Chapter 250: Chapter 218: Got Money Now

Evening approached.

With Kou Yushan’s help, Liu Tianyou found a place to stay. Kou Yushan helped with the arrangements, while next door Yun Niang was preparing food for the next day with the two children who had returned from school.

Before Liu Tianyou left, he remembered to tell Sang Que that Yao Zhen had once come looking for her, but upon finding her not at home, had left.

In the vast city of Wangshan, Sang Que didn’t know if Yao Zhen was still in the city; she could only wait for her next visit or ask Yu Da to keep an eye out during his patrol tomorrow.

Sang Que had just closed the courtyard door when Xuan Yu returned from outside, dragging a piece of cured meat. It wasn’t clear which official’s kitchen it had been pilfered from.

Xuan Yu, as always, had a principled way of stealing, never taking from common folk’s homes.

Meow~

Xuan Yu dragged the cured meat before Xia Chan and even pushed it with her paw. Xia Chan, slumped in a chair, patted her stomach, having already stuffed herself with fried chicken and fries.

“Little Chan is full, Little Chan doesn’t want to eat anymore!”

Meowww!!

Xuan Yu angrily swiped with her claws, ready to scratch Xia Chan, prompting Xia Chan to flee. The two were stirring up trouble again inside the house.

Suddenly noise came from outside the yard. Sang Que swiftly dodged Xuan Yu’s flying claw, pulled Xia Chan’s hand aside.

“You two keep playing, I’m going out to see someone.”

In the hidden part of the backyard, Hua Qianmian had reverted to her youthful form, still in her crisp black clothing, with short hair looking vibrant. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and as Sang Que approached, she tossed over a book she was holding.

“Here, this is the detailed travelogue of Yu Da during your absence. Apart from his insatiable appetite and lack of hygiene, he’s nothing special. I tell you, this guy, truly, he doesn’t save money, spends it all on food. There’s no food seller in this city who doesn’t know him; he can chat with anyone and has an odd kind of charisma.”

Sang Que chuckled, “Isn’t that great, a love for life.”

Hua Qianmian straightened up and started to complain, “His lack of hygiene, though, is outrageous! Don’t be fooled by his clean uniform every day; he doesn’t change the inner clothes until they stink. Socks are worn one day on the inside, one day on the outside, and washed once every three days. Yet he always washes his hands before eating.”

“Not sure if that’s considered meticulous or not. Oh, and a funny thing, every few days, he lifts stone locks at home and practices swordplay in his courtyard—only to end up twisting his waist or spraining an ankle, angrily tossing the sword. It’s hilarious.”

Sensing Sang Que wasn’t amused, Hua Qianmian awkwardly stopped laughing and changed the topic.

“The last Ten Victory Stone raw piece was hard to sell, causing quite a delay. I got hunted by some people and lost a persona, but thankfully kept the money. This is your share, a total of four thousand and eight hundred taels.”

Hua Qianmian handed a stack of silver notes to Sang Que, who was a bit shocked. Sold for eight thousand taels? That bit of Ten Victory Stone raw ore would be worth at most two hundred bucks in modern times.

Just as Sang Que was about to say she still had some, Hua Qianmian interrupted, “The Ten Victory Stone is too conspicuous. The Buddhists are strict with it; I dare not risk it, fearing they might hunt me too. Money is important, but life is more so.”

Sang Que swallowed her words. Although it could harm fourth-layer ghosts like He Buning, it was mostly used as flintlock gun ammunition in fragments.

Perhaps there weren’t many volcanoes in Deceit Dynasty, making the Ten Victory Stone quite rare and hard to come by. Selling them in large blocks, as Hua Qianmian did, was indeed too noticeable.

“Do you have anything else to sell? I’ve spent all my money. If you have more, get it out quickly and let’s earn more together.”

Sang Que was taken aback, “You’ve spent all one thousand gold already?”

That’s faster than gambling money away with dice.

“Yes, what’s not costly nowadays? I might as well tell you, money can buy incense. At the orphanage, there’s those kids without parents; give them some food, some clothes, and they keep praising the Thousand-faced God. Whoever speaks ill of the Thousand-faced God, they’ll take issue with.”

“I also buy them seasonal clothes, stationery, and such. When they grow up, they’ll be my devoted followers. When they marry and start families, they’ll all believe in my Thousand-faced God. Spending this bit now is nothing. To be divine, one must look to the long term.”

“And don’t be fooled by the peace and prosperity of Wangshan’s citizens. Outside, there are villages where people don’t have grain for winter or money for medicine when sick—they even have to turn to Earth Ghosts in despair.”

“In such times, how can I not help? Give them food, and they all convert to my Thousand-faced God. That’s what I mean; more ghosts and gods, the better. Whoever manifests, people will worship. Money buys incense; it’s worth it!”

Sang Que looked at Hua Qianmian, “You’re doing all this just for incense?”

Hua Qianmian paused, chuckled, “What else would it be for? I don’t have big ambitions. If there’s a life-and-death situation, I’m sure to prioritize myself. Don’t think too highly of me. I can’t live up to that.”

“Any leads on that Gambling Ghost problem?” Sang Que changed the topic.

Hua Qianmian shook her head, “It’s strange, even when I got involved personally, I couldn’t dig up any information at all. Couldn’t figure out who guided Wu Renxing to become a Gambling Ghost. Your Evil Suppression Bureau hasn’t got anything either, right?”

Sang Que remained silent. She hadn’t asked at the Evil Suppression Bureau yet, but being part of it, she couldn’t easily tarnish its reputation, nor her dignity.

“I also have ten pounds of glutinous rice and five pounds of high-quality vermillion; take it to sell. No rush on the money, we can talk after the New Year.”

“Sang Mulan, you really are my lucky star! Your incense absolutely includes my share!”

Hua Qianmian was ecstatic, seeing Sang Que practically glowing, her personal fortune god!

“If you have free time tomorrow, keep an eye out for someone—a female Daoist with a large birthmark on her face. If you see her, tell her I’m back.”

“I’ve seen her; she’s so unique, she’d be impossible to miss. But she left the city this morning. If she returns, I’ll let her know.”

“Alright.”

Sang Que handed the glutinous rice and vermillion to Hua Qianmian, checked the doors, and heard Kou Yushan returning next door.

“Is Brother Tianyou settled in?”

“Mm, he’s sharing a courtyard with others preparing for the provincial exam early next year. They seem to get along well.”

“That’s good. Are you hungry? I can make you something.”

“No rush, well, I seem to have forgotten something important again.”

“If you can’t remember, don’t worry about it. Help me knead the dough.”

Sang Que returned inside, finding Xia Chan slumped on the ground, sulking with a red forehead. Xuan Yu crouched on the table, licking her paw, in a victorious pose.

Though Xia Chan could easily overpower Xuan Yu, she chose not to use her hair to bully her.

The little cat meant no harm, simply disciplining the disobedient child.

Sang Que chuckled, “Come on, Little Chan, off to bed with you. Tomorrow morning, Sis will take you out for New Year’s shopping.”

Xia Chan’s eyes lit up, “Is the New Year’s shopping tasty? Oh, but Sis, we don’t have money. How can we get money? Should I perform breaking stones on my chest on the street?”

“No need, Sis earned some money.”

“Wow, Sis, you’re amazing!”

Meow!

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