A Policy Agenda, Breaking Up the Lovebirds

After Kang Dabao finished sketching the map, he immediately gathered the core members of the sect. Before long, everyone except Ye Zhengwen, who was in seclusion preparing for Foundation Establishment, had arrived.

Speaking of the Chongming Sect, one thing after another has happened, and the disciples under its tutelage have hardly had a chance to catch their breath. The delay in cultivation is only one aspect. Just thinking about those disciples who died for the sect makes Sect Leader Kang Da feel ashamed.

But each of these entrustments was more important than the last, and even though Kang Dabao was considerate of his disciples, he had no choice but to comply.

"After thinking it over, I believe that the best course of action now is to tackle the difficult issues first and then move on to the easier ones. We should first do what Sima Fei said, and then the problems that Lord Shan has presented to us will be solved on their own."

However, we are currently short of personnel, so I have no intention of dismissing all the officials in Ping and Jin counties. I have sent word to them, asking them to come and pay their respects to me as soon as possible. In the end, whether they stay or leave, we can discuss it amicably.

Pei Yi stood up, nodded in agreement, and said, "Sect Leader is absolutely right. As long as we have a firm grip on those corrupt officials and sycophants, we won't have to worry about them not working diligently for us."

"Hmm," Kang Dabao wasn't worried about those people disobeying him. The "expedient authority" that Sima Fei had asked of him was, to put it bluntly, "The power of life and death."

In other words, as long as things don't get too ugly and taxes aren't lacking, the state government will truly have no one to manage Ping and Jin counties from now on.

"If we want to consolidate our power and ensure that ordinary people can live in peace and prosperity, in my opinion, this is the way to do it." Kang Dabao's eyes gleamed as he slowly revealed his plan:

"Simply put, the first two things to do are to 'clarify the identities of the bandits and cultivators' and 'register the households and people equally.' First, clean up the courtyard, then set the rules, and once the families in both counties get used to it, there will be fewer troubles. Finally, we must register all the cultivators in the county and make the sects and Lineage as easy to manage as an extension of our own limbs."

The other disciples were taken aback. Yuan Jin hesitated for a long time before saying, "Senior brother's idea is good, but I'm afraid it will take a lot of effort to make it happen."

In my junior brother's opinion, the unrest in this world is not something that can be resolved overnight. Right now, there are countless Evil Cultivators and bandit cultivators in the county. We must understand that deep-seated problems are difficult to cure; if we act too hastily, we might even cause more chaos."

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao frowned and said seriously:

"We don't have that much time and energy to do these things. The longer this drags on, the more difficult it will become. You can't afford to delay your Foundation Establishment preparations either. Once you've finished these tasks, don't let your attention be diverted."

"A serious illness requires drastic measures. We'll first launch a swift and decisive crackdown, then use the momentum of our victory to subdue the families in both counties. Finally, we'll delineate jurisdictions, hold those responsible accountable, and punish those responsible. I refuse to believe that this world cannot be turned around."

Sun Fu, who had previously been virtually invisible among his fellow disciples, stepped forward. Staring at the somewhat bewildered look in Niu Kuang's eyes, he respectfully said:

"Junior brother is dull-witted, but I dare to speak. Although junior brother is from Ji County, I have heard of the common people and bandits in various counties of Cloud Horn Prefecture. In junior brother's opinion, the relationship between the families in the county and the bandits and Evil Cultivator in various places is complicated."

Some families are civilians now, but were bandits in the past; others are bandits now, but will be civilians in the future. Brother, it will be incredibly difficult to accomplish this within six months. Perhaps you should plan carefully and wait for the right opportunity.

This was the first time that Sect Leader Kang Da had heard Sun Fu speak in such a setting, and he was quite surprised, but also felt a little pleased.

He continued, "Junior Brother Sun is right. The people and bandits of Cloud Horn Prefecture are one family, it has always been so. But if you want to distinguish them, it's actually quite simple." Kang Dabao paused here, and said in a deep voice:

"Those who heed advice are the people, those who don't are bandits. The former must be used, the latter must be suppressed! It's better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free! If there's any infamy or punishment, I'll bear it!"

The murderous aura of Sect Leader Kang Da was rarely seen at such times, and the junior disciples in the hall couldn't help but take a second look.

"Set a date, and issue a proclamation to all households. They must pay their taxes and levies, and gather at the county office without delay. Any household that dares to be even half an hour late will have their entire family sacrificed to the flag. The Kang family keeps their word; if they say they'll kill your whole family, they will kill your whole family. Let them try and see if they don't believe me!"

