The Haul
The expedition returned to Pingrong County with a bountiful harvest. When the four families reached Heng Mountain territory, the Lu and Xue families parted ways with Kang Dabao and his two companions.
"Take these." After the two families left, Kang Dabao handed a Storage Bag to Ye Pinglin.
"On behalf of the Ye Household, I thank Sect Leader Kang noble act!" Ye Pinglin bowed and accepted the gift readily without any pretense of refusal, which earned him the respect of the three Kang Dabao brothers.
"It's not easy for a young person to manage a household. You need to be more careful in the future. I'm leaving now!" Kang Dabao didn't say much, just nodded approvingly, and left with his two junior brothers.
After traveling for less than half a day, they returned to the sect at midday.
First, he received greetings from several disciples, then briefly recounted his journey to Yuan Jin, inquired about the disciples' progress in their Cultivation Method, and Yuan Jin also talked about some trivial matters at home. After a short while, Yuan Jin noticed that Kang Dabao's face was showing signs of fatigue, so he stopped explaining and suggested that they rest for the day and discuss matters together in the sect leader's room after the morning class the next day.
It was rare to see his usually careless second junior brother being so considerate, which made Kang Dabao happy, and he readily agreed. He immediately bid farewell to Yuan Jin and returned to his room, where he applied several cleansing talismans to his body, covered himself with the blanket, and slept soundly through the night.
Dealing with severed limbs every day has exhausted Sect Leader Kang Da.
The next morning, after the morning lessons, Kang Dabao didn't care about any of his disciples, only watching Yuan Jin finish reciting the scriptures. Afterwards, he personally tested him until he was satisfied, then dismissed the younger generation and led his three junior brothers into the sect leader's room.
"Sit down, everyone." In the past, when Yuan Jin and Jiang Qing came, the three brothers would sit directly on the bed. Kang Dabao rummaged around for a long time before finally finding three somewhat dusty and worn-out futons, which he placed on the floor.
The three men sat down in order of age and seniority, and then Kang Dabao spoke up, "Junior Brother Pei, let's talk about our gains this time. Tell us about it, so we brothers can all hear and have a good laugh."
Since they were all fellow disciples, Pei Yi didn't stand on ceremony. He sat cross-legged, took out a copper abacus, and started fiddling with it. He worked on the abacus for almost half a pipe's worth of time, and the beads on Pei Yi's abacus became louder and louder, which made everyone's faces more and more joyful.
"The spoils of this bandit suppression are as follows: 160 carts of miscellaneous ore (all First Tier), 29.5 dou of Red Spirit Grain, 1,666 Spirit Stone, two cooking utensils, 31 Storage Bag, four low-grade puppets, seven low-grade magic artifacts, six mid-grade Law Artifact, and one high-grade magic Law Artifact."
One hundred and twenty defensive talismans, three hundred and forty offensive talismans, and five hundred auxiliary talismans. Fifteen Desolate-Tier Lower-Grade Cultivation Method and one Desolate-Tier Middle-Grade Cultivation Method (only up to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer).
Forty-eight bottles of five types of low-grade pills (ten pills per bottle), three bottles of two types of mid-grade pills, and three bottles of three types of high-grade pills. First-Tier Superior-Grade refined corpse, one mid-grade Black Blood Colt, three low-grade Desolate Ox, and sixty-nine mixed-blood, ungraded pack animals.
Nine types of low-grade spiritual herbs, eighty-four plants; one type of mid-grade spiritual herb, one hundred and fifty plants; Second Tier spiritual herbs Crimson Cloud Tears; and six cartloads of various miscellaneous items, including...
Chongming Sect's gains this time were truly substantial, but the bulk of them actually came from the Storage Bag of the three bandit leaders: Zhao Gu, the Fire Saber Stronghold, and the leader of Jia Mountain Bandits Group.
The items in the three thieves' dens were merely varied and numerous; in reality, they only represented a small portion of the total. They weren't established bandits who had been entrenched for many years and had become quite powerful; the leaders of the gangs still preferred to keep the valuables on their own person.
