45: New Town Construction

Li Qingfeng already had the answer. His gaze swept over his brothers, and he spoke calmly:

"The New Town is just starting, and there are a myriad of tasks. My idea is that, Father, you are highly respected and experienced, so you should oversee all affairs of the New Town and preside over the central administration."

"Wang Family Village has a decent population and a good Foundation, so Big Brother (Li Qingshan) will be responsible for managing it. Willow Tree Village has just experienced turmoil and is in ruins waiting to be rebuilt, requiring a strong person to reorganize and pacify it, so Second Brother (Li Qinglin) will take over."

"Iron Pillar," he said, looking at Wang Tiezhu.

"You are familiar with the Qingxuan Sect's procedures, and besides me, your cultivation is the highest. In the early stages, I'll trouble you to assist Big Brother in familiarizing himself with the situation in Wang Family Village. Once he gets the hang of it, you will serve as a mobile force, assisting Father in handling overall matters, especially security, escort, and material allocation."

"Additionally, on Willow Tree Village's side, Second Brother is new there, so you also need to visit frequently, deter troublemakers, and help Second Brother stabilize the situation."

"Once Shi Tou returns, your burden will also lighten!"

Li Qingshan and Li Qinglin, upon hearing this, immediately felt the great responsibility, but their eyes also burned with fighting spirit, and they solemnly agreed! Wang Tiezhu was even more straightforward:

"Brother Feng, don't worry! If Uncle or my two elder brothers have any commands, Iron Pillar will go through fire and water without a frown!"

After arranging the personnel, Li Qingfeng's gaze fell upon Li Qinghe, who was quietly listening.

"Fourth Brother," Li Qingfeng began, his tone filled with concern, "How is your cultivation progress? Are there any difficulties?"

He turned to Wang Tiezhu and said frankly:

"Iron Pillar, I haven't formally introduced him yet. My Fourth Brother, Qinghe, is actually also a Cultivator. He stumbled upon an Opportunity in his early years and embarked on the immortal path, even a step earlier than me. It's just that at the time, he had no sect or path, and to avoid attracting trouble, he never revealed it. Now that the New Town is established, with the Qingxuan Sect as its backing, there's no need to deliberately conceal it anymore."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Tiezhu was stunned for a moment, then a look of sudden realization appeared on his face, and he slapped his thigh fiercely:

"Ah! So that's how it is! I knew Brother Qinghe had an extraordinary bearing!"

A sincere smile spread across his face, and he cupped his fists towards Li Qinghe, saying:

"Congratulations, Brother Qinghe! I was wondering, what kind of great Opportunity could compare to the authentic Qingxuan Qi Nurturing Art of our Qingxuan Sect? It's obvious! Brother Qinghe must be naturally intelligent and possess a Spiritual Root! As soon as he got his hands on that Qi Nurturing Art Jade Slip, he must have immediately felt something, Guiding Qi into the Body, and everything flowed naturally! Haha, truly joyous and congratulatory! We're family, let's get closer in the future!"

His words were extremely natural and fluent, as if this was how things truly were, perfectly fitting Li Qinghe's "Opportunity" into the framework of the Qingxuan Sect's Qingxuan Qi Nurturing Art, and subtly praising Li Qinghe's talent along the way.

Li Qinghe was secretly delighted. This Wang Tiezhu looked rough and bold, but his mind turned extremely fast, and their cooperation was flawless.

He rose, bowed solemnly to Wang Tiezhu, and said sincerely:

"Brother Wang overpraises me. Qinghe's meager cultivation is not worth mentioning. In the future, for matters of the New Town, I will still need Brother Wang's assistance. What Brother Wang just said has resolved my concerns, and Qinghe thanks you here."

He was thanking Wang Tiezhu for this timely and clever "official certification."

Wang Tiezhu laughed heartily, stepping forward to support Li Qinghe:

"Brother Qinghe is too polite! We're all family, no need for thanks! If you need anything in the future, just call on Iron Pillar!"

Everyone in the room looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere harmonious.

Li Qinghe's "identity" issue was thus easily resolved by Wang Tiezhu in a few words, through this unspoken understanding, completely cloaked in the aura of the Qingxuan Sect.

Finally, Li Qingfeng took out a simple map, pointed to the barren land to the east, and informed everyone of the survey results:

"...This place has pure and balanced Spiritual Veins, is centrally located, and far from Heishan, making it an excellent choice for establishing the New Town."

My decision is made. The Foundation of the New Town will be set here!"

Everyone looked at the circled barren land on the map, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

The blueprint for the merger of the three villages, the vision for the new Li clan ancestral hall, would rise from this nameless wasteland.

The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed through the window lattice, lengthening the figures of everyone in the main hall.

And on the western horizon, the outline of Heishan appeared increasingly gloomy in the dusk, like a dormant giant beast, silently watching the land to the east that was about to burst with vitality... Time flew by like a white steed, and another month passed in a flash.

The vast barren land to the east of Li Family Village was no longer as silent as it once was.

Voices buzzed, dust flew, a scene of bustling activity and transformative change.

Thousands of old and young, strong and weak, gathered from the three villages, worked like precise gears under the overall command of Li Dashan, Li Qingshan, Li Qinglin, and Wang Tiezhu, among others.

The decree issued by Li Qingfeng was clear and powerful: those participating in the construction of the New Town would receive two meals a day and be paid according to their labor! For the people of the three villages, who had long suffered from poverty, this was nothing short of heavenly music, greatly stimulating their enthusiasm.

"Heigh-ho! Put some more effort into it!"

"Over here! Pry up this old tree root!"

"Be careful, the rock is rolling this way!"

"Dig the irrigation ditch another half a chi deeper!"

Chanties, the sound of chopping wood, ramming earth, and colliding stones... converged into a vibrant torrent, surging across this wilderness.

Dense thorny bushes were cut down and burned in swathes, solid earth was ploughed, and huge stubborn rocks were jointly pried and transported.

The prototypes of roads were carved out, connecting the future planned residential areas, workshop areas, and the core Town Guardian Residence area.

Where there were low-lying watery areas, simple wooden bridges were erected; where there were obstructive small mounds, paths were opened through mountains, and they were forcefully leveled.

The entire construction site, like an awakened giant beast, was devouring the wilderness at a visible speed, shaping a new home.

Li Qingfeng often hovered in mid-air, overlooking this bustling land.

The cloud-splitting bow embryo would occasionally transform into a sharp streak of light in his hand, precisely cutting down huge ancient trees or troublesome rocks that would be time-consuming and laborious for Mortals, clearing obstacles for the project.

His very existence as a Qi Refining Cultivator was the greatest encouragement and reassurance.

Just as the New Town's construction was in full swing, the Li family's new residence welcomed a group of expected yet special visitors.

Leading them was Town Guardian Lin from Black Mountain Town, along with Li Qingshan's father-in-law, Steward Sun (representing the Sun family), and Li Qinglin's father-in-law, Physician Liu (representing the Liu family).

These three could be said to be the most powerful figures at the Mortal level in Black Mountain Town at present.

Under the guise of visiting relatives, they brought generous gifts and respectfully came to pay their respects to Li Qingfeng.

Inside the main hall, fragrant tea diffused a light mist.

Town Guardian Lin, with a face full of smiles, was the first to speak:

"Immortal Master Qingfeng's glorious return is truly a blessing for our Heishan region! Your subordinate heard that Immortal Master intends to integrate the three villages and construct a New Town; this is a magnificent feat that benefits all living beings and will last for generations! Although your subordinate holds a humble position, I am deeply impressed!"

He adopted an extremely humble posture, referring to himself as "your subordinate."