The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

Longyi Mountain is located in the west of the city. Although it is not very high, it has a unique tranquility due to its lush forests and rugged terrain.

As the hour of Yin drew to a close (around 5 a.m.), the sky remained a deep, inky blue, with sparse stars and a crescent moon hanging in the west. The mountains were filled with the deepest chill and dampness before dawn. Dew condensed on the tips of the grass blades, glistening and ready to drip. A mountain breeze swept by, bringing the sound of pine trees rustling and the refreshing fragrance of grass and trees, but also a touch of biting coolness.

Yi Huawei, dressed in a blue robe, stood quietly on a huge, protruding blue rock on the main peak of Longyi Mountain. The rock was as smooth as a mirror and was called "Listening to the Waves Rock" because the sound of the Jinjiang River flowing not far below the mountain could still be heard here.

Yi Huawei faced east, where it was still a chaotic darkness, with only a faint glimmer of dawn visible on the horizon.

He stood simply with his hands behind his back, his figure as upright as a pine tree, seemingly blending into the rocks beneath his feet and the ancient pines around him. His breathing was barely perceptible, yet incredibly long. With each inhale, the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth seemed to be drawn in by an invisible giant whale, silently surging towards him and forming an energy vortex around him that was invisible to the naked eye but could make even the most perceptive person's heart tremble.

As the Primordial Qi Gong and the Longevity Formula quietly circulated within his body, strange phenomena began to occur.

At first, the dew around him seemed to lose weight and slowly float up, like countless tiny pearls, gently rotating around him and refracting the impending glimmer of light. Then, centered on Yi Huawei, the plants within a ten-zhang radius began to move in a way that defied common sense—like breathing, the leaves expanded and contracted, exhaling a faint blue life essence that flowed into the invisible vortex.

As the first light of dawn gradually expanded in the east, attempting to shower golden light upon the earth, an invisible funnel seemed to appear in the sky above Yi Huawei's head. The morning light, which should have grown brighter and brighter, dimmed slightly as it approached him, as if he were quietly absorbing the purest essence of the sun. This caused the light around him to take on a peculiar, chaotic hue, neither bright nor dark, as if dawn and night had reached a delicate balance at this moment.

The breath he exhaled from his mouth and nose condensed into white mist in the cold air, but the mist did not dissipate. Instead, it coiled and entwined in front of him like a living serpent, eventually transforming into tiny, constantly emerging and dying chaotic vortices. Within these vortices, one could vaguely see fine purple lightning flashing and specks of starlight flickering.

If a Taoist master were here, he would be utterly astonished, for this was a realm akin to "seizing the creation of heaven and earth and invading the mysteries of the sun and moon"—the realm of a terrestrial immortal.

An hour passed quietly amidst this eerie silence and undercurrents.

As the eastern sky finally broke free from the shackles of darkness, bursting forth with thousands of golden rays, and a red sun leaped above the horizon, the strange phenomena surrounding Yi Huawei also reached their peak.

Yi Huawei suddenly opened his mouth, facing the rising sun as if swallowing it whole. The brilliant purple aura of the rising sun, as if drawn by an invisible force, transformed into a pale purple stream of light and instantly entered his ancestral aperture between his eyebrows!

In an instant, his aura became incredibly harmonious and full, with a faint radiance flowing beneath his skin. As his eyes opened and closed, a fleeting image of the birth and death of the sun, moon, and stars seemed to flash before returning to an unfathomable calm.

“Oh—oh—”

In the distance below the mountain, the faint crowing of a rooster broke the silence of the mountains. The rooster crowed, signaling the official start of a new day.

Yi Huawei slowly finished his practice. The dewdrops that had been floating around him quietly fell, the plants returned to normal, and the strange phenomenon that had swallowed the morning light disappeared without a trace. He turned around and looked at an ancient pine tree not far away.

There, Wanwan stood quietly. After a night of meditation and Yi Huawei's transmission of power, she had recovered to her peak condition, even surpassing her former self. She was still dressed in a crimson dress, her bare feet like jade, but her temperament had undergone a subtle change. She had lost some of her deliberate allure, and gained more inner calm and confidence. Her eyes shone with a divine light, clearly indicating that her seventeenth level of the Heavenly Demon Great Art had been firmly established.

Upon seeing Yi Huawei, Wanwan immediately smiled, her face as radiant as a rose blooming in the morning light. She stepped forward gracefully, curtsied, and asked, "Alliance Leader, have you finished your practice?"

