34: Chapter 34: Family Warriors

Inside the main room, the game of chess continued.

Young Master Tang Shaojie had lost his previous nonchalance.

Frowning, he said, "Father, this golden spirit rice is truly miraculous. If we can monopolize the resources, not only can we make a fortune, but we can also use it to Cultivate Family Martial Artists. When that happens, our Tang Family's status in the Yan State will rise to another level!"

Tang Wan male nodded slowly, his fingertips tapping the edge of the chessboard as he said in a deep voice, "This matter cannot be rushed. We must first investigate their background. If the grower is truly just a rural farmer with no backing, then the source of supply will naturally be ours for the taking."

“But if there is a backer behind them, we will have to find another way."

Finally, Tang Wan male looked at the rice glowing with golden light on the table, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "But no matter what, this golden spirit rice must be held in the hands of our Tang Family! Shaojie."

Hearing his father call him, Young Master Tang Shaojie immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "What are Father's instructions?"

Tang Wan male said, "Shaojie, I will leave the matter of the golden spirit rice to you. Do not fail my expectations!"

Seeing how much importance his father placed on this, Tang Shaojie's body trembled. He quickly lowered his head in assent and then strode out the door.

Once only Tang Wan male remained in the room, he looked at the golden glowing rice before him and revealed a smile of absolute determination.

At the foot of the Qinling Mountains.

Ye Jing's Family was busy dealing with the severe midwinter cold. The five acres of newly reclaimed fields were already covered in white snow.

Inside the house, the Family sat around the fire pit, roasting sweet potatoes while circulating their Blood Qi to Cultivate the Stake Technique.

After waiting for several hours until the Blood Qi merged within their bodies, they finished their practice and stretched their bodies to rest.

"Father, news came from Zheng Dali's side recently saying that the golden spirit rice is selling even better. He asked if we could supply more!" Ye Xuan asked while rubbing his hands.

Ye Jing sat by the fire smoking and said, "It's midwinter now, so we can't sow seeds. We have to wait until spring. Xuaner, tell him that I won't be selling golden spirit rice for the time being."

He had long expected the golden spirit rice to be very popular, but he didn't have much left on him either. He still needed to provide for the Family's cultivation and consumption, so he couldn't spare much.

"Alright, Father," Ye Yi nodded and said.

A look of reflection appeared in Ye Jing's eyes: "However, now that the weather is cold, it's the perfect opportunity to train the body well. Let's strive for our Family to produce a Martial Artist."

Hearing this, Ye Yi said with a chuckle, "Father is right. I feel that after eating the golden spirit rice recently, my Blood Qi has become more and more abundant. The Bottleneck of the Stake Technique is also about to loosen. Maybe I can Breakthrough before spring!"

"Impressive, Second Brother! It seems that if this continues, you will become the first Martial Artist in our Family! You'll be even more impressive than me, your elder brother!" Ye Xuan also very happily patted Ye Yi's arm.

Ye Yi said bashfully, "Not at all, it's all because Father teaches well! Besides, Eldest Brother, you are no worse than me!"

The two sons joked with each other, and the atmosphere was warm. Ye Jing puffed happily on his pipe as he looked at his two daughters-in-law who were busy with housework nearby.

Putting down his pipe, he tapped their heads: "Not just you two, you must also supervise your wives and children! Everyone in our Family should be a Martial Artist!"

"Yes! Father!" Ye Yi and Ye Xuan responded in unison, their voices full of drive.

They knew that their father's words were no joke. Only by the whole Family becoming strong could they gain a firm foothold in these troubled times and protect the Family's fields and assets.

The eldest daughter-in-law Wu Guiyun and the younger daughter-in-law Liu Xianglan, who were busy by the stove, heard this and stopped their work. They exchanged a glance, both seeing determination in each other's eyes.

Wu Guiyun wiped her hands and stepped forward, saying, "Father, don't worry. We will practice along with them and won't hold everyone back!"

Liu Xianglan also followed with a nod: "Father, we will work hard and strive to enter the gate soon!"

Ye Jing nodded with satisfaction, a gratified smile appearing on his face: "Good! These are the good daughters-in-law of my Ye Family!"

“We don't expect everyone to become top-tier experts, but at least everyone must have the ability to protect themselves. From now on, morning and evening, the whole Family will practice the Stake Technique together. I will personally guide you.”

