I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 396Book 2: : Hidden in the Shadows, Dividing Fields to Build Schools
Vol 2 Chapter 396: Hidden in the Shadows, Dividing Fields to Build Schools
Along the way, Shi Nandang and Xiaoqing chatted happily, developing a sort of friendship that felt like a bond across generations.
When it was time to part, Xiaoqing’s expression was especially reluctant.
Seeing this, Shi Nandang shook his head with a smile and couldn’t help but give one last piece of advice: “Remember, your mission this time is very important to Jiushan Sect and the Sect Leader. Put some thought into it. After you gain experience, your future won’t be any worse than those outstanding in divination.”
Xiaoqing blinked, clearly puzzled.
“The Sect Leader needs incense fire power. Capturing those rebellious cultivators is just a short-term tactic. In the long run, it’s still about relying on the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s mortals.”
Though Xiaoqing nodded, her face remained confused.
Shi Nandang’s words were not just hearsay;they came from his own observations.
As Immortal Li of Taishang Dao had said, the difficulty with practicing the Tongtian Method lies in the rarity of the grotto heavens. The Tongtian Method itself wasn’t much of a secret among the Four Sects.
Feeling awkward about his status in Jiushan Realm, Shi Nandang had been carefully studying Zheng Fa’s actions and had learned quite a bit.
Capturing Hundred Immortals Alliance traitors was naturally to fill the shortage of workers in Jiushan Sect, especially since many newly built production lines didn’t require artifact forging skills, just a qualified divine consciousness.
Once artifact production increased, Jiushan disciples would naturally receive various elixirs from Taishang Dao to aid cultivation.
Their cultivation would improve and in turn support Zheng Fa’s Tongtian Method practice.
However, the number of traitors was only a few thousand, so this was only a short-term solution.
That was why what Xiaoqing and her group were assigned to do was the long-term strategy.
Shi Nandang explained in detail: “Your task is to win over the hearts of the Hundred Immortals Alliance mortals and even establish schools to select talents.”
Xiaoqing nodded emphatically.
Shi Nandang knew that some things Xiaoqing probably still didn’t understand:
Although the population of Jiushan Realm was growing, in the short term it still couldn’t catch up to the Hundred Immortals Alliance, let alone match their abundant resources.
In the short term, workers had to be captured;in the long term, naturally it was better to select mortals from the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Not to mention, the Hundred Immortals Alliance people currently had little faith in Zheng Fa, and bringing them into Jiushan Realm didn’t add much incense fire power.
But with long-term education and cultivation over decades or centuries, this situation would inevitably change, and the incense fire power they could bring would no longer be insignificant.
From today’s perspective, Zheng Fa had already treated the Hundred Immortals Alliance as another foundation to carefully cultivate.
Shi Nandang was very clear: though he was at the Nascent Soul stage and Xiaoqing and others only at foundation establishment, Zheng Fa actually valued the mission Xiaoqing and the others held even more, and this mission would definitely be a long-lasting one with abundant merit points in the future.
Therefore, he gave Xiaoqing a few extra tips.
“Important to the Master?”
Xiaoqing’s eyes lit up.
Shi Nandang was speechless inside—after all this, that was all she heard?
Xiaoqing instead furrowed her brows, her face full of worry: “But I’ve never been out before. What if I mess up the Master’s big plan…”
“…”
“Master Shi…”
Shi Nandang shook his head helplessly: “Don’t overthink it. This matter is too big for one person to affect.”
Seeing Xiaoqing was still uneasy, he added: “You should have served as a temple attendant before, which is why you were chosen. Do now as you did then.”
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Xiaoqing thought deeply and slowly nodded.
When Shi Nandang was about to disembark, his figure flashed and disappeared instantly.
Xiaoqing clung to the ship’s railing, looking around but no longer seeing his figure, so she shouted out: “Master Shi, once I earn merit points, I’ll treat you to delicious food in the market and a cup of Fairy’s Drunk!”
After a long time, the wind carried a response with a smile:
“Alright.”
…
Several dozen miles away, in a hidden valley, a group of people silently watched the Divine Sky Flying Boat where Xiaoqing was.
There were about a hundred of them, hiding inside a cave.
