Chapter 26

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[TL_Note: Dou is a traditional Chinese unit of measurement for grain, roughly equivalent to ten liters]

Morning light pierced through the gaps in the clouds, illuminating the mountain village. In the small farmhouse courtyard, sunflowers turned toward the sun, and dewdrops dripped from the tips of the leaves. A toad lying on the ground opened its mouth, yawning as a cool drop of water fell into its mouth, which it then swallowed contentedly.

A speckled hen scratched at the ground while Lu Xiaoxian carried a bundle of dry grass into the cool shed. Not long after, a scolding voice echoed from the kitchen, where Li Jinhua was at work. Lu Laoshi sat properly by the door, weaving baskets.

Nearby, a door creaked open, and Lu Liangsheng stepped outside. He fetched a basin of clean water from a bucket and washed up. Although the outdoors had its appeal, there was still something comforting about being at home. Over this recent period, he has gone through a lot and gained a deeper understanding of the world, which has shaped his views. Especially after the incident with Hong Lian, the female ghost, he had come to realize the dangers and complexities of the human heart.

If he were to experience it all again, he would still choose to help her.

After finishing breakfast, Lu Liangsheng returned to his room, taking with him the book , along with a brush, ink, and paper. Just like every other day, he headed out to the vegetable garden by the fence, placing his master on his shoulder, and set off for the riverside.

Having formed some clearer ideas of what to do, Lu Liangsheng had found something to do for the time being. If the people in the village were struggling, he thought he should lend them a hand. The book contained spells for harming or punishing others, but detailed various talismans and methods to assist people, there were dozens of helpful techniques recorded in it.

As for his cultivation progress, he was still at the lower realm of Qi Refining at the Foundation Opening stage. This was largely because the Toad Daoist had instructed him not to continue advancing for now.

Otherwise, he would likely have already reached the Qi Refinement stage by this point, right?

[TL_Note: Lower Realm Qi Refining has 3 stages, Foundation Opening -> Qi Gathering -> Qi Refinement]

As he walked through the village, the early-rising farmers greeted him one after another. Ever since they had returned from Fushui County, Lu Pan, and the other seven men had been telling stories of their encounters with the vengeful ghost and the giant centipede, which had caused quite a stir.

“You wouldn’t believe it. When that centipede stood up, it was taller than our houses!”

“…And its many legs were so sharp that they could pierce a person straight through!”

“And there’s more! The vengeful ghost haunting Landlord Chen’s household had a lot of background. But honestly, that female ghost’s story was so tragic, that I, a grown man, almost cried… That Landlord Chen’s son deserved what he got!”

On the night they returned, the eight of them gathered around a fire at the village entrance, proudly sharing their experiences. The villagers, both men and women, listened in stunned silence, their mouths agape. What impressed them the most was that the county’s chief registrar had even given Lu Liangsheng three books. That was a big deal! Ever since the villagers began to look at the young man differently.

While they might take tales of gods and ghosts lightly, having a scholar in the village was a source of pride. If outsiders doubted it, the villagers would proudly raise their chins and say: “Don’t believe us? You see that young man wandering around with an old donkey and a toad perched on his shoulder? That’s our Lu Liangsheng. He often roams by the river or through the fields, and if you ever have a question, just ask him. He’ll surely give you an answer.”

“But if he’s a scholar, what exactly does he do out there?”

“We don’t know, that’s a scholar business. But we often see Liangsheng throwing stones into the river. No idea what he’s up to.”

“…”

Outside the village, by the riverside.

Lu Liangsheng squatted on the riverbank, watching the slowly flowing water. With a flick of his fingers forming a hand sign, a stone from the bank shot into the river with a “plop”, creating a splash.

“My cultivation is still too weak…”

He muttered while shaking his head. He then buried his head in the book he was reading. “Master, if this formation were to infuse the river water with spiritual energy, would that cause the fish, shrimp, and crabs to become demons?”

“Demons? That’s not so easy.” The toad replied, opening its mouth to breathe in the fresh morning air, seemingly practicing its breathing technique. It casually added: “The spells in that book are all minor ones. They can improve the water quality, make the fish and shrimp grow larger, and improve the quality of their flesh.”

Lu Liangsheng paused, jotting down that piece of information, then glanced over at the toad.

“What about using it to irrigate the crops?”

“Of course, it would be good as well.” The toad said, rolling its eyes. Its long red tongue darted out to catch a passing mosquito, which it promptly swallowed. Licking its lips, it continued: “By the way, Master told you last time that there’s another cultivation technique.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s quite rare… .”

“Master, you really know a lot.”

“Heh heh, of course,”

The Toad Daoist rolled his eyes, glancing to the side with a sly expression on his face… The original owner of that technique was swallowed whole by this old man, so everything became mine. How could I not know so much?

“Come here and memorize this technique carefully, and in the future, practice according to its teachings. It suits your nature quite well.”

The mantra was long and much more complex than anything the toad had taught him before. The language was obscure and difficult to grasp, but fortunately, Lu Liangsheng had a good memory. He recited it quietly as he wrote it down on paper.

“Practice at noon every day… Hmm, I’ve got it.”

