Chapter 162: Ji Village
Robbery was his primary job, and cultivating Immortality was merely a form of advanced training to increase his success rate.
The purpose of this training was to reduce business risks and make customers more amenable.
So, Senior Sister Pei's words were correct; he had been forced to take a year-long detour, but now everything was back on track.
Thinking back now, the old doctor he met in Ningcheng County, Central Province, was indeed right.
Staying in an Immortal Sect might bring greater rewards.
Now, he had land, cattle, horses, and a manor.
Later, they would jointly cultivate and harvest. When one grain of millet was sown in spring, ten thousand seeds would be harvested in autumn, ensuring a smooth path to wealth.
Of course, if some disobedient Immortal Villas didn't want to serve him as cattle and horses, and still wanted to cause trouble, he would develop them into customers and treat them well.
One could say that the future path was flourishing.
However, Ji You did not plan to stay long in Feng Province, as he still had to go back to torment the old man.
Moreover, if his Worldly Family truly wanted to endure, it was actually linked to his cultivation Realm; the stronger he was, the more stable his Worldly Family would be, and the more customers he would have.
Otherwise, even if he successfully established a Worldly Family this time, those prominent Sect would not allow Feng Province to remain in his hands indefinitely.
Ji You pondered, holding a wisp of inexplicable Qi in his hand, continuously circling it in his left palm, fluctuating between strong and weak.
Cultivating the Dao required gradual progress, and currently, there was one more thing to consider: 'endless progeny'.
However—
It was difficult to bring up; he needed a suitable opportunity.
A pair of fair, jade-like feet flashed involuntarily before Ji You's eyes, then he came back to his senses and began to write diligently at the desk.
At this time, the sky was dark, and the room also became much dimmer. The few people who had signed the deed of sale were drinking tea.
Seeing Ji You begin to write, they couldn't help but turn to look.
"Who is Junior Brother writing to?"
Bai Rulong turned his head and confidently said, "It must be to his fiancées, telling them that he now has a home, thousands of acres of fertile land, and cattle and horses are ready, so they should come quickly to ensure endless progeny—"
Ban Yangshu couldn't help but place his hand on the table, "Ru Long, your Family is truly wealthy."
Pei Ruyi, however, couldn't help but speak, "I think Junior Brother is notifying acquaintances that the Worldly Family has been established, and they should quickly prepare their congratulatory gifts."
Cao Jinsong put down his teacup upon hearing this, stroked his long beard, and nodded, "This guess is reasonable."
Ji You finished writing the letter, glanced at them, thinking 'what nonsense', then handed the letter to a servant in the manor to be sent to Yuyang County.
On the fifth day after the news of the Ji Family's establishment in Feng Province spread, the autumn wind was bleak, and the fine rain was like silk.
Rainwater fell on the gray tiles, flowing gently, dripping from the eaves, perfectly aligning with the brick seams on the ground, creating small, deep puddles.
At this time, a caravan departed from Yuyang County, journeying through a long trek to reach State Prefecture.
In the lead carriage sat the scholar Kuang Cheng, followed by Old Qiu's Family of three in the next, then the Fang Family father and daughter, and finally, in the last carriage, Chen Fuzi and several young children brought from Yuyang County.
Kuang Cheng, the Qiu Family, and Chen Fuzi had all come upon receiving the letter, while the Fang Family father and daughter, though not invited, couldn't resist following along.
After three days of travel by carriage, everyone had experienced emotional ups and downs. Although tired, their eyes were incredibly bright.
And when the carriages passed through the vast fields outside State Prefecture, and they saw countless crescent-shaped blades flying around, their expressions were very similar to those of Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu earlier.
"Those Immortal Lords—?"
"They're harvesting wheat—"
"What exactly did Young Master do?"
The group of more than ten people looked at each other, then were led into the manor by the servants of State Prefecture.
Ji You came from the east wing and saw Qiu Ru rush over, splashing water as she ran across the still-damp courtyard, then she hugged his thigh, calling him Young Master in a childish voice.
Seeing this scene, the expressions of the Fang Family father and daughter became somewhat dim.
