Yefutidaolu

Chapter 330 (Continued) (End of Volume)

After everyone had left, Qin Long emerged from the shadows.

He still held the dark, short sword, his face as cold and hard as ever, but deep within his deep, pool-like eyes, there surged complex emotions that were hard to describe.

He looked at Gao Jian—this young man who had just established his authority with the blood of the Jin family and then forced the remaining aristocratic families to the dead end of "spending money to support the people" with an unquestionable order.

"You want them to restore their population," Qin Long's voice broke the silence, tinged with a barely perceptible hoarseness, "What's your plan?"

His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, was fixed on Gao Jian's face, trying to discern deeper intentions beneath that calm expression. For the ordinary people of Liangzhou struggling to survive, restoring the population was undoubtedly a much-needed rain after a long drought.

Having food, having land, being able to survive, and having offspring... this is the "good life" they have always dreamed of.

Having experienced the struggles of the frozen wasteland, Qin Long understands better than anyone the significance of this for ordinary people.

But is this "ease" the goal itself? Or... merely the prelude to another kind of harvest?

Qin Long was filled with vigilance. He had witnessed Gao Jian's methods firsthand—ruthless, efficient, treating human life as worthless, and outrageously bloodthirsty.

In his eyes, aristocratic families were like pigs and sheep waiting to be slaughtered, tools to extract value.

So, will the vast number of ordinary people supported by wealthy families become an even larger "crop" in Takami's eyes next? When the population flourishes, resources will inevitably become scarce again. At that time, will Takami raise his sickle once more?

After all, that's exactly what the Divine Dynasty did.

Gao Jian seemed to understand the deep doubt and wariness in Qin Long's eyes. He simply smiled, then patted the other man lightly and said, "These ten years—"

Gao Jian's voice was soft, as if he were stating a predetermined future: "The lives of ordinary people in Liangzhou will be very good. Better than ever before. The granaries will be full, the wastelands will be green, the cries of infants will replace the wails of the dead, and the smoke from cooking fires will dispel the death. They will recuperate and multiply their offspring."

He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the thick walls, seeing the life about to sprout on the vast land of Liangzhou.

“A large population base,” Gao Jian continued, his tone as calm as if discussing the weather, “is like fertile land that yields little harvest. Countless new generations are born, and among them, many… promising talents with cultivation potential will inevitably emerge.” His gaze refocused on Qin Long.

“At that time, I hope you and Yang Ling can take charge of this matter.” Gao Jian’s voice carried a gentleness that was not there before. “Screen, guide, concentrate... pick out those seeds with decent potential from the ordinary soil.”

"You see, as I said before, I want to... replace the cultivators. There needs to be some new seedlings, right?"

This answer made Qin Long frown slightly.

"You want to establish a great immortal sect?" Qin Long asked.

That's right, Gao Jian's actions are actually similar to establishing a sect of immortals.

This deduction is quite natural. Selecting those with potential and providing intensive training—isn't this precisely the model for immortal sects to recruit disciples and establish their own schools?
After all that trouble, from massacring the Jin family to exploiting other powerful families to support the common people, is Gao Jian's ultimate goal simply to establish a new immortal sect of his own in Liangzhou?

"Yes, you can understand it that way. It's just that this immortal sect will never separate itself from mortals from the very beginning, and will never regard mortals as spiritual materials from the root. They will be the successors of the new era."

"The new era?" Qin Long asked.

“A new era.” Gao Jian nodded.

"How new is it? Like a change of dynasty?" Qin Long asked again.

“Even newer than that.” Gao Jian stood up: “What we’re going to do isn’t change dynasties, that’s just old wine in new bottles. What I’m going to do is plant a completely new Dao on this land that has been poisoned by the old rules for thousands of years, a Dao where power and the mundane coexist and thrive!”

"The Dao?" Qin Long murmured to himself.

Gao Jian did not reply, but straightened his clothes: "Youming Land will not let this go. The death of two Ninth Realm Elders is not a small matter for them. After this, I am afraid that Youming Land will report me. But they dare not act recklessly in Liangzhou, because the flag has been planted here. The Divine Dynasty will not allow a sect to be too arrogant."

“But they can cause me trouble in other ways, but that will have to wait until I return to the capital, Yangjing. The journey to the capital will likely be extremely dangerous, and I'm afraid Brother Qin will have to come with me on this trip,” Gao Jian said with a smile.

"I'm not afraid of danger, I'm afraid of not knowing where to go," Qin Long said casually.

