Chapter 88: Leisure Time

In Wu Ming’s previous life, science and technology were the primary productive forces.

But in this world, various Daoist methods, witchcraft, and martial cultivation techniques, all these supernatural abilities, if collectively applied to production, what kind of transformation would they bring?

Wu Ming felt a surge of imagination, but soon shook his head bitterly.

Since ancient times, scholars have disrupted the law with literature, and martial heroes have violated prohibitions with their strength. Those who possess power naturally refuse to remain subordinate. How could one expect these powerful individuals to obediently mine resources or cultivate the land? To develop production? Hmph…

“No wonder the productivity in this world is at most equivalent to that of the Song and Ming dynasties from my past life, yet the military equipment far surpasses those eras. It’s a distorted development…”

Wu Ming sighed inwardly.

Just then, he noticed Wu Qing’s beautiful eyes scrutinizing him up and down, making him chuckle dryly, “Sister, what are you planning to do?”

“You’ve changed, dear brother!”

Wu Qing cast a thoughtful glance at Li Xiuyun, “If we’re talking about restraining desires, it’s fine if none of the other maids have been touched… But Xiuyun has already been yours, yet you haven’t shown her any affection. Truly, you have a heart of stone…”

“Spit!”

Upon hearing this, Wu Ming spat out his tea, and seeing Li Xiuyun’s somewhat resentful gaze, he waved his hand, “You may leave first…”

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing this, Wu Qing’s expression became even more enchanting. She suddenly leaned closer, her breath fragrant as orchids, “Could it be… my little brother has finally found someone special?”

“Could it be that Wu girl? Haha… If my dear brother marries her, you’ll have quite a time ahead!”

“Cough… cough…”

Wu Ming patted his chest, embarrassed, “Didn’t I tell you, dear sister, that I haven’t even met your best friend once?”

After saying this, he hesitated slightly before continuing, “I have cultivated another Daoist method. Before it reaches completion, it’s better to conserve my energy and not waste it…”

Upon hearing this explanation, Wu Qing showed no great suspicion.

After all, in Daoist cultivation, there were even requirements to maintain one’s virginity permanently. Thus, merely abstaining from sexual activity during cultivation was quite common.

Still, seeing her unusually serious and reserved younger brother, she couldn’t resist teasing him a bit. She feigned an expression of deep concern, “Dear brother, you must work hard! The continuity of our Wu family’s lineage cannot be broken by you…”

“Cough… cough…”

Wu Ming coughed even more violently. Under Wu Qing’s mischievous gaze, he felt overwhelmed and quickly changed the subject, “Right… Sister, that… how is it going?”

“That?”

Wu Qing’s face turned solemn, “This is actually the serious matter I wanted to discuss with you!”

“So everything before was just teasing me?”

Wu Ming rolled his eyes, then assumed an attentive posture.

“Unexpectedly… My younger brother managed to acquire materials from such a powerful demon!”

Wu Qing walked outside the room and soon returned carrying a beautifully embroidered box, “Open it and take a look…”

Following her instructions, Wu Ming opened the box lid and immediately saw a white fox fur coat. The stitching was fine, the edges of the fur soft and snow-white, and it emitted faint spiritual glimmers, clearly extraordinary.

“A magical artifact! And not a low-level one…”

Wu Ming was delighted. After returning last time, he had indeed handed the materials of that old fox to Wu Qing.

Although he himself was also a Daoist cultivator capable of creating magical artifacts, when it came to foundational knowledge and maximizing the usage of materials, Wu Qing, being professionally trained, naturally surpassed him by miles.

Moreover, she was completely trustworthy.

However, after Wu Qing saw the materials, she immediately gave him a disapproving glare.

It turned out that although the flesh and blood of such powerful demons were rich in spiritual energy, they needed to be sealed with curses right at the time of collection, following specific techniques.

Unfortunately, Wu Ming knew nothing about this, wasting the materials. The flesh was now not only useless but also slightly toxic.

Furthermore, the most valuable part of the fox demon was not its physical body, but its immortal soul cultivated to the realm of a Daoist immortal!

Such a soul was extremely rare and precious. If obtained, it could be used to concoct pills that might even aid in breaking through to the immortal realm!

Upon realizing this, Wu Ming regretted it deeply.

When that old Nanshan Weng was slain by Yu Shaojun, its soul must have suffered grave injuries. It either reincarnated directly or fled in desperation.

Otherwise, capturing it would have been a risk-free profit.

“This old fox was highly cultivated. Even obtaining its fur now is quite fortunate!”

Wu Qing paid no attention to Wu Ming’s self-reproach. She pulled out the fur coat and shook it open. Wu Ming then noticed that the coat was actually sewn together from numerous pieces of snow-white fur. The craftsmanship was so exquisite that it appeared seamless.

“This Snow Fox Magical Fur Coat is made primarily from the fur of a spirit fox, supplemented with the hides of other demonic beasts. It is stitched together with a hundred pieces, capable of resisting water and fire, impervious to blades and spears, and unaffected by blood and killing auras. It also possesses an innate enchantment ability!”

Wu Qing briefly introduced the attributes, then looked slightly regretful, “Unfortunately, the fur has lost most of its spiritual essence after several mishandlings. Otherwise, it would have been suitable material for crafting a treasure-grade artifact…”

“Even so, obtaining a high-level magical artifact is quite rare…”

Wu Ming took the coat and immediately draped it over Wu Qing, “It complements you beautifully, dear sister!”

