The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 157 - 121: The Cash-Strapped Doumu Palace

Chapter 157: Chapter 121: The Cash-Strapped Doumu Palace

"Excuse me, please let me through."

"Don’t push, get back!"

"Could you speak more politely, Daoist friend?"

"If you’re not polite, what’s it to you!"

Watching the chaos ahead, Li Yan and his two companions exchanged glances.

They had overcome numerous hardships to climb the mountain, only to find it was already crowded with people.

There is a stone path under the arch leading to Doumu Palace, and on both sides are steep slopes. The snow on the stone path had not yet melted, making it wet and slippery to walk on.

In front of the arch, there were also several Daoists blocking the way, checking and registering each person meticulously, with a long line of people waiting their turn.

Everyone knew that the number of spiritual acupoints was limited, yet there were many people here, so everyone was anxious, and their words unintentionally carried a bit of sharpness.

"Silence!"

A middle-aged Daoist suddenly spoke out, his voice loud and authoritative, "This is the Doumu Dojo, a Holy Land, no clamor is allowed!"

This Daoist clearly had some status, as the line immediately quieted down.

However, his subsequent actions evoked disdain from the people.

A black-robed elder stepped forward, respectfully took out a ticket from his bosom, and pleaded with a sigh, "I have seen Manager Bai. The mountain roads are difficult, and this old man really can’t hold on. Could you possibly make an exception?"

The Daoist glanced at it indifferently, "If that’s the case, then go ahead and enter."

"Thank you, Manager Bai."

A hint of triumph appeared in the elder’s eyes as he quickly passed through the arch.

Li Yan immediately knew this fellow was the backer of the Bai Family Inn. Looking at Doumu Palace above the sea of clouds, he couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

To think that even this sacred pilgrimage site was involved in such sordid affairs.

The cultivators who had stayed at the Bai Family Inn, upon seeing this, quickly took out their notes and approached to pay their respects, getting through one by one.

The rest of the people, seeing this, became discontent.

"This is unfair, why do they get to go first!"

"Taibai Orthodox Sect, how come it harbors such scum!"

Manager Bai, upon hearing the crowd’s words, showed no shame and calmly spoke, "Have you all cultivated your ways to the level of dogs? Where in this world is there an absolute fairness?"

"Did you all see the suspension bridge on your way up the mountain?"

"Half a month ago, the bridge was damaged by falling rocks. A poor relative of mine fell to his death while repairing it, leaving behind a widow and orphan."

"I need to make some provisions for them. Anyone who wishes to file a complaint, go ahead. Don’t bother me with your whining!"

After hearing this, everyone was left speechless.

It turned out there was such a reason behind it. Since he was so forthright about it, perhaps the abbot had already permitted it.

They were being fleeced to line his own pockets under the guise of righteousness, leaving everyone with no choice but to accept their fate.

The cunning ones immediately began to donate.

Manager Bai didn’t play coy either; he accepted everything as listed. As long as it was over twenty taels, he would agree to let people pass.

Faced with such a situation, Li Yan and his companions also gave in, taking out sixty taels in silver notes. After registering, they crossed the stone bridge to enter Doumu Palace.

Once inside, they could sense the extraordinariness of the place.

The ancient palace was majestic, with green bricks and black tiles, carved beams and painted rafters, displaying exquisite craftsmanship. With eaves and corners soaring skywards, and layers upon layers in a grand cascade, it was as if the phoenix danced to the heavens, a truly magnificent sight.

Moreover, with the sunrise, surrounded by towering mountains and a sea of clouds swirling mysteriously, reflecting off the palace, it looked like a scene from paradise.

Of course, Li Yan, having seen many different landscapes in his previous life, including ones more grand and majestic than this, was not as impressed by the scenery as by the aura that permeated here.

Inside the palace, incense smoke twirled, and the sound of bells was distant and melodious. It seemed peaceful and serene, but there were streams of sharp Astral Bane Energy shooting up to the sky, dense and intertwined, as if related to the arrangement of the stars.

Furthermore, as soon as he took a few steps inside the main gate, his smell superpower began to be suppressed, and by the time he approached the main hall, it completely vanished, rendering him no different from an ordinary person.

Li Yan’s eyes filled with shock as he turned to Wang Daoxuan.

