"How does it feel to collect debts? Is it satisfying?"
Chen Qingyuan asked again, emphasizing his words.
"This…" Lin Pingyan hesitated.
"Stop hesitating, just speak honestly," Chen Qingyuan urged.
"To be honest, it feels a bit strange."
Lin Pingyan spoke truthfully, "At first, it felt uncomfortable, like it was too rough. But once we got a spiritual vein, I felt really happy, like I found something valuable for free."
"Free? What do you mean by that? It was an investment I made a hundred years ago,"
Chen Qingyuan replied, his tone calm. Though he was always careful to avoid losses, sometimes he could come across as distant and cold, and at other times, a little scheming—his personality was hard to fathom.
"Master, this isn't just debt collection, isn't it more like robbery?"
Lin Pingyan still felt uneasy in his heart.
"If it were robbery, do you think it would be this easy to resolve?"
Chen Qingyuan sipped his tea. "The Baiye Sect was disrespectful to you, and they intentionally concealed the merchant guild's affair. That was already a mistake on their part. A medium-grade spiritual vein as compensation may be painful, but it's within Baiye Sect's means. Moreover, with our Xuanying Sect's reputation, they wouldn't dare refuse."
Chen Qingyuan wasn't trying to take more than he could get, but rather, he knew it was impossible to ask for too much. If he demanded more, not only would he gain nothing, but he'd also make an enemy of the Baiye Sect.
The situation was different now. Though the Baiye Sect was displeased with Chen Qingyuan's actions, they still had to show gratitude, for they had to maintain a good relationship with Xuanying Sect.
Debt collection was an art in itself. Asking for too much would offend people, and asking for too little would lead to personal loss. One had to calculate carefully.
"Master, this isn't a long-term solution. It's better not to do this too often."
Lin Pingyan spoke earnestly, feeling it wasn't right to treat people this way.
"If all people from Xuanying Sect were like you, you'd never get a drink of water in the northwest winds. The spiritual mines in the Meteorite Flowing Star Domain are limited, and there's no way to fairly distribute them. It all depends on one's ability."
Chen Qingyuan couldn't help but shake his head at Lin Pingyan's nature. Such a refined and kind-hearted person—how could he survive in the cultivation world?
But it's fine, he'll slowly teach Lin Pingyan. Over time, Lin Pingyan's outlook would change.
Soon after, Chen Qingyuan took Lin Pingyan with him to collect a few more debts.
An elder from Youquan Mountain had borrowed over a thousand spirit stones from Chen Qingyuan, and after a century, with interest, he owed 5,000 spirit stones.
Would he dare not pay?
Chen Qingyuan sent Lin Pingyan to challenge him, and if he refused to spar, Chen Qingyuan would spread the news and tarnish his reputation. Using every method, Chen Qingyuan retrieved what was rightfully his—spirit stones—and continued on his journey with satisfaction.
There were more similar incidents, with Chen Qingyuan sitting leisurely in his war chariot while Lin Pingyan handled the situation.
After several rounds of debt collection, Lin Pingyan began to feel something strange. Looking at the pile of spirit stones and treasures on the table, he realized it was enough to rival the entire wealth of a third-rate faction.
Soon, they were about to reach the Yunhai Star Domain. Lin Pingyan stopped the chariot from moving on its own and took control, making sure not to accidentally touch the fragmented laws of the star domain and cause unnecessary trouble.
"Master, hold on tight."
Lin Pingyan formed seals with his hands, crossing the two realms of star seas. The terrifying laws of the domains pressed toward the chariot, and several times, they almost broke through the protective barrier. Lin Pingyan, however, managed to suppress them.
Chen Qingyuan sat inside the chariot calmly, feeling no discomfort at all, as he thought about their next steps.
Several hours later, the chariot exited the chaotic starstorm and stopped in a corner of the Yunhai Star Domain.
"Have we arrived?"
Chen Qingyuan felt the chariot stop and turned to look outside.
"We've arrived."
Lin Pingyan looked around, then focused on the direction of the Ghost Doctor's location, based on the information they had received. "The Ghost Doctor is likely in the eastern part of the Yunhai Star Domain, in a place called Qichen Star."
