Chapter 350: Fleeing to Feng Province to act like a tyrant?
Under the gloomy sky, the Qin, Wei, and Jiang Families had just rushed into the valley when they were met with a burst of Sword Qi, like a collapsing mountain.
Almost in the blink of an eye, they understood one thing: why the Wang Family members who pointed the way had such an expression.
In an instant, countless white mists rose from the vaporized raindrops.
Ji You approached with his sword held diagonally, flying and slashing. The strong Sword Qi created countless ripples in the air, and at the same time, it took away their storage gourds, which clattered down. The rain gradually began to fall more heavily, and night slowly enveloped them.
The carriage began to enter a bumpy section of the road, and with its swaying, Zhuo Wanqiu awoke from her sleep.
She gently rubbed her eyes and subconsciously looked in Ji You's direction. Finding no one, she couldn't help but sit up: "Cao Instructor, where is my Young Master?"
"He went out to work."
" ? "
Not long after, the carriage suddenly swayed gently.
Ji You returned to the carriage, still carrying the undissipated Qi and Sword Intent around him, and the mouth of his storage gourd was askew.
The customers were very cooperative, especially the last three families; they knew what to do as soon as he drew his sword, so it didn't take much effort.
This was the life he had originally longed for: hardworking, brave, and earning his living by his own abilities.
The shaking of his return to the carriage also woke up the others, such as Wen Zhengxin, the Lu Family Sisters who had fallen asleep later, and Ban Yangshu, all of whom couldn't help but look up and gaze over.
In their line of sight, Ji You's eyebrows were slightly raised, his expression joyful and natural, as happy as a child who had just robbed someone.
"What did you rob?"
"Two inherited secret arts from the Li Family, over a hundred storage gourds, a tower, and some miscellaneous items."
Cao Jinsong's mouth twitched. He thought to himself, 'He's truly a peerless bandit.'
However, this also showed that from five years ago until now, this unruly Disciple of his had never thought of living in peace with the Sects.
He still thought that Sects and Immortal Sects were all cancers, just like when he first came out of Yuyang County, and he looked forward to those Sects suffering, or even perishing.
So he had no psychological burden when he robbed them.
And as his combat power grew stronger, those Sects he targeted would likely have an increasingly difficult time.
Under the night sky, Ji You's eyes were golden, and he seemed to have more to do. He left the carriage many times before leaving Central Province and entering Feng Province.
This speeding carriage had clearly become a mobile bandit's den, gradually moving north as the stars shifted, crossing the border of Feng Province at noon on the second day.
"Everyone says Feng Province is the most barren of the Nine Provinces, but I didn't expect it to be quite nice to live in."
"It is indeed nice, and the scenery is very beautiful."
After the Youyun Two Prefectures lost power, a large number of refugees came to Feng Province.
Besides the refugees, there were also some Sects who had fled here, taking advantage of the northern border's buffer, such as the Lan Family and Bian Family from You Province, and the Xiang Family branch and Yue Family from Yun Province.
Many people had known since childhood that Feng Province was the most barren among the Nine Provinces, but only after truly arriving here and seeing the vast cultivated land and the newly constructed buildings did they realize how much Feng Province had developed over the years.
Especially the mental state of the common people on the streets; they didn't look as tired and lifeless as those in their own prefectures.
These Sect members stayed here for several days, gradually recovering from the exhaustion of their flight, and then began to ponder their next step.
Having had their homes destroyed, they were now left with nothing.
Whether it was Spirit Stones or grain, it was difficult to sustain themselves.
However, Feng Province had a lot of grain in storage and many Spirit Stone reserves, so they knew where to find a solution.
In the autumn after the light rain, the chill gradually deepened.
A group of Sect Family Heads, led by the Lan Family Old Ancestor, arrived at the State Prefecture in Feng Province.
"The invasion of the Barbarian and Yao Races is truly a disaster for our Nine Provinces. At this time, we should naturally unite against the common enemy. I know Feng Province has a great deal of grain in storage and has also stockpiled a large number of snowy region demon stones. It is time to bring them out."
The white-haired Lan Family Head looked at the Governor He Zhang, his tone steady and commanding without anger.
