The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

Inside the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

As the question was raised, the mist on the bronze mirror did not dissipate immediately as usual, but instead slowly churned, like a pot of boiling porridge.

Five hundred spirit stones is a large sum of money for the Xu family now.

Although this all-knowing mirror can deduce all things, it also adheres to the principle of cause and effect.

The more valuable the desired item, the greater the causal relationships involved, and the more difficult the deduction becomes.

Xu Changqing only hoped that he wouldn't have to wait ten days or half a month for the mirror, by which time it would be too late.

A moment later, the mist on the ancient mirror surface slowly condensed, and as the golden light flowed, several lines of writing emerged.

[Deduction begins]

[Deduction: A method to raise 500 spirit stones within two months.]

[Time required: Seven days.]

Xu Changqing regained his composure, slowly opened his eyes, and exhaled a breath of stale air.

Last time, it took five days to deduce the solution to the fish plague; this time, it will take another seven days.

However, it makes sense, since this is about making money out of thin air, which is much harder than finding an antidote.

However, I still need to clean up this mess at home in these seven days.

Especially those two treacherous "rats".

He composed himself and did not rush to get up.

Instead, he took out a low-grade spirit stone from his storage bag and held it in his palm to absorb spiritual energy.

Even a mosquito's leg is still meat, and now that his family is in turmoil, he doesn't have much time to cultivate each day.

……

Two hours later, Xu Changqing pushed open the door and came out.

As soon as I arrived at the front yard, I saw Xu Dayou squatting at the base of the wall.

Several young clansmen passing by looked at this uncle in charge of general affairs, suppressing their laughter as they hurried away, afraid of being scolded for laughing out loud.

Xu Changqing walked over and gently kicked the snow on the ground with his toes.

"Uncle, are you counting ants here?"

Xu Dayou trembled and raised his head.

His old face was dark red, with two large dark circles under his eyes.

"Chieftain..."

Xu Dayou threw down the branch he was holding, stood up, his face full of sorrow:

"You wouldn't believe it, but the news spread throughout the market early this morning."

Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance as he asked, "What's been spread?"

"What else could it be!"

Xu Dayou slapped his thigh, his face filled with indignation and grievance:

"Everyone's saying that I, Xu Dayou, am still vigorous despite my old age. Last night, I spent a fortune, sweeping up the Yangyuan Grass from three pharmacies in the market, saying I'm going to... refine some kind of 'Golden Spear Never Falls Pill' so I can take a few concubines and have more children!"

Even the vendor selling water monster meat winked at me and asked if I wanted to buy a few kidneys to nourish myself...

Xu Changqing's lips twitched slightly as he forced a smile down his face.

The rumor spread very quickly.

However, this absurd rumor actually serves to conceal the Xu family's true intentions.

Let them say what they want.

Xu Changqing patted Xu Dayou on the shoulder, his tone reassuring.

"The innocent will clear themselves; this storm will pass in a few days. How's the situation at the fishpond right now?"

When the conversation turned to business, Xu Dayou finally composed himself, his embarrassment fading and his expression becoming more serious.

"The fish are in much better spirits. I went to check on them again this morning, and they've started scrambling for food. It's just that the dried red-tailed worms are sealed up, so for now we can only feed them some ordinary spirit rice bran, since that stuff doesn't make them fat."

Xu Changqing nodded: "It's alright to let them go hungry for now; it's better than being poisoned to death."

The two walked side by side toward the fishpond.

By the fishpond, several clansmen responsible for guarding it were huddled in a sheltered shed, warming themselves by a fire.

Xu Changqing's gaze swept over them.

Xu Sanshun was sitting at the very back, head down and silent, but his eyes kept drifting towards the pond, as if he were distracted.

Xu Tiezhu squatted in the corner, holding a hard, dark steamed bun in his hand, taking bites here and there.

Xu Changqing stopped and turned to look at Xu Dayou, deliberately raising his voice: "Uncle, we've been on high alert these past few days. Although the fish poison has been neutralized, there's no guarantee that the thief who poisoned it won't come back."