They could already foresee that in a few years, Qiu Ru would likely become an Immortal Sect Disciple, and regardless of her talent, she would inevitably become wealthy or noble.
However, this wealth and nobility should have originally entered their Fang Family through the marriage alliance.
At this moment, Kuang Cheng looked at Ji You, bowed deeply, and said, "Yuyang, no, Feng Province will no longer have a retirement pavilion."
" Ji You gave a thumbs up: "Excellent."
"I heard you encountered an attack when you entered the city?"
"It wasn't an attack, it was an open murder. They just used a tiger's skin as a banner, saying there were bandits in the mountains, but they probably didn't expect that some things happen just as you say them."
Ji You picked up Qiu Ru, then recounted the events of that night to Kuang Cheng. Even with the details omitted, it couldn't help but make everyone present's scalps tingle.
Because when they saw Ji You, they felt his expression was normal, and they hadn't imagined how dangerous it had been.
Kuang Cheng couldn't help but clench his teeth after hearing this, "These foreign Immortal Villas are truly unreasonable."
"Human nature is just like this, but it doesn't matter. After robbing them a few more times, they will become much kinder."
"?"
1
Qiu Zhong couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, what's going on with those people harvesting wheat outside?"
Ji You put a finger to his lips, gesturing for quiet, "Although it looks a lot like harvesting wheat, they are actually practicing swordsmanship. Don't spread rumors outside. Come, I'll take you to see my newly acquired manor."
After the Five Great Xian Villages relocated, five residences very close to State Prefecture were left empty. By the rules, Ji You had the right to use these residences.
At this time, the group arrived at Floating Smoke Manor. Looking from afar towards the gate, they saw towering pavilions, carved with dragons and phoenixes, showcasing the grandeur and magnificence of the manor.
Feng Province had no shortage of land, which meant these high and mighty Immortal Lords could build as grandly as they wished.
And if this manor were in other provinces, its grandeur would already rival that of a Worldly Family. It was no wonder that those Immortal Villas were unwilling to leave even without offerings.
Kuang Cheng now withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Ji You, "On the way here, didn't you already occupy Luoyue Mountain Villa?"
Ji You nodded, "But this one is larger, and the State Governor suggested that I place my Family residence closer to State Prefecture. This place is closer to Changning Crossing, making travel much more convenient, and I think he's right."
"It seems that Lord State Governor also deeply understands the principle of Immortal authority being supreme and is very eager to attach himself to your Worldly Family."
Regarding Ji You's choice of location, officials at all levels in Feng Province had their own thoughts.
After all, this was the first Worldly Family in Feng Province, and being closer to it would naturally be better for one's own Family in the future.
In the other eight provinces, it was not uncommon for Sect to rise by relying on a millennium-old Worldly Family.
So, after the Five Great Xian Villages relocated, He Zhang proactively invited Ji You to visit here.
Ji You naturally understood He Zhang's intentions and, after much thought, also found this place to be good.
From this place, a carriage could reach Changning Crossing in half a day, and an Immortal ship could reach Shengjing in half a day, making travel quite convenient.
Furthermore, although the supremacy of Immortal authority was a given in the Qingyun World, State Prefecture was always the heart of Feng Province. Information reception and reaction speed would always be faster than in the subordinate Dan Shui County.
Ji You then stepped forward, leading the group into the former Floating Smoke Manor.
Upon entering, they saw cypress trees lining both sides of a white jade avenue. Further inside was a lush garden and a vast, boundless pond, connected by a covered bridge, with a small pavilion in the center of the pond.
The main hall was behind the pond, and the east and west courtyards, originally residences for the villa's Disciples, were now empty.
The Qiu Family couple couldn't help but gape at this sight, and the Fang Family father and daughter were also deeply shaken.
After Fengxian Mountain Manor relocated from Yuyang, some daring individuals had ventured inside to look, but compared to this place, it was merely a humble dwelling.
"Old Qiu."
"Young Master."
Ji You looked at him, "From now on, this will be the new Ji Family. You will still be the Master-in-charge. I have already instructed the State Governor that when I return to Tianshu Academy, you will handle the tax offerings of Feng Province. You have been the Master-in-charge of the Ji Family for many years, so this should not be a problem for you."
