Chapter 1269 898: Restoration

What is gold to Zhang Chen?

Ever since he mastered the Power of the Five Elements, gold is no different from a lump of iron, it's just worthless iron.

Fifty pounds of gold doesn't look very big because the density of gold is so high.

Although housing prices in Kyoto are ridiculously expensive, fifty pounds of gold is still enough to buy most of the houses.

Fifty pounds of gold is roughly 25,000 grams. If calculated at 800 dollars per gram, it's only about twenty million, which can indeed buy most of the houses in Kyoto.

Xie Lingyun looked at the gold Zhang Chen brought out and slightly reproached him, saying, "Why are you being so formal, it's just a mere residence. If we want to live and settle in Kyoto, do we really need to pay ourselves? Is the name of the Inspection and Supervision Department just for show?"

Xie Lingyun's voice was filled with discontent. With her current position, if she wanted a certain house, she only needed to hint at it, and someone would naturally handle it for her.

"We can't do anything immoral, and besides, we're not short of money. If we want to buy a house, we should just pay for it," Zhang Chen said to Xie Lingyun, "Things that can be solved with money should be solved with money. Money is the cheapest thing."

He knew the Xie family father and daughter didn't have money; otherwise, he wouldn't need to be polite and could just enjoy the fruits of others' labor, but the key was the Xie family father and daughter didn't have money.

The Xie family father and daughter were considered incorruptible officials, not exploiting the people. The house they lived in Kyoto was a government-allocated residence.

Zhang Chen placed the gold on Xie Lingyun's desk, Xie Lingyun looked Zhang Chen up and down, "You're quite generous, when did you become so wealthy?"

Zhang Chen reached into the void, and golden essence gathered, a moment later a nugget the size of a baby's head appeared.

"You have this ability? No wonder you talk big about not being short of money!" Xie Lingyun was shocked, her mouth agape.

Zhang Chen gave an accomplished smile upon seeing this, "How was that?"

"It's indeed impressive," Xie Lingyun said.

Hearing Xie Lingyun's words, Zhang Chen said proudly, "That's why I say things solved with money aren't major issues."

"I've decided, I'm going to buy a house too, and it'll be a super large estate. We'll be neighbors," Xie Lingyun suddenly slapped the table.

"Where do you get so much money?" Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun, puzzled.

"I don't have money, but you do," Xie Lingyun said, "You're covering the money to buy the estate."

Zhang Chen was stunned, then chuckled, "It's just some iron, consider it my treat."

Zhang Chen reached into the void again, capturing mysterious qi, and soon a ton of gold appeared in Xie Lingyun's study, "Is this enough?"

"Enough! More than enough!" Xie Lingyun replied.

Zhang Chen withdrew his hand, Xie Lingyun looked at Zhang Chen with slightly fiery eyes, "I have a bold idea."

"Your idea would cause the Great Victory Dynasty's monetary system to collapse, and ultimately harm ordinary people." Zhang Chen said.

Xie Lingyun sighed helplessly, "Then I'll just have to forget about it."

"I truly can't imagine, one day using gold to hollow out the entire Great Victory Dynasty, gathering resources, how fast could cultivation progress then." Xie Lingyun's voice was filled with longing.

"Even with money, some things can't be bought, people won't sell them. Gold can only buy ordinary cultivation resources, truly rare cultivation resources can't even be bought with money," Zhang Chen mercilessly shattered Xie Lingyun's fantasies.

Xie Lingyun raised her head upon hearing this, glaring at Zhang Chen discontentedly, "I was just imagining, dreaming a bit, is it not allowed to dream a beautiful dream?"

After the two continued talking for a while, Xie Lingyun changed the topic, "When do you plan to acknowledge your ancestors?"

"Tomorrow." Zhang Chen said.

Xie Lingyun nodded upon hearing this, "If you need my cooperation for any plans hereafter, just tell me directly, no need for formalities."

"I won't be formal with elder sister." Zhang Chen said, then discussed the situation in Kyoto with Xie Lingyun, before getting up to leave, returning all the way to the Zhong Family.

As soon as Zhang Chen arrived at the Zhong Family, he was stopped by the gatekeeper: "Young master, Old Grandmaster Zhong has instructed that upon your return, you are to visit the study, saying there is a very important matter to discuss with you."

"Lead the way," Zhang Chen replied.

The two of them made their way to Old Grandmaster Zhong's study, where they saw Old Grandmaster Zhong sitting inside, writing something. Upon seeing Zhang Chen enter, Old Grandmaster Zhong paused his writing and, with eyes full of intensity, looked at Zhang Chen: "You're back. Zhou Qiucheng came by earlier and brought you something."

Old Grandmaster Zhong said this as he picked up a letter from the table and handed it to Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen took the letter, displaying a look of surprise: "It's actually an invitation to join the Academy."

