20: Chapter 20: Murata Masayoshi

After the taxes were paid in full, during these past few days...

...he had been hunting in the mountains with peace of mind.

Ye Jing's physical condition was already much better than before; as he strode into the forest, he was full of energy.

This time, he headed straight for Duantou Ao, hoping to try his luck at finding another Mountain Delicacy Chicken.

With sharp eyes and a clear mind, he walked up the hill and arrived deep within the dense forest.

After searching for the entire morning, he finally spotted a flash of purple in the bushes; without hesitation, he fired an arrow into the thicket.

A "cry" rang out from the bushes.

After Ye Jing retrieved his arrow, Hei Feng quickly ran into the woods and came out with a gold-and-purple feathered Mountain Delicacy Chicken in its mouth.

The Mountain Delicacy Chicken had been hit in the wing by Ye Jing and could no longer fly, only able to cry out mournfully.

"It seems the aid of the Immortal Light has almost restored my body to its prime!" Ye Jing was overjoyed; he was much more capable now than he had been half a month ago.

Sensing its master's joy, Hei Feng also barked happily.

"Let's go, Hei Feng! Let's see if we can catch a few more!" Ye Jing shouted excitedly.

After spending a long time scouring the forest, he had a decent harvest: two Mountain Delicacy Chickens and a wild rabbit. He thought to himself that these could be sold for quite a bit of money!

He then nimbly made his way down the mountain.

At a rugged part of the mountain path, Ye Jing saw his sons transplanting rice seedlings in the fields.

"Father! Did you hunt something good?" Ye Yi, straightening his back, noticed the bulging bag on Ye Jing's back and asked with a smile.

Ye Jing had been hunting in the mountains frequently these past few days, so the two brothers had grown accustomed to it.

Ye Jing chuckled and said, "Indeed, I caught two chickens and a rabbit."

After saying that, he looked at the lush green rice seedlings in the field; they were growing exceptionally well.

"How are the seedlings doing?" Ye Jing asked.

Ye Xuan wiped the sweat from his face and smiled. "They're doing great, Father! These seedlings are growing so fast and well; it will definitely be a good harvest!"

Ever since these rice grains were enlightened by Ye Jing, they had grown extremely fast. Ordinary seeds took five or six days to sprout, but these had sprouted in just a day or two.

This allowed the two brothers to quickly begin the transplanting and planting process.

Ye Jing nodded, and after chatting for a bit with the two brothers, they headed home together.

Watching the Ye Family's harmonious scene from a distance, the panic in Huang Silang's eyes turned into jealousy and resentment.

Not only had Ye Jing paid his taxes in full, but he could also go hunting, and those two mu of land were growing beautifully.

The whole Family was beaming with joy!

Meanwhile, to pay his own taxes, Huang Silang had borrowed five taels of silver from Niu Gui. After paying the taxes, the little money he had left had gone into the gambling den.

And he still had high interest to pay back.

He was essentially penniless and destitute.

Ye Jing! You really deserve to die!

He muttered to himself, "Ye Jing, it's not that I want to take your life, but who told you to occupy my Family's land! Once I sell your land and pay off my debt, I'll burn some spirit money for your Family!"

Inside the thatched cottage, Wu Guiyun and Liu Xianglan were busy with housework. Ye Jing placed the hunted Mountain Delicacy Chickens on the table. "Xianglan, Gui Yun, cook one of these for us to eat, and we'll sell the rest!"

"Father! You're truly amazing!" Wu Guiyun looked at the two Mountain Delicacy Chickens in the bag with surprise.

Ye Jing had been returning from the mountains with a bountiful harvest every day lately, and the Family had been able to eat meat several times!

As soon as the two children heard Ye Jing was going into the mountains, they were overjoyed.

Ye Jing affectionately stroked Ye Tianyao in his arms and pinched his granddaughter's chubby cheeks. Because they had been eating well lately, the whole Family's complexion had improved significantly.

He didn't forget to exercise every day, which had increased his strength; now, he could easily lift a millstone without even getting winded.

