Wei School's Three Good Students

Chapter 12 The Responsibility of Worrying
Inside Yongji Pass, at the Star Gazing Tower, in front of the reception table where the aroma of tea wafted, Xuan Chong felt a "floating ball" appearing in his system's field of vision.

Xuan Chong muttered to himself in the system, "What's wrong? What kind of trouble is this?"

System: "It's okay. We are revising the teaching syllabus and verifying the safety of certain 'teaching aids'."

Upon hearing the word "teaching aids," Xuan Chong asked curiously, "Is it this one in front of me?"

Switching back, Wu Fei glanced at the female Taoist's reaction and masked it with a polite smile.

System: "You can hide the floating ball now and go about your business."

Xuan Chong coughed, his mind racing, and pressed the system button. He said to the female Daoist who had come to his aid, "Fairy Yaolian, I was distracted just now. Let's continue."

Fairy Yaolian: "Young master is very busy, it is I who have bothered you."

Wu Yuanchang's lips curled up slightly. This person, who called himself "this humble Daoist," clearly didn't fit the style of a cultivation novel. He looked more like a cosplayer from one of those flashy mobile games in the 21st century.

She had blue hair and a high nose bridge, and her appearance was not typical of an Easterner. Especially since she had just arrived at Yongji Pass, she hadn't flown on a sword, but rather flew there using the wings on her back.

At that time, the only difference between her and the angels was that her wings were purple-blue. Because her face was different from that of the native women of Da Yao, she was veiled when she first arrived.

However, Xuan Chong, who had seen much on Western websites in his previous life, thought: This face was like "fine wine in a luminous cup." Moreover, those legs were long enough.

……

An hour ago, Zhao Tu—oh, the word "Tu" was too murderous—was now bestowed the name "Xianzhong" by Wu Fei.
Zhao Xianzhong seemed somewhat wary of this Fairy Yaolian, so he advised Wu Fei: "Young master, this was recommended by the Taoist Xian, who is close to the old general. That Taoist Xian is a heretic, and this is a witch, not a fairy."

Wu Fei solemnly nodded in agreement with Zhao Xianzhong's advice and solemnly assured Xianzhong that if the demoness did not behave, he would definitely hand her over to him to chop off her hooves.

Of course, the above assurances were merely meant to appease Zhao Tu, one of his fierce generals. This fellow was like a knife; he needed to be rubbed smooth with oil.

As for this Fairy Yaolian, regardless of what kind of unorthodox sect she and Xiandaoren belong to, they are currently lacking such "magician" units under their command.

Six months ago, during the battle with the snake people, Wu Fei suffered greatly from their sorcery. He vividly remembered the power of such magic. Therefore, he needed a caster.

So Wu Fei started to get closer: "Fairy Yaolian isn't a Daoist Master, is she? Are you and Daoist Xian from the same sect?"

Wu Fei's tone when striking up a conversation was similar to when he was checking someone's household registration during a blind date in his previous life.

Fairy Yaolian: "Young master, you guessed correctly. I come from Taixi. Senior Brother Xianfei is my fellow disciple. Young master, you don't need to be formal. Just call me Third Aunt."

Wu Fei's curiosity was piqued, because since transmigrating to this world, it had always been an Eastern fantasy world. Western? Magic? It was never recorded in the Shan Hai Zhi he had obtained through his own channels.
The Records of Mountains and Seas states that west of Hanzhou, the mountains are treacherous and the waters are treacherous. Ancient legends tell of a primordial remnant species, still existing in the world, hidden deep in the mountains and valleys, living for over ten thousand years, yet never seen by anyone. —Wu Fei secretly wondered: Could it be some kind of spirit in human form?

Wu Feisheng's curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but stare at Yao Lian's face, trying to find some clues in her facial features.

It should be noted that even after a snake-man consumes the "Spirit Awakening Pill," some characteristics of the alien species will still remain, such as Xiao Qing, whose back still has residual scales.

Yao Lian has extremely fair and delicate skin, with pale blue eyeshadow. This doesn't look like foundation; it's more like her skin's natural pigmentation. And between her brows is a very bright sapphire.
Wu Fei's gaze lingered on the space between his eyebrows, and he couldn't help but feel that the gem was very profound, like the eyes of the ocean staring back at him, evoking endless associations.

Unbeknownst to him, Wu Fei drifted off into his own thoughts, pondering the planets, oceans, and skies of this world.

In an instant, he seemed to see a blue planet, and in his daze, looking around, he saw a dazzling starry sky. And in the starry sky, there was a blue, magnificent figure. Just as he was about to peer further into this figure—the system's background music started playing, interrupting Wu Fei's rambling thoughts. The background music wasn't loud, but it had a very strong impact on Xuan Chong.

