Chapter 56: Producing Silk

Chi Yixuan’s gaze changed, but not by much.

Qian Dingning secretly glanced at the expression of this Perfected One, but he truly could not make anything out from his face. He continued, “Perfected One, rather than this, why not move somewhere else? Anywhere within Donglai Kingdom’s borders would be fine. The court can make the decision and assign it under your name. That way, you would not have to get entangled with the Tyrant Blade Sect.”

Chi Yixuan looked at him. “I don’t understand Donglai Kingdom very well. Where do you think would be good?”

When Qian Dingning heard this, a hint of shyness actually appeared on his face. He said softly, “If you could bring the spiritual vein near Fengcheng, that would naturally be the best.”

Chi Yixuan: …

Good grief. So this was what he had been waiting for!

At this moment, Chi Yixuan instantly understood what that “heh” from the life-bound artifact earlier had meant.

He did not respond immediately, but instead picked up his tea.

Qian Dingning grew somewhat anxious. “Perfected One, don’t drive me away. Please at least consider it.”

Chi Yixuan said, “Mm. I will consider it. You may leave first!”

Qian Dingning cupped his hands and pressed, “Perfected One, will you really consider it? You aren’t just saying polite words, are you?”

Chi Yixuan said coldly, “If you keep talking nonsense, I will twist your head off.”

Qian Dingning instantly gave in. “Perfected One, spare my life. This lower official will take his leave.” As soon as he finished speaking, his two legs quickly backed him out.

Once he was gone, Chi Yixuan set down his teacup, his expression a little speechless. “You knew their true intentions all along? Why didn’t you tell me?”

The life-bound artifact was very obedient. [You have misunderstood. I cannot detect other people’s inner thoughts. I only guessed it when he opened his mouth.]

Chi Yixuan asked, “How so?”

The life-bound artifact said, [According to this world’s knowledge, only earth-grade and above spiritual veins can cycle endlessly. Spiritual veins below earth-grade are consumables. As time passes, they grow weaker and weaker, until they finally turn into a small cyclone and vanish between heaven and earth.]

[The Tyrant Blade Sect no longer pays attention to Fengcheng’s spiritual vein. Perhaps they believe that yellow-grade low-grade spiritual vein naturally weakened. Donglai Kingdom’s court must also be able to think of this answer, yet they still spent a great sum to invite you to investigate. There is only one possibility: they have another intention.]

“Then Qian Dingning also said the Tyrant Blade Sect would demand tribute from me because he wanted to add more weight to his attempt at persuasion.”

A yellow-grade spiritual vein, especially a low-grade one, really was not worth much to the Tyrant Blade Sect. Once the crown prince of the neighboring East Sea Kingdom whispered a few sweet words beside someone’s pillow, an elder of the Tyrant Blade Sect could personally make the decision and give away an entire vein.

The spiritual vein that was extremely important to Donglai Kingdom was something the Tyrant Blade Sect was too lazy to even glance at.

From this, it was obvious just how deep the Tyrant Blade Sect’s foundation was.

“Even if they’re last among the Nine Immortal Gates, they’re still not someone I can contend against!” Chi Yixuan felt lingering fear.

[Please do not lose heart. They are already old men in their twilight years, while you are a vigorous young man. Sooner or later, you will surpass them.]

Oh, wow.

The life-bound artifact really was as good at comforting people as ever. But Chi Yixuan felt that they were not old men, but men in their prime. And he was not a young man, but a toddler just learning to walk, whose teeth had not even fully grown in.

He lay in the rocking chair, rocking back and forth while thinking.

Before today, he really had not imagined that the land under his feet was so deeply connected to the Tyrant Blade Sect. The moment he thought that he might have to pay taxes to the disgusting Tyrant Blade Sect, Chi Yixuan felt a kind of instinctive revulsion.

“Damn it. I really want to hit someone.”

[There are still a few criminals in Zhaoge’s prison. They may serve as your punching bags.]

“Forget it.” Chi Yixuan added, “I only said that to vent my emotions. I don’t actually want to hit anyone.”

