In a secluded high-walled compound in the northern suburbs of the county town.
More than twenty black-clad boys and girls, aged seven to twelve, trained in an enclosed training ground.
A young man with dragon whiskers on his forehead was correcting a boy's movements.
Lu Ye glanced over and then asked Qing Yu, who was beside him, "Is the money enough?"
Qing Yu bowed slightly, "Reporting to the Sect Master, it is currently sufficient."
Lu Ye nodded, "It's tough now, but it will get better and better in the future."
Qing Yu smiled, "I don't feel it's tough at all. Things are so much better than before. In such a short time, our Ye Sheng Sect has acquired such a large base. Moreover, we have enough to eat and clothes to wear, which we could never have imagined before."
Lu Ye patted his shoulder, "This is far from enough. What I want is absolute strength, the kind of power that no one dares to trifle with the Ye Sheng Sect."
Qing Yu's gaze followed Lu Ye's words, becoming gradually deeper and more determined. He cupped his fists, "Qing Yu will definitely continue to work hard and will never disappoint the Sect Master's expectations."
"Mmm, however, you must be careful with everything, protect yourself, and protect all the brothers," Lu Ye cautioned.
"Yes!"
"I am not allowed to leave home often, so you will manage the affairs of the Ye Sheng Sect. Once our personnel are further supplemented, we will establish positions for each level and department. Each department will manage its own affairs, and you will also be more relaxed."
"Yes! Qing Yu thanks the Sect Master for your trust and consideration," Qing Yu curved his lips. In fact, they could all see that the Sect Master doted on his wife extremely. It would be strange for him to willingly leave home!
However, the Sect Master had trained the three of them extremely well. Even if the Sect Master were not present, they could handle matters independently.
Although they were called "Sect Master" now, a more fitting title would be "Master."
Six or seven years ago, he, Qian Ye, and Wei Han were three small beggars wandering around, starving, poorly clothed, and constantly bullied.
When they were wandering to Tianshui Town, they were forced by a group of bullies to steal and rob. If they refused, they would be beaten to death. It was the Master who saved them from the bullies.
At that time, the Master was only about ten years old, but he possessed profound and peculiar martial arts, which completely subdued the three of them.
From then on, they recognized the Master as their lord, and the Master generously passed on his knowledge, teaching them martial arts for many years.
To avoid attracting attention, nothing was written on the plaque above the main gate of this compound. The courtyard walls were also built up to a height of five to six meters, making it impossible for ordinary people to spy within.
Lu Ye made another inspection of the base and, finding no issues, left with peace of mind.
Thinking of his precious darling alone on Xinghua Street, Lu Ye felt an eagerness to return.
He couldn't tell his precious darling about the Ye Sheng Sect for now. When the Ye Sheng Sect truly became powerful, he would confess everything to her.
In their family, Precious Darling was responsible for earning money to support the household. He, on one hand, was responsible for his beauty, and on the other, for building a most solid and powerful backing for her, allowing her to live safely and freely.
Lu Ye returned to Xinghua Street, and Bai Sheng had already prepared dinner.
After dinner, the two entered the space to feed their respective Gu Kings. Half a month had passed, and they wondered if the Gu Kings had turned golden.
There was something Bai Sheng was worried about.
She and Lu Ye had been too passionate during this period. If she were to get pregnant, would planting the Gu King into her body have any effect on the fetus?
Overthinking was useless. Bai Sheng decided to go back and ask her Master.
Another passionate night passed, and the two slept until they naturally woke up the next day.
Lu Ye made breakfast, and Bai Sheng packed their things. After eating, they rented a carriage and returned to Tianshui Town.
Fortunately, nothing had happened at Hongshu Slope in the past two days. However, Bai Sheng and Lu Ye did not relax their vigilance. Those people from Huangsha Village would not let things go so easily; they would definitely not give up.
Granny Wu opened their Gu-raising jars and discovered that the Gu Kings' colors were almost completely turning golden. They would be ready to be implanted into their bodies in two more days.
Bai Sheng told Granny Wu about her worries. Granny Wu smiled and said that the Gu Kings would not only not affect the fetus but would also make the mother and fetus exceptionally healthy, so Bai Sheng need not worry.
Huangsha Village.
When Lu Dagang sent Zhang Lanlan home, Zhang Jiawang and Xue Shi saw their daughter's appearance and immediately felt their legs go weak.
What... what happened to her? She went to the county town, failed to hook up with a golden bachelor, and instead returned in such a sorry state, covered in injuries?
Lu Dagang also learned the approximate situation from Supervisor Xue's scolding of Zhang Lanlan. However, before he could speak, Zhang Jiawang kicked him several times, causing him to fall to the ground.
"You useless water monkey! I told you to follow Lanlan to the county town, and you ended up making her like this!"
"No... it wasn't me who harmed her." Lu Dagang tried to explain, but was kicked several more times by Zhang Lanlan's brother.
For the first time in his life, Lu Dagang felt very wronged. Zhang Lanlan had already spent all the silver she had brought to buy gifts, bribe the noble young ladies, and dress herself up.
The travel expenses provided by Supervisor Xue were only enough to travel from the county town to Tianshui Town. Lu Dagang carried Zhang Lanlan back from Tianshui Town to Huangsha Village.
He was almost dead from exhaustion, yet as soon as he returned to the Zhang family, he was kicked by Zhang Jiawang and his sons, unable to get up.
The most infuriating thing was that they blamed him entirely for Zhang Lanlan's injuries. It was the Imperial Prince who hit her, what did it have to do with him?
Furthermore, he couldn't even get into the magistrate's office, so how could he have harmed Zhang Lanlan?
A trace of resentment grew in Lu Dagang's heart. The more the Zhang family treated him this way, the more determined he was to have Zhang Lanlan.
He wanted Zhang Lanlan to be his wife and bear his children.
Lu Dagang endured the pain and walked out of the Zhang family, hunched over.
Zhang Lanlan tearfully told the Zhang family the whole story.
Upon learning that Lu Ye and his slave wife had actually managed to connect with the Imperial Prince, the entire Zhang family was immensely shocked.
When did Lu Ye gain such capability?
However, Clan Leader Zhang was somewhat angry. He said to Zhang Lanlan, "Lanlan, you were too reckless this time. Not only did you offend the Imperial Prince, but you might also cause our entire family to lose your paternal uncle as a reliance. Our family's losses are truly too great."
Xue Shi lamented, "This time, it has also cut off your path to marrying into the county town. Lan'er, your reputation is probably... completely ruined. What young master would dare to want you?"
Zhang Lanlan wailed tearfully, "It's all Lu Ye and that cheap slave's fault! They harmed me! I... I will never let them off!"
"What else can we do? They now have the Imperial Prince as their backer. Do we dare to provoke them?" Xue Shi said helplessly.
Clan Leader Zhang stroked his beard and fell into thought, "That's not necessarily true. The county magistrate is not an associate of the Imperial Prince; he is from the Rongguo Prefecture and the Crown Prince's faction. If Lu Ye's family can find the Imperial Prince as a backer, then we can find the Rongguo Prefecture and the Crown Prince as our backers."
Zhang Jiawang's eyes lit up, "Father is right. The Imperial Prince was assigned a fief in the most remote and impoverished border prefecture, which shows he is merely an abandoned pawn of the Emperor.
But the Crown Prince is different. In every aspect, he is much stronger than the Imperial Prince. As long as we stand with the Rongguo Prefecture and the Crown Prince, the Imperial Prince cannot do anything to us."