[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-2":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Mountains and Rivers of the Imperial Granary",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2231194,4184,"Chapter 2","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-2",2,"\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao turned her head with a strange expression. Whose subordinate was so valiant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, these nine top-grade Qi-Boosting Pills turning into five superior-grade ones did look much more ordinary, but it certainly couldn't be called being lost in the crowd. If judged by the standards a grade-eight alchemist should have, this was still considered quite excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, alchemy can only be done one pill at a time, which is very inefficient. Only high-level alchemists, when refining relatively simple pills, dare to attempt refining multiple pills in one furnace to increase efficiency. Of course, the more pills refined at once, the higher the requirement for the alchemist's control. Being able to refine five pills in one furnace is already considered quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, a large number of alchemists are still struggling with their success rates, often only obtaining whole furnaces of waste pills or substandard products. Being able to stably refine regular good-grade pills is already not easy, let alone superior-grade ones. The price of superior-grade pills is double that of good-grade ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Lu Xingzhou was embezzling, compared to the same material cost input from other families, the benefits brought by the five superior-grade pills he refined were already superior, and he hadn't caused the Danxia Gang to lose money. No wonder the Danxia Gang had been developing quite well over the past six months; this was a hen that laid golden eggs...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How impressive is the person who came, to dare say this level is not good enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the door was a middle-aged man in luxurious clothing, accompanied by a young man and woman. It was the young man who spoke. Lu Xingzhou just smiled slightly: \"Greetings, Gang Leader, Miss. I wonder who this is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao understood; it turned out to be Danxia Gang Leader Liu Qingcang and his daughter Liu Yan'er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er snorted coldly: \"This is Mr. Bai Chi, a high-tier grade-eight alchemist we went to great lengths to invite. Mr. Bai is currently on the verge of breaking through to grade seven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou's expression remained as usual: \"So, what does Miss Liu mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er said: \"Since a stronger alchemist has arrived, your position as chief alchemist can be handed over...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao blinked. High-tier grade-eight... actually, wanting to refine five superior-grade pills in one furnace is still very difficult. Are you sure he really has the qualifications to look down on Lu Xingzhou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist quietly sat to one side, peeled a sweet potato, took a quiet bite, and handed another to Sheng Yuanyao, silently mouthing: \"Sister, are you eating this time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao quietly took the roasted sweet potato; it was quite fragrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou just smiled faintly: \"Is this Gang Leader Liu's intention, or just Miss Liu's?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingcang waved his hand: \"This seat knows that the alchemy system of my Danxia Gang was built by you from scratch, and the alchemists below were also brought up by you. It is understandable that you are reluctant to let go. But such is the way of the world; the capable should occupy the position. This is also for the development of my Danxia Gang. Xingzhou can serve as an assistant to Mr. Bai; it is also an opportunity to observe and learn from a high-grade alchemist at close range. You must grasp it well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou laughed dumbly: \"So, does Lu Mou also need to thank Gang Leader Liu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingcang looked kind: \"Xingzhou, this is also an expectation for you. I know you have quite a good impression of Yan'er. The assistant's work is not as heavy as before, so you can also free up time...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er stomped her foot: \"Dad!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\" Lu Xingzhou's expression became strange: \"Who said I have intentions toward Miss Liu? If your gang doesn't have a mirror, you should at least have a puddle of urine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both the father and daughter of the Liu family stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou went straight to the Danxia Gang after arriving in Xiazhou, was accepted into the gang by Liu Yan'er, and helped the Danxia Gang build an alchemy system and train alchemists from scratch, working without complaint. In daily life, the way he looked at Liu Yan'er was also full of deep affection; almost everyone in the gang thought you did this for Liu Yan'er. If it wasn't for Liu Yan'er, could it be for being a beast of burden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou saw what they were thinking and said leisurely: \"Actually, it's just that you all gave too much...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The salary the Danxia Gang gave Lu Xingzhou was indeed very high. After all, there were no alchemists at the beginning, and they were thirsty for talent; they were ecstatic to get Lu Xingzhou. In addition, Sheng Yuanyao also witnessed him embezzling; the secret gains were far beyond what others imagined. He probably really stayed here for the money...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regrettably, the thirst for talent from back then has now turned into kicking away the ladder once the bridge is crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er sighed: \"Xingzhou, I know you can't admit it because you'd lose face, but the deep affection in your eyes when you look at me daily, could it be that it was all faked...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist muttered on the side: \"With those peach-blossom eyes of his, he looks at dogs with deep affection too...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The self-indulgent Liu Yan'er had her words stuck in her throat, and Sheng Yuanyao took a bite of the sweet potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget about being an assistant.\" Lu Xingzhou said faintly: \"Lu Mou doesn't have the habit of being someone's subordinate. Since the Danxia Gang has a more excellent alchemist, Lu Mou will just look elsewhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er snorted coldly: \"Just you, this cripple...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yan'er!\" Liu Qingcang interrupted quickly. A spoiled young lady can talk nonsense, but he wouldn't be so ignorant. Even if Lu Xingzhou's level isn't as good as Bai Chi's, he is still a leader in this Xiazhou. It wouldn't be cost-effective to let him go elsewhere. If he could really stay here as an assistant, the Danxia Gang would be the one making a huge profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a misjudgment; he fully believed Lu Xingzhou would stay for Liu Yan'er, but he didn't expect it wasn't like that at all... Then what were you being so serious for in the first place...