AZI Volume 3 Chapter 12

"Long-xiong, you…? This is…?"

Raising his head towards Long Hua, Zhen Huai has a difficult time formulating his words, to which, the latter replies—

"Something the matter, Zhen-laoban? It's a well-known cultivation method from my hometown."

"Who would want a cultivation method like this?!"

Asking this, Zhen Huai slides the jade slip to Bai Wen, and reading through the jade slip's contents—

"Ahahaha!"

Bai Wen immediately bursts into laughter.

Straightening his back, Long Hua explains—

"The originator of this incantation was a male practitioner with a pure Yang physique. He was extremely talented as well, but due to his physique, female practitioners of indecent origins would attempt to seduce him at every turn. As he didn't wish to be bothered by vixens—who wanted to turn him into a furnace, he created this incantation to get rid of all his worldly desires. In the end, he was said to have achieved a powerful realm of cultivation and enlightenment at the loss of his libido. People hailed him as the most gentlemanly man to ever exist. By the way, in my hometown people often call this incantation, the "Lone Dog Incantation." I wonder why?"

Hearing Long Hua's explanation, Zhen Huai twitches an eye—not knowing whether any of the nonsense that came from the former's mouth is genuine, or not. However, the latter does know that—

"Isn't it because anyone who cultivated this ended up being single for life?!"

"Hahaha, Lao Zhen, this cultivation method can be learned by anyone, it has- hahaha!"

Raising the pitch of his voice, Zhen Huai shouts at Long Hua—whereas Bai Wen's laughter increases in volume.

"Pure Yang physique? Vixen? Furnace? Hm?"

"Little girl, you need not know anything about those topics at your current age."

Towards Yao Ying's curiosity, Nuo'er replies as such, while shaking her head.

(So, it was the legendary Lone Dog Incantation that he's selling…? Wait…)

Having been in the Zang Luo Realm as well, Tian Cheng naturally knows about this incantation.

(Practice of this incantation allows one to maintain a tranquil state of mind under all circumstances—at the consequence of losing one's libido, as they aim for higher mastery…)

Realizing that Long Hua intends to practice this incantation, to keep a cool head when dealing with women, the Tian Cheng—inside of the dreamscape, turns pale.

(I need to get him into this dreamscape sooner…! If he finishes cultivating this incantation, it's going to be insanely difficult for me to put him under my leash!)

With her decision made, Tian Cheng plans to have Long Hua come into the dreamscape tonight.

Ignoring the fuming look on Zhen Huai's face, Long Hua says—

"Zhen-laoban, our contract states, you're willing to buy any cultivation methods, or divine arts for 10,000 spirit stones—regardless of their level."

"I…!"

Before he fully rises to a stand, Zhen Huai stops himself, and reaches for his teacup. Ignoring the temperature of the tea, he down the contents in one gulp.

(Surnamed Long, you prick…!)

As Zhen Huai grinds his teeth together, Long Hua folds his arms, and raises his left leg to cross it over his right, and asks—

"Now then, are you a third-rate contract-breaking merchant, or are you a first-rate merchant—who keeps their words?"

"Lao Zhen, you often say-"

"Lao Bai, shut your trap."

Ignoring Bai Wen, who is wiping away the tear in his right eye, Zhen Huai glares at Long Hua.

Eventually, Zhen Huai sighs, and shakes his head, while replying—

"Your Lone Dog Incantation… I'll buy it. Now, get out of my face."

"Good doing business with you, Zhen-laoban. As an expression of good will, you can sell that cultivation method to anyone without letting me know first."

"...…Many thanks."

Enduring the urge to throw up a mouthful of blood, Zhen Huai forces out a convincing smile.

"Tian Cheng, let's leave."

"Understood."

Rising from his seat, Long Hua cups his hands—before turning towards Yao Ying.

Leaving Bai Wen's side, Nuo'er comes over to Yao Ying's side, and says—

"Little girl, it's appropriate to give thanks to someone who has helped you."

"Thank you."

Turning to Long Hua, Yao Ying gives her thanks, and awkwardly presents the jade slip to him.

"Merely an exchange of equal value."

Taking the jade slip, Long Hua stores it away in his storage pouch. And together with Tian Cheng, he leaves the lotus garden.

"Little girl, let's go to the canteen. Those two seem to have quite a bit to discuss."

Glancing at Bai Wen and Zhen Huai once, Nuo'er takes Yao Ying's hand, and leads her towards the exit—without waiting for Yao Ying to reply.

Left with Zhen Huai, Bai Wen downs a cup of tea, before asking—

"Lao Zhen, does your face hurt? This slap from Lao Long really wasn't light."

"Does your face hurt from laughing so much, Lao Bai?"

"A bit. Ai, Lone Dog Incantation, whoever came up with this joke was a genius."

Heaving a heavy sigh, Zhen Huai frowns, and remarks—

"This surnamed Long isn't going to make it easy for me."

"Course not."

As Zhen Huai refills his cup, Bai Wen chuckles, and says—

"Your contract with him only talked about the cultivation method, and the divine arts' level. It never talked about their function. If you just brought that up as an excuse, you could have refused to buy that Lone Dog Incantation from him."

"I know."

"Then why didn't you?"

Taking a sip of tea, Zhen Huai answers—

"Unlike you two—who had your conscience eaten by dogs, I actually pity that little girl a bit."

"Doing things in such a roundabout way. Lao Zhen, you're someone who speaks harshly, but is actually quite soft on the inside. A person like you-"

"Isn't fit to be a merchant. I know this as well."

Setting the cup down, Zhen Huai adds—

"The common definition of having both prosperity and wealth, is to be able to shower oneself in luxury. However, to me, my definition of having both prosperity and wealth—is to be able to live out a life with the people that I care about by my side."

Taken by surprise, Bai Wen parts his lips with a wide eye, and remarks—

"…Lao Zhen, I never took you for such a romantic idealist."

"Sometimes, I really think of myself as a hypocrite. The common purpose of a business is to make money—mostly so, that the person up top is able to live in comfort. However, I'm making money for the sake of my bloodline branch's elders and juniors."

Letting out a chuckle of self-mockery, Zhen Huai sighs, and adds—

"As the owner of this business—that was started for my family, I also need to make sure to pay my employees their dues. I have too many places to spend money, and resources on—so much so that it's never enough. At times, I really do envy the clansmen of other branches—who are able to indulge in their selfishness."

Closing his eye, Bai Wen sighs with a hint of envy, and remarks—

"…You and Lao Long, both have deep attachments to something. I… Can't say I do."

"Lao Bai… I hope when you realize your own attachments, you'll become mature enough to take that cloth off your face."

"Hah… I hate the color of the eye beneath this cloth. Hard to say, if I'll ever come to accept it."

"…"

Not knowing how to continue this discussion with such a topic, Zhen Huai can only choose to change it, and asks—

"Lao Bai, do you think the sects that focus on Buddhist Dao cultivation, would be interested in this Lone Dog Incantation?"

Choking out a laugh, Bai Wen answers—

"They probably would, especially the more hardcore, and straight-laced monks among them."