Chapter 131: How Much Was the Stipend?
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
On a warm and gentle afternoon, Cao Jin Song once again experienced the terror of being dominated by a fierce bandit. Even his once-proud chest seemed to deflate.
It was as if his arrogance and his money pouch were linked—once one began to leak, the other couldn’t hold on either.
By the following afternoon, Ji You received another letter delivered from the foot of the mountain. Without hesitation, he departed the mountain and, after a few detours, arrived at the residence of the scholar surnamed Kuang at the far end of Spring Blossom Alley.
In fact, Ji You had already visited this place once before, on the second day after returning from Spirit Sword Mountain to Heavenly Script Academy.
However, at that time, Kuang Cheng was not home, and the main gate was tightly shut.
After inquiring at the Immortal Overseer Office, Ji You learned that Kuang Cheng had been reassigned to the Reception Division shortly after Ji You’s departure, now overseeing trade affairs between the Demon Clan and the Human Race.
At present, the scholar had just returned to the capital, looking a little travel-worn. He was sweeping his courtyard with a broom, his mood appearing quite good.
Upon hearing footsteps, Kuang Cheng turned toward the entrance and saw Ji You.
“Brother Ji, long time no see.”
Ji You raised the corners of his lips. “I heard you got a promotion. How much was your stipend?”
Kuang Cheng’s lips twitched, then he put down the broom. “Have you eaten yet? I haven’t. Why don’t we talk over a meal?”
Ji You couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. “Good plan.”
The two then left the secluded residence and found a nearby noodle shop. They ordered two bowls of Spring Noodles, along with some wine and meat dishes.
During the meal, Kuang Cheng took out some silver coins from his robe and placed them before Ji You. “This is half of my earnings from last month.”
“That much? Seems like your stipend really increased.”
“The monthly stipend remains the same. The additional income comes from our trade with the Demon Clan.”
While peeling a clove of garlic, Kuang Cheng continued, “The Spiritual Stones transported by the Demon Clan from the Snow Realm are of higher quality than those from the major mines in Cloud Prefecture and Central Prefecture. They are highly sought after by cultivators. This trade is handled by Great Xia, effectively reclaiming some control over the Spiritual Ores that were once monopolized by the noble families of the Nine Provinces.”
Ji You lifted his gaze. “No wonder the prices of Cloud Stones and Central Stones have been dropping lately.”
“Exactly. And this benefits the common folk as well.”
“Oh?”
Kuang Cheng handed him a clove of garlic. “The Demon Clan trades their Spiritual Stones, but they do not accept our silver coins in return. Instead, they seek grain, vegetables, fruits, salt, and various handicrafts.”
As Ji You chewed a leafy green, he immediately understood why this trade was beneficial to the people.
The Snow Realm was an icy wasteland where few crops could grow, making agricultural goods particularly valuable there.
By facilitating trade with the Demon Clan, Great Xia not only weakened the noble families’ grip on Spiritual Stone prices but also extracted silver from the cultivators of Azure Cloud Dominion. The money, after deducting profits, was then used to purchase agricultural goods from commoners, thereby increasing the value of these goods and improving the people’s livelihoods.
Ji You took a bite of his noodles. “Looks like the Great Xia Emperor wasn’t just making empty promises when he declared his new policies.”
“Indeed. My colleagues at the Immortal Overseer Office and I are working hard on this. But… even so, we still can’t change the current power structure. Even if we control Spiritual Stones, the Immortal Sects and noble families, who collect tax tributes every year, won’t be significantly affected. Moreover, the Demon Clan isn’t easy to deal with.”
“The old saying—’They are not of our race, thus their hearts must be different’—holds true?”
Kuang Cheng nodded. “His Majesty’s decision to open trade and allow the Demon Clan into the Nine Provinces is a bold and risky move. Everywhere I went during my travels, I heard rumors that the Demon Clan aims to steal the Human Race’s fortune and reclaim the Nine Provinces. Likewise, the Northern Frontier’s Barbaric Race seems to have the same goal.”
Ji You bit into a clove of garlic and glanced at him.
Kuang Cheng’s position and responsibilities granted him a broader perspective.
For ordinary folk, life under the noble families and Immortal Sects was harsh, but it was still preferable to being enslaved by another race.
No one wanted to return to the Ancient Era, back to the days when humans were oppressed, skinned, and slaughtered by other races.
But so far, these rumors of a chaotic era remained just that—rumors.
Though the Demon Clan and Barbaric Race were stirring, and the Seven Great Immortal Sects and Nine Provinces’ noble families seemed uneasy, nothing major had occurred since the incident at Qiling.
Even the clues about the infants uncovered through Qing Wa had vanished like stones sinking into the sea.
To this day, those infants remained missing. Had they perished alongside Clan Ancestor Zheng, vanishing into the heavens and earth? Ji You had no way of knowing.
For now, his status as an Outer Court Disciple prevented him from accessing further information.
Yet, what troubled him most was the feeble whisper he had heard upon his arrival in this world.
He believed chaos would come. The question was, how? And who would ignite it? That remained a foggy mystery.
The only thing Ji You could do now was strengthen himself and enter the Inner Court.
Kuang Cheng was doing the same—striving toward a brighter path within the grand, entangled schemes of the world.
Perhaps this was because he finally had the power to do something for the land, unlike the sentimental scholar he once was.
“Brother Ji, you must become the Headmaster of the Heavenly Script Academy soon.”
“You always have an unreasonable amount of faith in me.”
“It’s not blind faith. Once you are the Headmaster, and you marry the Daughter of the Pill Sect Master, your influence will increase greatly. At the very least, you will be able to improve the lives of the common folk.”
Ji You gave him a sidelong glance. “What if I also marry the Future Headmaster of Spirit Sword Mountain? How about that?”
