Chapter 269

Chapter 269: Looks Like a Shill

"Daoist brother, eh…"

Su Mu, Qiu Qianli, and Yang Xuanzhan rushed into the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion in a hurry. Su Mu immediately caught sight of Li Ruoshui’s avatar diligently mopping the floor and asked in surprise, "Daoist brother, is this your newly recruited maid?"

Poof!

Upon hearing this, Li Ruoshui glared with wide eyes, wishing she could swallow Su Mu whole.

"How dare you!" Yang Xuanzhan rebuked, "a mere maid, how dare you look directly at Lord Su?"

Li Ruoshui clenched her silver teeth, gnashing sounds arising, filled with humiliation. She had been born noble and sailed smoothly through cultivation her whole life—she had never endured such a profound insult before.

"Let’s not talk about her, get down to business."

Ye Xu swept his large sleeve, instantly shielding Li Ruoshui’s perception so she couldn’t hear or see anything, forcing her to work obediently under Ye Xian’er’s command.

"Currently, Heaven’s Machine Bank has preliminarily met its targets. Total Star Yuan stored amounts to two billion. One million Bronze Cards, one hundred eighty thousand Silver Cards, one hundred thousand Gold Cards, sixty thousand Black Gold Cards." Su Mu reported. "Ten Level One Supreme Lord Cards."

The Supreme Lord Card was divided into nine levels. For the Level One Supreme Lord Card, merely buying it required one billion heavenly secrets points. After activating the Supreme Lord Card, the holder became a member of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and could get a ten percent discount on business under ten billion Star Yuan. Of course, whether a discount was granted ultimately depended on what Ye Xu said with his mouth.

"Daoist friend, I rely on you for this matter—it’s my hard work," Ye Xu said solemnly.

During that period, merely purchasing minting materials and recruiting artisans incurred huge expenses. With seven hundred eighty million heavenly secrets points spent, barely a hundred million remained in the balance. In the initial stages, more resources still had to be invested. Only when the Star Yuan currency circulated naturally could Ye Xu slowly recoup his investment. To recover some costs in the short term depended on how well the Bronze Cards, Silver Cards, Gold Cards, and Black Gold Cards sold the next day.

"Rest assured, Daoist brother, I’m ninety percent confident," Su Mu replied.

Shen Yueyi had her lifespan extended by five hundred years and regained some memories, so at that moment, Su Mu was full of vigor. He wasn’t working for Ye Xu, but striving for himself and "Yue Lingxi."

Ye Xu gave a slight nod.

"Daoist brother, will you attend the ceremony tomorrow?" Su Mu inquired.

"Naturally," Ye Xu said.

As the big boss of Heaven’s Machine Bank, Ye Xu definitely had to attend the ceremony to give face to the major powers, right? Moreover, having just suppressed Li Ruoshui that very day, with her intelligence, she wouldn’t dare cause further trouble.

"Prepare well—the matter tomorrow absolutely cannot be messed up," Ye Xu cautioned.

If it were messed up, he really had the heart to die.

Everyone exited one after another.

The next day.

Heaven’s Machine Bank opened.

Accompanied by Su Mu personally removing a long rainbow, cheers erupted.

"Please take your seats, everyone."

Su Mu bowed and invited them.

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

The crowd congratulated while presenting their congratulatory gifts and entered Heaven’s Machine Bank.

"Daoist brother, congratulations to you." Lin Qianmo arrived together with Yuan Daokong, cupping her hands to congratulate Su Hu, "The Master entrusted Heaven’s Machine Bank to you to manage, Daoist brother has an unbounded future."

"Daoist friend, you flatter me too much, I’m just making a humble living under the Master." Su Mu replied modestly.

"Hahaha…"

"We’ve waited for several days, finally it’s opened."

Gu Daojin strode grandly, bringing the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital, Yu Ziwei, and an avatar of Ye Xu into Heaven’s Machine Bank together, sitting quietly in a corner.

"The ancient Ji clan congratulates the Master on the opening of the bank."

