?

In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

The sun and moon turned, and the weather of heaven and earth shifted into late autumn. All living things withered, and the hundred beasts went into hiding to prepare for the long, impending winter.

On the eastern side of Baixi Village, a residence now stood. Built with green bricks and black tiles, its structures were neatly arranged-an exceptionally impressive sight.

This was naturally the Zhou family mansion. After Zhou Ping spent nearly three hundred taels of silver, it was finally completed just before winter, though the immense cost caused Zhou Dashan no small amount of heartache.

Three months ago, Zhou Ping had taken Chen Nianqiu as his wife. He hosted over twenty tables for the villagers, causing a stir across the surrounding ten li and leaving the daughters of neighboring farming families green with envy.

After all, even when a wealthy landowner married a principal wife, the banquet would only be of this scale-let alone for the Zhou family, whose foundations were so shallow.

The four great families in particular-the Qian, Wang, Liu, and Sun-breathed a sigh of relief. They cheerfully brought congratulatory gifts to his door, but in secret, they mocked Zhou Ping's ignorance, sneering that he did not understand how to manage a household or establish a proper foundation.

"The way I see it, this Second Son Zhou merely had a bit of good luck. I originally thought he might be a formidable threat, but to think he is actually such a foolish, ignorant wretch." Liu Quan sat in his main hall, laughing heartily.

"He stumbled into some wealth pursuing the Dao, yet instead of establishing a trade or managing his home, he indulges in shallow pleasure."

"Just that mansion alone, combined with his bottomless spending these past days-all told, he has squandered no less than five hundred taels." Liu Zhong laughed. "A while ago, Old Man Zhou was walking around with his nose in the air. Now he hides at home and refuses to come out. It is obvious their money is almost gone."

"I heard that ever since Second Son Zhou returned, he spends his days indulging in mountain hunting, entirely neglecting his household. He even bought a fine horse; just its daily fodder costs several hundred copper coins."

"I want to see exactly how much family wealth the Zhou clan has left to ruin!" He spat viciously. He naturally held a grudge against Zhou Ping; after all, Liu Da was his grandson. Regardless of whether their relationship was close or distant, he could not allow an outsider to bully his own blood.

Liu Ming, however, remained uneasy. "His family may appear to be spending without restraint, but now the great mansion is built and they have good farmland. Even if they sit idle and eat their reserves empty, it is enough for the family to live on. If Second Son Zhou changes his mind, he could easily accumulate wealth once more."

"Our families may seem large and prosperous, but which of us does not have numerous clan members? Our daily need for food and clothing is like a bottomless sea. How can we afford to underestimate the Zhou family?"

"Furthermore, what if this is a trick by the Zhou family, deliberately meant to deceive us?"

"Haha, Ming'er, Grandfather understands all these principles, but cannot Grandfather simply be happy?" Liu Quan waved his hand. "As for whether this is some blindfold thrown up by the Zhou family, the silver they have spent cannot be faked."

"Let him enjoy his boundless glory for now. As long as our family honestly tends to our own fields, everything will make itself clear in due time."

Liu Quan then asked, "I heard that Liu Xiu caught the eye of a commandant in the army and was transferred to be a personal guard?"

"Yes," Liu Ming replied honestly.

Liu Quan rested his forehead against his hand and pondered for a moment. "Select three of the better-behaved youths from Liu Wu's group and send them to the army as well."

"Grandfather, isn't that too many?" Liu Ming said hurriedly.

The fourth generation of the Liu family only numbered twenty or so. Excluding the young children and women, there were barely over ten left. As Liu Ming's father's generation grew older, the burden naturally fell upon their shoulders. Plowing the fields, foraging in the mountains, trading and selling goods-every single task required manpower.

Sending three away at once would drastically increase the burden on the remaining clan members. Those households would likely not agree to it.

"He is right, Elder Brother. The army is fraught with danger. How can we let the children take such a massive risk?" Liu Zhong also advised from the side.

"What do you know?" Liu Quan barked. "Our Liu clan's history is short. If we want to thoroughly cement our footing here, we naturally must seize every single opportunity."

"Now that Liu Xiu has prospects in the military, the entire clan must rise to support him. If we can forge a path to that commandant, then by the time Liu Xiu and the others return, they can at least secure positions as yamen runners or constables. If they advance further, they might even become patrol inspectors."

