Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 628 - Chapter 628 Chapter 14 Thousand Year Fire Essence

Chapter 628: Chapter 14 Thousand Year Fire Essence Chapter 628: Chapter 14 Thousand Year Fire Essence In the modern nineties, suits and leather shoes might also be considered old-fashioned but Jin Boqing still wore a long robe and mandarin jacket. With a pocket watch tucked into his chest pocket, and speaking with a soft and glutinous Shanghai accent, he appeared to be at least sixty years old, yet he was spirited and vigorous, only his complexion was truly awful.

He stood at the entrance of the office building, not even glancing at the pitiful Jin siblings being sent off in a police car. He deeply bowed to Zhou, the overall person in charge of this auction event, regardless of the departing sound of the police sirens.

“I have failed to teach my children properly, causing Mr. Zhou to be mocked, I apologize to you, I apologize to the comrades who got injured, and I apologize to Mr. Zhao. I will take full responsibility for all the losses. This is a small token of my appreciation, Mr. Zhou, to calm your shock. I also hope that you can mediate, to not blow things out of proportion.”

With that, Jin Boqing handed Zhou a bank draft.

Zhou didn’t take it, but instead said with a chuckle, “To be honest, I can’t make the call on this. But don’t you worry, Mr. Jin, Mr. Zhao has heard about this and said he won’t pursue it any further.”

Jin Boqing looked somewhat anxious, “May I ask what exactly were Mr. Zhao’s original words?”

“Mr. Zhao said, ‘Even the precious tree of the Xie family may have yellow leaves; the fine steed of green may have minor flaws. This is nothing.’

After pondering for a moment, Jin Boqing sighed, “I am ashamed, truly ashamed. I really don’t know when I’ll have the opportunity to meet Mr. Zhao again.”

“Mr. Zhao will be coming to Hong Kong on the fifteenth. Then, Mr. Jin, you will have the chance to see him.”

“That’s wonderful.”

Jin Boqing continued to inquire, “I’ve heard that Mr. Zhou, you have visited Hong Kong a few times, and my son Longyang has hosted you?”

“Ah, yes, that is so.”

“I’m old and lack energy. If Mr. Zhou doesn’t mind, you can let Longyang extend the landlord’s hospitality, as the Jin family’s way of making amends to everyone.”

“You’re putting Mr. Jin to too much trouble.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

The polite exchange between the two at the entrance sounded like an endless outpour of platitudes while Ren Yi casually read a magazine at the front desk, waiting for the results of the negotiation.

“There is another favor I’d like to ask of Mr. Zhou.”

Suddenly, Jin Boqing said.

It took a while before Zhou returned to the building, whispering a few words into Ren Yi’s ear.

“Got it, I’ll go talk to those two.”

With that, Ren Yi put down the magazine and headed up the staircase.

Upon opening the door, the bustling retro game sound effects burst out, and Ren Yi, still smiling, said, “Mr. Li, Ren Ni, the situation has been mostly resolved.”

Ren Ni remained focused on the screen without much reaction, while Li Yan put down the game controller, looked at Ren Yi, and asked, “What’s the verdict?”

Ren Yi clarified the ins and outs of the situation and added, “The Hong Kong Neijia Fist Skill Association, Hong Kong Taoist Association, and the Kaiyun Club are known as the ‘Three Great Associations,’ authorities in the realms of martial arts, metaphysics, and geomancy. They keep a low profile, though. As for Jin Boqing himself, his most well-known public identity is as the president of the Boqing Foundation, with a high reputation. His title in the Taoist Association is rather insignificant. It’s rumored that the Jin family has a secretive art called Mingzha, allegedly capable of exorcising demons and mediating between yin and yang. After 1949, Jin Boqing moved his family from Shanghai to Hong Kong; a stranger in a strange land, it was solely through his own efforts from scratch that he now owes many favors from well-respected gentlemen.”

