21: Purchase of farmland

After familiarizing himself throughout the entire morning, Chu Shengfan learned the name of that lively young man.

Chen Gengcai, a name that did not match his outward demeanor at all.

The two spent the morning wandering around the Town Chiefs Mansion to learn about the duties of the various departments, returning to the Logistics Department at noon.

Lunch was delivered by a designated person. After collecting their respective meals, Director Bai left, and the group began discussing the topic that had been abruptly cut short that morning.

A thin young man, whose eyes betrayed a hint of shrewdness, spoke up, "It seems the information about villagers disappearing without cause in a village is true. This morning, I saw the Town Chief leave in a hurry with a furious expression."

"The Town Chief is truly unlucky, running into such a difficult matter right after taking office," someone lamented for the Town Chief.

"Do you think someone is trying to give the Town Chief a hard time right from the start?" someone whispered.

His words caused the atmosphere to freeze for a moment. Although those present were weak in strength and could only stay in the Logistics Department to do odd jobs, they were not fools.

The person who spoke earlier had practically spelled out that it was the work of the Liu Family. A man sitting next to him, who was on good terms with him, immediately put down his chopsticks, patted him on the shoulder, and warned in a low voice, "Are you crazy? Is that something you can just say?"

He laughed it off towards those around him, "This is not a small matter after all. It will likely alarm the county authorities eventually, so let's just wait for the results."

The person who had spoken earlier also realized his slip of the tongue; he hurriedly shut his mouth, stopped talking, and just lowered his head to eat.

"This snowfall is strange. Aside from our Heyu Town, everywhere else is experiencing the crisp, clear weather of autumn. I fear this isn't a simple change in weather patterns."

The person speaking was a robust-looking, silent man.

His words made everyone present change their expressions. "Brother Shi, what do you mean?" someone asked calmly.

The man who spoke just now came from the Shi Family, one of the three great families in town, so it was inevitable that others would overthink his words.

"It is nothing more than a powerful Source Beast stopping outside the borders, wanting to target our Heyu Town. However, I do not know what Heyu Town has that is worth a Source Beast capable of changing weather patterns to stop here. Or, this change in weather comes from within the town; someone is deliberately changing the weather."

Zhang Ling packed up his lunch box and continued, "Above the Spirit Rank is the Domain Realm. Being able to change the weather of a region is the hallmark of a Source Beast in this Realm. I think someone is trying to break through to a higher Realm, which is why this change in weather has occurred."

As he spoke, his previously carefree expression became restrained, and his tone grew eerie, "Source Beast evolution requires Materials and rituals. I just don't know what kind of fuel it needs."

The two who spoke were from the Zhang Family and the Shi Family respectively. Although they spoke vaguely, the information revealed was already well worth pondering for everyone.

Now, there were very few people left in the room with the appetite to finish their meals, and their faces were filled with a sense of unease.

Chen Gengcai's eyes flashed with thought. He sat next to Chu Shengfan, "I heard your home is in a village. Do you want to send this news back home and have them be careful recently?"

Chu Shengfan put down his bowl and chopsticks, his brows twitching with unease. He smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Chen. I will pass this news home as soon as possible."

Watching Chu Shengfan's mature demeanor, Chen Gengcai felt speechless. He didn't know how many times he had asked about this kid's background all morning, and only knew he came from a mountain village. As for the Family members or their strength, he hadn't managed to glean a single bit of information.

As for being able to come here for this post, he only said his Family didn't tell him the reason; they told him to come, so he came.

Chen Gengcai sighed inwardly, what kind of freak was this with such a settled mind? To be so meticulous at such a young age, what would he be like when he grew older?

Chu Shengfan silently finished his meal, then looked quietly out the window. He didn't know when, but snowflakes were quietly falling again.

He wondered what his Family was doing now? After experiencing the initial confusion of leaving home, he had completely calmed down, but now he was feeling a bit homesick.

...

Fuhe Village.

Chu Jingyu, who had secretly escorted Chu Shengfan into town, returned safely. He did not climb the mountain to return home first, but instead came to the village.

He arrived at the Village Chief's house, familiar with the way. He didn't meet anyone on the road; every household kept their doors and windows tightly closed, trying to preserve the little warmth they had managed to generate indoors.

'Bang, bang, bang.' A few muffled knocks on the door.

"Who is it?" a young, childish girl's voice sounded from within the courtyard.

"Xiao Ling, I'm looking for your grandfather for something."

Chu Jingyu's voice seemed to be recognized by the person in the courtyard, and the courtyard gate was quickly opened.

"Grandpa Chu, my grandpa is in the main hall. Please go ahead." A small, delicate-looking young girl appeared in the doorway.

Chu Jingyu nodded to her and went straight into the main hall.

Inside the main hall, the Village Chief's Family sat around the fireplace: the Village Chief, his two sons, his eldest daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and a Granddaughter. Adding Xiao Ling, who had opened the door for Chu Jingyu, there were eight people in the Family.

"Brother Chu, why are you here?"

Seeing Chu Jingyu enter, the others also looked over curiously, but when the Village Chief spoke, they had no right to interject, so they all watched in silence.

"I have some matters I would like to ask the Village Chief for help with."

Hearing Chu Jingyu say this, the Village Chief rubbed his fingertips against his palm, "Brother Chu, you are too formal. You have helped our village too much over the years. If you need anything, just say it."

Chu Jingyu smiled, "It's not a difficult matter. I want to buy a few mu of fertile land and some mountain land in our village."

Buying fertile land at this time? The Village Chief's heart stirred slightly, "Fertile land is easy to arrange. There is quite a lot of public land in the village. I can make the decision to sell you as many mu as you want. But for the mountain land, I'm afraid you'll have to go to the town to handle it. With this weather, I don't know when it will clear up, so you'll probably have to wait a few days."

Chu Jingyu waved his hand, "I'm not in a hurry. Buying the fertile land today is fine."

"Alright," the Village Chief nodded, then kicked a middle-aged man's butt with his foot and arranged, "Go and invite the clan elders over to bear witness."

The middle-aged man was simple and honest; he didn't show any dissatisfaction at being kicked by his father for no reason. He mumbled "Yes," wrapped his clothes tighter, and went out.

Because it was public land in the village, the necessary funds were paid. Under the witness of the clan elders, the deed was drawn up, and those ten mu of fertile land now belonged to the Chu Family. Additionally, Chu Jingyu purchased thirty mu of ordinary farmland.

Farmland is the Foundation of a Family. Looking at the deed in his hand, the Village Chief's eyes revealed a hint of genuine smile; this indicated that the Chu Family was willing to take root here.

After getting along for so many years, he could feel that the Chu Family was kind, and this Chu Jingyu was also a Contract Master. With them establishing themselves in the village, I fear that before long, Fuhe Village might be able to promote to one of the top three villages.

At the moment the deed was established, Chu Mu also received feedback.

The balance of Source Spirit received an update.

[Source Spirit: 23 points]

[family chronicle]

Jingyuan Dynasty Yuanhe Year 3397

...

September 14th

Clan Chief Chu Jingyu purchased ten mu of fertile land and thirty mu of ordinary farmland. The Family now has an industrial Foundation. Family Luck increased, gaining 20 Source Spirit.