Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 461 Request
The situation in Shannan Road has been rather strange lately. The Liangyi Sect has clearly lost a genuine Golden Core cultivator, yet it has not taken any retaliatory action for months, showing no trace of the unruly behavior it displayed in the past years when it dominated the region.

As a result, the Immortal Dynasty's influence in Shannan Road increased even more. As boatloads of cultivators from the capital region gradually filled the vacant lands vacated by those whose families had been raided and exterminated, more and more people speaking with accents from other places traveled all over Shannan Road, and the local cultivators gradually became accustomed to their presence.

After all, for most cultivators of Shannan Dao, the last time they were under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Dynasty was many years ago.

As for how brutal and harsh the Immortal Dynasty built by the Kuang family was, it was all just something that the Zhaixing Tower and the high-ranking members of its "three managements" had been spreading every day, and it was hard to tell the truth from the truth.

However, while everyone may not know how cruel and harsh the Immortal Dynasty is, everyone is well aware of how those high-ranking cultivators above them are exploiting them to the bone.

In addition, the Star-Picking Tower has been governing with a lot of inaction in recent years, and the actions of its three subordinate groups are not limited to the Two Elements Sect. With so much resentment building up in their hearts, they naturally hope that the world will change.

Governor Zhu Tong witnessed these changes and was delighted.

Back then, there were several young and capable officials near the capital who were happy to follow Kuang Liuting to this remote prefecture.

When Zhu Tong took up his post, even his wife made a fuss for a while before he could finally go.

Looking back now, he had chosen the right path. If he had continued like his colleagues in Taiyuan, spending his days buried in endless paperwork and meetings, how could he have had any chance of rising to prominence with the rising dragon in the future?

Whenever Zhu Tong thought of this, she couldn't help but feel a little smug.

Having cultivated himself for many years, he knew this was not a good thing. Just then, a corner of the official temple wall had plum blossoms about to bloom, so Zhu Tong walked out of the temple alone, intending to admire the plum blossoms and calm his mind.

No sooner had he heard the gatekeeper's greeting than the governor encountered an acquaintance at the entrance of the official temple.

A flash of disdain crossed Zhu Tong's eyes, but then he smiled broadly, bowed, and asked, "Where is Fellow Daoist Qi headed?"

Qi Buxiu was stopped, but he was very respectful: "Reporting to the magistrate, the Fei family held a grand discussion two days ago. Fei Sima was exceptionally kind and allowed us, a virtuous family, to enter and listen to the lecture. I was just returning home when I came back."

Zhu Tong felt a pang of displeasure and thought to himself, "He has a Golden Core cultivator right on his bed at home, yet he still doesn't understand cultivation and insists on going outside to listen to other people preach. He's just making a fool of himself."

Despite the jealousy welling up inside her, Zhu Tong still managed a smile on her face. She then asked, "I see. But the Dao Assembly ended yesterday, so why are you only returning now, fellow Daoist?"

Qi Buxiu thought for a while before replying: "It was because after the Dao Assembly, Sect Leader Chongming Zongkang hosted a banquet at the Fei family and invited us to drink heavily, which caused the delay."

"Oh, Magistrate Kang went too?" Zhu Tong's brows furrowed with interest, and she muttered to herself, "These days I've been buried in my papers, rarely getting a moment's peace, not even hearing a commotion, while the Fei family and their ilk are decorating and having a great time. It's really..."

Qi Buxiu, oblivious to anything amiss, added, "He went with Elder Yuan of the Chongming Sect. Elder Yuan is no ordinary man either. In the celebratory battles at the Dao Assembly, he first defeated a fellow cultivator from the Yunwei Zheng family, then a direct descendant of the Hancheng Yue family. After winning two rounds in a row, only then did a mid-stage cultivator from a minor Fei family enter the arena. It took him quite a bit of effort to finally gain a slight advantage."

Zhu Tong was unaware of the connection between Qi Buxiu and Yuan Jin, and thought that this old man was just ignorant and that was why he praised him so highly. He only agreed with him on the surface, but in his heart he was mocking him: "With your meager skills, what kind of tricks can you possibly see?"

As the two were talking, they saw the gatekeeper on duty at the city gate check the military documents and then release the spirit barrier.

As the city gates opened, a gust of cold wind swept in from outside, and a battalion of soldiers followed.

Qi Buxiu glanced in that direction twice, then said excitedly, "The Qingjue Guards have entered the city. I heard they were sent to Dingzhou and did quite well. They helped Zhou Yun, the eldest disciple of Wufeng Shangxiu, wipe out two groups of people formed by the Hongyi Sect. The leader, Kang Rongquan, even killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Hongyi Sect. I don't know if it's true or not."

