Ding Weizeng stood waiting outside the hall just as Qu Bushi came up. Though slightly injured, the old man was in high spirits, every wrinkle on his face blooming with joy. Humming a little tune all the way, he arrived before Ding Weizeng, first showering him with congratulations before grasping his hand and whispering,
"I’ve finished surveying and organizing the land registers for the Fuyun territory. Now that I’m submitting them to the masters, how has the Ding clan been settled? Are you returning to your ancestral lands... or choosing a new place to relocate?"
Ding Weizeng understood the old man's intentions. Qu Bushi had just organized the spirit fields, so he undoubtedly knew which parcels across Fuyun were prime and which were poor; he had come to give Ding Weizeng an inside tip. Ding Weizeng simply replied steadily,
"Senior Qu, my family will be heading to the lake to cultivate upon the isle."
"Oh! Congratulations!"
Qu Bushi offered his felicitations. Seeing that even this battle-hardened general favored by the masters responded this way, he knew control over Fuyun Cave's territory would certainly be stringent and allow no maneuvering. Putting aside his thoughts of settling his own kin here, he hitched up his robe and headed inside, muttering inwardly,
'Where did Ding Weizeng learn such humble deference? Back at Fuyun Cave, he dared give the cold shoulder even to Cave Master Fudou's direct son, yet now he is as well-behaved as that An Siwei...'
In truth, Qu Bushi had a good impression of An Siwei. The boy was a typical inland cultivator—one who had broken through the Foundation Establishment barrier relying on fortune, elixirs, and spiritual ambiance. In the overseas realms, his standing would probably have been lower than Qu Bushi's own.
'Fortunately for him, he has a good family background. Though his father was incapable, he threw his lot in with the Submerged Flood Dragon, becoming loyal retainers for generations, so even Ding Weizeng must treat him with respect.'
With these thoughts in mind, Qu Bushi looked up. At the very head of the hall, a young man in gold-and-white armor sat with lowered gaze, writing something down. To his left stood a youth in silver armor and a black robe who appeared not much different in age, his eyes dark as lacquer, arms folded across his chest. To the right, a woman in court dress, bright and graceful, held a hand shielding a resplendent precious lamp, deep in thought.
These were three of the four individuals holding immense power in the Li family today. He had heard that another oversaw affairs on the lake, whom Qu Bushi had yet to meet. Cupping his hands, he said respectfully,
"Bushi has completed the organization of Fuyun's land registers and has come to report to the masters!"
"Read it out," Li Zhouwei replied.
Qu Bushi said respectfully,
"Across the lands of Fuyun, there are two thousand and fifty-one fang of spirit fields: two hundred and eleven fang of superior grade, five hundred and sixty-one fang of medium grade, and one thousand two hundred and seventy-nine fang of inferior grade."
The Li family's Lake Wangyue claimed ten thousand fang of spirit fields, but most of them were under peak administration, and the vast majority were depleted plots where yields barely covered costs, left vacant all along. Moreover, as the spiritual vitality differed across each plot, speaking purely of area held little meaning. Li Zhouwei merely asked,
"Elder Qu, your earth-virtue immortal foundation is 'Cangna Palace', and you are well versed in agrarian affairs. How much yield do you estimate?"
Qu Bushi replied respectfully,
"I have calculated each parcel; the yield should be around ten thousand jin. If the array disks are fully assembled and the water veins properly adjusted, it should be able to surpass twenty thousand."
"A fertile land indeed."
Around the Li family's Lake Wangyue, their rule was firmest over the southeastern shores; beneath the Prefectural Peak lay the townships, where aside from labor costs, all yields belonged to the clan, amounting to roughly fifty thousand jin in productive capacity. Setting aside Pingya Isle, which served primarily as a cultivation ground, the clans left by Daoist He on the west bank and the Fei family on the north bank each paid in full over ten thousand jin; the various other groups and the hundred clans of the east bank also contributed over ten thousand jin. All told, the capacity approached one hundred thousand.
