Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 188 Q&A
At the Monkey Valley camp, Li Xiangming was quietly meditating and cultivating.

A soft voice suddenly called from outside the door: "Manager, Chi Laiyong requests an audience."

"Let him in."

Shortly after, Chi Laiyong respectfully pushed open the door and knelt down on the ground.

Li Xiangming opened his eyes, but did not speak immediately.

Chi Laiyong stiffened and buried his head even deeper.

"Get up."

Li Xiangming said calmly that he also felt some pressure facing Chi Laiyong.

This pressure did not come from Chi Laiyong's cultivation and strength, but from an elusive uncertainty that Li Xiangming sensed in him—he was unsure whether he could completely control this young man.

Chi Laiyong was far smarter than he had imagined, yet he always maintained an excessive level of caution in his presence, which made him think deeply.

Whether it was out of a sense of responsibility to lead the Chi family to survival, or to gain more resources and status from him, the fact that Chi Laiyong could do what ordinary people couldn't—giving up a stable position as the head of the family and choosing to follow him to the dangerous Puyin Mountain—was enough to show that the other party was no ordinary person.

Chi Jingtong devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Chi family, presumably because the family produced someone like Chi Laiyong, which gave him hope.

Are you getting used to life in Puyin Mountain?

"Habits have gradually become part of the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Team."

"Tell me everything that happened after you joined the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Group."

"Yes."

……

After a long pause, Li Xiangming pondered for a moment.

From Chi Laiyong, he learned about the various grudges between Lü Mao and Ge Yi, as well as Lü Mao's current situation. This experienced regimental commander was at his wit's end and had no choice but to become Zhao Jindou's front man.

Of course, as itinerant merchants, Lü Mao and the others were of limited use to Zhao Jindou, and Zhao Jindou was unwilling to supply provisions for seven or eight Qi Refining cultivators in the mid-to-late stages, which is why he introduced them to Li Xiangming.

Perhaps this was also Lü Mao's purpose in joining Zhao Jindou's side.

Li Xiangming didn't mind, because this person had set a good example, showing other demon-hunting groups that the Li family was the true master of Puyin Mountain, and also making it easier for him to intervene in the independent demon-hunting groups.

After thinking for a while, Li Xiangming asked casually, "What do you think of Lü Mao?"

"Commander Lü is a responsible person who can win people's hearts. Although he is quite firm in his bottom line, he also knows how to compromise and back down. He is a very good partner."

"Well said."

Li Xiangming nodded, but then changed the subject: "It's a pity they're not one of us."

Chi Laiyong dared not speak, his expression respectful.

Li Xiangming glanced at him: "I intend for you to replace Lü Mao and become the leader of the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Team. Are you willing?"

"I?"

Chi Laiyong was stunned, completely unprepared for this, and lowered his head in a fluster: "I... I am of low ability and dare not accept this important task."

"Then tell me, who is suitable to be the regimental commander?" Li Xiangming asked with great interest.

Chi Laiyong quickly replied, "Fairy Tang's cultivation has reached the late stage of Qi Refining. She is loyal, righteous, and trustworthy, making her the perfect choice for the commander."

"Tang Xueyan is not shrewd enough, she can't control people, and she can't be a leader."

Li Xiangming shook his head.

Upon hearing the word "scheming," Chi Laiyong became even more flustered and lowered his head even further: "Ji Shilun is intelligent and capable, comes from a prestigious family, and is knowledgeable and experienced. He should be able to become the regimental commander."

"Ji Shilun is too impulsive and is not a suitable candidate for regimental commander."

Li Xiangming smiled faintly, "With a little polishing, Ji Shilun could make it usable."

But Ji Shilun has the Ji family behind him, so he won't let Ji Shilun take control of the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Group.

Li Xiangming had only placed three people in the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Group, and he rejected two of them in succession.

Beads of sweat appeared on Chi Laiyong's forehead. He forced himself to mention several other members of the original Mad Lion Demon Hunting Group, but none of them satisfied Li Xiangming. In the end, only Chi Laiyong remained as a candidate.

"Don't underestimate yourself. Since I'm using you, I'll make the most of you."

Li Xiangming solemnly instructed: "Of course, it's not that you need to take over the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Team right now. Lü Mao still has a great use to him, but you should also start preparing and spend more time getting closer to others in your spare time."

