Jiang Qing Returned to the Mountain

The great battle between the Star-Picking Pavilion and Cloud Horn Prefecture Court, which had been a constant worry for Sect Leader Kang Da, had yet to begin. Instead, preparations were underway to thoroughly clean up the bad soil near the Third Tier Spirit Vein occupied by Fei Tianqin.

Fortunately, this time the Double Brightness Alliance had already been granted the task of transporting supplies by Fei Nanying, so there was no need to fight any fierce battles.

After all, the banner of the Sect Leader Kang Da has been raised, and among the troops available to the State Court Sima Office, apart from the Ying Mountain Army, the Azure Jue Guard is the most serious and orderly, and it has the appearance of being the best among all the Daoist armies. There is no fear that anyone will be dissatisfied or resentful.

However, all the families under the Double Brightness Alliance, along with the Crimson Zhang Guard and the local militia of Ping and Jin counties, naturally had to show their faces on the front lines.

However, there's no need to worry. Kang Dabao's status in the state court is now vastly different from what it used to be, so it's just a formality. As for those tough battles, we'll send the Book and Sword Gate and the Tie Household family, who have grudges against the Chongming Sect, to the front lines.

When Kang Dabao came out of the main hall of Fei's residence, Kang Changyi had already returned from the residence of the Acting Sima Gun.

After asking around, I learned that Kang Changyi had been assigned to the position of Military Advisor, which was only a minor official rank and not considered a high-ranking position. However, he was registered in the Imperial Guard, which was not only much more prestigious than other positions, but also offered him much better treatment.

Taking Spirit Stone as an example, one can earn 800 Spirit Stone a year, plus 300 Spirit Stone each for pills and military service allowance.

Afterwards, there will be 100 shi of spirit rice, 10 bolts of spirit silk, and 10 mu of official land, all of which are of the First-Tier Superior-Grade.

Furthermore, every sixty years, one seal, armor, spear, axe, shield, bow, knife, and club are issued, along with two leather ropes for imprisoning enemies, all of which are Pseudo Spirit Artifact; two sets each of military-style robes, long trousers, trousers, boots, wrist guards, and ceremonial crowns, all of which are top-grade Law Artifact.

These items can be claimed, and can also be considered as Merit Points, allowing for the selection of suitable items from the Sima Office's treasury.

If standard equipment becomes damaged in the future, it can be retrieved from the vault for replacement, without the need for the individual to pay for repairs. However, for items chosen by the individual, they will be responsible for their own expenses thereafter.

In addition, based on Kang Changyi's rank, he can enter the Sima Office's Scripture Pavilion once every ten years, request a lecture on the False Core once per cycle, and exchange Merit Points for a Breakthrough Pill every half cycle.

As for Core Formation spiritual items, if they become available in the Sima Office's treasury in the future, they can be obtained cheaply through Merit Points, although there will likely be a waiting list.

In addition, there were year-end rewards from Sima, grand feasts for the emperor's birthday, New Year's Day, and other festivals, as well as subsidies for marriage and childbirth.

When the Sect Leader Kang Da heard his eldest son relay what the Acting Sima Gun had said, he felt that it was only natural that the founding emperor was able to lead the imperial guards to sweep across the land and drive back the Li Mountain.

If the current Great Wei Imperial Guard could still receive their full pay and salary as they did back then, even if the imperial clan were still in such a decline, with few True Person masters to uphold the family name, then a powerful sect like the Blood Sword Sect of the Two Rivers Circuit wouldn't need to wait until Kuang Liuting achieved Upper-Grade Golden Core before they would have the confidence to launch an attack to destroy it.

Logically speaking, the amounts of these military equipment and supplies were all established during the reign of Emperor Taizu, so there is nothing surprising about them.

However, the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty had long been in dire straits. In places like Shannan Circuit, even the annual salaries of the principal officials at the circuit, prefecture, and county levels were difficult to pay in full. How could they dare to dream of so much?

