Chapter 97: Not Fond of Spiritual Objects, Only Butter

On Hidden Mist Mountain, it was springtime.

A gentle breeze stirred the green willows, red blossoms floated down flowing streams, cranes soared, deer called out, monkeys howled, and wild geese cried—a scene of serene beauty.

Cao Kong sat drinking and chatting with the Yellow Lion Spirit and others, sharing a pot of fine spirit in joyful reunion.

The Yellow Lion Spirit recounted his experiences over the years.

It was quite amusing: ever since the Yellow Lion Spirit had reasserted himself, he resolved to do things properly. To that end, he had secretly ventured into human cities to learn from merchants.

But those merchants were cunning. When the Yellow Lion Spirit said he would work without pay, they took full advantage, treating him like a beast of burden.

This nearly provoked the Yellow Lion Spirit to reveal his true form and teach the merchant a lesson.

Yet when Cao Kong heard this, instead of anger, a smile played on his lips, and he said, “And then? I imagine Brother Yellow Lion not only didn’t lose out but gained something in return.”

The Yellow Lion Spirit chuckled, “Brother Cao’s insight is sharp. That merchant treated me like a beast of burden, but I made him my father-in-law.”

Cao Kong was taken aback. Cao Xiang and the others nearby laughed as they explained: the merchant’s daughter, noticing the Yellow Lion Spirit’s industrious and vigorous nature, had unknowingly fallen for him.

At this, the Yellow Lion Spirit’s face broke into a fond smile, clearly fond of the mortal woman.

Cao Kong raised his cup with a laugh, “What an interesting tale. Congratulations, Brother Yellow Lion. Come, let us drink to this.”

The others smiled and raised their cups in unison.

Though Cao Kong spoke lightly, he thought to himself: “After all, the realms of demons and mortals, immortals and mortals, are different. As the saying goes, an immortal’s moment is a mortal’s lifetime.”

The Yellow Lion Spirit’s lifespan was vast, incomparable to mortals. If a hundred years passed and that woman turned to bone, while the Yellow Lion Spirit remained vigorous, it would be a stirring matter.

“Longevity, oh longevity, may the distant years still allow me to see those before me.”

Cao Kong looked upon this joyful gathering with deep emotion.

The Yellow Lion Spirit then spoke of the current state of the Nine-Spirit Merchant Guild, which now reached east to the Bhikkhu Kingdom and west to the Golden Plain Prefecture.

In fifteen years, most of the fierce and malicious demons along the way had been subdued or had come to respect them.

The combined assault of the Seven Lions was formidable, and they still had two of the seven talismans Cao Kong had given them.

The benevolent and good-hearted were willing to trade with the Seven Lions, having recognized their honesty over the years.

“Heh heh, now we can say we have quite the fortune.”

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The Yellow Lion Spirit said proudly, producing a beast pouch—a translucent cylinder—from which he poured out a large quantity of spirit herbs and minerals.

“These were obtained on our trip to the Bhikkhu Kingdom, trading Brother Cao Xiang’s pills and your spirit wine, Brother Cao Kong. Please accept them.”

Cao Kong examined the spirit materials. Though none were exceedingly rare, they were extraordinary and abundant, prompting him to frown.

“Brother Cao Kong, please don’t misunderstand. Even among brothers, accounts must be clear. We didn’t give you all the profits—we kept thirty percent for ourselves.”

“Brother Cao Xiang knows this, and besides, without your seven talismans, we would have suffered great losses outside.”

Hearing this, Cao Kong relaxed. He had worried the Yellow Lions’ sense of loyalty might leave them without profit, so taking thirty percent eased his mind.

“Very well, I will accept them without hesitation.”

With a wave of his sleeve, the spirit herbs were gathered and stored for future brewing and pill-making.

“By the way, Brother Yellow Lion, was that a python skin pouch you held just now?”

“Hahaha, exactly. Our ancestor once descended to the mortal world for a time. Hearing of our merchant guild’s establishment and storage troubles, he gave us nine python pouches and taught us the method of communication through sound transmission.”

“Heh heh, I gave one to Brother Cao Xiang and kept one for you.” Saying this, the Yellow Lion Spirit handed the python pouch to Cao Kong.

Cao Kong did not refuse the gift, marveling as he toyed with it in his hands. It seemed the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage truly supported the merchant guild.

Just then, the Monkey Lion arrived, dust-covered and with a deeply troubled expression.

Upon seeing Cao Kong, his face brightened. He greeted warmly, sat down without formality, took a sip of spirit wine, and began to pour out his grievances.

“Truly strange. I’ve roamed the south and north for fifteen years, but never before have I met demons who prefer ghee to spirit items.”

Everyone listened, astonished. Though demons that had attained sentience could eat mortal foods due to their appetites, if given a choice, they always preferred spirit treasures.

They asked the Monkey Lion what he had encountered on his trip to Green Dragon Mountain.

The Monkey Lion sighed, “I went to Green Dragon Mountain. That mountain is extraordinary—full of vitality, with spirit herbs everywhere. There are three rhinoceros spirits there, calling themselves the Kings of Cold, Heat, and Dust.”

“I tried to trade them pills, wine, and spirit items for the mountain’s spirit materials, but they showed no interest. Instead, they insisted on some kind of ghee incense, making me return empty-handed.”

Everyone was surprised.

They comforted the Monkey Lion, saying if one merchant won’t trade, find another. There are many places with spirit energy in the world; there’s no need to hang on to a single tree.

Cao Kong smiled knowingly. He understood the nature of those three rhinoceros spirits and suddenly had a thought.

The ghee incense was made from suhe wood.

There was plenty of suhe wood on Hidden Mist Mountain. The mountain itself was sacred, and its trees were unlike ordinary ones, imbued with spiritual energy.

If combined with oil to make ghee incense, it would surely make those three rhinoceros spirits salivate.

Then, not only could they help the Monkey Lion, but perhaps Cao Kong could also take the opportunity to explore the essence of the Yi wood within Green Dragon Mountain.

So he laughed and said, “Since they like ghee incense, then we shall provide it.”

The Monkey Lion was troubled, “But I’ve heard that ghee incense is mostly made by mortals, and because it’s expensive to produce, it’s rare. The Golden Plain Prefecture refuses to sell it, saying it’s reserved for offering to the Golden Buddha.”

“No matter. I have a plan. Brothers, come to me in two months.”

The Seven Lions were startled but, knowing Cao Kong’s skills and knowledge, they were not surprised and bowed respectfully.

The mountain was filled with cheer as they discussed interesting matters and cultivation.

After a series of conversations, the Seven Lions, Cao Xiang, and even Hu Yan, who served tea, all gained much from Cao Kong’s explanations.

Cao Kong sensed the Seven Lions were very different from before. Their experiences in trade had broadened their perspective.

“Indeed, cultivation is not only about practice but also about refining the heart.”

As the saying goes, minor cultivation happens deep in the mountains; true cultivation occurs in the world.

Cao Kong’s understanding deepened, his mind clearing, his internal circulation accelerating. The dross within his golden element slowly dissipated.

...

After the feast, Cao Kong sent Hu Yan and others with newborn little demons to seek out suhe wood on the mountain, instructing them to cut the bark and collect the resin in containers.

In about a month, they would finish collecting the resin, which could then be made into ghee incense using fresh milk.

At that time, he would personally travel to Green Dragon Mountain to exchange it for Yi wood essence.

Cao Kong had a premonition: the essence of the Five Elements was crucial to his Five Qi Returning to the Origin cultivation and must be gathered quickly.

Before the third watch, I will slowly continue with other chapters.