Chapter 251: Subduing General Yuan

These soldiers and horses are nothing special; they are simply refined using the methods of the wild spirits. The tiger is the master of the mountains and forests, the master of the wind, and the monarch of the mountains.

However, this Tiger Master army is a force that Xu Jia wants to tilt more resources toward cultivating.

A Huben is not something just any unit of soldiers can become. The Dharma Realm interprets things literally and is most fond of various transformations; once certain labels are branded onto one's body, they cannot be torn off.

Xu Jia intends to forge underworld armor for them and craft weapons like the Five-Thunder Muskets. With these three thousand soldiers stationed at the Zongtan, there will at least be the power to guard the mountain gate.

It is just that a "Mountain-Guarding General" is still missing. It would be best to have a tiger demon; a tiger demon is more suitable than an ox demon to serve as a mount, or even as a Protector.

After finishing the ritual to refine the soldiers, two clouds of Qi descended into the courtyard. It was Ao Jin and Yuan Jiangjun, who had come to report their duties after finishing the rain-making.

The two seemed to have reached a state of harmony; at least Ao Jin was no longer wearing such a cold face. Yuan Jiangjun, on the other hand, had added a bit of fawning obsequiousness.

"Master Heavenly Master, we have already followed the Dharma decree and completed the task of bringing clouds and rain."

Xu Jia calculated with his fingers: "Although there is a slight discrepancy, it is barely acceptable."

He then said: "Do you two know my intention in having you perform rain-making and fight with magic in public?"

Ao Jin spoke first: "The Master wanted us to work together to dissolve our grievances."

Xu Jia shook his head: "No. This poor Daoist was declaring to the common people that I have mastered the ability to summon wind and rain, that even gods must listen to me. I was propagating that theory of struggle. Beyond the methods, what I displayed was power, it was monopoly."

"Land is a means of production."

"But without rain, nothing can be produced. Heaven is like a man; raining is like ejaculation, fiercely fucking this land. The peasants' worship of Heaven is precisely because Heaven holds the power of favorable weather. So, what is called 'favorable weather'? It corresponds to floods and droughts."

Xu Jia said to Ao Jin and Yuan Jiangjun: "The soldiers and horses of the Dharma Realm can only solve matters of the Dharma Realm. Starting from establishing the foundation of the Sanqing Mountain orthodoxy, I am going to establish the foundation of the secular world. And where is the foundation of the secular world? It is in production. Daoist magic and Divine Abilities are also means of production."

Both of them were stunned: "Master, so what you mean is...?"

Xu Jia said: "The Dao has three treasures: the first is compassion, the second is frugality, and the third is not daring to be the first in the world. Because of compassion, one can be brave. Because of frugality, one can be expansive. Because one does not dare to be the first in the world, one can become the leader of vessels."

"I do not dare to be the first in the world, but I cannot be the last either. This world has already begun to fall into chaos; this poor Daoist cannot fail to make preparations."

Ao Jin's eyes widened, while Yuan Jiangjun thought of something and revealed an expression of disbelief.

This is actually nothing unbelievable; the feudal era has the characteristics of the feudal era, not to mention that this is a low-level Xianxia plane.

A feudal landlord can raise a hundred or so farmhands, and a mountain bandit can raise a thousand. These are all potential Submerged Dragons of the wild, but they are all difficult to become talented or useful, only knowing how to stir up trouble.

To guard Yushan and the peace of Dexing, relying on Xu Jia as a single Earth Immortal is not enough, and relying on these gods and ghosts is also not enough. Only the foundation of the secular world will do.

This is why Xu Jia saw that Jiang Qi and Shen Bao were worthy of cultivation, yet did not directly accept them as disciples, but instead spent great effort, experiencing several lifetimes of illusions, before giving them a spot as "servants."

Xu Jia said to the two: "Ao Jin, you want to be this poor Daoist's attendant, but just serving tea and pouring water is truly a waste of your talent, so you need to continue to use your Water Virtue to transform into more intuitive creation."

