novelraw Chapter 9 – Relocation
Chapter 9 – Relocation
The Yang Clan has produced another Qi Condensation cultivator, a development that has sent shockwaves throughout Willow Leaf Town.
"Another cultivator? And a child at that? Really?"
"Sigh... Two mid Qi Condensation cultivators were already enough to stifle us, and now there's a young Qi Condensation cultivator too..."
"Willow Leaf Town is only so big. If the Yang Clan continues to grow like this, what future do we have?"
The other factions in town, upon hearing this news, couldn't find any reason to be happy.
They were worried, but since the Yang Clan had invited them over, they had to attend.
That evening, at the grand banquet, Yang Guanfeng and the town mayor had a delightful conversation.
Later, in front of all the families of Willow Leaf Town, he handed over the tax for the additional Qi Condensation cultivator to the mayor.
The other factions were taken aback by this.
"Wow, they've already paid the money? They're determined to stay in Willow Leaf Town!"
Some even began to consider their own exit strategies.
But then, to their complete surprise, Yang Guanfeng announced that the Yang Clan would be relocating.
"What?"
"The Yang Clan is leaving?"
"Did I hear that right?"
They could hardly believe it.
But upon reflection, putting themselves in Yang Guanfeng's shoes, relocating seemed like the most logical move for the Yang Clan.
Staying in Willow Leaf Town as the dominant force was good, but the town had limited space, and supporting a large family and three cultivators while paying high taxes left little surplus for the Yang Clan each year.
Once everyone understood this, they began to rise and congratulate the Yang Clan.
The Yang Clan's relocation meant they no longer had to worry about their interests in the town being taken over, which was a good thing for them.
After the banquet, Yang Guanfeng invited the mayor to the Council Hall.
Joining them were his two brothers, Elder Yu, and the newly successful Qi Condensation cultivator, Yang Lingrui.
The mayor of Willow Leaf Town, named Xu Guang, hailed from a prominent family in the northern part of the Tiger-Chasing Dynasty, but was from a collateral branch.
Feeling marginalized and with average talent, he had chosen to align himself with the dynasty and became the mayor of this small town.
"I see that Patriarch Yang's aura has grown more robust. You must be close to reaching the Qi Condensation Sixth Layer," Xu Guang remarked.
Yang Guanfeng smiled and replied, "It's not that easy, Mayor. You know how firm the bottleneck becomes as you progress. Without the right inspiration, it's really hard to break through."
Xu Guang nodded in agreement. He and Yang Guanfeng were both at the peak of the Qi Condensation Fifth Layer, yet neither had broken through to the sixth.
However, Xu Guang's situation was different from Yang Guanfeng's.
Xu Guang had reached the peak of the Qi Condensation Fifth Layer years ago and was fully prepared for a breakthrough.
But unfortunately, the dynasty hadn't issued an "Ascension Permit," leaving him stuck at this level.
This was due to an agreement between the dynasty below the mountain and the sects above.
Sect cultivators were not allowed to attack towns under the dynasty's rule, nor could they engage in combat within the towns.
The dynasty had to strictly control the number and level of cultivators, preventing arbitrary advancement.
This agreement had been in place for hundreds of years, with many details that need not be elaborated here.
However, rules are dead, and people are alive.
In the face of unexpected situations, such as the appearance of powerful demonic beasts, dynasty cultivators could break through to defend the town.
If dynasty cultivators colluded with demon cultivators to harm and slaughter civilians, the sects could intervene and eliminate them.
Of course, there's another scenario.
If you have a heaven-reaching background or cultivation, you can disregard these messy agreements.
But for Xu Guang and the Yang Clan, these rules had to be followed.
Upon entering the Council Hall, Xu Guang's attention was immediately drawn to Yang Lingrui, sitting beside Elder Yu.
"What an ethereal and transcendent aura. This child's future achievements will surely be remarkable!"
As a shrewd individual, he made this assessment of Yang Lingrui at a glance.
Simultaneously, his perception of the Yang Clan's status shifted.
Yang Guanfeng had invited Xu Guang to discuss the Yang Clan's relocation and the matters following it.
The dynasty stipulated that families within towns must pay taxes based on population.
If the Yang Clan moved out but left three streets of shops in the town, how should that be handled?
In response to this issue, Xu Guang stated, "In principle, no exemptions can be made; taxes should be paid as before."
Hearing this, Yang Guanfeng smiled.
"In principle" meant it was negotiable.
Xu Guang's statement indicated that the matter could be discussed.
After some bargaining, they settled on a 40-60 revenue split.
The Yang Clan's shops in town would be taxed as ordinary shops, only paying per household, but Xu Guang would take 40% of the shop's revenue.
This cost slightly exceeded Yang Guanfeng's expectations, but it was still acceptable.
Even with 40% of the revenue gone, without the high taxes, the Yang Clan would still earn more than before.
For Xu Guang, the Yang Clan's tax payments to the dynasty didn't benefit him personally.
Now, being able to take 40% of the revenue, he was naturally eager to facilitate this win-win situation.
As for the Yang Clan's mines outside, previously guarded by Willow Leaf Town's soldiers, if they moved out, they would have to pay for hired guards.
Yang Guanfeng could accept this, and finally, they discussed the specifics of the relocation.
At this point, Xu Guang generously offered that since the Yang Clan had already paid the remaining taxes for the year, he would have his troops assist with the relocation.
With everything agreed upon, everyone departed happily.
After Xu Guang left, Yang Guanfeng asked Yang Lingrui, "What do you think of this person?"
Yang Lingrui pondered the question.
As a Qi Condensation cultivator, his body had been cleansed by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making his thinking sharper and his insights deeper.
After a brief contemplation, he concluded with just three words.
"Can be used."
Yang Guanfeng nodded in satisfaction.
"Indeed, now that the Yang Clan is on the rise, he supports us. But when we decline, he'll stand aside and ignore us."
"So, we must rely on our own strength. Strength is the foundation of everything, right, Ancestor?"
"That's right."
***
Three days later, construction began on the Yang Clan's new estate outside the town.
In addition to Xu Guang sending troops to help, other factions also contributed money and effort to show their support.
With their help, the new Yang Clan Compound was completed in less than half a month.
During this time, Chen Yang's working hours were reduced, and he mostly stayed in Old Yang's sleeve, absorbing spiritual power for free.
Over these days, Chen Yang had started referring to Yang Guanfeng as Old Yang and Elder Yu as Old Man.
"Old Yang chose a great location, surrounded by mountains and water, with a nice environment."
Chen Yang had accompanied Yang Guanfeng several times to the new Yang Clan site.
The scenery here was indeed beautiful, with large flat areas suitable for developing agriculture.
This place was called Little Pine Mountain, located between Willow Leaf Town and White Stone Town to the west.
This meant that the Yang Clan would no longer be confined to Willow Leaf Town and could expand into a larger market.
"The family and servants have all moved over, so tonight it's time for the main event."
The "main event" Chen Yang referred to was the Four-Leaf Spirit Grass in the Forbidden Zone.
Currently, only Yang Guanfeng and Elder Yu knew about this spirit herb, which was the Yang Clan's top secret.
As expected, just as Chen Yang had guessed, that night Yang Guanfeng returned alone to the Yang Clan's Forbidden Zone and took the Four-Leaf Spirit Grass with him.
He also destroyed the spirit field, erasing all traces of spirit herb cultivation.
From that day on, the Yang Residence in Willow Leaf Town ceased to exist, leaving only the new Pine Mountain Yang Clan.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan