Vol. 1 - Ch. 112 - Interesting

"High-quality ironware! Come and have a look! Blacksmith Liu's meticulous workmanship is leagues ahead of last year's!"

"Custom-made new clothes, all crafted from the finest animal skins!"

"Grain! Grain! Last year's grain for sale!"

"Bah, who wants last year's grain?"

The marketplace bustled with life, even livelier than in previous years.

This newfound vibrancy was thanks to the Chen clan’s significant reforms over the past two months. Many villagers had gained access to leased land for cultivation, which led to better harvests. Additionally, the clan had opened up the mountains for hunting, resulting in an abundance of resources.

Some fast-maturing crops had already been harvested, and with fewer worries about food, the villagers could focus on improving their quality of life or experimenting with other livelihoods. Even simple tools like hoes had become more refined and effective.

Though these changes seemed mundane, they subtly transformed the environment of the Blood Coagulation Realm.

…

Outside the market, a stranger—a middle-aged man in his thirties—entered the bustling scene. Dressed in luxurious brocade, he approached a stall laden with wild animal skins and tusks.

"How much for this feather?" the man asked, holding up a tricolored feather.

The vendor glanced at it briefly. "A cattie of grain. Last year's grain works too."

The man's brow furrowed slightly. Without another word, he tossed a small piece of white jade onto the stall. "One jade coin. Will you sell it?"

The vendor’s eyes fell on the strange jade—no larger than a thumb, round, thin as a leaf, and tinged with a faint red hue.

"What’s this?" the vendor muttered, puzzled.

When he looked up, he noticed the man’s refined appearance: a silver-white jade crown atop his head, and an elegant demeanor that exuded sophistication. Feeling inexplicably drawn to him, the vendor shrugged.

"Forget it. Take the feather," he said, waving his hand dismissively.

The man nodded without expression, picked up the feather, and walked away, leaving the jade coin behind.

As he wandered through the market, whispers spread among the villagers:

"He’s not from the Blood Coagulation Realm, is he?"

"Definitely not from the Chen clan either. Never seen him before!"

"Should we notify the Chen clan about this?"

The man ignored their murmurs, leisurely strolling through the modest market before heading out.

At the market's entrance, he paused and looked up at the emblem of the Chen clan: an intricate, two-colored locust tree.

"Interesting," he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. 

"A small mountain village that doesn’t even recognize jade coins, yet they’ve cultivated a clan with a totem. Fascinating. I’d like to see it for myself."

As he whistled, a massive shadow passed overhead.

…

"Remember, you’re new to the clan. Learn the rules well," Chen Yi Hu warned a group of servants near the fertile fields.

"Planting blood rice is no trivial matter. If anything goes wrong and the clan holds you accountable, I won’t be able to protect you."

Around him, twenty servants busily tended the fields, all under his supervision. This position was a result of his successful recruitment efforts for the Chen clan.

Originally from Shilin Village near the Blood Coagulation Realm, Chen Yi Hu had been entrusted with this responsibility after proving his merit. Unlike others, he avoided favoritism during recruitment, strictly adhering to the clan’s rules.

Looking back, he realized that following the rules had been the right choice—it earned him the trust needed to oversee these lands.

Still, managing these fields was only a stepping stone. His ultimate ambition was to become a clan martial artist, but he knew that would require far greater accomplishments. For now, ensuring the blood rice harvest was flawless was his top priority.

Thanks to his diligence, the yield from his allocated fields had even surpassed that of Chen Xuan She, a clan elder.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby. Chen Yi Hu turned, his expression hardening.

Before he could investigate, a servant rushed over.

"Brother Yi Hu, someone unfamiliar has entered the fertile fields. You should take a look!"

Chen Yi Hu frowned. Who in the nearby villages didn’t know these fields belonged to the Chen clan?

Without delay, he hurried to the scene.

…

There, several servants had surrounded a lone figure, blocking his path. The stranger stood calm, his indifferent demeanor radiating a cold aura.

Chen Yi Hu’s initial anger dissipated as he took in the man’s luxurious attire and composed demeanor.

An outsider?

Although the Blood Coagulation Realm rarely received visitors, such occurrences weren’t unheard of—perhaps once every few years.

Cautious, Chen Yi Hu motioned for a servant to approach. Whispering a few instructions, he then stepped forward, his tone polite yet firm.

"Brother Yi Hu is here," one of the servants announced.

The others straightened, awaiting his orders to expel the intruder.

Chen Yi Hu, however, waved them off. "Step back. I’ll handle this guest myself."

With a courteous smile, he addressed the man. 

"May I ask what brings you to the Chen clan’s fertile fields, sir?"

The man’s lips curled slightly, his interest piqued. "Interesting," he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement. 

"A small clan, yet they’ve produced someone as astute as you." 

"Fascinating!"

Chen Yi Hu hesitated briefly, unnerved by the man’s ambiguous words.

The stranger crouched, inspecting the blood rice growing nearby. 

"How many harvests of this blood rice can you manage in a year?" he asked. "And how much per acre?"

Though wary, Chen Yi Hu answered carefully, deliberately understating the production figures.

The man’s faint smile lingered, but he said nothing. 

Rising to his full height, he glanced around the fields and remarked, "The Chen clan must already be aware of my arrival, yes?"

Before Chen Yi Hu could respond, the man continued, "Very well. Take me to the Chen clan."

Comments