Chapter 153: Sword of the Common People
In the early morning, bathed in the glow of dawn, Ji You went to admire the mansion he had painstakingly acquired.
Ru Yi Divine Maiden, Zhengxin Fairy, and Yang Shu Heavenly Venerate already had Worldly Family status, but they could join his Worldly Family—no, his mountain stronghold—by becoming his retainers.
However, when it came to expanding his population, he still needed to personally and diligently cultivate it.
He wondered how many children the Young Miss of Lingjian Mountain would be willing to bear for him. He would go back and ask her in Void Mountain—
But before asking, he felt he should undergo a few more micro-illuminations to strengthen his physique, lest the ox die before the field was tilled.
Additionally, Yuan Caiwei of the Dan Sect and Lu Qingqiu of Yun Province also seemed willing to bear children for him. This was the prevailing custom in Qingyun World; the issue of progeny had always been paramount for Worldly Families and Immortal Sects. Just like in the mortal world, having one more child meant being able to cultivate one more plot of land, and cultivators were no exception.
Ji You had even seen something more outrageous: a letter from a Senior Sister who was about to leave the Inner Courtyard at the time.
The letter stated that she did not seek to become Ji You's Dao Companion, only to leave behind a seed for future generations, and she would raise the child herself to adulthood. It was truly astonishing.
“Kuang Cheng, you and Wei Rui should also have more children in the future and join my mountain stronghold.”
“Brother Ji, you really do spout nonsense—”
“Heh, if you’ve got the guts, don’t press your lips together.”
Ji You unreservedly mocked the scholar's affectation, then strode out of Luoyue Mountain Villa, and couldn't help but look back as he descended the steps.
Suddenly moved out?
Is he truly a protagonist destined by heaven? Whatever he thinks of, it comes to pass.
He pondered for a long time, then slowly shook his head and walked back to Prefect Xiang's residence, where he saw Xiang Xuan leading Xiang Fu, and Prefectural Governor Liu leading Liu Jianbei, the four of them emerging from the east wing.
And when Ji You noticed the look in Xiang Fu's eyes as she gazed at him, his heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but hold his breath.
He had seen this kind of look many times after he slew Chu River with his sword.
Someone else wants to bear children for me———?
What's going on?
It wasn't like this when I went out just now.
Kuang Cheng also saw Xiang Fu's complex and indescribable expression at this moment: “Brother Ji, you truly are a femme fatale.”
“Sometimes I really don't want to be a handsome man.”
“By the way, I heard that Princess Changle of Prince Chong's Mansion has taken an interest in Brother Ji, but Brother Ji hasn't responded. I actually think Brother Ji has done well.”
Ji You turned to look at him: “Where did I do well?”
Kuang Cheng straightened his back: “Princess Changle has a domineering and autocratic personality. If Brother Ji were to respond, the remaining women would be difficult to deal with. Now, by not taking the initiative, not responding, and not refusing, you can play both sides, have secret affairs, and only after a secret pregnancy can you conquer the world with a good body.”
Ji You's eyes widened in disbelief: “Is this what the books of sages taught you?”
“These are my own thoughts.”
“A year ago, when we left Yuyang County, if you hadn't ridden the Immortal Ship with me, you would have definitely died on the road.”
Kuang Cheng was stunned upon hearing this: “Why is that?”
Ji You chuckled: “Because I didn't see any Righteous Qi, only a murky human heart. Someone like you can even pass the imperial examination as the top scholar? Then couldn't I, Ru Long Immortal Emperor, become emperor?”
The process of offering tea and entering the academy was not complicated. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Tianshu Academy gained two more students.
Then, the group packed their belongings and prepared to head to the next location.
Prefectural Governor Liu and Prefect Xiang saw the six out the door together, while Xiang Fu stood behind them, her gaze still fixed on the white-robed scholar.
Visually, one could see his fine physique, handsome face, and naturally scholarly demeanor.
Yet, it was truly impossible to discern that he was a ruthless individual who had nearly killed an Integration Dao expert and shattered the Sword Forest.
This feeling, to her, was unreal.
After all, Feng Province was remote. Although Dan Shui County was a commandery, compared to the other nine provinces, it could only be considered a larger county town.
Some figures could not be seen without leaving Feng Province.
“Twenty-one years old, Tongxuan Middle Stage—”
“Ji Family of Feng Province—”
“Fuer is also considered a beautiful woman in Feng Province, skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and also a charming girl who knows etiquette. Perhaps there might be some opportunities.”
Madam Xiang stood at the door, gazing at the white-robed youth in the carriage, and couldn't help but murmur.
This was the consistent way of thinking in Qingyun World. In the mortal world, Immortal Villas, Worldly Families, and even Immortal Sects, the way power was propagated was always through sex, blood, and mother-and-child. This was an unchanging truth throughout the ages.
Upon hearing this, Xiang Fu's face instantly flushed red.
Now, as she looked at the man before her, a different kind of emotion suddenly filled her eyes.
However, the atmosphere among cultivators was open, so she wasn't shy because of her mother's arrangement; instead, she openly felt a sense of longing.
And Xiang Xuan, standing in front, also heard his wife's words and couldn't help but feel a slight stir in his heart.
Women like his wife usually had very narrow views, but at this moment, he felt that his wife was truly blessed with inspiration.
If the head of the first Worldly Family in Feng Province could truly form a marriage alliance with the Xiang Family, wouldn't it be more solid and reliable than all the painstaking efforts of these past years?
Meanwhile, only Prefectural Governor Liu looked at their family of three with a strange expression.
He now understood. If one didn't leave the land of Feng Province, even if they knew about that person's past, they truly couldn't clearly recognize that person's true worth.
