Victory of the hoarder

Translator: Mr Voltaire

Editor: xX5w0RdOfjU5t1cEXx

Wang Lu laughed at himself. There was an old saying along the lines of a single cent can make things difficult for a hero. Of course, what it meant was that sometimes even capable people are unable to resolve some small matters. However, it was painfully ironic that this saying literally applied to him right now things had been made extremely difficult for him by a single coin.

He had taken the coin back at the last second out of instinct, but he did not regret his actions, and felt that he had made the right bet.

What was the value of the proprietress coin? Wang Lu had no idea, but its worth probably wasnt just limited to the Garden of Peaches. Before the black shadow had mentioned the copper coin, Wang Lu had not actually thought of the copper coin from the proprietress he had treated it as a normal coin. It was only when the black shadow was about to accept the coin as tuition fees did Wang Lu suddenly realise something.

In many games no, in many adventures and trials, this was how things were done. Items that were acquired early on often played crucial importance at later stages. It seemed that this copper coin was such an item. If he kept it to the end, he might be able to get some big benefits out of it.

The more he thought about it, the more Wang Lu believed that his guess was correct. However, the problem that he now faced was that he still needed a single coin from the mountain. Where could he find such a thing?

Of course, there was a simple answer- just ask the Village Chief. After all, he had maxed out the favourability from the Village Chief; it wouldnt be too hard to ask him for one.

Money?

When the Village Chief heard Wang Lus request, he deeply frowned.

If you wanted anything else, it would be easy, but money Ive never seen or heard of it before. This village uses bartering- an item for an item. Weve never used money.

Wang Lu clicked his tongue,I knew I wouldnt be able to get much help from you.

It seemed that he would have to rely on himself.

Village Chief, it doesnt matter if you guys dont have any money. Since things are like this, lets invent some.

Ah?! The Village Chief gave a cry of surprise.

Although there arent many people in the Garden of Peaches, there are many goods and trades. How about this: as the Village Chief, you use your reputation as a basis for this monetary system, and then start issuing out coins for everyone to use.

The Village Chief was surprised, Issue coins?

Thats right. You can use shells, gold, anything like that. If you want, you can even use paper. As long as there is something to guarantee its value, itll work. Once theres a monetary system, the village will become more and more prosperous, and people will be able to buy and sell even more efficiently. Peoples lives will be completely changed! And in return, all you have to do is give me a single coin!

Wang Lu became more and more excited as he spoke. He was overjoyed that there was some way to use this idiot. Who knew where he could find a coin on this mountain- it would be much easier for him to do it this way!

Unexpectedly, after thinking for a while, the Village Chief shook his head.

No.

Wang Lu early jumped up. No!? What do you mean no?

The Village Chief continued to shake his head. We cant start issuing out coins.

Goddamn it! Why not? Did nothing I just said make sense? No matter, Ill explain it again Wang Lu exhibited extraordinary patience.

Young man, I understood everything you said, the Village Chief sighed. But its not possible.

Why?

.. The Village Chief didnt seem to be able to give an answer. Only after a long while did he reply, We cant go against the ancestors rules.

Why cant you change some rules set out by an ancestor? Are you all constipated or something!? Wang Lu was furious at this point. [TLN: Ohdearlord, this was a terrible (read: awesome) pun. Cant change rules is bu ke bian, which sounds like cant take a dump so Wang Lu makes a pun on that, hence the constipated] You actually have the dignity to say such a retarded excuse? Does my maxed out favourability mean nothing to you?

The Village Chief replied, I know its good and all, but I dont like it.

Goddamn it! You are sixty years old and youre still trying to play hard to get? Arent you worried that God will punish you with a heart attack? [TLN: the Chinese could be interpreted as someone rejecting a confession].

Who knew if the Village Chief would get a heart attack, but Wang Lu was close to having one.

Being someone who seemed to have a lot in common with the designer of the trials, Wang Lu had had quite an easy time on the Immortal Path. However, at this point in time, it seemed that they were completely different, which made Wang Lu feel very bitter.

What was even more painful was that the designer of this trial was clearly cheating. Normally the Village Chief had a pretty good intellect, but now it seemed like he was completely retarded. There was something wrong going on here

Alright, lets stop going in circles. Ill draw the line here.

The Village Chief looked very confused. What line?