"Yes!" All the junior disciples understood Kang Dabao's resolute intention. Although they were slightly surprised, they immediately obeyed without saying anything more.

After all, there is truly nothing in this Chongming Sect that even the Sect Leader Kang Da cannot accomplish if he wants to.

Just as Kang Dabao finished arranging things with his fellow disciples, Qin Sufu, who had been waiting for a long time, came to take his leave.

The bitter smile on the latter's face had not yet faded. Upon seeing Sect Leader Kang Da, he simply cupped his hands and said, "Just as I expected, not only did I fail to persuade Senior Black Shoes to change his mind, but I also received a severe scolding."

"Don't take it to heart, brother. Your uncle scolding you is a sign of his love for you. This is a treatment reserved for very close juniors." Kang Dabao comforted him at first, but secretly felt much better.

Seeing Qin Sufu, who had never been scolded by his elders since childhood, still looking dejected, the Sect Leader Kang Da felt a strange, unkind sense of pleasure.

"You good brother, you've finally met your match! Serves you right!"

Qin Sufu listened to the advice but only shook his head. After all, he was an extremely outstanding figure among his peers, and in front of his sworn brothers, he could not maintain a dejected look on his face for long. Instead, he said seriously, "Senior Black Shoes, I cannot persuade you, but I don't know if you will listen to me, brother?"

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao's mood instantly became even heavier. After thinking for a moment, he looked directly into Qin Sufu's eyes and shook his head, replying, "Brother, in my opinion, the Yue Household may not be trustworthy either."

"Yes, but there's nothing we can do now. My brother Ye is of inferior quality, far inferior to you. If I don't find a powerful family to rely on, I won't be able to earn enough resources, and I'm False Core, let alone True-Grade Golden Core elixir. Since the Yue Household is willing to give me trust, but the Yuan family in the capital is unwilling to, then there's nothing we can do."

Qin Sufu was not surprised by Kang Dabao's reply, after all, the Fei Household's She Mountain Hall had invested heavily.

He narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly and sighed wistfully, "From now on, you trust your Yue Household, and I'll rely on Yue Household. In the end, we brothers won't turn against each other, will we?"

Kang Dabao quickly shook his head and said, "Brother, you're going too far. The Tu and Hakka people only have differences in political views; they are not enemies. How can you say they've become enemies?"

Qin Sufu suddenly smiled, "Brother, you are right. There are still servants to attend to the Lord Shan, so I cannot stay any longer. There is one more thing I need to discuss with you."

A hint of doubt appeared on the face of Sect Leader Kang Da, and then a trace of hesitation appeared on Qin Sufu's handsome face. "I saw Wanying earlier."

The former frowned and remained silent.

---- The Chongming Sect Leader's Courtyard

After Qin Sufu left, Huo Ying personally cooked that night, and Kang Dabao hosted a banquet in his own courtyard. On the table was a plate of elm seed dumplings, with several delicate side dishes placed beside them.

Kang Dabao sat alone opposite He Wanying and Feng Wan, remaining silent for a long time.

"Senior brother, Qin Shixiong came to see you today, right? We... we..." He Wanying spoke first, forcing a smile, stammering for a while, but unable to get the words out.

When He Wanying was a young girl, she wasn't like this at all; she wasn't afraid of the chubby senior brother in front of her at all.

This was because the latter was a very easygoing person and never acted like a senior brother. He doted on his only daughter, the sect leader, and was extremely obedient to her.

But now the situation is quite different. Firstly, she has returned with trouble and feels guilty; secondly, as Kang Dabao has been the sect leader for a long time, he has developed a certain air of authority and power.

Kang Dabao coldly stared at He Wanying, who was forcing a smile. His expression remained stiff, but his heart softened, and he softly murmured, "Let's get a divorce."

The night breeze was slightly chilly, but it couldn't match the icy tone of Sect Leader Kang Da.

The moment Kang Dabao uttered those three casual words, the couple opposite him trembled.

Feng Wan looked at his wife with a pained expression. Seeing He Wanying's resolute expression, a deep sense of guilt appeared on his handsome face. He said, "Wanying, I can't be a burden to you any longer."

"No, Wanlang, Senior Brother is just trying to scare us!" He Wanying quickly reached out and tightly grabbed her husband's arm.