"Of course it's true. The report of merit from Chongming Sect has been delivered to me by Wufeng Shangxiu." Zhu Tong smiled faintly for a while, but in his heart he was also sighing: "Is it really a stroke of good fortune? Perhaps Chongming Sect is really going to rise in the next few years, with all its disciples becoming talented, like a spring gushing out of a well."

Upon reading this, Zhu Tong murmured again, "Fei Sima certainly has a good eye."

After a soft murmur, Zhu Tong sighed again, because Qin Sufu's performance in the Battle of Dingzhou was also outstanding. Not only did he kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Hongyi Sect, but he also joined forces with Zhou Yun to force back a Pill Master.

It should be noted that although Qin Sufu is older than Headmaster Kang, he is only less than a hundred years old. Even if he has only reached the Green Leaf stage, he is not without the potential to aspire to form a genuine Golden Core.

"Such a person, actually, was handed over to the Yue family because of class distinctions?"

At this moment, a hint of regret inappropriately appeared in Zhu Tong's eyes. However, the conversation coming from Master Qi beside her quickly brought her back to reality.

Seeing that the Qingjue Guards were somewhat invigorated after entering the city, Qi Buxiu optimistically believed that the situation in Dingzhou would become much clearer after this battle.

This wasn't just baseless speculation; after all, even Zhu Tong thought the same thing.

The Hongyi Sect is currently without the support of the Liangyi Sect, and they are fighting one after another. How many Foundation Establishment cultivators have they managed to kill? If this continues, they may really only have Lai Jieyi Shangxiu left all alone.

Therefore, if this cultivator still has any sense, he would be better off finding a place to rest and recuperate, and waiting for the right time.

"This Qingjue Guard has made great contributions. Fei Sima will inspect them together with another team, distribute the rewards, and then return home."

Zhu Tong did not mention which group the other force belonged to, but Qi Buxiu had already learned from gossip that Tie Liuyun's Xie Zhi Iron Guards were quite impressive in this battle.

Previously, Yuan Buwen led the entire Jingnan province to surrender, and the biggest beneficiary was none other than the Tie family, who had just exchanged clan lands with the Yunwei Zheng family. The Tie family not only avoided direct confrontation with the enemy, but could also free up their Xiezhi Iron Guards to continue fighting alongside the Tie Liu in Yunnan and the north.

Tie Liuyun was indeed one of the few knowledgeable military figures in the area. In this battle, the Xie Zhi Iron Guards had locked a Pill Master recruited by the Hongyi Sect firmly in the formation. Just when they were about to take his life, they saw that Jieyi Shangxiu had easily forced back Wufeng Shangxiu, who had not yet found his natal magic weapon, and was about to come to his rescue. Only then did they take the initiative to withdraw from the battle.

Even so, the fake pill was still severely injured, with its meridians ruptured and its wounds difficult to heal.

"The half-life that Lord Bo personally set beforehand is probably not even halfway over yet, and Tie Liuyun should have almost accumulated enough resources to form his core," Zhu Tong thought of this and sighed with admiration. "That fellow is ruthless. I wonder how many people have changed in the Xie Zhi Iron Guard under his command over the years?"

Unlike Tie Liuyun, a ruthless man who only knew how to risk his life for wealth and a better future, Zhu Tong spent more time with a pen than a knife in his life. If he were to compare himself to such a person in terms of ruthlessness, he would naturally feel inferior.

However, as a disciple of the Prime Minister Gui, even if he doesn't put in much effort, he still has enough resources to form a Core Formation within the Yunjiao Prefecture. This time, his fate is much better than Tie Liuyun's.

Not to mention that the five prefectures under the jurisdiction of the state court are currently developing and there is no shortage of funds for the time being; even if something goes wrong in the future, and the state court's treasury becomes very tight and unable to make ends meet, this amount of funds for forming the Golden Core still needs to be prepared for Zhu Tong.

For the courtiers, what was important was not this small amount of supplies, but Kuang Liuting's respect for this tacit understanding that had been passed down for thousands of years.

The first battalion of Qingjue Guards, led by Kang Rongquan and Ming Zhe, quickly and orderly drove straight through the main road of the city.

Zhu and Qi, being of high status, would not be as reluctant to look away as the common people in the city.

Qi Buzheng was about to make a casual excuse to leave with Zhu Tong when he heard the latter ask, "I heard that Senior Yang Baoshan will soon be setting off to return to Yezhou. I wonder when Senior Chu will be able to get out of prison?"