Qiu Zhong looked up upon hearing this, his expression somewhat panicked.
It was true that he had been the Master-in-charge of the Ji Family, but that was merely a landlord's household in Yuyang County. Now, what he was to manage was almost the entire tax offerings of Feng Province.
But Ji You had no other choice. Just as those people described him as being alone, there were truly few people he could trust at this time.
Moreover, he wasn't particularly good at calculations either.
This was why 'endless progeny' was considered almost as important as 'cultivating Immortality' in Qingyun World.
Because in a place where conflicts of interest existed in every corner, blood ties were always the most direct and reliable bond. No matter how strong an individual was, there would always be limits to their capabilities.
Kuang Cheng couldn't help but frown at this moment, "Brother Ji, although Feng Province is much more stable now, other Immortal Villas are still eyeing it covetously. Old Qiu is a Mortal; letting him manage such a huge matter, I fear there will be danger."
"It's fine. Senior Sister Pei has decided to stay. She will help me oversee this place. With her Rongdao Realm cultivation, no trouble will arise."
"Fairy Pei is not returning to Tianshu Academy?"
Ji You nodded, "She thought about it for a long time and only hinted at it yesterday. I was a bit surprised at the time, but upon closer thought, it seems reasonable."
Pei Ruyi was a native of Feng Province, from an official Family, and had obtained a spot to enter Tianshu Academy.
However, because she couldn't enter the Inner Courtyard and had no Immortal cultivating Worldly Family behind her, she was like Ji You, alone with nowhere to go.
After her five-year term expired, she joined the Master-in-charge Pavilion to continue staying at Tianshu Academy, rising from a traveling agent to admissions.
Although she was called the Outer Courtyard's Chief, she knew in her heart that it didn't mean much.
Especially after the Qi Ridge incident, she felt even more that there was nothing good about staying at Tianshu Academy.
So, during their long journey and their entry into State Prefecture, Pei Ruyi had clearly understood where her true home was.
Ji You had recognized seventy-two adopted sons and daughters in Yuyang County. Although this was a clever move at the time, with Ji You's change in status, she felt she had found something more suitable.
She planned to stay at the Ji Family as an Instructor.
The qingyun immortal rules do not have any clear regulations regarding whether adopted sons and daughters can cultivate to become Immortals.
Furthermore, Feng Province is a vast and sparsely populated area, and no one truly adheres to the qingyun immortal rules all the time; otherwise, Night City Mountain wouldn't be littered with corpses.
She had seen Qiu Ru in Yuyang County a year ago and knew that after Ji Shidi’s prolonged Spiritual Qi nourishment, this young girl would have a very smooth path in her cultivation.
And some other children had also been secretly nourished by Ji You, and should be able to achieve something.
Of course, Ji You welcomed Senior Sister Pei’s decision with open arms; after all, with someone watching over the household, he could confidently go to Tianshu Academy and endure the old men.
Hearing Ji You’s narration, Kuang Cheng suddenly understood: “So, this is also why you invited Chen Fuzi over?”
“Precisely. During those few days I returned to Yuyang County, didn’t I attend a few of Chen Fuzi’s lectures? I felt that although he was a bit old-fashioned, his teachings on loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness were quite good.”
Ji You turned his head and saw an old man stroking his long beard, leading a group of children strolling leisurely in the courtyard.
This was Chen Fuzi, probably around sixty years old, slender and a bit old-fashioned.
Ji Hanfei had many Masters in his life, such as Cao Jinsong who led him into the Immortal Sect, and Qi Zhengyang who taught him swordsmanship.
But in fact, the very first person who taught him about the world was this Chen Fuzi.
At this moment, Chen Fuzi was stepping out from the courtyard, looking up and pointing at the plaque: “Ji You, there’s a wrong character on your door plaque. Although the character for ‘residence’ (house) and ‘fortress’ (Village) sound similar, they are not the same character.”
“That’s right, exactly. It’s a phonetic loan character.”
“?”
Chen Fuzi looked at the two characters “Ji Village” on the plaque, pondered for a long time, then stroked his long beard: “Heh, interesting.”