The whole Family responded in unison. The flames in the fire pit leaped, reflecting a red glow on everyone's faces.

In the Ye Family's small courtyard, the Family practiced every day, not just in the morning, but even at night.

Ye Jing stood in the middle to provide guidance.

The two sons and two daughters-in-law surrounded him to practice the Stake Technique. Blood Qi circulated slowly within their bodies, and the abundant Blood Qi nourished by the golden spirit rice was continuously tempered during cultivation, becoming increasingly refined.

The two grandsons, Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao, also followed along with the exercise. Even Ye Tianhui, who had just learned to walk, sat on a small stool and babbled while imitating the adults' movements.

In the blink of an eye, the severe midwinter passed.

All things recovered, and the common people had endured another bitter cold.

Prosperity was everywhere.

Deep in the Qinling Mountains.

Several Mountain Delicacy Chickens were pecking at grass seeds when they suddenly looked up and saw some golden glowing rice grains scattered not far away.

Their eyes lit up, full of craving.

Food rich in Spiritual Qi had a fatal attraction for Mountain Delicacy Chickens.

The Mountain Delicacy Chickens flapped their wings and flew over, wanting to peck at the rice grains.

Just as they landed, a bamboo basket suddenly flew down from above. The Mountain Delicacy Chickens tried to flee in shock, but their reaction was a step too slow, and they were completely covered by the basket.

Even with wings fluttering, there was no way to escape.

"Caught them! Caught them!" The cheering voice of a child came from the bushes.

A lovely little girl, looking like she was carved from jade, came skipping toward the bamboo basket, overjoyed. She was only eight years old, but one could already see her delicate features.

"Tianyao, don't scare the Mountain Delicacy Chickens!" A similarly youthful boy ran out helplessly, his face carrying a hint of a little adult's steadiness.

"Brother! I didn't! I'm very gentle!" Ye Tianyao playfully stuck out her tongue.

These two children were exactly Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao.

Ye Jing walked out from the side with a chuckle. It was now spring, and his two sons and daughters-in-law had all gone to plow the fields.

Most gratifyingly, during this one winter, his second son had quickly become a Third-Stage Martial Artist, which could be described as rapid progress.

When Ye Yi became a Martial Artist, the Immortal Willow directly rewarded ten wisps of Immortal Light. Ye Jing now had quite a lot of Immortal Light on him.

Unfortunately, Ye Jing could not absorb it, and he did not want to waste Immortal Light to enlighten ordinary crops.

So he thought that he still needed to develop more Family industries; perhaps the Immortal Willow could Awaken even more powerful enlightenment abilities.

Therefore, Ye Jing naturally did not forget to go up the mountain to tame Mountain Delicacy Chickens, often entering the mountains.

Mountain Delicacy Chickens, whose meat was rich in spiritual power, would only be more valuable than golden spirit rice.

On this day, when Ye Jing was heading out, his two grandchildren curiously wanted to follow him up the mountain. Ye Jing had no choice but to agree.

He patted the heads of his two grandchildren: "Haoer, Yaoer, let the Mountain Delicacy Chickens go."

"Eh! Why, Grandfather?" Ye Tianyao was puzzled.

Ye Jing smiled and said, "Don't forget, we didn't come up the mountain to catch them, but to tame them!"

"Tame them?" Ye Tianyao repeated the strange words ignorantly.

Ye Tianhao also looked at Ye Jing curiously, not understanding what Ye Jing wanted to do.

Ye Jing smiled and said, "Come, Grandfather will teach you."

After saying that, Ye Jing lifted the bamboo basket covering the Mountain Delicacy Chickens, and those chickens quickly flew away in fright.

Ye Jing was not in a hurry. He took a handful of golden spirit rice from his pocket, held it in his hand, and then squatted down.

The Mountain Delicacy Chickens didn't go far. Seeing it was Ye Jing, and then seeing the golden glowing spirit rice in his palm, they spread their wings and flew back.

Ever since the ice and snow melted, Ye Jing had frequently come up the mountain to feed the Mountain Delicacy Chickens with golden spirit rice. Over time, these chickens gradually became familiar with Ye Jing.

So they were no longer afraid of Ye Jing's approach and flew to his feet, pecking at the golden spirit rice in his hand.