Even if a rogue cultivator were to secretly sell goods, and even if their business thrived, would they truly be allowed to easily compete with common folk? And once they were discovered, what severe consequences would they face? At that point, all their efforts would certainly not be worth the repercussions.
One could, of course, become a cultivator-mentor. Yet again, it's not so easy for rogue cultivators to become a guardian-mentor. For wealthy individuals often have powerful sects backing them. For instance, Feng Lin Bo is backed by the Heavenly Jade Sect. Would Feng Lin Bo dare to take on a rogue cultivator?
Here, too, rogue cultivators face difficulty. Where then could they earn money? If some sect offered a guardian-mentor to a mere rich man, would he dare refuse? And if he refused, wouldn't that be considered courting destruction?
In principle, the cultivation world permits trade. However, rogue cultivators are constrained by laws designed to ensure fairness for common folk and preserve their interests!
In other words, you cannot swindle people or sell fakes. For then, the buyer would report you to the relevant authorities. Sects, however, can conduct trade more boldly in this regard. Everyone knows that if an incident occurs, complaints will be lodged against the seller. And the seller cannot flee then, because they are backed by a sect. The sect will answer for its disciple. What disciple would dare to offend their sect in such a manner? Who would dare to shoulder such responsibility?
In such a case, rogue cultivators are once again at a disadvantage. For they have no sect standing behind them. And if someone violates the laws, the authorities of the cultivation world and its protective organizations will find the transgressor anywhere.
But one can engage in dark deals, which is why there are so many cultivators in Zhaixing City and so many secret transactions taking place. However, for identical items, prices in the city are standardized. Therefore, rogue cultivators must lower their prices to sell goods in a dark deal.
But here they encounter yet another difficulty. When concluding a dark deal, who will guarantee your life's safety? If I am stronger than you, why should I pay you money? Or why hand over the goods when I can simply take the money? Here, it's a matter of chance. No one will answer for the quality of the goods or the authenticity of the money. And here, rogue cultivators appear in a less than favorable light due to their poverty. For people in poverty resort to extremes. Shamelessness is not alien to them; they forget their conscience.
In such a harsh environment, it's difficult for rogue cultivators to survive. And the laws of the Palace of Mystery seem just and logical, yet they offer no respite to rogue cultivators.
Furthermore, here, cultivators themselves will obstruct you. If you, a rogue cultivator, sell the same item cheaper, it harms our sect's trade. And if a rogue cultivator is unprotected, someone from a sect, concealing their identity, will deal with you.
Sometimes, rogue cultivators are forced to break the laws. But if they are noticed breaking them, they are immediately killed.
It also happens that cultivators venture into inaccessible places, where ordinary people cannot reach. There, they gather spiritual herbs. Only, they expend much effort themselves doing so. As a result, someone might come to reap where they haven't sown, robbing or even killing them. Thus, they suffer and endure, barely managing to acquire cultivation resources. How then would they find the strength to cultivate? This is why cultivators within sects progress much better and faster in cultivation.
Now for the main question: how many rogue cultivators truly wish to join a sect?
And establishing a sect is not so easy. Many can complete 30 missions from the Heretic List of evil demons and criminals, but few manage to secure the support of other sects and found a sect.
Niu You Dao understood this as well, and he sighed. This Palace of Mystery is quite cruel. It has created laws that further worsen the lives of impoverished rogue cultivators. They already eliminate criminals of the cultivation world virtually for free. And most likely, there are quite a few cultivators who could not fully complete the 30 missions from the list. Thus, all their efforts were in vain.
One could say that rogue cultivators were laborers who, for free, improved the surrounding environment by fulfilling missions and cleansing the world of evil.
Meanwhile, cultivators within sects calmly cultivate or earn large sums of money.
Niu You Dao was also displeased with this state of affairs.
He clearly understood that there were things everyone needed. And these things could become scarce. And few could increase the supply of such items. In such situations, there were always those who wished to seize more resources. They became powerful. While those who obtained fewer resources could do little to change their situation.
This was why Hei Mudan addressed him so respectfully, hoping to obtain an entry ticket into the world of cultivators.
Niu You Dao chuckled:
"—And by what reasoning have you concluded that I can help you?"
Hei Mudan wanted to say: "You are young, you have attendants, you behave with such freedom, and you live in such an expensive inn. Only an idiot wouldn't see that a powerful sphere of influence stands behind you." However, she could not voice this.
"—Lord Dao is clearly extraordinary and powerful."
Niu You Dao laughed: "Many people live here. Why did you specifically pay attention to me?"