Xiang Xuan noticed Prefectural Governor Liu's gaze at this moment and couldn't help but say: “A woman's opinion, it has made Brother Liu laugh.”
Prefectural Governor Liu waved his hand: “It's fine, I can hold back my laughter.”
“However, what my wife said is not entirely a joke. This Ji You will always look for a Dao Companion. Fuer and he are of similar age, and now they have entered Tianshu Academy together—”
“Brother Xiang, do you truly not know Ji You's current status?”
Xiang Xuan was slightly startled upon hearing this: “Prefectural Governor Liu, what do you mean?”
Prefectural Governor Liu stood with his hands behind his back: “In fact, ever since Ji You slew the second son of the Chu family and entered the Inner Courtyard, many people have shared Madam Xiang's thoughts.”
Madam Xiang smiled: “That's not surprising.”
“Including Princess Changle, the daughter of Chong Wang, and Miss Lu, the Eldest Young Miss of the Spirit Stone Worldly Family in Yun Province.”
Upon hearing this, the three members of the Xiang family instantly fell silent.
Prefectural Governor Liu looked at the carriage: “And now, he hasn't agreed to any of them.”
“It is said that he is considering the daughter of the Dan Sect, one of the Seven Great Immortal Sects, and those people are figures we will never see in our entire lives.”
The words dispersed into the wind. At this moment, the Tianshu Academy carriage began to move slowly, and then the group proceeded in order to Guiyun Commandery, Changhe County, Wanlong Town, and other places.
The Prefect of Guiyun Commandery seemed to have already received the news. Cao Jinsong did not need to waste words and secured another student.
As for the two students from Changhe County and Wanlong Town, they entered the academy through military quotas and were less knowledgeable about cultivation matters.
One was taken in by the Chen Clan, and the other had already received an invitation from Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion earlier.
Cao Jinsong was unwilling to force such outcomes.
Tianshu Academy's teachings originated from the Heavenly Book, and everything emphasized Karma and natural flow, acting in accordance with heaven. Those without predestined connections were simply left to go their own way.
At this moment, their carriage traveled southeast. Along the way, people were sparse, and the barren land stretched endlessly, with continuous mountain ranges obstructing their view.
But this scenery, in the eyes of everyone, was exceptionally clear.
Yuyang County was within reach.
At this time, the farmlands were bustling with the autumn harvest.
But it wasn't just able-bodied men and women who were busy; even some white-haired old men and women were there,
bending their bodies, tremblingly swinging their sickles, and then, unsteady as they bent, they would fall into the field.
This was not due to unfilial children; rather, the annual tax tribute was equally divided per capita.
Some elderly people were either sent to the grave while still alive, or they had to work in the fields.
And when the Tianshu Academy's carriage passed by, many farmers couldn't help but look up, then hurriedly dropped their hoes and knelt on the ridges of the fields, not daring to raise their heads.
Ji You had actually seen many such scenes.
On the way by Immortal Ship, on the way back by Immortal Ship, along both banks of Nu River, they were everywhere.
As Ji You watched, some thoughts began to stir in his heart.
At this moment, Pei Ruyi and Cao Jinsong were resting with their eyes closed, when they suddenly felt a surge of Sword Qi around them. They immediately opened their eyes and saw seven sharp swords hovering outside the carriage, instantly making them alert and turning to look.
“What's wrong?”
“Haven't you heard? Those who stir up trouble outside also have to do farm work when they come home—”
“?”
Ji You softly uttered from the carriage, then suddenly swung his white sleeve.
Buzz!
A clear sword hum resonated, and seven Spiritual Swords flew towards the golden wheat waves, their sharp Sword Qi instantly sweeping horizontally close to the ground.
【Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao · Gui Qu Lai Willow Color New】
Gui Qu Lai was Elder Qi's fastest Sword Dao, while Willow Color New was his sharpest Sword Dao.
At this moment, as the Spiritual Swords flew and slashed, countless stalks waiting to be cut at the waist were all severed. The golden wheat ears had no time to react before they lay between the field ridges.
As the carriage moved forward, the seven Flying Swords went back and forth in the wheat field, continuously harvesting. In the blink of an eye, they had swept over a hundred mu.
Wherever the Sword Qi reached, harvest abounded.
Seeing this scene, Cao Jinsong's eyes couldn't help but widen.
Ji You had entered the Upper Five Realms and was now an Inner Courtyard Disciple.
Let alone ordinary commoners, even Xiang Xuan, after learning his identity, spoke with utmost respect.
But probably no one would have imagined that his Sword Dao, which had defeated Chu River, was now harvesting autumn wheat with a Heavenly Sword.
What Innate farming Saint Body—
“If Disciples of Lingjian Mountain saw you doing this, you might be accused of insulting the Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao.”
“This is the Sword of the Common People, it's my own Sword Dao. What does it have to do with them?”
Ji You turned to look at Cao Jinsong and Pei Ruyi: “They knelt to us, so we must be worthy of that kneel.
This is the Immortal Dao. Otherwise, why are we Immortals?”
Kuang Cheng had been listening for a long time, and his eyebrows couldn't help but arch slightly: “Does this sword have a name?”
“Haven't thought about it. How about 'Combined Harvest'?”
“?”
The carriage continued towards the city, while the old farmers kneeling in the fields couldn't help but stand up, looking at the already harvested wheat and then at the Flying Swords constantly traversing under the clear blue sky, their eyes filled with a subtle contentment.
Meanwhile, within the Inner Courtyard of Tianshu Academy, on Tianshu Peak, which stood independently among the five peaks, immortal light surged.
At the same time, above Lingjian Mountain, a golden auspicious cloud spread across the sky.
