Afterword: The Climb Was Only to Come Back Down

"Family members, family members!"

"What beautiful scenery at Hefeng Ridge! These mountains! These waters!"

"Let's take a look at the local earth god temple in the distance! After you're done, come to me and get some 'Divine Water'!"

Wood Plark, carrying a large megaphone, beckoned to Daoist Master Ping'an's young apprentice to set up a stage, and then took out more than two hundred tin cans from his baggage.

Jiang Xueming couldn't understand what was inside the large suitcase as soon as it was opened.

He only knew that Daoist Master Ping'an and Teacher Wu De had come, but he had no idea why they had come or what they wanted to do.

After he finished defeating the monster as part of the violent organization, these two shameless old men immediately followed, seemingly having timed it perfectly, just waiting for the nameless man to fire the first shot.

The adults in Hefeng Town haven't completely returned to being "human." Beating them with Peeling Tree only changes their physical appearance; living a long and healthy life is another problem altogether.

Such extreme situations have occurred in the past during expeditions. In some cases, even when most of the residents of a region or town have become Blood-giving Monster, human infants still survive. If the massacre of the city were to take place, hundreds or thousands of orphans would be left to wander the streets, living a life worse than death.

These complex issues have traditionally been handled with a comprehensive logistical and administrative system, including comforting the offender's family and providing opportunities for those with knowledge of the crime and those involved to undergo labor reform. The railway is capable of resolving these issues.

But Chabang has no railway.

Xue Ming wasn't in a hurry to chase after Zhao Jianying; he just wanted to stay in Hefeng Town and see what tricks Teacher Wu would pull.

Until the clan elders from the village and town all arrived to receive the blessing of the Peeling Tree, these old fools, being quite advanced in age, were rapidly developing their bestiality. They immediately sought out Zhang Guiren to ask for a chance to transform back into humans.

At this point, Luo Ping'an instructed his apprentice to take over Jiang Xueming's work.

"Bring me the skinning magic weapon to do things for Zhang Guiren."

The young apprentice nodded in agreement. "So, we're asking the townspeople to call upon their blood relatives to help, to get sixteen drops of blood from the fingertips of the infants, to be taken with sticky rice over two or three days? Is that correct?"

Luo Ping'an: "I don't care whether it's sticky rice or glutinous rice; I can eat any grain."

"What about blood relatives?" the young apprentice asked, scratching his head.

Luo Ping'an: "We're all family, so our blood typing is a good match. If we used someone else's blood, these blood-transplanted freaks might not even be able to get enough to eat. What if one day someone runs away from Hefeng Town to the Nine Realms and takes their child for a paternity test, only to find out they have Uncle Wang's DNA from next door—wouldn't that be incredibly embarrassing?"

"Oh, I understand now." The apprentice immediately went to work.

When Jiang Xueming had a moment to spare, she went up to Luo Ping'an and asked in a low voice.

"Master Ping An, you summoned your disciple to Hefeng Town for this matter, are you planning to have him stay there permanently?"

"This..." Luo Ping'an hugged his knees, and he and Jiang Xueming sat together on a low stool by the town's hearth, choosing a millstone to sit on and bask in the sun. "This little Kuang..."

He pointed to his apprentice.

"He has four brothers, and after some calculation, I found that their names perfectly matched the fairy's wishes for Pearl Fairy, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. So I brought him down the mountain."

"Among the four brothers, he is the Youngest. His three older brothers are Kuang Zhijian, Kuang Zhiqiang, and Kuang Zhigang. He is Kuang Zhiyi—strong and resolute. He has great perseverance and willpower."

"The task of sewing leather bags for people in Hefeng Town will be entrusted to him."

"Young man, you have more important matters to attend to; you should go elsewhere."

Jiang Xueming: "Should I continue towards the capital?"

Luo Ping'an nodded. "Hey, when you pass by my Wuling Mountain, come to the main hall to divide the spoils—no, I mean, to get the communication tools, which are the elixirs."

Jiang Xueming asked in surprise, "Have you already made some progress?"

"Then we must arrange it? Your teachers caused quite a ruckus in Xiantai Prefecture." Luo Ping'an continued, "Lord Wood and I found out about it and rushed over day and night."