"Oh, Your Excellency doesn't know?" The old man looked surprised. Seeing Zhu Tong's confusion, he explained, "My wife returned home ten days ago, and the one in prison has long been transferred elsewhere."

"Moved to another place?" Zhu Tong's face showed a hint of surprise, but he didn't dare to show it for too long, lest he be looked down upon by Qi Buxiu. After a few breaths, he smiled faintly and said softly, "Oh, how could I not know? There have been many things going on in the manor lately, so I forgot about it."

"Your Excellency is busy with countless affairs every day, which is truly tiring."

"Ah, fellow Daoist, you are mistaken. How can one talk about hardship when it comes to serving one's country with loyalty?" Having told so many lies that his mouth was calloused, Zhu Tong didn't realize he had burned his tongue. After speaking, he said seriously, "I have official business to attend to, so I will have to take my leave now."

Qi Buxiu was more than happy to agree and readily accepted. Not long after the two parted, Qi Buxiu passed by the Mandarin Duck Tower and saw Kang Changyi emerge from it. With this handsome young man's departure, who knows how many hearts of devoted young women he had taken with him.

Qi Buxiu felt that the gazes cast by the women opposite him, regardless of their plumpness or slenderness, were like sticky silk, unusually clingy, which made him quite uncomfortable.

However, he had seen this scene before, so he was used to it. Kang Changyi, on the other hand, was a little embarrassed and greeted him, "Master-in-law, you've come too?"

The old man was about to casually agree when he suddenly realized what he was doing and immediately snapped, "Hey, kid, how dare you talk like that! How could I possibly come to this place?!"

Kang Changyi felt even more embarrassed and could only offer a weak explanation: "Today, the Zhu family's daughter has chosen this place for her winter banquet, and I really couldn't refuse, so I came to keep the appointment."

Qi Buxiu simply nodded slightly after hearing this, without any change in expression. This was because Kang Changyi had captured the hearts of quite a few women during the years he had been cultivating in Xuanwei City.

Unlike ordinary people, this woman didn't bring a single spirit stone when she entered the Mandarin Duck Tower, yet those former courtesans who used to put on airs still flocked to her, which was quite an achievement.

However, since neither Chu Yanran, the master, nor Kang Dabao's biological father cares and does not believe that this matter will affect Kang Changyi's subsequent cultivation, then Qi Buxiu, the master's father-in-law, has even less right to say anything here.

So he only asked a perfunctory question: "Since this winter wine party is not over yet, why are you leaving so soon, Changyi?"

"Just now, my father sent a message while we were drinking, saying that my maternal grandfather had something to ask me to go, so I dared not delay."

"Didn't we say that after the party, everyone except me, who was completely drunk and unconscious, left? How come that brat Kang Dabao is still staying at the Fei family's place?" Qi Buxiu was somewhat surprised, but he didn't ask Kang Changyi. He simply slapped a second-tier Qingfeng Talisman on the latter, sweeping away most of the feminine scent, before nodding and saying, "Since it's Fei Sima who summoned us, then we should hurry on our way and not delay!"

"Yes!"

—Fei Residence, Council Hall
Fei Nanying slowly read through the ledger handed over by Master Kang, his eyes showing surprise. As someone quite skilled in abacus calculation, he could naturally tell that the numbers in the ledger were definitely not falsified; there were only some slightly ambiguous or embellished parts in the text.

This was indeed a harmless matter, but what surprised Fei Nanying was that after Chongming Sect expanded its territory by a thousand miles, it actually allowed those rogue cultivators to settle down and thrive in the Cold Crow Mountains.

This is an extraordinary skill. Everyone knows that clearing land is a good thing, but even with Fei Nanying's experience, there are very few people who have actually made a lot of spirit stones from this business.

But what grade of spiritual veins do those families occupy? In some places, it's as if a single shovel strike would send up fragments of spirit stones.

What is this newly opened spiritual land of Chongming Sect? Kang Dabao, who holds several second-tier low-grade spiritual veins, still has a slight headache, fearing that uneven distribution will cause discord among the various families of Chongming Alliance.

How much resources did those families use to cultivate the spiritual land? When Gui Xuantong led his clan to cultivate the Liaoyuan Road wetlands, the resources he took from the Immortal Dynasty's treasury were almost as vast as smoke. The cultivators who were conscripted brought their own dry rations, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Even if the wetlands were eventually turned into cultivated land, it might not be enough to make up for the resources consumed back then in the past one or two hundred years.

