The Ninth Lady is a rebellious person.

Twelve years have passed since the battle to slay the demon. The once chaotic and demonically invaded Great Dan has been reborn, welcoming a new ruler and changing dynasties to become the Great Qian Kingdom.

The character "乾" (Qian) signifies the righteous path and the universe, and also serves as a reminder of the evil forces that plagued humanity in the past.

After the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, everything was in need of rebuilding. However, the current ruler, Ning Zhe, worked diligently to govern the country, appointed people based on their abilities, set an example by himself, and brought peace and stability to the people. This resulted in an unprecedented unity among the entire court. In just three short years, the chaos caused by the demonic invasion was brought under control.

Now, twelve years have passed. The court is wise and the officials are upright. The Great Qian Dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, with no more wars or disturbances. The people live in peace and contentment, and the country is thriving. Everything we see and experience is a picture of a prosperous and peaceful world.

"This Wujing City looks much more prosperous than before. Many houses have been renovated?" Lang Jiuchuan sighed. It's just a cycle, and there's a real sense of things changing and everything coming to an end.

The Tongtian Pavilion in Fengya was still open. Although he was in seclusion, he knew more through the messages sent by the ghosts than Lang Jiuchuan, who was actually in seclusion. He said, "After the demonic calamity, many people died, the population was short, and everything needed to be rebuilt. After Ning Zhe took the throne, he encouraged the birth of children. In the first two years, anyone who had a child could receive a string of coins a year to raise the child."

A string of coins might not seem like much to a wealthy family, but for ordinary poor people, it might not even be possible to save a few hundred copper coins in a year. Now that there's such a subsidy, with real money in hand, wouldn't they be eager to make a living?

With a large population, people's livelihood and economy will be stimulated, and there will be trade with other countries, which will fill the national treasury. With money, various infrastructure projects will naturally follow, making the country even more prosperous.

“Ning Zhe is a man of action who works for the benefit of all people. He has truly done it. In the Great Qian Dynasty, every prefecture has an orphanage and a medical charity. Abandoned infants and orphans are sent there and can receive protection until they are twelve years old. The charity also teaches them skills. Children in their teens can learn skills and go out to work as laborers to support themselves.”

Lang Jiuchuan said, "This is a great act of merit."

Fengya looked at her and said, "All these merits will be returned to you."

Ning Zhe was saved by her. The merits and faith brought about by his achievements as a wise ruler will not only benefit him but will also fall upon Lang Jiuchuan. This is cause and effect.

"I know."

Lang Jiuchuan was not unaware of the solidity, richness, and purity of this faith and willpower, and it was precisely because of this that this world was increasingly unable to hold her back.

She stopped and looked at the small shop in front of her, somewhat surprised.

The Wan Shi Pu shop is still there.

Years have passed in the blink of an eye, and all the past events have come flooding back, giving her a feeling of being moved by the sight of the scenery.

"You founded the Wanshi Shop, and the Lang family has kept it all this time. Some people come here but don't do anything; they feel at ease even if they just mutter a few words to a statue. Now, guess who's in charge?" A familiar yet long-lost voice came through, tinged with a hint of choked emotion.

Lang Jiuchuan turned around and smiled at him: "Many years have passed, but Manager Piao is still as charming as ever."

Apiao snorted, stepped forward, bowed to her master, and then cupped her hands in greeting: "Greetings, Immortal Lord Qingyi."

Lang Jiuchuan said sullenly, "You're joining in by badmouthing me too."

"I really wouldn't dare, but everyone here reveres you like a god, how could I dare to defy the world?" A-Piao smiled, and seeing her glare, she sincerely said, "Congratulations on achieving enlightenment." The person who was once tattered and resurrected by possessing another's broken body has now cultivated the Great Dao and can ascend to the heavens at any time. Compared to the demon Tantai Wuji, who plotted for a thousand years without success, who wouldn't sigh with regret?
"Likewise," Lang Jiuchuan replied with a smile.

Everyone gained something from the battle to slay the demon, which is a great achievement.

It is only a pity for the fellow believers who died for their cause, but though their bodies are dead, their faith has not been lost. Their merits will never disappear, and they will be blessed in the next life.

The group headed towards the general store, where a young man emerged from within. He wore a dark blue robe and his features bore a resemblance to Lang Jiuchuan's. His physique was... well, let's just say it was impressive.

Lang Jiuchuan narrowed his eyes, noticing the righteousness and familiar spiritual energy emanating from him, and couldn't help but smile.

“Like you, this is your father… your eldest nephew!” Jiang Che quickly changed the subject, saying, “He has entered the Dao, and his body is even surrounded by traces of Daoist aura.”

Lang Jiuchuan and Fengya descended the mountain, stopping and starting along the way, witnessing the prosperity of the people in Daqian, and naturally also learning about Daqian's current views on Buddhism and Taoism.

Because of the battle to slay the demon, Langjiuchuan offered sacrifices to the heavens, praying for rain to dispel the demonic energy and grant life to all things, causing the spiritual energy to revive. Buddhist and Taoist practitioners gained even more enlightenment and attainment.

With Lang Jiuchuan, a Golden Core cultivator, as an example, many cultivators felt that the Great Dao was within reach. As long as they kept their Dao heart steadfast and cultivated diligently, they would one day be able to achieve the Great Dao like her, or at the very least, extend their lifespan.

Therefore, after the world was at peace, many cultivators went into seclusion again, and even the Xuan Clan was no longer called the Xuan Clan.

The Tantai family was originally a royal family, but because of a demon like Tantai Wuji, they were attacked by the people and stripped of their royal status, becoming commoners. Not only that, some of their family's collections over the years were also sorted out and sent to the Taiping Temple's Star-Gazing Tower for safekeeping by imperial decree.

The remaining Gong and Feng families, based on the principle of voluntariness, dismissed many of their disciples. Although they still retained the name of their Xuanmen lineage, they no longer pursued fame and fortune as before, but instead retreated to cultivate and did not participate in the struggles of the mortal world.

Of course, this also refers to those who have a foundation in the Dao who can cultivate themselves. Those who do not have this foundation will seek their own path, whether it be literature or martial arts, or become officials or merchants.

Nowadays, many people want to seek immortality and ask about the Dao. Those who cannot find the way will go to Daoist temples, Buddhist monasteries, or even the Gong and Feng families. However, these two families only accept those with extraordinary physical qualities and pure Daoist hearts.

As for Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries, Ning Zhe also issued an edict to prevent the recurrence of demonic calamities, forbidding the large-scale construction of Taoist temples, in order to prevent people from neglecting their livelihoods in their pursuit of immortality and alchemy, or from engaging in treacherous acts that would bring great disaster upon their future generations.

Nowadays, apart from those that already exist, any Taoist temples that are to be rebuilt must undergo rigorous review by the government before they can be approved, which is why some people can freely practice their faith.

Lang Jiuchuan never expected that the spiritual rain would open the spiritual senses of so many people, such as the little ginseng on the grave of Princess Tantai, and the young man Lang Chenghui in front of her, who was her father in her past life and her nephew in this life.

Lang Chenghui also saw Lang Jiuchuan. He couldn't quite make out her appearance or aura, but he vaguely felt a blood tie surging within him, making him unable to restrain himself. He rushed down the steps of the shop and ran to her, suppressing his excitement, and tentatively called out, "Auntie?"

With a single word, "Aunt," Lang Jiuchuan's ethereal aura dissipated, revealing her true appearance. (End of Chapter)