"Never mind Liu Xiu-if you can pass next year's prefectural examination and become a provincial scholar, I would gladly pour out the entire clan's wealth to bribe the officials above and below, all to secure an official post for you."

"Grandfather..."

Liu Ming wanted to say more, but Liu Quan cut him off.

"Ming'er, you must understand-the clan is forever the root of all its members. If one prospers, we all prosper. If one falls, we all fall."

...

Meanwhile, several li away, Zhou Ping was currently deep within Darong Mountain.

Amidst the mountain forest, he spotted a wild deer darting through the trees. Instantly, his left hand nocked an arrow while his right drew the bowstring.

With a sharp whoosh, the iron-tipped arrow pierced through the dense foliage and struck the wild deer squarely in the abdomen. The deer collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around it.

A look of satisfaction crossed Zhou Ping's face, but he did not step forward to claim his prize. Instead, he pulled a piece of parchment from his waist and began sketching lines and routes across it.

If one looked closely, they would see that he was drawing a topographical map of the vast mountains surrounding Baixi Village!

"This peak is over a hundred zhang high. The Spiritual Qi is thin, and no demonic beasts are present. However, the shaded side is moist, making it suitable to plant some spirit mushrooms and medicinal herbs."

Zhou Ping muttered to himself as he marked the parchment.

From this vantage point, he could also see Baixi Village in the distance, wisps of cooking smoke curling into the sky.

His frequent hunting trips up the mountain these past few months were naturally not for pleasure. He was scouting the surrounding peaks to check for demonic beasts and any mundane worldly energies.

After all, he could never forget the time a demonic beast had charged down the mountain and devoured over a dozen people. If he did not map out the dangers clearly, how could he ever rest easy?

If he found natural worldly energies, painstakingly gathering them could yield a good sum of silver and also serve as a way to forge a connection with Li Mu.

Of course, he also wanted to map the distribution of medicinal herbs and mountain goods, and check if the ambient Spiritual Qi met the requirements for opening a spirit field. After all, wild herbs and mountain harvests were valuable and represented a viable path to wealth.

Many households in Baixi Village regularly went up the mountain to gather herbs. The four wealthy families, in particular, were seasoned veterans who had long since familiarized themselves with the layout of the nearby slopes.

As for places suitable for opening good farmland, Zhou Ping had scoured all the minor hills near Baixi Village but failed to find a single spot.

Zhou Ping slung the wild deer over his horse's back and gazed further west. There lay majestic, boundless mountain ranges stretching on endlessly, their auras vast and imposing. Giant peaks hid within seas of clouds, brimming with spiritual essence and radiating brilliant light.

The Spiritual Qi there was far denser than in Baixi Village, and one could faintly hear the distant roars and screeches of beasts.

That was the deep interior of Darong Mountain. The demonic beast from before had most likely emerged from there. He only cast a few glances before turning his head away; it was several dozen li from Baixi Village, so there was no need to worry about it for now.

He then headed back toward Baixi Village, calculating his future plans in his heart.

His extravagant spending during this period was entirely because his household had become far too conspicuous. Like a beggar who had suddenly struck gold, he was bound to draw the covetous eyes of others.

And unlike the great surnames of Liu, Wang, Qian, and Sun, the Zhou family simply had too few members. If they attracted the greed of wicked men, losing silver would be a minor matter; a violent disaster striking the household was the true terror.

After all, he did not possess the ability to split his body into clones. How could he possibly protect the safety of the old and young all by himself?

That was why he had squandered his funds so visibly, converting his silver into immovable fields and a grand house, while deliberately spreading rumors that his wealth was nearly dried up. This way, even if others grew jealous, they would not risk their lives to commit murder and robbery for mere scraps.

As for immovable property like land and the courtyard-as long as Zhou Ping drew breath, no one could take them away.

Suddenly, Zhou Ping froze, a bizarre expression overtaking his face.

His system, which had not changed in twenty years, had actually produced something new.

[Ding Fire]: 10

[Talent]: Low Grade

[Cultivation]: Spirit Awakening Realm

[Descendants]: 1

I have a child? Nianqiu is pregnant?

Zhou Ping was stunned and bewildered. Then, he discovered that he could actually view his descendant's talent, and right next to it, an icon indicating it could be upgraded had appeared!

I can add points for my child?