Chapter 90: Transaction Completed

That night, Chen Xiyi had already packed his things and waited for a long time by the crooked-neck tree.

He did not plan to stay any longer in this Manor. After all, judging by Cheng Zhen’s attitude earlier, he would just become a nuisance if he stayed.

Besides, Cheng Zhen had vaguely shown signs of wanting him to leave. Since that was the case, once he got the inheritance, he would just depart.

He wasn’t the kind of person to be clueless about the situation. As for staying and discussing things further with Cheng Zhen, that would probably be very difficult.

It would be just as annoying as digging up someone’s ancestral grave and then trying to discuss with them how their ancestors might have had osteoporosis.

At a quarter past midnight, Cheng Zhen arrived as promised, carrying a wooden crate with cloud-patterned golden linings.

“Fellow Daoist, I can sell it to you, but I need to set three rules first before I can hand it over,” Cheng Zhen said as soon as he saw Chen Xiyi, placing the wooden crate down.

Hearing this, Chen Xiyi showed no expression on his face, but inside, he felt somewhat displeased. Why were there additional conditions for a simple trade?

Shouldn’t it just be a straightforward exchange?

“Please go ahead. If they’re reasonable, I’ll agree,” Chen Xiyi replied. He wasn’t foolish enough to blindly accept whatever was said.

Moreover, since Cheng Zhen had already brought the item out, if the conditions were too harsh, not only would Chen Xiyi refuse, but he might even consider resorting to violence to take it by force.

After all, the fact that Cheng Zhen had personally brought it out meant that the inheritance was definitely inside the wooden crate.

The real inheritance wasn’t passed down orally as Chen Xiyi had imagined. Instead, it was hidden in a secret location within the Manor, a place that only someone who could control the entire Feng Shui-based formation of the Manor could find. Otherwise, ordinary people would never locate it.

Even if they did find it, the formation would react and attack.

With Chen Xiyi’s current abilities, he couldn’t find this place. Most likely, he would just wander around in circles. Only Cheng Zhen could retrieve it personally.

“First, from now on, we are strangers. If you have a place to go, Fellow Daoist, can you leave this place after the trade and never return?” Cheng Zhen stated the first condition.

“Agreed,” Chen Xiyi readily accepted this condition.

It wasn’t a big deal. This region held no value for Chen Xiyi. Besides, if he ever needed to come back, he could simply use his Illusion Art to disguise himself or remove his special clothing. Cheng Zhen wouldn’t recognize him anyway.

“Second, you must not pass the inheritance to anyone else, not even to disciples. If someone recognizes the origin of your inheritance, you must not reveal its source.”

“No problem. I am alone anyway, so there’s no way the inheritance would leak out and bring me trouble,” Chen Xiyi replied. Although the second condition had two parts, neither had any impact on him, so he agreed.

The first part ensured the inheritance wouldn’t be spread, while the second prevented any enemies from tracking them down.

“The last condition is relatively simple: I hope you can leave immediately and never set foot in my Manor again,” Cheng Zhen said gravely.

This condition seemed to overlap with the first, but there was a difference. The first meant it would be best if they never met again, but you could still come around—if you did, they would just act as strangers. It wasn’t a strict demand.

The last one was more severe. If you dared to appear near the Manor, then they would become mortal enemies, and Cheng Zhen would definitely try to kill you.

The reason was simple: since you learned their inheritance, you would gain the ability to control their Manor. If you showed up with ill intentions, you might try to take over, just like a cuckoo occupying a magpie’s nest.

That was why this condition was set.

Chen Xiyi understood Cheng Zhen’s concern and, of course, agreed.

He was just a passerby in this world and definitely wouldn’t stay for long.

Moreover, if he ever wanted to transform a place, he would only focus on his Homestead and not bother with any other world.

“Since you’ve agreed to all conditions, Fellow Daoist, let’s complete the trade,” Cheng Zhen said, handing the wooden crate to Chen Xiyi. He didn’t seem worried at all that Chen Xiyi might go back on his word or resort to violence—clearly, he had full confidence.

Chen Xiyi didn’t say anything about it. He immediately handed over a bundle containing ten gold ingots to Cheng Zhen.

Cheng Zhen opened it, took a glance to confirm everything was correct, then clasped his hands and said, “The road is long, and we shall never meet again.”

“Never meet again. Please say goodbye to Lusheng for me,” Chen Xiyi also clasped his hands and replied. Without hesitation, he turned and left.

Why stay and wait for trouble?

Cheng Zhen was staring at him intently. Although his name was still white and hadn’t turned red, that was probably due to the gold ingots and the Favorability he had built earlier.

If Chen Xiyi did anything that could be misunderstood, Cheng Zhen would surely turn into a furious golden figure and break all pretenses.

That was entirely possible. Even though Cheng Zhen had sold his family’s inheritance, he was probably still feeling guilty and might change his mind at any moment.

Therefore, Chen Xiyi made his escape decisively, not even turning back for a second look.

Cheng Zhen watched as Chen Xiyi’s figure gradually disappeared into the darkness and let out a sigh of relief. His face showed a mix of emotions, as if he didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

“Ancestral Master, this unworthy descendant was foolish and blinded, actually selling the inheritance,” he murmured, still feeling somewhat dazed. When he came to his senses, he realized it was all settled. Even if he wanted to chase after Chen Xiyi, he would be too ashamed to do so.

He had agreed to sell it himself; no one forced him.

“Fine, fine. Maybe it’s for the best. Lusheng won’t have to frown every day. Maybe it’s good that the inheritance ends here.”

“If I can become a Qi Refiner, I can always recreate the inheritance. If I can’t, this money can be saved for Lusheng to marry a wife. Then, my disciple’s descendant won’t be stuck in this poor, remote town.”

For some reason, Cheng Zhen felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He felt incredibly light and relaxed, as if he had returned to the carefree days of his childhood.

For Cheng Zhen, the inheritance was not just an asset but also a responsibility passed down through generations. Although selling it pained him, deep down, he felt freed from something.

Since the time of Cheng Zhen’s master, the Manor had been poor, because they had to guard the Manor and protect the inheritance.

But now, they didn’t have to. They could leave and seek a better life.

Even if he couldn’t become a Qi Refiner, with his Feng Shui skills, even the powerful Warlords would treat him as an honored guest, rather than leaving him to toil in this desolate place, living in poverty.