The voice was clear and crisp, carrying just the right amount of respect and intimacy.

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Wanwan for a moment, seemingly seeing through her improved state, but he offered no comment. He looked down at the gradually awakening city of Chengdu below, where wisps of smoke rose from chimneys and the sounds of the city could be faintly heard, and spoke softly:
Why did you go looking for Anlong alone last night?

Wanwan's smile froze slightly, then transformed into an even more charming expression. She stuck out her pink tongue, like a little girl caught doing something wrong, and took a few steps closer, her tone slightly coquettish: "Alliance Leader~, I...I just wanted to share your burdens. Now that the Yin Kui Sect has joined your ranks, we can't let go of the Tian Lian Sect, that juicy piece of meat. Wanwan thought, let's first find out what Fatty An is up to, see how he reacts. If we can find some leverage, it will pave the way for your eventual conquest of the Tian Lian Sect."

As Wanwan spoke, she secretly observed Yi Huawei's expression. Seeing that he remained expressionless, she continued to whine and tease, "Who knew that Fatty An would be so unethical, turning on you so easily and even ganging up on us! If it weren't for your divine intervention, Alliance Leader, Wanwan would have really been defeated this time... Alliance Leader, you won't blame Wanwan for acting on her own, will you?"

As she spoke, Wanwan blinked her big eyes, giving off a pitiful look.

Yi Huawei looked at her calmly, unmoved by her act. He was a man of great stature, having experienced countless worlds and possessing keen insight into human nature. How could he not see through Wanwan's subtle intentions—a desire to boast, a test, and a way to downplay the potential punishment for her unauthorized actions?

Before taking any action, one should know the extent of the risk and act within one's capabilities.

Yi Huawei said calmly, "If you act so recklessly again next time, you may not have such luck."

His words were calm, but they sent a chill down Wanwan's spine. She quickly dropped her coquettish manner and said seriously, "Yes, Wanwan knows she was wrong and will remember the Alliance Master's teachings!"

Yi Huawei stopped dwelling on the matter and changed the subject, asking, "How do you intend to handle the matter of the Heavenly Lotus Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Wanwan's spirits lifted, knowing that the Alliance Leader was testing her and truly entrusting her with the power to handle the subsequent affairs of the Heavenly Lotus Sect. After a moment's thought, she organized her thoughts and said, "Reporting to the Alliance Leader, after last night's events, Anlong, Duli, and Sun Huai are crippled and no longer a concern. Sun Qiniang and Ouyang Xu are under the Alliance Leader's 'Mysterious Ice Restriction,' their lives are in my hands, and they will certainly not dare to have any disloyalty in the short term."

"In Wanwan's opinion, Sun Qiniang and Ouyang Xu can temporarily stabilize the situation of Tianlian Sect in Shu, and the business of 'Hexinglong' can continue to operate as usual, but it cannot hinder the grand plan of Tiandao Alliance in the south. If necessary, financial and material support should be provided to the alliance."

"At the same time, we can take this opportunity to gradually infiltrate our people into the Heavenly Lotus Sect, especially into key positions in charge of finances and intelligence. When the time is right, we may be able to completely incorporate the Heavenly Lotus Sect into our Heavenly Dao Alliance, or make it a vassal."

Wanwan spoke eloquently and clearly, her thoughts flowing smoothly, clearly having given it considerable thought since the previous night. After a pause, she added, "Of course, all of this depends on the Alliance Leader's decision. In addition, the other factions of the Holy Sect, such as the Extinction of Emotions Path and the True Transmission Path, will surely be shaken upon learning of the changes in Anlong. We may be able to utilize them, either by exerting pressure or by winning them over, to further divide and weaken the remaining forces of the Demonic Sect, thus accelerating the Alliance Leader's pace in unifying the Holy Sect and even the world."

Yi Huawei listened quietly, remaining noncommittal, until Wanwan finished speaking, then said calmly, "Okay. For specific details, listen to your master's advice. If you encounter any difficulties, report back to me."

This statement is tantamount to acknowledging Wanwan's plan and granting her considerable autonomy.

Wanwan was overjoyed, knowing that although she had taken a risk this time, the result was undoubtedly that she gained greater trust and important responsibilities from the alliance leader.

"Yes! Wanwan will certainly live up to the Alliance Leader's expectations!" Wanwan replied respectfully, her face radiating a dazzling light.