Wang Daoxuan seemed to guess what he was thinking and softly whispered with a smile, "This place was built at the end of the Han Dynasty, with generations of Xuanmen masters coming together. It was extensively renovated during the Tang Dynasty, even using a considerable amount of Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure."

"Moreover, this place is the Doumu Holy Land. With a thousand years of incense and the strategic layout of the Grotto Heaven, an Innate Divine Astral formation has already been established. It’s not just you; even if a dragon came here, it would have to curl up."

"Do you remember what Yue Scarface mentioned about the Yellow River stone coffin? It is suppressed by the Taoist temple at Wangwu Mountain."

Li Yan suddenly understood; there might be something being suppressed here as well. The formation was extraordinary, and his Divine Skills were being restrained.

Thinking this, Li Yan lost the interest to continue exploring.

The Xuanmen Practitioners who came in were all prohibited from stepping into the inner hall and were arranged in a large house on the side of the Doumu Hall.

Damn it!

Li Yan cursed silently, knowing that the smith Hong was right—letting people in was just the first step. Manager Bai was likely to play a bidding game, continuing to fleece them.

Seeing the situation, he didn’t waste any more words but took out his visitation card and letter, finding the young Daoist guarding the passage to the back courtyard, "May I ask if Daoist Yu Linzi is present?"

"Uncle-Master Yu Linzi is performing the morning prayers. Please wait a moment," the young Daoist replied politely, taking the visitation card before turning to enter the inner hall, leaving Li Yan and the others outside.

This Doumu Palace Taoist Academy was vast. The area they were in, the front courtyard, though it had a Divine Statue of Doumu for pilgrims to offer incense to, only accounted for one-tenth of the entire palace.

Behind it probably lay the true core.

After a long wait, a Daoist finally hurried over from the back courtyard led by the young Daoist.

What a transcendent aura!

From the first glance, Li Yan couldn’t help but inwardly praise.

This Daoist was tall and seemed like he hadn’t practiced martial arts, a bit thin and hunched, leaning forward.

Ordinary men like him tend to have a sleazy air, yet his complexion was fair, his eyes narrow and long, his demeanor tranquil and serene. Clad in a voluminous Daoist robe, he walked with fluttering sleeves and three strands of long beard wafting in the breeze; he truly resembled a wandering immortal approaching from the secular world.

"Is that Mr. Li?"

Daoist Yu Linzi greeted them with a gentle smile, "The morning chant cannot be interrupted midway. Please forgive us. Follow me, if you will."

With that, he led the trio into the inner courtyard.

Inside, there was nothing unusual; merely several Daoists bustling about. What surprised Li Yan, though, was the presence of an ancient building resembling an observatory at the opposite corner.

There was even a massive copper telescope poking its head out!

"That’s the Observatory."

Yu Linzi explained with a wry smile, "Please don’t laugh. This very device almost left us unable to afford food."

He spoke with a hint of jest, yet his eyes were brimming with delight.

Li Yan nodded in agreement, "That thing looks quite expensive. Doesn’t the court allocate funds?"

Yu Linzi was taken aback, "What does our study of star phases have to do with the court?"

Li Yan was at a loss for words and grasped at straws, "But for establishing the calendar, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, they would make use of it, right?"

Yu Linzi smiled and shook his head, "The calendar is already perfected. What the Imperial Astronomical Bureau uses is much larger than ours. They wouldn’t come to borrow ours, and with so many other places for the court to spend money, they’re certainly not going to pay for us."

As he spoke, they had already been led into a quiet room.

Before entering, Li Yan turned his head for another look at the Observatory, a sudden guess arising in his heart–the various skills of the Great Xuan Dynasty were probably more advanced than he imagined.

Of course, now was not the time for such thoughts.

Daoist Yu Linzi was not only highly skilled in the Dao but also very kind. He personally brewed tea for everyone, "There is a tea garden halfway up the mountain at Doumu Institute. I picked and roasted these before Qingming Festival myself. Please, have a taste."

"Excellent tea!"

Li Yan took a sip and felt the refreshing taste wash over his palate, leaving behind a crisp, lingering sweetness. It was a high-quality green tea, although he couldn’t discern the variety.

"I am aware of your intentions," Yu Linzi finally began to address the matter at hand with a sigh, "Lo Mingzi’s request is to be respected, but I do not have the final say in these matters."

He said, shaking his head and smiling bitterly, "There’s no need to be secretive; it’s all because of the Observatory outside."

