Reverend Ecstasy

The music of change. Or was it? As he studied Jingzhao's response, Tailor-Xinzi couldn't help but wonder if the newly crowned empress' need to change stemmed from self-introspection, or simply arose in response to his indifferent treatment. The answer mattered a lot. If Jingzhao merely wanted to become a woman that appealed to Xinzi's tastes, then her motivations, efforts, actions and reactions would forever be glued to what she perceived as Xinzi's "requirements."

There was also a scenario where, after getting used to Xinzi's pampering, Jingzhao would revert to her old ways. And if his will forever directed all of her behavioral or mental shifts, then at best, Jingzhao would go from slave to servant — never more.

Then again, for her, that was quite the upgrade.

A part of Xinzi wanted to tell Jingzhao that, even without mystical gimmicks, he could feel the rollercoaster of emotions turning her world upside down. That her words reverberated in his soul, making his heart beast fast like a drum in a folk festival.

But that would be a lie, and Xinzi didn't want to lie.

"Mhm...come here," Xinzi said, beckoning for Jingzhao to walk towards him, and sit on his lap. Like a starved puppy being fed the leftovers of a wasteful meal, Jingzhao jumped on the opportunity, almost as if fearing that, if she didn't obey fast enough, her master would withdraw his offer.

Comfortably seated, Jingzhao leaned on Xinzi's shoulder, taking as many liberties as he allowed her to.

"I feel sorry for you. For all of you that speak at a moment when I can barely hear you. Let me give you one honest piece of advice. Greed is good, but you need to temper it. Don't be greedy now. This isn't the time. Believe me, being greedy for me at this precise moment will lead you to ruin. Be patient, when I can fully listen, you will have the opportunity to be as greedy as you want to. Then...we can see where this whole greed business leads us," Xinzi said, and with a genuine smile, stroked Jingzhao's cheek.

The phoenix mask kept Xinzi's face hidden, but in his eyes, Jingzhao's felt hints of warmth she'd never experienced till now. That alone set her heart ablaze, so ablaze that she forgot to ponder on the deeper meaning of Xinzi's words.

There was hope. Although Xinzi was rejecting her advance, his words and demeanor gave Jingzhao plenty of hope for the future. Hope could feed a nation, to say nothing of a love-deprived person. Immediately, Jingzhao clung to that hope — refusing to let go.

"With that said, although somewhat out of line, your efforts have opened a new door. I would be a fool to not exploit it, and I like to think that I'm not a fool. Actually...scratch that. I've performed in so many plays that calling me a fool seems pretty fair."

"I...wouldn't dare."

"You should. I know some incorrigible gals that would jump on the opportunity to call me a fool, then dare me to prove them wrong."

"I..."

"Need to relax. What kind of world are we living in if you can't call a fool a fool." Here, Xinzi snapped his fingers, ending the quick exchange. One scarlet robe, embroidered with golden phoenix wing patterns, appeared on Jingzhao's lap.

Incandescent rays lit up the robe, giving it the appearance of a lustrous jewel trapped in a pillar of golden flames.

"This is the latest edition of my Scarlet Phoenix Robe. You can bring it back to the Central Domain to justify the subsidy and make yourself look like a visionary. Let the Ministry of Revenue seek ties with my Silkshifter God's Abode. That way, you can send the Solar Dragon Guard in broad daylight. I'm sure they will find the name of my workshop...fascinating," Xinzi said in a bit of a jesting tone.

"Master this...is too expensive! I can't possibly...accept...this!" The ice spirit's words grew louder as she spoke. For a person like Xue Jingzhao to reject an item due to it being "too expensive" should be enough to show the level of goods that Xinzi just put forth.

In short, this Scarlet Phoenix Robe was the equivalent of an immortal-grade defensive artifact. An artifact that also offered massive benefits to immortal-level cultivation. Even in the Taiyang clan, immortal-grade artifacts were in short supply. This was the type of thing that money couldn't buy. At least not the kind of money that Jingzhao had access to — currently.

That robe alone would make the six trillion spirit stone subsidy look like the investment of the millennium. But while kindling the interest of the Central Domain's ministries, it would also lead them to investigate the Divine Tailor's background with more scrutiny. Xinzi didn't mind. After all, he could control all their findings and manipulate their conclusions.

"I will also send you 60 Supreme Clarity editions for the Taiyang consorts, as well as bags and sachets to match the robes. Tell the males that I have male versions available, and can come up with as many as they can afford to pay. So long as we can come up with a profitable agreement, I don't mind working my ass off for the Central Domain. Say it like that, it will add some realism to the mysterious Divine Tailor's character," Xinzi said in the most natural of tones, making Jingzhao's jaw fall at the somewhat blunt and borderline crude style he addressed the Central Domain with.

Xinzi would turn out to be correct. Once exposed to the immortal-grade robe, the Central Domain's officials lost their minds. For the Taiyang clan's August Tailor to produce one such robe, they'd need at least 300 years of seclusion. But according to the Divine Tailor's sales pitch, he could produce them on the fly!

The elder council had been wiped out, the retired elders forced out of seclusion and currently paying homage to the God-Monarch in the Evernight Palace. The Hengye clan momentum seemed unstoppable, and so, if only to reaffirm their hold over the three continents that they still controlled, the Taiyang couldn't afford to let go of these premium military supplies.

Later that day, by decree of the Divine Empress, and with the blessing of the court, a detachment of 300 Solar Dragon Guards left the Central Domain, bringing ancient treasures and immense wealth to the gates of the Silkshifter God's Abode.

Faced with these relics, Xinzi only had one thing to say:

"Keep the trinkets. I only take cash."

And so the treasures got sent home. Using the Taiyang clan's assets as collateral, the Central Domain's Central Bank set up a 16 trillion credit line for the Divine Tailor, adding to his immense wealth. Now, without a doubt, Xinzi had grown into the wealthiest man of the Four Continents — and the money kept flowing in.