Mo'er Gets Married, the Gun Household Asks a Favor

"Brother Kuai, I've inspected your five acres of spirit fields. The spiritual energy is insufficient; it feels even worse than the spirit fields cultivated in my Zither Leaf Forest. Your choice of farming master was somewhat poor. If you had cultivated the fields in that valley we just passed, the soil fertility would have been much better."

Kang Rongquan grabbed a handful of spirit soil, smelled it, and then turned to Kuai En, who was standing respectfully beside him, and spoke earnestly.

Kuai En smiled ingratiatingly, his face crinkling into wrinkles that resembled a blooming black and yellow chrysanthemum.

After hearing Kang Rongquan's words, he leaned closer and immediately began to flatter him. "These unskilled farmers outside are no match for Brother Kang, who has received the True Disciple of Elder Zhou. It's all because I, your foolish brother, didn't do my research beforehand, and now I've troubled you with all this."

"Well, it's nothing." Kang Rongquan nodded somewhat perfunctorily.

It's true that Kuai En is a smooth talker, but Kang Rongquan has heard so many flattering words these days that even though he likes them, he's become somewhat numb to them.

Therefore, his expression remained indifferent at this moment, and he said instead:

"Brother, there are no high-level Spirit Vein in Dantong Cliff, so the spiritual energy of this land must be insufficient."

So, Brother Kuai, don't expect any harvest in the first year or two. Spirit Valley is impossible to grow. I've met your sons-in-law; they're all incredibly stupid. Even if they could grow it, they definitely wouldn't do it well.

Let's plant a few batches of soybeans first. I'll give you a plan here. For the first year or two, follow the instructions to plant widely but harvest sparingly to improve the soil's fertility. If you have extra money later, you can buy some high-quality spiritual soil to fertilize the fields.

If you do this, and there are no major pest infestations, you might be able to make a profit by the third or fourth year at most.

Kuai En happily accepted it, not caring whether Kang Rongquan's attitude was arrogant or his words were pleasant. Just as Kang Dabao said, although his grand-nephew was good at flattery, he was soft-hearted.

Because of Kuai En's exceptional ability to elicit sympathy, and the fact that the two families were related by marriage, Kang Rongquan only charged half the usual rate for tutoring this time.

Moreover, Kang Rongquan and Kuai En have also agreed that during the busy farming season, the son-in-law of the Kuai Household will be able to do Chongming Sect jobs at Chongmingzong, which will provide the Kuai Household with another stable source of income.

If all he had to do every day was listen to a few unpleasant words to get such benefits, then Kuai En would be more than happy to have someone constantly whispering insults in his ear.

"Please stay a few more days, brother. I'll have the chef prepare a banquet right away." Kuai En had gotten the better deal, and his gratitude was genuine. Seeing that Kang Rongquan was about to leave, he sincerely urged him to stay.

"No, no, if I stay any longer, the Ming Household elder will probably come to summon me again, and I can't refuse. I'm going back to my clan; I still have a lot of things to do at home."

By the way, the provisions in this Storage Bag are what my master's wife asked me to give you before I left. She also told me to tell you, "If anything happens at home, don't hide it from me, and write to me often."

"This young lady herself still needs to cultivate, and I, your foolish brother, am truly..." Kuai En took the Storage Bag, knowing full well that it must have been saved from Madam Kuai of the Pei Household's own share of provisions.

"When my uncle passed away, my aunt was almost ruined by her family background and her marriage was ruined. Now she has to set aside some of her own money to support her family." Kuai En felt the Storage Bag burning in his hands as he read this, "When my family is better off in the future, I must bring some honor to my aunt in the Chongming Sect."

"Then I'll take my leave!" Kang Rongquan mounted the Black Blood Colt he had rented from the Beast Garden and rode away amidst the admiring and envious gazes of the Kuai Household cultivators.