Wang Lu frowned, and remained in silence for a long time. He looked at the Village Chief suspiciously, making him feel very awkward.

Forget it, just pretend I never came here today.

At the same time, on the clouds.

. I feel its not too good to do things this way, right?

A certain black shadow was watching the scene of Wang Lu talking to the Village Chief.

Next to the black shadow, a certain woman in white clothes coldly laughed. For children who like to cheat, not killing them is already quite merciful.

The black shadow couldnt take it anymore. Youre saying hes cheating? Its obvious that he saw through the flaws in your design, and now youre trying to cover it up.

The woman in white awkwardly replied, What flaws, dont spout nonsense, little LingEr an Elders flaws cant really be called flaws

Changing the Immortal Path without permission, proudly telling the rest of the Elders that this trial would be on par with the Cloud Wave Map, Nether World Path, and now that there are problems, youre forcefully trying to cover them up

Oi oi oi , little LingEr, why are you standing on his side? Weve been good sisters [TLN: not literal blood sisters] for such a long time, have you forgotten about all that?

Hmph, he helped me win that bet, so of course Ill stand on his side. Plus, as a dignified Elder of the Heavenly Sword Hall, you should take responsibility for your actions.

The woman in white instantly became angry from all the embarrassment. Heavenly Sword Hall? Ha! That idiot Head Elder still hasnt given me any of the subsidies for being an Elder; why should I act like a dignified Elder of the Heavenly Sword Hall? Im going to cheat! The time when they give me the money I deserve is the time I change profession to a dignified and righteous Elder!

Although the Spirit Blade Sect is quite large, Im sure youre the only person who could say such a thing. In the face of such shamelessness, the black shadow didnt have anything to say.

While they were talking, the woman in white had already directed the Village Chief to chase Wang Lu away, and laughed. I want to see what solutions you have this time.

Behind them, a cold, elderly voice rang out. I want to see how you explain this to the Disciplinary Elder this time.

The woman in whites smile froze, and she slowly and rigidly turned around. Her smile became incredibly forced and pained. Aiyo, it isnt Senior Brother Head Elder! Please excuse my lack of manners for not greeting this VIP guest earlier

VIP guest my ass! This is my home!

Really? I always thought it was my home. My Alzheimers has been getting worse lately, does Senior Brother want to give me a few ten thousand spirit stones to cure it

Before curing your Alzheimers, I want to first cure your reckless and haphazard personality! I decided to overlook your actions in changing the Immortal Path before, but now you even dare to mess with the Immortal Map while Im gone. Heheh, forget about your salary this year.

Fuck, no way!?

Like you said, as an Elder of the Heavenly Sword Hall, its not good if you dont receive any subsidies.

The woman in whites hopes were reignited. So?

So you can forget about being an Elder, focus on cultivating at your Inimitable Peak. You can be an Elder again when you reach the Yuanying Stage, and Ill even give you full subsidy!

Fuuuck! Senior Brother, I did this for the good of this Sect, for you!

And if you keep going, Ill even take away your basic living expenses!

Senior Brother, you cant tell good from evil youll definitely regret allowing that boy to cheat!

After chasing away the troublesome woman in white, the Head Elder turned his head, and found that the black shadow was gone.

The Head Elder sighed, and directed his mind to the Immortal Map. The Celestial Magic Tool that controlled the entire Immortal Path had been thrown into chaos by that woman. The Head Elder stretched out his hand, and the results of the woman in whites meddling disappeared.

The Head Elder sat in silence for a while, then added some things onto the Immortal Map.

Even though Junior Sister likes to mess around, if there really are flaws and holes, it would be best to fill them out. Althoughwhy does that copper coin look so familiar? Never mind, Im not wearing my glasses, lets forget about it.

Back at the Garden of Peaches, Wang Lu decided that his sure-win tactic was completely blocked off.

Although he was very bitter about the Spirit Blade Sect using such low-handed methods, but if the easy way out wasnt usable, then Wang Lu would have to think of another solution.

In that case, lets have a think about a direct attack whats the way to find money on this mountain? In order to get the money, it must first exist. Could there be some clues in this village that Ive missed Goddamn it! Theres definitely none, right!? Im a professional!

Wang Lu slammed his fist onto the table, showing his conviction and confidence in his professionalism.