To ensure his precious grandchildren ate well, so the Immortal Willow could produce more Immortal Light and strengthen the Family, didn't he have to work hard?

Tonight was also their first time eating Mountain Delicacy Chicken. The meat was tender and delicious; even a simple stew was so savory that Ye Tianyao and Ye Tianhui almost swallowed their tongues.

They were devouring it greedily.

Ye Xuan laughed. "Father, your hunting skills are getting better and better. This Mountain Delicacy Chicken is a rare find; even restaurants in the city might not have it, yet you caught two at once."

Ye Jing smiled but didn't say much.

This was all thanks to the boost from the Immortal Light. Now that he was much younger and his physical strength had greatly increased, as long as he could provide a good life for his Family, help his grandchildren grow up healthy, and allow the Family to thrive, any hardship was worth it!

As for why his body had suddenly become so agile, Ye Jing only said that he had once accidentally found a strange Spiritual Fruit in the mountains, and after eating it, his health immediately improved.

This simple explanation actually convinced his Family; after all, with Yao Beasts roaming the Qinling Mountains, it was natural for Immortal Plants to exist there too. It was possible that Ye Jing had simply gotten lucky.

Just then, a serious-looking man approached from outside and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Is Elder Ye home?"

Hearing the voice, Ye Jing quickly told his daughters-in-law to put away the unfinished Mountain Delicacy Chicken before heading out.

He cupped his hands and asked, "I wonder what the Village Chief wants with me?"

The man was quite imposing, in his forties. He stroked his triangular beard and said in a booming voice, "Elder Ye, come with me to the Village Chief's Hall!"

This man was Qian Wang, the Baozheng of Liu Village. Everyone knew he lived a tight life and often used his authority to squeeze out some extra benefits, though he had little interaction with Ye Jing.

"Village Chief Qian, to visit so late at night, I wonder what important matter brings you here?" Ye Jing asked with cupped hands, a hint of caution in his eyes.

A friendly look appeared on Qian Wang's face. "Elder Ye, I've come today regarding those two mu of land your Family owns."

Hearing about the land, Ye Jing's eyes narrowed instantly. Qian Wang smiled and continued, "This land was originally the property of the Huang Family. Now, some of the Huang Family's clansmen have objections. As the Village Chief, I must mediate. I've come tonight because I want to discuss the distribution of the property with you properly at the Village Chief's Hall."

"Father, what's wrong?"

Hearing the commotion, Ye Xuan and Ye Yi hurried out of the house. Seeing Qian Wang, both brothers looked puzzled.

"Those two mu of land originally belonged to my father-in-law, Huang Laoshi. That's true, but when the Family was divided earlier, he personally wrote a deed for me. There is proof, and fellow villagers acted as guarantors; it's all perfectly justified."

"What reason does the Village Chief have to suddenly talk about redistribution?" Ye Jing said, nodding calmly.

Qian Wang chuckled. "Naturally, it's justified, but we must also consider the rules of the Huang Family!"

"We're all fellow villagers; it wouldn't look good to have a falling out. The Village Chief's Hall is in the center of the village—it's quiet and no one will disturb us. Let's go there alone to talk it over and clear things up!"

Standing to the side, Ye Xuan felt something was wrong and stepped forward. "If the Village Chief has something to say, just say it here. Our father is old, and it's inconvenient for him to be running around late at night. If there's a problem, we brothers can listen in and help make a decision."

Seeing this, Qian Wang continued to explain, "This is an important matter regarding property, so an elder needs to be present. Just the two of us will go, and we'll settle it in a few words. Ye Dalang, Ye Erlang, you don't need to worry about it!"

Ye Jing heard what Qian Wang said, but his doubts did not fade.

The Huang Family currently had very few clansmen who interacted with him. Since Huang Laoshi passed away, the only one related was that gambler, Huang Silang.

Could it be that this gambler has his eyes on my land?

Thinking of this, Ye Jing felt extremely annoyed.

He stepped back and said, "In that case, I will go with you this once."

As he left, Ye Jing gave his two sons a meaningful look, signaling them to follow secretly.