Chapter 62 - Immortal Fate Of Longevity: Starting From Taking Care of Fellow Daoist Wife

Chapter 62: No Room for Excessive Kindness The effect of Xia Changge's plan was quite apparent. Within just three days, nine wandering cultivators had come to report to him. Xia Changge selected the three weakest ones, cultivators at the third or fourth level of cultivation, and kept them here. He sent the others out to search for children with spiritual roots nearby. Of course, they were not allowed to commit any evil deeds. When the children who came to report to him arrived, Xia Changge would inquire about their family situations to prevent them from going outside and causing trouble, which would damage his reputation. Expanding a few houses near his residence was enough to accommodate these children, one after another, sent by the wandering cultivators. The three wandering cultivators that Xia Changge initially selected, two men and a woman, were now useful. They were responsible for taking care of these children and serving as their mentors. The work was easy, and while the pay wasn't much, they could still secure a stable future. Because they also earned performance-based bonuses. Each time they successfully taught a child to cultivate to the first level of Qi Refining, it counted as a performance achievement. Xia Changge felt that he had somewhat mastered this method. After six days, there were already five children, aged eight or nine, both boys and girls, who had joined the household. None of them were forced to come; those other fellows would resort to deceit and bribery. Everything seemed to be developing in a good direction. Until... "Master, I have something to report," a wandering cultivator sent by Xia Changge said. Xia Changge remembered this person's name. It was Cui Yan, a cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining. "Oh? Cui brother, what brings you here?" Xia Changge smiled in response. Cui Yan replied softly, "Master, there are some people who are feeling restless and are searching for children with spiritual roots outside... They are secretly planning something against you, directly..." Cui Yan didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear. Xia Changge had set very loose requirements, and there were too many loopholes. He felt that compared to other families, he had lowered his demands too much. Unfortunately, these people were still not satisfied. Just because Xia Changge's cultivation was not strong enough, they planned to take the easy way out. He was ultimately too kind-hearted, which made him an easy target. "How are they planning to do it?" His expression suddenly turned cold and ruthless, and a murderous intent seemed to surge inside him. Cui Yan immediately felt immense pressure and lamented that his decision might not have been wrong. He quickly revealed the plan of Jiang Ma and his associates. "They plan to find a genius but use the disagreement of the child's parents as a reason to attract you, Master, to go and resolve the situation. Then... once they have dealt with you, they will leave and live elsewhere..." Xia Changge understood: "I see. If what you say is true, then I will reduce your term by ten years." Cui Yan didn't expect to receive such a huge reward so suddenly, but the result already satisfied him. With this reduction in competitors, he might be able to achieve his goal in less than a year. How wonderful! "Alright, you may go now and do your job properly," Xia Changge waved his hand. Cui Yan left with joy and quietly departed. After pondering for a while, Xia Changge finally decided that he couldn't handle this task alone. After all, he was currently in a precarious situation because of the revelation of his strength in massacring that group of wandering cultivators. It wouldn't be wise to expose himself again. He planned to spend a few dozen spiritual stones to hire two cultivators from the Xiao family at the ninth level of Qi Refining to act as his enforcers. Spending these spiritual stones would definitely be worthwhile; after all, he would still receive some spiritual stones as compensation once those fellows were annihilated. He might not even need to pay a fee for hiring the enforcers. He could promise them a share of the spoils after silence was ensured. No matter how one looked at it, he wouldn't be at a loss. "Cultivation is ultimately not a plaything. From now on, I have to restrain unnecessary kindness," Xia Changge muttered to himself. He had originally thought that his management method had taught those people a lesson. But he never expected that it was these people who taught him a lesson. After thinking it over, Xia Changge felt that he had to rely on Xiao Wan for this matter. Therefore, he could only go to the young miss of the Xiao family this time. "You haven't come to see me for so long. What brings you here today?" Xiao Wan's current situation seemed to have improved quite a bit. As the head of the family, there didn't seem to be much for Xiao Wan to do. Xia Changge briefly explained his problem to her. After listening, Xiao Wan's dark eyes flickered slightly. "I don't know how to comment on your method, but it has taught me a lesson. No wonder my mother is so strict with the servants. It is not unreasonable." When it came to Xia Changge's management method, which was key to the rise of the family, Xiao Wan admired it. By doing this, Xia Changge probably would only need a little over ten years to have dozens of generations and a significant number of low-level cultivators at his service. Xia Changge's experience was also a warning to her. "Xia Friend, I have been very good to you. I hope that you won't be treacherous and betray the Xiao family like those people," Xiao Wan gazed at Xia Changge, seemingly concerned that he might turn into a backstabber like the others. Xia Changge quickly responded, "Rest assured, Miss, I am grateful for the kindness and favor that you and the Xiao family have shown me. I will definitely follow the footsteps of the Xiao family unwaveringly." People are usually two-faced—pretending in front while scheming in secret. Up until now, Xia Changge had despised Jiang Ma and the others for betraying him. But now, he seemed to have developed a rebellious streak? Xia Changge couldn't help but admit that he... was now a completely different person and no longer a good one. "Well, in a while, I'll need your help with something. Don't worry, it won't be a life-threatening task." Xia Changge's sincere attitude alleviated any doubts Xiao Wan had. She could be friends with Xia Changge because he was sincere and responsible. "I will do my best," Xia Changge replied with utmost sincerity. "Mm, since I have nothing to do now, and the family is in need of some spiritual stones, though these wandering cultivators don't have much money individually, when all of them are gathered, there should be a thousand or so spiritual stones. I'll go with you when the time comes," Xiao Wan offered after understanding what Xia Changge meant. This surprised Xia Changge. Did that mean Xiao Wan wanted to... claim all those spoils for herself? It made sense. After all, if Xia Changge intervened, Xiao Wan would be the one solving the problem. They should naturally belong to her. In that case... it was not a problem. After all, as long as his strength in annihilating ninth level Qi Refining cultivators wasn't exposed, there was no issue. One shouldn't be too greedy. He was already lucky enough if he could solve this hidden danger for free. Moreover, Xiao Wan should still give him a share. "Can you handle it alone? There are quite a few people on the other side," Xia Changge asked. (End of Chapter 62)