"Yes."

Chi Laiyong nodded in agreement, but his heart was filled with trepidation.

He didn't think he was particularly capable, nor did he feel that he had earned Manager Li's trust.

So he was baffled by this windfall. But if he could become the regimental commander and command an armed force, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for the Chi family's development.

Just then, Li Xiangming suddenly remembered something and asked, "What spiritual plants were planted in the spirit fields of Xiaolan Valley this year?"

"Reporting to Steward Li, as you instructed, evening primroses were planted."

Chi Laiyong's expression became increasingly respectful. According to the agreement signed between the Chi family and Manager Li, in addition to providing the Blackwater Serpent, the Chi family would also relinquish the right to select spiritual plants in exchange for protection, just as before.

This means that although the Chi family is not reduced to a subservient clan, they are indeed vassals, and vassals of Li Xiangming alone.

Therefore, if Li Xiangming is even slightly dissatisfied with the late arrival of Yongcai, the harvest of Xiaolan Valley Spirit Field for the entire year will be severely affected.

"For the next two years, plant evening primroses unless I give the order. Go ahead and plant them. If you can't sell them, I'll buy them."

Li Xiangming remembered Qingyang Daoist, who had previously mentioned that the Li family didn't have many evening primroses in their reserves.

We'll plant a batch of evening primroses in Xiaolang Valley to supply Qingyang Temple.

In addition, limiting the Chi family to planting only one type of spiritual plant is also a warning to Chi Laiyong.

If Chi Laiyong harbors any disloyal intentions, Li Xiangming can cut off the Chi family's finances at any time.

"By the way, ask Commander Lü to keep an eye on Zhang Zhi'ang."

"Zhang Zhi'ang?"

Chi Laiyong was surprised. He already knew about the Puyinshan Guild Hall's collective suppression of Zhang Mazi, and immediately asked, "What about Madam Feng?"

"Don't worry about Madam Feng."

Li Xiangming shook his head. There were many itinerant merchants at the Puyin Mountain Guild Hall, but the vast majority of them were ordinary itinerant merchants.

Only Zhao Jindou, Lao Wutou, and Zhang Zhiang are special because they have more sources of goods and sales channels than the others.

Therefore, he received extra attention from Li Xiangming.

In contrast, although Madam Feng was very active in the guild hall, she was not of much value.

Such itinerant merchants are a dime a dozen in Puyin Mountain.

As for Old Wu, his willingness to compete with Zhang Mazi for the price of the immortal tiger bone is enough to prove his financial strength.

But the old man is old after all, and not worth Li Xiangming investing too many resources in.

Zhang Zhi'ang, on the other hand, was young and vigorous. He put forward unique insights and was quite insightful at several meetings held at the Puyinshan Guild Hall.

Moreover, his talent and cultivation are quite remarkable. Li Xiangming plans to support him to take the lead in order to prevent Zhao Jindou from becoming the only one who can dominate the Puyinshan Guild Hall.

"My subordinate understands."

He arrived late, bowed respectfully, and slowly withdrew.
-
It's the Changyang Valley Market, which is held once every three months.

Two young cultivators dressed in blue Taoist robes strolled hand in hand.

A moment later, one of the young men looked delighted and said, "The yellow buds at this stall are a bit cheaper."

As he spoke, the young man squatted down and began picking and choosing items at the stall.

"This customer has a good eye. The pills we sell are not only cheap, but they are all top-quality."

As the young man picked out more and more items, the stall owner beamed with joy.

"Are there only 6 bottles?"

The young man muttered something in dissatisfaction.

The stall owner paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "Six bottles is quite a lot. Changyang Valley is only open for three days, so we don't dare to stock up too much. If you still want more, I'll personally deliver it to your door in a few days."

"I can't wait."

The young man shook his head; he was on his way to purchase elixirs for his sect.

Buy half and take them home, then wait for someone else to come to your door with the rest.

What if they don't come to our door?

You mustn't get scolded to death by your master.

After hastily handing over the pills, the young man continued to look at other stalls.

His accomplice next to him kept his head down the whole time.

The young man turned and glanced at him, then sighed, "Third Brother, there's no need for that. Master was just saying a few angry words."

The man looked up and pursed his lips: "Senior Brother, I don't want to go back to Lingwu Sect."

(End of this chapter)