Chapter 21: Nagging Liu Qing'er

More than an hour later, the teal paper crane landed at the foot of Qinglian Mountain.

Qinglian Mountain was over five hundred zhang tall, its slopes covered with a vast array of exotic flowers and rare herbs.

Qinglian Mountain was protected by a second-tier, low-grade formation, the Three Powers Six Harmonies Array. This defensive formation was so robust that even if five or six Foundation Establishment cultivators attacked it simultaneously, it would be impossible to breach in less than a day.

Of course, this was assuming that the Wang family cultivators operating the formation had ample spiritual power; otherwise, the formation could be broken in just a few hours.

Numerous buildings dotted Qinglian Mountain. Some mortals without spiritual roots resided halfway up the mountain, where they either repaired homes, worked as shop assistants in the Wang family's establishments, or prepared meals in the Spiritual Food Hall for Qi Refining cultivators who had not yet achieved Bigu.

At the mountain's peak was a second-tier, low-grade spiritual vein, three li in size. The Wang family had built a grand mansion on this spiritual vein, where family members possessing spiritual roots resided.

In the study, Wang Mingyuan was poring over an ancient text. On the desk lay more than a dozen books, containing both textual descriptions and illustrations.

Liu Qing'er stood behind Wang Mingyuan, massaging his shoulders.

“Dark Gold is a commonly used first-tier artifact refining material,” Liu Qing'er said slowly. “Most spiritual artifacts incorporate Dark Gold to enhance their toughness, and more powerful gold-attribute spiritual artifacts are often forged with it. The Money Sword you gave Shenger was crafted from Dark Gold.”

Wang Mingyuan put down the book in his hand and nodded, saying, “I just don't know how large the mineral vein is, or how long it can be mined. But even if it can only be mined for a year, it would be enough to get us through the current difficulties.”

“Shenger made such a significant contribution this time. How do you plan to reward him? Let me tell you, as the head of the family, you must be clear with rewards and punishments. At the very least, you should reward him with two hundred—no, three hundred spirit stones! Ten jin of Dark Gold is worth three hundred spirit stones. Is rewarding Shenger with three hundred spirit stones too much for discovering a Dark Gold vein?”

“We will certainly reward Shenger, but we don't know the scale of the mineral vein yet. We'll wait until Seventh Brother and his team send someone back to report on its size before deciding. I hope the vein is large enough for us to mine for several more years. By the way, Qing'er, have the spirit mulberry leaves decreased this year? Is there enough to feed the spirit silkworms?”

“Changxue, that girl, has taken excellent care of the spirit mulberry trees. There are plenty of spirit mulberry leaves, enough to feed the spirit silkworms. However, we don't have much first-tier, low-grade spirit grain left for the Snowcloud Chickens; only a little over a hundred jin remains, which will only last a few days. Also…”

Before Liu Qing'er could finish speaking, a rapid voice suddenly rang out: “Third Brother, Third Brother, good news!”

“Seventh Brother is back,” Wang Mingyuan said, rising to his feet.

Wang Mingzhong walked in quickly, his face beaming with joy.

“Seventh Brother, how is it?” Wang Mingyuan asked impatiently. “How big is the vein? How many years can it be mined?”

“It's a small Dark Gold vein,” Wang Mingzhong replied. “According to Qinglin's estimate, it can be mined for three to four years. The Dark Gold ore mined in a day can yield two to three jin of Dark Gold. However, there aren't enough people, so Fifth Uncle wants you to send thirty more Qi Refining cultivators. Also, remember to bring formation setting tools to prevent troublemakers. The Huang family's experience is a lesson to us all!”

A look of immense joy appeared on Wang Mingyuan's face. He nodded and said, “I will immediately assign personnel. By the way, why are you the only one back? Has Qinglin returned?”

Wang Mingzhong smiled slightly and said, “Qinglin is back too, Third Brother. I've brought you a surprise. Please come in!”

“A surprise?” Wang Mingyuan was slightly taken aback.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Changsheng and Wang Qinglin walked in.

“Shenger, why are you back?” Liu Qing'er's face lit up with joy when she saw Wang Changsheng.