He Zhang clasped his hands after hearing this: "Immortal is absolutely right, but this humble one does not have much grain in hand and is truly struggling."
"Nonsense! Your Feng Province is far in the north and has no Immortal Cultivation Sects. You haven't suffered from the corpse tide. The autumn harvest just ended a few days ago. Isn't a large amount of stored grain all in the granaries?"
The Lan Family Head leaned on the table and said: "The Yao Race and Barbarian Race only seem to covet the Youyun Two Prefectures, but do you think they won't set their sights on other prefectures once they completely occupy them? Feng Province is adjacent to Yun Province. How will you defend without us?"
He Zhang pursed his lips, his brow furrowed, revealing a troubled expression.
"I will make the decision. Four-tenths of the stored grain will be left for the common people, and we will take the rest. Mortals don't need Spirit Stones, so none will be left. What do you all think?"
After the Lan Family Head finished speaking, he looked at the Family Heads who had come with them.
Several surrounding Sect Family Heads clasped their hands upon hearing this: "After all, it is a special period, so we cannot ask for too much. This matter is entirely up to the Lan Family Head to decide; we have no objections."
The Lan Family Head nodded, then looked at He Zhang again, putting on a benevolent face: "Don't leave all four-tenths of the grain to the Feng Province common people. After all, refugees still need to be saved. We will also send people to help with disaster relief. This matter is entrusted to you."
"Reporting to Immortal, I cannot make decisions on this matter."
"You are a Provincial Governor. How can you not make decisions on disaster relief?"
He Zhang bowed with clasped hands: "This humble one is not talking about refugees, but about grain and Spirit Stones. I truly cannot make decisions on this matter."
The Lan Family Head tilted his head slightly: "I am making the decision on this matter. You don't need to worry; just do as I say."
"But this humble one doesn't have the key to the storeroom, nor do I know where the Spirit Stone reserves are. The distribution of grain and the sale of Spirit Stones each year are decided by the one across the street."
Hearing this, many Family Heads couldn't help but exchange glances, their brows slightly furrowed.
Ji Village was directly opposite the Governor's Mansion; they had already seen it when they arrived.
The Lan Family Head took a breath after hearing this: "Ji You was seriously injured and fell unconscious during the punitive expedition, his life uncertain. Your Feng Province now lacks a leader. I am temporarily helping you make decisions, to prevent you from being in disarray. So this matter is decided. Go and prepare."
"This..." "He Zhang, you must be clear about your identity. I have cultivated for a hundred years. Although my Dao Heart is peaceful, I can sometimes get angry."
He Zhang was helpless and could only clasp his hands and nod.
At this moment, outside the front hall, the three housekeepers of the Governor's Mansion were at the door, listening to the commotion in the hall and frowning slightly.
"These demons and monsters couldn't defend their own ancestral lands, and now they've fled to our Feng Province to act like tyrants."
"Hey, you should speak softer. Old Master Qiu said that dealing with cultivators requires caution; their hearing is much stronger than ordinary people's."
"They do shameless things and don't allow it to be talked about? When did it become their turn to make decisions in Feng Province?"
The few of them were whispering when they suddenly heard the sound of carriage wheels from outside the door.
So they looked up and saw a carriage entering their line of sight, slowly stopping in front of Ji Village, across the street.
Seeing this scene, the few of them were slightly stunned, then immediately stood up and walked towards the door.
On the stationary carriage, as the curtain was gently lifted, Ji You stepped down from the carriage.
He had worked diligently all this way and gained a lot, which was worthy of the 'homophone' on his signboard.
The Lu Family Sisters also got off the carriage behind everyone, then continuously looked at the residence with the words "Ji Village" written on it, their eyes filled with curiosity.
It was also their first time in Feng Province. On the way, they had already seen the vast cultivated land and the content common people, and they had to admit that it was far different from their impression.
"Is this Senior Brother's residence?"
"Yes, we finally arrived after three days of travel. Everyone, let's go in and rest first."
The Lu Family Sisters immediately stepped onto the stairs after hearing this, which made Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu exchange glances.
They remembered that their Master Jian seemed to have been the same way the first time she came.
Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui then entered the residence side by side.
They had been here once before and were not unfamiliar with it, but they felt a sense of nostalgia, like returning home.
Next were Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, and Ban Yangshu.
They hadn't seen Pei Ruyi for a long time and started shouting as soon as they entered the courtyard.
Ji You was also about to step into the residence at this time, but before he could enter, he heard footsteps from behind him.
"Young Master Ji!"
" ? "
The housekeeper of the Feng Province Mansion rushed over: "Young Master Ji, something has happened."
Ji You frowned slightly: "What happened?"
"A group of Immortals who fled from Yun Province and You Province have arrived in Feng Province. They say they want grain and Spirit Stones, and that this is a special period when we should unite against the common enemy. They also say that the Yao Race will come to Feng Province soon, and they can help protect it. My master is in the hall and dares not refuse."
"Robbing me?"
Ji You murmured to himself and followed the three housekeepers to the Feng Province Mansion.
He did not let the housekeepers announce his presence but instead told them to stop in the courtyard. Then he walked into the front hall with his head down and leaned against the left doorframe.
The Lan Family Head had just asked He Zhang to bring the grain ledgers and Spirit Stone inventory ledgers of Feng Province. After reading them, he looked up: "Is the Spirit Stone exchange with the Yao Race in Feng Province still ongoing?"
"Replying to Immortal, two batches came after the corpse tide, and then it stopped."
"What a pity."
The Lan Family Head couldn't help but murmur after hearing this.
Feng Province's Spirit Stone reserves were indeed considerable, but they would eventually run out.
So, in his opinion, if this trade route hadn't been cut off, perhaps more Spirit Stones could have been exchanged for grain.
He had just seen that Feng Province's grain production was truly astonishing, far exceeding his expectations.
Even if they ate half and threw away half of the six-tenths of the grain, they wouldn't finish it, and if stored for too long, it might even sprout.
But let's take it one step at a time. To have grain and Spirit Stones after losing their ancestral lands was already an excellent outcome.
Think about those Sects who fled to Central Province and Qing Province; perhaps they are still being ostracized as outsiders.
The Lan Family Head nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the other Sect Family Heads: "Do you all have any other needs?"
The Family Head of the Bian Family from You Province spoke upon hearing this: "Brother Lan, Brother Bian indeed has one more request."
"Brother Bian, please speak freely."
"Since that's the case, I won't be polite. The Tian Family is an allied Sect of my Bian Family. They are located in the southern part of You Province and are now affected by the war, heading towards Feng Province. Their Family is quite large, so arrangements for their accommodation need to be made."
The Lan Family Head nodded: "There's a residence on the north side of Nanling. I remember when I came to Feng Province, it was the former residence of Risheng Immortal Villa. Let Brother Tian's Family temporarily stay there."
Upon hearing this, He Zhang couldn't help but subtly raise his head.
Years ago, when Ji You established his Sect in Feng Province, he killed countless Immortals, leaving behind many empty residences. These were later distributed to foreign commoners who had signed contracts to work in Feng Province.
Two months ago, when Sects like the Lan Family, Yue Family, and Bian Family arrived, they had already vacated several former Immortal Villa residences for them, relocating those foreign commoners to Risheng Immortal Villa first.
But unexpectedly, with just that one sentence, Risheng Immortal Villa was once again allocated away by them.
However, He Zhang was truly just a Mortal, a mere ant in the eyes of Immortals, easily crushed. How could he dare to object?
The Lan Family Head placed two account books on the table, then stood up, adjusted his clothes, and walked out.
Seeing this, the other Family Heads also followed suit.
But before they could even take half a step, a powerful surge of Qi suddenly erupted.
The Lan Family Head was sent flying backward, spitting out a torrent of blood. With a crash, he shattered the grand master's chair and tea table where he had just been seated.
The sudden punch stunned all the Sect Family Heads. They turned to see a deep indentation in the Lan Family Head's chest, with large gushes of blood continuously overflowing, and his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"Someone's making decisions in my absence? Where did you small, insignificant Families come from?"