Since Duan Anle returned to the sect to take charge of the Beast Garden, he has also organized the management regulations of the Beast Garden in a very orderly manner.

One of the rules that is most relevant to the people of Double Brightness Sect is that nowadays, when disciples go out, if they need to borrow spirit beasts from the Beast Garden for transportation, they must pay the rental fee with their Merit Points.

This rule applies to everyone, regardless of their status, from the sect leader and elders to ordinary disciples.

Compared to ordinary Desolate Ox and those worthless unranked mixed animals, the rental fee for this Black Blood Colt is not cheap, and among the younger generation, apart from Kang Rongquan, very few can afford to rent one.

Kang Rongquan's willingness to spend such a large sum of money was partly due to his desire to show off, but it was also because he wanted to return to his clan as soon as possible to attend a celebratory banquet.

More than ten years after Mo'er joined the clan, the marriage was finally settled. Jin Shilun, who spent his days taking Mo'er around the kitchen, took advantage of his proximity and got a great deal.

After Jin Shilun led Mo'er to Sect Leader Kang Da to request the marriage, the fellow disciples began to busily prepare for the wedding banquet.

Kang Rongquan was a lively person. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't refuse his master's wife's family and that Kuai En looked really pitiful, he wouldn't have made this trip to Tanggu County at this critical juncture.

On the way back, Kang Rongquan passed by the Five Aspects Sect Cloth Bag Mountain, the old site of Wuxiangmen in Guo County.

Ingenious Craftsman Fort is now divided into two parts. One part, following the decree of the Earl of Nan'an, moved to Pingrong County and came under the Pingrong County. The other part also left Iron Horn Mountain and moved to Cloth Bag Mountain, a Second Tier spiritual mountain, according to the decree of the State Court Sima Office.

After the destruction of the Five Aspects Sect, this sacred mountain was taken over by the State Sima Office and placed under the administration of Guo County.

This certainly wasn't a free lunch. I heard that Guo County offered a very high price and squeezed a lot of money out of them. Some also say that Ingenious Craftsman Fort originally didn't want to buy it, but the Sima Office specifically requested this location.

Kang Rongquan also heard that, in addition to the portion of grain that the magistrate of Guo County was to give to the Sima Office, he also sent a portion to the Chongming Sect.

This news didn't come from the teachers, but from the idlers in the tavern when I was out buying gifts for Mr. and Mrs. Jin Shilun.

However, Kang Rongquan had heard from the elders in the sect that the people of Ingenious Craftsman Fort were quite adapting to this new place.

Not long after they moved here, Ingenious Craftsman Fort spent a large sum of money to persuade the state government to make an exception and sell Zhang Shangyin's property, so that they could open a market at the foot of Cloth Bag Mountain.

Thanks to the relatively inexpensive and high-quality mechanical puppets in his home, he quickly gained popularity.

When Kang Rongquan passed by, he saw the Ingenious Craftsman Fort market in Qiaogongbao and knew that his family was doing quite well again.

Upon seeing this, his expression was far from pleasant.

Back then at Little Wu Mountain, if it weren't for the disciples of Ingenious Craftsman Fort who came to the rescue destroying the great formation on the Jiazi Xu mountain peak with their spirit crystal cannons, the Chongming Sect wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat.

The two families were sworn enemies just a few years ago, but now they've become so-called allies. It's utterly ridiculous.

Perhaps Sect Leader Kang Da felt the same way as Kang Rongquan, so not long after Ingenious Craftsman Fort moved to Pingrong County, Kang Dabao, in his capacity as county magistrate, set up several military camps at the border of White Sand County and Pingrong County, and conscripted many Ingenious Craftsman Fort disciples to garrison there.

Within those military camps, cultivators from both sides would routinely engage in small-scale battles of relatively low intensity.

Since the deaths of two Foundation Establishment from the Lin Household, the Changning Sect seems to have lost its fighting spirit and the drive to make a big splash. Apart from sending some unlucky disciples to infiltrate various counties in Cloud Horn Prefecture, they have not taken any other actions.