Hearing the commotion, the people in the thatched hut hurriedly stood up and bowed.

"Thank you all for your hard work these past few days."

Xu Changqing spoke calmly, then changed the subject: "Tiezhu, Sanshun."

The two people whose names were called shuddered in unison.

"You haven't looked too well these past few days. Have you been working too hard?"

Xu Changqing spoke gently, even with a hint of concern.

Xu Tiezhu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly waved his hand: "No...no, I'm not tired. It's all for the family, it's what I should do."

Xu Sanshun said in a low voice, "Thank you for your concern, Clan Chief. I'm fine."

Xu Changqing nodded, and even reached out to help Xu Tiezhu straighten his slightly crooked collar.

This action terrified Xu Tiezhu so much that his muscles tensed up, and he almost knelt down and begged for mercy.

"The fish disease has just been cured, and the fish in this pond are still weak. This is a critical time."

Xu Changqing spoke gently and slowly, "Originally, I wanted to entrust the important task of guarding the fishpond to Uncle Dayou, but as you know, he's old, loves to make a fuss, and isn't meticulous enough in his work."

As he spoke, he turned his head, his clear black and white eyes sweeping over the two faces.

"I see that you two are the most diligent in feeding the fish. You've been through wind and rain for the past few years and have never made a mistake."

Upon hearing this, Xu Sanshun's wrinkled eyelids twitched violently. He chuckled dryly twice, his voice hoarse, and said, "Clan...Clan Chief, you flatter me. This is all my duty, my duty..."

"Since it's my duty, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Xu Changqing smiled with satisfaction and patted Xu Sanshun's thin shoulder.

"From today onwards, the night patrols of this fishpond will be the responsibility of the two of you."

"what?"

Xu Tiezhu looked up, his face filled with astonishment.

Xu Changqing didn't give him a chance to react and continued, "Now that the Zhang family is eyeing us covetously from the outside, they might use some underhanded tricks. This fishpond can't be left unattended."

"You two will take turns keeping watch for the next twelve hours. Anyone who dares to approach this fishpond, whether they are family or outsiders, will be arrested immediately, except for me and Uncle Dayou."

Xu Sanshun's face turned green.

In the dead of winter, the shed was drafty on all sides. Although a large array blocked most of the cold air from outside, living inside was still a miserable experience.

Even worse, if they were stuck here for all twelve hours of the day, how could they possibly send a message to the Zhang family?

How do I claim the remaining half of the reward money?

"Chieftain... this..."

Xu Sanshun was just about to find an excuse to refuse, such as his mother being unwell.

Xu Changqing cut him off first, his smile fading slightly, his eyes becoming unfathomable:

"What's wrong? Is Uncle Sam-soon facing some kind of difficulty? Or... is he unwilling to share the burdens of the family?"

These words, spoken neither lightly nor heavily, felt like a boulder pressing down on Xu Sanshun's heart.

Looking into Xu Changqing's eyes, which seemed to see right through people, his mischievous thoughts were instantly extinguished.

If you dare to refuse at this point, it would be like trying to hide something obvious.

"No...no problem!"

Xu Sanshun gritted his teeth and forced out a sentence: "Clan leader, rest assured, as long as I, Xu Sanshun, have a breath left, I... I will absolutely not let this fish suffer any more mishaps!"

"good!"

Xu Changqing nodded approvingly, then looked at Xu Tiezhu, who stood dumbfounded beside him: "Where's Uncle Tiezhu?"

Xu Tiezhu glanced at Xu Sanshun, then could only nod with a bitter face: "I...I'll listen to the clan leader too."

"Okay, it's settled then."

After Xu Changqing finished speaking, he didn't linger and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he seemed to remember something and turned back to give a word of advice:

"By the way, this matter is of great importance. You two will have to work hard. I'll have Uncle Dayou record double your family contributions later. At the end of the year, we can exchange them for some spirit stones and pills to buy some things for the family. After all, making a living isn't easy. Don't you think so, Uncle Sanshun?"

Xu Sanshun froze, and could only nod and bow with a forced smile.