But how much resources did Kang Dabao actually use?

Of course, the two are not comparable in scale and are vastly different in difficulty, but it is clear that Master Kang is indeed talented in this field.

Although the Davidian dynasty's population is estimated to be in the tens of millions, most of its settlements are located in fertile and remote areas. In other words, the Davidian dynasty has many impoverished and barren places waiting to be developed.

This future.
Now Fei Nanying truly understands why Kuang Liuting favors his son-in-law so much. He can see the whole picture from a single spot. As long as Kang Dabao reaches the Core Formation stage in the future, his future will be bright.

Who knows, in another hundred years or so, we might be dressed in scarlet and purple robes and standing in the temple.

"Not bad,"

Without Fei Tianqin by his side, Fei Nanying no longer needed to act like a grandson, and his arrogant demeanor returned, making even Headmaster Kang slightly dazed.

"I dare not take credit for this,"

"Who said you've done anything good?" Fei Nanying grinned and threw the book back at Kang Dabao. The latter continued, "Growing crops well just means you can eat a few more full meals. How to turn these rice stalks into spears for killing people is what truly shows your skill."

"I've learned my lesson, lad!"

Fei Nanying's smile deepened, but he said with disdain, "Alright, alright, you're being so respectful today, you must be asking for something again. While I'm in a good mood, hurry up and tell me so we can go back sooner."

Since Fei Nanying had already said that, Headmaster Kang didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point: "Boyue, my third junior brother hasn't returned yet."

"What? We've already given him the Azure Spirit Root, so can't he work in Yingzhou for a few years to pay off some of his debts?" Fei Nanying said sarcastically.

“I had no such intention, but Boyue, the Azure Spirit Root was bestowed by the Sheshan Hall, yet Jiang Qing serves under Elder Nanxi of the Qiushui Hall. This is a bit much.”

As expected, when Sect Leader Kang presented his prepared remarks, Fei Nanying's smile gradually faded. But only a few breaths later, the latter shook his head and sighed, "Why be so blunt?"

Kang Dabao was about to answer when Fei Nanying said, "You can't even write two 'Fei' characters in one stroke, let alone me or him?"

After hearing this, Kang Dabao seemed to understand a little, and his pupils immediately contracted as he thought to himself, "Am I, Boyue, going to take over the position of Ancestor Ye Shui?!"

Thinking of this, Sect Leader Kang dared not hesitate any longer and replied, "Boyue's words are correct."

"What future can you expect from keeping your junior brother locked up by your side? Yingzhou is a prosperous place near the capital, with countless young talents and virtuous cultivators. Many people would kill for the opportunity to stay in the capital. Why do you insist on summoning your junior brother back? After Jiang Qing has honed his skills there for several decades, he will return. Perhaps he will already be able to form his core by then. Isn't that better?"

Fei Nanying was not swayed by Kang Dabao in the slightest. With just a few words, he silenced the latter, leaving him speechless.

The latter stammered for a while, uttering a lot of useless words, but in the end, he still couldn't say a single good word.

However, Fei Nanying saw through his nephew-in-law's intentions and was unwilling to force him. He simply said, "Fine, I will write to my cousin Nanxi later and ask him to discuss the pros and cons with Jiang Qing and Chen. If your junior brother also insists on coming back to join forces with you, then I will not force him."

Headmaster Kang breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that if his guess was correct, Elder Nanxi of the Shuishui Hall would certainly not offend Fei Nanying.

He was secretly delighted, but on the surface he put on a resolute look of doing whatever he was told: "Whatever Boyue says, I will not say a word of 'no'."

"Damn it, get the hell out of here!" Fei Nanying was amused by Kang Dabao's anger. Seeing that the latter was about to leave, he called him back and instructed him, "Ancestor Tianqin has already taken Daoist Peng into Hanya Mountain some time ago, so we need to start sorting out the bad lands in between. You should come up with a plan and bring it to me for review."

"I understand, kid!"

"When Changyi arrives later, there's no need to bring him to see me. Go find Gunshilu and have him hold a high-ranking position in the Sima household. This way, he won't be left out when it comes to performance evaluations, rewards, or annual stipends, and it won't attract any gossip."

"Thank you, Boyue."

"Be less formal and reserved," Fei Nanying glanced at Master Kang with some dissatisfaction before saying, "Do your job well, and don't forget to keep a balance in mind. In this world, only we, your own people, are truly reliable."

"Practice diligently, even at the cost of your life. In this world, people still die!"

(End of this chapter)