246: Chapter 246 Recruiting Retainers

"Then what you mean, Father, is..."

Ye Xuan asked upon seeing this.

Ye Jing said, "Since my return from the Minghai Realm, I have scouted the surrounding environment along the way, and I noticed that many Cultivators have appeared within the borders of the Yan State.

Most of them have lost their families and homes, drifting here. However, because there is no one to restrain them, they commit evil acts at will. I think the Family has many affairs at the moment, and you all have to both Cultivate and manage Family matters; it is too complicated.

It would be better to widely recruit these Cultivators as retainers to assist with the Family business. In the future, if there are descendants, they can also intermarry with them to preserve the Cultivator Bloodline."

As his voice fell, a moment of silence descended upon the hall. The wind outside swirled withered leaves past the eaves, making soft, rustling sounds.

Ye Xuan looked up at his father, seeing the composure in his brow that came from experiencing the perils of the Minghai Realm, as well as his far-reaching considerations for the Family's future.

He had already made a decision in his heart, yet he still asked in a deep voice, weighing every word: "Father, I understand the benefits of this matter, but these Cultivators are a mixed bag. Many are desperate outlaws with unpredictable Heart-Natures.

If we rashly take them into the estate, I fear we may be inviting wolves into our home. At best, they will disrupt the Family rules; at worst, they could leak Family secrets or even turn against the master house. We must guard against this."

Ye Yi also hurriedly said, "Yes, Father. Right now our Family possesses a secret technique like the True Scripture of Fate-Defying Root Transformation, and among the Family leadership, only you are a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. We need to be cautious."

Hearing this, a faint smile curled at the corner of Ye Jing's mouth; he had clearly expected his sons to have such concerns.

He raised a hand to brush the dust from his sleeve, his tone certain and carrying a hint of decisive ruthlessness: "I have naturally considered this layer.

These Loose Cultivators have no sect, no clan, and no roots. They may seem arrogant, but in reality, most only became villains because they had no other choice."

"Father's considerations are thorough; I feel inferior in comparison. This matter shall be left to me. When the time comes, I will issue a recruitment notice along with Emperor Yande to recruit Loose Cultivators nationwide."

Ye Xuan agreed. As a trusted confidant of the Emperor, it was feasible for him to conduct a nationwide recruitment. The Family did indeed need an influx of fresh blood.

Ye Jing nodded and said, "As long as we grasp their weaknesses, establish strict rules, and apply both kindness and authority, they can be used by us."

He paused and continued, "First, those screened must be personally vetted by you and me. Anyone in the Yan State with a violent and murderous Heart-Nature or a criminal record will be barred from entry.

Secondly, after the retainers are admitted, they will be divided into ranks, with Cultivation resources, silver, and residences allocated according to their contributions.

Those who betray the Family will have their Cultivation stripped and be expelled from the Yan State. In severe cases, they will be killed on the spot.

Furthermore, let them manage the various dangerous business locations of the Family, such as mine guards and border patrols. This uses their Cultivation to solve troubles while also letting them keep each other in check, so they dare not act rashly."

Ye Jing's words were powerful and resonant.

The two brothers looked at each other, both feeling a chill of awe in their hearts.

Ye Xuan stood up and said respectfully to Ye Jing, "I have committed everything Father said to memory; there will not be the slightest error.

Tomorrow morning, I will enter the palace to have an audience with the Emperor. Using the pretext of the court resettling refugees and clearing out bandits, I will first purge the Loose Cultivators causing trouble within the Yan State, then issue the recruitment order. This way, I can help the Family filter out those with bad reputations and ensure we never bring disaster upon the Family."

He knew this matter was of great importance. The Ye Family holding a Heaven-Defying secret technique like the True Scripture of Fate-Defying Root Transformation already made them a target.

This needed to be handled with caution.

Ye Yi also hurriedly stood up to echo him: "Big brother will oversee the overall situation, and I am willing to be his deputy to assist in screening the Cultivators."

Ye Jing's deep eyes swept over his two sons, his gaze carrying a hint of expectation.

"Xuaner is steady, and Yier is strong; it is perfect for him to assist Xuaner."