Jiang Xueming's confidence soared. If he could obtain the elixir, even just one of them—

--In this desolate place where there isn't even radio, Judas is sure to be given a surprise.

This is the enemy's radio station. If Judas's communications are cut off, he won't be able to contact the various states and caves, and he won't be able to obtain the other immortal embryos. This will definitely break through the defenses.

After thinking about all this, Jiang Xueming continued to ask.

"Brother Kuang Zhiyi has been staying here all this time? That's a matter of two or three generations. Black Wind Town used to have Blood Ceremony, and almost everyone who came of age and started a family was poisoned by the Rejuvenation Pill—turning into a hybrid of a calamity beast, they could no longer be human."

"Let him guard Hefeng Ridge and restore the green hills and clear waters to this mountain town. This is a great and meritorious deed." Luo Ping'an's messenger's explanation was quite eloquent, and he also explained the reasons behind it, "When I first traveled to the southwest, I saw a mountain village that worshipped ghosts and Buddhas. Among them were the Kuang family. At that time, I was weak and alone, and I did not have any magical treasures. I could only try to fight the demons in the village to the death - in the end, we both suffered heavy losses."

"The demon won't live much longer. He wants to take the villagers with him. I'll save as many as I can, including the Kuang brothers' parents, Grandfather, and maternal grandparents."

"This kid has good talent. He's learned a lot under my tutelage. Apart from his senior sister, he's the most outstanding disciple I've seen in recent years. Isn't it perfect for him to stay here?"

Jiang Xueming: "Since this young man has such good spiritual talent, wouldn't it be a waste of his talent to guard Hefeng Ridge?"

"Hey, this place is nothing like the Nine Realms," Luo Ping'an reminded him.

Jiang Xueming suddenly realized. "Oh!"

Judging from the strength of the BOSS's training cards, it is not afraid of the death of talented people at all, because it is constantly casting spells from a distance to bless these heroes and protect these warriors.

However, Daoist Master Ping'an did not have that ability. There was never a shortage of new talent in the Gate of Wonders. They were all natives of Shambhala introduced by the Rootless Tree sect. They were meticulous and down-to-earth, and they grew slowly through these experiences of going down the mountain to train.

"I don't want him to stay for twenty or thirty years," Luo Ping'an explained. "Once he has overcome his tribulation, someone will naturally come to take his place. I'm counting down the days."

Jiang Xueming, not understanding, asked, "Tribulation?"

Luo Ping'an changed his approach, explaining it in plain language.

He pointed to the wives, concubines, and children in the village elder's house.

"Did you see that? Did you see that? Did you see that?"

Jiang Xueming: "Where?"

Luo Ping'an: "Don't you have any eyes for beautiful women, kid?"

Jiang Xueming: "Oh, oh, oh, oh."

"You need to have eyes to see beauty!" Luo Ping'an emphasized, "The Chen family has lost men. Whether the Buddha Sculptor died in the battle with the Hundred Eyes or was tortured by the sun when the beastification disease broke out, he died."

"And look at this pretty widow's figure?"

"Look closely, asking my disciple to perform acts of charity is also a test for him."

"The skinning tool in his hand isn't a magic tool at all. It's the imperial jade seal of Hefeng Town —he needs to hold onto it firmly, and hold onto it with a clear conscience."

"Besides beautiful women, there's silver and treasure, and the interference of these six landlords. What business is it of yours, gunsmith, to concern yourself with these trivial and insignificant matters?"

"These are all tests, they are tests."

"Once he successfully transcends his tribulation, just like you, and his eyes are no longer filled with these things, and his heart is empty, then I can put the path of the Rootless Tree into it."

"I'll find a suitable apprentice to replace him later. This isn't some demon's lair or monster's den; it's just my extracurricular activity room for cultivating my mind."

Jiang Xueming then realized what Daoist Master Ping'an meant. Looking at Brother Kuang Zhiyi, he was already sweating profusely. He had just cured Aunt Chen when two young girls immediately squeezed up to him, wanting to donate blood for their father. The girls were lively and, seeing that this pure and innocent young Daoist priest was fair-skinned, they immediately went over to ask about his family background, ready to start a high-intensity debate.