"Hehe." When Pei Yi read out the confiscated spoils, even Jiang Qing was usually the most aloof among them, couldn't help but chuckle. Since he began cultivating and became aware of affairs, the sect had never been this wealthy.
"Hmm," Kang Dabao was naturally happy, but in addition to his happiness, he needed to discuss with his junior brothers as soon as possible how to distribute these things so that he could improve his strength as quickly as possible.
This time Chongming Sect really made a fortune, but he also really showed off. For someone like Kang Dabao, who was used to being cautious, he was actually a little uneasy at this moment.
"Alright," Kang Dabao said, seemingly having already made up his mind. After only a moment of contemplation with his eyes closed, he continued, "Second, you'll keep all the Spirit Stone we've obtained this time. When you return to Xuanwei City, make sure you take care of these few things first."
"First, take two hundred yuan of this and give it to Master Qi to graduate early. We can part amicably and make sure we do a good job of showing respect. We can continue to visit him and offer him gifts on holidays and birthdays. He shouldn't have any reason to disagree."
Secondly, you need to be familiar with the area. Hire First-Tier Superior-Grade array master, one farming master, and one earth master. Their skill level is secondary; the most important thing is to have a good reputation. Don't let a wolf into the house.
Thirdly, we need to discuss this later and make a list together. What items does the sect need? Junior Brother Pei needs to refine pills, you need to refine weapons, Third needs to cultivate swords. We should use the best available tools and materials; these are things that can be passed down through generations. Don't be greedy for cheap things. If you're short on Spirit Stone, buy the more essential items first, and we'll gather the rest when we have more money. I'll give you three months. Once you've finished these things, bring your family back. You don't need to stay in Xuanwei City anymore."
"I'm already tired of waiting, Senior Brother, don't worry, I'll definitely come back soon." Yuan Jin was overjoyed to hear this. For so many years, he had been learning his skills alone under Master Qi, so far away from his two fellow disciples, and he had always felt empty inside. This time, he was so happy to receive Kang Dabao's promise that he could come home. He immediately bowed and accepted the order.
After making arrangements with Yuan Jin, Kang Dabao turned to Pei Yi and said gently, "Junior Brother Pei, please take the trouble to check the sect's granaries. Don't be stingy with the low-level items. See how many children can use each one, and let them use them freely. Don't regret it even if they run out. They are currently laying the foundation. The sooner they grow up, the sooner we can save some effort."
"If any of you fellow disciples wish to use anything of higher level, just let me know. We're all brothers sharing this life, and I'd love for you all to make rapid progress. Right now, the sect is in dire need of rebuilding. Let's not cling to outdated rules and customs. As long as we brothers are of one mind and work together, with the strength of an invincible fortress, the sect's revival is only a matter of time."
Pei Yi felt a surge of warmth in his heart upon hearing this and respectfully replied, "Sect Leader, rest assured, I will certainly do my best."
"Third," Kang Dabao pulled Jiang Qing in front of him and said, "You've tasted the bitterness of running a business, and you've fought your way through these days. For the next few years, you just need to focus on your cultivation. You're not allowed to go out and meet any of your friends. You need to take good care of your nephews' foundation-laying work, and don't neglect your own cultivation. If you can't break through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer within a year, don't even think about going out to fight."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Qing immediately wiped the silly grin off his face, but Kang Dabao's expression was serious, and he dared not disobey what Kang Dabao said. He could only nod sullenly, while secretly making plans in his mind.
Over the next three months, all affairs of the Chongming Sect proceeded smoothly.
I was a bit out of sorts today, sorry to have kept you all waiting. (Also, do you guys like reading chapters that list data? Lao Bai quite liked them when I was a reader, since it's a management novel. But some of you might think it's just padding the word count, so let's discuss it.)
Thanks to Alpaca Qidian for the Extended Net Moon, and thanks to Flower Love abc, Fuyan Nuanyu, Feicheng, Book Friend 20190728233927000, JianV, and Book Friend 140223211523636 for the Extended Net Moon.
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