.........

The rising sun completely dispelled the morning mist, casting golden rays across the winding mountain road.

On the way down the mountain, the air was fresh and invigorating, and dewdrops clung to the roadside plants, glistening in the sunlight. In the distance, the outline of the capital gradually became clear through the thin mist, its city walls majestic, and wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys of the market towns.

Yi Huwei walked with ease, his blue robe fluttering slightly in the mountain breeze. He seemed unhurried, but with each step he took, his figure was already several feet away, as if he had shrunk the distance to an inch.

Wanwan followed closely behind, her bare feet barely touching the ground, moving silently. Her red figure was like a flame leaping through the forest, effortless and graceful. After last night's events and this morning's breakthrough, her state of mind was quite different. Following behind Yi Huawei, she was less reserved and more excited.

"Wanwan,"

Yi Huawei didn't turn around; his calm voice carried on the wind, breaking the tranquility of the mountains: "What businesses does Anlong's 'Hexinglong' mainly deal in?"

After a moment's thought, Wanwan replied, "Reporting to the Alliance Leader, Fatty An... Anlong's business is very extensive. Its core businesses are salt, iron, and grain. Sichuan's well salt is famous throughout the world, and 'Hexinglong' controls several large salt wells near Chengdu, practically monopolizing the salt supply in western Sichuan. Regarding ironware, they have close ties with several large mines and workshops, not only forging agricultural tools but also... secretly forging weapons. Grain is even more fundamental; Sichuan is the land of abundance, and 'Hexinglong's' grain stores are spread throughout the prefectures and counties, buying low and selling high, hoarding and speculating is commonplace."

After a pause, Wanwan added, "Besides that, there's silk, Shu brocade, medicinal herbs, carriages and horses, and even... lending. You can see the shadow of 'Hexinglong' in almost everything people need for their daily lives. It's said that they're also involved in some shady businesses, such as the private sale of weapons, and even... cough cough, they might have trade with some barbarian tribes."

"In short, the reason why the Heavenly Lotus Sect can remain one of the six demonic sects is not so much because of its martial arts, but rather because of the vast business network and astonishing wealth that An Long has built. It can be said that the lifeblood of the Heavenly Lotus Sect is money."

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, acknowledging Wanwan's understanding: "Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. Wealth, or rather the economy, is the lifeblood of a power's survival and development. No matter how high one's martial arts skills are, disciples still need to eat and wear clothes. Crafting weapons, gathering intelligence, and maintaining relationships—none of these can be done without money."

Pointing to the bustling city below the mountain, Yi Huawei smiled and said, "Look at Chengdu. Every day, people come and go, and shops line the streets. It may seem chaotic, but it actually operates according to certain rules. These rules are the way of the economy."

Wanwan blinked her beautiful eyes, a look of interest on her face: "The way of economics? Alliance Leader, Wanwan only knows how to kill, set fires, and fight for territory. As for the ways of doing business and making money, she's completely clueless. Could you explain it to her?"

She appropriately displayed curiosity and humility, which satisfied the leader's desire to tell stories while also allowing her to learn something truly valuable.

Yi Huawei glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. He slowed his speech and explained in the simplest terms possible: “It’s very simple. You can think of the flow of goods and money throughout the world as the flow of blood in a human body.”

"First, there must be 'blood' itself, which is goods and money."

Yi Huawei casually picked a leaf from the roadside: "Take this leaf, for example. It's everywhere on the mountain and worthless. But if someone weaves it into a beautiful handicraft and transports it to the city, someone might be willing to pay for it. This leaf then transforms from a useless thing into a 'commodity' and gains value. Similarly, grain, cloth, salt, and iron are all commodities. Gold, silver, and copper coins are the yardstick for measuring the value of these commodities and also the medium of exchange. That's 'money'."

Wanwan nodded thoughtfully: "Just like in our Holy Sect, where we exchange contribution points or treasures for martial arts manuals?"

"Similar, but on a larger scale, involving the entire society."

Yi Huawei affirmed, "Then, for blood to flow, it needs blood vessels and a heart. 'Blood vessels' are the transportation channels such as trade routes, canals, and post stations. Goods are transported from their place of origin, such as the salt wells in Sichuan or the silk workshops in Jiangnan, through these 'blood vessels' to where they are needed. And the 'heart' is a large city like Chengdu, Luoyang, or Chang'an, which is the center of goods distribution and trade, where money and goods converge and flow in large quantities."

