Along the way, Shi Nandang and Xiao Qing chatted happily, showing a strong sense of friendship despite their age difference.
When it was time to part, Xiao Qing's expression was particularly reluctant.
Seeing this, Shi Nandang shook his head and smiled, then couldn't help but add, "Remember, your mission this time is very important to the Nine Mountains Sect and its Sect Leader. Put some effort into it, and with experience, your future will be no less promising than someone who excels in mathematics."
Xiao Qing blinked, clearly puzzled.
" The Sect Leader needs the power of Incense Power, and capturing those rebellious cultivators is only a short-term solution. In the long run, we still need to rely on the mortals of the Hundred Immortals Alliance."
Xiao Qing nodded, but her face still looked blank.
Shi Nandang's words were not told to him by others, but rather derived from his own observations.
As Immortal Li of the Supreme Dao said, the difficulty in cultivating the Grotto-Heaven Method lies in the difficulty of finding the Cave Heaven itself. The Grotto-Heaven Method itself is not a secret to the Four Sects.
Feeling awkward about his position in the Nine Mountains Realm, he naturally studied Zheng Fa's actions carefully and gained much insight.
The capture of the Hundred Immortals rebels was naturally to fill the shortage of workers in the Nine Mountains Sect, especially since many of the newly built production lines did not require workers with much weapon-refining ability; as long as their Divine Soul were qualified, they would be fine.
With increased production of Law Artifact, the disciples of the Nine Mountains will naturally be able to obtain various elixirs from the Supreme Dao for their cultivation.
Their improved cultivation, in turn, nourished Zheng Fa's cultivation of the Grotto-Heaven Method.
However, the number of rebels was only a few thousand, which was only a short-term emergency measure.
Therefore, what Xiao Qing and her friends need to do is a long-term strategy.
Shi Nandang explained in detail, "Your mission is to win over the hearts of the mortals in the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and even to establish schools and select talented individuals."
Xiao Qing nodded emphatically.
Shi Nandang knew there were some things Xiao Qing probably still didn't understand:
Although the population of the Nine Mountains Realm is growing, it still cannot catch up with the Hundred Immortals Alliance in the short term, not to mention the abundance of resources.
In the short term, workers need to be recruited; in the long term, it is naturally better to select mortals from the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Not to mention, although the members of the Hundred Immortals Alliance don't have much faith in Zheng Fa now, they won't bring much Incense Power offerings to the Nine Mountains Realm.
However, with long-term education and training, over a decade or a century, this situation will inevitably change, and the future Incense Power it brings will certainly be substantial.
Now it seems that Zheng Fa has made the Hundred Immortals Alliance another foundation and is managing it with great care.
Shi Nandang understood perfectly well that although he was Spirit Transformation and Xiao Qing and the others were only Foundation Establishment, Zheng Fa actually valued the task Xiao Qing and the others were carrying out more. Moreover, this task was bound to be lengthy, and the Merit in the future would be numerous.
That's why he gave Xiao Qing a few more pointers.
"Is it very important to the master?"
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up.
Shi Nandang was speechless. "I've been talking for so long, and this is all you've heard?"
Xiao Qing frowned, her face full of worry. "But, but I've never been out before. What if I ruin Master's important plans..."
"..."
" True Person Shi..."
Shi Nandang shook his head, saying helplessly, "Don't overthink it. This matter is very serious; it's not something you can influence alone."
Seeing that Xiao Qing was still uneasy, he had no choice but to say again, "You must have been a temple keeper before to be chosen. Just do what you did when you were a temple keeper."
Xiao Qing listened and fell into deep thought, then slowly nodded.
When Shi Nandang to disembark, he vanished in a flash.
Xiao Qing clung to the boat's railing, looking around, but could no longer see him. She could only shout, " True Person Shi, once I've earned Merit, I'll treat you to a delicious meal at the Marketplace and a drink of Fairy Drunk!"
After a long while, a cheerful reply came on the wind:
"Good."
Dozens of miles away, in a secluded valley, a group of people secretly watched the Divine Firmament Flying Vessel where Xiao Qing was.
They numbered about a hundred and were hiding in a mountain cave.
The cave still bears traces of axe carving, clearly indicating it was recently created. A bronze mirror hangs at the cave entrance, gleaming with a precious light.
From the outside, all you can see about this mountainside is overgrown vines and jagged rocks; you can't see any cave entrances at all.
" Old Freak Li, didn't you say that even Nascent Soul cultivator couldn't discern the truth from the illusion with your Mirage Mirror? What are you afraid of?"
An old woman's voice rang out. It turned out that Old Freak Li was actually a Nascent Soul Cultivator. His gaze was thoughtful as he looked at the flying boat, murmuring, "That True Person... is Spirit Transformation."