The cave showed signs of axe carving, clearly newly made, with a bronze mirror hanging at the entrance, glowing faintly with precious light.
But from outside, the mountain wall was covered with vines and jagged bluestone, completely concealing any cave entrance.
“Old Li, didn’t you say your Mirage Mirror can’t be fooled even by Nascent Soul old monsters? What’s there to be afraid of?”
An old woman’s voice sounded. That “Old Li” was a Nascent Soul cultivator. He looked thoughtful as he stared at the flying boat and murmured: “That immortal... is a Nascent Soul.”
“Nascent Soul!”
Silence fell in the cave as Old Li continued: “This Mirage Mirror is something I obtained in a secret realm. Even Nascent Souls, if they don’t look carefully, can be deceived. It has saved me many times in the past.”
“Just now, that person glanced casually, and my treasure mirror was startled into awakening its spirit. That person... is definitely not an ordinary Nascent Soul.”
After this, everyone in the cave looked at each other in surprise.
“Nascent Soul?” The old woman’s voice trembled with panic. “I said it before, we should have escaped early. It’s because of your greed that we insisted on making one more haul before leaving.”
“Now even a Nascent Soul has been attracted.”
Old Li frowned and sneered coldly: “We were driven here by Haori Mountain and have almost no resources left. If we don’t seize some small sect resources, then what when we go back?”
“Haven’t you made a profit?”
“Besides, my Mirage Mirror hasn’t been discovered, has it?”
The old woman was silent for a long time, then reluctantly said: “But if we meet a Nascent Soul Immortal, what do you suggest we do? Can we run now?”
“A Nascent Soul Immortal... Shi... might be an unexpected blessing.” Old Li’s face showed some amusement. “If we can return, after I investigate some things, maybe we can achieve a great merit and demand a reward from Haori Mountain.”
“Huh?”
But Old Li’s expression was cautious and unwilling to say more.
Maybe he wanted to keep secrets.
Some of this group were roaming cultivators from Haori Mountain territory, mixed with a few small sects who had betrayed the Hundred Immortals Alliance. They came from different backgrounds and were not on the same side. Without Old Li speaking, others dared not ask much and just murmured among themselves:
“Return? How do we return? Can this Mirage Mirror cover us for a flying escape?”
Old Li’s expression darkened: “No. If we use cultivation power, not to mention Nascent Souls, even ordinary Nascent Soul Immortals can see through it. It’s not safe.”
“Then...”
Everyone looked at each other, clueless.
At this moment, a foundation establishment cultivator nearby hesitated and said: “I... I have an idea.”
“Hm?”
“My family is nearby and has some connections. If we disguise ourselves as mortal merchant caravans and hide our spiritual power along the way, maybe we can escape alive.”
Everyone’s eyes brightened at this.
Even Old Li nodded repeatedly in agreement: “Though risky, it’s still a method. But since we are unfamiliar with the area, disguising ourselves is bound to have flaws. Are you confident?”
The foundation cultivator nodded vigorously: “I had a personal servant who came from my family’s tenants and later lived nearby.”
Old Li thought it over and grit his teeth: “Take me to find him.”
Using the treasure mirror’s concealment, they arrived at a village.
Old Li used divine consciousness to probe from a distance and found the servant’s residence at the village’s end.
“Young master?”
A white-haired, gaunt old man sat at the door. Seeing the foundation cultivator, he was startled and said in surprise.
The foundation cultivator was a young man, and their meeting felt like that of grandfather and grandson.
“Young master, why have you come... I, I’m going to get my family to prepare a meal to welcome you!”
Seeing no one else home, Old Li was satisfied and gestured to the foundation cultivator.
“No hurry.” The cultivator understood and said: “I heard from my family you went into business later?”
“Yes. After you joined the Immortal Sect, thanks to your grace, I became a manager of our clan’s caravan. Now I’m old and have returned to the village.”
“I need you to help me find some carts and a few people familiar with the trade routes.”
The foundation cultivator spoke directly.
The old man hesitated, but his expression showed understanding: “Young master, I haven’t been out for more than ten years. I need to inquire first.”
“Hurry!”
“Yes!”
After their talk, Old Li glanced at the old man and suddenly took out a porcelain bottle: “Take this.”