“Anlong’s ‘Hexinglong’ is like a relatively thick ‘blood vessel’ or a powerful ‘heart valve’. He controls the production and distribution of important goods such as Shu brocade and well salt, which is equivalent to blocking some key nodes in the flow of blood. He can buy goods from weavers and salt workers at low prices and then sell them to consumers at high prices, or transport them elsewhere to earn the price difference. The difference is his profit, which is the source of the wealth accumulated by the Tianlian Sect.”

Wanwan suddenly realized: "So that's how it is! Fatty An is just a middleman, making money by blocking locations!"

After thinking for a moment, he asked again, "Then... after we take over, how can we make this 'blood' flow better, so that it can generate more 'blood' for us... for the Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

This was exactly what Yi Huawei wanted to guide her thinking, and he nodded approvingly: "Good question. Simply making money through monopoly and exploitation like Anlong may be quick, but it also has great hidden dangers. It is easy to arouse public anger and also easy to be attacked by other forces. What we need to do is to make this 'blood vessel' smoother, to make the 'blood' flow faster and more efficiently, so that the whole body is healthier and stronger, and naturally more wealth can be generated."

Yi Huawei explained in detail: "Anlong deliberately sets up roadblocks to obstruct other caravans and charges exorbitant tolls in order to maintain its monopoly. We can do the opposite: repair roads, ensure the safety of trade routes, reduce or even eliminate unreasonable taxes and fees, and attract more merchants to do business. With more merchants, there will be more goods traded. Even if we only charge reasonable market management fees or provide warehousing and transportation services, the total amount will far exceed the profits from the previous monopoly. This is called 'letting the fish grow in the pond.'"

Wanwan's eyes lit up: "I understand! It's like repairing the road so that more people can come to the market. Even if we only charge a small stall fee, we'll earn more than before when we monopolized the market and couldn't let anyone else come, and we could only sell our own things!"

"A very vivid metaphor."

Yi Huawei smiled and said, "Then, let the money make money. Money stored in warehouses is just dead stuff. We need to make it circulate. 'Hexinglong' must have accumulated a lot of gold and silver. We can do two things with this money: First, lend it to reputable merchants who want to do business and charge a certain interest rate. This is called 'money shop' or 'lending' business; second, invest in industries with potential, such as investing in improving weaving techniques to make Shu brocade production higher and of better quality; or investing in developing new mines and opening up new trade routes. In this way, the money becomes a hen that lays eggs."

Wanwan listened intently, finding the Alliance Leader's words even more novel and interesting than those profound martial arts manuals: "It can be like this? You can lend money out and still collect interest? Investing... is like sowing seeds, expecting a future harvest?"

“That’s right. So, the most urgent task is to build credibility. Credibility is of paramount importance in economic transactions. I want to ensure that transactions under the control of ‘Hexinglong’ and even the Heavenly Dao Alliance are fair and trustworthy. We will not shortchange customers, we will not engage in bullying or market manipulation, and we must guarantee the promised quality of goods and delivery time. Over time, merchants from all over the world will be willing to do business with us because our rules are clear and our operations are safe and reliable. Credibility itself is a huge asset.”

Yi Huawei summarized: "Therefore, after taking over the Tianlian Sect's assets, we need to stabilize them in the short term and maintain normal operations. In the long term, we need to gradually shift: from monopolistic exploitation to providing services and promoting circulation; from hoarding wealth to investing in the future and making money from money; from relying on violence to maintain operations to attracting customers through reputation and rules. In this way, the areas we control will become more and more prosperous, and our financial resources will be continuous, supporting the Tiandao Alliance's greater goals."

At this moment, the two had reached the foot of the mountain, and ahead lay the west gate of Chengdu. The soldiers guarding the city were inspecting pedestrians and vehicles entering the city, and the bustling sounds of the city were overwhelming.

Recalling the leader's words, Wanwan felt as if a completely new door had opened before her. She had originally thought that the struggle for the world was nothing more than a matter of martial arts prowess and the size of one's army, but now she understood that this invisible and intangible "economic way" was no less important than battlefield combat, and perhaps even more fundamental.

Wanwan looked at Yi Huawei with a gaze that was filled with both reverence and admiration. The Alliance Leader was not only a master of martial arts and possessed profound wisdom, but he also had a clear understanding of worldly business and financial management, as if the laws governing the world were entirely within his grasp. (End of Chapter)