As he nodded his approval, he did not forget to say, "Remember, when recruiting, do not be greedy for numbers. Aptitude is secondary; Heart-Nature and loyalty come first.

Those Cultivators who have lost everything but still hold onto their bottom lines and possess kindness are the ones we truly want to win over.

As for those who are bloodthirsty and have killed countless people, deal with them on the spot. We must not leave any hidden dangers!"

With that, Ye Jing took out two jade plaques from his robe. With a squeeze of his hand, the character 'Ye' immediately appeared engraved upon the jade.

"These are Family tokens. If you encounter difficulties, you can call me directly, and I will naturally come to assist you!"

"Yes!" Ye Xuan and Ye Yi complied.

After the matter regarding the recruitment of Family retainers was settled.

Ye Jing did not forget to call out to Ye Yi, saying, "By the way, Yier, I have one more thing to tell you."

"Father, what is it?"

"It is about your son, Ye Tianyao."

Hearing Ye Jing mention his younger son, Ye Yi hurriedly asked, "Father, you haven't seen that boy, have you?"

Ye Jing stroked his beard and gave a chuckle. "I have. Tianyao is currently practicing spearmanship, and his youthful character is quite good. He is now over ten years old, and I intend to have him step onto the path of immortal cultivation."

"Really?" Ye Yi was also full of excitement, then sighed with a bit of self-reproach.

"Sigh... It's all my fault for having poor Aptitude as a father, which held him back. Otherwise, he would have started Drawing Qi into the body long ago."

Ye Jing smiled. "There's no need to be pessimistic. Going out to gain experience at this age is very good. Furthermore, his spearmanship is now superb. I intend to have him use the True Scripture of Fate-Defying Root Transformation to contract a Spiritual Artifact as his Cultivation Foundation."

"You've already chosen one?" Ye Yi asked in surprise. "What is it?"

Ye Jing acted mysteriously. "Wait until three months from now, on Tianyao's birthday; I'll tell him then. You two should be on your way!"

——

Meanwhile, in the Tiangong Market.

Su Dadan and Liu Qing were standing nervously in front of a tall shop. The shop's sign bore a large character 'Ye' in gold leaf on a black background, written with vigorous brushstrokes. On either side hung spirit-patterned brocade curtains rarely seen in ordinary shops.

One could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary merchant.

The two looked at each other, both seeing timidity in the other's eyes.

They were dressed in new clothes and looked clean.

However, the deep-seated awkwardness from their long period of drifting could not be shaken off. Standing before this grand shop, they instead looked like beggars who had strayed into a noble's territory, fearing that one wrong step would get them kicked out.

"Brother Liu, this... is this the Ye Family shop Senior spoke of? It's terrifyingly grand."

Su Dadan swallowed hard and lowered his voice.

His hand kept touching the Storage Pouch at his waist; that was the travel money Ye Jing had gifted them. The remaining silver bits were also kept close to his body, not daring to use them recklessly.

Liu Qing's face was also tense, fine sweat beads forming on his forehead. He replied in a trembling voice, "It can't be wrong. In this Tiangong Market, there is only this shop with the surname Ye, and this is the main building; it must be where the Young Master is.

Since Senior gave us so many benefits, we have to bite the bullet and go in. Do you still want to be a beggar?"

"How about... you go first!"

Used to being destitute, the two pushed and shoved each other, but ultimately entered together.

As soon as they entered, an attendant came forward to greet them. He wore a short green cloth outfit with a matching apron tied at his waist, his sleeves embroidered with fine spirit patterns. His eyes held a proper smile, without a hint of arrogance.

"Do you two require something?"

Su Dadan and Liu Qing were startled into stiffness by this gentle inquiry. They hurriedly withdrew their shoving hands, bowing their backs and waving their hands repeatedly, their tone filled with panicked respect.

"No, no, we're not here to buy anything. We... we're here to find the Young Master. Senior Ye sent us."

As their words fell, the smile on the attendant's face faded slightly as he sized the two of them up.

Although these two had changed into clean new clothes, the material was the most common coarse cloth. Their faces were full of the weary destitution of travel; they were clearly low-level Loose Cultivators.

But since they had mentioned the Old Ancestor, he did not dare to be negligent. He immediately dropped his casual manner and raised a hand in a gesture of invitation.