Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence. [179]

Jiang Bai didn’t rush to open the chest. Instead, he sat down right where he was and quietly watched the sunset.

The setting sun glowed like molten gold, and the evening clouds layered themselves like a painting.

Here, above the clouds—at the very peak of the world—the view was nothing short of breathtaking.

All his effort had been worth it. This birthday gift was going to leave an impression the Director would never forget.

It wasn’t until the sun had fully dipped below the horizon that Jiang Bai finally stood and turned his gaze to the chest.

He rubbed his hands together, thrilled—he hadn’t expected a bonus surprise on top of everything else.

The chest wasn’t locked. After all, it was a gift left behind by the adepti for those who managed to reach this place.

Inside, there wasn’t a trove of mora like he had half-expected, but something far more valuable: a collection of ancient tomes.

Jiang Bai quickly skimmed through them. They contained adeptal techniques—manuals on demon-subduing, talismanic mechanisms, purification rituals…

These were all remnants from the adepti themselves. In terms of value, even a chest full of mora wouldn’t come close.

Between a pile of money and these manuals, Jiang Bai would choose the adepti techniques any day.

He stored all the texts in his inventory space with care, utterly satisfied.

What a haul. He hadn’t just found the location of the Trial of Heaven—he’d also walked away with priceless adeptal scriptures!

Once he got back, he’d make copies of the originals for safekeeping at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As for the extras… why not sell them off? To make the most of their value, maybe he’d even organize an auction?

Then the Qixing, the exorcist clans, all the ancient families and merchant guilds—they’d be falling over each other to bid. Why worry about mora ever again?

Wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth, Jiang Bai could practically see his name rising up Liyue’s rich list.

Still, all that could wait. For now, he’d save it for Hu Tao’s birthday—a surprise gift!

Humming happily, Jiang Bai teleported back to Liyue Harbor and made a beeline for Hu Tao’s courtyard.

When she caught sight of him—sweaty, dirty, and thoroughly disheveled—Hu Tao immediately sprang away and pinched her nose.

“Ugh! Stay away from me! You stink!”

Jiang Bai sniffed himself and winced. Ah… got too excited and forgot to bathe.

“What the heck were you doing?” Hu Tao’s voice was muffled from her pinched nose.

“Heh… important business! Let me shower real quick—be right back!”

And with that, he vanished, leaving Hu Tao and the little ghost staring after him.

About ten minutes later, Jiang Bai reappeared with damp hair, freshly washed and full of energy.

Even before he stepped into view, his voice reached her first:

“Director! I found the perfect place to spend your birthday! No time to waste—let’s head out tonight!”

“…Huh?”

There were still a few days before her birthday. What was the rush?

“What place?” she asked.

She was pretty sure she knew every spot in Liyue worth knowing. What could Jiang Bai know that she didn’t?

“Hehehe… Just come with me, Director!” Jiang Bai grinned, flipping open his notebook and placing it proudly in front of her. “I found the location of the Trial of Heaven!”

“Oh?” Hu Tao’s interest was piqued.

“Where is it?”

“That’s a secret! Just follow me and you’ll see!” Jiang Bai said mysteriously. “If we leave now, we’ll get there right in time for your birthday.”

And just in time to watch the sunrise on her sixteenth year—talk about ceremonial flair!

Hu Tao gave him a slightly skeptical look, but he didn’t seem to be joking, so she nodded.

She was genuinely curious about where the so-called “Trial of Heaven” was.

“Fine. I’ll trust you—this once. But I’ve already made plans to eat with Xiangling and the others at Liuli Pavilion. They’ve even prepared gifts. You better not ruin it.”

“Then… how about this?” Jiang Bai thought for a moment. “Let’s bring them along. We all go together.”

It was unrealistic for Hu Tao to make it back in time for the dinner if they went alone, and it wouldn’t feel right to have her ditch her friends just to spend the day with him. This was a fair compromise.

There’d be plenty more chances for solo birthdays in the future, after all.

“It’s already so late,” Hu Tao said. “Who leaves on a trip at night? Just tell me roughly where it is—I’ll write to everyone and ask them to meet us there on the day.”

After Jiang Bai gave her the general location, he added, “Oh! And make sure Xiangling brings her wok, ingredients, and seasoning. Can’t have a birthday without a proper feast!”

Since Xiangling was an adepti disciple too, she probably had storage gear. Carrying cookware shouldn’t be an issue.

“Yeah, yeah, got it,” Hu Tao waved him off and went inside to write letters.

Once the letters were sent off, Jiang Bai headed to the stables and brought out two horses.

Even though they were on a deadline, pushing too hard would only make them exhausted by the big day.

The route from Liyue Harbor to Wangshu Inn was fairly smooth, perfect for riding. They could leave the horses there and pick them up on the way back.

“It better be worth it, dragging me out this late,” Hu Tao grumbled. “If it turns out to be lame, you’re done for.”

There were just under three days left until her birthday—three nights and two days, really.

Reaching Qingyun Peak in that time was no easy feat.

“I’ve been looking for this place forever! I promise you’ll love it!” Jiang Bai thumped his chest, full of confidence.

Time passed quickly. Before long, it was the night before Hu Tao’s birthday.

They’d been traveling nonstop—riding during the day, resting at night—and had finally arrived at the base of Qingyun Peak.

Looking up at the towering summit, Jiang Bai felt like victory was within reach. His sore legs suddenly found new strength.

“Director, let’s climb!”

He’d calculated it perfectly. If they hiked up now, they’d reach the top by midnight. After a bit of rest, they could watch the sunrise together—right on her birthday.

Hu Tao stared at the sky-piercing peak and rubbed her aching legs. Then, resigned, she started walking.

She hadn’t traveled this hard in a long time. Even when she was hunting the Four Spirits, she took her time—playing along the way.

This trip, though? They hadn’t stopped moving.

But looking at how excited Jiang Bai was, she couldn’t bring herself to say, “Let’s just do it tomorrow.”

What’s gotten into him? It’s just a birthday. No need to be this dramatic…

Sighing inwardly, Hu Tao was about to take another step—when Jiang Bai suddenly crouched in front of her.

Then she heard him say:

“Director, get on. I’ll carry you.”

Hu Tao froze, caught completely off guard.

Honestly, aside from her grandfather and father playfully carrying her around when she was little, no one had ever offered to give her a piggyback ride.

Now, seeing Jiang Bai hunched in front of her, she didn’t quite know how to respond.

When she didn’t move, Jiang Bai looked back at her. “Come on, Director! You look like you’re about to collapse!”

“Am I that delicate? Do I look like the kind of person who needs to be carried?!”

Hu Tao turned her head away, refusing to let him see the red on her cheeks.

—

T/N: OOOOOOOOOOOOOH

This is a fan translation of 胡桃拿我冲业绩 by 余溯. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!