[{"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-3":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},2231419,4184,"Chapter 3","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Sheng Yuanyao thought she didn't catch up with Lu Xingzhou when she went down the mountain and was still puzzled about how the Little Daoist could push the wheelchair so fast... Actually, Lu Xingzhou was still halfway up the mountain and hadn't gone down yet; she had chased too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached halfway down the mountain, the master and apprentice saw a woman sitting alone in a wheelchair on the edge of a cliff leading to a western fork, quietly watching the distant setting sun in a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That state was desolate and melancholy, and the wheelchair was very close to the edge of the cliff, looking like it could fall down at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist walked slower and slower, looking back at the woman's back every step of the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou was expressionless: \"What's wrong now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist's chubby face was twitching: \"Master, is that sister going to seek death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou turned his head to look. From the back, the woman did look like she had no desire to live, but he still said: \"What does it have to do with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist pleaded: \"She's also sitting in a wheelchair, and she's all alone, so pitiful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you've always thought Master is very pitiful?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist patted his chest: \"Master is not alone, Master has me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's precisely because of you little thing that Master is pitiful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist's chest-patting action stopped there, his expression extremely resentful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou wanted to laugh when he saw that cute look, but in the end, he didn't say anything to oppose it. The Little Daoist understood his meaning and happily pushed the wheelchair and ran over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang sat on the edge of the cliff, quietly watching the sunset in the sky, seemingly lost in thought. A cold voice transmission from nowhere quietly entered her ears: \"Bai Chi has already become the chief alchemist of the Danxia Gang, and the original alchemist Lu Xingzhou has been expelled. Should we kill Bai Chi on the spot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang's lips moved slightly, seemingly silent, but actually transmitting sound far away: \"How is that Lu Xingzhou?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cultivation is ordinary, has a disability, but seems to have secrets. As for the alchemy level, it seems to be on par with Bai Chi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang pondered for a moment: \"Do not consider killing for now. You and I have just arrived in Xiazhou; the movement should not be too big, and don't add trouble to Yuanyao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this, the communication stopped; she had already sensed someone approaching behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon she heard a man's gentle voice: \"Miss, please move aside, you are blocking my way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang looked back, focusing on the wheelchair and Lu Xingzhou's legs for a long time, finding it quite interesting: \"This is a cliff, where is the way? Could it be that you think I'm blocking your way to seek death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Lu Xingzhou said: \"Or should we queue? Miss first. I'll jump down after you; I could merge with a beauty, which is quite profitable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang was slightly stunned, her gaze falling on the face of the Little Daoist who had poked half his head out from behind the wheelchair. The Little Daoist blinked, seemingly sympathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang found it funny in her heart; this master and apprentice seemed to have misunderstood something... Lu Xingzhou's words sounded like teasing, but upon closer inspection, they were actually a roundabout way to stop her from jumping off the cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself had just been expelled, yet he had the kindness to meddle in other people's business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Shen Tang's eyes turned, and she chuckled: \"Then why are you seeking death? Is it because you were just expelled from the Danxia Gang like a stray dog and are heartbroken?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou sighed: \"You know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I came after Bai Chi, and now he has stayed, and you have come out. As for your identity, the wheelchair is too easy to recognize, isn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about you, Miss? Why are you like this in your prime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang also sighed: \"Because the alchemist Bai Chi I went to great lengths to hire was poached as soon as he arrived in Xiazhou. You say, if I jump down here, can I add a block to the Danxia Gang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them paused and suddenly laughed at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both parties were strongly related to this matter, and they were both sitting in wheelchairs; it was extremely fated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou also realized that his first impression was a misunderstanding. This woman looked desolate, but she was definitely not here to jump off a cliff. She probably came here because she wanted to follow and try to win Bai Chi back or something. Logically, she should also have an attendant pushing the wheelchair; he didn't know what happened to make her alone, and she was just waiting for someone here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the attendant is not here, it is very dangerous for one person to sit in a wheelchair so close to the cliff. If you slip down, you will regret it.\" Lu Xingzhou gestured to the Little Daoist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist ran over with a thud. Seeing that the other party didn't mean to stop him from approaching, he was immediately happy, pulled the wheelchair back a few feet, and turned it around, just facing Lu Xingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, when she looked back to talk, he could only see a side profile. Now facing each other, Lu Xingzhou realized that this woman was really beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without makeup, she couldn't hide her picturesque eyebrows and skin like grease. Although she was sitting in a wheelchair, she was smiling slightly at this time, appearing gentle and magnanimous, and the first impression was very comfortable. Just in terms of this graceful demeanor, let alone the gang's young lady Liu Yan'er, even Sheng Yuanyao, who had a background from the capital, seemed to be a notch lower compared to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun was gradually setting, and the sky was full of sunset glow, reflecting on the woman, adding three points of mystery and etherealness, like a goddess descending to the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang was also sizing up Lu Xingzhou, secretly amazed in her heart. Both sitting in wheelchairs, both with the temperament of a noble son or young lady, the two could almost