The noodles Kuang Cheng had lifted with his chopsticks froze midair. “That would be even better. As I’ve said before, conquest isn’t always about swords—sometimes, a strong body is all you need.”
“Eat your noodles, you shameless scholar.”
With that, the two continued their meal, discussing matters concerning Yuyang County.
After returning the silver notes, Teacher Chen sought a plot of land within Yuyang County and began constructing an academy, intending to teach the children of the county proper conduct and knowledge.
Meanwhile, the northern regions were plagued by incessant warfare, leaving the townsfolk restless and uneasy. Adding to their woes, a drought had struck this year, and the harvest appeared less than promising.
Yet amidst the bad news, a piece of good fortune emerged—Immortal Worship Mountain Manor, which once sought to capture Qiu Ru for alchemy, had vacated Yuyang County, leaving behind an empty, desolate estate.
Hearing this, Ji You found it rather unexpected. “They moved away?”
“They say so,” Kuang Cheng replied, setting down his chopsticks, “but no one actually saw them leave. You know how the townsfolk are—they dare not go near that place, always taking a long detour for fear of offending the so-called ‘immortals.’”
Ji You twirled his chopsticks in his fingers. “Then why do people believe they’re gone?”
“It was Old Geng, the hunter living at the mountain’s base. He went hunting and found the place abandoned. Later, a few daring children sneaked closer to confirm—it was completely empty.”
“No one saw them leave?”
“Not a soul. But rumors say everything inside remains untouched, as if they vanished into thin air. Some speculate that Immortal Worship Mountain Manor offended a greater immortal clan, forcing them to depart silently.”
Ji You found it bizarre. Then again, the world under the Azure Clouds Dominion was vast, and stranger things had happened. His own Ji Clan had suffered a similar fate, disappearing overnight, leaving nothing behind but an empty residence.
After finishing their meal, the two strolled back through the alley toward their small courtyard. As they approached, they noticed a delicate figure standing nearby. Seeing them, she hesitated, appearing flustered, then turned swiftly to leave. Yet, after a few steps, she faltered, hesitated again, then turned back with a glance.
“Kuang… Kuang Gongzi.”
Kuang Cheng lifted his gaze. “Ah, so it’s Miss Wei. It has been a long time.”
Wei Rui lowered her head slightly, speaking in a soft, melodic voice. “I heard… you had returned to the capital, so I… I thought I’d stop by to see you.”
Since the Qiling Town incident had ended, Central Prefecture had stabilized somewhat. The refugees who once gathered outside the city gates had dispersed, leaving Wei Rui no further need to distribute porridge. Since then, Kuang Cheng had been reassigned elsewhere, and the two had not seen each other in months.
“I am but a frail scholar,” Kuang Cheng said with a composed expression, “but my fellow colleagues in the Immortal Overseer Office looked after me along the journey. There were no troubles. I appreciate your concern.”
“I… That’s… Well, as long as you’re safe, that’s good.”
Ji You stepped forward, pushing open the courtyard gate. “Miss Wei, on Kuang Cheng’s behalf, I invite you inside for tea.”
Wei Rui glanced at Kuang Cheng. After a brief silence, she nodded. “Alright.”
“Ah, but it’s not convenient,” Kuang Cheng suddenly interjected. “Ji Xiong, I only just returned and have no tea at home. I also haven’t gone to the water shop yet, so the water tank is empty.” His tone was candid, without hesitation.
Ji You turned his gaze to Wei Rui and saw her momentarily stunned. She lifted her eyes to look at Kuang Cheng. “I see… Then, I won’t impose further. May you be well, Gongzi.”
Ji You watched her depart, then turned to Kuang Cheng. “She came here just to see you. Why did you send her away?”
“I am part of the Immortal Overseer Office, and I cannot be too entangled with the Wei Clan,” Kuang Cheng replied calmly. “Besides, Miss Wei and I are merely acquaintances. It is improper for a bachelor to invite an unmarried lady into his home—it would harm her reputation.”
“There was no need for such a poor excuse. You could have simply told her the truth.”
Kuang Cheng glanced at his right hand. “When I investigated Wei Li’s tax embezzlement case, every document I read felt like it was written in blood. I find it hard to reconcile.”
Ji You eyed him thoughtfully. “But once a woman is married, she is no longer considered part of her natal family.”
“Ji… Ji Xiong, what nonsense are you speaking?”
“I bet you’ve even thought of names for your children.”
Kuang Cheng froze, his face flushing red. “Ji Xiong, you spout utter drivel!”
Ji You narrowed his eyes. “Don’t pretend. I’ve thought about it too.”
“I haven’t!”
“Well, even if you had, it’s too late now. You’ve already driven her away.”
At these words, Kuang Cheng’s expression dimmed. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the alley.
Looking up, they saw Wei Rui returning, looking somewhat uneasy. In her hands, she carried a neatly wrapped package with a tea label affixed to it. Behind her, a water-carrier followed, carrying two buckets of fresh water.
The water-carrier asked if this was the right house. Upon seeing Wei Rui nod, he stepped forward and entered the courtyard. Moments later, the sound of rushing water filled the tank inside.
“I… I bought some tea,” Wei Rui finally mustered the courage to say.
Almost everyone in Shengjing knew that the granddaughter of the treacherous Wei Li was gentle and soft-spoken, someone who rarely spoke up or competed for anything.
Yet at this moment, her stubbornness shone through.
Ji You watched the two exchange silent glances and sighed inwardly. [Great. I’ve become the third wheel.]
“Kuang Xiong, I’ll be leaving now. You two… take your time with the tea.”
“Eh? Ji Xiong—”
“No need for courtesy. I’d rather not be involved in your name-choosing discussions. I still have names of my own to ponder.”
“…?”