Leaving aside how ridiculous the county magistrate of Pingrong County at the Qi Refining Second Layer was, even when it was the turn of Sect Leader Kang Da to take charge of the affairs of Ping and Jin counties, the latter only received two bolts of jade brocade and had to find a spirit tailor and make his own official robe with Spirit Stone.

While it cannot be ruled out that Kang Changyi was able to be so well-matched because of the favor of his maternal grandfather, Fei Nanying.

This also shows that Cloud Horn Prefecture Court has indeed become much wealthier in recent years; otherwise, the armory should be as clean as it was when Kang Dabao first inspected it as a county magistrate.

It is also evident that although Kang Changyi, who has lived in Xuanwei City for a long time, is the eldest son of a concubine and his bloodline has nothing to do with the Fei Household, most of the clansmen have a good impression of him since Fei Nanying. Therefore, as long as it does not affect their own children, they are happy to cultivate Kang Changxi a little.

When Kang Dabao came out from Fei Nanying, he remembered that Fei Shuhe had mentioned to him that he wanted to find a virtuous lady from the Fei Household to be a good match for his eldest son. In the past, he thought that the Fei Household would probably no longer respect him and his son, but now it seems that this matter is not impossible.

As for the eldest son, Kang Changxi, Fei Shuhe was still thinking about pestering Han Ningyue, dreaming of choosing a bride from the Yukun Han Household.

The Sect Leader Kang Da, was not optimistic. In today's climate, it was considered beneath a noblewoman to marry a scion of a wealthy family. How much influence would Han Ningyue need to help Fei Shuhe make this happen?

Furthermore, as the saying goes, "One must be strong to forge iron." While Kang Dabao may have benefited somewhat from his Yue Household, the Fei Household would not have been willing to cultivate him in this way if his performance over the years hadn't been quite outstanding.

Who knows when, once the situation has stabilized somewhat, they might have him "died unexpectedly" to make way for Fei Shuhe's husband's position.

Instead of relying on the Han Household to cultivate a child like Fei Shuhe, it would be better to properly instruct the child and expect him to live up to expectations.

As long as one can be as outstanding as Shen Lingfeng back then, achieving the Middle-Grade Golden Core in less than sixty years of cultivation, not to mention prestigious families, even the late emperor and the current emperor would vie to take him as a son-in-law, and he would even be allowed to be picky.

The father and son hadn't seen each other for some time, and both were busy. Sect Leader Kang Da could only offer a few brief words of instruction to his eldest son:

"Serve Madam Qi with utmost care, and never be disrespectful to your master's father-in-law. A word from him to Madam Qi carries more weight than the words of the Earl of Nan'an or the Emperor. As long as you serve him well, you won't have to worry about losing your position as his personal disciple."

"I understand, son." Kang Changyi, who had rarely spent time alone with Kang Dabao since childhood, felt a little uncomfortable upon hearing the former's earnest instructions. In a hurry, he could only give a simple reply.

"Do not do anything that is too showy. You are different from your father. At that time, I had no one to rely on but my life to make a living. Now you must know how to keep a low profile, cultivate yourself in peace, and take care of your father and mother. There is no need to worry. However,"

The Sect Leader Kang Da paused here, glancing at a wisp of lingering perfume he'd plucked from Kang Changyi's lapel. The latter, his face flushed with anxiety, was about to explain when he heard his father speak calmly:

"But don't indulge in tenderness for too long. Yi'er, you have outstanding talent. Even the Golden Core is not beyond your reach. Your future prospects will surely surpass even your father's. Don't be too attached to these beautiful but empty things, lest you lose your mind and regret it for the rest of your life."

Kang Changyi's expression turned solemn, and he immediately bowed deeply, his voice even trembling slightly. "Father."

"Those who cultivate themselves should not be so easily swayed by others. Upon returning home, they should remind themselves to State of Mind of this. Cultivation is of utmost importance, but if one has leisure time, one should not forget to Gui Household and visit one's parents and siblings."