"Don't worry, follow me. You don't need to worry about where you're going. The only thing I'm afraid of is... not reaching the end." Gao Jian shrugged easily.

Qin Long then disappeared.

The next second, the mouse appeared not far away.

Actually, he was always there, he just didn't show up, since Gao Jian was just talking about something very important.

Gao Jian understood that Shu Shu had always been there, and even knew that Shu Shu had participated in the city defense battle, but he had always kept a low profile. While Gao Jian was doing these things, Shu Shu did not bother him, but just silently did what he was supposed to do.

As expected of a reliable adult mouse!
He knew his own capabilities and what he should be doing, so he acted with great discretion and didn't need any instructions from his superiors.

However, now that things have come to a close, Shu Jian needs to know Gao Jian's next plan, so he showed up here to hear what Gao Jian has to say.

Gao Jian understood Shu Jian's meaning, so he didn't stand on ceremony and stepped forward: "Elder Shu, then I'll trouble you to go back to Shen Du first. You're not of any use for my affairs for the time being, and there might be danger if you come with us. Go back to Shen Du now, and we'll be counting on you then."

Gao Jian walked over to the mouse, picked it up with his hands, and placed it on his head.

Shu Jian slid down his ear and sat on Gao Jian's shoulder, laughing, "There's no cinnabar this time. Are you planning to make me run back by myself? We probably won't be able to use flying boats or anything like that, right? You guys are going to take flying boats, and I'll have to walk."

"Yes, that's about it. Thank you for your hard work, Elder Shu."

"It's alright. I'm a little tired, but it will definitely be of great use. You are indeed very clever. I don't need to figure out what you're doing, and I couldn't figure it out anyway. So, I'll head out now?" Shu Jian said.

"I'm tired." Gao Jian nodded. "Then I'll be going now." Shu Jian jumped off the ground, but it seemed that he suddenly thought of something during the process, and turned his head to ask, "Gao Jian, by the way, there's something else I want to ask you."

"Elder Shu, please speak freely." Gao Jian squatted down.

"If I follow you, will I be able to find a way for demons to break through the original limitations of their bodies without needing to transform?" Shu Jian asked.

“I don’t know, but in my vision, there’s a place for a demon,” Gao Jian said.

"That's good. I'll head to Shen Du now. Give me a receipt," said Mouse.

After thinking for a moment, Takami gave him his scabbard.

The mouse took it, then twisted its legs and ran away.

Gao Jian stood up.

time to go.

His time in Liangzhou was almost up, and he had reaped a considerable harvest. As for the spoils of war, someone would take care of them for him; Yang Ling would not let these things go to waste.

The Jin family must have a very deep foundation, but unfortunately it cannot be explained in detail. However, given the circumstances, Gao Jian will naturally have a comprehensive plan for using this money, he just didn't make it clear.

The reconstruction of Liangzhou and the reproduction of its people will cost tens of millions of gold coins. This money... also needs to be carefully monitored, but that will have to wait until we return to the capital to report back.

The capital city... this trip back won't be easy.

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The outline of Liangzhou City gradually shrank and blurred outside the porthole, eventually being completely swallowed by the rolling sea of ​​clouds. Gao Jian stood before the huge stained-glass window of the top cabin of the giant airship "Cloud Breaker," looking down at the land below that he had just reshaped with his iron-fisted methods. The bloody smell of the Jin family's ancestral home still seemed to linger at the tip of his nose, the terrified faces of the aristocratic family representatives were still vivid in his mind, while the "good days" that the people of Liangzhou might usher in over the next ten years unfolded slowly in his calm mind like an unpainted scroll.

time to go.

He had already made his move and concluded the game in Liangzhou. The massacre of the Jin family was to establish his authority, the exploitation of powerful families to support the common people was part of his strategy, and his grand ambition to cultivate "seeds of new cultivators" was a long-term foreshadowing. The harvest was undeniably substantial—the terrifying foundation accumulated by the Jin family over hundreds of years could not be fully examined and taken away now, as that would be too conspicuous and easily attract unnecessary covetousness.

But Yang Ling, being a pragmatist, would never let go of any usable resources. Those hidden spiritual vein shares, industrial land deeds scattered throughout the states, rare materials in the secret vaults, and even the intelligence network cultivated by the Jin family... would all be systematically received and integrated by Yang Ling, turning them into a solid foundation to support the reconstruction of Liangzhou and even the future "New Immortal Sect" plan.