"Thunder means rain, Leo"
(What)
Leo needs an umbrella when it rains.

(I know that too)

Wear a cotton-padded coat when it's cold.

Leo Leo

......"

"What the hell!" Xuan Chong snapped out of his daze and turned off the alarm clock from the system in his field of vision.

Then he apologized to Fairy Yao in front of him: "I'm sorry, Fairy Yao, I was just thinking about an old friend and got distracted." ("Was I really distracted?" Although he wouldn't admit that the system prompt was the key to pulling him back, Xuan Chong insisted that he hadn't lost his way, but that didn't mean he wasn't vigilant after regaining his senses.)
Yao Lian showed particular concern: "Oh, young master, you've been overworking yourself. I have a good remedy here that can refresh you and relieve your fatigue."

Xuan Chong waved his hand and said, "No, I appreciate your kindness, fairy, but this is a heart ailment that cannot be cured by medicine!"

Regarding "energizing and fatigue-relieving" drugs, Xuan Chong, a modern Easterner in the past, was highly wary: because the most energizing substance wasn't "coffee," but rather something like "opium" or "hemp." Medicine should never be taken indiscriminately. —Moreover, the female saleswoman selling medicine in front of him didn't have a "drug production license" from a reputable organization; what if it was some kind of "Three Corpse Brain-Boosting Pill"? His fragile willpower couldn't withstand the torture.

Seeing Wu Fei's firm refusal, Yao Lian nodded slightly and stopped trying to persuade him.

Wu Fei continued the previous topic and began to extract information: "I heard that Taixi has many races, such as elves with pointed ears living in the forest, and dwarves with short stature in the mountains who are good at smelting."

Wu Fei throws out the Western fantasy settings he is familiar with, attempting to explore the diversity of his own world.

Yao Lian's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and then she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, and asked, "Young Master, where did you get these stories from?"

Wu Fei paused, then chuckled and said, "Well, I read it in a book. It seems to be nonsense."

Yao Lian: "Actually, the books you read, young master, may not be nonsense, but rather—" She changed the subject, her gaze fixed on Wu Fei like stars, and explained slowly and deliberately: "The world is vast and full of wonders, not to mention there are other worlds in the starry sky. What you have heard may be true or not."

Wu Fei snapped out of his daze, rubbed his eyes, and realized there was something wrong with this woman. In that instant, he felt the sapphire between Yao Lian Fairy's brows had transformed into a strange eye. Of course, upon closer inspection now, it was gone.

Yao Lian, still smiling, pressed on, "Or perhaps, young master, you are not from this world?"

Wu Fei was stunned, then laughed. As a stubborn person, he naturally couldn't admit it, so he raised his hand and touched Yao Lian's forehead, then touched his own forehead (meaning, you don't have a fever, do you?).

However, Yao Lian's performance was interrupted by Wu Fei's reckless actions. She stiffened slightly when Wu Fei's hand touched her, only moving again after his hand left. Her gaze followed Wu Fei's hand back to him, as if trying to see some change. Even she herself dared not casually touch the Source of Knowledge between her brows; once touched, she would be trapped within, only able to escape by sacrificing a portion of her soul. And many others, upon gazing at the Sacred Mark, had already offered their souls.

Wu Fei: "The topic we're discussing is a bit mind-bending. Third Aunt Fairy, if you have any needs regarding your cultivation, please tell me, and I will try my best to meet them."

Wu Fei glanced at the sundial outside the building and said, "It's getting late, I'm leaving."

Touching someone's forehead just now seemed a bit abrupt—especially that gemstone, which seemed to be a soft eye rather than a stone. Wu Fei felt uncomfortable being stared at by Yao Lian's direct gaze and wanted to run away.

As Wu Fei descended the stairs and rode away on horseback, Yao Sangu remained leaning on the railing, watching his departing figure.

After Wu Fei was completely away, Yao Lian whispered, "Is he the chosen one of another god? My lord's holy mark wasn't imprinted on his hand." — At this moment, the blue gem on her forehead turned into a slit, a slit that resembled the half-closed eyes of someone who hadn't fully woken up.

…Divider for physical examination and virus disinfection…

Back at his residence, Xuan Chong looked at his palm. He didn't know if it was because of strong muscle memory, but his palm kept replaying the feeling of touching the fairy's eyebrows and snow-white forehead. It was incredibly smooth and wonderful. Touching the gemstone felt like pressing a switch that could open up a new world.

Just as he was feeling the palm of his hand, a system pop-up appeared. Wu Fei noticed that his current image was too lewd, so he immediately restrained himself, coughed, and then asked the system, "Did she just recognize me as a transmigrator?"

The system responded, "No."

Xuan Chong: "So she just said I'm from another world?"