The various factions within the New Cloud Alliance were naturally delighted with this, just like the Changning Sect. Both sides seemed to have a tacit understanding, wanting to use this method to report back to their respective masters.

However, no matter how small the intensity of the battle, people will still die.

These military strongholds in Pingrong County had only been established for less than half a year, but Kang Rongquan himself had already heard that nearly ten members of the Ingenious Craftsman Fort had died in the strongholds.

As for the Changning Sect, the casualties are probably not much different.

Kang Rongquan felt no sympathy for this situation; on the contrary, he was happy to see the two sides fighting like dogs. He still harbored a blood debt in his heart, which he would settle with the Changning Sect and Ingenious Craftsman Fort sooner or later.

Sulking with resentment, Kang Rongquan rode his Black Blood Colt all the way to the brightly decorated Chongming Sect.

Today was quite lively. Even He Wanying and Feng Wan, those two ill-fated lovers, were granted a reprieve and allowed to spend a little time at the banquet.

Of course, this could only be done under the close supervision of Jiang Qing, who had returned from the Spirit Stone Mine on leave to drink.

After all, the idea of "breaking up the lovers" hadn't been completely dispelled from Sect Leader Kang Da's mind yet.

Kang Rongquan returned rather late. By the time he entered, the wedding ceremony was already mostly over, and the newlyweds, Jin Shilun and Mo'er, had already begun paying their respects to their parents. This annoyed him, so he quickly squeezed into the crowd to join in the fun.

Seated in the highest seat of honor were naturally Sect Leader Kang Da and his principal wife Fei Shuhe.

Madam Huo's identity was rather awkward, so she didn't even show her face this time. Instead, she went to the Chongming Small Pavilion to stand guard in place of Zhou Xinran, so that the latter could come up to the banquet.

After Fei Shuhe handing the chubby Kang Changyi, who looked like a big white steamed bun, to Yu'er, Fei Shuhe sat back down beside Kang Dabao with a radiant smile.

Kang Rongquan, who was watching from outside, had a clear view and was secretly wondering when his great-aunt had become so close to his great-uncle.

However, he couldn't remain in a state of bewilderment for long. After the ceremony, his fellow apprentices surrounded the newlyweds and started making a ruckus. Before Kang Rongquan could react, Zhou Xinran grabbed his ear, pulled him over, and forced him to drink large gulps of alcohol.

Ever since he refused to drink at Kang Dabao's wedding, he has suffered from a lingering effect. Over the years, his alcohol tolerance has never increased, and he gets drunk after just a few bowls of wine.

In the end, Fei Shuhe rescued him with a smile, handed him over to Ping'er to take care of, and then sat back down next to Sect Leader Kang Da.

Kang Dabao was already the absolute protagonist at the banquet, second only to the newlyweds, and with Fei Shuhe sitting next to him, he became even more eye-catching.

Fortunately, no guests were invited to the wedding of the younger generation; otherwise, those guests would surely have come to pay their respects to the Fei Household's eldest daughter, who was so approachable.

At that time, dealing with them would take who knows how much of Sect Leader Kang Da and effort.

Looking up at the joyful and harmonious scene before him, Kang Dabao sincerely hoped that these days could last longer.

"Even if I don't know when we'll be fighting to the death again, shouldn't we wait until I've been on the bed first?" Sect Leader Kang Da turned his head to look at Fei Shuhe's beautiful face, thinking to himself.

---Ten days later, at the Jade Toad cave abode

The Daoist Black Shoes was meditating as usual when an unexpected guest arrived.

It was clear the visitor was unsuspecting. After taking a small sip of the dim tea, he frowned slightly and said softly, "I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Black Shoes to be so simple and unassuming."