[Understood. Then what is your decision?]

Chi Yixuan found some snacks in his backpack. After eating something delicious, his mood improved a little. “Not giving me advice now?”

[If you need it…]

The life-bound artifact fell silent for a moment, then said, [Whether you move or not, there are benefits for you.]

[Suppose you move out of the Nameless Desert. You would no longer need to pretend to be a Golden Core Perfected One, no longer need to find ways to conceal the truth that the Sea of Suffering Path has been suppressed, no longer need to worry about confronting the Tyrant Blade Sect next July, and no longer need to consider paying tribute to the Tyrant Blade Sect. You could also gain the support of Donglai Kingdom’s court. In this way, you could hide yourself and wait only for the proper opportunity to take revenge on the Tyrant Blade Sect and settle the karma between you and He Nianyuan.]

[Suppose you do not move out of the Nameless Desert. You would not need to abandon everything already built here, would not need to migrate so many subjects, and naturally would not need to spend too much energy dealing with Donglai Kingdom’s court.]

Chi Yixuan said, “It sounds like moving away has more benefits.”

[Then what is your answer?]

Chi Yixuan did not think for long. “My answer is that I’m not moving.”

[Understood.]

Chi Yixuan was surprised. “You’re not asking me why?”

The life-bound artifact’s tone was calm. [You are the decision-maker. My mission is only to obey. However, I think you cannot bear to leave this place and have human sacrifices transported to Nameless Valley again.]

Chi Yixuan did not speak.

Because putting that idea in this kind of world made him feel a little too much like a holy mother.

Forget it. A holy mother, then. It was not as if he was someone from this world anyway. He had transmigrated into someone else’s body. Was he not even allowed to live freely according to his own thoughts?

Chi Yixuan quickly set this question aside and continued thinking about his next move.

He was not clear about other places, but he had studied the laws of Easternmost Continent.

There were two countries on Easternmost Continent: East Sea Kingdom and Donglai Kingdom. The laws of the two countries were mostly the same. Each city was governed autonomously by its city lord, while the villages and towns around the city were governed by local officials. At the end of every year, when local officials entered the capital to report on their duties, they would also bring the tax silver from each city lord to the capital.

As for whether cities went to war with each other, formed marriage alliances, or whether some mountain bandit king seized a city as his own, the court did not care. As long as they paid their taxes on time, it did not matter.

It was also for this reason that Chi Yixuan had encountered no obstruction when building a city in the desert. This was not only because of his status as a cultivator.

Chi Yixuan’s previous thought had been that, in any case, whoever occupied the land would manage it. As for the court coming to collect taxes? Whatever. His fist was bigger.

But now Qian Dingning said that this plot of land did not belong to Donglai Kingdom, but to the Tyrant Blade Sect. That caused part of Chi Yixuan’s earlier plan to fall through.

Donglai Kingdom secretly served as the Tyrant Blade Sect’s slave. Every cultivator knew this. But on the surface, both the Tyrant Blade Sect and Donglai Kingdom cared about reputation. Land that nominally belonged to Donglai Kingdom was not something the Tyrant Blade Sect had the right to dispose of. But the Nameless Desert was the Tyrant Blade Sect’s territory. If the Tyrant Blade Sect forcefully tried to drive Zhaoge out, his fists really could not beat theirs.

“But why must I trade fists with them? Anyway, those with nothing to lose don’t fear those with everything to lose. Want me to pay taxes? Not a chance. If it really comes to mutual destruction, then worst case, I abandon this place and run off with my points.”

If this had been before, he really could not have run. But now he had a portal. Was he still afraid he would not be able to find some hidden place outside the Tyrant Blade Sect’s reach?

For now, there was no need to worry about the safety of his living points, and Chi Yixuan’s train of thought became clearer.

“Moving is impossible. The Sea of Suffering Path is very important to us. I suspect that Zhaoge’s spiritual vein has gained a little spiritual wisdom because of the influence of the Sea of Suffering Path.”