" Spirit Transformation!"
The cave was silent, except for Old Freak Li continuing, "I obtained this Mirage Mirror in the Secret Realm. Even a Nascent Spirit Transformation would be fooled if they didn't look closely. It has saved me many times in the past."
"Just now, that person glanced at me casually, and my precious mirror was awakened to its spiritual power. This person... is definitely not an ordinary Nascent Soul."
After these words were spoken, the people in the cave looked at each other in bewilderment.
" Spirit Transformation?" The old woman's voice was filled with panic. "I told you, we should have escaped long ago. But you were all greedy, insisting on pulling off one last heist before leaving."
"Now even the Nascent Spirit Transformation have been attracted."
Old Freak Li frowned and sneered, "We were driven here by Vast Sun Mountain and have long since run out of resources. What's the point of going back if we don't plunder the resources of some small sects?"
"Haven't you made a fortune?"
"Besides, my Mirage Mirror hasn't been discovered yet, has it?"
The old woman remained silent for a long time before reluctantly saying, "What if we encounter a Nascent Spirit Transformation? Can we escape now?"
"A Nascent Spirit Transformation... Stone... might be a pleasant surprise." Old Freak Li's face even showed a hint of a smile. "If we can go back, and after I investigate some things, perhaps I can even make a great contribution and ask Vast Sun Mountain for a reward."
"Ah?"
To everyone's surprise, Old Freak Li appeared unusually cautious and was unwilling to say more.
Or perhaps he wanted to keep it a secret.
A small portion of this group consisted of Rogue Cultivator from the Vast Sun Mountain region, along with a few from minor sects that had betrayed the Hundred Immortals Alliance. Their origins varied, and they were not of the same ilk. Since he didn't speak, the others didn't press the matter, but instead began to Dao Discussion themselves:
"Go back? How do we get back? Can this Mirage Mirror cover our escape?"
Old Freak Li's expression also turned somewhat grim. "No, if we use our Law Power, let alone a Nascent Spirit Transformation, even an ordinary Nascent Soul True Person could see through it. It's not safe."
"That..."
The group of people looked at each other, completely unsure of what to do.
At this moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator standing nearby hesitated before speaking, "I... I have a way."
"Um?"
"My Lineage lives nearby and has some connections. If I can disguise myself as a mortal merchant caravan and conceal my spiritual power along the way, I might have a chance to escape alive."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
Even Old Freak Li nodded repeatedly in agreement, saying, "Although there are some risks, it's not a bad idea. However, we're unfamiliar with this place, and there's bound to be some mistakes in our disguise. Are you confident in your abilities?"
The Foundation Establishment cultivator nodded vigorously. "I used to have a personal servant who came from my family's tenant farmer background, and it seems he later lived nearby."
After much deliberation, Old Freak Li gritted his teeth and said, "Take me to him."
Using the magic mirror as cover, the two arrived at a village.
Old Freak Li used his Divine Sense to search far and wide before finally finding the servant's residence at the end of the village.
"Young Master?"
A gaunt old man with completely white hair sat at the door. Upon seeing the Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was startled and exclaimed in surprise.
The Foundation Establishment cultivator was only a young man, yet the two looked like grandfather and grandson when they met.
"Young Master, what brings you here... I, I went to find my family to cook. Please pay my respects, Young Master!"
Seeing that no one was home, Old Freak Li felt quite pleased and gave the Foundation Establishment cultivator a wink.
"Not in a hurry." The Foundation Establishment cultivator understood and said, "I heard from my family that you later did some business?"
"Yes, young master, after you entered the Immortal Sect, I was fortunate enough to be appointed as the manager of the clan's caravan by your grace. Now that I'm old, I've returned to the manor."
"I need you to help me find some vehicles and a few people familiar with the trade routes."
The Foundation Establishment cultivator spoke directly.
"This..." The old man was stunned for a moment, and seeing his expression, he understood. "Young master, I haven't been out for over ten years. I need to go and inquire first."
"Hurry!"
"Yes!"
After listening to the two men's conversation, Old Freak Li glanced at the old man, then suddenly took out a porcelain bottle. "Eat it."
The old man shuddered and couldn't help but look at the Foundation Establishment cultivator, but the young master he hadn't seen for many years turned his head away.
"I..."
"Um?"
Old Freak Li unleashed his imposing aura.
The aura of Nascent Soul is something no ordinary person can withstand.
Soon, the old man, with trembling hands, swallowed a blue pill from the bottle.
"This pill is extremely poisonous. I will come every half month to give you an antidote. I will give you the antidote again after we leave this place."
The old man's face turned even paler.
"Don't think you're so old you're not afraid of death." Old Freak Li was still uneasy, and added, "Your surname is Xie, you have two sons, a daughter, and four grandsons..."
"... I dare not! I dare not!"
Old Man Xie said in a low voice, his voice trembling with tears.
Old Freak Li chuckled lightly, "As long as you properly see us off, I can also bestow some immortal blessings upon your sons and grandsons in the future."
Old Man Xie nodded repeatedly, a hint of longing in his eyes, as he watched the two leave.
"Father! Father!"
Old Man Xie was lost in thought when he heard his eldest son calling out to him. Only then did he come to his senses and look at his son.
"What?"
"Dad, what are you thinking about?"
Old Man Xie shook his head, knowing this was a matter of life and death, and he dared not tell anyone.
Seeing that he wouldn't say anything, his son didn't press him, but simply said, "The immortals from the Nine Mountains Sect have come to town!"
" Nine Mountains Sect?"
His eldest son whispered, "Father, you don't know, do you? Our main family... it seems they betrayed the Nine Mountains Sect, and now they've all vanished!"
Old Man Xie's face twitched. "Betrayal?"
His eldest son quickly comforted him, "Father, don't be afraid. I heard that the Nine Mountains Sect doesn't care if you're not related to immortals."
Old Man Xie nodded gently, his heart finally at ease.
But then there was a sudden knock on the door. Old Man Xie shuddered and looked at the person outside, feeling a chill run down his spine.
A young man stood at the doorway, dressed in a long robe that resembled a Daoist robe, with nine mountains embroidered on the hem.
Old Man Xie had never seen this long robe before, but after the young master became an immortal, he once wore a similar outfit when he returned home!
The Nine Mountains Sect has arrived!
The young man looked at him curiously before smiling gently and saying, "Was I too abrupt in coming?"
Old Man Xie hurriedly said, "No! No! Who are you?"
"I am a disciple of the Nine Mountains Sect, and this area is now under the jurisdiction of the Nine Mountains Sect. I am here to inform you that each household should send a few capable people to the town at noon the day after tomorrow."
"Noon the day after tomorrow! Okay, I understand!"
The Nine Mountains disciple smiled and nodded, and then went from house to house, carefully notifying each and every one of them before leaving the village.
The entire Xie family watched the disciple leave from afar, and upon returning home, they continued to excitedly discuss it.
"An immortal! An immortal has come to our house in person, and he even spoke to us and smiled at me!"
A little grandson was jumping around, extremely happy.
Old Man Xie had his eyes closed, but the corner of his eye on his cheekbone twitched.
"Sir, when you go to town to see the immortal the day after tomorrow, could you take me with you?"
"I want to go too!"
Bang!
Old Man Xie suddenly slammed his fist on the table, causing the ceramic bowls on it to fly an inch into the air.
"Immortals... what's so good about immortals?"
The Xie family members all looked at him, not knowing why he was angry, and could only watch Old Man Xie, hunched over, silently went into the room.
Although he didn't want to see the immortals of the Nine Mountains Sect again, Old Man Xie didn't dare not go to town; on the contrary, he had to go on time.
At noon, tens of thousands of people gathered in an open space in the town.
Old Man Xie squeezed into the crowd. Because of his advanced age, his eldest son was worried and came along as well.
The crowd was dense and dark. Old Xie was old and his back was bent, so he couldn't see anything ahead.
Suddenly, a large, glowing painting floated above their heads.
The painting is a full five zhang long and three zhang high.
Old Man Xie looked up and saw a painted image in the background. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was the stage in front of him.
He was familiar with this stage; in the past, when he went to the market, there would be opera troupes performing a few shows.
On the stage, several disciples dressed in the Nine Mountains Daoist robes stood, and a young girl walked out; it was Xiao Qing.
Her figure appeared tall and imposing in the light screen. Xiao Qing looked up at herself, her expression suddenly turning shy. She tightened her small face and said:
"Fellow villagers! We are disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect. From this day forward, this place belongs to the Nine Mountains Sect!"
The audience below fell silent, as if they were all stunned by this miraculous feat.
"Regardless of the past rules, from this day forward, only the rules of my Nine Mountains Sect will apply!" With that, Xiao Qing's gaze swept across the crowd. "No one, not even a disciple of my Nine Mountains Sect, can violate the rules of my Nine Mountains Sect!"
"The rules of my Nine Mountains Sect are posted on the wall at the market entrance. You can go and see them, and remember them."
"If any of you violate this rule, the disciples of the Nine Mountains will take responsibility!"
"Disciples of the Nine Mountains who violate this rule will be dealt with by the sect's Enforcement Pavilion!"
