Sometimes, Meng Zhao found himself wondering why the Dan Chi Clan insisted on living deep in the mountains. The environment was far too harsh, the dangers they faced were too numerous, and tragedies involving grievous casualties happened all too often.
After all, in this high-martial world, mountains and oceans alike were forbidden zones humanity had yet to conquer. They were the domains of ferocious beasts, where humans could only struggle to survive alongside them.
Later, Meng Zhao figured it out. If the Dan Chi Clan did not live in such an environment, if they lived in cities like ordinary people, their hearts would gradually be eroded. They would grow accustomed to comfort and ease, losing the distinctive wildness of the Dan Chi people. Then there would be no talk of breeding elite soldiers.
Besides, they had lived in the mountains for too long and were utterly out of place with the outside world. Even if they wished to leave the mountains, it would not be an easy matter.
As Meng Zhao pondered these things, he described to Ji Rulin the lavish, decadent lives of great aristocrats, scions of influential families, powerful officials, and wealthy magnates. From the smallest details to the grandest picture, everything was refined and exquisite.
Ji Rulin listened with his eyes wide and mouth agape, filled with envy.
That was not difficult to understand. When an ordinary person earning only a few thousand a month heard about the extravagant and polished lives of the ultra-rich, intense envy naturally arose. They were all human, so why was the gap so immense?
Envy was, in truth, the beginning of yearning. Meng Zhao intended to use that emotion to stir Ji Rulin's mind. He did not expect him to do anything at once; planting a seed was enough.
Meng Zhao