A Tale of Encounters with Immortals: A Peach Blossom Temple in the Martial World

The business at Taohua Temple is facing a bottleneck.

The main problem is that the foot traffic here can't compare to that of big cities, and there aren't many original residents in the town, so business is limited. There used to be a Buddhist temple, and the monks were competing for business, so Peach Blossom Temple was basically living hand to mouth.

Fortunately, the monks harbored evil intentions and were wiped out by Zhang Zhengdao, after which the Taoist temple's business began to flourish. However, even the best things have their limits, and these limits are beyond human control.

After all, Peach Blossom Temple is a small temple, and Peach Blossom Mountain is not a famous mountain, so few people come here because of its reputation.

Fortunately, recently all the martial arts sects have been converging on Linbin Town, and Zhang Zhengdao decided to seize this opportunity.

A sword is now hanging on the side wall of the main hall of the Taoist temple.

Next to this precious sword were written several large characters:

The sword was gifted here by Qin Shouzhong, the foremost of the Four Great Swordsmen.

The right side also features a detailed biography of Qin Shouzhong in smaller print. This includes his birth, the miraculous events that occurred during his childhood, his journey through the martial arts world as an adult, and how he rose to fame, especially the classic example of how he fought the Four Greats at the summit of Mount Hua and became the leader of the Four Greats.

This was all compiled from information provided by the female ghost Shu Baimei, supplemented by Hu Yunying, and collected from rumors among the martial arts practitioners in the town.

The left side, also in smaller print, details the origin and naming process of this precious sword, "Moon in the Mirror." It particularly details how Qin Shouzhong, in his pursuit of the Jade Maiden Swordswoman Bai Rong, had the character "Bai" (white) engraved on the scabbard.

Considering the fact that Qin Shouzhong is now being cuckolded, people in the martial arts world suddenly felt a strange excitement about this matter.

At first, the local residents of Linbin Town found it very interesting and came to visit the Taoist temple one after another. They listened to the ghost woman Shu Baimei explain in detail the entanglements and grievances involved, and offered incense and drew lots along the way.

This is just the first wave of pilgrims.

The second wave consisted of martial arts figures who remained in Linbin Town.

They lingered nearby, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. It was a major scandal involving the Sword God Qin Shouzhong! So they all went up the mountain to examine the sword, and after careful examination, they confirmed that it truly was the Sword God Qin Shouzhong's "Mirror Moon."

Because of its name, "Moon in the Mirror," this sword, when drawn, emits a chilling light and shimmers like water. As long as the angle of light refraction is right, it can project the shape of the moon into the air.

When Hu Yunying verified this, it nearly stunned Zhang Zhengdao, a modern time traveler.

The ancients perfectly utilized the principles of light refraction, reflection, scattering, and random projection to create a sword that pushed the limits of light and shadow.

It's no longer just about sharpness; it's also about imbuing this sword with a legendary aura.

Under Hu Yunying's manipulation, the martial arts practitioners witnessed the shape of the moon projected into the sky by the sword. They were astonished and excited, and spread the news everywhere. Gradually, the Peach Blossom Temple became famous in the martial arts world.

Then the third wave of guests arrived unexpectedly.

The third wave of pilgrims consisted of wandering knights-errant who had come because of its reputation.

However, these worshippers were also relatively poor.

Budget travel is not a modern invention; people in ancient times also frequently traveled on a budget.

On Earth, there were figures like Li Bai and Du Fu who traveled and received financial assistance along the way. Li Bai was relatively well-off, but Du Fu was dirt poor.

The world's budget travelers also include these wandering knights.

These people had a bad reputation in the martial arts world; even when they passed by a temple, the monks would hide the offerings.

Therefore, Zhang Zhengdao actually didn't want to receive the third group of pilgrims. However, considering the ripple effect of the third group of pilgrims, which would spread the story of the sword in the Taoist temple throughout the martial arts world, receiving them wouldn't be a problem.

Forcing a smile is a very tiring job.

"My lord, these people are so annoying."

Hu Yunying complained from the side.

Looking at the endless stream of people, and the eyes of those lewd men darting around her, Hu Yunying couldn't help but get angry. A dignified Butterfly Fairy, in the eyes of these vagrants—yes, wandering knights—were practically no different from beggars in the eyes of disciples of prestigious sects like Hu Yunying.

"He keeps glancing at me randomly."

Zhang Zhengdao also wanted to glance around, but he refrained from doing so.

"This is your inner demon. You feel like they're watching you, fantasizing about you, but... isn't it also a way for you to understand and cultivate yourself through your body?"

"What are you talking about? It's disgusting!"

Hu Yunying rolled her eyes; this heretic was always spouting nonsense.

Zhang Zhengdao looked helplessly at these penniless but pretentious wandering knights and sighed.

"If we can't change their poverty, let's change our own mindset."

Hu Yunying wholeheartedly agreed.

I've been busy with reception all day, I'm exhausted.

After closing the store at night, I take out the donation box and start counting the income.

Under Zhang Zhengdao's watchful eye, Hu Yunying and Guo Lanying counted their earnings several times. They found a total of six taels, six mace, and eight fen of silver, plus more than thirty copper coins.

This income is not small.

