Chapter 121: To Learn a Craft, One Must First Till the Land

Early the next morning, Ye Qiu emerged from his room, shedding the gloomy, furious mood of the day before and carrying a trace of contentment.

“Ah… who first awakens from the great dream? Throughout my life, I have always known myself! Another beautiful day…”

Stretching lazily, Ye Qiu strolled toward the main hall. Cao He was already on duty behind the counter, accompanied by Qing Cheng. Since Qing Cheng’s arrival, Cao He seemed to have more leisure time.

All the dirty and tiring chores were handed over to Qing Cheng, while Cao He, having picked up a bit of Ye Qiu’s essence, lounged about leisurely, occasionally offering comments.

“Good morning, boss!” Cao He greeted comfortably, as if the wage deduction from yesterday was no longer a concern.

Well, it wasn’t the first time anyway; in over twenty years, he had never once received a full paycheck. Such punishments were trivial in Cao He’s eyes—insignificant and hardly worth mentioning.

If one couldn’t even endure such small setbacks, they might as well quit and lose face.

“Anything big happen today?” Ye Qiu asked, casually approaching the counter and glancing at the ledger before turning away.

Cao He replied mildly, “No. The battles in the heavens have ceased, but the wasteland is quite lively. Various factions have gradually arrived and set up camp.

In less than half a month, a towering city has been quietly constructed in this wasteland. They even named it… the Imperial City!”

“Hmm?” Ye Qiu paused, gazing out over the wasteland. Clearly visible was a brand-new city—this was the sacred ground for those who had come to the wasteland, built by the major powers.

Its purpose was to conveniently station large armies and provide lodging for wanderers crossing the wasteland—a thoroughly well-thought-out plan.

“Imperial City? Hah, that name sounds rather domineering. By the way, where’s that woman gone?” Ye Qiu suddenly asked, noting that Yue Chan was nowhere in sight early this morning. Usually, given her temperament, she would be sitting by the window, lost in thought.

Cao He explained, “Oh, you mean Fairy Yue Chan? She’s gone to the Imperial City. According to some young ladies accompanying her, the city is still in its infancy, with many powerful factions tangled within. She’s gone to oversee the place…”

“Right! The Heavenly Palace is a noble household after all. They must need a good foothold. Otherwise, how could these beautiful young ladies endure sleeping rough outdoors? It’s heartbreaking…” Ye Qiu nodded, then continued, “Send for Liu Jianchen! I have some instructions for him…”

“Teacher, did you call me?”

Just as Ye Qiu finished speaking, a cheeky voice rang out nearby. Only Liu Jianchen could make such a voice.

Clad in white robes with a sword at his side, Liu Jianchen smiled as he stepped forward respectfully, pouring a cup of tea.

“Here, teacher, have some tea!” Liu Jianchen said with a sly grin. Ye Qiu couldn’t help but feel suspicious—such unsolicited attentiveness often meant mischief.

“Why so polite today? Could it be you’ve secretly been up to no good behind my back?” Ye Qiu said meaningfully, his gaze making Liu Jianchen visibly uneasy.

“Impossible! I’m such an honest person. You’re mistaken, teacher!” Liu Jianchen hurried to explain.

“Really not?”

“Really not! Definitely not…” Liu Jianchen insisted, wiping sweat from his brow.

Ye Qiu didn’t press further. Instead, he said, “Alright, I have a task for you. Starting today, we’re expanding the tavern! Go to the Imperial City and recruit as many trustworthy people as you can find. I have great plans!”

“Huh… Teacher, why suddenly recruit so many people?” Liu Jianchen was taken aback. Knowing Ye Qiu’s carefree and aloof nature, he shouldn’t care about power struggles. Why recruit so many?

“What else? The auction house is about to open. Without enough staff, how can it operate? Also, the merchant guild matters are still unsettled. I don’t have a single useful person—only useless ones. Damn it…” Ye Qiu said, glancing at Cao He, who nodded in silent approval.

Damn, that was a direct insult! Might as well have named him outright instead of beating around the bush.

Liu Jianchen looked embarrassed but quickly said, “Don’t worry, teacher! Leave it to me. With my reputation as a Sword Immortal, it will be no problem…”

At that moment, Qing Cheng approached, eager to contribute. “Boss, what about me?”

“You? What use are you? Just rest!” Ye Qiu replied bluntly. Each one seemed more unreliable than the last. Qing Cheng had potential once, but since following Cao He, Ye Qiu found that account practically ruined.

Good grief, a beginner account barely touched and already rendered useless by Cao He.

Once a clever fellow, Qing Cheng had been thoroughly cowed by Cao He’s teachings—the Ye Clan survival principles—and was now more timid than Ye Qiu himself. That was basically useless.

“Ah, this…” Qing Cheng’s face fell upon hearing Ye Qiu dismiss him. He had hoped to apprentice and rise to greatness, but now he was desperate.

“Boss, you can’t just abandon me! You know my physical condition. If you don’t look after me, I’m as good as dead!”

As a bearer of the innate Dao embryo, Qing Cheng lived every day in fear of death. Hearing Ye Qiu’s rejection, he could not stay calm. If even Ye Qiu couldn’t save him, no one could.

“What’s there to panic about? Look at you—only learned bad habits from that Cao thief. Once clever, now corrupted with mischievous tricks…”

“Damn, it’s my fault again?” Cao He protested, feeling wronged. Was everything always his fault? Even breathing?

“Enough! Stop the nonsense. Since you want to learn, start farming with me tomorrow…” Ye Qiu said indifferently.

Hearing this, Qing Cheng’s heart sank.

“Farming? I’m a bearer of the innate Dao embryo, and you want me to farm? Isn’t that insulting?” Qing Cheng protested.

Before he could say more, Liu Jianchen pulled him aside and whispered, “You’re thinking too small! Do you think this is ordinary farming? Son, learn well. I went through the same…”

At this, Qing Cheng’s heart trembled, suddenly enlightened.

“Right! The boss is a master, so it can’t be ordinary farming. There must be another purpose…

Hiss… almost missed something important. The boss mustn’t want to teach me directly, so this is a test—to examine my wisdom and discernment.

Heavens, I’m so clever to have thought of this! Hehe… how astute I am.”

With newfound excitement, Qing Cheng agreed at once. “Boss, I’ll learn!”