see a gender-swapped version of themselves in each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist exclaimed: \"Sister is so beautiful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou laughed: \"You call everyone beautiful; you just called Sheng Yuanyao a beautiful sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist muttered: \"She is indeed very beautiful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang smiled slightly: \"Little sister, you will be more beautiful than anyone else in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist was happy: \"Really? Master thinks I'm fat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou couldn't be bothered with her and said to Shen Tang: \"High-tier grade-eight alchemists are not many in Xiazhou, but they are as numerous as hair outside. Being poached for a Bai Chi is not a big deal; Miss doesn't need to dwell on it. Alright, I see Miss is not someone who seeks death. I misunderstood just now, so let's part ways here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist pushed the wheelchair reluctantly, not turning back for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sister is so beautiful and gentle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang smiled: \"I thought you would recommend yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would you think so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it good? The Danxia Gang poached Bai Chi from me and drove you away. You come to me to make a career, suppress the Danxia Gang, and make them regret it. Wouldn't that be satisfying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are many ways to take revenge. Making people feel regret for losing you is just something you women like to use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang was stunned, not knowing what she was thinking, and pondered silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if you just want to make people regret, there are many ways, but you don't have to bet your future.\" Lu Xingzhou smiled: \"So if Miss sincerely invites me, I hope to talk about more practical things. For example, talk about your current situation, goals, and the treatment you give me. So far, I don't even know Miss's name. Why would you think I would recommend myself to join a force I know nothing about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's my abruptness.\" Shen Tang looked Lu Xingzhou up and down: \"Your Excellency... doesn't look like a teenager.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way.\" Lu Xingzhou turned his head and reached out to pinch his Little Daoist's face, smiling very gently: \"After all, a man who has to support a family doesn't have the qualifications to be impulsive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Daoist rubbed his face resentfully: \"You clearly think I'm fat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang found it amusing, but quickly faded, her expression returning to the desolation of their first meeting, and she whispered: \"My name is Shen Tang, originally the young master of the Tianxing Sword Sect in Yongzhou. A month ago, the sect offended someone and suffered heavy casualties, and even my master... Only I was left to transfer the remnants to Xiazhou, using the name of an outside merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why choose Xiazhou?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since it's a remote place to avoid enemies and has good medical conditions to try to treat my legs, there are not many places to choose from.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trusting me so much, aren't you afraid I'll spread it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We sincerely invite Mr. Lu; we can't even hide our own origins.\" Shen Tang smiled: \"I believe Mr. Lu has no need to betray me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou was noncommittal, staring at her legs for a while: \"Were the legs broken in a previous fight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Shen Tang said calmly: \"From the perspective of sect development, our Sword Sect also lacks alchemy talent, which is biased, so we seek... Your Excellency's concerns are correct; we are stray dogs and outsiders, and the conditions are much worse than the Danxia Gang. If you are unwilling to come, I can't blame you; it can only be said that there is no fate. If you are willing to come, I am willing to pay twice the salary the Danxia Gang gave you, and appoint you as the head of the Alchemy Hall, handing over all power related to alchemy and medicine production.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This condition is quite good. Why wasn't Lu Xingzhou called a hall master in the Danxia Gang before, just the chief alchemist? Because the head of the Alchemy Hall was actually Liu Yan'er, even if she didn't manage things. After all, the head of a hall is a high-level member of the sect; it's impossible to give it to an outsider casually. It always requires an assessment period; Liu Qingcang's approach was also understandable. This Shen Tang gave this position directly, which was very sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou didn't buy it: \"Your sect has strong enemies outside, and the situation is unpredictable... Forgive me for bringing a child, I won't stand under a dangerous wall, even if you make me a sect master, it makes no sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang sighed, nodded, and just said to the mountain: \"Qingli, let's go back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure flashed, and a girl in white appeared beside her, expressionlessly supporting the wheelchair and pushing it directly past Lu Xingzhou's master and apprentice, not even looking at Lu Xingzhou once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou blinked, and the master and apprentice turned their heads in extreme synchronization, their eyes following Qingli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl had white hair, slightly blue eyes, skin whiter than snow, and was cold and unparalleled. Having traveled through time for nineteen years, he had seen many demons and monsters, but this was the first time he had seen such a two-dimensional human in this world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang was explaining to Lu Xingzhou with some apology: \"Qingli's temperament is cold, Mr. Lu please don't mind the rudeness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou stared at Qingli for a long time, then suddenly said: \"Listening to your meaning, you are new here, so do you have a place to stay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Tang was stunned: \"Staying in an inn, looking for a suitable place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xingzhou showed his eight neat white teeth: \"Joining your sect is not very convenient... but I can be a landlord for your sect, what do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two women and a Little Daoist looked at Lu Xingzhou with very strange eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it's just being a landlord, that's still standing under a dangerous wall... In the storyteller's story, is this called looking down on the young lady but taking a fancy to the maid?\u003C\u002Fp>",2084,"2026-06-18T01:46:09.112Z","2026-06-18T03:18:02.290Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","60ab0566b77cfd53ef8a374e243520f74a9baa4bd6e7979749748d365dc74ddf","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-4","the-grain-of-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-2",325,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmountains-and-rivers-of-the-imperial-granary-cover.jpg"]