A hint of joy appeared in Wang Mingyuan's eyes, but quickly, he frowned and said sternly, “Shenger, why have you returned without permission? Your four-year term isn't over yet; who will be responsible for guarding Ping'an County if you run back here? This is dereliction of duty.”

“Fifth Uncle-Grandfather told me to come back,” Wang Changsheng said softly.

In Wang Changsheng's memory, Wang Mingyuan always had a stern expression. Over time, the mere sight of his father filled Wang Changsheng with trepidation.

“Third Brother, Fifth Uncle sent Changsheng back,” Wang Mingzhong interceded. “Since Changsheng discovered the Dark Gold vein, it's appropriate for him to report to you. The position of Celestial Master will temporarily be held by another family member, and with Fifth Uncle watching over things, nothing will go wrong.”

Liu Qing'er shot Wang Mingyuan a look and said exasperatedly, “Fifth Uncle told Shenger to come back. Now you have nothing to say, do you!”

Wang Mingyuan's expression softened. He said, “The state has its laws, and the family has its rules. However, since Fifth Uncle sent you back, then it's fine. Tell me about how you discovered the Dark Gold vein!”

Wang Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief. From receiving the flying pigeon message from the Qingstone Town Elder, to traveling to Qingstone Town to eliminate the zombies, and finally discovering the Dark Gold vein, he recounted every detail without omission.

When Liu Qing'er heard that Wang Changsheng had faced the zombies alone, her heart leaped into her throat. Only after learning that Wang Changsheng was unharmed and had eliminated the zombies did she finally relax.

Wang Mingyuan showed a look of approval and nodded, saying, “Well done. It seems your father was right to send you to Ping'an Town to serve as Celestial Master. Go and rest now. I'll call for you if I need anything.”

“Your son obeys,” Wang Changsheng agreed at once.

“Husband, Seventh Brother, you two talk. I won't disturb you,” Liu Qing'er said, leading Wang Changsheng out.

“It's been three years, Shenger, and you've gotten so thin. The food in the mortal world must not have been good; Mother will make you some Jade Ginseng Lotus Seed Noodles to nourish you. And your clothes are torn. Mother made you a few new outfits. You've grown taller over these three years; try on the clothes later to see if they fit. If not, Mother will alter them for you. Mother also made you shoes…”

Listening to his mother's somewhat nagging words, Wang Changsheng felt a warmth spread through his heart.

Fifteen minutes later, Wang Changsheng followed Liu Qing'er into a wooden house. Inside, pots, pans, and bowls were neatly arranged; clearly, it was the kitchen.

“You must be tired from traveling so long. Sit down and rest for a bit while Mother prepares the dough,” Liu Qing'er said, telling Wang Changsheng to sit down and rest, then walking towards the stove.

Liu Qing'er took a simple wooden jar from her storage bag, poured out all the flour, added water, and kneaded the dough with practiced ease.

As she kneaded the dough, she began to speak: “Shenger, you must have suffered a lot in Ping'an County. Don't blame your father; he also wanted you to stay on Qinglian Mountain to cultivate in peace. But he's the family head, and he has to set an example, otherwise it's hard to earn everyone's respect. It's not easy for him to manage such a large family, so please try to understand your father more. The things I send you every year through Changxue also include contributions from your father. In the first month after you left Qinglian Mountain, your father didn't get a single good night's sleep. He'd dream that something had happened to you and wake up in a fright. Every time Changxue returned after delivering things, knowing you were safe, your father would sleep more soundly. And also…”

Listening to his mother's somewhat nagging words, Wang Changsheng felt a warmth spread through his heart.

After kneading the dough, Liu Qing'er took a fist-sized piece of bloody meat from her storage bag.

“A first-tier, low-grade Mountain-Pushing Beast suddenly fell ill and wouldn't eat or drink,” Liu Qing'er explained. “Your father had it slaughtered to provide nourishment for the younger generation. Our family received a share, and I originally planned to cook it and have Changxue send it to you, but I didn't expect you to return. Mother will make you stir-fried meat with purple bamboo shoots! Noodles alone aren't enough. At your age, you need to eat more spiritual ingredients to make cultivation breakthroughs easier. Changfeng is already at the seventh level of Qi Refining.”