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingcang thought of this and sighed: \"Will Xingzhou consider it again? To tell the truth, after being together for so long, everyone already treats you as family... How about a ten percent increase in future salary?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou waved his hand and smiled: \"No need to be so reluctant. The fate between you and me ends today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingcang's face finally turned cold: \"You'd better think it through. Don't think that having a bit of alchemy skill means you don't have to fear traveling the world. It wouldn't be difficult to make sure no one in Xiazhou takes you in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou laughed: \"Then don't trouble yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Chi said leisurely from the side: \"Since you are determined to leave, I suggest searching you, lest you take away important items of the gang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao, who had been watching for a long time, couldn't help it: \"Hey, aren't you guys being a bit too much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She originally thought Lu Xingzhou embezzling was a bit much, but she didn't expect this group of people to be even worse. Crossing the river and tearing down the bridge, killing the donkey after the grinding is done, was one thing, but they even wanted to force and humiliate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er sneered: \"What does our gang's internal affairs have to do with you, you vixen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao was furious: \"You!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you arguing about...\" Lu Xingzhou interrupted Sheng Yuanyao's outburst and said leisurely: \"Who said I was leaving?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er showed a smug look of 'I knew it': \"If you can't bear to leave, just say so. This tactic of retreating to advance is not very clever...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou said: \"My meaning is, it's you who should leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this cripple have been driven insane by the blow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There used to be a Daoist temple on Danxia Mountain called Danxia Temple. This alchemy room and the three-mile radius around it should have belonged to Danxia Temple.\" Lu Xingzhou said faintly: \"As far as I know, when Gang Leader Liu bought the mountain from the government, the land deed for this area was missing, so it wasn't complete. Strictly speaking, this place doesn't belong to you. It's just that the original owner is gone, and you are occupying it temporarily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingcang's heart jumped: \"So what? The original owner is dead, and we still sweep the grave and pay respects from time to time. Now this is ownerless land; first come, first served!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist muttered again: \"The mound you guys pretend to worship in the back is not the original owner's grave at all. What's buried there is a sow infected with swine fever, named Xiaohua.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingcang: \"???\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The original owner did indeed pass away many years ago, but unfortunately, he has a successor.\" Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly and took out a land deed: \"Even more unfortunately, Lu Mou is the new owner of this place. Remember to do a background check before recruiting people in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Liu father and daughter, along with Bai Chi, were all dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The land deed was quite new; it seemed Lu Xingzhou had gone to the government to exchange the deed. The name on the old land deed must have originally been an old Daoist priest, but now it clearly and unmistakably wrote \"Lu Xingzhou\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really was his!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao blinked desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This master and apprentice are interesting; it feels like there's a lot of gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Chi reacted and sneered: \"Who says this land deed is yours? I can also say it's mine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following his words, the Liu father and daughter also thought of this layer. This Lu Xingzhou is simply stupid, daring to expose the land deed in the core area of their Danxia Gang. Wouldn't killing him and seizing the deed finish it? A cripple and a child, isn't this just asking for death? No one would even know if they were buried!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingcang immediately moved forward, about to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou leisurely stuffed the land deed back into his bosom: \"Miss, a gang member is forcibly seizing a commoner's land deed. Are you going to manage it or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a \"swish,\" a waist saber was unsheathed, blocking in front of Lu Xingzhou. Liu Qingcang's large hand, which had just reached over, was urgently retracted; his claws were almost chopped off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeming to have just noticed Sheng Yuanyao and her two subordinates behind her, Liu Qingcang's expression was very ugly: \"Who is your Excellency?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao was expressionless, and the subordinate behind her said sternly: \"This is our Xiazhou Demon Suppression Division Commander Sheng! Behave yourself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faces of the Liu father and daughter and Bai Chi were like they had eaten shit. Who would have thought that such a young and beautiful girl was the new Demon Suppression Division Commander Sheng Yuanyao! They thought she was some client waiting for pills here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan'er was even more pale. Who did she just call a vixen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Sheng Yuanyao's cold gaze, the three had no choice but to salute: \"Greetings, Commander Sheng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is Sheng Yuanyao here? This time it's trouble. Sheng Yuanyao is a capital official who just arrived and is not a local; no matter how many connections everyone has locally, it's useless. Now, in front of the government, let alone killing and seizing the deed, even if something happens to Lu Xingzhou in the future, Sheng Yuanyao will inevitably fix her gaze on their Danxia Gang. This idea is completely unfeasible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of this mountain was bought by the Danxia Gang, only missing the core area of the three-mile radius at the top. If Lu Xingzhou stays here and doesn't leave, it's like sitting on their Danxia Gang's head and shitting; it's disgusting no matter how you think about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the gang's main hall, everyone's residences, and the entire alchemy system are in this area. Most of the places on the mountainside have no buildings and are medicine gardens; they have lost their home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all this, is it really them who are going to be driven out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn't it just kicking a person? How did it become like this!\u003C\u002Fp>",2097,"2026-06-18T01:27:10.910Z","2026-06-18T03:18:02.290Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","652ac6f8fe8b305edf659326d48a99d4632fe0c3fa3feb74251a316b94ef7905","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-3","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-1",325,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmountains-and-rivers-of-the-imperial-granary-cover.jpg"]