Chapter 393 - 364: Exchanging for Copper

Chapter 393: Chapter 364: Exchanging for Copper

’Could this path be a dead end?’

He had once suspected as much.

But inspiration soon struck. Silver taels were, after all, a large denomination of currency. Ordinary people might only handle them a few times in their entire lives.

Copper coins, however, were different. They were in constant circulation, passing through countless hands.

Theoretically, copper coins should contain a much more abundant amount of Wealth Qi.

It was precisely this speculation that had led him to order Chen Pi to go and exchange silver for copper coins.

’It seems my guess was correct!’

These copper coins, circulating through the markets, were the perfect vessels for accumulating Righteous Wealth Qi.

More importantly, the cost of using copper coins for Cultivation was far lower than that of using silver taels.

He immediately instructed Chen Pi, "You’ve handled this matter well. These copper coins are of great use to me. I’ll give you another five days. Go to the accountant and withdraw two thousand taels of silver."

"T-two... thousand taels?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Pi gasped, almost certain he had misheard.

Two hundred taels had already terrified him. Two thousand was an astronomical figure.

Chen Li nodded. "Don’t limit yourself to Lingxi. You can go to any of the surrounding market towns. Focus on collecting old, worn-out coins. Don’t take any that are brand new."

Chen Pi’s scalp tingled with dread, but he forced himself to agree. "Yes, Master. I will do my absolute best!"

Chen Li’s gaze shifted to Chen Dalin. "This is your eldest son, Dalin, isn’t it?"

"Yes, yes. It is an honor that the Master still remembers him."

Chen Pi answered quickly, giving his son a little tug.

Chen Li walked behind his desk, opened a hidden compartment, and took out a White Porcelain Pill Bottle. He held it out to Chen Dalin. "Inside are ten Nine-Turns Essence Rejuvenation Marrow Heart Pills. They are excellent for Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence and will be of great benefit as you temper your bones and sinews. They are far superior to the Blood-Strengthening Powder you normally use."

Chen Dalin hurried forward and accepted it with both hands.

Chen Li instructed, "Pick nine other young men from your martial arts training group to go with you. For the next five days, you will all focus on helping your father with this task. Consider this Elixir your payment for the job. I’ll speak with Instructor Liu myself."

Chen Dalin bowed. "Thank you for the reward, Master. Dalin will put forth his utmost effort."

Chen Pi went even further, pulling his son down to kneel and kowtow.

The task had been assigned and the reward given. Logically, Chen Pi should have taken his leave, but he hesitated, a look of indecision on his face.

"Is there something else?"

Chen Li glanced at him.

A troubled look appeared on Chen Pi’s face. Finally, steeling himself, he recounted the entire story of how Cai Shangzhuo had stopped him on the road to beg for help.

After he finished, Chen Pi nervously lowered his head, not daring to look at Chen Li’s face.

Chen Li’s brow furrowed slightly. "Chen Pi, you’re a veteran of my household; you should know the rules. When bringing servants into the family, the top priority is a clean and well-known background. We don’t accept anyone with unknown origins or a flawed character. How can you ask the Chen Family to take in someone like that?"

Chen Pi kowtowed hastily. "Master, I know the rules. But that Cai Shangzhuo... he worked for the Chen Family as a hired hand for a few years when he was younger. He’s an honest man, I can vouch for him. I beg you, Master, please show mercy and help him just this once. He truly has nowhere else to turn..."

Chen Li was silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "Fine. In consideration of your many years of honest, diligent, and loyal service to the Chen Family, I will make an exception this one time."

His tone shifted, becoming exceptionally stern. "However, Chen Pi, listen carefully. This is the only time. It will not happen again. Do not come to me for such favors in the future."

Chen Pi kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you for your mercy, Master! Only this once! I will never make such a request again!"

"Go to the accountant and withdraw the money."

Chen Li waved a dismissive hand. "He doesn’t need to enter the Chen Family estate. Have him work as a long-term laborer to pay off his debt. As for his family’s land and house, process them according to our rules."

Chen Pi and his son kowtowed once more before rising and exiting the study.

Silence returned to the study.

Chen Li’s fingers gently caressed the cold copper coins as he threw himself back into his Cultivation without a moment’s delay.