"We all have Recording Talisman to prove we're on missions. If you still have grievances, I'll tell you how to get justice!"
The audience was mostly made up of villagers, and they didn't really feel anything when they heard what he said.
However, some of them had dealings with the previous Immortal Sect, and upon hearing this, they couldn't help but exchange glances.
Old Man Xie felt particularly conflicted as he listened. A cold smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, which he quickly pursed.
Xiao Qing didn't say much. This kind of thing couldn't be convinced in a day or two. She simply said:
"I've summoned you here today for only one thing!"
"Renew the land deeds!"
These words were met with a buzz of discussion from the audience.
Even Old Man Xie couldn't help but prick up his ears.
"Each household shall be allocated ten mu of land according to the number of able-bodied adults!"
"The existing land deeds will not be invalidated. If the acreage is insufficient, the difference will be made up according to the number of adult males!"
Xiao Qing's words made the audience even happier.
This is a plan made by the master based on the current number of fields held by the Nine Mountains Sect.
Those sects and Lineage have all fled, leaving behind large areas of high-quality land, which has become ownerless.
The Nine Mountains Sect has no shortage of food; only by distributing these fields as soon as possible can they win over the hearts of the people.
She waited until the murmurs below the stage subsided before speaking:
"Land tax: for each household with less than fifty mu, two-tenths of the land tax shall be levied!"
"From fifty to one hundred mu, the tax is three-tenths!"
"Above a hundred acres..."
Old Man Xie listened as his breathing became increasingly rapid, and he almost thought he was being poisoned...
Having served as a manager and seen the world, he immediately understood that this tax system was aimed at large families and even subtly encouraged people to split up their households.
The problem is, this tax rate is too low!
In the past, those powerful families who took half of the harvest were considered to be virtuous and benevolent.
"Two-tenths tax? Is that really true?"
Someone in the audience shouted.
Xiao Qing looked up at them and saw that everyone's eyes were filled with doubt, longing, and even a sense of being in a dream.
"Really!" Xiao Qing said with a serious expression, "This tax system will also be written at the market entrance!"
"The reason we've gathered everyone here today is to count the population and determine the acreage of land allocated to each household. As for the specific locations where each household will be allocated land, that will require a decision from within the family!"
It wasn't until late at night that Old Man Xie finally returned home, accompanied by his eldest son.
They were originally tenant farmers without their own land, and this time they were compensated according to the number of able-bodied men.
With one son, two sons, and two adult grandsons, his family suddenly had fifty acres of land!
"Our own land!"
Beside the dining table, his youngest son muttered to himself, repeating himself over and over.
"If I finish the job in a year, I can keep 80%?"
"Is it really 80%?"
"How can they possibly finish it?"
Old Man Xie listened to his youngest son asking his eldest son a series of questions, his emotions grew increasingly complicated.
After the eldest son repeatedly assured him that he hadn't misremembered a single word, the younger son plopped down on the wooden stool and muttered to himself:
"This... this feels like a dream..."
The others at the dinner table were also all smiles.
Only Old Man Xie remained silent.
"Sir, why are you frowning?"
His most beloved little grandson clung to his leg, his face full of innocent concern.
"..." He stroked his grandson's head and asked softly, "Do you want to go outside?"
"Outside?"
"It's not in the village."
"In town? Grandpa, are you going to take me to town to play?"
"It's a very far place, I'm not coming back."
His little grandson frowned slightly and bit his finger:
"A very far place? Dad told me that we'll have land in the future, and we won't go hungry anymore. If we go to a very far place, will we still have land?"
"..."
"Won't you go hungry?"
Old Man Xie paused for a long time before softly saying, "What if one could become an immortal?"
"Become an immortal? I'll do it!"
The little grandson jumped up and shouted with joy.
Several more days passed, Old Man Xie still hadn't found suitable carriages and manpower. The main reason was that everyone was busy tending to their fields, and no caravans were going out.
His little grandson ran in.
"Grandfather!"
Seeing that he was running so fast he almost fell, Old Man Xie quickly steadied his shoulder and asked, "What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"It doesn't have to be far!" His grandson exclaimed a few times.
"What?"
"Becoming an immortal doesn't require going to far-off places!" the grandson exclaimed.
Old Man Xie still didn't understand, but then his grandson quickly said, "The immortal wants to build... build..."
"... What should we build?"
"Build a school!" His eldest son rushed in, his face beaming with joy. "Everyone in the village is saying we're sending our kids to school for free!"
"If you study hard, you'll not only learn to read and write, but you'll also be able to do math, and you might even be selected by the Nine Mountains Sect to cultivate immortality!"
(End of this chapter)