"What if the young man can't get past this hurdle? What if he's bewitched by the beautiful woman and blinded by the magical artifact?" Jiang Xueming asked casually.

Luo Ping'an chuckled, opened the two Wisdom Swords, and fiddled with a pair of bright yellow silk robes, revealing sixty-six small bells on his outer robe.

"The Summoning Bell is here; it's an invaluable tool. Whenever his mind is troubled, this bell will ring. I'll go to his door and talk to him. If he remains obstinate, I'll grant him a chance at marriage, let him settle down, start a family, and go live a normal life down the mountain."

Jiang Xueming: "Isn't it a pity?"

Luo Ping'an: "Going up the mountain is for coming down; there's no regret about it. Cultivation depends on the individual."

Jiang Xueming: "Speaking of this, I'm reminded of Xiao Qi's teacher."

"Oh!" Luo Ping'an immediately tensed up when he talked about this disciple.

Jiang Xueming: "Does the Rootless Tree have any rules and regulations? Does the Master mean that one should not have worldly desires?"

"Not really." Luo Ping'an pursed his lips, knowing he couldn't lie.

Jiang Xueming: "Teacher A Ling is with her passengers. Are they still considered your disciples?"

"Of course it counts. He likes to visit people during holidays and ask for red envelopes, using the excuse that he's not married to rip me off." Luo Ping'an squinted, his face full of anger. "I'm not talking about that rebellious disciple!"

"Let me tell you, this matter isn't that simple. But it is also somewhat simple."

Jiang Xueming: "I hate riddle tellers."

"That means," Luo Ping'an explained, "That my students will eventually go abroad for further studies, to see the Nine Realms, and perhaps even to the mortal world to broaden their horizons. I can't say whether they'll want to come back—it's all uncertain."

"As for their finding a partner, I only have one requirement."

"I'm such an old bachelor and I still haven't found a partner, or rather, oh dear, oh dear."

Before he could finish speaking, Master Ping'an's right arm disobeyed his will and grabbed the old lecher's ear.

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"

It took a while for Zhen to catch his breath.

"I think it's a good thing that they want to date freely, but they should talk about true love and be genuine people."

Ping An makes hand gestures and expresses himself very clearly.

"What is true love? It's lust."

"Being lustful means being lustful for a lifetime, and only loving one person. Even if your partner gets old and ugly, you still need great determination and perseverance to go all out with your lover."

Jiang Xueming: "That makes a lot of sense."

"Since Su Ling can do it, she's confident she can be with Xia Xia." Luo Ping'an became nonchalant. "Our sect doesn't have that strict rule—if you want to cultivate, you must become a true person and talk about true love."

"Unfortunately, where in this materialistic world can you find so much true love? People get together for money, for a heavily made-up appearance, for family background and future prospects."

What was originally a marriage proposal has turned into a business of prostitution.

"This is not my path; I do not follow this principle."

After finishing these trivial matters, Jiang Xueming asked about the important business.

"What is Mr. Wood doing? What is he going to do with all these cans?"

Looking towards the center of the fire pit, Kuang Zhiyi saw off one household, and Wu De picked up another, starting to use some pyramid scheme rhetoric, talking about his fellow villagers—his mercenary manner was just like Chen Fugui's.

Luo Ping'an took a tin can out of his clothes and handed it to Xue Ming.

Jiang Xueming asked in confusion, "This? Divine Water?"

Luo Ping'an: "Open it."

Jiang Xueming unscrewed the cap and smelled a familiar scent—

--That was something he hadn't drunk for a very, very long time, almost half a year.

Since being given a new body, his weight and height have changed. In order to maintain bone density, he has given up carbonated drinks, and the beverage in this can is cola.

"Huh? What is Mr. Wood going to do?"

"Teach them how to make Coca-Cola," Luo Ping'an said with a smile, "And don't charge them."

Whether in the mundane world or the underworld, Coca-Cola is a best-selling beverage everywhere.

"There are three of the most magical and best-selling drinks in the world, all forged in fire and sublimated in water."

