fantasy novels Chapter 18 Money is also a belief
Chapter 18 Money is also a belief
Although he had never been to this street, Vijay had heard many of his classmates mention it and knew that there was a shop here that specialized in "Ten Offerings".
It was founded almost as old as Harappa.
This place encompasses the "Ten Offerings" at all levels. As long as you have money, you can purchase almost anything here that is so pure that you wouldn't be considered impolite even when meeting a saint.
Li Weijie would have avoided such places, but things are different now!
Vijay has plenty of money!
Then there's no need to go through all that trouble. Just come here and purchase the "Ten Offerings" – it's simple and convenient.
It's no wonder the guards were so condescending; neither Li Weijie nor Weijie had the habit of flaunting their wealth.
Vijay's everyday attire was unremarkable; he wore neither gold nor silver nor carried any precious jewels. He wore a clean, crisp white cotton jewel cloth, folded in three layers around his body.
He looked like an ordinary young man who wanted to infiltrate a large store and broaden his horizons.
The fact that someone like him wasn't stopped by the guards is already a testament to his Vaishya status.
Harsh words hurt others and create negative karma through speech.
Vijay did not immediately fly into a rage, respond to the guard's provocation, or offer invalid proof.
Maintaining a calm expression, he leisurely walked into the three-story shop.
The interior is surprisingly simple, with gleaming brass rings on the wooden doors, lotus and Buddhist patterns carved on the earthen brick walls, and clean and elegant bluestone floors. There are no cabinets at the entrance, and no glittering gold leaf or ostentatious jewelry collections.
Only a faint sandalwood scent mingled with the thin mist.
The shop is clearly divided into ten areas, each displaying one of the ten offerings: pure water, perfumed ointment, fine flowers, exquisite fragrance, bright lamps, auspicious fruits, pure food, precious jewels, garlands, and plain clothing.
There weren't many customers, but each guest had a Vaishya waiter attentively accompanying them as they shopped, their gentle voices revealing their refined manners.
Vijay looked around and found that even though there were still waiters standing around, they all turned their heads away or lowered their heads, avoiding his gaze.
Clearly, I was being ignored!
A flicker of displeasure crossed Vijay's mind; he was no longer willing to swallow his anger.
These snobbish bastards deserve a strong crackdown!
Vijay's gaze fell on the person sitting at the very back of the shop.
There was an elder praying with his eyes closed, occasionally turning the prayer beads in his hand. The 108 beads had become shiny and spotless from his years of devout caressing.
He knelt on the cloth cushion, sitting upright with a devout expression.
Vijay walked straight up to him, took out his money bag, and threw it at his feet.
Hundreds of gold coins burst out of the purse, scattering and striking the bluestone slab with a unique rhythm.
This is a voice that would make all worldly people take notice.
Just like now.
The waiters stared wide-eyed at the gold coins scattered on the ground, almost unable to control themselves and wanting to pounce on them...
The same was true of this devout elder.
His mouth opened involuntarily, and his gaze first swept across the ground before landing on Vijay.
Vijay's gaze was calm, and he placed his hands together at his brow: "Greetings, elder. May Brahma bless you!"
At that moment, Vijay realized that what truly made the Vaishya elders take notice was not the miraculous Brahma, but rather the vulgarity of money.
The next moment, the elder Vaishya rose, clasped his hands in return, bowed slightly, and dared not look directly at the visitor: "May your presence bring you good fortune!"
Then, with great enthusiasm, he strode up to Vijay, his attitude even more devout than when he was chanting Sanskrit.
Knowing full well the rude behavior that had just occurred in the store, and even when faced with Vijay's blatant humiliation, Elder Vaishya remained completely unconcerned, as if he had no concept of what constituted a bottom line.
Vijay was utterly disdainful of the shopkeeper's sudden change in attitude, and couldn't be bothered to bother with the man's vulgar and despicable behavior. The gentle smile on his face vanished completely, replaced by a cold and arrogant demeanor. He spoke with a condescending, mocking tone, "I am about to meet with the Brahma Priest, and I require a supreme sacrifice!"
Upon hearing this, the elder Vaishya's face was as if a dye vat had been overturned, displaying a mixture of colors, a blend of red and blue, with embarrassment and fear flashing by in an instant.
His body bent even deeper, almost bowing his head, humble and respectful, much lower than before.
"May Shiva bless you, and allow me to introduce you to our shop's most exquisite Ten Offerings..."
"No need!" Vijay's tone was cold and harsh, abruptly interrupting him. His fingertips casually swept over all the offerings around the shop, his tone carrying undisguised pressure and mockery. "I believe the Brahma priest will know where these fine items came from when he accepts my offerings!"
"Thank you for your praise!" The shopkeeper certainly understood Vijay's words, but still shamelessly took Vijay's blatant disdain as praise. "Every Brahmin approves of the offerings provided by our shop, for they are all the purest and finest items in the world!"
I am ashamed of myself!
Vijay suddenly realized that this was the skill a qualified Vaishya merchant should possess: to swallow insults and be shameless!
Knowing that no matter how much he mocked the Vaishya elder, he would be met with a thick skin, Vijay had no interest in arguing with such a lowly figure. "Once the offerings are prepared, send them to the royal inn!"
After saying that, he flung his hand away, ignoring the gold coins scattered on the ground and the waiters who were already prostrating themselves and scrambling for them.
He only glanced at their disheveled and ugly state one last time.
It's unknown how much piety these Vaishyas, fighting and vying for power, still possess under the watchful eyes of the gods.
The elder Vaishya personally escorted Vijay to the street corner and bid him farewell with the sixth degree of dread (kneeling on all knees with the upper body upright).
The guards were dumbfounded, wondering why this shopkeeper, who was usually so arrogant that he had never been so obsequious even to Kshatriyas and Brahmins, would bow so deeply to a Vaishya.
But the instinct for survival made them wear obsequious smiles and their eyes become pure and clear when they met Vijay's gaze.
"Follow your heart, and you will successfully please yourself."
'Add 1 talent point, 2 talent points remaining.'
Does this work too?
Indeed, in all my decades of life, it seems I've never felt so indifferent to money, so uninterested in it!
Occasionally showing off in front of others and spending lavishly like this, the vanity... is indeed a novel feeling!
With light steps, Vijay instantly forgot everything that had just happened, took a few steps forward, and suddenly noticed a gaze upon him.
Looking up at the setting sun, I saw an elderly Vaishya dressed simply, standing there as if he had been silently waiting for a long time.
"Mittal Vijay," his voice was calm, seemingly devoid of any worldly desires, "my master instructs you to come to the academy to find him once you are ready. He will personally take you to meet the Brahma priest."