"Yuan Jiangjun, as for you, are you willing to join under my command and serve as a Waterway Guardian Divine General?" Yuan Jiangjun understood Xu Jia's intentions. He had originally wanted to go back and discuss it with Guiyu Po, but now, being directly called out by Xu Jia, he had no choice. He only felt that the gaze was like the sun and the will like a furnace; if he said he was unwilling, the next moment there would be two swords to hack him to death.

This pressure made him unable to remain silent for long.

He had knelt to Ao Jin just now quite readily because he knew Ao Jin could not amount to much and could not do anything to him; that was a reconciliation.

But kneeling to Xu Jia was a true kneeling; he would never be able to get up in this lifetime, and it might even cost him his life.

Don't look at his martial general appearance; turtles and tortoises cherish their lives the most.

"Subordinate Yuan Can, pays respects to the Lord!"

He still knelt down, but only on one knee, with his hands cupped.

"Why call me Lord? Just call me Master Xu. This poor Daoist has set up a Fox Immortal Hall for Hu Jinhua, and there are also the Yellow Immortal Temple, Kanxian Dong, and Longxian Ku... But you are different. You are already an Earth Immortal and have been enfeoffed by the imperial court. What I give you is the enfeoffment of the Lingbao Heavenly Master, and also the Register Tier of the Lingbao Heavenly Master."

"Many thanks, Master Xu. This disciple has nothing to repay you with, only to serve until death..."

"I don't want your liver or your brain. You are called Yuan Can, which is a good name, but it may lack some Immortal Dao atmosphere. How about I give you a Daoist name? How about 'Yiqi' (One Qi)? 'Yuan' (Round) means the Primordial One Qi, does it not?"

Having received this name, Yuan Jiangjun felt his mind become much clearer, and the demonic nature on his body began to be subdued, taking on a flavor of "subduing oneself."

A name itself carries destiny, and also carries the incredible power of curse-prohibition. The method of the Cave Spirit teaches how to distinguish the true form and true name of demons, gods, and ghosts.

Otherwise, what use would the Demon-Reflecting Mirror be if it only revealed the original form of a demon? Naturally, it is to point out their origins; once their name is known, they can be cursed, captured, and restrained, causing their legs to go weak and their waists to ache, leaving them unable to move.

Yuan Jiangjun recognized this name in his heart, naturally changing his demonic nature into human nature, and cultivating human nature into Divine Nature; this is inherently connected.

Xu Jia bestowed upon him the Yujie Tian Register from the Three-Day Register Method, made a covenant with him, and then successively bestowed the Human Immortal Register, the Earth Immortal Register, and the Capture Water Essence Talisman.

The next moment, the demonic Qi around Yuan Jiangjun was completely retracted, entering a demonic core at his center. Around the demonic core were several Register methods; as the Register methods rotated, they began to transform his essence, energy, and spirit.

The turtle shell on Yuan Jiangjun's back that had not been fully refined disappeared, and his head no longer looked like a bald turtle; the whole person possessed more of a "human form."

With the Register methods, he could also obtain cultivation guidance; one day of cultivation would be worth ten days of cultivation in the past.

"That Guiyu Po is not a good demon; she has a heart of rebellion and treachery. This disciple was deceived by her before!" Yuan Jiangjun's brain had just started working well when he realized many things: "I want to kill that poisonous woman!"

Xu Jia laughed: "You had no wisdom before, what were you deceived by her about? If she hadn't been there to offer you schemes, could you have cultivated to become an Earth Immortal? Could you have obtained such a divine position?"

Xu Jia said: "You should treat her well. Only by knowing people and using them well can you become a good deity."

"But she is wavering... thinking of playing both sides between Master Xu and that old dragon of Poyang..."

"You were also wavering before; do you think I should settle accounts?" Xu Jia said: "You can use her well now. For the mistakes you made and the times you were muddle-headed, do not blindly blame others. You cannot progress that way. You must summarize your experience and constantly improve."

(End of chapter)