Chapter 21: Harvest

Listening to the County Magistrate, Feng Zi finally fixed his gaze tightly on the table, appropriately showing a hint of desire:

"Since the County Magistrate has said as much, I must look forward to what is inside."

To say that Feng Zi had no thoughts in his heart regarding the items in these three boxes would certainly be a lie.

But he understood even more clearly that no matter how precious the items inside were, he could not accept any attached conditions.

It remained the same sentiment—admittedly, he could walk away, but his parents still had to live in Wutai County; he could not simply throw his own responsibilities onto his parents.

Since Feng Zi had already clearly expressed his goodwill, the County Magistrate naturally stopped saying anything dampening, and smilingly opened one of the lacquer boxes.

In the center of the box, a plant shaped like a vine and colored like blood lay quietly.

Even though Feng Zi was at a distance from this lacquer box, when the box was opened, he was still able to perceive:

A surge of Qi and Blood Power, so dense it could almost not be dissolved, suddenly spread throughout the room!

Seeing that Feng Zi had looked carefully, the County Magistrate closed the lacquer box and said with a smile, "This item was prepared by me; is Excellency Feng Zi satisfied?"

And upon seeing that vine with the color of blood, Feng Zi was already incomparably shocked in his heart:

He could be certain that with the help of this vine, and relying on his own cultivation method, he could completely reach the realm of a Martial Master perfection!

Even so, Feng Zi still managed to use his usual poker face to hide the shock in his heart, and asked with a smile:

"This item is so precious, it must be difficult to obtain; I imagine it must have cost the County Magistrate quite some painstaking effort."

"To say it is difficult, it is not; to say it is simple, it is not easy either," Lu Xianling said, "playing the mystery."

The other party's attitude was clearly meant to make him continue asking, and how could Feng Zi not know: "I would like to hear the details."

Seeing Feng Zi so cooperative, the County Magistrate was happy to explain: "Excellency Feng Zi should know that there is a mountain directly south of Wutai County, named Cuiyun Mountain."

Feng Zi nodded slightly upon hearing this and followed up: "Naturally I know it; that is the property of the Lu Family, right?"

Regarding this answer, Lu Xianling was also very proud and smiled: "Then Excellency should also know that, according to legend, a giant snake over a thousand feet long lives on Cuiyun Mountain."

To this, Feng Zi nodded slightly and replied casually: "The legend of the Mountain God, a story the people of Wutai County have heard since they were small."

To this, Lu Xianling's answer was a completely different version:

"The story of the 'Mountain God' is indeed true, only that He passed away long ago, leaving behind only a huge skeleton coiled on the mountaintop.

"Even so, that skeleton seems to have spirituality, continuously absorbing the vitality of Cuiyun Mountain, yet it cannot be resurrected; it is only between its bones that this 'Blood Vine' grows."

"Blood Vine... a fitting name indeed," Feng Zi replied casually.

Of course, Lu Xianling was not simply introducing the origin of the item in the box, and continued: "Although this item is precious, a stalk matures every three or five years.

"Although the yield is low, it is easy to preserve, and it is more than enough to let every Martial Master in Wutai County benefit from one stalk—this is also an open secret among Martial Masters."

Regarding this statement, Feng Zi agreed in his heart:

Martial Masters are, after all, different from ordinary Martial Artists, and in Wutai County, the highest realm of existence is the Martial Master; it is reasonable and fair to let them enjoy some unknown privileges.

"Then I shall accept it with thanks." Thus, he did not decline and smilingly accepted the Blood Vine.

Lu Xianling nodded with a smile and opened the largest lacquer box—inside was actually an Iron Armor as thin as a cicada's wing.

"This is...?" At the County Magistrate's signal, Feng Zi took out this Iron Armor.

Afterwards, he was surprised to find that this item had excellent extensibility and was exceptionally light.

"Three months from now is the Martial School, and the journey is long; Excellency will always need some self-defense items. This is the reason why the Li Family and the Cui Family sent this item together."

As he spoke, at the County Magistrate's signal, a servant stepped forward, drew a sword, and slashed directly at the Iron Armor in Feng Zi's hand.

Under Feng Zi's gaze, even though the servant used his full strength in the strike, he did not leave the slightest mark on the Iron Armor!

Even though the servant was only an ordinary Martial Artist, with a vast difference in strength from Feng Zi, it immediately made him realize the value of this item, and he could not help but exclaim: "Good stuff!"

But he immediately realized the preciousness of this Iron Armor and asked hurriedly: "This item must be worth a fortune, right?"

Upon hearing this, the County Magistrate told him frankly: "This Inner Armor was forged from refined iron through a hundred days of repeated hammering; it was originally a gift prepared by the heads of the two families to celebrate Hanwen's victory.

"Unexpectedly, a dark horse like you emerged, so those two old foxes changed their minds and borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha.

"As for the value of this item... its market price is at least worth one year's tax of Wutai County, and it is priceless."

Good heavens, this thing was actually originally meant for Lu Hanwen?

As soon as Feng Zi heard this, he put the Inner Armor back into the box and pushed it to Lu Xianling, saying: "One year's tax for the whole county... this item is truly too precious; I cannot accept it."

Seeing this, Lu Xianling just held the box steady and smiled: "Do not mind it; just accept it calmly—

"Hanwen already has a similar item; giving it to him would only be icing on the cake. Only by having you accept it can its greatest utility be exerted.

"And do not say it is precious; the reason those two old foxes did this is nothing more than what I am doing: investing in a genius like you."

After thinking it over repeatedly, Feng Zi decided to accept it:

In the absence of a clear trap, his top priority remained to improve his own strength as much as possible.

And external objects were also a part of strength.

Seeing that Feng Zi had already accepted the first two gifts, Lu Xianling then opened the last and smallest lacquer box.

Taking a closer look, he saw several land deeds lying inside.

Feng Zi always felt that this scene seemed to have happened before, and could not help but smile: "What is the meaning of this?"

The County Magistrate naturally understood his meaning and explained with a smile: "I know that Hanwen's impulsive actions have left you with a grudge, but these are two different matters—

"These land deeds were pooled together by the wealthy families in the county; it is also a way to express goodwill.

"As for the specific management of these properties, you and your family do not need to worry; at the end of each year, the Lu Family's steward will deliver half of the harvest to you."

Feng Zi pondered for a moment and understood the other party's meaning:

"Simply put, a Martial Master is the face of Wutai County; one cannot live like an ordinary farmer anymore, right?"

Lu Xianling nodded slightly and said pointedly: "Yes, a Martial Master cannot continue to live in such a dilapidated thatched cottage."

Having said that, he added a sentence:

"I also understand that a Martial Master's ideal is ultimately to reach a higher realm, especially a martial arts genius like you, who dislikes being disturbed by others.

"So, I imagine you have also seen that my visit here represents the famous and influential figures in the county, and you do not need to worry about unnecessary disturbances."

Afterwards, the two chatted for a while longer, and then County Magistrate Lu rose to leave.

Feng Zi saw him off to his carriage, and upon returning to the main hall and seeing the three lacquer boxes on the table, he only then realized what had happened, laughing in spite of himself:

"He truly lives up to being a County Magistrate, a real old fox—he clearly represents the powerful families and landlords of the county, yet he made me subconsciously feel indebted to him..."