At this point, Kang Dabao handed over two fist-sized gray cloth bags and whispered, "You have lived up to your potential and have already become a direct disciple of the Golden Core Elixir. Even if I were to teach you the Dharma, I would be afraid that I would not be able to explain it clearly."

Here are some provisions for you to keep yourself safe. They're all respectable items, so use them as you see fit and don't worry. This spirit insect bag contains Lion Insect. I've divided the Lion Insect I have into Xi'er Yi'er each get one portion, and I'll keep one for myself. In times of crisis, they should be able to protect you."

"Father."

"Let's go. There's a food box inside; one layer contains braised pork knuckle made by Shilun, and the other layer contains vegetarian soup prepared by your mother. Don't forget to eat."

"Father."

---- Capital Circuit, Ying Prefecture

"Are you leaving already?" Fei Nanxi's tone was unpleasant, her eyes flashing with anger.

Standing to his left was a handsome young man dressed in black. Despite the anger of the superior cultivator before him, the young man remained composed and dignified, earning him respect.

"I will forever remember Elder Zong's teachings and guidance!" Jiang Qing clasped his hands in a deep bow. Fei Nanxi made no attempt to detain him, but instead let out a soft sigh, "My cousin's son-in-law is quite something. He has a Core Formation spirit object, Law Treasures, and a beautiful woman, yet he couldn't keep you. I hope you won't regret it in the future."

Jiang Qing thanked her respectfully again, after all, Fei Nanxi had indeed taught him diligently and without holding anything back over the years.

Logically, this elder of the Fei Household only needed to follow Fei Tianqin's instructions in his letter and use the Azure Firmament Spirit Root to nurture Jiang Qing so that his right arm would grow back, and that would be considered a success. He wouldn't need to put in any more effort.

Perhaps out of a fondness for talent, Fei Nanxi has treated Jiang Qing with the same leniency as his own nephew over the years. Not to mention the resources and education, he has even opened the library of the Qiu River Hall to Jiang Qing, allowing him free access, just like a direct descendant.

Not to mention the outsiders who were also staying at the Fei Household's residence and were envious, even the collateral branches and illegitimate lineages of the Fei Household under the Qiu River Hall couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Jiang Qing lived up to expectations. In the past, the Sect Leader Kang Da thought that his junior brother was only a talent of a prefecture, and that he would be happy if he could achieve Foundation Establishment.

However, after receiving instruction from a renowned master in just a few short years, Jiang Qing has indeed made great progress in his cultivation. He even obtained half of the Sharp Sword Technique from the Fei Household treasury through Fei Nanxi's Merit Points. It is obvious to others that ordinary talents from prefectures and counties could not possibly receive such treatment.

Not to mention, Fei Nanxi also wanted to take Jiang Qing as her son-in-law and keep him in Ying Prefecture to cultivate him properly.

How much Fei Nanxi favored Jiang Qing was evident from the fleeting anger in his eyes; when he spoke again, his tone was full of concern.

"Go then. I don't know which quack craftsman haphazardly cobbled together your spirit sword. I couldn't stand it, so I found a craftsman from the Chen Craft School to reforge one for you. It will take three to five years before you can have it. When that time comes, I'll find a flying boat from the Myriad Treasures Trading Company to take you to Cloud Horn Prefecture."

"This junior has done nothing of merit and is unworthy of such praise!"

"Heh, kid, if you want to speak ill of me, you'd better become Golden Core cultivator first!" Fei Nanxi chuckled. After all, he was a superior cultivator who had formed True-Grade Golden Core, so he wouldn't be saddened by the separation for too long.

He sat on the jade throne, calculated with his fingers, and then said in a low voice, "Dou Tong has given gifts to almost all the nobles and officials in Great Abyss Capital. His rank as a third-class manager of Myriad Treasures Trading Company should have been promoted. He should be heading from Great Abyss Capital to Cloud Horn Prefecture in two days."

I wrote to him some time ago to tell him that you should go back with him on this trip. It will save you a lot of trouble and allow you to see your senior brother sooner.

