Rat in Yellow Wind Ridge, rising from plundering entries

Chapter 36 Taibai Jinxing: Who Among the Immortals Does Not Long for the Mortal Realm? The Formation of the Yellow Wind Ridge Department!

After calming the craftsmen, King Yellow Wind returned to his camp and waited for General Mouse, who was forging iron at Thousand Cavern Mountain, and Six-Tusked Elephant to arrive.

With the seven demons gathered, King Yellow Wind held a meeting to understand the progress of the tasks each demon was responsible for. He first inquired about Old Black Fox. Old Black Fox was in charge of the demon literacy campaign and the construction of the Wu Zhen Mountain temple. Both tasks were progressing smoothly.

The demon literacy campaign was a long-term undertaking, aiming to cultivate a group of high-quality demons. As the saying goes, it takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to nurture people. It wouldn’t succeed overnight. However, King Yellow Wind was patient, knowing that cultivating such talent would eventually benefit his plans.

As for the construction of the Wu Zhen Mountain temple, after a series of inspections, surveys, and mapping, “Black Scene” had come up with three possible construction plans. They were now waiting for King Yellow Wind to choose one, and once selected, they would begin construction on an auspicious day.

“Three plans?”

Taibai Jinxing, a skilled official, knew what was happening. No wonder someone who came from a military background could become the first-secretary of the Jade Emperor.

“Let me have a look!” Said King Yellow Wind.

“Of course!”

Old Black Fox left to bring ‘Black Scene’ in, who presented the three plans, each depicting a different style for the Wu Zhen Mountain temple. One plan showed military-style fortifications, with rows of barracks, banners fluttering in the wind, resembling a military camp.

Another depicted a beautiful landscape, with mist surrounding pavilions and towers, an ethereal atmosphere. The third illustrated a palace and city at the foot of the mountain, with fields and bustling smoke from daily life.

The plans were detailed and professional, with building standards clearly indicated, and even included potential defense formations such as the Yin-Yang Sword Formation, the Celestial Star Formation, and the Five Mountains Guardian Formation. These were indeed beyond the abilities of ‘Black Scene’, who was just an ordinary mortal.

Taibai Jinxing realized he had made a mistake. He hadn’t reviewed the designs thoroughly before presenting them.

Maybe I’ve overdone it, he thought, worried that he might be exposed.

Just as Taibai Jinxing was about to reveal his identity, King Yellow Wind smiled and said, “Old Black, you’re really amazing. No wonder you’ve become the royal architect of the Flowing Sand Kingdom.”

“These must be royal secrets, or perhaps passed down from your ancestors?”

Taibai Jinxing hesitated for a moment but quickly replied, “Yes, yes, my ancestors had a cultivator who…”

King Yellow Wind nodded.

“No wonder! These three plans will stay with me while I carefully consider them.”

“Thank you!”

Taibai Jinxing bowed and left the tent. Once outside, he paused and furrowed his brows, wondering, “Has he noticed?”

“Or maybe he doesn’t feel anything?”

“Forget it, if he doesn’t mention it, I won’t admit it. I’ll just stay here for a while longer. Anyway, a day in the mortal realm is like a year in heaven.”

Taibai Jinxing caught sight of a beautiful woman watching him. She was someone skilled in silk weaving and scene decoration, but she wasn’t from the same town as ‘Black Scene’, so he didn’t recognize her. He adjusted his appearance and smiled at her.

The beautiful woman rolled her eyes, noting, “You’re an old man, still thinking you have charm?”

She turned away, making a mental note of Taibai Jinxing’s arrogance, and walked off. Taibai Jinxing couldn’t recognize her, but she saw through him immediately. Though both were Star Lords, there was a clear difference in status.

‘Heh, even in my old age, I still have my charm,’ Taibai Jinxing thought with a smirk, stroking his beard.