Ji Xuan Yi, holding a congratulatory gift, entered Heaven’s Machine Bank.

Meng Changan and Meng Feixian also presented a congratulatory gift each.

"It really is lively."

Qi Wuhen hunched his shoulders, hurrying over with Emperor Venerable Four Extremes, "Master, we don’t have an invitation, will they let us in?"

"Guests who come are guests, how could it ever be polite to refuse them entry?"

Su Mu looked at the two, smiling and transmitting his voice.

"Master."

Emperor Venerable Four Extremes’s gaze narrowed slightly; he thought for a moment and took out a jade box, saying, "This junior congratulates the Master on the opening of the bank."

"Please come in."

Su Mu accepted the gift and invited them.

Representatives from all major forces came rushing over one after another.

The vast Heaven’s Machine Bank was packed to the brim, bustling with excitement.

"Thank you, dear friends, for giving me face and coming to Heaven’s Machine Bank as guests."

At that moment, a voice sounded; Ye Xu appeared out of thin air on the stage, standing with hands behind his back, a smile at the corner of his lips, bowing to thank the spectators.

"Greetings, Master!"

"This junior pays respects to the Master!"

As soon as Ye Xu appeared, everyone immediately got up from their seats and bowed deeply.

"Everyone need not be so polite, please sit down now."

Ye Xu lowered his hands.

"Master Su, would you explain to everyone how the Star Yuan currency will be issued?" Ye Xu said with a smile.

"It would be my pleasure."

Su Mu stepped onto the stage and swept his gaze over the crowd. "Over the past few days, you all must have grasped the value foundation of Star Yuan currency?"

People exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

After Ye Xu handed the ledger to Su Mu, Su Mu had calculated the purchasing power of Star Yuan and circulated the results. Everyone present was a formidable expert gifted with photographic memory; they all knew Star Yuan’s purchasing capability.

"Since this is already clear, I won’t waste time reiterating it."

"In truth, when our Master shoulders the immense responsibility of issuing currency, he does so for the good of the people—to grant all beings of the Yuan Realm a stable existence."

[…Bullshit!]

Not a single soul bought that explanation; even Su Mu himself clearly didn’t believe it.

"Heaven’s Machine Bank has designed three denominations: one yuan, ten yuan, and one hundred yuan…" Su Mu elaborated smoothly.

"Hold on."

Ji Xuan Yi’s eyes glinted as he spoke up. "Star Yuan’s purchasing power isn’t substantial. Limiting denominations to just three might prove inconvenient for high-level cultivators, no?"

"An excellent question, Daoist brother."

Su Mu smiled. "Our bank has also introduced a Bronze Card. Valued at ten thousand Star Yuan, it serves for transactions and storage but cannot hold beyond a capped amount."

"Additionally, there are Silver Cards, Gold Cards, Black Gold Cards… and the nine-tiered Supreme Lord Card…"

Su Mu meticulously explained each to the assembly.

[… ]

The group exchanged uncertain looks. This currency system devised by Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was undeniably sophisticated—clearly a long-premeditated scheme.

Meng Changan remained silent.

A perceptive man, he understood well that Ye Xu hadn’t invited them here for idle chatter.

Now that the workings of Star Yuan had been laid bare, it was time for each person present to declare whether they recognized Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s Star Yuan currency.

"I trust the mechanics of currency operation are clear to everyone?" Su Mu inquired cheerfully.

"Mhm."

Many experts nodded, while others maintained a wordless quiet.

"Would our dear friends be willing to join Heaven’s Secret Pavilion in ensuring the stability of the Yuan Realm?" Su Mu’s lips curved upward, his voice ringing with righteousness.

Ye Xu blinked in surprise.

[Well, damn!]

Su Mu had actually packaged their profit-driven plan into such lofty, benevolent rhetoric—positioning themselves on moral high ground to masquerade wealth accumulation as a service to all sentient life.

Even Ye Xu couldn’t help but admire Su Mu’s sheer audacity.