After placing the final stone in the river, it was almost noon. Dusting off his hands, Lu Liangsheng picked up his master and began heading home. Along the section of the river he passed, every twenty zhang, there was a small formation made of stones at the riverbed. This had been Lu Liangsheng’s work over the past half month. If he continued any further, he would reach the area near the neighboring Northern Village.

[TL_Note: twenty zhang is about 66 meters]

In the afternoon, it was still necessary to go there.

Returning to the village entrance, Lu Liangsheng heard a commotion from afar.

“Lu Erlai, you really never learn. You’ve started stealing things again!”

“…This bastard has used up his own share and now he’s eyeing my family’s stuff. He deserves to be beaten.”

“We haven’t settled last time’s score yet, and now this guy’s hands are getting restless again…”

The gathered villagers were pushing around the scrawny man, Lu Erlai. After giving him a thorough scolding, they noticed Lu Liangsheng arriving and explained what had happened. It seemed Lu Erlai had spent all the money he had, and now he was back to his old habits of stealing.

Seeing that the crowd had dispersed, Lu Erlai put down his hands, approached Lu Liangsheng with a sheepish grin, and said:

“Liangsheng, it’s just my old habit, always spending too much. I’ve used up the one tael of silver you gave me last time… It’s all my fault. Liangsheng, you see… maybe you could give me a bit more? After all, you still have plenty of silver left…”

The people around them immediately erupted in indignation, closing in again and shouting.

“Do you think silver just falls from the sky?!”

“Why should you get another share…”

Lu Liangsheng parted the crowd, suppressing the discomfort in his heart, and said to Erlai with a smile: “If you want more, that’s possible. As long as this afternoon you can properly till your family’s few acres of land, I can give you another portion.”

These words are naturally spoken with good intentions. If this method can help someone correct their ways, it would indeed be a merit. After all, he heard from his Master that cultivation also involves cultivating virtue.

Seeing that the rightful owner had spoken, the others had no reason to continue their complaints. Lu Erlai, with a beaming smile, rubbed his hands together and nodded, “Liangsheng, you said it yourself, so don’t go back on your word. I’m going to get started on the land right away.”

“Of course, I’ll keep my word.”

After Lu Liangsheng said this, he squeezed through the crowd and headed back home. Lu Erlai waved for everyone to leave and excitedly ran off. Tilling a few acres of land for a tael of silver was like getting it for free.

After noon, despite the scorching sun overhead, Lu Erlai took up a rusted hoe and trudged into the fields. His few acres of land were overgrown with weeds, and it was extremely laborious to turn over the soil.

“Damn it… I thought this would be easy.”

After only a few swings of the hoe, Lu Erlai was already exhausted, sweating profusely. He sat down on the ridge, staring at the pits scattered around him.

An unusual thought crossed his mind.

“Why does Lu Liangsheng have hundreds of taels of silver… If he has that much, what’s a few taels to him?”

Wiping the sweat from his neck, he got up and was about to abandon the work, but suddenly, he resumed digging with renewed energy, smiling as he waved in a certain direction. “Liangsheng, where are you going?”

“I’m just going out for a bit.”

Having had lunch, Lu Liangsheng planned to visit the Northern Village and set up small formations that would imbue the river downstream with spiritual energy. This way, even if the water level was low, the crops could still have a good harvest.

Watching his departing figure, Lu Erlai’s eyes shifted cunningly. Once he was far away, he quickly grabbed his hoe and ran home, placing the hoe against the wall before sneaking over to Lu Liangsheng’s house.

“…It should be at home.”

Hiding in a corner, Lu Erlai saw that Lu Laoshi was not under the eaves, and Li Jinhua had gone to pick up eggs behind the house. Lu Erlai grinned broadly and swiftly darted into the courtyard, startling the foraging hen, which clucked loudly and scattered.

Squeak…

He quietly approached the eaves. The door to the main room was slightly ajar, and Lu Xiaoxian was taking a nap on the bed. Fixating on her pale feet, Lu Erlai licked his lips.

“If I have enough time, I might even get a wife for free.”

Thinking this, he turned and went next door. The door was unlocked, with a gentle push, he entered effortlessly, and a faint scent of books and ink filled his nose.

By the wooden pillow at the head of the bed, a large toad lay there.

“It must be the golden toad that attracts wealth… How can Lu Liangshen get hundreds of taels when his hair is not even fully grown? I’ll take it all later!”

His eyes scanned the room: the inkstone, books, and the painting on the wall. His grin widened. “These must be worth something. Once they’re in my house, they’ll be mine…”

Lu Erlai’s gaze fixed on the beautiful figure in the painting and he touched it carefully with his fingers.

“Tsk tsk… Really beautiful. My dear beauty, you’ll be coming to my house soon.”

With that, he began rummaging through the room, searching for the hundreds of taels of silver. On the bed, the large toad opened its eyes, watching the diligent figure before closing them again.

A shiver ran down Lu Erlai’s spine. He stopped, touched his neck, and wondered,

“Why is it so chilly?”

The eyes of the beauty in the painting suddenly moved, and slowly, she stretched her scarlet fingernails, reaching out towards Lu Erlai’s neck.