Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

To immerse yourself in reading Chapter 170, "The Great Merchant, the Dragon King Shakes the Golden Toad," please click here.

Upon hearing the news, Jin Guang Zhenren maintained his smile, but inwardly he was troubled.

Some time ago, the Golden Toad Demon Lord sent his manager to the Yellow Flower Temple. He spoke politely, but his intentions were blatant.

They simply want to seize control of the alchemy and poison techniques and products of Huanghua Temple, using trade routes and resources as bait to actually swallow and control it.

At that time, he politely declined, citing that "the temple has just been established and many things are still undecided."

Unexpectedly, on this auspicious day of the opening ceremony, the other party showed up uninvited and in person.

Under the watchful eyes of so many, Jin Guang Zhenren, as the host, could not disregard etiquette, regardless of his inner thoughts.

Thoughts can change in an instant.

Jin Guang Zhenren had regained his composure, gave Chen Jiao an apologetic smile, and said:

"You are an honored guest. Please excuse me for a moment."

Chen Jiao nodded slightly: "Fellow Daoist, please feel free to do as you please."

Master Jinguang straightened his Taoist robe, slowly walked down the high steps, and personally greeted the mountain gate.

The guests also looked in that direction.

As the clouds and mist outside the mountain gate parted slightly, the spirit deer carriage slowly came to a stop.

Four children in colorful clothes stood before the carriage, each carrying a whisk, a censer, a fan, and a box. They were all exquisitely carved and exuded a pure and ethereal aura.

An elderly servant with white hair and beard, dressed in a simple gray robe, sat in front of the carriage. He was breathing calmly and was hunched over, slowly waving the reins.

Then the beaded curtain was slightly lifted, and a middle-aged man wearing a long robe with embroidered gold patterns stepped out with a smile.

She was slightly plump, with a face like a full moon. She wore a small, red-gold crown and a jade belt around her waist, from which hung an exquisitely carved jade toad pendant.

As he walked, his robe sleeves swayed gently, exuding an air of harmony, contentment, and serene composure.

He had a kind face and a friendly smile. His long, narrow eyes were curved into crescents, and his gaze was gentle.

If it weren't for his reputation, anyone would only see him as a wealthy and dignified man.

This person is none other than the leader of the Jubao Chamber of Commerce, a famous merchant in Xiniu Hezhou, the Golden Toad Demon Lord.

Its businesses span more than a dozen countries, with the "Golden Toad Market" in the territory of the Zhu Zi Kingdom being the most famous.

He trades in spiritual materials, magical treasures, elixirs, and even rare information. He has connections everywhere and amasses astonishing wealth, making him a god of wealth that no force wants to offend easily.

The Golden Light Immortal had approached and bowed, saying:

"Golden Toad Demon Lord, your presence is an honor! This humble Taoist has failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"

"The Demon Lord is so busy with affairs of state, how could he possibly find time to come to this desolate little temple?"

The Golden Toad Demon Lord smiled amiably and returned the greeting with clasped hands:

"Fellow Daoist Jin Guang is too kind. Your establishment of a temple and sect at Yangquan Ridge to promote the Dao of Alchemy is a great event for the region. How could Jin Chan not come to offer his congratulations?"

I've come uninvited, fellow Daoist, please don't be offended.

"This is just a small gift to express my congratulations. May it add some good fortune to your Huanghua Temple, and may your path to enlightenment and the temple prosper!"

His voice was gentle and soothing, like a spring breeze.

The attendants behind him immediately stepped forward and presented a gift list and gift box. The items listed on the gift list were all rare and precious treasures, medicinal materials and spiritual herbs, which were of great value.

Master Zhenzhi quickly took it from his master.

After a polite remark, Jin Guang Zhenren led the Golden Toad Demon Lord toward the plaza.

"Your Majesty's generous gift is too much for me to accept. Please follow me inside to witness the ceremony."

"Fellow Daoist, please go first!"

The Golden Toad Demon Lord waved his hands repeatedly, smiling broadly, and walked side by side with the Golden Light Immortal toward the square.

He walked with ease, his gaze casually sweeping over the pavilions, terraces, and furnishings of Huanghua Temple.

His smile deepened, and he continued exchanging pleasantries:

"Fellow Daoist, the location of Huanghua Temple is exquisite. The earth is rich in spiritual energy, and the fire is pure and gentle. It is the perfect place to start refining pills and cultivate spiritual herbs!"