The mortal realm was great. Many immortals liked to come here for a vacation. In heaven, the rules were strict, and everyone had to keep their heads low. But in the mortal realm, anyone could act like a big shot and enjoy freedom.

For immortals, going on official business in the mortal realm was a delightful job!

Who wouldn’t long for the mortal realm?

Especially the female immortals, who often caused trouble. They would come to the mortal realm, fall in love, and have a bunch of illegitimate children or make connections with powerful families, ruining the reputation of the heavenly court.

The Queen Mother of the West, as the head of all female immortals, was furious about this, and she became stricter about allowing immortals to descend to the mortal realm.

Male immortals were much better. They’d keep their affairs discreet and never bring their lovers to heaven, keeping things under wraps for everyone’s benefit. Inside the tent, the meeting continued.

General Mouse and Six-Tusked Elephant, responsible for the mining, smelting, and steel production at Thousand Cavern Mountain, reported that they were now producing 50,000 pounds of steel per day.

However, due to a shortage of workers, they had followed Old Black Fox’s advice and recruited miners and blacksmiths from the surrounding demon mountains and caves.

In addition to food, shelter, and clothing, those who performed well could even learn demon techniques. Some small demons, not so wealthy, came to work for the chance to learn magic, while older demons joined for the skills.

King Yellow Wind nodded.

“Well done! This is exactly what I suggested. The world is bustling, and everyone works for profit.”

The demons who had been scared away by the “Three Bans” earlier weren’t afraid of rules. They just didn’t see the benefits. Once they were offered something worthwhile, they would obediently work.

Raising livestock, tending to demons, and all occupations came from the same source. The Golden Lion and Silver Wolf, the two demons with the highest martial power among the seven, were in charge of guarding the camp.

Silver Wolf reported.

“My lord, a group of ghosts has gathered at the ruins of the Flowing Sand Kingdom, led by the Ghost King, who is expanding his ghost realm.”

“Yesterday, we received a letter from the Rat Cave. The Ghost King sent a general to demand their submission and offer the Rat Cave.”

King Yellow Wind chuckled.

“I see. What’s the Ghost King’s background?”

Old Black Fox replied, “He’s from the Underworld. After invading the royal tomb of a former king from the Flowing Sand Kingdom, he revived himself.”

“He’s a formidable figure, possibly a ghost immortal. He hasn’t acted yet, probably still adjusting to the mortal realm’s environment.”

“A ghost immortal?”

King Yellow Wind smiled nonchalantly.

“No need to worry. I’ll gather my troops and go meet him. We’ll destroy his ghost kingdom.”

His words reassured the demons. King Yellow Wind turned to Iron-Eating Bear and Flower Deer Lady.

“How’s the peach orchard and bamboo forest on the mountain?”

The Iron-Eating Bear, which had a black-and-white body and was rather plump, lazily replied.

“My lord, the golden bamboo forest in the west mountain has reached a hundred acres.”

The bear had joined the team with capital, offering King Yellow Wind a golden bamboo spiritual root. Golden bamboo had many uses, including as food, medicine, and for making weapons and musical instruments.

King Yellow Wind, seeing the bear was lazy and playful, decided to let it take care of the bamboo forest and the golden bamboo spiritual root. The bear had the “Deep Blessing (purple)” trait, which made King Yellow Wind quite envious, though he didn’t manage to draw it himself.

Flower Deer Lady, the only female demon among the seven, was a flower deer who excelled in cultivation and planting. King Yellow Wind had assigned her to care for the peach and plum trees on the mountain slope.

“The spiritual peaches and plums are growing well. With the increasing spiritual energy in the mountain, they should bear fruit in three years,” said Flower Deer Lady.

King Yellow Wind smiled.

“Great. I’ll remember your contributions. When New Year’s Eve comes, there will be a reward for both of you.”

His initial plan was to give out new abilities, but the appearance of Taibai Jinxing and the mysterious woman caused him to reconsider. Better to hold off and avoid mistakes. The current priority was to maintain stability and develop steadily.