If Sect Leader Kang Da and Jiang Qing were in each other's shoes, the former would certainly be grateful, but he would also secretly try to learn from this cunning old fox who had lived for hundreds of years how to win people's hearts.

But the latter was different; not only was he deeply grateful, but he also felt ashamed and filled with remorse.

Seeing this, Fei Nanxi's smile deepened, not only because Jiang Qing had thoroughly remembered his kindness from then on, but also because he genuinely admired the latter's deep affection and sincerity.

The conversation between the old man and the young man ended there, and Jiang Qing bowed to take his leave. Fei Nanxi was about to wave her hand to let the former leave the hall when a talisman was recognized by the gate's protective charm and allowed to enter.

Fei Nanxi's eyes lit up. He gently extended two fingers to grasp the object, slowly unfolded it, and carefully read through it. When he looked up at Jiang Qing again, his tone carried a hint of surprise:

"Ancestor Ye Shui heard that you were going to make the trip and summoned you to see him."

"Ancestor Ye Shui?!" Jiang Qing looked surprised, and he didn't know how someone as insignificant as him could have made Ancestor Ye Shui, who was rumored to be busy with state affairs, take the time to meet him.

Fei Nanxi didn't explain much to him, and with Jiang Qing riding a cloud of pure energy, they left the hall.

Ying Prefecture had been managed by the Fei Household for a thousand years and was naturally a prosperous place. After staying there for several years, Jiang Qing was no longer surprised by the bustling scene under the clouds. The two crossed countless spiritual fields and medicinal gardens and passed through mines and workshops before finally arriving at Fei Ye Shui's place of cultivation, the Core-Embracing Terrace.

Figures like Exalted Cultivator Guanyu have secluded cave abode in the Great Void for cultivation, and Fei Ye Shui, a key minister and head of a powerful family in the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, is even more so.

However, Jiang Qing discovered that compared to the Mountain-Viewing Cave Exalted Cultivator Guanyu, the Core-Embracing Terrace was much smaller, perhaps less than a hundred times the size of the former.

Correspondingly, the Spiritual Qi here is so abundant that even with Jiang Qing's meager cultivation level, it's difficult for him to articulate.

It is thus evident that these separate temples, though built by the higher levels of cultivation, each possess different wondrous uses.

"If only our Chongming Sect had such a sacred place, then Senior Brother would have much less trouble," Jiang Qing thought to himself. Just then, he heard Fei Nanxi in front of him say, "We've arrived. The Ancestor is just ahead."

Jiang Qing straightened his clothes and composed himself, then looked ahead.

Seven bronze crane lamps hung on the jade platform, their verdigris flowing down the lamp holders in the shape of vines, and the candlelight condensed into a few teardrops in the pale white mist.

Second Tier spiritual items like jade marrow are quite popular in the outside world because of their ability to clear meridians and remove toxins. They are highly sought-after items among Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, and a piece the size of a fist can often sell for over a thousand Spirit Stone.

Here, it is treated as an ordinary refining material, only able to be melted into the Bagua array pattern, leaving streaks of dark red rust, with no discernible effect.

An elderly man in a tall hat sat cross-legged on an ice jade platform, made of Third Tier Xuanbing jade, which gleamed with the color of millennia-old frost. The silver threads hanging from the hem of the Duke's python robe fluttered gently in the lively breeze of the pavilion, adding a touch of vitality to this venerable old cultivator.

The surrounding stone walls stretch for miles, with hundreds of yellow oracle bone inscriptions embedded in them, all of which glow and fade with the breath of the old man on the jade platform.

With each breath the old man took, azure and gold light flowed across the faintly cracked oracle inscription, making it appear even more mystical.

Unlike Jiang Qing, who was only impressed upon arrival, Fei Nanxi, as an elder, understood much more upon seeing this scene. As he approached the jade platform, he suppressed the worry in his eyes and respectfully bowed, saying, "Ancestor, Nanxi has brought Jiang Qing to see you."

