Plundering the Dao of the Immortal Journey - Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Thick dark clouds would occasionally cover the sky, causing the sky to turn dark and the weather to be cool .

The boat would occasionally stop at harbors for some time, and people would embark while others disembarked . In the blink of an eye, eleven days had passed . Ren Wei and Pei Zi Yun had started to be familiar with each other .

Pei Zi Yun’s cabin was huge . He would frequently order several cold dishes, a jug of wine and a plate of peanuts as the pair would talk and discuss everything under the sun . They would talk about poems and sometimes about philosophy .

A jug of wine was placed just above the stove as it heated up . The scent of rice wine wafted in the air . Pei Zi Yun picked up his cup and took a sip as he smiled, "In order to live a proper life, a person must always bear the teachings of philosophy upon his mind, and keep to it carefully . "

"Our ancestors said, ‘Sincerity and virtues have to be cultivated . Once it’s been grasped, never let go of it . ’"

"Although this proverb sounds deep, it actually bore a very simple meaning . A person must be loyal . A disloyal person would die and his entire clan would have no continuity . A person must be filial, for an unfilial person would lose his reputation . A person must know justice, for an unjust person would be disrespected by others . A person must be kind, for an unkind person would have a bad ending to his life . "

"In such a society, it’s impossible for someone to have all these qualities in big amounts . Instead, if they have just a little bit of each quality, a person would be able to live life comfortably and happily . "

"But these qualities, what would you be willing to do to have them? When you’re alone and nobody’s watching, how would you act?" Pei Zi Yun laughed out . In his previous life when he was working in the corporate world, a person who upsetted his own boss would be sacked . A person who upsetted his friends would be ostracized and a person who upsetted his girlfriend would be labelled a heartless person .

But on the internet, where everyone’s true identity was masked, their true colours would show . ‘So what if I’m ostracized and a heartless scoundrel without any friends, what can you do to me over the internet?’

That was how the values started become eroded with the introduction of the internet . Pei Zi Yun then sighed regretfully, "When a person is alone, and his true colors are shown, would he still act kindly, loyally, be filial and just?"

"If a person can do all those things, he is truly virtuous . "

When Ren Wei heard this, he was stumped . Over the course of these few days, he’s been amazed by the discussions held with Pei Zi Yun . He felt that Pei Zi Yun was not an ordinary person . Furthermore they shared many common viewpoints and opinions . However, after listening to him for days, he knew without a doubt that Pei Zi Yun’s views and knowledge far surpassed his own . Ren Wei sighed, "Just speaking that way about virtues, I know for sure that brother Pei’s knowledge far surpasses mine . I failed in becoming a High Scholar, and the fact that you failed as well shocks me . "

Pei Zi Yun didn’t reply him but pushed open the windows as a fresh breeze blew in . He looked across the water and spoke, "I’ve read brother Ren’s essays and have some views of my own . Shall I voice them?"

Ren Wei raised his glass, "Brother Pei shouldn’t worry about my permission . Please carry on . "

"When it comes to the examination subjects, apart from the practicality aspect it has to be studied and understood in the academic sense . Although there are many instances where mere studying doesn’t help, it is still important . Brother Ren is very talented, but is too rigid on your ideas . If you are able to break out of your stereotypes, you should be able to achieve High Scholar status easily . "

Hearing these words, Ren Wei seemed to have understood something . He looked at Pei Zi Yun and replied, "Brother Pei is generous with his compliments . Brother Pei can see things much better than I can, and is definitely High Scholar calibre . Why don’t you attempt the examinations? Why are you contented with being just an Elementary Scholar?"

Pei Zi Yun poured a cup of wine and paused for a long time before speaking, "Being an official is tiring and endless work for the state . If an official slips and makes a mistake, it might cause his entire career to stall and he will amount to nothing . Wandering around the lands as a traveller with no obligations suits me better . "

Ren Wei heard this and picked out a single peanut . He then forced a bitter laugh, "Travelling the lands requires a person to have some money as well . Without money, how can a person travel . "

"In a person’s life, he would face many unhappiness . How can he let a simple setback such as money prevent him from moving forward?" Pei Zi Yun used his chopsticks to pick up a single peanut as he spoke .

The minute his last word was spoken, it turned silent as the pair of them drank their wines and remained quiet in deep thought .

