Chương 58: Fifth Level Condensing Spirit

After his moment of reflection, Fang Cheng felt a touch of melancholy. Just then, Li Shuyan walked into the main hall and brought up the matter of the school. He planned to first select the most intelligent among the people and teach them well, then have them teach the rest of the city. Fang Cheng knew nothing about education, so he told Li Shuyan to go ahead and do as he saw fit. If he needed money, he could come to him. Li Shuyan nodded.

He noticed the book in Fang Cheng's hand and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Cheng, you like this kind of book too?" Since Qin Hao and Squad Leader Zhang both called him "Brother Cheng," Li Shuyan had decided to follow suit.

"What do you mean 'too'? I do not like it at all! A murder using a cow's organ? The author must have lost his mind!" Fang Cheng vented his frustration. He felt his mind had been polluted and desperately needed to unload his thoughts on Li Shuyan. Li Shuyan smiled and replied, "The victim in the sixth case was a wealthy merchant in the city. He was arrogant and tyrannical, and the people had long resented him. But he had many guards, so no one could do anything about it.

The killer found a different way, using the cow as cover to rid the people of a menace. In the end, Abai figured out who the killer was but did not expose him. I think the author wanted to show that as long as you have a heart that resists oppression, no matter how powerful the enemy, there is always a way to overcome them. Even the little guy can rise up and become a great person!" Fang Cheng took a deep breath and said seriously, "Cut the sappy motivational bullshit. Just speak like a human being, okay?"

Li Shuyan smiled and nodded.

"I have tried it. As long as the weapon is no longer than the length of an arm, it can fit perfectly. But before inserting it, you need to be gentle and careful, soothing the cow. Otherwise, it might kick you to death without warning." Fang Cheng: "..." Shuyan, my Shuyan. Who would have thought you also had a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. Not bad. Very good. After sending Li Shuyan off, Fang Cheng had nothing to do, so he wandered around the city.

With the arrival of fifty thousand people from Xiangshi City, the shops in the eastern market were thriving. The streets were crowded and lively. Many people in the city recognized Fang Cheng. When they saw him, they would bow and greet him with, "Good day, City God." Some said that once they finished their work, they would come to the City God Temple to burn incense. Fang Cheng waved his hand.

"No need. Go about your own business. If you want to burn incense, go ahead. If not, that is fine too. It is best if you do not." He really did not want to help the Hall of Eternal Life boost their numbers. If he could, he would build a statue of the Violet Star Emperor instead. So Fang Cheng went to Li Sanshui and raised the idea. Li Sanshui was terrified. He put on a pleading face and said, "My lord!

If you put up a statue of the Violet Star Emperor on Great Sheng's turf, not only would it violate the law, but the Hall of Eternal Life would find out and feed both of us to the dogs."

"Fine." Fang Cheng nodded. He realized he was overthinking it. After all, this was Great Sheng's territory, and some rules had to be followed. Otherwise, it would cause trouble and make things difficult for his superior, Pei Tang.... Over the next month or so, Fang Cheng wandered around White Flower City. Occasionally, he would go outside the city to check on the men clearing the wasteland. He taught them that after clearing the land, they should first plant soybeans, peanuts, and other legumes to improve the soil.

And, of course, sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes. He loved red, tender sweet potatoes. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Beyond the wasteland to the south, he occasionally came across a few villages. South of those villages was the beach. The villagers made a living by fishing. He chatted with a few villagers and learned that their ancestors had migrated from Greenwood City, which, back then, was not called Greenwood City. It was called Great Lake City.

"No way. There really was a Great Lake City in history?" Fang Cheng complained. He thought the author of The Abai Detective Files had done some historical research. But he shrugged it off and did not dwell on it. When he returned to White Flower City, one of Squad Leader Zhang's men came to report that Qin Hao was back. So was the new Prefect of Lianshan Prefecture. They were both at the Yamen for a meeting. Fang Cheng immediately headed to the Yamen.

