All the women of Gao Family Village were buzzing with excitement.
Ever since Dao Xuan Tianzun descended and bestowed divine blessings upon their village, the men had never known a moment of idleness. One day they labored beside the blacksmiths, sweating over roaring furnaces as iron was hammered into shape. The next day they were hauling timber and raising towering gates, and not long after that they were laying stone and carving beams to construct temples worthy of reverence. Every sunrise brought new responsibilities, and every sunset left them exhausted but fulfilled.
The women, however, had been left behind in this tide of purpose.
It was not that they lacked diligence or skill, but simply that no one had yet given them a role. They watched from their homes and courtyards as the village transformed, pride mingling with a quiet sense of restlessness. They, too, wished to contribute. They, too, wished to serve Dao Xuan Tianzun.
Now, at last, that opportunity had arrived.
Before them lay a massive pile of cotton, so enormous that it resembled a small hill, its white mass rising to nearly half the height of a house. The sight filled their hearts with uncontrollable excitement.
"Finally, we can bring out the looms at home."
"Sanwa's mother, your tailoring is the best in the village. Now you can truly show your skill."
"Yes, yes. If I serve Dao Xuan Tianzun well, perhaps I will receive divine blessings too."
Their voices overlapped in a lively chorus, chattering without pause as they circled the mountain of cotton. They resembled a flock of sparrows gathered around a harvest, their joy impossible to contain. The noise swelled until it filled the entire village square, making it difficult for anyone nearby to distinguish individual words.
Even Li Daoxuan, who listened from above, found it hard to make out their conversation through the overwhelming din.
San Shier finally lost his patience.
"Silence," he roared.
The shout carried authority, and for a brief moment, the women fell completely quiet.
The silence lasted for exactly two seconds.
Then, like water breaking through a dam, the chatter resumed with even greater intensity than before.
San Shier could only stare at them in disbelief.
Li Daoxuan snorted softly, then burst into laughter.
San Shier inhaled deeply, drawing in as much air as his lungs could hold before unleashing another thunderous bellow.
"Anyone who speaks again will not receive any cotton."
The effect was immediate.
The entire square fell into absolute silence. Not a single whisper could be heard. The sudden stillness was so complete that even the faint rustle of cloth shifting in the breeze seemed loud by comparison.
Li Daoxuan laughed so hard he nearly fell over.
As expected, nothing motivated people more effectively than their own interests. Authority alone had limits, and prestige could only go so far, but the moment rewards and losses became tangible, obedience followed naturally. It was no different from managing employees. Praise and discipline mattered far less than wages and deductions.
San Shier nodded with satisfaction, then raised his voice again.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun has bestowed this cotton upon us so that you may turn it into cloth. The blacksmiths will use that cloth to create armor, strengthening our village. I will not waste time repeating myself. The household that produces the most cloth, and the finest quality cloth, and helps complete the armor the fastest, will be rewarded with additional cotton. That cotton will belong entirely to your household, enough to make two sets of clothing for your own family."
The women's eyes lit up instantly.
Joy spread across their faces, and their earlier impatience transformed into fierce determination. Without hesitation, they rolled up their sleeves and stepped forward, eager to begin.
Under San Shier direction, they formed an orderly line. One by one, each woman stepped forward to receive her share of cotton, which she would bring home, spin into thread, weave into cloth, and deliver back to the village.
As each woman approached, San Shier maintained a stern expression.
"Remember this," he warned. "Dao Xuan Tianzun is watching over everything. If anyone dares to secretly keep some cotton for herself, weaving two measures of cloth but submitting only one, divine punishment will surely fall upon her."
He understood the habits of village life well. Small temptations were difficult to resist, and without clear warning, some might be unable to help themselves. Fear, in this case, was a necessary safeguard.
Several women who had indeed harbored such thoughts immediately felt their courage falter.
They glanced nervously at the sky, unease creeping into their hearts.
The gaze of Tianzun could not be deceived.
Serving Dao Xuan Tianzun was not the same as serving an ordinary landlord or official. This was a divine being. To act dishonestly would invite consequences far beyond human punishment.
One by one, they accepted their cotton and stepped aside.
Eventually, another figure approached the front of the line.
San Shier reached for a bundle, but then paused.