The men Jin sent earlier were ignorant and failed to appreciate the wonders of your foundation. They were severely reprimanded by Jin upon their return.

Seeing you today, I realize how narrow-minded I was, and how I underestimated your insight and abilities! Haha…”

He spoke with flattery, yet subtly alluded to past events, downplaying the awkwardness of his previous insistence on cooperation as if it were merely a matter of his subordinates' incompetence.

The Golden Light Immortal, with a clear understanding in his mind, simply smiled and replied:

"You flatter me, Demon Lord. This desolate mountain wilderness is merely a place for me to take shelter."

Alchemy and poison-making are mere minor arts, hardly worthy of serious consideration, unlike my fellow Daoist who trades far and wide and amasses immense wealth.

The two chatted and laughed as they slowly walked toward the square where guests were gathered. They seemed to be getting along well, but there was a subtle tension between them, which only the two parties involved knew.

The old servant driving the carriage followed closely behind the Golden Toad Demon Lord, his head bowed and eyes lowered in submission.

Wherever the Golden Toad Demon Lord passed by, many guests stood up to greet him, and he returned their greetings with a smile, proving himself to be adept at social maneuvering and charming.

The Golden Toad Demon Lord and the Golden Light Immortal chatted and laughed as they stepped side by side into the square in front of the Sanqing Hall.

The sounds of laughter and conversation mingled with the lingering echoes of bells and chimes, rushing towards us.

The Golden Toad Demon Lord casually glanced at the guests on both sides, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and was about to nod and greet a few familiar faces.

His gaze paused almost imperceptibly when it fell upon the chief seat on the left side of the square.

There, behind a jade table, sat a lone figure, dressed in black with dark hair, his profile refined and stern.

There was no intimidating pressure emanating from him, nor was there any dazzling radiance surrounding him. He simply sat there normally, poured himself a cup of spiritual tea, and moved slowly.

But right behind him, a massive, mountain-like, striped tiger lay quietly.

Its colorful fur gleamed with a cold, hard sheen in the sunlight, and its tiger-like eyes, like copper bells, were half-open. In the occasional blinks, a fierce and indifferent glint was hidden deep within its gaze.

However, this ferocious Golden Core Tiger Demon was now quietly and obediently lying beside the young man in black, as if it were just a gentle big cat.

"Xiaoyue..."

The Golden Toad Demon Lord murmured to himself, the name instantly matching the image of this ferocious tiger.

In a flash, a name suddenly popped into my mind.

Qingchi Ridge, the Flood Dragon Demon King Xuanling.

The Weak Water of the East Sea raged, and this man slew hordes of demons with his sword; at the Dragon King's birthday banquet, he clashed with the Bull Demon King's halberd and staff; and more recently, there have been rumors of Baoguang Temple being destroyed by a single claw...

Although he had never met them in person, these events had already been passed down along the trade routes and were etched in his memory.

These figures are infamous for their ferocity and possess unfathomable supernatural powers, far surpassing ordinary demon lords.

The Golden Toad Demon Lord has come to Huanghua Temple today, and what he is after is nothing more than the unique alchemy and poison-making skills of the Golden Light Immortal.

To this end, he even prepared several sets of speeches, generous gifts, and had a shrewd old servant to back him up.

If you are confident that you have a 70-80% chance of success, you can proceed slowly, either by offering incentives or by appealing to your sense of power.

This will allow the newly established Huanghua Temple to gradually be incorporated into the network of the Jubao Chamber of Commerce.

But no matter how much they planned, they never expected that this dragon king would appear in this place.

Judging from his seating arrangement, he was seated on the left, making him the most honored and distinguished among the guests attending the ceremony.

Any act of disrespect today could be seen as a provocation against the Dragon King.

Countless thoughts rushed through his mind, and a fine layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from the back of the Golden Toad Demon Lord.

He runs the Jubao Chamber of Commerce and the Jinchan Market, and he knows very well that there are some entities in Xiniu Hezhou that must not be offended and that one must even take the initiative to avoid them.

This Flood Dragon Demon King is clearly among them!

His methods were so ruthless and his strength so overwhelming that he, a demon lord who made his living as a merchant, could not confront him head-on.