Kuang Cheng also saw the “phonetic loan character” and turned to Ji You: “With such a large fortress, Brother Ji might truly need a Madam who can keep it in order; otherwise, the backyard will inevitably catch fire.”
“She can keep it in order. I have confidence in her.”
Just then, the clear sky suddenly had faint thunder, as if it was about to rain again.
So everyone looked up at the sky, then lowered their heads, and saw Chen Fuzi had quickly walked under the connecting corridor, leaning against a pillar, ready to take shelter from the rain.
However, sometimes thunder doesn’t mean rain. Chen Fuzi then poked his head out from the corridor again, staring at the gloomy sky for a long time.
Ji You looked at Chen Fuzi: “Still as timid as before?”
Kuang Cheng nodded: “Always.”
Then the steward of the State Prefecture came and said that the State Governor was hosting a banquet at his residence, inviting them to be guests in Feng Province again as a token of his regard.
So everyone left Ji Village and went to He Zhang’s residence.
Qiu Ru couldn't stop eating; at such a young age, her appetite was incredibly vigorous.
She loved drumsticks very much, but she always ate one and then, with teary eyes, left the remaining one for her young Master. However, when she left it, her mouth was practically crying from craving, showing her internal struggle to the fullest.
Cao Jinsong looked at her and couldn't help but say, “It seems Qiu Ru has reached the age for Spiritual Awakening.”
Pei Ruyi heard him and said, “When Junior Brother Ji and the Instructor return to Tianshu Academy, I will teach her to sense Innate Spiritual Qi and help her awaken her spirit.”
A child’s vigorous appetite signifies a period of rapid growth and development, and their body is also relatively stable. During this stage, the Innate Spiritual Qi in the body is most active, and the body is strong enough to withstand the infusion of external Spiritual Qi, making it the most suitable time for Spiritual Awakening.
In other Worldly Sect, children generally undergo Spiritual Awakening at this age.
The little girl had suffered hardships with Qiu Zhong since childhood, not even having tasted meat, but her starting point now was in no way inferior to those children of Worldly Sect.
“But I don’t want to cultivate to become an Immortal.”
“?”
Qiu Ru blinked her eyes, looked at her aunts and uncles, and said in a tender voice, “Immortals are all bad people.
I want to be a bandit with Young Master, and then we’ll eat well and live lavishly.”
At this moment, everyone at the table couldn't help but turn to look at Ji You, who was diligently eating, their expressions very strange.
Ji You looked up at them, thinking, “What’s wrong? This is what I taught her well since childhood. Look at this ambition.” Then he gave the drumstick to Qiu Ru: “Eat. From now on, you’ll be the number one female bandit in Feng Province.”
Qiu Ru drooled profusely, the ideal of being a bandit deeply imprinted in her heart.
After the dinner, everyone left. Kuang Cheng was called by Ji You to the East Wing where he was currently staying.
His room was not tidy, but it couldn't be called messy either, because it was filled with documents and registers, scattered on the bed and the desk, many of which had been flipped through.
Ji You picked out a few books and handed them to the scholar.
“What are these?”
“All the official documents, yellow registers, and records of Immortal Villas choosing locations to establish themselves in Feng Province over the years.”
Kuang Cheng was slightly surprised: “Were these sent by Master He?”
Ji You nodded: “He said that although I am only establishing a Worldly Family here, it’s better to understand the matters of taxes and Immortal Villas clearly, so that even if I am far away in Tianshu Academy, I can be aware of things.”
Kuang Cheng couldn't help but look up, chuckling helplessly: “Officials of the Great Xia truly have become tools serving the Immortal Sect now.”
These documents and materials were not allowed to be disclosed to anyone under Great Xia law; besides the State Governor, only the Ministry of Revenue and the current Great Xia Emperor could access them.
But this explicit regulation now seemed like a mere formality.
Kuang Cheng reached out and opened the yellow register in his hand, examining it carefully, then his brows slowly furrowed.
The so-called yellow register was the household registration used for tax collection. The number of people counted in Yuyang County after each autumn harvest came from this.
Officials of various states and counties would conduct population statistics and checks within their jurisdiction every five years, or when the reign title changed.