Although the Sea of Suffering Path had caused them some trouble, compared to a spiritual vein that might evolve, this little trouble truly did not count for much.

The Tyrant Blade Sect did not suspect at all that someone had extracted Fengcheng’s spiritual vein to transform and enhance another spiritual vein. Was that not because all the good spiritual veins in the Longevity Realm were monopolized by the immortal gates, and they assumed no cultivator would do such a thing?

From this, it was clear just how difficult it would be for him to find another good spiritual vein. In the future, as the population grew larger and larger, one yellow-grade high-grade spiritual vein probably would not be enough.

Chi Yixuan patted the underground spiritual vein with his divine sense from a distance. “Baby, from now on, you can only rely on your own hard work.”

The spiritual vein was underground in Zhaoge, boredly spinning in circles. After being touched, its pair of narrowed eyes opened a tiny bit wider. It turned around underground, seeming to want to climb up. After bumping its head several times, it gave up. The way it turned back seemed a little dejected.

So Chi Yixuan took out the sandworm that had been set aside because of the envoys from Fengcheng.

“Speak. What do we do?”

…

After Qian Dingning left the small residence, Qiu Ping’an and Ma Hongxuan arranged for him to stay in a small courtyard beside the Medical Workshop.

This small courtyard had been built along with the first batch of houses in the valley and was used to host merchant caravans staying overnight. Now it was empty, just right for receiving them.

The small courtyard was not large. There was a row of three rooms, with two floors. The upper floor had three rooms. On the lower floor, apart from the main hall, both the left and right sides were large shared bunks, enough to fit Qian Dingning and the guards he had brought.

But for a capital official, the conditions here were truly a little crude. Guard Ma worried that Qian Dingning would be picky. However, after Qian Dingning came out of the small residence, he looked even more cautious than before. Not only did he not complain at all, he even pleaded with Qiu Ping’an to take them on a tour of the inner city.

For the sake of those ten spirit stones, Qiu Ping’an was still fairly polite to him. He took him to tour the Medical Workshop and the Artifact Refining Workshop.

The Medical Workshop had just produced a furnace of pills. Before they even reached the entrance, the pill fragrance drifted over from far away. Guard Ma knew quality goods very well. After saying a word to Qian Dingning, Qian Dingning took out money on the spot and said he wanted to buy this entire batch.

Qiu Ping’an’s expression was indifferent. “This batch was reserved in advance.”

Qian Dingning said, “Then I’ll reserve the next batch.”

Qiu Ping’an said, “The next batch was also reserved long ago.”

Qian Dingning frowned. “The next batch too?”

“Of course.” Qiu Ping’an proudly raised his head. “Our Zhaoge’s pills are excellent. Orders are already lined up until next year.”

Qian Dingning looked at the longing in Guard Ma’s eyes and still made the decision. “Then reserve next year’s for me. Whenever it is ready, I’ll send someone to pick it up!”

Qiu Ping’an accepted the money briskly. Shi Dahai, at the counter of the Medical Workshop, immediately raised his brush, wrote out a note, and stamped it.

After handing the pickup slip to Guard Ma, Qian Dingning stood with one hand behind his back and said arrogantly to Guard Ma, “This official treats you…”

Guard Ma smoothly followed up, “My lord, you treat me far too well. I will definitely repay you in the future.”

Qian Dingning choked for a moment, then said angrily, “Don’t steal my lines in the future!”

Then Qiu Ping’an took them to tour the Artifact Refining Workshop. For some reason, by such a coincidence, the Artifact Refining Workshop had just happened to produce a batch of new armor plates.

This batch of armor plates had been refined from the blue-striped turtles Guo Qianshan had brought. Each whole armor plate was dark green, very suitable for hiding in grass. Whether made into armor or shields, they were highly appropriate.

Guard Ma’s eyes lit up again. He said in a low voice, “My lord, these armor plates are even finer than those made in the imperial city. Judging by their quality, they are yellow-grade upper-upper grade.”

Qian Dingning immediately looked at Qiu Ping’an.