"Who's trying to scare you? You're almost forty years old, how come you still don't know how dangerous this is?! Do you think we can afford to offend the Jingnan Yuan Household? I've been protecting them for so long, risking the lives of my entire family, isn't that enough?!" Kang Dabao shouted fiercely, making He Wanying tremble like a leaf.

"The Yuan Household hasn't even found us yet, and Senior Brother is already going to hand over Wanlang? That's really unreasonable!" He Wanying's fierce side came out, and she tightly protected her husband behind her.

Kang Dabao swept his gaze across Feng Wan's handsome face, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes. "I don't want to cause any more trouble. Look around yourself, haven't the Chongming Sect members died enough over the years? Haven't they?"

"Fine, you're afraid of the Yuan Household? I'll go find Little Sanzi. Little Sanzi will definitely help me." He Wanying gritted her teeth, still unwilling to give up.

"You silly girl, are you hoping he'll lose another arm?!" These words were so harsh that He Wanying's eyes filled with tears. She said sadly, "Then I'll go beg Uncle Shi. He'll definitely take care of us!"

Headmaster Kang sneered, "You really think He Wanying has a lot of influence? Even the fake Pill Master and dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yuan family have to be shielded from outside by your martial uncle."

"Then what are you going to do! Because you, Kang Dabao, are afraid of death, are you going to hand over Wanlang!"

"Shouldn't we have handed them over! Leaving you here means we're making these few dozen members of the Chongming Sect and tens of thousands of ordinary people in Chongming City risk their lives for you, is that it!?"

He Wanying was stunned for a moment, then burst into tears again, throwing a tantrum on the table, smashing dishes and bowls all over the floor, wailing, "I don't care, I can't let Wanlang go! If you let him go, I'd rather die! No! No!"

"We'll just run away, we don't need your help, that's all." She stopped before she could finish speaking, realizing that she and her husband couldn't even shake off a few Qi Refinement cultivators and needed her brothers' help, which made her feel even more lost about the future.

"Cry, cry, cry! You've never known anything else but how to cry. All the good fortune I've worked so hard to accumulate has been squandered by your crying! Back then, Master clearly intended for you to marry Brother Qin, and he even agreed! You shameless thing, eloping with a maid from a lowly Lineage."

Look at your fate today! Do you know who Qin Sufu is now? Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, a military commander in the state court, the legitimate son-in-law of the Yue Household, and favored by the Earl!

If you had obediently married back then, your family would have received countless favors from you, and at least you wouldn't have had to suffer like this. Back then, we brothers would have had a bit more standing when we went out into the world, and we would have had to endure fewer sarcastic remarks from others.

But you, on the other hand, stole several cartloads of dowry and left without receiving a single penny of the bride price. In the end, your family has to help you with everything. It's a disgrace to your master. You really know how to choose! You picked someone out of all the careful selection, only to end up with someone a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator wanted to take as his concubine!

As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Wan clenched his fists and stood up abruptly. Contrary to his usual behavior, he stared directly at Kang Dabao for a long while without fear before moving to his wife's side, who was crying loudly, and said gently, "Yingniang."

"Hmph," Kang Dabao snorted coldly, and a gust of wind suddenly rose in the courtyard, easily causing Feng Wan, who was about to pull He Wanying up, to stumble.

"You, surnamed Feng, really think you're something special! Believe me or not, I'll kill you right here and now."

You dare!

He Wanying had Sect Leader Kang Da's cold words fallen than He Wanying pounced out like a mother leopard.

"Cough, cough, Sect Leader Kang!" Feng Wan finally realized that he had just walked a path to his death. Ignoring the blood spilling from his mouth, he rushed in front of his wife and respectfully said:

"Please, Sect Leader Kang, do not take your anger out on Wanying. All the blame lies with Feng Wan. We should never have allowed such a lowly person as Feng Wan to harm the harmony between your sisters."

"Let's get a divorce! I'll divorce Wanying!" Feng Wan's eyes were bloodshot, and her heart ached as if it were being stabbed.

"Wanlang!" He Wanying was unwilling to do it, but was grabbed without mercy by the Sect Leader Kang Da and thrown into the arms of Huo Ying, who was standing to the side with a look of shock on her face.

With a "thud," a Storage Bag landed beside Feng Wan. The handsome cultivator turned his face away, avoiding his still-crying wife.