Something felt wrong.
He looked up carefully.
Standing before him was Gao Yiye.
San Shier froze in shock.
A faint blush colored Gao Yiye's cheeks, yet her expression remained resolute.
"I can weave cloth too," she said quietly.
San Shier let out an incredulous sound.
"Hmph. Miss Yiye, what are you doing here? You are the Saintess of Dao Xuan Tianzun. How can you perform such ordinary labor? This would damage your dignity and status."
Gao Yiye lowered her gaze briefly, then lifted it again with quiet determination.
"Weaving cloth can ease the burdens of Dao Xuan Tianzun. I wish to do my part as well. I will conduct myself with grace and care, so that my actions do not diminish Tianzun's prestige."
San Shier pressed a hand against his forehead.
He felt dizzy.
Completely and utterly dizzy.
Above them, Li Daoxuan watched the scene unfold and laughed helplessly.
San Shier released a long sigh, his expression filled with helpless frustration, like a man drawing his sword only to find no clear enemy before him.
Gao Yiye tilted her head in confusion.
"Grand Strategist San Shier, why did you suddenly recite poetry?"
San Shier waved his hand weakly.
"It is nothing. Just a moment of idle reflection."
Li Daoxuan understood him perfectly.
The burden of managing Gao Family Village, which had once rested entirely on Li Daoxuan's shoulders, had now been passed to San Shier. With no one to share the responsibility, and with even Gao Yiye acting according to her own impulses, it was no wonder he felt overwhelmed.
What Gao Family Village lacked most was talent.
But talent could not be conjured from thin air.
Even in the stories of great outlaw strongholds, men who could read and write were exceedingly rare. A single scholar could rise to prominence simply because no one else possessed the same knowledge. That was the reality of the era.
If Gao Family Village wanted capable people, they would have to cultivate them themselves.
At that moment, Mrs. San approached with her daughter and maid.
For the past two days, she had been preparing to return to the county town, where she intended to spread the teachings of Dao Xuan Tianzun. There were many arrangements still left to make.
She stepped close to San Shier and spoke softly.
"I will be returning to the county town in a few days. Our daughter cannot come with me. It is not as safe there as it is here."
San Shier nodded immediately.
"Of course."
Mrs. San hesitated before continuing.
"You are busy with important matters, and I will not be here. Who will teach our daughter to read and write? Who will guide her education?"
San Shier fell silent.
He had no answer.
He crouched down slowly, clutching his head as worry flooded his mind. Reading and writing were essential. Without education, their daughter's future would be severely limited.
At that moment, Li Daoxuan had an idea.
"Yiye," he said from above, "go and speak to San Shier for me."
Gao Yiye quickly looked up. Within the clouds, she could faintly see the face of Dao Xuan Tianzun. Her heart trembled with reverence as she bowed deeply before hurrying to San Shier side.
She spoke with solemn respect.
"Grand Strategist San Shier, Dao Xuan Tianzun asks. When your wife returns to the county town, you will escort her there. Is that correct?"
San Shier immediately straightened.
"Yes. I plan to stay briefly, no more than a day or two, before returning to continue serving Tianzun."
Gao Yiye continued.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun asks whether it would be possible to hire a scholar to teach in Gao Family Village."
San Shier froze.
After a moment, he lowered his head, his voice tinged with embarrassment.
"Scholars are proud. It would be difficult to persuade them to come to such a remote mountain village."
Li Daoxuan's voice echoed again.
"Proud? How proud can they be? Offer them more money."
San Shier hesitated.
"Scholars value their dignity. They may refuse, no matter the price."
Li Daoxuan smiled faintly.
"Five measures of rice may not be enough. Show them this instead."
He reached into his drawer and pulled out a thick silver necklace. From it, he unclasped a small silver ring and placed it into the world below.
To San Shier and the others, it appeared as an enormous ring of pure silver, taller than a man, gleaming with brilliant light.
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
Their mouths hung open.
They had seen Tianzun bestow food before, but this was silver. Silver represented wealth, power, and security. It was something no ordinary person could ignore.
Li Daoxuan's voice spoke once more.
"Tell me. Will he bend?"
San Shier swallowed hard, his voice trembling with certainty.
"He will bend."