A divine manifestation?

Sensing Wang Tianye's gaze, Lu Chenyang immediately frowned and looked over with cold, piercing eyes.

Their eyes met, their gazes clashing in midair as though sparks had flown.

Wang Tianye had anger bottled up inside him. Unwilling to show weakness, his gaze turned equally cold.

Seeing this, Lu Chenyang's temper flared as well. He had never expected Wang Tianye to actually dare confront him head-on.

He snorted. "Commander Wang, are you suggesting that the girl on the platform got there through her connection to me?"

Wang Tianye raised his chin slightly. "I never said that. If Dean Lu insists on fitting himself into that description, there's nothing I can do."

Their barbed exchange immediately drew everyone's attention.

The dignitaries in the stands turned their eyes toward Wang Tianye and Lu Chenyang.

"Wang Tianye, explain yourself." Lu Chenyang narrowed his eyes, a sharp, oppressive aura rising from him.

Seeing two of his leading subordinates about to clash, Xiang Chuxiong coughed softly. "Enough from both of you. So what if someone used a connection? It's hardly a serious matter. Is it worth fighting over?"

With the city lord intervening, neither Lu Chenyang nor Wang Tianye dared continue.

Just then, Tao Yaoyao gave a lilting laugh. "Commander Wang has misunderstood Dean Lu. I was the one who recommended this girl.

"Her name is Chen Tiantian. I happened to meet her and found her brimming with spirit. Since the Spirit Medium selection was taking place, I sent her over to give it a try."

With that, she turned her gaze toward the crowd where Chen Shi'an stood, her lips curling slightly.

Chen Shi'an was a man of lowly status, yet he had used a single manuscript of poems to set her, Lu Chenyang, and Wang Tianye in motion.

That feeling made her deeply uncomfortable.

She was more than happy to stir up a little trouble for Chen Shi'an.

Hearing the name Chen Tiantian, Lu Chenyang frowned slightly.

He seemed to have heard that name somewhere before.

Only now did Wang Tianye realize he had misunderstood Lu Chenyang, inwardly blaming himself for being too impulsive.

Xiang Chuxiong laughed heartily. "You two started tearing into each other before you even understood what happened."

Then he gave Wang Tianye a meaningful look.

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Tianye forced a smile and cupped his hands slightly toward Lu Chenyang. "Dean Lu, it was all a misunderstanding. Please don't hold it against me."

Lu Chenyang snorted softly. "The Spirit Medium selection isn't under the City Guard Battalion's jurisdiction. Commander Wang seems to have a great deal of free time lately."

Wang Tianye did not retaliate again, merely keeping an awkward smile on his face.

"Enough."

Xiang Chuxiong waved a hand. "This matter ends here. You are both pillars of this stronghold. Stop squabbling over such chicken feathers and garlic skins.

"The Flowing Stone Stronghold is eyeing the iron mine at West Mountain Hollow like a hungry tiger. We should be cooperating wholeheartedly and presenting a united front against outsiders."

At those words, the stronghold's dignitaries in the stands all frowned, concern appearing on their faces.

"City Lord, the Flowing Stone Stronghold's attacks are growing fiercer and more frequent. Even with the Demon Hunting Team stationed there, the situation hasn't improved.

"If we don't take decisive measures, I fear we won't be able to hold the West Mountain Hollow iron mine," an old man with a round face said gravely.

After a brief silence, a man in blue spoke. "The Demon Hunting Team is strong, but it has far too few members. If it were twice its current size, we would surely have nothing to worry about at West Mountain Hollow."

"Twice its size?"

Wang Tianye sneered. "The Demon Hunting Team selects and replenishes its members from the City Guard Battalion. Every promising recruit gets skimmed off the top by Fu Qingyang.

"If you double the Demon Hunting Team's size, do you still want a City Guard Battalion?"

"Isn't the Demon Hunting Team part of the City Guard Battalion? It's simply moving something from the left hand to the right. Why must Commander Wang draw such a sharp distinction?" the man in blue countered.

Anger showed on Wang Tianye's face. "The Demon Hunting Team is indeed part of the City Guard Battalion, but when has Fu Qingyang ever shown any regard for me as his commander?"

The man in blue was clearly no pushover either. "The situation at West Mountain Hollow concerns the safety of our entire stronghold.

"The conflict between Fu Qingyang and Commander Wang is merely an internal coordination issue within the City Guard Battalion.

"Everyone here should understand which carries more weight."

Wang Tianye snorted. "I don't care how many times you increase the Demon Hunting Team's size, but stop asking the City Guard Battalion for men!"

The man in blue was about to continue when Xiang Chuxiong waved a hand and said darkly, "We are selecting a Reserve Divination Medium right now. We'll discuss West Mountain Hollow and the Demon Hunting Team later!"