"We’ve arrived at Crow’s Head Pier . We’ve arrived at Crow’s Head Pier . " The boat jolted as it arrived at the shore . Pei Zi Yun noticed that Ren Wei was preparing to disembark and spoke out, "Brother Ren has reached his village . Since I’ve enjoyed your company, I shall see you off . "

"Many thanks brother Pei . " The both of them walked down the boat together and headed for the pier . Ren Wei then pointed out, "My house is not far away from here . "

As soon as they left the pier, they stepped onto a small road . It was about a hundred meters long and many different shops were scattered on both sides of the road . Ren Wei pointed at a house some distance ahead, "That is my house . I’ve been spoilt by brother Pei on the boat, now’s my turn to treat you to a good meal in my house . "

When he spoke, a teenage boy brushed past them and knocked past Ren Wei . Feeling that something was amiss, he reached out a hand to pull the teenage boy back . He then looked at his face, "Song’er, where are you going?"

Hearing a familiar voice, the teenager whose head looked down at first raised his glance up and realized that it was his father . Seeing Ren Wei, tears rolled down the teenager’s cheeks as he hurriedly spoke out, "Father, not good . Something bad happened . "

He sounded very anxious and was clearly at a loss .

Hearing his own son’s anxious and panicked tone, Ren Wei was worried as well, "Song’er why were you in a rush? Did something happen at home? Slow down, speak clearly and explain to me what’s happened . "

"Father, you’re finally back . " The teenager stepped forward to hug his father as he started wailing . "Father, I was on the way to find uncle and ask him for help . "

"Some time ago, mother borrowed nine taels of silver to help with brother’s illness . Who knew that the money lender was capable of cheating us . It’s now been several months and the total sum inclusive of interests in thirty six taels . "

"Our family doesn’t have that type of money and they have come up to our house to demand for the three mu of land we own as payment . Mother was preparing to sell her dowry and I decided to look for uncle to see if he could be of assistance . "

Hearing these words, Ren Wei’s face turned pale . Thinking of his Elementary Scholar status, he gritted his teeth, "Song’er let’s go back home and we shall discuss this matter further . "

"Yes, father . " The teenager finally had someone to lead him and provide guidance . The three of them started making their way back .

When they were nearby, they could hear a racket from outside . A large group of people had gathered around to watch the spectacle . Some other people couldn’t squeeze through the crowd and had to climb over the wall to get a better view .

Seeing such a situation unfolding before his house, his face turned ashen as he took big strides forward . When the crowd saw that it was Ren Wei, and that he had returned, they moved aside and allowed him to cross . Some of them who didn’t recognized him whispered, "Paying your debts is the way it should be . We can’t blame them for doing this . "

As soon as they reached, a foul stench filled the entire area . When they looked up, they saw that the walls were plastered with faeces . Several big burly men were crowded around the house as a tall man who looked like the leader carried a wooden bench and was glaring at the mother son duo .

Another teenager was within the house, his face was pale and he was coughing repeatedly probably due to his sickness rather than from fear .

Pei Zi Yun looked across and spotted a woman dressed in plain robes carrying several jewelleries . The leader looked at her and shouted, "All these gold silver ornaments put together are worth at most five taels of silver . You're still short of thirty one taels . If you can't produce that money, your cow, land deed and house deed shall belong to me . "

The woman started begging, "Money lender master, these jewelry were handed down from my family and valuable goods . They are worth at least thirty taels . I'm not lying to you . Believe me . Tomorrow I shall pawn them off for thirty taels tomorrow okay? Without the cow, house and land, you're driving us towards death . "

The unsympathetic money landed cleared his throat, "If it weren't for the fact that I respected the Elementary Scholar in your home, I would have collected the money a long time ago and chased you from your home . I've already given you enough time . How long more do you want to drag it out for?"

At this point Pei Zi Yun and Ren Wei walked in and heard these words .

Ren Wei limped forward and shouted out, "Money lender . You are very bold . "

The money lender jumped up in shock as he straightened his posture and scrutinized the pair of them before speaking, "So the Elementary Scholar has returned home . Your wife borrowed thirty eight taels of silver . I'm here to claim my money . "

The woman realized that Ren Wei had returned . Her eyes shone, "Husband!"

The money lender kept his cold gaze and smiled, "When you borrow money, you have to return the amount borrowed . That's the way of things . Even if you decide to take this matter to court, I shall remain as steadfast and loud . It's good that you're back Elementary Scholar Ren . Return me the money and nothing bad shall happen . If not, don't blame me for repossessing your land, house and cow . "

"This is ten taels of silver, take it first . As for the rest of the money, I will pay you back later . " Ren Wei fished out ten taels .

