The Way of the Sages; Chen Fan's Plan!

A ruthless, greedy gleam flashed in the River God's eyes, and an eager smile crept onto his lips.

Young Master Chen, now that our deal is done, may I take my leave?

"Of course. Divine Lord, be my guest. Just make sure the soldiers under your command keep carrying out the deal!"

Chen Fan nodded, then glanced at the Fish Head River God in puzzlement.

How had this guy gotten confident again in the space of a moment?

"Good. For the time being, you are to obey the orders given here in Zhao Family Village. Understood?"

The Fish Head River God gave his subordinates their orders, then turned and plunged into the river.

Once the River God had left, the River Demons all visibly relaxed.

Seeing this, Chen Fan knew he had to step in. "Generals, please help us carry this silt into the fields and spread it out.

"You can pay with incense offerings, too. You can agree on the price with the village chief!

"Oh, this isn't part of the mud-digging deal, so you don't have to hand any of it over!"

At Chen Fan's enticing offer, the River Demons perked right up.

"Why didn't you say there'd be incense offerings sooner?" they thought, rushing toward the village chief.

Faced with the River Demons' hideous, bizarre appearances, the village chief turned deathly pale.

Though he knew they wouldn't hurt him, he still couldn't help feeling afraid.

As the River Demons charged, he stumbled backward in terror.

Chen Fan's mouth twitched. Come on, village chief, show a little backbone!

"Xiao Fan, come help me! I—I can't handle this!"

The Way of the Sages, Chen Fan's Plan

"Xiao Fan, I can't do this! Hurry over!"

Hearing the village chief call for help, Chen Fan helplessly patted his forehead.

This wretched village would fall apart sooner or later without me.

Chen Fan gave the village chief a disappointed look, then glanced at the group of fearsome River Demons.

After a brief silence, he turned to Zhang Tianshou and said solemnly, "Tianshou, didn't you want to learn a few things from me?

"I'll leave these River Demons in your hands. Can you manage them?"

Hearing Chen Fan's earnest words, a hint of delight appeared on Zhang Tianshou's face.

Why did so many immortals, gods, demons, and monsters want to follow the sages of the human race?

It was because those who worked alongside a human sage and contributed to the human race would receive rewards from humanity when the sage ascended to Huoyun Cave.

And if the sage's path aligned with the workings of the Heavenly Dao, they would also receive abundant merit and fortune.

Now Chen Fan had entrusted this matter to her. It meant he had accepted her—and was offering Zhang Tianshou merit and fortune.

"Really? Thank you, sir!"

Zhang Tianshou's eyes brimmed with delight. Who would have thought that coming down here for a bit of fun could bring her such a great opportunity?

As a princess of the Heavenly Court, Zhang Tianshou was hardly short on opportunities.

But how could the Heavenly Court's treasures compare with merit and fortune?

"Congratulations, Eldest Sister!" Zhang Tianxian said happily.

Then Zhang Tianxian's eyes darted about, and she leaned close to Zhang Tianshou to whisper, "Eldest Sister, does this Mr. Zhang really like you?"

"What are you talking about?" Zhang Tianshou's expression changed, and she scolded Zhang Tianxian.

But Zhang Tianxian had seen the tips of Zhang Tianshou's ears turn red.

"How could he not? You're breathtakingly beautiful. Who wouldn't fall for you?

"And don't tell me you didn't hear what those two brothers, Dazhuang and the other one, just said!"

Zhang Tianxian teased her with a grin, and Zhang Tianshou's cheeks visibly reddened.

Chen Fan saw that Zhang Tianshou had agreed, but she still hadn't come over.

Puzzled, he strode toward her.

Right, that was the reason. It definitely wasn't because the village chief was running over with a bunch of River Demons behind him.

"Eldest Sister, hurry! Your sir is coming over!"

Zhang Tianxian put both hands on Zhang Tianshou's back and pushed her forward.

"Tianshou, what's going on?"

"Mr. Chen, my sister has something to tell you. Don't you, Eldest Sister?"

Zhang Tianxian poked her head out from behind Zhang Tianshou and said with a grin.

Zhang Tianshou smacked Zhang Tianxian in annoyance and pulled her out from behind her.

"Go teach those River Demons some manners. When Xiao Qi gets back, have her help you manage them."

Zhang Tianshou wasn't one to keep all the benefits to herself. She immediately passed the opportunity to her younger sister.

Chen Fan had no objection. As long as he didn't have to manage them, that was fine by him.

At first, benefits alone wouldn't be enough to make the River Demons obey the rules.

Demons feared force, not kindness. Someone had to keep them in check.

Once the rules were established, it would be much easier to recruit other demons and monsters.

By then, the River Demons would have gotten used to the rules and would already be benefiting from them.

Naturally, they would defend Zhao Family Village's rules of their own accord.

"Since Fifth Young Lady is willing, I couldn't be more pleased. Tianshou, what did you want to tell me?"

Chen Fan nodded. Zhang Tianxian then stepped out from behind Zhang Tianshou.

She gave Zhang Tianshou an approving look, then smiled at Chen Fan. "Sir, from now on, please call me Tian Xian!"

Chen Fan looked at Zhang Tianxian, completely at a loss. He had the feeling she'd suddenly become much friendlier toward him.

The next moment, Azure Cloud sleeves shot out and hoisted two water demons into the air.

"Quiet! One strand of incense for every ten mu of land. That's the price.

"Anyone who dares complain again will end up in a pot, boiled!"

As Zhang Tianxian flew into a rage, the River Demons immediately fell silent.

With Zhang Tianxian holding them in check, the village chief finally got to put his skills to use.

Seeing everything unfold according to plan, Chen Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Tianshou, is something the matter?"

Zhang Tianshou had recovered by now. She twirled a lock of hair over her shoulder and spoke softly.

"Sir, I don't think the River God will keep his word.

"Besides, the River God has taken all the incense offerings from the deals, leaving the little demons with nothing. If things continue this way, I'm afraid the deal won't be able to go on."

Zhang Tianshou furrowed her brows as she voiced her concerns.

The way of the sages of the human race was admirable, but it wasn't guaranteed to succeed.

If Chen Fan's plans failed, then the more Heavenly Dao and humanity had rewarded him before, the greater the backlash he would face afterward.