"Stir-frying tea leaves, roasting coffee, and making caramel."

"This is one of Lord Wood's signature tricks. Whenever he encounters a troublesome lazybones or a vagrant with no skills, he makes them make cola—it doesn't require much technical skill. A barrel of raw cola is mixed, sent to Sendai for packaging and transportation, and then mixed with soda water in Eureka."

Seeing that Jiang Xueming refused to drink, Luo Ping'an took the canned food and drank it himself.

"You mean this is free?" Jiang Xueming didn't quite understand. "How did Mr. Wood convince them to do this?"

Luo Ping'an: "He has plenty of ways. The Western Continent was once a barren wasteland, but now everyone drives cars, there are more than twenty flights, and they even have large airplanes. Lord Wood's skills are almost all focused on domestic affairs. He has slowly transformed a primeval forest into a modern civilization. You don't need to worry about him."

"And also..."

"This guy is very shrewd. He said he wouldn't charge money, but like every old capitalist, he'll probably start by providing production standards, methods, and transportation routes."

"Then comes the sales process, including shipping and guidance fees."

"Finally, there's brand value and corporate culture. These things, taken individually, are all valuable."

"However, Lord Wood's greatest strength is that he is good at keeping accounts, so he is naturally tough enough not to be falsely accused or suspected, and he doesn't need to hang himself on a street lamp."

"When he first arrived in the Nine Realms, the BOSS wanted him to be a think tank minister—but he wasn't in a hurry. He returned to the mortal world, went to Florida to take the bar exam, worked at a law firm for a few years, and joined a lobbying team. Later, he did political donations for President Kennedy, and then smoothly went to the CIA to do international relations-related work, finally serving on the An Li Hui."

"They went through a huge detour and carefully made their way back to the BOSS."

Luo Ping'an shrugged, grinning dismissively.

"I don't have that much ability, so naturally I don't have that many worries and concerns. When other people think about something, they may have already thought five or six steps ahead. I'm more down-to-earth and take it one step at a time."

After a long day, Wood finally finished work. Explaining the effects of the Divine Water to the villagers in the mountain town was quite a struggle. He was almost speechless from talking so much.

"Hey!" Wood returned to Xue Ming's side and plopped down on the millstone.

Jiang Xueming: "Thank you for your hard work, teacher."

Wood pointed to the smoke rising from the houses beside the hearth. "Troublemakers!"

Jiang Xueming: "What happened?"

Wood: "I knew it! This Hefeng Ridge has iron and copper, as well as vast areas of beehives and fertile fields. The yield of corn sugar or cane sugar must be quite high. Add maltose, and the annual output must be at least a hundred or eighty tons."

"When these words were spoken, the faces of the clan chiefs turned sour—they wanted to brew wine and wanted to make a lot of it."

"My blood pressure was high at the time—wasn't Bai Mu caused by your drinking?"

The elders' expressions darkened further upon hearing this; their guard had been broken.

"I quickly tried to smooth things over, but we couldn't agree on the money."

"Initially, we agreed that I would provide the labor and they would provide the materials. I would handle the sales channels, packaging, and transportation. Each catty would cost five silver dollars. Next quarter, I would swindle a few—no, I mean, a few scholars from Sendai to teach, so that their sons could make something of themselves."

"And then what happened?"

Wood clapped his hands.

"If these ugly words get out, they'll become stubborn and unreasonable, refusing to listen to reason. They'll expect me, a celestial being, to kneel down and apologize to them."

"I need to think of a way to get them to drink, and then use some underhanded tactics. While they're drinking, I'll tear off their skin and say that alcohol is poison that turns you into a demon. Superstition is a good thing—otherwise, this will be difficult to handle."

Jiang Xueming was both amused and exasperated.

Throughout the year, Teacher Wood was constantly on the go. During the expedition, he was as busy as a headless fly. He was finding ways to make a living in areas plagued by Spirit Calamity, trying to revitalize communities that were rotten to the core, receiving all sorts of people, and discussing all sorts of things.

"You go ahead with your work, I'll go do mine."

Wood nodded and crawled away from the millstone.

"You go ahead and kill as many as you want! We'll have plenty of opportunities to meet again!"