System: "According to statistics, in the Great Yao Dynasty, the 'other world' that most people talk about refers to another planet that cultivators ascend to through energy teleportation arrays. She probably thinks you're an alien."

Xuan Chong pressed further, "So, does that mean there are other planets in this universe where dwarves and elves exist?"

System: "I don't know."

Faced with a system that knew nothing, Xuan Chong realized that this thing probably didn't want to say anything!

It seemed that Xuan Chong's "curiosity" was too strong, and the more they tried to hide it, the more out of control it became.

System: "This physical rule-based universe, based on current observational data, is a vast universe. The universe is so large that the possibility of other extraterrestrial life forms with unique cultures cannot be ruled out."

Xuan Chong nodded, as if he understood, and said, "Xian Daoren and Yao Sangu come from beyond the heavens."

After understanding it, my interest faded because I can't explore planets right now, even if I can in the future! And right now, I don't want to get a mandatory task from the system! Oh, my system calls it a "required exam."

At this moment, Xuan Chong was just like a primary school student. When the teacher reached the door after class, he didn't dare to remind the teacher whether they had really forgotten to assign homework.

Boundless curiosity often stems from a lack of understanding of the costs involved in taking that step, and Xuan Chong roughly knew that the price of leaving the planet was one he couldn't afford. And let alone leaving the planet, even managing this feudal military group right now seemed incredibly troublesome to Xuan Chong.

…as they descended the city wall…

The shouts and cries of battle on the training ground gradually diverted Xuan Chong's attention.

Wu Fei arrived at the training ground, where Zhao Xianzhong was instructing his soldiers on how to wield a large cleaver. A pig tied to a stake was cleanly slit in the throat by Zhao Xianzhong. Holding the pig's head, he explained to the soldiers the force and technique of the cleaver.

After Zhao Xianzhong drew his butcher knife, he hadn't even wiped the blood from his face before letting the soldiers try out the feel of the knife handle.

Wu Fei frowned but did not avoid it. He walked across the training ground and gestured for Zhao Xianzhong to continue.

…Then we headed to the artisan camp; upgrading military technology was the immediate concern…

In the artisan camp, Wu Fei sat on a bench and began to listen to the artisans' explanations, trying to understand what was lacking in front-line production, and also to break down the barriers of the current feudal hierarchy.

Wu Fei directly established a system whereby he and the clerks of his general's mansion would take turns spending a certain amount of time with the craftsmen.

Why is it necessary to have regular, scheduled meetings with lower-level managers? Because when superiors come to inspect on short notice, they only see the results presented below. Anyone in the team who dares to point out problems will be suppressed by the middle-level supervisor, hence the saying, "A local official is more powerful than a distant one." However, once a system is established, the information gap created by the local supervisor disappears.

Wu Fei knew he couldn't completely reform the drawbacks of the feudal system, and that he only had time to directly intervene in the craftsmen's positions during peacetime. Once he left, if he didn't promote a new overseer of craftsmen, the old ways would immediately revert to their old ways. Even if he did promote a capable craftsman, there was no guarantee that he wouldn't be assimilated by vested interests a few years later.

Modern systems require a deep-seated elimination of unequal hierarchical systems and a rejection of privileged work responsibilities to ensure smooth information flow between frontline technical personnel and the ruling class.

However, if Wu Fei puts in the effort now, he can certainly achieve some results. — To not put in the effort and instead waste time composing poems and accepting gifts from merchants would be the greatest waste of his life.

In the artisan camp, Wu Fei was now looking at the inventory in the warehouse. Raw lacquer, silk, ox horn, and all kinds of materials had been stocked up! Since Wu Fei had come in person, none of these materials were skimped on, and all were completed with guaranteed quality and quantity.

Wu Fei asked the foreman, "Now that we've collected enough, can we make a fixed number of bows?"

The old craftsman nodded: "It's ready, we can definitely finish it."

Wu Fei nodded: "Okay, I'll pay you on a piece-rate basis."

At the same time, Wu Fei looked down at the roster and added, "If all the bows made this time pass the inspection, I will award you a merit."

The old craftsman immediately knelt down and said, "Don't worry, sir."

Wu Fei didn't follow modern thinking: train a group of workers and pay them. These craftsmen's skills are all passed down through families. For them, after a certain amount of monetary incentive, merit-based incentives are far more important. The old craftsmen hope that their sons can get official positions in the future based on their merits. In fact, the only official positions that the old craftsmen can think of are the ones that Wu Fei has now dismissed and left vacant.

As the large windmill turned, rows of gears were greased, and the starting signal sounded.

The team of twenty-five craftsmen, after agreeing on their roles, began coordinating and getting busy. Some were there for money, others for official positions. In short, everyone in the group Wu Fei had set up was of one mind.

(End of this chapter)