Behind the Governor's Manor. After Niu You Dao and the three sects relocated to the mountain valley, the Heavenly Jade Sect fully occupied the area.
Elder Cheng Tian Xu quickly returned from the mountain valley and excitedly reported to Peng Yu Cai:
— Sect Master, I personally went to check on the progress, but they wouldn't let me in.
Before, when he sent people and they were denied entry, he could still tolerate it. But this time, he went himself, and they still wouldn't let him in. This finally infuriated him.
Peng Yu Cai looked at him, shook his head, and said:
— All right, this is no time for arguments. Let them produce the alcohol first.
Cheng Tian Xu: Sect Master, do you think with so many people from the three sects all gathered in the liquor production area, they might be hiding something from us? Who knows what they're doing in there.
Peng Yu Cai: I don't care what they're up to. It has been clearly stated that our sect will handle the liquor trade. If they try any covert maneuvers, they shouldn't blame me for my impoliteness.
At that moment, a disciple rushed in and reported:
— Sect Master, news has come from the mountain gorge. The first batch is ready. They request your presence to inspect it.
As soon as he said this, Peng Yu Cai's face lit up with joy.
Cheng Tian Xu's expression shifted. He had just arrived from there, and they hadn't informed *him* of anything, instead sending someone else to relay the message. What was the meaning of this? Had he gone there for nothing?
— Don't be angry. Summon the other elders; we'll go together to see. — Peng Yu Cai patted Cheng Tian Xu and said with a smile. He had waited so long for this batch; finally, he could see it.
Very quickly, all the elders gathered, as did Shang Chao Zong and Lan Ruo Ting, and together they headed towards the mountain valley.
In the mountain valley, a road had already been laid for ordinary people. With so many cultivators present, leveling the uneven terrain was no problem at all.
Niu You Dao and the three sects were already awaiting them at the entrance to the mountain valley.
After meeting and exchanging greetings, Peng Yu Cai, unable to contain himself, waved his hand and said:
— No need for extra words. Let's go and see.
— Please! — Niu You Dao extended his hand.
The group moved towards the cave. When they reached the cave entrance, disciples from the three sects blocked their way.
Cheng Tian Xu said discontentedly:
— Is even the Sect Master not allowed to enter?
Niu You Dao waved his hand and began to explain:
— Elder Cheng has misunderstood everything. On one hand, this is to maintain secrecy. On the other hand, it's for the preservation of high-quality alcohol. These are the requirements of production. If even a single speck of dust enters the solution, it could ruin the entire effort.
Even I cannot enter here casually. In fact, it is very complicated. For one person to enter, they must wash thoroughly, and after traveling, they must wash three times. That's why only monks work inside. If there are any problems with the alcohol's taste, it will mean someone secretly entered.
If Elder Cheng doesn't believe me, he can enter later. But then, I cannot be responsible for the quality of that batch. The drink will then be no better than the mountain water flowing from above. Therefore, the production speed isn't very high. I hope Elder Cheng can understand.
"Wash three times?" Yuan Fang almost burst out laughing to himself. Which of the monks had bathed today? Lord Dao truly has a way with words.
"However, since Lord Dao said so, I need to tell the monks to wash more often later," Yuan Fang worried about the quality of production.
Yuan Gang also looked at Niu You Dao and thought: "You don't come here often because you're always cultivating! Though, Niu You Dao was right about the dust. After all, the workplace should be clean."
Shang Chao Zong and Lan Ruo Ting exchanged glances, startled. Could even a speck of dust affect the quality so greatly?
Shu Qing also wanted to see how things were done. But when she heard about the need for three washes, she felt awkward. She was a girl, after all, and if the alcohol were ruined, what would they think of her?
Fei Chang Liu and the others also initially wanted to see but then declined.
— ...Cheng Tian Xu immediately bit his tongue. He didn't dare take such a risk.
However, he secretly decided that he would somehow sneak in and verify this strict rule.
The others also thought similarly. When the time was right, they would secretly try to sneak in. Everyone was curious about this novelty.
Peng Yu Cai calmly said: "A rule is good. We will wait here then."
Niu You Dao nodded to Yuan Fang, who approached the cave and shouted:
— Bring it out!
Soon, monks began to emerge from the cave. They carried wooden crates, each containing 20 porcelain flasks. The Heavenly Jade Sect had specially brought these flasks. They looked much more beautiful than ordinary bottles.
Regarding this, Niu You Dao noted that the Heavenly Jade Sect had a knack for business. He wondered how expensively they would be able to sell his liquor?