"Then let's go and try our luck!" Chen Qingyuan said, unwilling to disappoint the people of Xuanying Sect. This was the only option left for him.
Once the time was right, he would find an excuse to send Lin Pingyan back and act alone.
The two of them continued on their journey. Along the way, they encountered some highway robbers. Lin Pingyan managed to persuade them to leave, giving them a light punishment but not taking their lives.
Chen Qingyuan had repeatedly urged Lin Pingyan to be ruthless, not to show mercy. But Lin Pingyan always felt that life was precious, so he gave the robbers a chance.
"You!" Chen Qingyuan shook his head in exasperation, teasing, "You talk about righteousness and morals like you're made for Buddhist practice. I bet even the monks in the Buddhist sect aren't as kind and merciful as you. You could easily become an abbot."
"Master, please don't joke like that."
Lin Pingyan was kind, but not foolish, and he could tell that Chen Qingyuan's words were a subtle form of mockery.
"After all these years, haven't you learned this one principle?"
Chen Qingyuan began to teach. "The cultivation world is full of intrigue, and people are always seeking revenge. Either you let yourself be bullied without fighting back, or once you do, you can't show mercy. You must strike to kill, or you'll leave yourself exposed."
"I understand, Master, but it's easier said than done,"
Lin Pingyan replied with a sigh, feeling the weight of the lesson.
Although Lin Pingyan was older than Chen Qingyuan, it was Chen Qingyuan who was teaching him this wisdom. "If you show mercy, those around you may suffer. Remember, never let a moment of softness lead to a lifetime of regret."
"I will remember, Master."
Lin Pingyan acknowledged the lesson. He had his own way of handling things, and changing his mindset wouldn't happen overnight—it required gradual guidance.
"Enough of this. Let's talk more once we arrive!"
Chen Qingyuan couldn't help but think to himself, How did such a pure-hearted person end up in Xuanying Sect?
Moreover, this innocent little "rabbit" had the trickiest fox as his father. It seemed almost absurd.
Could Lin Pingyan be the biological son of Senior Brother Lin Changsheng?
Idly, Chen Qingyuan began to entertain this thought. As soon as it crossed his mind, he laughed to himself. Impossible. Lin Changsheng, with his abilities, would have recognized his bloodline in an instant. There's no way this could be the case.
If there were any issues with the bloodline, it could only be because of Senior Brother's wife.
Suddenly, Chen Qingyuan remembered something—he had never seen Lin Changsheng's wife, nor had he ever heard anything about her identity.
Forget it. I don't need to think about this right now.
Chen Qingyuan closed his eyes, taking a moment to rest and gather his energy.
More than ten days later, the war chariot finally landed on the surface of Qichen Star.
"Master, we've reached our destination."
Lin Pingyan's voice reached the cabin.
"Got it."
Chen Qingyuan replied, adjusting his attire before stepping out of the chariot slowly.
Not far ahead, there was a large city. Three dark golden characters—Puxu City—flickered faintly in the air.
According to the information Xuanying Sect had gathered, the Ghost Doctor was likely in Puxu City. Two years ago, the Ghost Doctor had reportedly saved someone, and all clues pointed toward this city.
Many powerful forces had secretly arrived in Puxu City, hoping to encounter the Ghost Doctor and beg for their assistance.
However, despite two years passing, no one had been able to find any trace of the Ghost Doctor.
The Ghost Doctor only acted when the right "fate" came. They were not interested in fame or power, and everything was determined by a single word: fate.
If fate was right, the Ghost Doctor would save even a beggar without asking for a single coin. But if fate didn't align, even the most powerful sect leaders and their promises of rewards would not move them. They would simply turn and leave without a second thought.
Because of the Ghost Doctor's eccentric personality, their reputation grew immensely, eventually becoming a legendary figure.
"Qichen Star, I think I have an acquaintance here who might be able to lend a hand,"
Chen Qingyuan suddenly recalled something, raising an eyebrow with a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"An acquaintance?"
A trace of doubt appeared on Lin Pingyan's face.