Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 599: Chapter 407 Recruitment Fair, Shopping Spree

”Amitabha, Da Zhao Temple agrees!” Master De Zhao said.

”The elderly has no objection, but I have a question!”

At this moment, an old man dressed like a countryside farmer suddenly spoke up.

Yang Zhenshan knew this elder, Yang Jiushi, a loose cultivator expert who lived in seclusion in the Longyuan area.

The so-called loose cultivator doesn’t mean one doesn’t have disciples, but rather that one doesn’t establish a sect or recruit a large number of disciples.

Yang Jiushi hadn’t established a sect, but that didn’t mean he lacked a powerful backing.

He was born into the Longyuan Yang Family, a Martial Arts noble family within Longyuan Province.

It’s quite similar to Yang Zhenshan’s origins in the Anning Yang Family; if Yang Zhenshan hadn’t taken official roles or been granted the title of Marquis, he too could be called a loose cultivator.

”Senior Yang, please feel free to ask your question! I will hide nothing and provide full answers!” Yang Zhenshan said with a gentle smile.

The two shared the same surname; perhaps they were from the same family five hundred years ago!

”As royal retinue, ranked as First Rank, what then is our salary?” Yang Jiushi chuckled.

Hearing this, the corners of Yang Zhenshan’s mouth curled slightly.

Indeed, the old get wiser, all these elders present are sharp, you might say they have good and bad temperaments, but you absolutely cannot say they are fools.

Only the foolish do not live to such an age in the worldly society.

”Each year, one Three Yellow Plum, one True Essence Pill!”

”If the revered elders are willing to serve the court, His Majesty will bestow additional rewards!”

Upon hearing this, everyone was initially stunned but then began discussing it animatedly.

Just feeling obligated to become royal retainers made them somewhat reluctant, but with the prospect of receiving a salary, particularly in the form of Spirit Fruits and Elixirs, their reluctance vanished without a trace.

One Three Yellow Plum and one True Essence Pill a year might be modest, but it’s certainly better than nothing!

Besides, usually spending their days mining deep mountains and forests, they couldn’t find such treasures; having these rewards yearly suddenly made them view Emperor Yanping as quite generous.

Instantly, a few who previously had dissatisfaction towards Emperor Yanping now viewed him favorably.

”Cough cough, esteemed elders, if any of you were originally hesitating to serve the court, His Majesty has other rewards, such as guarding Cui Xia Valley in the future, where the guardian will receive an additional One Three Yellow Plum and Two True Essence Pills!”

”And this isn’t time-limited, you can guard for as many years as you wish, but if you choose to leave, you must report one year in advance so the court has time to find another elder to replace you!”

Yang Zhenshan, abandoning his previous arrogance and loftiness, now came across as kind-hearted and persuasively said, ”His Majesty intends to have four Innate Martial Artists garrison Cui Xia Valley, spots are limited, first come first serve!”

Hearing this, Yang Jiushi’s eyes lit up, ”So, guarding Cui Xia Valley will grant two Three Yellow Plums and three True Essence Pills each year?”

”Correct!” Yang Zhenshan nodded.

”Count the elderly in then, I’ve been looking for a tranquil place to cultivate in recent years!” Almost without thought, Yang Jiushi agreed.

For Innate Martial Artists, True Essence Pills were far more enticing than Three Yellow Plums.

Three Yellow Plums benefit those Martial Artists who have not yet entered the Innate Realm, such as Half-step Innate or Postnatal Martial Artists who are gathering Innate True Qi.

But True Essence Pills are effective for Innate Martial Artists, directly enhancing three years of cultivation, especially those who have just entered the Innate Realm and those at the level of controlling Qi, precisely when they need to accumulate Innate True Qi.

Hearing about receiving three True Essence Pills a year, Yang Jiushi agreed almost without a second thought.

”Marquis Yang, count the old man in too!” Ji Zhen, always sharp-witted.

Seeing the two volunteering, Yang Zhenshan slapped the table, ”Good, now we have two registrants, Longyuan Yang senior from Yang Family, Mr. Ji from Hengdao Sect!”

”Who else wants to garrison Cui Xia Valley? Only two spots left!”

Upon hearing only two spots were left, those still hesitating became anxious, one after another standing up calling out, ”Me too!”

”Marquis Yang, this old man is willing to guard Cui Xia Valley!”

...

The atmosphere, originally weird, now became even stranger.

Before, everyone was a high and chilly Innate expert, but now they resembled elderly folks scrambling for free eggs early in the morning.

This description might seem inappropriate, but the reality was pretty close.

Guarding Cui Xia Valley was actually a coveted assignment.

Previously, nobody was willing to stay in Sanshan Valley for two reasons: first, the Three Yellow Plums weren’t attractive enough; second, their freedom was restricted as living in Sanshan Valley almost meant staying there for a lifetime.

Now, guarding Cui Xia Valley was different; with Three Yellow Plums and True Essence Pills, its appeal goes without saying, and it no longer restricted freedom, though one had to report a year in advance, at least it didn’t require staying in Cui Xia Valley for a lifetime.

Not just them, even Yang Zhenshan wanted to spend a few years in Cui Xia Valley.

One year’s three True Essence Pills was equivalent to nine years of arduous cultivation storing Innate True Qi, a significant difference indeed.

Of course, the specifics weren’t exactly calculated this way; one True Essence Pill was equivalent to three years of accumulated Innate True Qi, which is correct, but it’s not cumulative.

As cultivation increases, the effect of True Essence Pills weakens, and the more one consumes, the weaker their effects become.