Zhang Zhengdao deposited the silver into the account, then, behind the backs of the two women, put the silver into a jar containing chairs under the bed in the bedroom, sealed it, and affixed a seal.

The seal was affixed very firmly; anyone who tried to open it would damage it.

These gleaming silver coins and heavy copper coins are indeed valuable items.

Not only Zhang Zhengdao felt at ease, but Hu Yunying and Guo Lanying also realized the benefits that money brought during this period.

Their daily meals improved, their clothes became more stylish, and even when they went out, the people in town greeted them much more warmly.

When Zhang Zhengdao and the fourth wave of guests arrive, the tour strategy for the Taoist temple will be adjusted.

The moon reflected in the mirror will be hung in the inner courtyard, and only those who come to the Taoist temple to offer incense will be allowed to visit the inner courtyard. However, the fee for offering incense will be increased.

It'll increase several times, even ten times.

One or two taels of silver for incense, and then you get a chance to admire the moon in the mirror.

If you can draw a fortune stick while offering incense, and then spend two taels of silver to have a Taoist priest interpret it, you will receive a personal explanation from Fairy Butterfly Hu Yunying about the generous gift of the sword by Qin Shouzhong, the foremost of the Four Great Swords, as well as a detailed account of Qin Shouzhong's visit to Linbin Town.

You will also be able to drink the same special tea that Qin Shouzhong drank back then, the kind that is unique to Taohua Temple.

If you're willing to spend another two taels of silver, you'll get a packet of the same tea as Qin Shouzhong's, which you can take back home... so that the elders, peers, and even the younger generation in the sect can try it.

That's the same style as the Sword God!

Therefore, the fourth wave of tourists targets those from famous sects and schools who, due to the spread of information by the wandering knights, send their members to investigate.

After all, with the gimmick of the Sword God as bait, there's no need to worry about those so-called righteous sects not coming.

Even the female ghost has been extremely busy these past few days.

Shu Baimei has materialized and is no longer the ethereal, ghostly creature she once was. She looks healthier, is no longer floating in the air, and even her voice sounds pleasant.

My mood was naturally great.

She actually received more benefits than Hu Yunying and Guo Lanying, who were still alive.

"Good wine! Keep the music playing and keep dancing!"

Zhang Zhengdao entertained Sun Yizheng, the eldest son of Sun Gaoyi, the town supervisor, at the Taoist temple.

This time, Sun Yizheng came to sound out what was going on.

The Taoist temple has been doing exceptionally well lately, which has also boosted the businesses of the local residents in Linbin Town. This made the town supervisor immediately realize the benefits of developing tourism for local industries.

As local industries develop, the amount of tax revenue increases.

The road leading to the Taoist temple did indeed look rather cramped.

We can't let the martial arts community across the country laugh at us; we have to get it repaired quickly. As for the contracting of the project, we should naturally try to secure it for our own people.

The old craftsman Lu Sheng had repaired the imperial palace. Although he had been released, he had once been a man of the Jianwang (King Jian). After being exiled, he relied on the Prince of Lingzhou for survival.

If we can help him secure this project, it will naturally be an opportunity to curry favor with the Prince.

"Master... repairing the road..."

"Haha, we cultivators cultivate the great road to heaven. We cultivate the mind, not the mouth. We just eat and drink. Come on... let's do one more..."

Zhang Zhengdao didn't give him a chance to speak.

After several unsuccessful attempts to probe, Sun Yizheng had no choice but to leave the gifts behind and take his leave.

After Sun Yizheng left, the gifts were opened, and they contained only some cinnabar, inkstones, and writing brushes.

"How stingy! I, the dignified Butterfly Fairy, have to play the flute for him."

"I'll even dance for him!"

Only Guo Lanying remained silent, her eyes blinking as she looked at Zhang Zhengdao.

"Put your things away!"

Zhang Zhengdao said seriously.

"We've been so popular here lately. Although everyone knows you, Fairy Butterfly, and you, Fairy Inviting the Moon, money is the ultimate temptation! Especially these wandering knights, they're all penniless..."

"Don't worry, we're all awake!"

"My lord, are we really not going to build the road?"

Zhang Zhengdao shook his head: "Road repair is necessary, but how to repair it requires careful consideration. We can't just pay for it ourselves. Do you know how much silver it will cost to repair such a road?"

Zhang Zhengdao made a rough estimate based on the prices in Linbin Town and even Lingzhou City. The result was that it would cost more than six hundred taels of silver to build such a road.

Six hundred taels!

Thinking of that number, Zhang Zhengdao felt a heartache so intense he could hardly breathe.

Because Zhang Zhengdao happened to have six hundred taels of silver.

So he spent it all at once, which was going to kill him!

Of course, we have to think of other ways, the best being to get it for free.

We'll have to find a way to get something for free from this "Moon in the Mirror" sword. Let's just say we can auction off the naming rights to it.

The naming rights for this road should also be auctioned off.

They also have the naming rights to the Peach Blossom Temple...

Who cares? It's an inheritance left by our ancestors, not our own. I'm a time traveler; making money is the only truth. What can we do with the things our ancestors left us if we can't eat or drink them?

If it weren't for Laozi supporting this Taoist temple, everyone would have starved to death long ago, and the temple would have collapsed long ago.