The old man opened his eyes the moment he heard the sound, and the sharp light was blinding. Jiang Qing only glanced at it before his head throbbed with pain, and he almost vomited.

Even so, he showed no sign of distress, and forced himself to step forward and bow deeply, saying, "Double Brightness Jiang Qing greets Senior."

Just as Fei Ye Shui opened his eyes, the spiritual mist that had previously surrounded the Core-Embracing Terrace flew past the divination inscriptions on the stone wall with a blue-gold light, leaving only pieces of Gu Su tortoise shells gleaming with glaze.

Jiang Qing received no response, so he looked up and saw that although the old man on the stage gave people a sense of profound and imposing presence, his face was very kind and friendly.

Fei Ye Shui said gently, "So you are Jiang Qing, who has mastered the Sword Essence? A heart of music and a courage of sword, indeed impressive."

Upon hearing Fei Ye Shui's words, Fei Nanxi was overjoyed for Jiang Qing. It should be noted that although Fei Ye Shui had not yet reached the Nascent Soul Nascent Soul, he had been fortunate enough to ingest an inch of Dragon Heart Grass from the outer sea in his early years, which perfectly suited his Nine-Breath Longevity Treasury Physique.

Therefore, this old cultivator's lifespan far exceeds the constraints of ordinary Golden Core cultivators, having lived for over seven hundred years without withering away. Moreover, to receive praise from someone as noble as the Duke of Shan and a Pillar of State, even ordinary Golden Core would consider themselves proud, which shows that his impression of Jiang Qing is not bad.

"It's just a minor repair, I dare not praise you as a senior." Jiang Qing's respectful expression deepened, but Fei Ye Shui waved his hand dismissively. "Even the founding emperor started from a minor repair and became the Supreme Great Wei. You are in the prime of your youth, what is there to be afraid of?"

"Yes!"

"Hehe," Fei Ye Shui's kind expression deepened, "It's fate that we met today, and I can't let you leave empty-handed. Ten miles outside my platform, there's an Empty Sword Orchid, a gift from Fellow Daoist Yiqiu of the Blood Sword Sect. Roughly speaking, it's worth nearly six hundred. Take it back and nurture your sword body; it will surely have wonderful uses."

"This junior thanks you for your generous gift, senior!"

Following the advice given to him by the former Sect Leader Kang Da, Jiang Qing always kept in mind the principle of "accepting pleasant words and taking good things." Therefore, although he did not know what Empty Sword Orchid was or why Fei Ye Shui wanted to give it to him, he accepted it immediately.

Fei Ye Shui laughed for a while, then made a hand seal, and a Spirit Root lying on the ground transformed into a humanoid grass puppet about ten feet tall, covered in vine armor.

The old cultivator didn't say anything, but simply flicked his finger, and the grass puppet understood, stepping forward to stand in front of Jiang Qing.

"Young man, you can go with Grass Thirteen to retrieve it. Afterwards, it will guide you out of the manor and back to where you were. Nanxi and I still have things to discuss."

"Yes, thank you very much, senior!!"

After Jiang Qing stood up, he bowed deeply to Fei Nanxi before turning and walking away. Only after his shadow disappeared did the latter murmur, "The situation in Cloud Horn Prefecture is turbulent; one must be careful!"

"Don't worry, what's wrong with it? How can a golden carp become a dragon without the wind and clouds?!" Fei Ye Shui chuckled, while Fei Nanxi suddenly sighed, "I thought the ancestor wanted to keep this child for me, but I didn't expect it was just a gift."

Even knowing that his ancestor was always generous and had nurtured countless talented young people, Fei Nanxi's words still betrayed his disappointment. Fei Ye Shui smiled but did not answer, while Fei Nanxi sighed and said:

"However, Ancestor, you have truly gone to great lengths this time. The Empty Sword Orchid that True Person Yiqiu gifted you is of considerable age. Even Clan Elder Dongwen had asked you for it, but you refused. Yet today you have..."