The old man trembled and looked at the foundation cultivator, but the long-unseen young master turned his head away.
“I...”
“Hm?”
Old Li released a powerful aura.
Nascent Soul presence—no ordinary person could resist this.
Soon, the old man shakily took a green pill from the bottle and swallowed it.
“This pill is extremely poisonous. Every half month, I will give you an antidote. After we leave here, I will fully cure you.”
The old man’s face turned even paler.
“Don’t think you’re safe just because you’re old.” Old Li was still uneasy and added coldly: “Your surname is Xie. You have two sons, one daughter, and four grandchildren…”
“…I don’t dare! I don’t dare!”
Xie, the old man, whispered tearfully.
Old Li chuckled lightly: “As long as you help us leave safely, I can also send some immortal opportunities to your sons and grandchildren later.”
Xie nodded repeatedly, his face filled with longing, watching the two depart.
…
“Father! Father!”
Xie was lost in thought when his eldest son’s shout brought him back to reality.
“What?”
“What are you thinking about?”
Xie shook his head, knowing this was a deadly matter he dared not tell anyone.
Seeing he remained silent, his son didn’t press but said: “The Jiushan Sect immortals have come to town!”
“Jiushan Sect?”
His eldest son whispered: “Father, you probably don’t know. Our masters... seem to have betrayed Jiushan Sect and have now disappeared!”
Xie’s face twitched: “Betrayed?”
His son quickly comforted him: “Don’t be afraid. I heard that if you’re not related to the immortals, Jiushan Sect won’t interfere.”
Xie nodded lightly, his tension easing a little.
But suddenly the door was knocked. Xie shivered and looked at the visitor outside, feeling a chilling cold.
A young man stood at the door wearing a long robe like a Taoist’s, embroidered with nine mountains on the hem.
Xie had never seen this robe, but after the young master became an immortal, he had worn something similar when he returned home.
Jiushan Sect had come!
The youth glanced at him curiously and smiled gently: “Am I being intrusive by coming?”
Xie hurriedly said: “No! No! Who are you?”
“I am a disciple of Jiushan Sect. This area now belongs to Jiushan Sect’s jurisdiction. I am here to notify you that at noon the day after tomorrow, each household must send a few representatives to the town.”
“Noon the day after tomorrow! Understood!”
The Jiushan disciple smiled and nodded, going house to house carefully notifying everyone before leaving the village.
The Xie family watched the disciple leave from afar and returned home excitedly discussing.
“An immortal! An immortal personally came to our home and even talked to us, smiling at me!”
A little grandson bounced happily.
Xie closed his eyes, the corners twitching involuntarily.
“Grandpa, can you take me to see the immortal in town the day after tomorrow?”
“I want to go too!”
Bang!
Xie suddenly slammed the table, sending the ceramic bowls flying an inch.
“What’s so great about an immortal?”
The Xie family was puzzled by his anger and could only watch as Xie hunched and silently went into his room.
…
Although he didn’t want to see Jiushan Sect’s immortals again, Xie dared not skip going to town. On the contrary, he had to be punctual.
At noon, a vacant lot in town gathered over ten thousand people.
Xie squeezed into the crowd. Because of his old age, his eldest son followed anxiously.
The crowd was dense and dark. Xie was old and bent over, unable to see ahead.
Suddenly, a glowing large painting floated above them.
The painting was five zhang long and three zhang high.
Xie looked up and saw a moving image. Looking closely, it was the opera stage in front of them.
He was familiar with this stage. In past market days, opera troupes would come and perform.
On the stage stood several disciples in Jiushan Dao robes. A young female disciple stepped forward—it was Xiaoqing.
Her figure in the light screen appeared tall and large. Xiaoqing herself looked up shyly, tightening her small face and spoke:
“Fellow villagers! We are disciples of Jiushan Sect. From now on, this place belongs to Jiushan Sect!”
The crowd fell silent, seemingly stunned by this immortal technique.
“No matter what the rules were before, from now on, only Jiushan Sect’s rules apply here!” Xiaoqing’s gaze swept over the crowd. “No one, not even Jiushan Sect disciples, may violate Jiushan Sect’s rules!”
