Volume 1, Chapter 28: The Langya Charitable Foundation

Ren Pingsheng had traveled to Sky-Absolute Island from the Chamber of Commerce headquarters primarily in his capacity as the regional supervisor to commend the managers and staff of the various Langya branches on the island. In his view, even though customers were favorably disposed toward the Langya Chamber of Commerce because of the Immortal Ascension Conference hosted by Wang Mu, the astronomical surge in revenue over the past month was largely due to the hard work of these managers and staff.

However, when he actually engaged with the branch managers, he found their attitudes toward the matter strikingly consistent: it had nothing to do with them; it was all thanks to the Young Master. Ren Pingsheng was initially skeptical, suspecting the managers were merely trying to curry favor with the Young Master. Yet, after witnessing a "buying frenzy" firsthand, he fell silent. Having climbed his way up from the very bottom, he had never imagined that business could be so easy. Those customers were not there to shop; they were there to sweep the shelves clean. Whether an item was useful or not, they bought it first and asked questions later.

Ren Pingsheng suddenly recalled the words Nalan Rongyun had spoken. The Young Master... had taught them a lesson? At the time, most of the directors present had merely nodded with a smile, but few had taken it to heart, Ren Pingsheng included. They all felt that Wang Mu had simply been lucky, a stroke of accidental success that would be impossible to replicate. But now, Ren Pingsheng’s perspective had shifted. He had come this time for two reasons: first, as he had stated, to deliver the rewards from the Chamber of Commerce to Wang Mu; second, to take the opportunity to meet Wang Mu in person. He could not quite articulate why, but he simply wanted to see him.

"This money comes in quickly, but it cannot last long," Wang Mu remarked as he looked at the massive figures in the ledger.

Ren Pingsheng squinted slightly and asked, "Oh, why is that?"

"Even though the major sects are grateful that I found many immortal seedlings for them and are spending lavishly, this is a one-time transaction! Once they buy this time, they won't need to purchase similar supplies for several years." Even if Wang Mu were to hold another Immortal Ascension Conference next year, where would he find so many more immortal seedlings to discover? Business, he believed, was about a steady stream, not a flash in the pan. "Moreover, there is a drawback to this approach!"

"What kind of drawback?" Ren Pingsheng asked.

"Initially, those who took the lead in purchasing did so partly out of gratitude and partly out of fear; they didn't want to take advantage of me for nothing. But as the momentum grows, those who follow suit feel less and less gratitude and instead experience a sense of crisis, as if they are being coerced. They start to think that if everyone else is supporting the Langya Chamber of Commerce and they don't, it might be equivalent to offending the Young Master of the Wang family. This leads some who don't have much spare money to follow the crowd and buy things they have no use for... Over time, the gratitude will fade, and resentment will accumulate instead. That is detrimental to the Chamber of Commerce!"

As the saying goes, one's perspective is determined by one's position. From Wang Mu's vantage point, he had no time to worry about which low-level cultivators were being disrespectful. But from the perspective of those cultivators, a towering mountain stood before them, impossible to ignore. Even if just a single stone rolled down from that mountain and hit them, it would leave them broken and bleeding. Naturally, they were trembling with anxiety.

Ren Pingsheng’s eyes brightened, as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun. As one of the top ten directors of the Langya Chamber of Commerce, he could naturally see these issues. But he had spent hundreds of years struggling in the business world; his foresight was expected. Wang Mu, however, was only in his teens! He had never intervened in the Chamber’s business nor undergone any formal training. Yet, after achieving such results, he remained clear-headed and insightful. This caught Ren Pingsheng completely by surprise. This trip was well worth it; the Young Master had truly been hiding his brilliance.

"Young Master need not worry too much. The Immortal Ascension Conference cannot be held every year. In time, these feelings will fade," Ren Pingsheng said.

Wang Mu shook his head. "On the contrary, I think this is an opportunity we can utilize."

Ren Pingsheng paused. "What kind of opportunity?"

Wang Mu replied, "We can take this opportunity to establish the Langya Foundation! We will promise to the public that for every one hundred spirit stones spent at the Langya Chamber of Commerce, one spirit stone will be donated to the Langya Charitable Foundation."

"A... charitable foundation?" Ren Pingsheng was baffled; it was his first time hearing the term.

"Simply put, it is an organization that provides basic material support to those who have suffered great misfortune. For example, providing supplies, spirit stones, or pills to regions affected by demonic calamities, natural disasters, or other catastrophes," Wang Mu explained with a smile.

Ren Pingsheng tried to grasp the concept, pondering for a moment before asking, "Then would the Immortal Ascension Conference also fall under the scope of this charitable foundation?"

Wang Mu gave him a thumbs-up. "As expected of a pillar of the Chamber of Commerce, Elder Ren, you catch on quickly!"

Ren Pingsheng’s previously hunched posture straightened, his frame appearing taller, though he demurred, "Young Master is too kind, it is not worth mentioning..." He understood now. To put it plainly, it was taking from the cultivators to give back to the cultivators. By taking one percent of the profits earned from them to perform charity, they would build a stellar reputation. Over time, the returns would grow accordingly.

Ren Pingsheng’s eyes glowed as he cupped his hands in respect. "A brilliant strategy, Young Master. I am in awe!" He paused, his expression turning serious. "However, this is a major undertaking. I cannot decide this alone; I must return and ask the Chairman to convene the ten directors to discuss and make a final determination."

Wang Mu waved his hand. "In that case, I will leave it to you, Elder Ren."

"You are too polite, Young Master! As long as it benefits the Chamber of Commerce, it is my duty!"

The two continued to discuss the details for the rest of the day. It was deep into the night when Ren Pingsheng finally departed, his expression complex and his mind seemingly adrift, as if his worldview had been profoundly shaken.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Ren Pingsheng returned to Sky-Absolute Island, travel-worn but with eyes full of weariness and intense excitement. Seeing him, Wang Mu knew the matter had been settled.

The following day, the news spread throughout Sky-Absolute Island: The Langya Charitable Foundation would be formally established in the Great Liang Royal City, and all major powers were invited to attend the ceremony. For a time, the news was the talk of the town.

"A charitable foundation? What is that?"
"Never heard of it. What does it have to do with us?"

Meanwhile, in a luxurious room, the heads of various major chambers of commerce on Sky-Absolute Island, including Penglai and Four Seas, gathered. Upon hearing the news, they grew vigilant.

"What kind of scheme is the Young Master of the Wang family cooking up now?"
"First he held that Immortal Ascension Conference, ruining our business. Now this charity foundation—what is it for?"
"Let them come; we are prepared."

Liu, the manager of the Penglai Chamber of Commerce, looked on with a grim, overly confident expression. "With our major chambers of commerce united, we have no rivals in the entire Northern Territory! No matter what tricks the Young Master of the Wang family tries to play, what does it matter?"

"True!"
"Let's go and see for ourselves!"