Fei Ye Shui chuckled again, his expression truly benevolent, like a living Maitreya Buddha: "The Empty Sword Orchid doesn't align with Dongwen Core Thesis. Even if it brings some benefit after refinement, it will definitely make it difficult to Nascent Soul Formation. He knows this himself, but his obsession prevents him from seeing through it."

"Then why did the Ancestor summon Jiang Qing today?" Fei Nanxi asked suspiciously.

"His senior brother had the audacity to refuse to see me back then, and now this junior brother has the audacity to defy you and refuse to stay in Ying Prefecture. It's quite amusing. I can't stand the former, so I must see the latter to see if there's something wrong with our Fei Household that makes us unsuitable for hiring people."

Fei Ye Shui's words were clearly a joke, and Fei Nanxi laughed a few times as well. However, after a few breaths, the former's laughter stopped abruptly. "Send a message to tell my brother and Nanying to be careful in Mountain South and not to act rashly."

After the Earl of Nan'an entered Billowing Dream Palace, he sent letters to the Mystic Firmament Palace every ten days for the past few years, but there has been no news for the past year. Even True Person Moon Hidden has disappeared without a trace. Something is not right.

"What does the Ancestor mean? That person in the outer sea?!" Fei Nanxi's pupils widened instantly, and after her initial shock, she hesitated to speak.

"That man is capricious; who can fathom his temperament? Nothing he does is surprising," Fei Ye Shui sighed softly, then added, "However, His Majesty is not entirely unprepared for this. Rest assured, the survival of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty will not rest entirely on the shoulders of a young, still-developing successor."

"Yes, I understand." After Fei Nanxi replied solemnly, Fei Ye Shui added, "The heads of each branch should be in high spirits, properly manage their family affairs, and cultivate their children. In addition to the Ying Mountain Army continuing its rotation to garrison Liangxi, each branch's private army still needs to go there for tempering. If you want fewer deaths in the future, don't be afraid of more deaths now!"

The relocation of clansmen and cultivators from Ying Prefecture is still too slow and needs to be accelerated. Once the collateral branches have mostly completed their relocation, the direct line needs to take the lead, so let's start with the Qiu River Hall."

Fei Ye Shui's words were considered golden rules within the clan. Fei Nanxi, without a moment's hesitation, immediately and respectfully replied, "Yes, sir. After I go down there, I will immediately inform the heads of each branch of the clan in the name of the Ancestor, instructing them not to slack off!"

After Fei Nanxi responded, he noticed that Fei Ye Shui's brows furrowed with even deeper worry. After pondering for a while, he hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "Ancestor? Is there anything else you haven't said?"

The latter frowned and sighed, "I'm still worried about Mountain South. I'll probably have to go there myself later."

"This would likely require His Majesty's permission to proceed."

Fei Ye Shui was well aware of this matter, so he immediately dismissed the idea. However, he added a word of advice to Fei Nanxi: "Brother and Nanying should be extra careful. Cultivators like Kang Dabao, who come from humble backgrounds, might be worth cultivating. If they are fortunate enough to Core Formation, although they won't be of great use, they can still be brought to Great Abyss Capital to meet His Majesty the Emperor. He likes that the most."

"I'll take care of it right away, sir."

After bowing deeply, Fei Nanxi withdrew from the Core-Embracing Terrace. The smile on Fei Ye Shui's face faded, becoming as dim and lifeless as the divination inscriptions on the stone wall.

"The current emperor still can't see through this. Promoting people from humble backgrounds is merely a formality. If he wants to restore the Great Wei dynasty, he must rely on the imperial family, nobles, court officials, powerful clans, and sects. Even someone like Shen Lingfeng, how much influence can he have on the overall situation of the world?!"

"Heh, someone like Kang Dabao?" Fei Ye Shui chuckled lightly and then fell silent. He closed his eyes and began cultivating. The azure and gold energies reappeared, and the pale white spiritual mist reappeared. Only the flow of spiritual energy on the platform continued, and there was no more sound.