2: Chapter 2 Hongmeng Immortal Clan Willow

"Hongmeng Immortal Clan Willow?"

Ye Jing stepped forward, gazing at this willow tree brimming with life.

The willow tree was not yet robust; it had only two main branches, one bearing two willow twigs and the other bearing a single tender sprout.

As he approached, ancient golden patterns appeared upon the willow tree.

"The Family has spanned three generations, enabling the activation of the Divine Tree's Spiritual Vein. Three points of Family Immortal Light have been obtained."

"Mortal Ye Jing, physically weak and aged, may consume one wisp of Immortal Light to gain ten years of Lifespan and replenish depleted Blood Qi."

"Ten years of life?!" Ye Jing exclaimed in shock as he reached out toward the Immortal Light hanging from the willow twigs.

Buzz! The Immortal Light on the willow tree suddenly vibrated, and the emerald-green branches grew even brighter.

In an instant, the Immortal Light entered his body. Ye Jing felt his exhaustion recede like a ebbing tide. His hunched back straightened involuntarily, and his occasionally aching knees felt more flexible.

He clenched his fists, clearly feeling the changes within his body.

At the same time, he understood many things.

This willow tree had always existed within him, only Awakening once his Family's population reached a certain level.

Only when the Family flourished and branched out could the willow tree grow its own branches and leaves, and the birth of descendants would produce Immortal Light.

If this Immortal Willow could continuously produce Immortal Light, allowing him to repeatedly replenish his Blood Qi and strengthen his physical body, he could not only achieve rejuvenation but also become young once more.

Perhaps... he could even set foot upon the legendary immortal path!

Ye Jing was filled with immense joy.

However, it was still too early to talk about embarking on the path of cultivation. Since the Immortal Light had given him ten years of life and replenished his Blood Qi...

He had just been thinking that if he could return to his youth, he could go into the mountains to hunt and scrape together enough tax silver.

Now, there was truly hope!

"To think that I, Ye Jing, a man with one foot in the grave, could have such an Opportunity! The heavens will not forsake my Ye Family!"

That night, Ye Jing's heart was so full of joy that he couldn't sleep, and he came to understand many things.

The next day.

Ye Jing rose early, his body feeling much sturdier. In his room, he opened a floor hatch to reveal a leather chest.

He wiped away the thick dust with his hand and opened it carefully, as if handling a precious treasure.

Inside the leather chest lay a piece of gray animal hide. Uncovering it revealed a hunting knife and a bow, along with a quiver and sharp arrows.

Ye Jing reached out and solemnly took the hunting knife in his hand, feeling as if a lifetime had passed.

He couldn't help but mutter, "Old partner! It's been a long time!"

This was the equipment he had used for mountain hunting in his youth; it hadn't been touched for several years.

He took out his long-sealed hunting knife and began sharpening it at the doorway.

"Grandpa!" Just then, a seven-year-old girl dressed in coarse clothes ran over. She was as cute as a doll carved from jade and snow.

Following behind her was a boy who looked similar to her, his eyes very clear.

Even though they wore old, patched clothes, they couldn't hide their natural Spiritual Qi.

These two siblings were the twins born to the eldest daughter-in-law Wu Guiyun, Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao.

They had always been well-behaved and sensible, and were deeply loved by Ye Jing.

Tianyao ran to Ye Jing's side, tilting up her round little face and looking at the hunting knife in Ye Jing's hand with curiosity. "Grandpa, why are you suddenly sharpening your knife?"

Tian Hao also leaned in, his brow furrowed as if he were contemplating the use of the knife.

Ye Jing patted Yao'er's head and ruffled Tian Hao's hair, smiling with grandfatherly affection. "Yao'er, Hao'er, your grandpa is going into the mountains to find you something delicious to eat!"

"Something delicious?!" Ye Tianyao's eyes instantly lit up. Their Family hadn't eaten meat in a long time, and she immediately started drooling.

Although Ye Tianhao was also expectant, he tugged on his sister's sleeve and asked seriously, "Grandpa, there are wild boars and snakes in the mountains. Won't it be dangerous if you go alone?"

"Don't worry, Grandpa isn't going alone. I have Hei Feng!" Ye Jing comforted them with a smile.

As he spoke, Ye Jing looked toward a small earthen shed in the corner of the courtyard. Inside lay a large, sturdy black dog with slightly floppy ears but very spirited eyes.

This was Hei Feng. He used to follow Ye Jing into the mountains to hunt and was a very formidable hunting dog.

It was just that he was also getting old now and was kept at home to guard the house.

While they were talking...

Wu Guiyun came out carrying brown rice porridge and called to Ye Jing, "Father! Time to eat!"