“Our rules are posted on the market entrance wall. You can look and remember them.”
“If anyone violates them, Jiushan Sect disciples will handle it!”
“If Jiushan disciples violate them, the Law Enforcement Hall within the sect will deal with it!”
“We have leaving talismans as proof when we carry out missions. If there are grievances, I will tell you how to seek justice!”
Most of the audience were villagers who felt little about this.
But some had dealt with immortals before and exchanged glances after hearing this.
Xie’s heart was especially complicated. He couldn’t help but sneer coldly, quickly tightening his mouth.
Xiaoqing said no more. Such matters could not win trust in a day or two. She simply said:
“Today, I called you all here for only one thing!”
“To reassign land contracts!”
This caused a buzz in the crowd.
Even Xie pricked up his ears.
“Each household will receive ten mu of land per adult!”
“The original contracts will not be voided. If the acreage is insufficient, it will be supplemented according to the adult count!”
Xiaoqing’s words made the crowd even happier.
This was a plan made by the Master after counting the land Jiushan Sect now held—
Those sect families who had fled left large, high-quality land with no owners.
Jiushan Sect had no shortage of grain. Quickly distributing this land was the way to win people’s hearts.
She waited until the chatter subsided and then said:
“Land tax: households under fifty mu pay twenty percent tax.”
“Fifty to one hundred mu pay thirty percent tax.”
“Over one hundred mu…”
Xie’s breathing grew rapid, almost thinking he was having a poisoning attack…
He had been a manager and was experienced. He knew immediately that this tax system targeted large families and even implicitly encouraged family division.
But the problem was the tax rate was too low!
Previously, large families had to give up half of ten-tenths of their harvest, which was already considered virtuous.
“Twenty percent tax? Is this for real?”
Someone shouted from the crowd.
Xiaoqing looked at them and saw suspicion and longing in their eyes, as if dreaming.
“It’s true!” Xiaoqing’s face tightened. “This tax system will also be posted at the market entrance!”
“I called everyone here to count the population and acreage per household. As for where the land will be specifically allocated, that will be decided by the sect!”
Only at night did Xie, accompanied by his eldest son, return home.
They were tenants without their own land, but this time they were supplemented according to adult count.
He, his two sons, and two adult grandsons suddenly had fifty mu of land!
“Our own land!”
By the dining table, his youngest son muttered repeatedly.
“Finish the work in a year, and keep eighty percent?”
“Really eighty percent?”
“How can we eat that much?”
Xie listened to his youngest son questioning the eldest son repeatedly. His emotions grew more complicated.
Only after the eldest son repeatedly assured there was no mistake did the youngest son slump onto the wooden stool, muttering:
“This… this is like a dream…”
Others at the table were also beaming with joy.
Only Xie remained silent.
“Grandpa, why are you frowning?”
His favorite little grandson clung to his leg, looking at him with innocent concern.
“…” He patted the back of the boy’s head and softly asked, “Do you want to go outside?”
“Outside?”
“Not in the village.”
“To town? Grandpa, are you taking me to town to play?”
“A faraway place, we won’t come back.”
The little grandson furrowed his delicate brows and bit his finger:
“A faraway place? Dad told me we’ll have land and won’t starve anymore. If we go far away, will we still have land?”
“…”
“Won’t starve?”
Xie paused for a long time and softly said, “What if we could become immortals?”
“Become immortals? Then I’ll go!”
The little grandson jumped up, shouting happily.
A few days later, Xie still hadn’t found suitable carts and men, mainly because everyone was busy dealing with their fields, and no merchant caravans were setting out.
His little grandson ran in.
“Grandpa! Grandpa!”
Xie saw him running so fast he nearly fell and hurriedly caught his shoulders: “What’s the matter? Why are you in such a rush?”
“Not a faraway place!” The little grandson caught his breath.
“What?”
“To become an immortal, you don’t have to go far away!”
Xie still didn’t understand, then the little grandson quickly said: “The immortals are going to build... build...”
“...build what?”
“A school!” His eldest son rushed in, his face full of wild joy. “The whole village is talking about it! We can send our kids to school for free!”
“As long as they study well, they can learn to read and write, calculate, and even be selected by Jiushan Sect to cultivate immortality!”
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