Through the doorway, blocked by his Disciples, Ji You stepped through the crowd, looking at them with a face full of Killing Intent, a scorching Qi constantly whistling around him.
And when he saw his appearance, the Lan Family Head, continuously spitting blood, instantly looked terrified: "You—you weren't severely injured, your life hanging by a thread?"
"Now, it's your life hanging by a thread."
"Misunderstanding, Young Master Ji, this is a misunderstanding."
Ji You stepped closer to them: "You bunch of third-rate Sects, you couldn't even defend your own ancestral lands, and now you flee to my Feng Province, intending to throw your weight around?"
The Lan Family Head shakily stood up: "The Qingyun disaster is rampant; we came here to seek a way to survive. Just now, Governor He and I were discussing strategies to assist the refugees."
Ji You looked at He Zhang: "Lord He, is this true?"
"Replying to Young Master, no."
He Zhang got up from the ground: "This Lan Family Head claimed to be helping refugees, but he directly occupied all the residences originally prepared for refugee relief. Some people were even forcibly taken by them to be servants."
The Lan Family Head was furious: "You ant, how dare you speak nonsense!"
The Bian Family Head immediately stepped forward and bowed: "Young Master Ji, there was absolutely no enslavement of refugees. I can testify for the Lan Family Head on this point."
"Do I care if there was or not?"
"?"
Ji You walked towards the Lan Family Head: "You trespassed into my home and even made decisions for me. Do I need to consider what you've done before killing you?"
Feeling a scorching Killing Intent rush towards him, the white-haired Lan Family Head's eyes immediately widened: "Today's matter is entirely our fault, Young Master Ji, please be lenient, and there will surely be a generous repayment in the future!"
"Where's that posture you had just now, making decisions for me? Do it again, let me see."
"Just now, it was merely in front of Mortals..." Ji You dragged him up from the ground: "You act so high and mighty in front of the common people, but the common people don't actually understand that in the Immortal Realm, you're nothing but ants. I've met many people, but I've never heard of anyone named Lan. It's truly laughable."
The Lan Family Head was now filled with regret, knowing he had provoked a killing god.
The Lan Family was located in You Province, but under the suppression of the Chu Family, it had never been able to grow. Even though he had cultivated to the Initial Innate Realm, he had no status to speak of.
But coming to Feng Province was different. There were no powerful Sects here, and even those who had fled with them were beneath him.
Having been treated with respect for the past few days, he had developed a false sense of superiority, attempting to take control of Feng Province.
But that one punch directly shattered his arrogance, abruptly bringing him back to reality.
"Young Master Ji, today's matter is truly due to our ignorance. Please be lenient. We will strictly forbid our Family members from disturbing the common people of Feng Province upon our return. We will only stay for a few days and then depart, never causing any further trouble."
The Bian Family Head no longer had the stern, upright, and arrogant demeanor of a pioneer who ruled the world. He spoke with difficulty, enduring the whistling pressure.
"You still want to stay?"
Ji You turned and glanced at him: "Get out of Feng Province immediately."
"This—"
"Immediately."
After a long silence, the Bian Family Head nodded: "We will leave immediately."
Ji You turned to He Zhang: "Go to my village and ask Instructor Cao to come forward, bring people to drive them out of Feng Province territory. If they haven't left before the hour of rooster , then they will all leave their lives here."
"I'll go invite him now." He Zhang immediately prepared to turn and leave the residence after hearing this.
"Wait, Young Master Ji, we still need time to pack the things we brought. One hour might not be enough."
"That's reasonable."
Ji You called out to He Zhang after hearing this: "Tell Instructor Cao that besides the clothes they are currently wearing and their worthless lives, they are not allowed to take anything else out of Feng Province. Consider it rent for these past few days."
The Bian Family Head's face changed upon hearing this: "Young Master Ji, what you're doing seems quite unreasonable."
Ji You ignored him and instead turned to look at the Lan Family Head he was holding.
In fact, this century-old Lan Family Head also wanted him to grant an extension, but unexpectedly, what greeted him was a massive fist.
With a resounding thud, the Lan Family Head's chest was directly pierced. The words caught in his throat couldn't even be uttered halfway.