“You…”

Wu Qing’s face showed a stunned expression, touched.

“I already have a robe. This fox fur is more appropriately gifted to a beautiful lady!”

Seeing Wu Qing’s slight embarrassment, Wu Ming finally felt a sense of victory, “Now that I look at it, you’re getting more and more beautiful!”

“Dare to flirt with your own sister!”

Wu Qing lightly spat, though her tone lacked genuine anger.

“Moreover…”

Wu Ming touched the edge of the fur coat, “I didn’t know my sister’s needlework was so superb, making it seem seamless!”

“This isn’t my credit!”

Wu Qing sat down, “It was actually the work of a master tailor invited by the Zhou family!”

“The Zhou family? Which Zhou family?” Wu Ming asked with confusion, then his eyes slightly narrowed, “The one from the county town?”

“Correct!”

Wu Qing chuckled, “This family backed the wrong side, supporting the Wang family who later fell from power. Now with a new county magistrate, they are facing heavy pressure and have to contract their influence, seeking to ease tensions with various factions. This time, after I released some information, they eagerly came to us. It’s said they used many connections to bring in a master tailor from the ‘Needle God’ Xue family, along with many hides of demonic beasts…”

“I see…”

Wu Ming stroked his chin.

Originally, with the Wang family backing them, the Zhou family easily crushed a mere rural gentry family.

However, now with Wu Qing emerging as a Daoist cultivator, even without knowing that Wu Ming himself was also a formidable expert, the Zhou family found themselves in a dire situation.

When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down—it’s no joke. Naturally, they wanted to ease relations.

After all, although the Zhou family had previously made moves against them, they ultimately failed, losing many resources.

Even Wu Ming’s retaliation only involved killing several guest retainers and some guards, which wasn’t significant.

Still, the fact that they could find such a master tailor, along with various beast hides and even manage to get the news to Wu Qing, was enough to demonstrate their capabilities.

This was a gesture of goodwill combined with a subtle display of strength.

“So, from sister’s implication, you’ve decided to let them off?”

Seeing Wu Qing directly accept their offerings, Wu Ming understood her decision, somewhat surprised.

“Do you think I only know how to fight and kill?”

Wu Qing gave him a sidelong glance, “You must know that the Zhou family has deep roots in Yunping County. If I haven’t reached the realm of a Daoist immortal, killing them would still bring some minor troubles…”

“If sister can think this way, that’s great. I have no objections!”

Wu Ming secretly opened his spiritual vision and noticed that Wu Qing’s calamity aura had mostly dissipated, replaced by a strong red-gold aura, within which a green energy emerged, lush and verdant, subtly carrying the essence of a phoenix, causing him to smile.

“However… The Zhou family dared to target you. Although they escaped this time, once I advance further next time, sister will certainly avenge you!”

But Wu Qing’s next words revealed her true nature, making Wu Ming both laugh and cry inwardly.

…

Late at night, in the quiet of darkness.

Wu Ming received several family stewards in his study.

Since establishing the clan school and promoting martial training, although immediate emergence of talents hadn’t occurred, a few promising individuals had been identified and were being carefully nurtured for future potential.

In several years, they would be ready for use.

“Actually, our family’s twenty hectares of farmland, even accounting for the needs of supporting the clan, are already sufficient! However, considering my and Wu Qing’s status, increasing to five thousand mu of good farmland would be acceptable, with no one in Yunping County to object… Next, it’s merely a matter of cultivating family members, producing a few literary and martial scholars to ensure the continuity of our family’s legacy… And when the time comes that we have a juren in literature and a county magistrate in martial arts, expanding to ten thousand mu of farmland would be feasible… That would be a hundred hectares of prime farmland, making us a prominent family in the county and giving us a voice even in the prefectural city… If we can reach such a stage, I would have no regrets regarding the Wu family in this world…”

As Wu Ming pondered, his fingers unconsciously tapped rhythmically on the rosewood desktop.

The sound was regular and melodic.

Whether it was Old Wu the steward, Zhao Song, Wu Tiehu, or even Feng Han, they all stood respectfully at one side, not daring to interrupt.

Especially Feng Han.

Initially possessing the demeanor of a guest expert, his attitude had become increasingly respectful as Wu Ming’s abilities grew increasingly unfathomable. Now, he regarded himself more as a subordinate, his behavior even more courteous, clearly indicating his sincere allegiance, which pleased Wu Ming. He was now considering bestowing the “Turtle Spirit Nourishing Technique” upon him as a reward.

These individuals, along with Wu Qing, constituted the core of the fortress.

However, Wu Qing had rarely taken charge of affairs. Within the fortress, most matters were trivial domestic issues, which Wu Ming easily handled. Finally, he retained one person behind.

“Young Master?”

Zhao Song’s face bore signs of hardship, yet his respect was evident.

This man was methodical in his work and showed no signs of jealousy despite witnessing Wu Tiehu’s several promotions, indicating his magnanimity, which Wu Ming appreciated.

This time, he had secretly entrusted him with a task.

Undoubtedly, with this man’s capability, the mission must have been completed successfully.