The money lender froze before laughing out loud, "Ten taels can only pay off the interest . If you don't return the full amount today, the total amount will increase again next month . "

Ren Wei’s face turned red as he asked, "What’s the interest rate?"

The money lender then replied, "The current interest is double the original amount . I only lent this money on account of the fact that you're an Elementary Scholar . "

"Jin Xiu, is he speaking the truth?" Ren Wei turned to his wife and asked .

The woman heard her husband’s question as her face fell, "I was cheated by him . The original amount was supposed to be two taels of silver as interest from the nine taels of silver as the borrowed amount . Every month, the interest increased by two taels . I thought that husband would send some money back soon . Before long, the interest had accumulated until it was double the amount . "

At this point Song’er stepped forward, "Father, I know of this matter as well . Mother was really cheated . "

"Show me the loan receipt . " Ren Wei was fuming in anger as he glared at the money lender and requested for the receipt . The money lifer fished out a bill and held it out . Just as Ren Wei was about to retrieve it, the money lender kept it back and laughed, "Elementary Scholar, wait till you have the money to pay me back then I will give this to you . If not, you might tear it right here . "

The money lender took his ten taels of silver and was about to depart . Just then, Pei Zi Yun stretched out a hand to block him from leaving, "Hold it . "

The money lender was a local bully and was about to lash out at him . But he glanced at his demeanor and suddenly felt confused at who this person was . He then swallowed his words and kept quiet .

Pei Zi Yun was a High Scholar and killed numerous of people before this . He had cultivation techniques and knew how to fight . But this was not supposed to be handled in those ways . He glared at the money lender before bursting out into a smirk, "It’s just a mere thirty eight taels of silver . It's nothing . "

Pei Zi Yun turned around to face Ren Wei, "Brother Ren . Last time, you wrote those essays for me, I haven't paid you for them . You’re also being selfish for keeping your troubles to yourself and not informing me earlier . "

He then took out two notes and handed it over to Ren Wei .

Ren Wei peered across and noticed that it was a pair of fifty taels notes amounting to a total of a hundred taels . Just as he was about to reject the kind offer, Pei Zi Yun slapped his back gently, "My nephew looks tired . As a father you should be more observant . If not, he will fall ill and that will be bad for everyone . "

Ren Wei’s face turned red as he became speechless . Pei Zi Yun then continued, "Brother Ren I have a matter to attend to, and the boat won't wait for me . I have to go . Let's meet again some time in the future where we can have a cup of wine together . "

He then walked over to the money lender, tapped his shoulder and smiled, "Don't be unmerciful just because you're in the right . Heaven is watching how you live your life . Retribution will come soon . "

He then turned around to leave .

The once dejected and fearful expression of the woman turned into one of hope and excitement . Everyone in the crowd burst into loud discussion as they sighed, "What do you think the Elementary Scholar wrote that could actually be worth a hundred silver taels . Elementary Scholar Ren has struck it rich . "

Pei Zi Yun walked out of the door and back to the harbor . Along the way, someone seemed to be running towards him as he finally over took him and bowed deeply, "Many thanks master Top Scorer . In the coming days, I, Ren Wei will be sure to repay your kindness . "

"Oh, you know it’s me? How can you tell through my disguise?" Pei Zi Yun paused .

"At first I couldn’t tell . But we’ve been together for more than ten days . And you’re so young with so much talent, knowledge, wisdom and literary skills . You even are aware of military strategies and matters about sea trade prohibition . I’m afraid in this world, the only other person who could be so multitalented would be yourself, master Top Scorer . " Ren Wei spoke out .

"Actually as for knowledge and wisdom, I’m only average with many lucky breaks . You don’t have to send me off, farewell . We shall see each other again . " Pei Zi Yun smiled before continuing to speak, "You are an academic, and many things are going to be difficult to handle . As for the bully from earlier, I’ve already handled him for you . He may seem strong and fit now . But the minute he has money, he will turn to drinks and women, which will kill him before long . You don’t have to worry about him anymore . "

"As for whatever I just mentioned, it might be relying on misfortunes to befall someone . But in this life, I have no intent of becoming an official, and thus can live my life however I want, without having any worries . " Pei Zi Yun then turned around to leave without turning back again .

Seeing his shadow depart, Ren Wei bowed deeply and didn’t get up for a long time . He sighed, "This person is really a rare miracle . "