The Great Seminary

Chapter 240 Great benefits

The winter sun shone brightly on the earth, seemingly with boundless light, but it brought not a trace of warmth.

The wind was biting cold on the street.

Shen Shijing seemed not to hear Zhang Gui's excuses and asked another question on his own.
"When our Hanli state was not overthrown, Xianrong Island had a population of half a hundred million."

Do you know how much is left?

"have no idea.

However, I know that although Fresh Island covers an area of ​​more than 300,000 miles, it is mostly mountainous, and the remaining plains are mostly very barren.

Water resources are relatively abundant, but there are very few large man-made ditches.

In fact, being able to comfortably support 30 million people is already the limit; 50 million would mean that half of the population would be in a state of chronic hunger.

"It would be strange if they didn't rebel."

Seeing that Shen Shijing was pretending to be deaf and dumb, Zhang Gui stopped being polite.

Shen Shijing's face flushed red with anger, but he suppressed his rage.

"There are still more than three million people living on Xianrong Island, most of whom are teenagers."

In the final days of a dynasty, vast deserts and widespread suffering are commonplace, with countless deaths and injuries among the common people.

However, while it is possible in history for 'only one in ten survives' to die, it is also extremely rare.

"I knew Fresh Velvet Island was in a bad situation, but I didn't expect it to be this bad!"
No wonder even the lackeys of the high and mighty, mysterious 'God King' and 'Supreme Saint' have appeared.

Han Li and Cheon Je are of the same clan and ancestor, but they live in different plains and mountains, so this struggle for the state is actually a fratricidal conflict.

They fought for the legacy left by their ancestors, but now the houses have collapsed and the outcome is meaningless.

Humans, sometimes, why do we do such pointless things?

Even someone as carefree as Zhang Gui was shocked and speechless upon hearing this answer.

Unexpectedly, seeing him freeze, Shen Shijing misunderstood and coldly laughed:

"I heard that ever since Longhu landed on Xianrong Island, the corpses of all the Xianrong Islanders who died tragically in battle have been refined by you using secret methods and used for other purposes."

"Now that you've counted the dead and those you refined, don't you think it's enough?"

"Fairy Shen has misunderstood."

I think it's truly beyond words that a civil war, with each side seeking powerful allies, has escalated to this point.

Other matters can be debated, but the main deity, 'Tai Sui Enters the Godhood,' has stored the remains of tens of millions of people from Fresh Velvet Island.

From any perspective of public order and good morals, this is utterly immoral and outrageous.

In particular, the 'license' for doing this was obtained from Shen Shijing's 'thank you'.

Now, being questioned by her in a tone of grief and indignation, Zhang Gui could no longer maintain his previous "strength" and explained in a low voice while bowing and silently mourning.

"Wild geese fly, their feathers rustling...and so they reach out to the widowed and orphaned, pitying their plight."

Wild geese fly, my son is on the wall... all the walls are being built... wild geese fly, their mournful cries are deafening.

With the nation so utterly destroyed, please accept my deepest condolences, sir!

"You may be inexplicably arrogant, but you still have 'face' and understand 'reason'."

Shen Shijing remained silent for a while, his expression gradually softening, and he said softly:
"So I'm willing to make a huge deal with you."

You know about the fact that Emperor Daqi's 'Xia Que' and Queen Mother of the West's 'Kunlun' sent special envoys to Xianrong Island, right?

Zhang Gui wasn't stupid. Knowing the current situation of the Han Li royal family, he wouldn't have cared about Shen Shijing's deception.

But upon hearing the names 'Xia Que' and 'Kunlun', he couldn't help but nod.

"Yes, I know, I've heard about it."

That powerful being who 'ascended to heaven' on Fresh Velvet Island lingered there for too long and caused too much trouble, almost leading to the destruction of the kingdom and the extinction of the race.”

At this point, noticing Shen Shijing's unusual expression,
"In short, that's why Xia Que and Kunlun's disciples came to Xianrong Island and 'invited' her away."

But Fairy Shen, what does this have to do with you?

"It's not just about me; the special envoy saw the tragic scene on Xianrong Island and felt that if our Hanli royal family continues to fight among the Cheonje people, it will only lead to the 'destruction of the country and extinction of the race,' just as you said."

Therefore, we, the "Four Clans," were mobilized to leave Fresh Velvet Island and migrate to the Underground Realm to establish a new foundation.

"Does he have some connection to your ancestors? Otherwise, how could someone of such high status be so kind?"

Zhang Gui smiled insincerely, clearly half-believing and half-doubting.

"Our 'Four Sects of Han and Li' have been established for a thousand years, and we still have a few secret realms."

With a flick of his sleeve, Shen Shijing finally revealed the refined elegance of a nobleman.

Zhang Gui, now that he was a "nouveau riche," was beyond reproach. He curled his lip.
"I have not only never seen, but I have never even seen this so-called 'secret realm'."

But it seems like just an ordinary city. Oh, wait a minute.

You just said you'd offer me a huge deal, could it be related to this 'secret realm'?

Before he could even ask the question, Zhang Gui had already given the answer.

Shen Shijing smiled faintly, "That's exactly right."

Zhang Gui finally lost his composure, his heart trembling as he thought...
"Is this trip to Fresh Velvet Island really that lucky? Not only did my wish come true, but I also managed to snag some of the royal family's 'bankruptcy clearance sale'!"

What is a 'secret realm'? It's the only standard feature of dynasties, royal families, and ancient noble families!

With it, you can claim it's a 'family heirloom'; without it, you're just a 'newcomer' among the nouveau riche.

What does this show? It shows its importance!

The knowledge related to 'secret realms' is absolutely top-tier extraordinary knowledge, not to mention the finished products.

In short, even if the deal falls through, just a few words exchanged could be very beneficial.

Knowledge is power. "Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me." When asking others for advice, one must maintain a proper attitude.

It's not shameful.

So his posture quickly became respectful, and his head, which had been tilted back, drooped down.

Even his sword-like eyebrows had become scraggly and unruly.

"Please allow me to speak, sir."

Actually, I've always longed to know everything about the 'Secret Realm'.

If my wish can be fulfilled today, I will be overjoyed.

Please teach me.

"It is only natural that someone with divine bloodline, cultivation aptitude, and status like you would be interested in the 'secret realm'."

But aren't you quite good at sophistry? I thought even if you wanted to, you'd at least pretend…”

"No matter how eloquent a person is, unless they encounter a fool, their limit is to 'call a deer a horse'."

Given your wisdom, if I were to deceive you with tricks, wouldn't I be bringing shame upon myself?

Therefore, I would never dare to.

In response to Shen Shijing's questioning, Zhang Gui preemptively and respectfully gave his answer.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shijing displayed an extremely strange expression.

When things are going well for you, you make people feel like they're basking in a spring breeze; when things are going badly for you, you make people grit their teeth in frustration.

Where did they learn these political maneuvering techniques at such a young age?

"Please forgive me, sir."

I come from a humble background, and in order to make a living, I had to... well, I developed quite a few bad habits.

As for 'discussions about the Spring and Autumn Annals,' that's just a matter of having a slight talent for it.

Zhang Gui answered with a simple yet earnest expression.

(End of this chapter)