Qiu Ping’an said reservedly, “The armor plates are also queued until next year.”

Qian Dingning slapped down money. “Reserve a batch for me. Enough to make two suits fitted to his build.”

Guard Ma cupped his fist. “Many thanks, my lord.”

At the counter of the Artifact Refining Workshop, Little Mo, who was writing the slip, muttered inwardly that these blue-striped turtle armor plates had just been produced and had not even had time to be sold outside yet. How were they already queued until next year? Was it not bad for Steward Qiu to lie?

Thinking this inwardly, Little Mo briskly wrote out the pickup slip and handed it over.

After leaving the Artifact Refining Workshop, Qiu Ping’an took them to the Heavenly Garment Workshop.

Two days earlier, Chi Yixuan had upgraded the Heavenly Garment Workshop once. Its area had not expanded, but it now had several automatic looms. The silkworm chamber’s function had been upgraded to mystic-grade, and the other sections had also each improved.

When they went over, the Heavenly Garment Workshop was bustling. Qiu Ping’an saw that many people were gathered inside and asked what was going on. When Fan Huilan saw him arrive, she said happily, “The first bolt of ice silk has been woven!”

Qian Dingning and the others followed over to watch the excitement.

They saw a bolt of white silk hanging on the display rack in the center of the room. Even indoors, they could see its snow-white color seemed born of nature, with faint flowing light. When they drew closer, they could even feel threads of coolness blowing toward their faces.

Qian Dingning was extremely shocked. “I can’t even imagine how cool it would be to wear this in summer!” He immediately took money out of his pocket, then remembered ordinary gold and silver could not buy it and went to Guard Ma for spirit stones. However, when he took out the spirit stones, Qiu Ping’an pushed them back.

Fan Huilan glanced at them, then was about to push the ice silk inward. “Sorry, this bolt of silk is not for sale.”

Qian Dingning said the price could be negotiated, but no matter what price he offered, Fan Huilan simply kept a stern face and paid him no attention. This was the first time Qian Dingning had encountered the failure of his divine money powers, and he could not help but look utterly crushed.

Guard Ma supported him and said in a low voice, “My lord, that bolt of silk seems to be above mystic-grade. It is not something mortals can covet.”

In the Longevity Realm, one either needed an illustrious background or profound cultivation. Otherwise, no matter how much money a mortal had, they could not use cultivators’ things.

When Qian Dingning had just entered the city, he had been dealt a blow by a group of underage practitioners. Now he suffered another blow, and his whole person became like an eggplant struck by frost. After being dejected for a while, he suddenly asked Guard Ma, “If I don’t go back and stay in the Heavenly Garment Workshop as a minor worker, will I have a chance to wear ice silk?”

Guard Ma’s face was full of shock.

Just then, the ground under their feet trembled slightly.

Immediately afterward, a great shout came from outside. “Bad news! The Sea of Suffering Path is starting to shake!”

The Sea of Suffering Path! Wasn’t this place right beside the Sea of Suffering Path?

This time, even Guard Ma was frightened pale. He tucked Qian Dingning under his arm and rushed outside with swift steps.

But after rushing out, he discovered that the valley’s residents were not fleeing outward in panic. On the contrary, they were beating gongs and drums and rushing toward the Sea of Suffering Path instead.

Guard Ma froze, for a moment suspecting that he had misheard just now.

Qian Dingning wriggled out from under his arm and saw face after face, some resolute, some afraid, some worried. Yet without exception, they all rushed toward the Sea of Suffering Path, as if they did not fear death in the slightest, and as if another kind of belief was supporting them.

For some unknown reason, Qian Dingning, for the first time, did not listen to Guard Ma’s advice. He followed them toward the Sea of Suffering Path. Guard Ma had no choice but to keep close behind.

When they arrived and looked, the exit of the Sea of Suffering Path was indeed shaking, but it was not the Sea of Suffering Path breaking through its invisible restraints. Rather, on the ground in front of the Sea of Suffering Path, a strange tree broke through the soil and grew at tremendous speed.

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