sold these risk-free, highly profitable products to?

"It's hard to say about these things."

Shen Shijing shook his head mysteriously, then turned his gaze towards the direction of Prince Zhen's temporary residence.

"Longhu, go to Sichuan-Shenzhen Port and wait for me for half a day."

After saying goodbye to Prince Zhen, we set off.

Seeing Shen Shijing's complicated expression, Zhang Gui originally didn't want to meddle.

The problem is that the imperial edict from Han Li states, "380,000 taels of pure gold... to be sent to Princess Shen Shijing of the 'Four Clans'..." It might not be effective for others.

"Isn't this just making things worse!"

The opportunity to leverage the vast territory of Xianrong Island, spanning over 300,000 miles, in a mysterious realm and attempt to transform it into my personal earthly kingdom is right before my eyes.

Shen Shijing, you seasoned 'white lotus', why are you playing the love-hate game again, unable to resolve this whole mess?

Even though they knew that Prince Zhen was at his wit's end and almost went mad, they still killed many people indiscriminately.

Instead of quickly getting as far away as possible, you're actively offering yourself up.

Don't let this interfere with my important business!

He thought to himself, feeling irritated.

He opened his mouth, offering only dry, dry words of advice:

"Sir, I've heard rumors that Prince Zhen's brain disease has flared up these past few days, and he's been quite irritable and unpredictable."

It is really not appropriate to receive guests.

"Or you could come back to the Eastern Continent with me first, and wait until he is fully recovered..."

"Prince Zhen is not insane; those he killed were all traitors!"

Shen Shijing interrupted Zhang Gui's persuasion with a cold and stern voice, revealing a secret.

"You're a love-struck fool hiding behind a white lotus flower, and you even said I'm 'contradictory in my life.' I think you're the one who's incredibly contradictory."

A thought flashed through Zhang Gui's mind, and he said:

“So that’s it.

It seems I misheard.

"In that case, Mr. Shen, I'll go to the port of Sichuan and wait for you."

He activated the divine energy field 'Zongheng Ruyi' within his body, leaped into the air, and vanished without a trace in an instant.

(End of this chapter)