"A young man is easier to persuade, and others probably wouldn't even bother speaking with her. Aren't we sitting together right now?" The thought flashed through Hei Mudan's mind. Only now did she notice that this young man was far from simple. And in his eyes was a calm and wise gaze.
"—Intuition, a feeling. Girls often believe in that," Hei Mudan explained.
Niu You Dao smiled and glanced at the perplexed and distraught Yuan Fang.
"—Bear, why aren't you cheerful?"
Hei Mudan was speechless. She was pouring out her heart to him, and he was changing the subject?
Yuan Fang wanted to say something, but after glancing at Hei Mudan, he shook his head and remained silent.
Niu You Dao looked at Yuan Fang and stated:
"—Hei Mudan, look. My friend is not pleased with you."
Yuan Fang was astonished and looked into Hei Mudan's dark eyes, whispering to himself, "This has nothing to do with her."
Helping for nothing in return was difficult. So, Hei Mudan immediately plastered on a smile and said:
"—Lord Dao, we wouldn't ask you for help for nothing. If you assist us, we will go through fire and water for you."
Niu You Dao: "That sounds good, but it's useless. What sect would take on strangers? Would it risk itself for your sake? No matter how you look at it, 100,000 is a large sum. First, gather the money, and then, out of respect for you..." He looked at the table and the delicacies.
"—I will then help you obtain recommendations from some sect."
Hei Mudan thought to herself: "When we've gathered that much money, will we even need your help?" However, she smiled bitterly:
"—Lord Dao, it is truly not easy for rogue cultivators to earn money. If you help us, we will certainly repay everything and show our gratitude. When we have the means!"
Niu You Dao tilted his head:
"—Let's say you succeeded in achieving your desire. But with your cultivation, even if you manage to found a small sect, will you be able to earn 100,000 gold in three years? And if you fail within three years, who will be responsible for you? How then will you find money for me? Will you open a shop? Start a business? Or become a guardian-mentor? Furthermore, what would make you better than other sects, that you would find good earnings?"
Hei Mudan bit her lip, pondering her reply.
Only then, Niu You Dao continued:
"—Judging by your expression, you have no method. In that case, you'd better not try to fool me!"
Hei Mudan bit her lip again:
"—Indeed, even if we manage to achieve our desires, I cannot guarantee that we will earn 100,000 gold within three years. Lord Dao, why don't you tell us your conditions? We'll see if we can fulfill them or not?"
"—Me state the conditions?" Niu You Dao looked at her questioningly, his entire demeanor seeming to ask, "Are you sure?"
Hei Mudan nodded: "Lord Dao, please speak plainly if there's anything. We can perform both dark and dirty work."
Niu You Dao: "There is, however, one condition you might fulfill." He waved a hand, beckoning Hei Mudan closer.
Hei Mudan thought Niu You Dao was about to reveal some secret, so she leaned in closer, offering her ear.
Who knew that Niu You Dao would suddenly run his palm over her face?
Hei Mudan instantly recoiled and shrank back. She was stunned and understood what Niu You Dao had intended.
Indeed, Niu You Dao looked her over appraisingly and said:
"—Female beauty is truly captivating. How about this: I'll live here for half a year, and you'll sleep with me for half a year. Then I'll help you with your matter."
Hei Mudan rose. She was enraged, yet at the last moment, she restrained herself and said with a smile:
"—Lord Dao, I am a tainted woman and not suitable for you. I might tarnish your reputation. Perhaps you could tell me what kind of women you like, and I'll help you find one."
Niu You Dao calmly stated:
"—Do you think I lack women? But I'm encountering a woman as dark-skinned and beautiful as you for the first time. Now, I crave something new. Precisely you!"
Yuan Fang shuddered. The records of wild beasts had influenced him, and at such a remark, he looked at Niu You Dao in astonishment.
Hei Mudan smiled:
"—What's so good about dark skin? Fair-skinned women are more beautiful. Lord Dao must be joking."
Niu You Dao calmly replied:
"—This is the only condition. Whether you agree or not, that's up to you!"
Hei Mudan's expression darkened, and extending her hand, she said:
"—Hand over the receipt for half a year's lodging!"
"—You gave it to us yourself. I didn't force you." Niu You Dao looked sideways:
"—Bear, is this money hers or ours?"
"Damn it, 1,800 gold!" Yuan Fang felt as if he were reliving the old days when he robbed in the southern small mountains.
He slammed his fist on the table:
"—What's in our pockets, how could it not be ours? Who dares to take it from us should first ask the Yaoyue Inn!" he declared with a sense of absolute righteousness.
Hei Mudan gritted her teeth, pointing at both of them, and uttered:
"—You dare to take my money! You just wait and see!"