Clear Dew Mountain's peak.
Ma Ping raised a hand and pointed toward the mountainside, where dozens of gray-tiled houses stood scattered about. He introduced them to Jiang Fu'an at his side. "Fellow Daoist Jiang, look. Those are all mortals attached to our Wang Family.
"They normally tend the fruit groves across the entire mountain, as well as the several thousand mu of fertile farmland below.
"After you take over, it would be best to continue employing them.
"After all, our Wang Family promised them long ago that they could live here in peace for generations."
Jiang Fu'an immediately replied, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Ma. Once Jiang takes over, everything will remain as it was."
He agreed readily. There was truly no need to offend the Wang Family over such a trivial matter.
Besides, even if he did dismiss these mortals who favored the Wang Family,
where would he find another group of hands so loyal to him in such a short time?
Ma Ping nodded and turned toward the cluster of residences at the center of the mountaintop.
As he walked, he continued his introduction. "This is our Wang Family's Ancestral Home. It covers quite a large area—five courtyards from front to back, over three hundred rooms in total, and three gardens.
"That Spirit Spring is in the western garden. I'll take you to have a look."
Jiang Fu'an nodded and led the three children after him.
The group passed through two moon gates and rounded a screen wall. The view before them suddenly opened up.
It was a garden of roughly half a mu.
Yet the sight within made them pause in surprise.
The soil had been churned into a complete mess, as though it had been repeatedly plowed. Where flowers and grass should have grown, there was now