Breakfast was simple, consisting only of thin porridge made from brown rice.

Looking at the porridge in the bowl, which was almost as clear as water, Ye Jing couldn't help but sigh. Once the tax silver was paid, he would definitely use the Immortal Light from the Immortal Willow within him to strengthen his body, then hunt more game to improve their lives.

After all, he needed his grandchildren to grow up well so they could branch out the Ye Family and obtain more benefits from the Immortal Willow!

While Ye Jing was drinking his porridge...

The courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open.

A man wearing a coarse vest, with a fat head and large ears, walked right in. He stared at Ye Jing.

He opened his mouth and said, "Old man Ye! I hope you've been well!"

A flash of impatience crossed Ye Jing's eyes. "Niu Gui, what are you doing here?"

This man was named Niu Gui. He was originally a farmer from Liu Village, but relying on his brother-in-law who was a minor official, he acted like a tyrant in the village.

This fellow had long set his sights on Ye Jing's two mu of fields, constantly scheming to take them for himself. Having heard from somewhere that Ye Jing's Family likely couldn't pay their tax silver, he often came by to harass them.

Niu Gui ignored Ye Jing's disgust. Stepping inside, his gaze fell upon the clear brown rice porridge in Ye Jing's hand.

He immediately sneered, "Old man Ye, I heard your Family has to pay over twenty taels of tax silver. According to the law, it's four taels per adult and three taels per child. That adds up to twenty-six taels."

"But your Family has a new grandson, so the tax silver will be twenty-nine taels. Can your sons make enough just by selling grain?"

Ye Jing set down his bowl and began sharpening his hunting knife, not even looking up. "This is my Family's business; it has nothing to do with you."

"How can it not be my business? We're from the same village. I'm acting out of the kindness of my heart because I can't bear to see your Family unable to pay the taxes, having your men conscripted into the army and your land confiscated! When that happens, your Ye Family will have no way to survive!"

Niu Gui continued to dangle the bait: "How about this? Sell those two mu of land to me. I'll help you put together ten taels of silver and give you a few extra copper coins. That way, your Ye Family won't have to worry about the tax silver!"

Ye Jing stopped his work, a hint of coldness appearing in his cloudy eyes. "This land was passed down from my late wife's ancestors. My entire Family relies on this plot for our livelihood. We won't sell it even if we starve to death!"

How could he not know that Niu Gui was an expert at taking advantage of people in trouble?

Last year, Ma Dazhuang's Family from the same village couldn't pay their taxes. Niu Gui tricked them out of their land at the low price of four taels per mu, then turned around and sold it for twelve taels to the richest man in the neighboring village, Wealthy Man Zhang.

Now, Ma Dazhuang's Family has no land to farm; the men are forced laborers, and the women were even sold into brothels by Niu Gui. Their end was miserable.

Ye Jing knew clearly that without land, the Ye Family would be digging their own grave.

"Heh! You old thing, you're quite stubborn! Fine! I'll just wait and see. In a few days, the government will come to collect the taxes. When you can't pay, even if you beg me to buy the land, I won't take that worthless plot of yours!"

Niu Gui's face darkened. Angrily, he kicked over a broken clay pot nearby and stomped away.

Only after this ruffian left did Wu Guiyun dare to come out.

Holding her child, she looked at Ye Jing with concern. "Father, are you alright?"

Ye Jing shook his head and said, "Gui Yun, don't worry. I will absolutely not sell the land."

Wu Guiyun nodded, but the worry on her face did not fade. "The land must be kept, but what about the tax silver?"

Ye Xuan and Ye Yi were taking all the grain the Family could spare to sell in Yang City.

Usually, during a good harvest, that grain would only sell for ten taels at most.

Not to mention that the world was in turmoil now; the government's tax collection rules were becoming increasingly harsh, and grain prices were being suppressed to an extreme low by the merchants.

That bit of grain likely wouldn't fetch much money.

What was to be done!

Ye Jing noticed Wu Guiyun's worry. He also looked at his second daughter-in-law, Liu Xianglan, who was thin and sallow.

He made up his mind. Patting Wu Guiyun's shoulder, he said, "Leave the matter of the tax silver to this old man to figure out! You all just take care of the household affairs for now!"

Wu Guiyun was helpless and, assuming her father-in-law was just comforting her, went back to her work.

Ye Jing then put on his animal-hide hunting gear, slung his bow, and equipped his hunting knife.

He strode to the backyard and whistled.

At the sound of the whistle, a dog with an entirely black coat and somewhat loose skin ran over, wagging its tail affectionately at Ye Jing.

"Hei Feng, you've grown old too!"

Ye Jing patted its head.

His gaze gradually became determined as he led Hei Feng into the Qinling Mountains to hunt.