After leaving the manor, the path ascends the mountain.
There was snow on the road, with a precipice to the right. Every step had to be taken with extreme caution; one misstep and a slip could result in a fall down the cliff.
Li Xian brushed the snow off his shoulder, shook his hair, and gazed into the distance. The entire landscape was covered in a beautiful coat of silver.
Farther away, there were wide stretches of farmland.
The accompanying nursing home guard told him that everything in sight was part of Madam Manor's property.
Every plant and tree bore the surname... "Wen."
"Madam Manor" referred to the mistress of the manor. The lady did not have the surname 'Manor,' but instead 'Wen.'
"What's her background? She's incredibly wealthy," Li Xian couldn't help but express his amazement.
In both his past and present lives, he had seen quite a bit of the world.
This world was far more vast in terms of population and other aspects.
A D-class nursing home guard shook his body, lacking much skill, his Dantian Inner Qi was scarce, and his resistance to cold was weak, so he cursed irritably through chattering teeth:
"These lowly farmers, really. Can't they just come to the manor and pay their rent honestly? Instead, they make us come all the way to them."
Qiao Dashou immediately chimed in, "Yeah, exactly. The worst part is that after we go through all the trouble to visit them, not only do they not welcome us with good food, they also put on a show, wailing and weeping for whom?"
"Hahaha, when I encounter those kinds, I just give them a slap or two. They're spineless and need a beating to be obedient," said another person with a laugh.
The guards jabbered with each other, but Li Xian, unfamiliar with them, kept his head down and focused on the road.
"We're lucky."
After walking for three or four more miles, the snow showed signs of letting up. Feng Huo's furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and he finally had the leisure to chat and joke with the brothers.
"Master Feng, you're considered an old hand in the nursing home. We've heard you've encountered a lot of strange things?"
"Yeah, we're bored walking. Tell us some stories to liven up the mood."
Someone started egging him on, eager to hear stories of wild adventures.
Feng Huo shook his body, memories of unpleasant incidents flashing through his mind, and he shouted, "There's nothing to hear! Just hurry up; go quickly and return quickly. Do you think this is a vacation?"
His loud shout immediately quieted everyone down. Feng Huo thought he still needed the brothers to do their jobs later, so he didn't want to sour their relationship too much and gave a brief explanation:
"It's not that I don't want to share, but it's too eerie. If you really want to hear it, wait until we get back to the manor, and I'll tell you then."
...
They arrived at a fork in the road with a signpost. The road on the right led to Longevity Village, while the road on the left led to "Tiger Bear Mountain."
"This Tiger Bear Mountain also belongs to Madam," Zhao Dachun said, gazing to the left.
The vast mountain range undulated continuously, and faintly, the roars of beasts could be heard.
"Every winter, Madam loves to go into the mountains for winter hunting."
"I reckon it won't be long before she starts hunting again."
"We D-class guards are just here to make up the numbers."
"Winter hunting?" Li Xian was intrigued and asked, "What is winter hunting?"
All the guards immediately turned to look at him. Throughout the journey, they had been chatting and joking, while he alone kept his head down. His sudden question caught them off guard, so no one wanted to answer.
Zhao Dachun cleared his throat lightly, reluctantly explaining:
"The winter hunt is one of our manor's activities, and the guards can participate, but…"
Midway through his explanation, Qiao Dashou intentionally interrupted, "Come on, let's move faster. What's the point of talking about useless things."
Zhao Dachun gave an awkward smile and changed the subject.
...
Outside Longevity Village.
Li Xian and the others finally arrived.
"I told you to train earnestly every day, but you cut corners, and now a newcomer surpasses you."
Ye Xiaoluo, a D-class guard, was suddenly struck by the cold on the way and broke out in a cold sweat. By the time they reached Longevity Village, he didn't look well.
Feng Huo transferred some Inner Qi to warm his body, but after this trip, he'd likely be bedridden for three days.
Ye Xiaoluo, exhausted and weak, glanced at Li Xian and silently cursed "beast."
Walking dozens of miles on mountain roads without even panting for breath.
It was well known that traveling on flat roads was different from mountain roads, and snowy mountain roads were another matter entirely. Though it didn't look far, it was exceedingly tiring to walk.
"I was doing fine until the wind blew, and then I felt worse."
"Alright, stop arguing."
Feng Huo waved his hand, not wanting to hear it.
Addressing everyone, he said:
"About collecting the rent, form pairs."
"The newcomer, you're with Zhao Dachun. If you don't understand something, ask him."
The guards dispersed, each getting ready as if preparing for a major task.
"Is this whole village made up of Madam's tenant farmers?" Li Xian asked, walking alongside Zhao Dachun.
"Hehe." Zhao Dachun pointed into the distance, "More than that. Neighboring Changming Village, Fuliang Village, Wang Family Village...every one relies on Madam."
"Tens of thousands of acres of fertile land need managing, don't they?"
Li Xian secretly marveled. Zhao Dachun counted on his fingers and added, "Conservatively, ten villages are all her tenant farmers."
"What kind of rent are we collecting?" Li Xian asked.
"Winter rent."
Conversing, they arrived in front of a house. Zhao Dachun tidied his clothes and hair, "In our manor, rent is collected thrice a year."
"Madam's lands are fertile, yielding two crops a year, two bushels per acre. Rent is collected after the harvest each time."
"Usually, it's half the yield. In winter, during the idle farming period, even though these farmers aren't sowing, they need firewood. Madam owns many hills."
"But letting these tenant farmers starve isn't good. So the winter rent is typically half of that. Madam is kind; that's considered generous."
"The Lin Family in neighboring Qingning County is also a big landlord. Although they can't compare to Madam, they have quite a few tenant farmers too. They, eat people up and spit the bones out."
...
Zhao Dachun rambled on endlessly. Li Xian thought inwardly, "Your Madam is no better."
Li Xian asked, "What does Madam need with that much money?"
Zhao Dachun shook his head, "That's beyond my understanding. But...I've heard people mention that someone as ethereal as Madam earns a lot, but spends a lot too."
"Besides tens of thousands of acres of land, she has other industries, shops, and lands in surrounding counties and cities."
"Indeed…Without great wealth, how else could a martial artist afford the 'rebirth' process and shed off their 'clay embryo' body!" Li Xian suddenly understood.
An extraordinary martial artist undergoing rebirth needs to be 'sustained'!
Whether it's over a thousand servants or numerous villages, even the guards themselves are all part of sustaining "Madam."
Of course, from another perspective, Madam's existence brings stability both inside and outside the manor.
Zhao Dachun suddenly leaned in and whispered, "Later on, just keep quiet and watch."
They had arrived in front of a thatched hut.
He knocked on the door and shouted, "Open up, Yihetang Manor guards, here to collect rent!"
"Open up, or I'll kick the door down!"
Zhao Dachun was like any other guard. Threatening and intimidating the tenants, his eyes flashed with hostility, putting on a scary show.
"My lord, I'm… coming."
"Cough...cough…"
From inside came a hoarse voice. The door opened to reveal an old man, gray-haired and hunched over, seemingly catching a cold.
"Old Zhu, are you too old and useless now, opening the door so slowly?" Zhao Dachun pushed the door open wide, letting the cold wind sweep in, and he walked into the house with a grin.