All registered and checked individuals were recorded, then distributed to various states and counties as vouchers. The per capita tax rate was converted, and each person was a tribute in the eyes of the Immortal Sects, Worldly Sect, and Immortal Villas.
And corresponding to the yellow register was the so-called Immortal Registry.
Tens of thousands of people on the yellow register toiled hard to support the high and mighty Immortals in the Immortal Registry, allowing them to cultivate to become Immortals without distraction, then laugh heartily and ascend.
“May I ask, Brother Ji, which year is this yellow register from?”
“It’s this year’s.”
Kuang Cheng was stunned for a moment, then remembered that the reign title had changed this year, requiring the re-compilation of the yellow register.
Then he picked up the previous one he had looked at and flipped through it again.
This was the one from three years ago, the first year of Taiwu, and as he flipped through it, his expression gradually became solemn.
Because according to the population records in the yellow register, in just three years, the four million people in Feng Province had sharply decreased by almost two-tenths.
And if one looks closely, they would find that some registered villages almost disappeared entirely, not even a single person remaining, and this happened without any natural disasters.
Ji You had flipped through this yellow register last night and also found it shocking.
Over the past six months, cultivators have always been muttering about an impending chaotic world, and something being amiss with the Luck of the Human Race.
But for the common people, this world has always been chaotic, even an apocalypse.
“I know you investigated Wei Li’s corruption case regarding tax tributes, and you must have seen yellow registers from other states. I want to know, is this normal?”
Kuang Cheng’s brows furrowed slightly: “In the tax tribute case, I checked the yellow registers of the Central Province, and the number of common people was also sharply decreasing.
In recent years, wars have been raging outside Hantie Pass, and the population of Worldly Sect has been increasing, so both taxes and tributes have become heavier. Perhaps because of this, it makes it difficult for the common people to survive?”
Ji You pondered in silence for a long time, then picked up another document and handed it to him: “There’s one more thing that I’m quite concerned about.”
“What is it?”
“The number of Immortal Villas in Feng Province also exceeded my expectations.”
Kuang Cheng opened it and saw that cultivators had always chosen locations to establish Immortal Villas in Feng Province, but the number hadn't changed much.
It had been increasing, but the total number remained unchanged, which actually meant a decrease in numbers.
Before the Autumn Tournament, Kuang Cheng had returned to Yuyang County once and brought back news that Fengxian Mountain Manor had moved. Later, when they returned to Feng Province together, passing through Dan Shui County, they heard that Luoyue Mountain Villa had also moved.
But now it seemed that Fengxian Mountain Manor and Luoyue Mountain Villa were not isolated cases.
If not for this, then Ji You’s desire to establish a Worldly Family in Feng Province might have been even more difficult.
“When Fengxian Mountain Manor moved, I didn’t find it strange, but later when Luoyue Mountain Villa also moved, I felt it was too much of a coincidence. It was only after seeing these registers that I realized it wasn’t just these two Sect.”
Kuang Cheng pondered for a long time: “Could it be that they feared Brother Ji’s reputation and moved away early?”
Ji You’s mouth twitched after hearing this: “A year ago, I was still a pathetic wretch who had his engagement broken off, Old Kuang. Do you think that’s right?”
“But I don’t understand, why does Brother Ji think this matter is strange?”
“Because someone once told me that when there are too many coincidences, it’s no longer a coincidence.”
Kuang Cheng couldn't help but shake his head, seemingly unable to figure it out either.
He was not a cultivator, so he understood even less about cultivators’ affairs, let alone Immortal Villas.
Comparatively, he was more concerned about the decreasing number of common people in Feng Province.
Five years ago, there was a great blizzard in Feng Province. The common people peeled tree bark to fill their stomachs but still couldn't get enough, so they resorted to cannibalism. The scene still sends shivers down his spine when he recalls it now.
Ji You’s stance and experiences were different from his, so their thoughts and ideas naturally differed.
He couldn't glimpse the heavenly secrets, only feeling that this world was truly indescribably strange.
The common people were constantly dying, and cultivators often disappeared in groups.
If this world were compared to a whole, then it was now riddled with cracks, full of a sense of fragmentation, yet for some reason, it still existed well.
