Chapter 43: Help Me With This Task
A day later, at the King's Village, a group of children from the Zheng family village and three villagers who had just regained consciousness were gathered together.
"Uncle Wu, if it weren't for your protection, our entire family would have been wiped out that year. Before he died, Father told me that he didn't blame you for the disaster. If he blamed anyone, it was this world, the Crow Deity Marquis, and not you," a surviving villager from Zheng's family weakly consoled Zheng Qian.
Zheng Qian, his eyes filled with tears, bowed repeatedly to the remaining clan members, overwhelmed with guilt and not knowing how to apologize.
Not far away, Xiao Nanfeng and the others silently watched.
"I remember who Zheng Qian is now, what a pity," Ye Sanshui said, frowning.
"Ye Shixiong, you know Zheng Qian?" Xiao Nanfeng couldn't help but ask.
"I've heard of his deeds. He was the top scholar in the last imperial exam of the Crow Deity Empire. His administrative talent was outstanding, and his methods of gathering wealth were even more impressive. Later, when the regime changed, Emperor Tian Shu repeatedly tried to invite Zheng Qian into the court, but he was so stubborn, loyal to the Crow Deity Empire, that he refused to serve under Tian Shu. He only wanted to follow the Crow Deity Marquis. Over the decades, he helped the Marquis amass countless fortunes. But now, I wonder what caused their fallout?" Ye Sanshui reminisced.
"A top scholar, with extensive administrative experience, knowledge of finance, and loyalty? He sounds like the perfect professional manager," Xiao Nanfeng muttered, his gaze fixed on Zheng Qian from a distance.
Xiao Nanfeng needed to find his parents, but doing so on his own wouldn't work. He needed capable people to help him build a career and grow his strength. Zheng Qian's resume immediately piqued his interest.
Just then, several senior disciples approached, carrying the golden Crow Demon's corpse.
"Nanfeng Shidi, impressive! This golden Crow Demon had already formed an Inner Elixir, and yet you killed it!" one of them said.
"Even Ye Shixiong, who's in the Mortal-Breaking Realm, couldn't deal with it, but you managed to kill it? You're amazing!" another said.
Ye Sanshui: "..."
"It was just luck. This golden Crow Demon had eaten a Purple Smoke Poison Pill, and that's how it met its end," Xiao Nanfeng humbly replied.
"You still managed to get it to eat the poison pill, that's no small feat!" Xiao Yu said, helping build Xiao Nanfeng's reputation.
...
"Third Uncle, if you don't intervene now, you'll have no say in this matter anymore!" Ye Dafu whispered to Ye Sanshui.
Ye Sanshui glared at his nephew, thinking, *What can I do? Can't you see the situation is turning against us?*
At this moment, a junior disciple approached Xiao Nanfeng.
"Nanfeng Shidi, the fifty bodies of the Raven Deity's Legion have been buried. From their bodies, we've recovered six thousand taels of gold, along with their warhorses and weapons. When everything is converted, it amounts to another four thousand taels. In total, that's worth ten thousand taels of gold." The disciple handed over a pile of gold notes.
"Thank you, Shixiong!" Xiao Nanfeng received them with a smile.
Seeing the wealth pouring in for Xiao Nanfeng, Ye Dafu's eyes turned red with jealousy.
Meanwhile, Zheng Qian and Elder Wang approached Xiao Nanfeng again.
"Apologies, old man, for not recognizing you earlier. I only understood after Mr. Zheng mentioned it. You were the one who took Mr. Zheng away earlier to save the King's Village. Thank you, benefactor!" Elder Wang said as he bowed deeply.
"You're too polite. You let me stay at your place for one night, and I owe you for that," Xiao Nanfeng helped Elder Wang back up.
"Stay one night? How could that compare to saving my life? Benefactor, please don't say that. Although I've lived in the countryside, I know what gratitude means. If you need anything, I'll never refuse," Elder Wang said stubbornly.
"Elder Wang used to be a court physician in the Crow Deity Empire and has Acquired Realm cultivation. When the empire fell, he left the official ranks and returned here. These are his kin. If it weren't for your rescue, benefactor, I wouldn't know how to face my old friends," Zheng Qian said, deeply grateful as he bowed again.
"What are your plans for the future?" Xiao Nanfeng casually asked, glancing at the two.
"Once I've figured out how to settle the rest of my clan, I'll go into hiding," Zheng Qian said with a bitter smile.
"Mr. Zheng, you can't run from this. The Crow Deity Marquis holds grudges and will surely come after you. Your clan is made up mostly of children—where can they hide? As for my village, I'm not sure what will happen either. Sigh…" Elder Wang's face showed sorrow.
"Zheng Qian, I have an idea. Would you be willing to listen to me?" Xiao Nanfeng said seriously.
"Please speak, benefactor," Zheng Qian said with respect.