Like the children before her, Chen Tiantian wrote out the Spirit Script under the black-robed elder's guidance, then carried it slowly toward the God Altar.

Chen Shi'an held his breath, growing tense despite himself.

Soon, Chen Tiantian reached the God Altar. After bowing three times, she stepped forward and slowly lowered the Spirit Script onto it.

Chen Shi'an restrained his pounding heart, his eyes fixed firmly on the Spirit Script.

Just as the Spirit Script was about to settle into place, Chen Tiantian's right hand trembled slightly.

Then the Spirit Script settled securely on the God Altar. Chen Tiantian slowly retreated three steps before quickly moving aside.

The black-robed elder shook his bronze bell and began circling the God Altar.

He had barely completed two circuits when flames suddenly leaped up from the God Altar. The Spirit Script had actually ignited on its own.

The sudden change left the black-robed elder frozen where he stood. The spectators were stunned as well.

At last, Chen Shi'an's heart settled back into place. As he looked at Chen Tiantian, his eyes held both relief and pride.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the square erupted, and people shouted:

"The Spirit Script ignited on its own!"

"The god has manifested! A miracle! Heaven blesses our Windrise Stronghold!"

"This girl actually brought forth a miracle! This is the god's instruction! The god has chosen this girl!"

In the central stands, the dignitaries were equally shocked and astonished. Some even sprang from their chairs in excitement.

Up on the platform, Chen Tiantian was utterly amazed too.

Although Chen Shi'an had told her beforehand that the white phosphorus in the bottle could ignite on its own, she had still harbored some doubts.

Now that the Spirit Script really had burst into flames by itself, she found it unbelievable.

"The god has already chosen her! There's no need to continue the ceremony!"

"She is the Spirit Medium chosen by the god!"

Across the square, the people's voices began to unite.

Still holding his bronze bell aloft, the black-robed elder turned to look at Xiang Chuxiong.

Xiang Chuxiong's eyes flickered as he visibly weighed his options.

Just then, one of the stronghold's senior officials said gravely, "City Lord, flames are soaring above the platform. A stray spark may have landed on the Spirit Script and set it alight. This isn't a divine manifestation..."

Before he could finish, a sudden crack rang out as thunder exploded across the cloudless sky.

The Stronghold official who had spoken turned ashen with fright, sweat pouring off him like rain.

Everyone in the square was startled by the sudden thunderclap, Chen Shi'an included.

He looked up at the sky, which had already returned to normal, and wondered inwardly:

Could gods really exist in this world?

Xiang Chuxiong was startled too, but quickly recovered and pointed straight at Chen Tiantian. "The final selection ends here. She is the Reserve Divination Medium!"

The benefits of becoming a Spirit Medium were plain to see.

Chen Tiantian had barely returned home when someone delivered a Spirit Medium's robes, ritual implements, spellbooks... and ten taels of silver.

They also informed her that, over the coming month, someone would escort Chen Tiantian to and from lessons to teach her how to serve as a Spirit Medium.

The Chen Family was once again filled with joy, and Su Qingrou could not stop smiling.

Their neighbors came one after another to offer congratulations. Zhang Mazi was among them, his smile brighter than anyone else's.

That evening, Chen Tiantian entered Chen Shi'an's room. "Uncle, how did you know about white phosphorus?"

Chen Shi'an smiled. "From a book, of course."

Chen Tiantian shook her head repeatedly. "How come I've never seen a book like that?"

Chen Shi'an brushed a finger over her nose. "How old are you? How many books have you even read?"

Chen Tiantian still did not believe him. "If it's in a book, why have I never heard Father or Mother mention it? The teacher at the private school has never mentioned it either."

The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted. "Perhaps they haven't read enough books."

Chen Tiantian pouted. "Uncle, you're brushing me off. You must be hiding something from us."

Chen Shi'an's smile did not fade. "There are plenty of things I'm hiding from you. For instance, I've been secretly studying hard and practicing my handwriting.

"Little girl, stop seeing ghosts and spirits in everything.

"The world may be in chaos, but reading more books can never hurt.

"It may not be very useful right now, but once we leave the Desolate Ruins, it will be useful. Very useful indeed."

At that point, he turned his gaze toward the window. "Study hard. One day, I'll take you all away from the Windrise Stronghold and out of the Desolate Ruins."

"Really?"

Chen Tiantian's eyes lit up. "Mother once told me that when spring comes to the Sacred Martial Dynasty's royal capital, flowers bloom all over the city... and every Lantern Festival, all kinds of lanterns form a dragon ten li long across the river...

"I really want to see it. I even dream about it.