It wasn't long before several dozen crates were laid out. In total, there were 1080 flasks.
Peng Yu Cai walked around the crates. His eyes sparkled. He chose one crate, opened it, and took out several flasks. He threw them to several elders:
— Check them.
Niu You Dao nodded to Hei Mudan. She brought glasses and distributed them to everyone.
The elders quickly uncorked the drinks, and a delicate, pungent aroma spread through the air. From this scent, not only Cheng Tian Xu but also the other elders widened their eyes. The heady fragrance was strong.
Peng Yu Cai looked at the alcohol. He had already drunk it, and now he was looking for a speck of dust. Was it really true? He was a cultivator and strained his vision to carefully check for dust particles in the drink. However, he saw nothing. The other elders also looked and were quite surprised.
Cheng Tian Xu sighed. It turned out this drink was indeed that pure. It seemed the rules inside were truly followed, and an ordinary person couldn't just casually enter.
Peng Yu Cai shook his head:
— There isn't even a speck of dust. It seems this is indeed a complicated process. — As he spoke, he took a gulp of the liquor, then said approvingly:
— Truly good liquor!
The others also began to taste and praise the liquor.
Shu Qing took a tiny sip of the clear liquid and quickly closed her mouth. She had never before tasted such strong alcohol.
After drinking a few glasses, Peng Yu Cai called Cheng Tian Xu and the others over:
— When you sell it, explain the complexity of the drink's production. Then it will sell better.
Several elders pondered for a moment, then nodded. They understood him. When they sold the liquor, they could say it was absolutely pure and contained not even a speck of dust. With this, they could easily raise the price!
Later, he called Niu You Dao and asked:
— How long did this batch take to make?
Niu You Dao: A certain stage requires a specific amount of time and effort. We can produce one batch each month.
In reality, this was not much effort at all. A few monks easily handled the task. He just deliberately wanted to control the batches.
Peng Yu Cai remained silent. On some matters, one must turn a blind eye. After all, the goal of the Heavenly Jade Sect was the Southern Domain!
He ordered someone to transfer over 200,000 gold to Shang Chao Zong, and then arranged for the alcohol to be taken away...
Niu You Dao had contributed 200,000, and the Heavenly Jade Sect added another 200,000. With such funds, Shang Chao Zong began to act swiftly!
The Heavenly Jade Sect saw the effectiveness of his actions, and now the most difficult part remained: the conversation with Feng Lin Bo and Peng Yu Lan!
In this matter, it was best for Peng Yu Cai to speak in person!
After they left Qingshan County, Peng Yu Cai headed to Kuangai County.
Upon learning that the Heavenly Jade Sect was heading there, Feng Lin Bo rode out 10 li to meet his father-in-law, then returned with them to the Governor's Manor.
In the manor, Peng Yu Cai summoned his son-in-law and daughter for a talk.
After a long conversation, Feng Lin Bo handed over the ruler's token of authority, and under the watchful eyes of the Heavenly Jade Sect disciples, he walked out of the manor. He was slightly hunched, as if he had aged 10 years.
He had worked for the county for so many years! How much blood and effort had he poured into it! And a single word from the Heavenly Jade Sect had simply sapped all his strength. No one knew how heartbroken he was.
Before the Heavenly Jade Sect disciples, he could say nothing against Peng Yu Cai. He had been stripped of all authority.
— Father, do you know how much effort Lin Bo put in? How much he worked for the sect? How can the sect be so heartless? Where is your justice? Where is your conscience? — Peng Yu Lan cried, kneeling before Peng Yu Cai.
— Nonsense! — Peng Yu Cai roared angrily. Though he saw his daughter's state, he couldn't tolerate her tone.
— Yu Lan, Father has already made it clear. This is temporary. We will not mistreat you later! This decision was affirmed by the other elders. And later, you will be compensated twice over!
Peng Yu Lan raised her head:
— Why were we sacrificed? We are older than Shang Chao Zong! Is Lin Bo truly worse than Shang Chao Zong? I am your only daughter, and Lin Bo is your son-in-law! You are the Sect Master. If you opposed, the elders wouldn't dare say anything against it.
Peng Yu Cai said resolutely:
— I will not speak of other reasons. Lin Bo manages the county well, but when it comes to territorial expansion, he is inferior to Shang Chao Zong. For a great endeavor, Kuangai County and Qingshan County must be unified. A single command is needed. The decision has already been made. Now, you two must calmly accept it. Do not cause problems. Understand?