Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 137 Evening Unexpected Events
Are the disciples allowed to conduct business within the sect...?

Xu Ying had specifically consulted Zhang Chengdao about this issue, and Zhang Chengdao readily agreed.

As long as the currency used is spirit stones, whatever business you do is simply a matter of transferring money from one hand to the other.

And if market consumption is stimulated, Zhang Chengdao will be able to get more cheap laborers, which sounds even better.

Considering the vast potential for future growth and expansion, Zhang Chengdao touched his slightly cold neck and decided to design a tax mechanism.

Of course, he didn't necessarily want to squeeze the profits from these disciples' small businesses. Instead, he designed a tiered tax system in advance to control the sect's internal economy and make some macro-control.

For example, if the monthly profit is below 1000 low-grade spirit stones, no tax will be levied. However, if it is above 1000, there will be a 10% personal income tax, but this only applies to profits above 1000.

The entire design is almost a direct copy of modern finished products, with the highest charge being 50%, which is only slightly higher than modern products. This is mainly to prevent monopolistic business practices.

Even the official shops of the White Stone Immortal Sect, represented by Ye Chengyu, are within this regulatory scope.

However, small businesses like Huang Wu's don't have so many rules and regulations. He even rented a stall from Ye Chengyu for only 10 low-grade spirit stones per month.

"It's 10 low-grade spirit stones each, regardless of location. Anyway, this market isn't very big, and these 10 low-grade spirit stones are for cleaning and maintaining the environment."

Seeing Huang Wu set up a stall, many disciples were tempted to join him.

Ten low-grade spirit stones aren't much; they're just enough for two days' worth of food. If you're doing commissions, the most profitable ones, "mining stone" and "logging wood," can earn you almost that much in just one hour.

Although they didn't have Huang Wu's carpentry skills, everyone has a way to make a living.
Instead of struggling to complete commissions, why not set up a stall and earn spirit stones from other people!
So everyone started asking Ye Chengyu about the rental of market stalls.

Ye Chengyu was quite happy for everyone to participate, because he had been informed that in half a month, the first batch of merchant caravans appointed by Emperor Murong Zhen of Xiao Kingdom would arrive at Baishi Immortal Sect to conduct trade.

With what Ye Chengyu had prepared on his own, it certainly wouldn't satisfy the appetite of a nation's caravan. Although Xu Ying had reminded Ye Chengyu that he could apply for the sale of spirit wheat, spirit rice, and other grains from the warehouse, Ye Chengyu, who had always been exposed to the ways of commerce in the Ye family, definitely didn't want to sell such basic things, especially not to the Xiao Kingdom...

Ye Chengyu sneered inwardly. Although he didn't have any real feelings for the Southern Chu Kingdom, the Ye family relied on the Southern Chu Kingdom for their livelihood, and he certainly didn't want to see the Xiao Kingdom seize the initiative.

Although Baishi Mountain is located at the intersection of three kingdoms, it is ultimately within the territory of the Xiao Kingdom and is closer to its capital. While the Ye family patriarch had previously mentioned submitting a petition to the Great Chu court, ...

Thinking of those officials and clerks in the Great Chu, Ye Chengyu couldn't help but sigh.

It will probably take half a year of wrangling within the imperial court before it can successfully send someone to make contact with the White Stone Immortal Sect. By then, the Xiao Kingdom will probably have already taken the opportunity to pocket all the benefits!
After registering all the rented stalls, it was time for afternoon classes.

Chang Ping'an's cultivation lessons were still very detailed, and he also mentioned that everyone should cultivate near the big lake and waterfall.

"However, the mountain road has not been built yet, so let's skip it tonight. Cultivation is a long-term endeavor, and there's no need to rush it. If you fall and get injured, it will be a loss."

Chang Ping'an gave specific instructions on safety, but unfortunately it was to no avail. That evening, many people didn't even have time for dinner, only carrying a few flatbreads or steamed buns, and hurriedly headed to the vicinity of the lake.

The path leading from the main peak of the main hall to the lakeside is extremely steep. After spending a few days together, the new disciples, who had become familiar with each other, actually came up with a solution: a few martial artists who had not yet had time to draw in their inner energy and dissipate their true energy used their lightness skills to connect two thick hemp ropes. This way, everyone could hold onto the hemp ropes when going up and down, so as not to fall to the bottom of the cliff.

After Zhong Hui guided the Qi into her body, her original Qi cultivation was gone. She supported Ye Hanxing, gripping the rope tremblingly. It was alright during the day when she could see, but now it was too dark and she couldn't see anything, which made her, who was already a little afraid of heights and night blind, really scared.

Although summer had arrived in Baozhou and the days were longer than before, Zhong Hui and Ye Hanxing arrived too late. By the time they were pulling themselves down the mountain with the rope, it was already completely dark.

Seeing this, Ye Hanxing whispered to dissuade her, "Senior Sister Zhong, why don't we just let it go for today? Anyway, you've already guided your Qi into your body. Didn't Senior Brother say that it's not good for the time being?"

"No, no, no!"

When Zhong Hui's stubborn temper flared up, she brought out the same spirit she had shown back in the Jade Void Sect when she stayed up all night cultivating for over a year to prove herself. She insisted, "Our Spirit Medicine Peak already has a small population. If I, as the senior sister, don't work harder, won't the disciples from the other peaks look down on us in the future?"

Ever since Zhong Hui brought Ye Hanxing to Lingyao Peak, he insisted that the one who entered the sect first was the senior sister, so he was determined to call Ye Hanxing, who had just transferred to Lingyao Peak, the junior sister, and to call himself the senior sister of Lingyao Peak.

Ye Hanxing didn't care about this at all. She quite liked this lively and cute little sister who had two dimples when she smiled. "Senior sister" and "junior sister" were just titles.

I never expected that this girl, who was so brave during the day, would be so blind at night and also afraid of heights!
Ye Hanxing asked curiously, "Isn't Spirit Medicine Peak quite high? Why didn't you seem afraid on it?"

"That's different!"

Zhong Hui's voice trembled: "This is too dark!"

After saying that, she seemed a little embarrassed and emphasized again, "I'm not afraid of the dark, I'm telling you, I'm not afraid of the dark! It's just that I can't see, I just can't see! You understand? Not being able to see is really—"

With a gasp, Ye Hanxing only had time to see Zhong Hui's figure sink downwards before she also cried out and reached out to grab him.

However, there was a rock between the two of them, and Ye Hanxing had no way to cross the rock to grab Zhong Hui. He could only take two quick steps down the slope, thinking he would run over the rock first.

At that moment, Zhang Chengdao, who was cultivating at the top of the waterfall, also heard the exclamation. He looked in the direction of the sound under the moonlight and saw Zhong Hui hanging in mid-air, his hands covered in blood, struggling to hold onto the hemp rope.

In reality, the mountain path was just a short distance from Zhong Hui's feet, but she was night-blind and couldn't see the way, so she could only cling to the rope, her cries for help tinged with tears.

"Okay, okay, junior sister, can you...can you reach me? Waaaaah..."

"I hope I don't die from a fall after only a few days of learning, waaaaah..."

(End of this chapter)