Ji You retracted his fist and simply threw him onto the floor.
Getting out of Feng Province immediately was already a privilege, but it didn't include this old dog; he was destined to die.
After all, the Barbarian Yao allied army was still encroaching upon Youyun Two Prefectures, and more Sects would choose Feng Province as a refuge in their subsequent escape. He needed to make an example of someone.
Seeing this scene, all the Sect Family Heads froze in place, watching the Lan Family Head's rapidly fading breath, their minds instantly exploding.
In fact, ever since the Lan Family Head was severely injured by that punch, they had been continuously calculating in their minds.
At first, they sincerely apologized, wanting to quell Ji You's anger. Then, they said they would close their gates upon returning and only provide support here, not disturbing the common people. In essence, they still wanted to stay and seek refuge.
Even when Ji You told them to leave immediately, they thought of using the excuse of going home to pack their things to stall. Afterward, if they stayed indoors and behaved, he wouldn't be able to do anything.
But they hadn't expected him to actually kill the Lan Family Head in front of everyone.
They had misunderstood; this was not a negotiation at all.
From the moment Ji You entered the door, the Lan Family Head, who presumed to take charge of Feng Province, was destined to die.
This was not You Province, nor was it Yun Province. This was Feng Province, a place that, ever since the Immortal Villa was massacred, was no longer the Feng Province they thought it was.
In this place, cultivators were not valuable, and they had no qualifications for pretense or deceit.
Ji You now turned and looked at the ashen-faced Sect Family Heads.
Before he could speak, they immediately turned and walked out the door.
Cao Jinsong and others, who had just returned from Shengjing, hadn't even settled down when they learned of this matter from He Zhang. They had already arrived at the main entrance, watching them closely as they exited the residence.
"I've never been to Feng Province before, I only heard it was barren, but I didn't expect it to be quite good after staying here for a few days, not inferior to Yun Province."
"That's the right way to think. Now that the Human Race's Origin Qi is severely depleted, expelling the Barbarian and Yao Races won't be easy. We need to be prepared to settle down here."
Inside Purple Cloud Mountain Villa, young Disciples from various major Sects were gathered together.
Wine and food, offered by commoners, were laid out on the table as they ate and chatted.
The Bian Family Young Master refilled his wine glass and then said: "However, settling down in Feng Province isn't bad either. It's said that Feng Province's grain production has continuously increased over the years, and through trade with the Yao Race, it has acquired a large reserve of Spirit Stones. It has even cultivated Spirit Naeda and harvested three crops already."
The Lan Family Young Master nodded: "The resources here are gradually becoming abundant. If it's just a few of us Families, it might even be more comfortable than before."
"Listening to Brother Lan's tone, could it be that the Lan Family had this idea long ago?"
"To be honest, You Province has always been controlled by the Chu Family, and other Sects have no chance to rise. We indeed considered Feng Province very early on, but the qingyun immortal rules had restrictions, not allowing Sects to easily migrate, which is why we never acted."
The Yue Family's legitimate daughter chuckled upon hearing this: "So, this war actually made things convenient for the Lan Family?"
The Lan Family Young Master chuckled softly: "You could say that."
"It's just that we are, after all, guests from another province. I wonder if we can stay here long-term."
"Ah, there's no need to worry about that. My father said to have the branch Family's children intermarry with local officials. It won't take long to establish roots here. This is in accordance with the qingyun immortal rules, and we can enjoy offerings here just like the local Sects. No one can control it."
Just as they were chatting happily and preparing to toast, a sudden commotion came from outside the door.
Countless cultivators entered their residence, shouting at them to leave immediately.
Before these Young Masters and Young Misses could react, they were already pulled out of the door, stumbling and seeing countless Family members being thrown out of the courtyard.
"Who are you people?!"
"Damn it, who gave you the audacity—"
The Bian Family Young Master cursed, his ferocious face filled with Killing Intent.
But before he could finish speaking, he saw one of his cousins being slapped to the ground by his own father during a struggle.
In a daze, the Bian Family Young Master couldn't help but look up, seeing over a hundred people continuously being dragged out of the residence, merging into a stream of people moving south, like prisoners being driven away.
