I Come to Teach You Cultivation-Chapter 91 - 3: Son of the Mountain God (3/5)

Ever since three years ago, when Li Boyang split the Hundred Lands Mountain Range off from the territory of the Guifang Kingdom with a single sword,

the entire region has ushered in an unprecedented prosperity.

First came the runaway slaves to the Hundred Lands Mountain Range, then the nearby mountain villages, hearing the news, also flocked in.

In just three short years, the number of mountain people in the entire Hundred Lands Mountain Range has more than doubled, and the number of spirit monsters choosing to dwell here also increased considerably.

Even some Mountain Gods and River Gods quietly extended the earth veins and waterways under their jurisdiction a little toward the Hundred Lands Mountain Range.

In such circumstances, although Li Family Village wasn’t the center of this "migration storm," it, too, indeed absorbed quite a few outsiders. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

With Li Boyang’s suggestion, and under the forceful implementation by the old village chief and Li Yu...

Li Family Village successfully expanded from a small single-surname hamlet with just over a dozen households to a village-town with nearly a hundred families.

Expanding alongside the population were the terraced fields cultivated around Li Family Village.

Setting aside those lands truly impossible to develop,

Li Family Village managed to increase its rice planting area by more than tenfold.

From a distance, layers upon layers of terraced fields stretch from the village entrance deep into the mountains, like golden ribbons winding through the green hills.

Standing high above and gazing into the distance, the waves of golden rice rise and fall, like a golden sea surging and rolling.

With a closer look, one would see that every sheaf in those rice waves is plump and golden in color.

Under the sun’s rays, the grains are like little nuggets of gold in the fields, presenting a unique kind of beauty.

"No matter how many times I come, this scene is truly unforgettable!"

Walking along the path paved with green brick and stone, a middle-aged man with a somewhat weathered face exclaimed in emotion.

At the man’s side, Xiao’e, who had officially inherited Granny’s role as "Witch," was nervously looking around.

Only after she confirmed that Li Jingshu, who loved to tease her, was nowhere nearby did she force herself to speak with composure to the man.

"Indeed, the scenery here changes dramatically every year."

"I remember when I came last year, they hadn’t even divided up land just for planting other crops yet."

Following the direction in which Xiao’e pointed, the middle-aged man finally noticed that, amidst the golden waves of rice, there were actually some areas deliberately sectioned off.

Those lands weren’t planted with rice, but with some plants he’d never seen before.

"What are those?"

"Are they also set aside at the request of the ’Son of the Mountain God’?"

The "Son of the Mountain God" in the man’s words, naturally referred to Li Boyang.

As he grew older, Li Boyang’s identity as Innate Divine was no secret to those who cared to notice.

Yet, outsiders like the middle-aged man dared not call him "Red Boy" or "Non-crying" Baby directly.

That somewhat respectful title "Son of the Mountain God" naturally became Li Boyang’s alternative name beyond the village.

"Yes, it seems he found some good new varieties and plans to experiment with planting them in those fields."

If it had been anyone else, such seemingly wasteful use of good farmland wouldn’t have gotten the village’s agreement or approval.

But it was Li Boyang proposing it.

He is the "Son of the Mountain God" who had brought six or seven consecutive years of prosperity and stability.

Not to mention the natives of Li Family Village—even the outsiders would sincerely comply with his decisions.

At most, they’d grumble in private that Li Boyang was always stirring things up, but they’d never truly question what he did.

After all, everyone knows that if Li Boyang hadn’t proposed forming a "production team" and taking in all these outsiders, there’d never be the prosperity and peace they have today.

"What are those good seeds?"

With an involuntary sparkle in his eyes, the middle-aged man even lowered his voice as he asked.

"I heard it’s things like rapeseed, soybeans, flax, sugarcane, watermelon and such..."

"I’ve never actually seen them myself, just know that each has different planting methods and soil requirements."

Here, Xiao’e’s tone paused a bit.

"If your village is also thinking about planting those things..."

"I can only say the risk is high; it’s not something you can attempt right now."

"On the other hand, for those kinds of yam and medicinal herbs that are already proven fit for mass planting, your village could try growing some."

"That way if anyone gets sick later, you won’t have to go to those gouging wild doctors."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately caught on.

His own village was still struggling just to keep everyone fed, so they couldn’t afford to think so far ahead.

"No, our village isn’t big, not many people either. Let’s stick with a single variety of rice for now!"

"At the very least, it’ll keep us from starving this year..."

Muttering in a slightly gloomy tone, the man seemed to know his limits.

"So, will you be taking some good seeds on credit this time?"

"Or will you exchange as before, at a set ratio?"

Xiao’e actually knew the man’s situation quite well.

Unlike Li Family Village, which enjoyed the protection of the Mountain God, the man’s village was attacked by a mountain monster earlier this year and most of the fields were trampled.

"Still better to take some on credit and get through this year first."

"Our village is short on water, but the land is decent. The seeds provided by the ’Son of the Mountain God’ can be planted three cycles at most."

"One round this autumn, two more next year..."

"Before the seeds degenerate and yields drop, we’ll definitely be able to pay back what we owe."

This was really the man’s way of making a promise to Xiao’e.

If Xiao’e weren’t vouching for them, with the state the man’s village was in, Li Boyang might not mind, but the old village chief certainly wouldn’t approve it.

"No need to rush to repay—just focus on getting by first."

A flicker of pity in her eyes, Xiao’e was already growing into her new role as Witch.

"If the seeds have problems—if they degenerate or yield drops earlier than expected—make sure to notify me right away."

"Also, after this time, I’ll contact some hunters for you, get them to look around your village and see what can be done to drive those mountain monsters out altogether."

"But let me be clear up front: how many hunters are actually willing to come will all depend on your village’s own sincerity."

Though Xiao’e pitied the man’s plight, she never forgot she was the Witch of Gaotun Village.

She could arrange for some hunters to help out, but how much effort those hunters put in would depend on themselves.

"Also, no village can be without a hunter."

"When you get back, pick out a promising youngster—I’ll see if I can find someone to train him."

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