"I have truly neglected Senior Gun. This junior is not accustomed to tea, wine, or areca nut tea, and these are not prepared in my cave abode." The Daoist Black Shoes looked at the newly promoted Pill Master before him, his words conveying an apology, yet his tone remained neither humble nor arrogant.

"Ha, that's good. When I first established my Dao Foundation a hundred years ago, I was just as spirited, abstaining from fine wine and beautiful women, content with only ancient books and a solitary lamp. What a pity."

A hint of reminiscence flickered in Gun Shilu's eyes, quickly vanishing before he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. I am but a mere False Core cultivator, my path to immortality is already blocked. How can I possibly be a senior?" At this point, a trace of envy appeared in his gaze as he looked at the Daoist Black Shoes: "Fellow Daoist, you truly have a bright future ahead of you. I am far inferior."

Upon hearing this, the Daoist Black Shoes bowed but did not reply, as a sign of humility.

Gun Shilu chuckled again, stroked his long beard, and said heartily, "I, Gunshilu, come from a military background, so I'll be frank. I've taken the liberty of seeking your help, Fellow Daoist in Black Shoes."

"Senior, please speak freely, but if you wish for me to serve in the state court, please refrain from doing so." The words of the Daoist Black Shoes were cut short by Gun Shilu's laughter.

The latter then said, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I know that even the Earl himself came to invite you, but you were not moved then, so how could I persuade you? Perhaps my Sima still harbors such thoughts, but I will not humiliate myself."

"Please speak, senior."

"It's for a private matter, as you probably know, my cousin Gun Shide, died on Little Wu Mountain." Acting Sima Gun sighed again, "Although we won this battle, the murderer who killed my cousin Gun has not been brought to justice. Instead, he has brazenly opened a sect and proclaimed himself the founder of the Dao."

"Changning Sect, Dai Fu?" the Daoist Black Shoes muttered a name in a puzzled voice.

Acting Sima Gun grinned, but the words that came out were cruel and bloody. "This is the scoundrel. I will tear him apart, skin him alive, and grind his bones to dust."

The Daoist Black Shoes looked doubtful, but said calmly, "But I do remember that the battle report said that the registrar of the palace died on the Li Fire River-Burning Talisman passed down by the Golden Core Ancestor of Auspicious Brocade Gate."

"If that old thief hadn't slandered us, how could those two good-for-nothings in Auspicious Brocade Gate have been willing to use a Third-Tier Lower-Grade talisman to harm Shi De, a mere Foundation Establishment? Fellow Daoist, you should know that at that time, my Shi De and Qin Sufu had been besieging Little Wu Mountain for three months without success and were just about to withdraw."

The Daoist Black Shoes squinted, calculating in his mind.

"Gun Shilu's reasoning seemed plausible at first glance, but it didn't stand up to scrutiny. Auspicious Brocade Gate wasn't just targeting Gun Shilu; Qin Sufu was also seriously injured. If it weren't for Lord Shan's intervention, he might have died at Little Wu Mountain as well."

Thinking about it this way, his explanation today, that of the Acting Sima Gun, is rather far-fetched.

"I suppose you've already prepared an excuse to start a conflict, senior?" The Daoist Black Shoes didn't answer Gun Shilu's question directly, but instead asked.

Although he had been devoted to cultivation, he also knew that the Two Instruments Sect and the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court were currently at a delicate balance.

The current situation is that there are constant frictions between the servants and vassals of both sides, but neither the disciples of the Two Instruments Sect nor the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court have intervened. So, although there seems to be constant fighting, it has no impact on the overall situation at all, and can at most be called military training.

This situation has persisted for some time, but neither of the leaders on either side shows any intention of breaking it.

In other words, if Gun Shilu's intention is truly revenge, as he claims, it would disrupt this fragile balance and might not be able to gain Kuang Liuting's consent.

"It's hard to find an excuse. If I were to attain the True-Grade Golden Core, even if it affected the overall situation, the Lord might still show mercy and give me a chance to personally kill my enemies. But right now, I'm wearing an official's coat, so it's not convenient for me to make a move."