Gao Jian's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. Yang Ling's confusion was temporary; his original heart, rooted in the mundane and yearning to change the status quo, would eventually be guided by the clearer, and more ruthless, path he had charted.

The reconstruction of Liangzhou, requiring ten years to restore its population, would cost far more than ten million taels of gold. Such immense wealth naturally necessitates the strictest oversight and the most effective use. However, these are matters for later, things he can only manage remotely after returning to the greater vortex of the capital, where he can consolidate his position.

The divine capital… Gao Jian's gaze was fixed on the horizon of the sea of ​​clouds, as if trying to pierce through endless distances to see the majestic city perched atop the dragon vein. This journey home would be anything but smooth. He could almost smell the blood and gore swirling around him, a mixture of intrigue, murderous intent, and power struggles.

Speaking of this, Gao Jian is currently sitting in the highest-class, safest, and most heavily guarded cabin of the airship. In fact, he had previously planned to buy a security agreement and a compensation agreement for himself from the 'Jinyouzhai' trading company.

But when Jin Youzhai learned about the situation in Liangzhou, he resolutely refused to sell, since they wouldn't do a business with such a guaranteed compensation guarantee.

The manager of Jinyouzhai shook his head so hard it was like a rattle-drum, almost crying and kowtowing. Although he knew it was just a business act, Gao Jian couldn't make things difficult for them since they were already in this position.

The responses from several large airship companies contacted afterward were largely the same. Upon hearing that it was a brilliant idea, they either declined outright, quoted exorbitant prices, or stammered that their routes were fully booked, clearly understanding the current situation.

Until... "Youlu Sect" took on this business.

Gao Jian stroked the warm teacup, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Youlu Sect"... This is a great immortal sect famous for its escape techniques, known as "there is a way to heaven and a door to the earth".

Their sect's motto, "The earth does not give birth to nameless people, and heaven does not give birth to people without a path," conveys a sense of enlightenment and open-mindedness. Their techniques are incredibly profound, and it is said that they can "walk on the sun and moon without casting a shadow and enter metal and stone without hindrance."

Today, the same applies to the business of flying boats, which are also known for their speed.

It is said that an Earth Immortal Ancestor resides within the sect, and although he has not appeared in the world for hundreds of years, his influence remains. The current sect leader is also a top figure of the Twelfth Realm. In terms of overall power, it may be slightly inferior to the Netherworld, but it is definitely a large immortal sect that can shake the heavens and earth with a stomp of its foot.

Regardless of the motives, the fact that Lu Zong accepted the order undoubtedly provided Gao Jian with a relatively sturdy layer of protection for his perilous journey home. At least on this airship, before arriving at the capital, the risk of open attacks from forces like Youmingdi would be minimized. This gave him precious time to catch his breath and review the situation.

The airship glided smoothly yet swiftly above the fiercely windswept sea of ​​clouds. Gao Jian's mind, however, remained unsettled. The shadow of the capital city drew ever closer.

News of the Jin family's annihilation has likely already spread like wildfire through special channels among the elite circles of the capital. The Youming clan's fury is inevitable; their two elders and Liangzhou forces were uprooted by Gao Jian, suffering a humiliating defeat, and retaliation will surely follow.

In the imperial court, those political enemies with close ties to the Jin family, or those who viewed Gao Jian as a troublemaker, would not miss this opportunity to impeach and attack him. Even… what would the supreme ruler of the divine dynasty's attitude be towards the monstrous waves stirred up by this “minor imperial envoy”? Would he support him, or would he throw him out?
This journey home, seemingly sheltered by the airship, is actually fraught with danger at every turn. The real storm will only begin the moment he arrives in the capital. He needs to use the brief peace on the airship to recuperate and, more importantly... prepare his next move in the grand scheme of things in the capital.

Gao Jian opened his eyes, picked up the slightly cool spiritual tea, and drank it all in one gulp.

The bitterness of the tea spread across his tongue, yet it made the light in his eyes even clearer and sharper, like a quenched blade. He gazed at the boundless sea of ​​clouds outside the porthole, as if he could already see the majestic outline of the capital city, and beneath that outline, the surging, towering waves waiting for him to stir them up...

However, at this very moment—

Suddenly, a huge noise came from outside!

"No way... they're here already? They didn't even have to wait until the capital?" Takami sighed and stood up.

(It's the beginning of the month, and I've finished one volume. Please vote with your monthly tickets!)

(End of this chapter)