"The task assigned to you by the Human King of the Great Victory Dynasty can only be completed within the Academy, so joining the Academy is a natural progression," said Old Grandmaster Zhong.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen examined the letter for a moment before saying, "Can the three younger ones from my family join the Academy?"

"Joining the Academy is not difficult; a little maneuvering on our part would suffice. However, the situation within the Academy is complex, and I fear the three of them might get hurt…" Zhong Wubai hesitated.

Upon hearing Zhong Wubai's words, Zhang Chen thought about Zhang Gaoqiu being eliminated and traveling a thousand miles to Jinling to pursue academic qualifications. He came to understand the situation of the Eight Great Clans of Kyoto more clearly. It seems the Eight Great Clans are in a precarious situation, to the point where even an entry to the Academy is hindered, suggesting their situation is quite dire.

Thoughts flashed through Zhang Chen's mind briefly, and he then put the letter away: "There is no rush to join the Academy. I can wait until I've reclaimed my ancestry and awakened the Zhang Family bloodline before joining the Academy."

Zhang Chen had not yet created a situation to stall the Eight Great Clans, so how could he join the Academy now?

He needed to first create some issues for the Eight Great Clans, causing them to be too preoccupied to bother him; this way, he could methodically deal with the situation.

After putting away the letter and chatting with Old Grandmaster Zhong for a while, Zhang Chen turned back to his small courtyard, where he saw Mrs. Zhang practicing sword fighting in the courtyard, while the three younger ones were sitting in meditation under the eaves.

"Second Lady!"

Upon entering, Zhang Chen saw Mrs. Zhang in black attire, holding a sword, with her blood circulating rapidly as she diligently practiced martial arts. Zhang Chen called out, interrupting her practice, and respectfully addressed her.

"You're back? Have you had lunch?" Mrs. Zhang sheathed her sword and inquired.

"I've already eaten, but I have something for you." Zhang Chen pulled out a thumb-sized jade bottle from his sleeve, which contained three drops of Three Lights Divine Water:

"You have internal injuries from overtraining your physical body with martial arts. If you don't repair them, there will be major problems in the future. This bottle contains three drops of Three Lights Divine Water, which can bring the dead back to life and restore your body's hidden injuries."

"Such a precious item would be wasted on me. Save it for the three younger ones," Mrs. Zhang said, accepting the bottle but, upon hearing what it contained, was reluctant and wanted to reserve it for the younger ones.

"There is plenty of it. I've already prepared suitable items for the three of them. You need not worry about them," Zhang Chen explained to Mrs. Zhang.

This was Mrs. Zhang, always wanting to save the best for the younger ones, which was why Zhang Chen respected her the most; otherwise, during the long and arduous escape from the Northern Land, he would never have brought along a so-called burden like Mrs. Zhang.

Though not their mother, Mrs. Zhang was more than a mother to them.

Zhang Chen waved to the maidservant in the corner: "Sister, please prepare several basins of hot water."

The maidservant left respectfully, and Zhang Chen turned to Mrs. Zhang: "This substance purges and refines the body, so after consuming it, you should carefully bathe inside."

Seeing Zhang Chen so insistent, Mrs. Zhang could only choose to consume the treasure.

As Mrs. Zhang's silhouette faded away, Zhang Chen's gaze fell upon the three younger ones. As for their future, Zhang Chen had prepared enough Yellow Spring Water for them, and once they condensed their Yin Spirits, Zhang Chen would surely help them attain Pure Yang Qi and step into the Tenth Tier. After that, Zhang Chen would contemplate whether to let them continue advancing, considering the ongoing changes in Heaven and Earth. If the capacity of the world were to decrease again, what would become of them?

If the younger ones' cultivation level were low, Zhang Chen could seal them; if too high, the seal might not be as effective.

For Zhang Chen, achieving immortality with his family was paramount. As for cultivation level? With his protection, cultivation level mattered little to the younger ones.

"Unknowingly, I've developed many attachments in this world, with too many unresolved mysteries circling me. For instance, where did Shun go? Is he still alive? And what of Lady Biyun's whereabouts?" Zhang Chen pondered over many things, thinking of tracing Lady Biyun's whereabouts through the Five Directions Banner. After all, Lady Biyun was left by the Queen Mother of the West to oversee the formation, with the Five Directions Banner as the foundation of the Five Elements formation. Thus, tracking the Five Directions Banner should provide clues to Lady Biyun.

Finding Lady Biyun would naturally reveal Shun's whereabouts.

"The Northern Banner is in the hands of the Flood Banner Master, Chen Zhifei. Once I resolve matters in Kyoto, I will seek out Chen Zhifei and first find a way to collect all the Five Directions Banners. At that time, my Five Elements River should progress rapidly, enhancing to an incredible degree," Zhang Chen thought with a smile.

For him, although it's the End of the Dharma era, it's the best time! Many once-unattainable treasures are now within his reach.