Acting Sima Gun shook his head, stopping there, and then earnestly pleaded, "Therefore, I request that Fellow Black Shoes Lu do me this favor."

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, senior. I still don't want to get involved in the feud between the two sides." The Daoist Black Shoes hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and refused the request.

Acting Sima Gun had just completed his initial cultivation of the nascent False Core, and should have been riding high. However, after being repeatedly rejected by the junior, the Daoist Black Shoes, he showed no anger and continued softly:

"Well, I do know that you have always preferred to be Rogue Person and have no interest in getting involved in these matters. However, to be honest, the Sima Office has received reliable information that the Changning Sect will definitely make some big moves in the next few years."

The New Cloud Alliance, along with the Ingenious Craftsman Fort, is only barely strong, and their morale is questionable. In my opinion, if both sides were to fight seriously, the New Cloud Alliance might not be a match for the Changning Sect.

If we can't win this battle, the first to suffer will be the Chongming Sect, which is closest to White Sand County. At that time, can you really stand idly by and watch the Chongming Sect's gates crumble once again?

The Daoist Black Shoes remained calm and did not agree.

"Senior, you're probably exaggerating. The Changning Sect is not weak, and the various families of the New Cloud Alliance are no pushovers either; the latter are not united, and the former are merely partners, so they must also have their own ulterior motives. This doesn't make sense."

"I have witnessed Dai Fu's abilities firsthand. Ye Zhen, the only late-stage cultivator in the New Cloud Alliance, is far inferior to him. I am not exaggerating, but Dai Fu alone, though far inferior to Fellow Daoist Black Shoes, is still enough to be worth six Foundation Establishment from the Book and Sword Gate Sect."

Seeing that the Daoist Black Shoes was frowning slightly, Acting Sima Gun added fuel to the fire:

"I know you value relationships, and I'm not saying this to pressure you, but simply to ask for your promise. If you do indeed help me and even kill that Dai Fu, I will be eternally grateful."

"I know that you've been discussing with Chu Yanran about borrowing her Bright Moon Token to go to Mountain-Viewing Cave. But she still needs to reserve a spot for her near-death weapon-crafting husband. Your plan might not work."

Upon hearing the words "Mountain-Viewing cave abode," the Daoist Black Shoes finally changed color.

Acting Sima Gun, without further delay, took out a beautifully carved jade token and said directly:

"I have also acquired one of these tokens. If Fellow Daoist Black Shoes can avenge this grudge for my Anshan Gun Household, I will give this token to you. If you can capture Dai Fu alive, then I will reward you handsomely!"

The Daoist Black Shoes stared at the jade tablet, somewhat losing his composure. He suddenly felt that everything Gun Shilu had said earlier was nonsense.

"Dai Fu, Dai Fu... Oh right, Chen Ye is there too."

(Still just one update ^_^, I stayed up all night saving this, thinking I'd update a little earlier from now on so everyone doesn't have to wait too long.)

Thank you, Brother Shaohua Tianjun, for the eight Extended Net Moon.

Thanks to Brother Fei De Zheng Hao for the six Extended Net Moon.

Thanks to Fenglyue, Haiya Xiaodaren, Dahan Shengge, Book Friend with last four digits 6727, and Book Friend with last four digits 3513.

Thanks to Jiangnan Road again, Zhang Er loves reading, Hermit 168, Champagne Jinnian, Grassland Overlord Lazy Yangyang, zoukun, qiangweiguo, book friend tail number 8681, xxDawn, Xiu Xiuxiu, SLIME, English is So Difficult to Learn, Book Club's tail number is 9307, Book Club's tail number is 3000, Book Club's tail number is 7324, The Wind is in the Cloud, Cloud Nine is in the Sky, and Dreams Are Blurred. Two monthly passes from these guys

Thank you all for reading, subscribing, voting, and commenting!