"I want to hire you to work for me, temporarily."
"Ah?" Zheng Qian froze, clearly not expecting such a request from Xiao Nanfeng.
"We'll make it a ten-year contract. After ten years, if you want to leave, I won't stop you. Moreover, I won't ask you to do anything immoral. For these ten years, I'll ensure the safety of your clan and the people of the King's Village," Xiao Nanfeng said with sincerity.
"Ten years? Benefactor, I am honored that you think so highly of me. But we have so many people…" Zheng Qian smiled bitterly.
"I'm a disciple of the Taiqing Immortal Sect. I've already asked my master about this. There are vast, uninhabited islands surrounding Taiqing Island, which belong to the sect. I can rent one for you to temporarily stay on. Even the Crow Deity Marquis would dare not act recklessly in our territory. You can rest easy," Xiao Nanfeng said, reassuring Zheng Qian.
As soon as Xiao Nanfeng said this, Zheng Qian's concerns were allayed.
"Then, for the next ten years, I will give my all to work for benefactor!" Zheng Qian's eyes lit up, deeply grateful.
"Elder Wang, since you used to be a physician, treat Zheng Qian's injuries first. In the future, if you need medicinal herbs, you can buy them in Taiqing Immortal Sect's pharmacy in my name. The island will have more people arriving soon, so please use your medical skills to protect them," Xiao Nanfeng said solemnly.
"Thank you, benefactor. I will do my best," Elder Wang said with grave sincerity.
"Zheng Qian, this six thousand taels of gold, along with the Raven Deity Legion's warhorses and weapons, you can use to help build the island. I'll have some servant disciples escort you to an uninhabited island shortly," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.
"Yes!"
Zheng Qian solemnly accepted the money, and the two went off to prepare for the migration.
Ye Dafu, who had been watching, was already wide-eyed. "Has this kid lost his mind? He's giving away all that money? What a waste!"
The other disciples of the Taiqing Immortal Sect didn't understand either. Even Xiao Yu, who had been following along, looked disgruntled. "Nanfeng, you just got your hands on all this money, and you gave it all away?"
"I have other plans," Xiao Nanfeng smiled and explained.
"What other plans? You're a total spendthrift! So much gold, gone in the blink of an eye, and you didn't even keep some for yourself? It drives me crazy!" Xiao Yu complained angrily.
Xiao Nanfeng didn't explain further. He knew that money could be earned again, but talent was invaluable. Once the gold was spent, it could be replenished, but losing talent would be a much greater loss.
The next morning, Xiao Nanfeng spoke to Zheng Qian once more.
"Zheng Qian, the conditions on the island will be harsh. I'll allow you to use the ten thousand taels of gold to make life easier for everyone and ensure sustainable development. Money doesn't matter to me. What I'm looking for is your ability to use it wisely," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.
"Benefactor, I won't disappoint you," Zheng Qian said confidently.
"I look forward to it. Alright, I've contacted some servant disciples to escort you. You're ready to go," Xiao Nanfeng patted Zheng Qian on the shoulder.
Zheng Qian hesitated for a moment, his expression shifting. Finally, he spoke: "Benefactor, are you planning to go to Great Crow City?"
"What's wrong?" Xiao Nanfeng nodded.
"The Crow Deity Marquis has used the wealth of the people to strengthen the Raven Deity Legion, without caring about the lives of the citizens. I was deeply disappointed in him, so before I resigned and returned home, I stole all the gold from his inner vault," Zheng Qian said with a sly grin.
"Did you really steal all the gold from the inner vault of The Crow Deity Marquis?" Xiao Nanfeng was surprised.
"Not bad, that money, I actually didn't have the ability to bring it out. I just used my authority during the expansion of the Divine Constabulary and hid that money so that they would think that I stole it, but in fact, the money is still under their noses, it's just that no one knows about it." Zheng Qian laughed.
"Blackout under the lights?" Xiao Nanfeng instantly lit up.
"Not bad, the money is right under their noses and surrounded by heavy guards. I'll tell Your Excellency the location, so that Your Excellency can use this information to defend himself." Zheng Qian Zheng said.
"Defense?" Xiao Nanfeng said in disbelief.
"I don't know why he invited you guys to eliminate Thousand Crow Mountain, but I do know that The Crow Deity Marquis hates the Taiqing Immortal Sect. how could there be any benefits for you guys?" Zheng Qian sneered.
"Oh?"
"The Crow Deity Marquis disregarded the people's deaths to enhance Raven Deity's Legion's strength, isn't that because he wants to restore his country? If he hates Tian Shu Emperor, he will naturally hate the Taiqing Immortal Sect that Tian Shu Emperor divides from, and it may not be a good thing for you guys to go to Da Wu City this time." Zheng Qian said.
Xiao Nanfeng was slightly silent.
Zheng Qian lowered his voice: "That money is on ..."