"Pick it up. Even if you want to be tough, you have to choose the right time." Kang Dabao's cold tone reached Feng Wan's ears. The latter's face turned red, and he felt endless humiliation, but the last bit of rationality forced him to reach out.

"If you don't want to die, then walk the path I've described."

Feng Wan clutched the Storage Bag and the last vestiges of her dignity tightly in her hands, looking up at Sect Leader Kang Da. The latter's tone remained indifferent. "Perhaps this will prolong your death a little."

A glimmer of hope appeared in the handsome cultivator's eyes, and He Wanying's crying abruptly stopped.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, just as it had been a moment ago.

----The next day, at the Jade Toad cave abode

The Daoist Black Shoes shook his head after hearing Kang Dabao's account:

"How could you be so presumptuous this time? The second daughter of the Yuan Household family cultivates the Buddha Mother Wisdom Consort Dao of the Xuemi Buddhist School. Whether she can absorb the essence of Feng Wan's Clear Spirit Physique is related to whether she can have dual cultivation with the abbot of Original Response Temple and Golden Core Formation Pill together."

Although the Yuan Household members who discovered Feng Wan's identity have been silenced, given the Yuan Household's power, the truth cannot be hidden for long. At that point, even that old bastard Yuan Buwen might find it hard to restrain himself and take action personally.

Even within the Chongming Sect, we struggle to protect Feng Wan. If you add him to the team that goes with you to pacify the region, with his cultivation level, he'll at most be given a minor post. How could that possibly intimidate the Yuan Household?"

Kang Dabao did not refute, but replied, "I think since he can't be protected even within the clan, it's better to put him outside. Once he's given an official position, the Yuan Household will be more wary of him, won't they?"

The Daoist Black Shoes nodded, then shook his head. "It's hard to say. Yuan Buwen is no ordinary False Core. The one from the Yunwei Zheng Household might have a hard time stopping him. Apart from Yue Lin and Kuang Liuting, no one else on the state court's side, including Gun Shilu, might be his match."

But Sect Leader Kang Da simply shrugged and spread his hands, saying, "Since that's how it is, then I can't interfere. If I can ensure he does his best for the people of the two counties before he dies, and even leave behind an official's robe, then I'll consider it a fitting end for him."

The Daoist Black Shoes glared at him and snorted coldly, "Even if your junior sister cried herself to death on the spot, you wouldn't care?"

Upon hearing this from the Daoist Black Shoes Kang Dabao dropped his lazy demeanor and said seriously, "I am first and foremost the Sect Leader Double Brightness, and only then Wanying."

The Daoist Black Shoes remained silent for a moment, then carefully examined Kang Dabao before nodding slightly. "You're right, that's how it should be done. But there's one more thing you didn't mention."

He paused, then his tone became lighter. "There's another reason you don't like Feng Wan," seeing Kang Dabao's puzzled expression, he continued teasingly, "He's good-looking, and you're jealous."

Kang Dabao blushed instantly, looking extremely embarrassed, and stammered, unsure of what to say to explain to his martial uncle.

The Sect Leader Kang Da in such an awkward position amused the Daoist Black Shoes, who burst into laughter.

He turned to look at the deep blue waters outside the cave abode, a pang of guilt rising in his heart. He thought to himself, "How can I have the face to blame this junior? If I had progressed faster, how could I have put this junior in such a difficult position and caused my elder brother's daughter to suffer such injustice?"

If Feng Wan has a bit of luck, perhaps when I emerge from Mountain-Viewing Cave, I won't be afraid of Yuan Buwen anymore."

The Daoist Black Shoes composed himself and turned his gaze back to Sect Leader Kang Da: "Alright, I won't keep you any longer. Go and get busy. You said beforehand that you could transform Ping and Jin counties into a paradise within six months. I'm waiting to see."

Kang Dabao hurriedly denied it, saying in a flustered manner, "Alas, Uncle-Master, I never said that. I only said that it could sweep away Evil Cultivator, bandit cultivators, and cultivators who harm the common people, and establish a system of registration and regulations for the people."

The Daoist Black Shoes laughed heartily, "What I said is exactly what you said. In this world, if you can accomplish these things, it will be enough to ensure that millions of people live in peace and work, and create a prosperous and peaceful world."

It's already the paradise that all mortals in the world dream of. Go and do it; if you succeed, your master will surely be pleased."

The Daoist Black Shoes laughed easily, but Sect Leader Kang Da felt a heavy weight in his heart. "Young man, I will certainly not fail you!"

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