He had prepared for a whole month, and had grasped every single detail. There definitely couldnt be anything that he had missed. Otherwise, he wouldnt have been able to create his perfect completion strategy. However, it was obvious that he was now stuck. If he couldnt find a solution, this would be the end of the Immortal Path for him.

Dammit. Money in the mountain, money in the mountain where can I find money in the mountain? Ive looked everywhere in the village, but

Suddenly, an idea passed through Wang Lus head.

Hah, I actually forgot about that person. My professional spirit is crying.

Afterwards, Wang Lu walked out while laughing self-mockingly. Just as he walked out, he saw two of the challengers who had failed.

Hey, what a coincidence. Oi, your mum

Before he could even finish his sentence, a black shadow descended from the sky, and charged with Wang Lu into the room.

Stop. You dont need to go and verbally abuse other people every time you want to meet me.

Wang Lu replied, Who let the designer of the Garden of Peaches leave such a flaw? Its not like I want to do things this way either.

The black shadow nodded in agreement. Then, what have you come to discuss this time? Have you thought it through?

Wang Lu smiled. I guess you could say I thought it through. Ive found money in this mountain.

Oh?

Heh, from the beginning, I made a mistake by believing that the only money on this mountain could be found in the Garden of Peaches. After a while, I realised that I was stupid, and that the key to the secret quest was you, the only non-resident of the village. Even if the Garden of Peaches has no money, Im sure that you, who asks for a tuition fee from me, does.

The black shadow laughed. Indeed, youre right.

So my job is to get a single coin from you.

Mmm. Thats a very clear plan. However, it wont be easy to get a single coin from me. Even if you gave me ten thousand liang of silver, I wouldnt trade with you.

Dont worry, right now even if I sold my kidneys I wouldnt be able to give you ten thousand liang of silver, but

As Wang Lu spoke, he took out something from underneath the bed.

It was a red wooden lunch box.

Seeing the lunch box, the black shadow stood there in shock. Seeing this, Wang Lus confidence in succeeding went from 80% to 100%.

It seemed that this trial was finally over.

The lunch box obviously was not an ordinary lunch box. Even if the craftsmanship was exquisite, and was an antique from a previous dynasty, it still wouldnt be worth ten thousand liang of silver, much less be worth a single coin from Spirit Blade Mountain.

In truth, a single coin from the Spirit Blade Mountain was priceless. Let alone gold or silver from mortals, even if Xie Qian Long wanted to trade with his Magical Treasures, the black shadow would probably still refuse.

Thinking to here, Wang Lu quickly realised that only things from the mountain could probably be traded for money from the mountain. Of course, it couldnt be any ordinary thing either, because ordinary things here wouldnt be worth much either.

The lunch box just so happened to be an extraordinary item. After food was put inside, no matter how long it was, the freshness, smell and taste barely changed at all. In other words, this was a super keeping fresh box. Normally, it would be far inferior to those Magical Treasures, and after finishing the food inside it, it wasnt worth much to Wang Lu. However, it just so happened that it was the key to passing the trial here in the Garden of Peaches.

When the proprietress had given him the box, he did not realise how special the box was. After thinking about it, he had realised how obvious it had been. After all, she had said the food inside was meant to last them one week without any special keeping fresh abilities, theyd probably die of food poisoning.

After all, he had completed that chain of tasks, and had helped the proprietress easily win her bet. None of the things the proprietress had given him were ordinary items. If that copper coin was so special, then the lunch box was definitely not ordinary either.

Wang Lu smiled as he patted the lunch box. Ill sell this to you for a cheap price, just one coin. You wont reject this kind offer, right?

The black shadow stayed silent for a while. Because it was hidden in a dark fog, Wang Lu couldnt see its expression.

After a while, the black shadow replied. I never thought youd actually work it out. Ill accept it.

Since the black shadow had accepted it, this meant that Wang Lu had passed this trial. At this point, the professional adventurer couldnt help but start laughing.

The black shadow also laughed. I wonder, did you see this coming from the start?

Of course not, Im only a professional adventurer, not a beater [TLN: the word beater came from an anime, which is the combination of beta tester and cheater]. I didnt look at any strategy guides beforehand- who would have thought this lunch box was a key itemI finished all the food inside in the first two or three days, and just forgot about it under the bed for a while.

Oh? Since you didnt know that the lunch box was special, so why did you carry it so far with you?

Because every decent professional adventurer is a hoarder.