The Five Elements Sect, Outer Sect
The news of a bountiful spiritual harvest spread throughout the entire Outer Sect. For disciples with high income, this extra earnings didn't mean much. They could easily earn more. But for many poor disciples, it was a big deal. With this income, they could buy more spiritual pills, purchase more spiritual weapons, and even have a few more meals of good food if needed.
What's even more important is that it ignited their hopes for cultivating immortality. They felt that the higher-ups valued them. They were no longer the poor farmers of the cultivation world, but disciples of the sect.
Inside Cold Crow Mountain, Lin Jiang and the others were not idle. The matter of the spiritual harvest was not completely finished yet. Many details needed improvement, such as the varying heights of the spiritual land and the need for better water facilities. These were the tasks they would be working on next.
"Father, there's someone at the door seeking an audience."
"Are they here to deliver spiritual harvest again? Tell them not to bother. We can't finish what we have, even if we eat all day."
Zhang Wanjing replied. The disciples who worked in the fields showed their gratitude by giving them spiritual harvest. But now that the major project was finished, they couldn't possibly eat it all. Zhang Wanjing politely declined, but people still kept delivering it. They believed it was the best way to express their gratitude.
"No, it's the disciples who cultivate medicinal herbs. They say you're being unfair, only focusing on farming and neglecting them. They want to talk to you, father."
"Oh, this is getting interesting, let people come in."
Zhang Wanjing put down what he was doing, finally someone took the initiative to come to him. He wanted to see how proactive these people were.
"Disciple Zhang Liang, greet Martial Uncle Zhang."
After a while, a middle-aged man walked in front of everyone and bowed.
"Please rise, I am Zhang from the Zhang family. What brings you here?"
"Martial Uncle Zhang, Zhang Liang has been entrusted by many senior brothers to come and seek your help. We hope Martial Uncle Zhang can assist us too."
"Isn't the construction of water facilities also helping you?"
Zhang Wanjing said. The spiritual paddy and basic spiritual medicines of the Five Elements Sect have not been well planned and are mixed together. It's possible that next door is growing spiritual paddy, while here we are growing some kind of medicinal plants. The construction of water facilities actually includes all of them, benefiting everyone together.
"Martial Uncle Zhang, spiritual medicines and spiritual paddy are completely different. The impact of water facilities on us is minimal."
"Zhang Liang, Martial Uncle, I'm not a fairy. Just because you make a wish, it doesn't mean I can fulfill it. I can't solve all your problems."
Zhang Wanjing said that he really doesn't have the ability to help everyone.
"Martial Uncle, disciple dares not make excessive demands. I'm just asking you to have pity on us. Outsiders don't know the inside story."
"What is the inside story?"
"There's too much. Disciples who plant spiritual paddy may not earn much spirit stone, but they won't lose much either. But we're different. We invest too much in growing medicinal herbs. Some herbs take two to three years to mature, and just when they're about to mature, a disease or pest attack can wipe out all our income, and there's also..."
Zhang Liang immediately started to plead, explaining all the difficulties in growing medicinal herbs, such as high investment and high risks, etc.
Lin Jiang listened nearby. His level of being a spiritual farmer was quite good. He had specifically hired someone to learn when he was at the Lin family, and he had studied diligently while operating the mountains.
Actually, Zhang Liang wasn't lying. The problems he mentioned were all real, but he exaggerated them. The medicinal herbs they grow are the lowest-level ones, of the first-tier inferior quality. The technical content is really not high. It's the second-tier, third-tier, fourth-tier, and fifth-tier ones that are truly complex, and Lin Jiang doesn't dare touch them now.
Previously, he had fourth-tier medicinal herbs in his cave at the Yunzhong Mountain Range. That was because someone had been growing them for many years, and the most difficult times had already passed. Plus, there were examples to learn from. He just followed the established steps. If Lin Jiang were to start from scratch, he would definitely mess it up.
"Xiao Yi, is what he said true?"
Zhang Wanjing whispered to Lin Jiang. He has never planted spirit medicine before, so he doesn't understand much about it.
"I also don't understand, never planted before."
Lin Jiang responded directly. He has been exaggerating too much. He could have made excuses for previous things, but not this. If he hasn't planted it, he hasn't planted it. He can't just make things up.
"Zhang Liang, I've heard what you said. In a few days, I will visit the place where the spirit medicine is grown and then get back to you."
"Martial Uncle, I..."
"What? You dare to threaten Martial Uncle?"
Lin Jiang spoke up at this moment, expressing his dislike for this person. Right from the beginning, his words had a hint of moral manipulation.
"I wouldn't dare."
"Then let's step back for now. We have things to do, and after we finish, we'll naturally go and see."
"Yes, Martial Uncle Zu, Martial Uncle, this disciple takes leave."
Zhang Liang saw that Lin Jiang wasn't easy to talk to and didn't dare to act recklessly, so he quickly left.
"What do you think?"