Yet this productive capacity of one hundred thousand was merely a unit of calculation. Now that the Li family no longer had to pay tribute to Qingchi, they naturally did not plant spiritual rice everywhere. Broad swathes of land were dedicated to cultivating more precious spiritual herbs and fruits to supply their Qi Refinement cultivators, such as Songyue fruit and Qiling grass... The actual land used for spiritual rice yielded only around thirty thousand jin.
In other words, Fuyun Cave, occupying only half of Baijiang Creek, already possessed a fifth of Lake Wangyue's output. It was nothing short of astonishing. Li Minggong remarked with feeling,
"No wonder so many sects and clans settled north of the river in such dense concentration... Only lands like these could sustain them."
Li Zhouwei calculated in his head:
'Our family has ten thousand fang of spirit fields and a capacity of one hundred thousand jin, yielding nearly a thousand spirit stones a year. But now our estate is vast: first, the number of cultivators we support is astonishingly large; second, our Foundation Establishment stipends are exceedingly generous; third... our market fair has yet to be established.'
'Though the clan lives comfortably... once costs and salaries are deducted, the annual surplus is actually modest, a mere ten to twenty percent of revenue—less than a hundred stones.'
An annual surplus of a hundred spirit stones did not seem like much, but in truth it was already astounding. It meant that every month, the family generated the entire life savings of a Qi Refinement cultivator; every year, they could construct a top-tier Qi Refinement array; and in three to five years, they could erect a Foundation Establishment grand array!
The only awkward issue was that the Li family had not yet built their market fair. Most surplus yields were stored within the clan in the form of spiritual rice and spiritual goods, often suffering losses from improper preservation. After all, spirit stones in the Jiangnan region were limited; if they aggressively converted goods into spirit stones, they would only drive up the price of spirit stones.
"Then again, items at the precious medicine tier are rarely traded in spirit stones... and it is difficult to procure enough spiritual materials for a Foundation Establishment grand array using spirit stones alone."
Li Zhouwei hesitated a moment. A capacity of ten thousand jin could produce the equivalent of a hundred spirit stones, which was fine, but harvests of spiritual goods were typically measured in years. If the territory was lost before they matured, it would be a waste.
"For now, have Siwei arrange for spiritual rice to be planted. There is no rush to build high-grade arrays either, lest it be wasted when we eventually depart."
Qu Bushi nodded and withdrew. Li Zhouwei felt another headache coming on over how to preserve such vast quantities of spiritual rice, sighing inwardly. Seeing his concern, Li Minggong spoke up:
"Now I understand why clans like the Xiao and the Yuan cordoned off vast spiritual lands and spent lavishly just to nurture one or two spiritual herbs... But since we may only hold these places for a short time, that approach wouldn't suit us either."
"Indeed," Li Zhouwei said in a low voice. "Let us first convert several large spirit fields back home to grow Baiyuan fruit, and use up our reserves..."
Fortunately, the only headache was the ruined territory of Fuyun. In Miyun, they merely needed to levy taxes on the prominent local clans, which was quick, convenient, and free of trouble. Li Zhouwei discussed the matters in detail with Li Minggong and asked her to return to garrison her post, finally settling the affairs of Baijiang Creek.
Having finally found a free moment, he invited Li Chengkun, who was standing nearby, to take a seat, and asked,
"What does Uncle think of the cultivators from Baiye?"
Li Chengkun paused and frowned. "They are not easy to deal with. I made inquiries earlier: the one in the colorful dress is a direct disciple of Baiye named Guan Lingdie, whose immortal foundation is 'Nanchou Water', the same as that of the neighboring Gu family."
"As for Gongsun Baifan with the saber, he was originally a rogue cultivator from north of the river practicing the Kan Water foundation 'Jing Dragon King'. He has now joined the Baiyedu Immortal Dao and has real skill with the blade. The remaining woman, Miss Song, is a daughter of a prominent Jiangbei clan."
This news matched Li Zhouwei's estimates. He pondered for a moment and said,
"Though Guan Lingdie spoke fiercely, she possesses combat experience and is by no means simple. Gongsun Baifan's Daoist heritage is profound, unlike that of an ordinary rogue cultivator. As for Song Yunbai, judging by her manner, Baiyedu Immortal Dao's control over the region is not very strict."