Ren Yi shifted the topic, “The success of the Jin family today owes much to the Mingzha Masks they have worshipped through generations. Originally, Jin Boqing planned to give two masks to his grandson and granddaughter for protection. But with the recent incident, his intention is that we return those two masks.”

“They’re with Ren Ni; you ask him about it.”

“They’re on the table, take them yourself, I’m a bit busy here.”

Ren Ni’s eyes had not moved from the screen.

Ren Yi blinked, “Shouldn’t the Jin family make some sort of compensation? After all, it was their descendant who made the mistake first.”

Li Yan laughed, “What can Jin Boqing shed? Money? Forget it, you guys care about face, after all, flaunting such a big sign as Zhongxing Baode, coveting these little things from others wouldn’t look good on you, take them and go.”

Ren Yi bowed deeply to Li Yan and Ren Ni, took the two limp masks from the table, “Then I will take my leave.”

——————————–

“After all, there has been a scuffle, and it’s torn, this much I believe Old Master Jin will understand.”

Zhou returned the two masks to Jin Boqing.

“Of course, of course. It’s nothing.”

Jin Boqing agreed repeatedly. He sat upright and still, waiting for Mr. Zhou to continue.

“Is there anything else Mr. Jin needs?”

Mr. Zhou asked.

“Uh, well, Comrade Zhou, my grandson has made such a big mistake; I really had no other option but to shamelessly ask for things. These few Mingzha papers are the lifeblood of the Jin family. If Zhongxing Baode needs anything, please don’t hesitate.”

“I can’t just take others’ generosity for granted, nor can I claim their merits for myself. To be honest with you, Old Master Jin, the person in charge of the auction item’s security this time is someone sent by Mr. Zhao. We hadn’t seen them before either. When they heard you were asking for help, they were very cooperative and gave them back without a word.”

“People from Mr. Zhao? This is really…”

Jin Boqing clenched two dim-faced Mingzha Masks, his face indescribable.

“Old Master, I know you are a man of etiquette, but let’s just forget about it this time. It’s past four o’clock; don’t tire yourself out. Go back.”

Mr. Zhou stood up, and Jin Boqing had no choice but to get up as well. After exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Zhou finally saw Jin Boqing to his car.

Inside the car, Jin Boqing leaned back with his eyes closed, resting for a good while. The scenery outside the window kept changing, and the sky was getting brighter. Suddenly, Jin Boqing opened his eyes and instructed the driver, “Turn around, go back to the Zhongxing Baode office, and also, call home and tell them to bring me the redwood case from the curio shelf in my study. Immediately.”

——————————–

Thump, thump~

Ren Yi stepped into Li Yan and Ren Ni’s room once again.

“What’s the matter now?”

Li Yan asked,

“Jin Boqing still wants to see you both. He says he has a favor to ask of us.”

“Didn’t you tell him we can’t get away right now?”

“Jin Boqing said it’s just a short talk, whether we help or not, and people need to rest at some point. He’s willing to wait. Also…”

Ren Yi brought out a redwood box.

“He says this is an apology gift for you both.”

Inside the box lay soft yellow silk satin, and within it rested an object with interlocking patterns, like stone, exuding a medicinal fragrance.

[Thousand Year Fire Essence]

Eating it directly can increase the Awakening Degree by 30%.

If cooked, it can be made into a dish that increases the Awakening Degree by up to 50%.

One of the main ingredients in the “Jade Emperor Taste” among the Five Flavors and Eight Delicacies.

Note: Fire Essence is also known as Poria.

Li Yan blinked and first asked Ren Ni, “What do you think?”

Ren Ni didn’t seem to care at all: “I’ll follow your lead, Big Brother Dayan.”

“Oh.”

Li Yan pondered for a good while.

“Mr. Li, do we meet with him or not?”

“Meet, of course we’ll meet,” Li Yan said: “It’s hard to refuse a gift from someone.”