"Master, regarding this matter, I suggest that we not intervene too much."
"Why?"
"Spiritual medicine earns more than spiritual paddy but comes with greater risks. This is normal. The higher the risk, the greater the returns. If the risk is low and the income is high, then they wouldn't have any business to do. Wouldn't others do it too?"
Lin Jiang said. The Five Elements Sect doesn't require anyone to farm or cultivate spiritual medicine. It's a personal choice. It's common knowledge that risks and income are proportional, right?
"I think Junior Martial Brother is right, Dad. You can't take on everything and handle every matter."
"Am I seen as a boring person in your eyes?"
"Of course not, Master is the smartest and most flexible."
Zhang Wanjing fell silent and started to worry.
"I'm serious."
"I think you're talking nonsense."
"Even if it's nonsense, it is a fragrant nonsense, not stinky."
"Junior brother, you have become shameless."
Zhang Shuhua couldn't hold back anymore, he also wanted to worry.
Lin Jiang ignored him, still hoping that Zhang Wanjing would introduce him to some experienced mentors to teach him how to practice the Five Spirit Manual. The Five Spirit Manual is of high rank and very difficult to practice. He was confused because he couldn't understand it on his own. In order to improve his skills without feeling embarrassed or discouraged.
(Translated by Gravity Tales 😄)
"Let's go and visit the area where they grow medicinal herbs in a few days. If there are really any difficulties, I'll help if I can."
After thinking for a while, Zhang Wanjing said that he should investigate first before making any judgments. He didn't want to make decisions without understanding the situation.
After about a month passed, Zhang Wanjing finished his current tasks and left the rest to a few assistants to handle. It was their daily work.
It is said that the stewards of Cold Crow Mountain became much more serious in their attitude towards work after Zhang Wanjing arrived. They no longer had their previous laziness and their abilities improved greatly.
After finishing these tasks, Zhang Wanjing asked Zhang Shuhua and Lin Jiang to investigate the background of the herb-growing disciples. If what Zhang Liang said was true, Zhang Wanjing naturally wanted to help them. This is called a win-win situation.
Lin Jiang and Zhang Shuhua only acted after disguising their appearance. Now they are popular figures among the outer disciples and attract attention wherever they go. It is impossible to go unnoticed without disguises. Lin Jiang is very experienced in disguise, and Zhang Shuhua often disguises himself due to his efforts to earn merit points in the past.
After more than half a month of investigation and consulting with a respectable Spiritual Farmer from the Spiritual Herb Garden, they gained some knowledge and reported back to Zhang Wanjing.
"Master, we have basically clarified the situation with the herb-growing disciples. What Zhang Liang said was roughly true, but it was exaggerated."
"Can you tell me carefully what happened?"
"Yes, Master, in fact, spiritual paddy and low-level spiritual medicine both belong to the category of Spiritual Farmer. The difference between the two lies in the level of difficulty. Most of the disciples in the outer sect cultivate low-level spiritual medicine. Their biggest mistake is being driven by the desire for high profits, while lacking cultivation techniques. As a result, they are unable to control the risks involved. Often, due to poor techniques, they experience reduced yields, no harvest, or insufficient potency in the medicine, among many other problems."
"Pursuing profits is natural for people, so we can't blame them."
"Actually, Master, that's not entirely wrong. But I still have the same opinion: risk and income are linked. The higher the income, the greater the risk. If there's high income without any risk, who wouldn't want to do it?"
Lin Jiang replied. Well, to solve this problem, we can reduce the risk by cultivating some low-tech spiritual medicine.
"Xiao Yi, you're already in your forties. Have you ever thought about getting married and having children?"
"No, Master, we were talking about spiritual medicine. Why are we suddenly talking about this? Is there a female disciple that the Master wants to introduce to me?"
"Don't be ridiculous, I'm discussing serious matters with you. Have you ever been a father?"
"As a disciple, I am not married yet, so how can I become a father?"
Lin Jiang shook his head. He had been a father too, but only for four years. However, those few sons of his probably died a long time ago, if time is synchronous.
"You've never been a father, but let me ask you, if your son made a mistake, how would you handle it?"
"Take responsibility for the consequences, of course."
"But what if your son can't bear those consequences?"
"Um..."
"Junior brother, what our father means is that these outer disciples are like sons to him. Instead of blaming them when they make mistakes, we should help them correct their errors. That's what a father should do."
Zhang Shuhua chimed in, understanding what his father was thinking as a son himself.
Lin Jiang scratched his head, finally understanding Zhang Wanjing's perspective. It's difficult when everyone has a hierarchical mindset, and he fears that those people would never be satisfied.
"I don't blame you for not being a father, but we really need to think of a solution for this matter."
"Can we not talk about dad? When you say that, it always makes me want to call you dad."
Lin Jiang rolled his eyes. Why does this person always want to be someone's dad? Isn't it good to be a son? You can rely on your parents and get support, right?

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