Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 380: Dragon Return Mountain
In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed, and cities like Wuguan, Huainan, Xiaotian Town, and Beiwang had emerged from the shadows of war.
Initially, when Chen Mo occupied Huai State, the people’s hearts were anxious. Had Chen Mo not declared a city lockdown after taking Wuguan, the residents of Wuguan would have wanted to flee with their entire families. Historically, after most invasions, cities were looted, leading to dire consequences, so naturally, they were worried.
But after Chen Mo and his troops entered the city, not only did they refrain from looting, but they also compensated the people with money and food, implemented benevolent governance, and reduced taxes. The soldiers under Chen Mo’s command did not disturb the civilians at all. As time passed, the people’s anxiety slowly dissipated, and they began to accept Chen Mo as their new ruler.
For the people, they were not die-hard loyalists to Prince Huai. They supported Prince Huai because he provided them with stability and order. However, now that Chen Mo was even better than Prince Huai, naturally, they swore allegiance to a new master.
That is to say, in their eyes, they did not care who was the leader, as long as they were treated well and their lives remained stable.
Meanwhile, the news of the Court’s rewards also reached Huai State.
The Emperor issued an edict, appointing Chen Mo as the Governor of Huai State, to manage the military and political affairs of Huai State. He was also promoted to Grand Commandant, with authority over the entire northern territory.
The news spread across Huai State, causing an uproar. Even the common people knew just how significant the position of Grand Commandant was.
In the Great Song, the Three Ministers were the Grand Commandant, Minister, and the Minister of Works, with the Grand Commandant holding the greatest power among them, overseeing the military affairs of the entire realm.
The Patriarch of the Liang Family, the current Imperial Father-in-law Liang Mu, was appointed as Minister, earning the respect of all and further elevating the prestige of the Liang Family.
However, now a young man in his early twenties stood in an even higher position than Liang Mu.
Countless people exclaimed that Chen Mo’s ancestral grave must have emitted golden smoke.
Hmm, green smoke would be putting it mildly.
...
Dragon Return Mountain.
The famous mountain of the Great Song Dynasty, this mountain boasts beautiful scenery, hiding talents and dragons, and has been a retreat for countless talents for thousands of years.
The name Dragon Return Mountain actually refers to an extensive mountain range, characterized by its complex terrain, teeming with wild beasts and poisonous insects.
Most people seeking solitude in Dragon Return Mountain reside on the outskirts. A few brave souls build wooden huts in the middle sections of the range, both for ease of access and safety.
Deep within the forest, amidst trees rustling, accompanied by the low growl of a fierce tiger, yet this tiger was not hunting but fleeing. Behind it, two men, appearing to be around twenty-eight or twenty-nine, carried bows and arrows, with bird feathers in their hair and bells around their waists, swinging swiftly between the trees.
The two did not notch an arrow to slay the tiger but treated the chase as a game to see who would catch the tiger first.
"Senior Brother, it looks like I’m going to win again today."
One of the men, wearing a wolf-skin tunic, shouted with a laugh, then leaped forward, grabbing a branch with the thickness of a calf, swung himself skyward, reaching over three yards off the ground.
While airborne, he suddenly retrieved a homemade wooden arrow from the quiver on his back, drew his bow, notched, and shot in under three breaths.
"Bam..."
A large tree in front of the fleeing tiger fell with a crash, startling it to a halt, and in that hesitation, the annoying two-legged beast "thumped" to a stop behind it.
The next second, that familiar feeling returned, as it was hoisted and slammed to the ground by the two-legged beast, then pinned down before it could rise.
"Little kitty, stay still, we’ll let you go in a moment, behave." The man in the wolf-skin tunic, lying on top of the tiger, patted its head, seemingly familiar with the tiger.
"Junior Brother, you’re still better than me, you won again." The Senior Brother, in a deer-skin tunic, caught his breath, then joined his Junior Brother.
"Roar..." The tiger gave another low growl, as if pleading with the two.
The victorious Junior Brother, releasing the tiger, patted its head before rising, saying, "Little kitty, we’ll play with you again tomorrow."
"Junior Brother, it’s getting late. Master told us before we left to come back early. Now that we’ve had our fun, it’s time to head back." The Senior Brother suggested.
"I know, Senior Brother, you’ve repeated this several times already." The Junior Brother waved his hand slightly complainingly, saying, "Senior Brother, you really take Master’s words too seriously."
Despite his words, the two Senior and Junior Brothers quickly headed back to their place of residence.
At the peak of a towering mountain, a small wooden hut stood, seemingly nestled within the clouds and mist.
In front of the hut stood a hunchbacked pine tree, and on one of its branches, as wide as two fists, was an elderly man dressed in black, his hair snow-white, standing in a golden rooster stance.
The old man appeared quite aged, his face lined with wrinkles as weathered as the bark of the tree beneath him, yet he radiated vitality, as if not even dozens of young men combined were a match for him.
The elderly man remained motionless with his eyes closed until two vibrant voices entered his ears, prompting him to open them, a sharp glint flashing momentarily.
"Master." The Senior and Junior Brothers stood below, both bowing respectfully, though the Senior Brother was more solemn, while the Junior Brother seemed playful, with a mischievous grin.
"Chang En, Hui Cheng." The old man called their names.
"Master." The Senior and Junior Brothers noticed the old man’s serious demeanor and the Junior Brother quickly dropped his playful attitude, respectfully addressing Master.
"You have lived with me in this mountain for over twenty years. I have taught you all my skills. Now, it is time for us to part ways." The old man spoke.
"Master..." The Senior Brother, Chang En, detected something unusual, his voice tinged with sadness.
"Master, what do you mean..." The Junior Brother, Hui Cheng, similarly felt a sense of grief.
"As Master and disciples, separation is inevitable. I cannot keep you on this mountain for life; it is time for you to descend, marry, and have children." The old man said.
"Master, I don’t want to leave; I want to stay with you, and besides, didn’t you say before that the world below is in turmoil?"
Chang En said, glancing at his Junior Brother, who, however, had a different view and remained silent.
The old man showed a fatherly, gentle smile, addressing Chang En first: "You are steady and broad-minded. In peaceful times, these are virtues, but in these chaotic times, you must be cautious. Therefore, I suggest after descending, you join the military for experience. With your skills, you can secure wealth and honor."
Then he turned to Hui Cheng and said: "You are cleverer and have more ideas than Chang En, but you tend to rush things without considering the consequences. Therefore, I suggest, upon descending, you first go to a Daoist temple or monastery to hone yourself."