When he arrived, he saw a crowd of onlookers gathered at the gate. Inside the courtyard were several iron contraptions. The people were whispering among themselves, saying these were jet-powered looms that could weave over ten meters of cloth in the blink of an eye. Fang Cheng took a look. They were indeed remarkable. The machines had formations carved inside them, which likely required Divine Energy to operate. Just then, Qin Hao walked out with a man, followed by Li Sanshui and He Chunhua.

A Yamen runner reported that the City God had arrived, and the four of them quickly came out to greet him. The unfamiliar man was the newly appointed Prefect, named Tang Wenqing. He was around forty, refined and scholarly, clearly a man who had studied the classics. Tang Wenqing clasped his hands and said, "Your subordinate greets the City God." Fang Cheng returned the gesture without much formality. The group walked into the Yamen's back hall and sat down. Fang Cheng asked Tang Wenqing the reason for his visit.

Tang Wenqing smiled.

"Of course, it is to discuss silk cooperation with the City God. Lianshan Prefecture's commercial development currently relies entirely on silk textiles. Xiangshi City, as the prefecture's largest textile production center, suffered heavy losses after the demon attack. It may take ten years or more for it to recover." He sighed, then smiled and continued, "City God, I mean no offense. I do not mind that you brought Xiangshi City's people to White Flower City. The people have their own choices.

No one can force them where they want to go. Besides, without you and the former Prefect Li Jinghong, the people of Xiangshi City would have been killed by the demon. The two of you saved countless lives. A deed of great merit. It is a pity that Lord Li Jinghong perished alongside the demon." Listening to Tang Wenqing's lament, Fang Cheng chuckled inwardly. So Pei Tang had really pinned Li Jinghong's death on the demon. Tang Wenqing continued, "City God, enough small talk. Let us get down to business.

You saw those looms in the front courtyard. They are my gift to you. Partly as thanks for your great kindness to Xiangshi City, and partly in hopes that White Flower City will cooperate with Lianshan Prefecture to sell its silk here." Fang Cheng thought for a moment and replied, "You can discuss the cooperation with Qin Hao. He is in charge of White Flower City's silk business." Qin Hao spoke up, "Brother Fang, actually, Prefect Tang and I have already discussed most of it during the journey.

We just need your final approval."

"Ah Hao, since you two have already worked it out, go ahead. I fully support you." Fang Cheng patted Qin Hao's shoulder with a smile. Encouraged by Fang Cheng, Qin Hao became more energetic. He and Tang Wenqing discussed the details of pricing and discounts. He Chunhua and Li Sanshui occasionally chimed in, and the four of them grew more cheerful as the conversation went on. Fang Cheng could not follow the discussion, so he decided to leave. He walked out of the Yamen and returned to the City God Temple.

A few sticks of incense burned in the main hall. Wisps of smoke rose, drifting toward the Everlasting Emperor's statue and forming a cloudy mist that shrouded it. Through the haze, Fang Cheng saw the statue's lips curl into a faint, cold sneer. He reached out and grabbed at the mist. It dissipated, and the statue returned to its usual benevolent and kind appearance, as if nothing had happened. He stood before the statue, gazing at it silently.

As the incense smoke rose again, the mist reformed, and the statue sneered once more. So that was it. The Emperor was however he saw him. Hahahaha. Fang Cheng laughed heartily. Within his Dao Field, in the endless void, the Violet Star Emperor's statue opened its eyes and laughed along with him. The laughter shook the endless void. Countless rays of starlight poured down into the Emperor's statue, and the entire void lit up with dazzling, brilliant light. Fifth Level Condensing Spirit.

The Emperor's statue in his Dao Field was no longer just a statue. It resonated with heaven and earth. His eyes were the Emperor's eyes, perceiving all things in the world. His hands were the Emperor's hands, guiding the movements of the stars. His body was the Emperor's body, carrying the thoughts of all living beings.