Guan Lingdie was, after all, a direct descendant of a Violet Palace lineage. Holding off Li Chengkun and An Siwei single-handedly, she had even managed to injure An Siwei on her own; such strength could not be underestimated. Li Zhouwei noted these names down, then remarked,
"As for Xuanyue... they truly lack capable people. A clear sign of decline!"
Li Zhouwei's words were well-founded. Kong Guxi was the esteemed sect master of Xuanyue, yet he had fought back and forth on even terms with a young lady from the local Song clan of Jiangbei. If Xuanyue had not held the advantage in numbers and Baiyedu Immortal Dao had not withdrawn early, it was uncertain what casualties they would have suffered on this expedition.
This touched upon Real Person Changxi's repeated demands for his own descendants to attempt breakthroughs to the Violet Palace. At that time, it coincided with the Upper Evil Spirit Repository. Changxi had been overjoyed, and several direct descendants had entered seclusion, which led to the current state of affairs.
It was also for this reason that Kong Tingyun later assumed the position of Xuanyue's sect master, gradually earning Changxi's regard and bringing Xuanyue closer to the Li family. One could not help but feel that every cause and effect seemed guided by fate.
Li Chengkun offered comforting words:
"There is still Xuanyue's Fuyuezi on Yuezhou Island. That man possesses respectable strength and can lend a hand when the time comes."
Li Zhouwei remained silent. After waiting for a moment, Chen Yang came up from below to report that the various clans of the Miyun territory had sent envoys, and initial arrangements had been established; the Miyun territory was at least under control.
"Now that Miyun is settled... we should also return to the mountain. I must also see the Real Person."
Li Zhouwei put down his brush, and Li Chengkun reminded him,
"There is also the King of Beijin River waiting in Baijiang Creek."
"Right..."
Li Zhouwei was still pondering candidates to garrison Miyun. Now he nodded and said,
"I intend to establish a bureau in the Baijiang Creek region to govern Fuyun and garrison Miyun. In Fuyun, An Siwei is organizing affairs, and his abilities are sufficient, but his personal cultivation is not enough to garrison the post... I fear I must ask Uncle to take up this duty and watch over this place."
Li Chengkun had weathered more than a decade of perilous trials alongside Li Zhouwei, and they knew each other intimately. Naturally standing on no ceremony with him, he nodded:
"I will do my utmost to keep this place secure."
Li Zhouwei deliberated for a breath, then said,
"Since Mifan has been broken and Mount Hongfu taken, Fuyun and Miyun should also cast off the old and ring in the new. With Mount Manghuazi as the boundary, Fuyun to the south shall be renamed Funan, and Miyun shall become Midong. We will establish a 'Baijiang Dispatch Bureau', headquartered on Mount Hongfu. The bureau's appointments, tallies, and credentials... the clan will deliver them shortly."
He chuckled and added,
"If these two regions can be held and Funan produces a yield, future stipends for the bureau can simply be drawn from the rear, which will be far more convenient!"
Though both approaches amounted to propping up puppets, Li Zhouwei wanted to secure the formal title. Rather than calling it a sect or a cave, naming it a dispatch bureau meant it could be dissolved at any time. In any case, pretenses had already been dropped with Baiyedu Immortal Dao, and nobody in Midong held high hopes for the Li family anyway; everyone was merely clocking in day by day, so there was no need to worry about winning their allegiance.
"As for the King of Beijin River..."
Li Zhouwei had already thought this through. He answered,
"The King of Beijin River knows a great deal. In his eyes, I stand on the same level as Dragon Prince Dingjiao. Under no circumstances can I pay a personal visit to his manor; if I were to go, he would surely grow suspicious and overthink things. Yet we cannot let such an asset go to waste. It will be best if you go; he will not dare treat you lightly."
Li Chengkun nodded. Li Zhouwei continued,
"Nor is he some honored guest of the dragon princes as rumors claim; he is merely a minor figure in the Dragon Palace. Just bear in mind: the dragon clans must not be allowed to meddle in this matter. He can gather intelligence and assist with the water veins, which is useful enough."
"Qu Bushi, Ding Weizeng, Miaoshui... I leave them all to you; otherwise, it would be difficult for you to manage alone. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask the clan. Aunt Minggong is on the north bank, and crossing the river brings her straight into Funan, so she can reinforce you in time. As for Wenhu..."
