I am collecting entries in reincarnation

Chapter 342: Visitors from the Demon Country
It was just after the autumn harvest, so it was time to collect taxes.

The immortal sects in the mountains protect the local people. In addition to vigorously promoting population and adding fresh blood to their own families, they naturally also have chores that need these mortals to do.

Those who have achieved success in cultivation absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and do not eat the five grains of the world, but some junior brothers and sisters still need to eat and drink water. You can't let such a dignified cultivator go to the fields to farm. Besides, how can the immortal be bothered to get the elixirs in the mountains and the gold in the underground? Naturally, these mortals will do the work for them.

This piece of land is exactly the base of Yinming Sect, so in addition to these, we have to take away some other things, that is... coffins!
Zhang An was Lei Dongzi's boy, a disciple in name only. He held a high position, having been a student for ten years. He possessed excellent aptitude, and with Li Ming's secret guidance, he was now considered a leader among the younger generation. Therefore, he could also help Lei Dongzi manage some of his minor matters. Collecting taxes down the mountain was certainly trivial in Lei Dongzi's eyes, but the profits were enormous.

Anything related to purchasing and taxation is very complicated.

Zhang An has a solid personality, so Lei Dongzi trusts him and gives him full authority over the matter.

"Master, Master, you're here? Hahaha, I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

A middle-aged man in a brocade robe saw Li Ming descending from the clouds and hurried forward to greet him.

This person is the mayor of this place, and is also a tax officer. He has the same status as Mr. Qian from Qianjiazhuang. He has some dealings with the Yinming Sect and manages the town on their behalf. Naturally, he is respectful to Zhang An.

Zhang An nodded. The middle-aged man then continued, "Three days ago, two vagrants arrived, claiming to have escaped from the border of the Demon Country. They've been staying in town for the past two days. Please advise, Immortal Master, on what should be done with these two people."

"Oh?" Zhang An murmured, looking a little doubtful.

It's no wonder he did that. The Demon Kingdom occupied the central land, and the human race there lived in poverty, being enslaved by the demons as livestock. Naturally, countless people wanted to escape, but how could they just escape?
Not to mention that the demon clan has its own set of management methods. Even if you are lucky enough to avoid the eyes and ears of the demons, this place is a thousand miles away from the border of the demon country. It is okay for cultivators, but for mortals, this is an insurmountable distance.

Zhang An thought for a moment and then said, "You take care of other matters, and I'll go with you to see this so-called survivor!"

"Uncle Zhao, is this coffin and corpse also a tax?" asked a young man.

In front of the man stood a white-haired old man. He was very old, but in good spirits. He was directing several people to move goods. After hearing what the young man said, he laughed.

"Of course it counts! Here, after the people die, their bodies are placed together. There are immortal instruments in the town's charity cemetery to suppress the bodies and prevent them from decaying. This is for the purpose of sending them to the immortal today..."

"This...what are you going to do with Xian Changyao's body? Could it be..." The young man showed a look of surprise on his face, and he obviously didn't expect the old man to say that.

"Haha... We common people work hard in the fields, and some families barely have enough to eat. To be honest... isn't it possible that we'll be used as materials? You really don't mind this... You escaped from there, so you should know what life is like there and what it's like here. It's a bit hard, but life is still bearable. At least you won't be torn off your arms or captured by monsters from nowhere. Since the Immortal wants to use them, then use them. If my body after I die can be used to make magic weapons to kill one or two monsters, haha, I'll wake up laughing in my dreams!"

Listening to the old man's words, the young man remained silent, not knowing what he was thinking. He just sighed deeply.

Beside the young man stood a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and large eyes. He stepped forward to comfort him, saying, "This is the world we live in now. Although we have left the Demon Kingdom, it is not necessarily peaceful outside. The demons are greedy and are attacking everywhere. Immortal sects everywhere have suffered countless casualties. Now is a matter of life and death. As long as we can add a little help, what can't we do?"

The two men's conversation and demeanor were both extraordinary, and it was obvious that they were not simple people. At this time, Zhang An was also led in front of them.

The mayor quickly adjusted his tone and snorted, saying, "This is the immortal from the Immortal Mountain. Don't be fooled by his youth, he has the secret of maintaining his youthful appearance and profound Taoist skills. You have been blessed by meeting him once. Go back and bless your descendants. I wonder how many lifetimes of great fortune he must have accumulated to achieve this day!"

Unexpectedly, the two of them did not buy it very much. They just raised their hands and clasped their fists in a neither humble nor arrogant manner as a greeting.

"Hey, what's going on? Don't you understand what I'm saying? This is an immortal!" The mayor looked like he was about to curse.

Zhang An reached out to stop them, then said, "It's okay, it's okay. I'm just an ordinary cultivator, nothing special. Are these two the uncle and nephew who escaped from the demon kingdom?"

The mayor quickly apologized with a smile, "Yes, yes, they are from the demon country and don't know the etiquette. Please don't blame me, Immortal Master, please don't blame me."

The young man also stepped forward and said, "My name is Zeng Yushu, and this is my uncle Zeng Youchun. My uncle and nephew are indeed from the Demon Country."

Zhang An looked them up and down and said, "The Demon Country is lawless, and the demons are brutal and violent, enslaving the human race. It's good that you can escape. You can stay here for the time being and make plans later."

At this time, Zeng Yushu seemed to have something to say, but Zeng Youchun stopped him with a look, then bowed and clasped his hands together.

"Thank you for your agreement, Immortal."

Zhang An chuckled and said, "Wait a minute. The Demon Country is a thousand miles away from here. I'm sure it would be very difficult for you two to travel all the way here. It just so happens that the elders of my sect also want to inquire about the situation in the Demon Country. I think they would be happy to meet you. Why don't you two follow me to the sect later?"

This was half true and half false. It was true that he wanted to gather information, but the primary purpose was to find out the background of the two people. Now Zhang An was no longer that little brat. Although the Yinming Sect was considered a famous and upright sect in today's world.

However, he had experienced a lot of internal struggles and disputes among fellow disciples. Fortunately, he was relatively calm, and his master Lei Dongzi was also quite capable, which allowed him to live safely to this day.

In the past ten years, in addition to his skills, his scheming has naturally increased a lot. Seeing that there are many suspicious points about the two people, he can't make a decision. It is better to ask the elders to take a look, so that he can't be blamed.

The two exchanged glances, and then Zeng Yushu said, "I'm willing to listen to the Immortal's arrangements."

Zhang An smiled slightly and said, "Okay, wait a moment and follow me."

Li Ming also walked over listlessly, wagging his tail, but he was secretly surprised in his heart.

What on earth did these two people carry with them? Why did they give me such a strange feeling? I have never had this feeling in sixteen years!

PS: A small survey, basically from here on it will move towards fantasy, the main world will be full of high-level martial arts, and there will be more and more demons and monsters. Do you think it is too abrupt?
(End of this chapter)