["None of these millennia-old survivors made it so far without an ample supply of tricks up their sleeves…"] Ye Xu conceded inwardly.

"Our honorable Master’s compassion is unmatched—how could we dare lag behind?"

Suddenly, a youth stood up indignantly and said excitedly, "I am willing to contribute a part to the Star Yuan currency and lay down a small foundation for the stability of the Yuan Realm."

"I wish to exchange for one Black Gold Card and purchase ten million Star Yuan currency."

"Who is this person?"

As soon as the voice sounded, countless gazes instantly gathered onto the youth.

"Brother Ye is indeed a righteous man."

Yu Ziwei stared at Ye Xu’s incarnation, praising ceaselessly, and laughed heartily, "Since Brother Ye has pioneered this, I, Yu Ziwei, cannot fall behind you."

"Give me one Black Gold Card and ten million Star Yuan currency as well."

"Ha ha ha…"

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital were dumbfounded.

The moment these two spoke out, it pushed them to a dead end.

If they failed to declare their stance, wouldn’t it be an insult to their hosts?

After all, the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was watching from the side.

"Ha ha ha ha…" Gu Daojin forced a smile uglier than tears and slapped Yu Ziwei fiercely on the shoulder, "Good disciple, you truly grasped my essence."

"I want five Black Gold Cards and exchange for fifty million Star Yuan currency."

Gu Daojin shook his large sleeves and declared boldly, "I will also contribute a share to the building of the Yuan Realm."

"Brother, you are truly admirable!" Su Mu praised immensely and said, "Brother, you could also buy a Supreme Lord Card. That way, you become a member of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, and enjoy a ten percent discount on any business with Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Pfft!"

Gu Daojin felt a sharp pain in his chest.

Buying five Black Gold Cards for fifty million Star Yuan—wouldn’t that just equal the price of one Supreme Lord Card?

"My brain must be broken…" Gu Daojin felt his heart ache as if sliced by a knife.

"Senior brother, I wanted to warn you earlier, but your words were already spilled, and what’s done cannot be undone," said Heavenly Talisman Old Man, gazing at Gu Daojin with affection.

Gu Daojin turned his head away and silently wept in sorrow.

"Senior Master, you have guided us, the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital, generously. We are willing to purchase seven Black Gold Cards and an additional one billion Star Yuan currency," said Heavenly Talisman Old Man slowly, speaking for the entire Seven Immortals.

"Dawn City wishes to follow the footsteps of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and do our part for the Yuan Realm," said Lin Qianmo solemnly.

Her words held not a shred of falsehood.

"I wish to apply for three Black Gold Cards and an additional fifty million Star Yuan currency," said Lin Qianmo.

This was almost reaching her limit.

"Good!" Su Mu laughed continuously and said, "Attendants."

"Your subordinate is present," said Yang Xuanzhan, who approached with a bow.

"Take the dear friends to handle the purchasing and transaction procedures," ordered Su Mu.

"Yes," said Yang Xuanzhan, turning toward the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital and others. "Esteemed seniors, please follow me."

Everyone walked into the depths of Heaven’s Machine Bank.

Watching the receding figures of the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital and the rest, spokespersons of the ancient divine clans and masters of the major forces were all stunned.

Was Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s propaganda this brainwashing?

They had entered Heaven’s Machine Bank for barely a quarter of an hour, yet there was already nearly four hundred million Star Yuan in transaction volume—how absurd.

It all seemed somewhat strange.

"Master, how come those people look like plants?" said Qi Wuhen, his expression peculiar.

"It’s not that they look like it—they simply are," said Emperor Venerable Four Extremes lightly.

"However, whether they are plants or not is unimportant. No one will adopt Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s currency system just because these people bought it."

"The prominence of Heaven’s Machine Bank attracting all eyes is because Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is sufficiently powerful."

"The reason these people hesitate is that they are unwilling to accept it and want to see if any change occurs."

"If things drag on, Heaven’s Secret Pavilion probably won’t indulge them."