"Uncle, can you really take us out of the Desolate Ruins?"

Chen Shi'an stroked her head. "I can. I'll definitely take you all out of the Desolate Ruins.

"But you must study hard. Once we've left the Desolate Ruins, how about taking the examinations and bringing me back the title of female top scholar?"

Chen Tiantian smiled sweetly. "Uncle, you're fibbing again. Our teacher said women aren't allowed to take the imperial examinations."

"You've only attended the private school for a few days, yet you already know quite a lot."

Chen Shi'an's eyes filled with fond approval. "If you can't become a female top scholar, then become the greatest female scholar under heaven."

"All right! In the future, I'll become not only the greatest female scholar under heaven, but also the greatest heroine under heaven!" Chen Tiantian lifted her little head proudly.

"You cheeky little girl. You certainly have big ambitions."

Chen Shi'an held out his right hand and hooked his little finger. "That's our promise, then. What do you say?"

"It's a promise!" Chen Tiantian held out her small hand, smiling brightly.

"Tiantian, this is our promise, and it's also our secret. You must keep it. You can't let anyone know," Chen Shi'an reminded her softly.

"Not even Mother?" Chen Tiantian asked quietly.

Chen Shi'an nodded. "Keep it secret for now. When the time is right, I'll tell her myself."

For nearly a month, Chen Tiantian had to study the arts of a Spirit Medium, but she refused to fall behind in her private school lessons.

She often studied the Spirit Medium's arts in the morning, ate lunch at home, then immediately hurried off to the private school.

Su Qingrou worried about how tired she was, but Chen Tiantian worried that the silver spent on her schooling would go to waste.

She was so considerate it made one's heart ache.

Chen Shi'an still prioritized Sword-Draw. Every day, he drew his sword without fail, gradually increasing the Origin Force within him and steadily raising the Sword-Draw count on the Mysterious Stone Stele.

Meanwhile, Su Qingrou's chili sauce business was on track.

Besides the restaurants buying in bulk, neighbors who had tasted the chili sauce before began coming to buy it too, bringing along every aunt and distant relative.

Chen Su Ji's chili sauce gradually made a name for itself and finally began earning silver.

Yet Su Qingrou began to worry.

The stock in the cellar dwindled by the day, and there was a limit to how much chili sauce she could make daily.

At this rate, before long, she would have nothing left to sell.

Chen Shi'an offered a suggestion: set a sales limit based on her stock and how much she could produce herself.

She would sell only a fixed amount each day. Once that amount was reached, she would stop selling.

Chen Shi'an had considered raising the price, but with the long-term goal of turning Chen Su Ji into a brand in mind, he abandoned the idea.

To solve the problem of demand exceeding supply, he had to start with production.

Su Qingrou was already at her limit. He could not keep looking to her for a solution.

Even if she could make a little more, Chen Shi'an would stop her.

Su Qingrou would one day be in charge of Chen Su Ji. She could not remain mired in its most basic work.

Hiring help seemed to be the only solution.

However, making chili sauce was not particularly difficult. Anyone who knew the recipe and mastered a few tricks could easily make it too.

Hiring someone would, in all likelihood, mean training a competitor for himself.

He had also considered separating the stages of chili sauce production, such as making fermented black beans, simmering the spiced oil, stir-frying the sauce ingredients, and so on.

Each hired worker would perform only one stage, while Su Qingrou would handle the final production.

After thinking it over, he rejected that idea as well.

Adopting that division of labor would require hiring at least three people, while also forcing Su Qingrou to devote time and energy to managing them.

Given Chen Su Ji's current sales and scale, there was no need to mount such a large operation yet.

For now, finding Su Qingrou one trustworthy helper would be enough to just about manage.

If he truly could not find someone trustworthy, he had considered whether he should purchase a slave.

In the Desolate Ruins, the various strongholds constantly fought over territory and interests. The women and children of the defeated side were often seized and turned into goods that could be traded.

The Windrise Stronghold had a place specifically for buying and selling slaves: the Slave Market.

However, acquiring a slave was not simply a matter of buying one at the Slave Market. He would also have to pay the slave's city construction tax, making it a long-term investment.

Although buying a slave cost considerably more than hiring help, it would ensure that the chili sauce production method did not spread beyond them.

Chen Shi'an finally decided that once chili sauce sales had stabilized a little, he would discuss it with Su Qingrou and buy a slave at the Slave Market.

Before that, however, he had something more important to deal with.

Only a few days remained of the half-month deadline Lu Chenyang had given him.

Now that Chen Tiantian had become a Reserve Divination Medium, they would not have to worry about Wang Tianye until she turned fourteen.

It was time to settle the matter with Lu Chenyang.