Lin Jinghua received a reward, but surprisingly, his heart wasn’t filled with much joy.
Fifteen people, each rewarded with two Spirit Stones.
Coming and going, that’s thirty Spirit Stones.
This is quite a substantial amount!
First expressing gratitude, he then advised:
"Steward’s kindness, we old men and brothers understand. However, as Lisong Valley is currently in its initial stages of development, how can we accept this additional reward after already receiving our wages? As the saying goes, a generous reward can lead to misjudgment, and the way to lead is with rewards and penalties. The benefits Steward gives us are already very generous... Any more, and it might cultivate greed among the brothers."
Chen Ye listened, slightly pondering.
Lin Jinghua’s words were reasonable, for instance, the next harvest in Lisong Valley, will he give this extra reward again?
As the saying goes, gratitude for a liter of rice, resentment for a bushel.
These Spirit Plant Cultivators are just ordinary minor practitioners, and may not necessarily appreciate favorability.
Moreover, the benefits he provided to these Spirit Plant Cultivators were indeed plenty, extending beyond just a high salary.
For example, they could bring their families to reside in the Spirit Qi-rich Lisong Valley. You should know, Chen Ye used to rent a B-class courtyard, which cost several Spirit Stones a month!
If he continues to grant rewards randomly, some might see him as a big fat sheep... As the saying goes, kind people are often taken advantage of.
He looked up at Lin Jinghua, the old man’s expression was slightly tense, as if worried that his frank words might have displeased Chen Ye.
Uh... In a past life, was this Lin Jinghua what they called a public merchant?
This old man truly sees Chen Ye as the head of the family.
"Very well."
Chen Ye patted the old man’s shoulder gently, saying warmly,
"In that case, these Spirit Stones will be recorded in the accounts first. In the future, when the foundation of Lisong Valley is stable, we will celebrate together."
Lin Jinghua slightly sighed in relief, feeling an inexplicable sense of gratitude.
Steward Chen could actually listen to the opinion of an old hag like him...
In fact, he no longer cared about his personal future.
He only hoped that Steward Chen could go further in the Cultivation Realm.
After all, his youngest daughter is Steward Chen’s disciple, and his eldest daughter is his maid...
Even if he has to let down those brothers!
Brothers are just brothers, but daughters are kin...
...
Within the Quiet Chamber, Chen Ye sat cross-legged.
Before him, the ancient Hundred Herbs Furnace was exuding a light medicinal fragrance.
"Fifteen sets of herbs, enough to refine fifteen Top Grade Qi Nourishing Pills..." pondered Chen Ye.
Nowadays, Qi Nourishing Pills cannot meet his cultivation needs.
But for his two disciples in the Middle Period of Qi Cultivation, and Lin Jin in the Early Period, they are the perfect elixirs.
Three disciples, each with five pills a month, are entirely sufficient.
Even Top Grade Pills are not suitable to be consumed excessively,
He organized his thoughts and began the refinement process expertly.
In less than half a day, a batch of pills was successfully refined!
[Qi Nourishing Pill Perfection: 53/400]
Still one Top Grade, eight Upper Grade!
Adding to the one refined earlier, now he has two Top Grade Pills in hand.
Chen Ye, satisfied, stopped his work and did not continue refining.
Speaking of which, today is the day of Li Qiuyun’s departure.
Chen Ye glanced out the window.
Since he rose at dawn, even though he spent half a day refining pills, it was still early now.
Li Qiuyun drank excessively the previous day and should still be resting...
"Ah well, there’s no feast that doesn’t end."
He stored the pills safely and pushed open the door to the Quiet Chamber.
The morning sunlight, carrying warmth, spilled on his moon-white Magic Robe, giving him an ethereal appearance.
He casually strolled to his disciple’s room and gently pushed open the window.
On the bed, the two little girls, even in sleep, didn’t forget to cling together, hugging tightly and sleeping soundly.
Silver hair like moonlight snow, scattered on the pillow.
Qing Jun slept deeply, her small body curled up, one delicate white arm dominantly spread across the body of her senior sister beside her.
While long black hair, like ink, gently lay across the little girl’s arm.
Zhiwei lay quietly on her side, allowing her junior sister to cling to her like an octopus.
"As expected of my disciples, truly adorable."
Chen Ye couldn’t help but take another look.
No matter how tired he was, seeing his disciples’ adorable sleeping faces in the morning instantly recharged his energy.
It felt like being recharged...
The past couple of days spent playing wildly with them probably exhausted them, now sleeping in late was quite rare.
As Chen Ye was about to close the window, his gaze paused again.
At the feet of the two disciples, the snow-white little fox named "Xiaobai" by Qing Jun lay on its back, revealing its furry little belly, rising and falling with its breathing, sleeping unaware of the world, occasionally sticking out its pink little tongue to lick its mouth.
"The little fox indeed hasn’t escaped, seems attached to Qing Jun... Strange, this Demon Beast actually knows how to feel shy?"
Chen Ye puzzled.
Yesterday, while inspecting the little fox, it was wiggling shyly, which was odd, as is this even a fox? Maybe... more like a girl.
Moreover, this little fox’s body structure seemed different from normal foxes.
Even in its Demon Beast form, its private parts are still covered by fur.
Strange indeed.
Just as Chen Ye was filled with bewilderment, the little fox’s ear suddenly twitched slightly.
Immediately after, its gem-like black eyes sleepily gazed in Chen Ye’s direction.
Their eyes met.
The little fox’s previously bewildered look instantly cleared.
It suddenly bowed its head, glancing at its unguarded little belly.