"Normally, the court provides annual funds. We of the Jiao Altar guard a region and occasionally dispatch troops to patrol. Usually, we’d have some surplus. Adding to that, selling Magic Artifacts consigned by the Xuan Priests is enough to keep the temple running."

"But building the Observatory took a significant toll on our finances, even using funds intended for the repairs of Doumu Palace. We Daoists pursue the Dao away from the secular world, and the path is arduous. Few pilgrims visit, leading to financial strain."

"The master priests are devoted to their pursuit of the Dao. They can discuss star phases and Daoist techniques for days on end, but when it comes to money, they are helpless. Luckily, Manager Bai had the timely idea to auction off spots."

"If the auction goes well, it could cover a good deal of our deficit. With heavy snows soon sealing off the mountain, and a major Jiao ceremony on Winter Solstice, we need money everywhere..."

Hearing the reasons, the three visitors were incredulous.

They had assumed the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, as the state’s sect and leader of the Mystical Sect, would be flush with wealth. They hadn’t expected that they, too, would fret over funds.

But considering their undertakings, this seemed reasonable.

Just the visible part of the telescope on the Observatory suggested immensely intricate craftsmanship. Not only would it require Mystical Sect artisans, but transporting all materials up the mountain was no easy feat.

Besides, this was the abode of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect’s practitioners; they may possess unique abilities, making the construction costs beyond ordinary comprehension.

Li Yan, feeling helpless, said, "Comparatively, these Magicians are poor as rats. They can’t squeeze out much."

"It’s something," Yu Linzi hesitated, scratching his head and looking somewhat embarrassed, "I really shouldn’t ask this. Maybe you could wait?"

"The prices will definitely be lower after the spring thaw."

Now that the conversation had reached this point, Li Yan couldn’t press any further. In a serious voice, he said, "To be frank, we can’t afford to wait. If the price is reasonable, I’d rather pay upfront."

By now, it wasn’t a question of money.

If they delayed any longer, they may as well abandon their other plans.

Yu Linzi pondered for a moment, "No need to rush. There are indeed other spiritual acupoints that have been explored on the mountain. Let me consult with Manager Bai."

With that, he turned and left the quiet room.

After he departed, Sha Lifei exclaimed in amazement, "Well, well, we’re strapped for cash, and even this Doumu Palace is in such a state."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head, "In this world, you need money for everything. Even the Emperor worries about funds, resorting to lifting maritime bans to replenish the state treasury."

"All the more for Taibai Mansion, merely one branch of the Doumu Institute, with many expenses to cover by themselves..."

As they were speaking, footsteps approached from outside.

Yu Linzi reappeared followed by Manager Bai.

This Manager Bai seemed very busy; he didn’t waste words as he entered and was noticeably more amicable, saying directly, "Since brothers from the Sisijian have referred you, we naturally can’t dismiss the recommendation."

"But with the snowy season approaching, the repairs for Doumu Palace, and various other expenses... everyone’s asking for favors, and we can’t make an exception just for the few of you, or we won’t get through this winter."

"Let’s do this. The bids outside earlier were around 3,000 taels for renting a spiritual acupoint. If you pay 2,500 taels, I can reserve the spots for you."

"2,500 taels?"

Sha Lifei swallowed hard, looking at Li Yan and the other.

Wang Daoxuan had said earlier, the costs for building an observatory, from renting the spiritual acupoints to acquiring various instruments and Magic Artifacts, would be around 1,000 taels.

The Second Layer would be somewhat pricier, about 1,500 taels.

For this trip up the mountain, they had made provisions, expecting to have about 4,000 taels in reserve. But now it fell short.

Li Yan, with no other choice, frankly confessed.

On hearing this, Manager Bai shook his head slightly, "I’m sorry, but I have my orders, and I cannot oblige."

It was then that Yu Linzi interjected, "Manager Bai, didn’t we discover two new spiritual acupoints recently? You haven’t offered them for lease this time..."

"Are you referring to Qian Two and Qian Three?"

Manager Bai hesitated for a moment, "That’s not right; those two are a bit out of the way..."

"We don’t mind the distance!" Sha Lifei quickly interjected.

Wang Daoxuan joined in, bowing slightly, "Might I inquire about their whereabouts?"

Manager Bai glanced at Yu Linzi and then said:

"They are near the highest peak of Taibai, around the Fairy Ascending Platform!"