Li Zhouwei let out a chuckle and said,
"I will take him to Mount Zhijing, to let all the clans know... a Real Person is not so easily fooled!"
Though Wenhu was calculating, he was thoroughly unfortunate. Beyond taking him away, Li Zhouwei also intended to bring Manghuazi back. After all, he had been at the mid Foundation Establishment stage for years; receiving the talisman register and entering seclusion now to break through to late Foundation Establishment would not seem out of place.
However, the Li family had now become a Violet Palace immortal clan, no longer the small clan under Qingchi's rule. If any grand commotion were stirred up, it could very well draw the attention of Violet Palace cultivators, making sacrificial rituals far from simple.
After all, practices down the mountain could be disguised as local customs of Lake Wangyue, but those upon the mountain touched upon many secret intricacies of the Sacrificial Beast Method. If a Violet Palace master noticed something amiss, it would spell trouble.
By right, they should also have petitioned the Immortal Mirror, but ever since it fled into the Great Void, their appeals to the method revealed nothing of the mirror's true form, leaving them unaware of what anomalies might appear if it were summoned out. With the Li family standing on the crest of the waves, Li Ximing and Li Zhouwei dared not be careless, and had postponed the matter.
'It is best to wait until a Violet Palace array capable of isolating the Great Void is established before holding the sacrifice... Still, even if we cannot perform the ritual immediately, I can bring this spotted python back first...'
As Li Zhouwei pondered this, Li Chengkun escorted him all the way outside. Reaching the riverbank, Li Zhouwei collected his thoughts and sighed,
"I have troubled Uncle greatly... Everything else is external; your own safety is what matters most. We can easily abandon this place if needed, but if anything happens to you, Uncle, that would truly hollow out our family's foundation!"
Though this Baijiang Dispatch Bureau seemed to wield the authority of a local tyrant, it was by no means a comfortable post. Changxi could fall at any time within the next few years; once a shift occurred, the Baijiang territory would bear the brunt of it. If Baiye cultivators came surging across, lingering even a step too long could lead to being encircled.
Li Chengkun naturally understood. Steadying his mind, he answered,
"I wield thunder, and no one in the family surpasses me in escape techniques. With Profound Thunder in the thunder pool and the protection of the grand array, should something go wrong and I resolve to flee, no Foundation Establishment cultivator will be able to detain me."
After seeing the group off, Li Chengkun rode his lightning back, turning things over in his mind. The young man was naturally someone with a mind of his own, and he thought to himself:
'I should make some preparations. Since we can exploit him using the dragon prince's prestige, and Ying Hebai is the master of the three rivers, with countless aquatic beasts under his sway—would that not provide a dense network of eyes along the waterways? If an agreement is struck with him, the moment light ascends above Baiyedu Immortal Dao, demon beasts here will likely rush to report it!'
Though the flight speed of demon beasts certainly could not match direct Foundation Establishment disciples, a message of this sort could be conveyed simply by crushing a jade talisman!
Having devised a plan, Li Chengkun felt even more confident. He summoned Ding Weizeng and the others, who rode the wind toward him. Looking over the group thoughtfully, Li Chengkun said,
"Weizeng, come with me into the river."
Ding Weizeng complied. Beneath their feet, dark and lush with flourishing vegetation, lay Mount Manghuazi!
The grand array of this mountain had long since been dismantled, and the few demon beasts had scattered, leaving it empty and deserted. As the two landed by the riverbank, they spotted an old man in black robes manifesting his form in the distance beside the river. Clearly having waited here for some time, he hurried forward with cupped hands.
"Shui Zhao pays respects to My Lords."
Li Chengkun nodded and asked in a clear voice,
"Is this at the invitation of the King of Beijin River?"
"Precisely!"
The old demon Shui Zhao beamed with smiles. Crouching right down onto the ground, he transformed into an inky black tortoise the size of a house. His four limbs bore brownish-yellow markings, seemingly of an uncommon breed as well, with an extraordinarily long neck. His voice hummed deep like a bronze bell:
"I have long awaited the noble presence of you two lords!"
Chapter 717