63: Start practicing

After discussing the details of how to deal with the situation with Jin Zihua, Liu Chunsheng felt much more at ease.

Returning to the ancestral hall, Wang Desheng and his group were still waiting at the entrance.

A table and chairs were brazenly placed at the entrance of the ancestral hall, and Wang Desheng was calmly drinking tea, looking as if he intended to stay until the very end.

Seeing Liu Chunsheng return, Wang Desheng snorted disdainfully.

"Temple Official Liu, have you thought about how to resolve this matter?"

Liu Chunsheng stood on the stone steps in front of the ancestral hall, the setting sun casting a long shadow behind him.

"Shopkeeper Wang, this Temple Official has thought it through. Since Qian Shi and Lian Ruyue are in love, why not have him compensate you with some silver as a gesture?"

"I'll make the decision, thirty taels. Not a single copper coin less."

"You insolent child, you're going too far!"

The teacup in Wang Desheng's hand clattered onto the table with a "bang," splashing a few drops of tea that left dark stains on the mahogany surface.

"You're trampling on the Wang family's dignity!"

"Temple Official Liu, have you decided to completely break ties with our Wang family?"

Hearing this, Liu Chunsheng didn't get agitated, still replying languidly.

"Shopkeeper Wang, what are you saying? It's just a concubine. Let's all be civil and consider it a good deed."

Wang Desheng snorted coldly.

"Temple Official Liu, this isn't just about compensation. I am a person of standing in the Wang family, and to be humiliated like this, how can I maintain my position if word gets out?"

He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes, "Unless, the Temple Official of this new temple is held by someone from my Wang family. Otherwise, my resentment will not be appeased!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd instantly erupted.

"How can this be? Temple Official Liu was personally appointed by Lord Chuping. How can we Mortals influence such a matter!"

"The Wang family is clearly bullying people!"

"If you want to be a Temple Official, go through Lord Chuping first. What's the use of saying it here?"

"..."

As the murmurs of pointing fingers came from all around, Liu Chunsheng's heart sank.

Damn it, Shopkeeper Jin was right. These bastards really had this idea.

What a huge appetite.

"Steward Wang, the position of Temple Official was personally conferred by Lord Chuping. Your demand is truly too unreasonable."

"Temple Official Liu, Chang Sheng Village only has one Temple Official, so of course you can say whatever you want."

Wang Desheng grew more and more excited as he spoke.

"Don't pretend to be confused when you understand perfectly well. This matter is clear: either you obediently agree to this, or you wait for the Wang family's methods."

Liu Chunsheng sneered, "Steward Wang, your words are truly bold. Lord Chuping protects this place, and the position of Temple Official concerns the village's faith and peace. How can your Wang family casually meddle with it? You keep talking about 'methods,' but I'd like to see what kind of underhanded methods you dare to use right under the nose of the divine."

Provoked by these words, Wang Desheng stood up abruptly, his chair falling behind him with a clatter.

"Fine, Liu Chunsheng, you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! I'll lay it out right here today: if you don't settle this matter within three days, I'll make sure Chang Sheng Village has no peace!"

***

After Wang Desheng left, Liu Chunsheng breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked at Qian Shi and Lian Ruyue, who were huddled in the corner, trying to minimize their presence.

He still couldn't understand what was so good about women, why they were so muddled.

The villagers around had grim expressions. Although they verbally declared they would fight the Wang family to the end, the thought of the Wang family's imposing Martial Artists inevitably made them feel apprehensive.

"Alright, everyone, don't look so down. Since I've taken on Qian Shi and Lian Ruyue's matter, I'll see it through. The Wang family wants to use this to control us, but we can't just sit back and do nothing."

Liu Chunsheng's gaze swept over everyone, trying to boost morale.

The villagers looked at each other, and though fear still lingered in their eyes, a hint of determination had also appeared.

"Temple Official Liu, but how can we fight the Wang family? They have Martial Artists, and we are defenseless."

"Nonsense! Who says we're defenseless? I've been farming for most of my life, and I have strength."

"Your strength is only good for hoeing the fields..."

"..."

Hearing everyone speak, Liu Chunsheng slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile.

"Who says we're defenseless? Last night, Lord Chuping came to me in a dream and bestowed upon me a Cultivation Technique called the Faith Cultivation Art."

"This Cultivation Technique is truly miraculous. Not only can it strengthen the body, but it can also, with the Power Of Faith, protect the peace of an area. I'm thinking, if our entire village Cultivates together, we might not have to fear the Wang family."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces first showed astonishment, and then a blazing fire ignited in their eyes.

"Chunsheng, say that again. What did you just say?"

"Cultivation Technique?"

"Brother Chunsheng, hurry and tell us!"

"That's right, Temple Official Liu! I've been weak since childhood. If I Cultivate this Cultivation Technique, will I be as imposing as those Martial Artists and no longer fear the Wang family's bullying?"

Liu Chunsheng smiled and nodded.

"Don't worry, everyone. This Cultivation Technique is indeed wondrous. However, Cultivation is not a one-day effort. Starting tonight, we will gather here in the ancestral hall every evening, and I will first teach everyone the introductory secrets of the Cultivation Technique."

"However, I'll be frank: this Cultivation Technique is a Cultivation Technique bestowed by Lord Chuping upon his believers, and it cannot possibly be exclusively held by our Chang Sheng Village forever."

"Three days from now, once the Wang family's matter is resolved, the Cultivation Technique will be open to all believers. For these three days, everyone, seize the time."

***

Time flew by, and in a blink, the third day arrived.

During these three days, the villagers Cultivated day and night without rest, and the village seemed to be enveloped in an atmosphere of unity and progress.

Liu Chunsheng looked at these villagers, feeling very satisfied.

He was Lord Chuping's Temple Official, and he could allow the villagers of Chang Sheng Village to Cultivate first, but he couldn't only allow the people of Chang Sheng Village to Cultivate.

Otherwise, he would be betraying his faith.

And he would not be worthy of being this Temple Official.

In places Liu Chunsheng couldn't see, Lin Chuping was also silently observing the progress of the Cultivation Technique's dissemination.

At this moment, Lin Chuping stood in the clouds, his gaze piercing through the mist, taking in everything in Chang Sheng Village.

He had also specifically gone to observe the old master of the Wang family. His Luck was a mix of gray and black, definitely not a good sign.

In this matter, even if Liu Chunsheng didn't act, he would have directly given that old rascal a taste of heavenly thunder.

With one foot already in the grave, he still wasn't honest. So many people came from the Prefecture City, why are you the only one so impatient!

It's truly a pity; he could have enjoyed his old age in peace.