Shulong Daojun

Within the new city.

The refugees, dressed in short tunics, picked up the sand and gravel brought from the land, mixed it with the damp soil, and began to build houses with rammed earth.

It's called building a house, but it's really just about building four earthen walls to enclose a space that belongs to oneself.

Although it was no longer so cold outside the city, they had no cotton-padded clothes to keep warm, so staying in the warm place inside the city was the best option.

However, after living there for a while, I also felt bored.

At night, you can soak in the hot spring, listen to the splashing water and soft whispers, daydream a bit, and chat about risqué things, so you don't feel bored at all.

But it's different during the day.

To save face, one must behave oneself.

As a result, the days became particularly difficult to endure.

Even if the righteous god sends storytellers to tell stories and tales every day, it's only novel for a short time; after a while, it becomes tiresome.

Naturally, one will recall the past.

Having a house, fields, and a heated brick bed... made him feel increasingly uneasy.

Especially that room.

The new town was almost deserted; people slept on the ground under the cover of night, finding it inconvenient to do anything.

But if you have a house, things will be different.

Even if there's revelry at night, with music and singing, and someone overhears them, they can remain unfazed the next day.

Everyone knew the truth, but no one dared to expose anyone else.

With this thought in mind, and seeing the mountains of soil piled up inside the city, the refugees began to build a wall.

It's a good thing that it can kill time and give you something to look forward to.

When Lin Shu arrived in the new city, he saw the happy and busy figures of the refugees and raised an eyebrow, wondering to himself.

At this moment, an elderly man with gray hair suddenly stepped forward and said happily, "Old man greets young Taoist priest. Have you eaten yet?"

Beside him was a child of about five or six years old, who was hiding behind the old man. He also peeked out and asked a question in a low voice.

Seeing this, Lin Shu smiled slightly at the child, then looked at the old man and said softly, "I have already eaten. Thank you for your trouble, elder."

He recognized the old man.

It was the same person who had asked "whether you might go back" and "whether you have a home."

Thinking of this, Lin Shu asked, "Old man, are you getting used to it here?"

Do you feel any coldness in your feet? Is there anything you need to reach?

The old man stroked his white beard, patted his grandson's head, and laughed loudly, "Thanks to the young Taoist priest, it's warm and we're well-fed."

My grandson is healthy and can still drink fish soup every day or two; he's actually gotten a bit stronger than before.

All is well, perfectly well, hahaha.

Lin Shu nodded and a smile appeared on his face.

If the elderly and children in the new city are in such a state, the other refugees must be in no much worse condition.

With a hundred days of winter ahead, and with extra attention to patrols and food supplies, there should be no cause for concern.

Just as he was pondering this, he heard a broken question: "Little Taoist priest... how long do you think this winter will last?"

How long can the old man and his grandson stay here?

Lin Shu snapped out of his daze upon hearing the sound and saw the old man protecting his grandson by his side, a somewhat embarrassed expression on his face.

He pondered for a moment and said gently, "It's colder this year than usual. Normally, the coldest days of winter should be shorter."

As for how long they will stay... the heating will be discontinued underground in the new city when spring arrives, and their decision to stay or leave will then be entirely up to the elderly person.

After saying this, he smiled kindly, paused, and then said, "I wonder why the old man asks this?"

The old man blushed, chuckled awkwardly, and said, "Living in that cave for a long time has become a bit cold and damp, and my grandson and I aren't used to it."

After staying in this new city for a few days, I found it hard to leave, which is why I asked that question.

"It's good that you can stay, it's good that you can stay."

After saying that, he breathed a sigh of relief, hugged his grandson tightly, and smiled broadly.

Lin Shu smiled and said softly, "The cave and treehouse are only temporary. We will start building houses in the new city after winter."

I saw that some people in the city had already started building, so I took that as an example, and used paulownia wood to build wooden houses.

Although simple, it was better than those two temporary shelters.

Lin Shu knew that the small mountain of soil inside the city was originally from the excavation of the new city's underground, and had been piled up for the time being without being dealt with.

It's quite strange that the rammed earth was used by the refugees to build houses.

Upon hearing this, the old man couldn't contain his joy and repeatedly thanked the speaker and his grandson.

If you can find a good place to live, you'll naturally want to live in a good place.

The locals, who had been listening with keen ears and curiously gathered around, also heard about this and were immediately overjoyed, expressing their gratitude.

Although the people a little further away did not know what was going on, they all bowed when they saw Lin Shu's figure.

Having arrived in this unfamiliar place, Qingwu City, I am only able to find peace thanks to the care of this righteous god.

More and more people followed suit, and the sounds of gratitude echoed throughout the entire new city.

This stirred something within Lin Shu.

He could sense a sudden influx of incense offerings from the people into the altar, offerings that were extremely devout and nearly pure incense that had been refined.

He simply did what he was supposed to do, and unexpectedly, he gained something from it.

Even more surprisingly, a faint ray of light had just quietly entered his body, and words suddenly condensed in his heart:

"The people live in peace and are spared the suffering of hunger and cold during the coldest days of winter. For their meritorious service in protecting life, they are hereby granted five merits."

Although not many, they are truly a gift from heaven and earth.

Moreover, this is only one instance during the coldest period of winter. Counting the nine-nine cycle, by the spring, there should be at least forty-five achievements, which is quite a leap away from the number three hundred.

Upon realizing this, Lin Shu's expression brightened with joy. He immediately used his magic to gently lift up the people who were bowing, and said calmly, "You are too kind, everyone."

Now that they have come under my jurisdiction, they shall naturally be under my protection.

The magnificent house I promised you that day was no exaggeration.

Having said that, he looked up at the people, his Taoist robe fluttering in the wind.

Upon hearing this, the people's eyes lit up, and after exchanging glances, they were extremely excited.

Just as he was about to say "good" a few more times, Lin Shu raised his hand to stop him and smiled:

"Today, on this auspicious occasion, we will hold a grand banquet tonight, to enjoy the night view and listen to music together."

"In the land under Qingmin's jurisdiction, there are many skilled musicians, and among the local officials in blue robes, there are also many adept at magic and sorcery. Therefore, I have invited them to join you all in this enjoyment."

After saying this, he casually lit a stick of incense, attached a divine thought to it, and entrusted the matter to Qi Yannian, ordering him to lead people to handle it.

The people on the spot were all overjoyed, full of hope for the night and for tomorrow.

Jiang Heng alone sighed inwardly: Qingwu City is a good place, but it's not a place to rise to power. We need to find another place.

He had already made plans; he would set off as soon as winter was over.

As the sun sets and dusk falls, the night is filled with joy, and the east is already bright.

Lin Shu felt a cold wind whistling against his face, and observed the white python avoiding the city in the distance. He stretched and then headed towards the main temple.

Sharing joy with the people and relaxing occasionally is not bad.

Then, he suddenly remembered something, took out his brush and ink, and painted a branch of white plum blossoms with eighty-one petals.

Including today, I've dyed ten petals red; from now on, I'll dye one petal each day.

When all the petals have fallen and the ninety-nine flowers have emerged, then spring is in full bloom.