Longevity with a Turtle

Chapter 31: Chapter 30: Daniu Marries Into the Family

Chen Jianghe was stunned for a moment, but his expression quickly turned to one of joy. For him, the chance to enter the Inner Waters ahead of schedule without drawing any attention was undoubtedly a good thing.

Not only would his annual salary increase significantly, but he would also get to enjoy a Tier One Middle-Grade Spirit Vein in the Inner Waters, which would be a great boon to his Cultivation.

Most importantly, the Inner Waters were far safer than the Outer Waters.

The other benefits were secondary and could be made up for over time, but for Chen Jianghe, safety was the absolute top priority.

Overjoyed, Chen Jianghe took out one tael of silver and tipped the attendant.

The attendant thanked him with a wide smile, but as soon as he turned away, his lips curled into a sneer and he muttered something under his breath.

”Brother Jianghe, congratulations.”

Gao Peiyao snapped out of her daze and quickly offered her congratulations.

Zhou Miaoyun also offered her congratulations. ”Fellow Daoist Chen, now that you’re entering the Inner Waters, not only will your salary increase, but you’ll also be able to practice your Cultivation on a Spirit Vein. I’d wager you’ll break through to the Mid-Stage of Qi Refining in less than five years. This calls for a celebration.”

At once, Zhou Miaoyun summoned the attendant and ordered a table full of dishes, including a three-jin, braised Large Cyan Fish that cost three grains of Spiritual Sand on its own.

This showed just how highly Zhou Miaoyun regarded Chen Jianghe.

Zhou Miaoyun had already held Chen Jianghe in high regard, recognizing his exceptional ’Talent’ for husbandry. She believed he would be of great help to her in the future.

”I never expected such a fortunate opportunity to fall to me. This is indeed a joyous occasion, so this meal should be my treat.”

When Chen Jianghe saw that Zhou Miaoyun had ordered the Large Cyan Fish, he considered the situation and insisted on being the one to pay.

Both Zhou Miaoyun and Gao Peiyao vied to be the host, but Chen Jianghe tactfully declined.

Chen Jianghe knew that Yu Daniu was still on his way, so he had told the attendant to serve the food later.

If Zhou Miaoyun or Gao Peiyao were paying, it would have been awkward for Chen Jianghe to make such requests of the attendant.

A moment later, Yu Daniu arrived at the private room, his face beaming. He must have received some considerable benefits in the end.

”Daniu, we were just waiting for you. Come and sit.”

Chen Jianghe beckoned to Yu Daniu, motioning for him to sit beside him.

At the same time, the attendant outside went downstairs to prepare the dishes. Chen Jianghe had previously instructed him to serve the food only after the next guest arrived.

”Brother Daniu, did you really become a live-in son-in-law for the Yun Family?” Gao Peiyao asked with concern.

Yu Daniu nodded.

He wasn’t surprised that Gao Peiyao knew about him becoming a live-in son-in-law.

He was simple and honest, but he wasn’t a fool.

When Gao Peiyao left the meeting hall, she had said she would wait for them at Yuelai Inn, clearly wanting to find out what benefits the Fishermen and Farmers who stayed behind would receive.

Since Chen Jianghe had arrived at Yuelai Inn before him, he would have naturally already told the others what had happened.

”Peiyao, take these two Spirit Stones back for now.” Yu Daniu took out two Spirit Stones and pushed them in front of Gao Peiyao.

”What’s this?”

Chen Jianghe and the two women were all puzzled.

’Where did Yu Daniu get Spirit Stones?’

This was no small sum; it was equivalent to four or five years of income for an ordinary Basic-Level Fisherman and Farmer.

”After Brother Jianghe left, the Fifth Elder gave each of the seven of us Fishermen and Farmers who are marrying into the Yun Family five Spirit Stones,”

Yu Daniu explained with a cheerful laugh.

”Brother Daniu, there’s no rush to pay me back. You can use them for now; I still have enough Spirit Stones on me.”

Gao Peiyao added playfully, ”And when I run out, I’ll be sure to come asking Brother Daniu for some.”

Yu Daniu was not a man of many words, and Gao Peiyao’s kind offer left him at a loss for what to do.

”Daniu, will you be living on Huxing Island from now on?” Chen Jianghe asked, breaking the awkwardness.

He could see what Gao Peiyao was thinking.

The Yun Family seemed to hold these live-in sons-in-law in high regard, which made Gao Peiyao see a new, considerable value in Yu Daniu.

”Huxing Island is the Yun Family’s ancestral land. There’s a Tier Two Lower-Grade Spiritual Vein underneath it. If you can practice your Cultivation there, you’ll achieve twice the results with half the effort,” Zhou Miaoyun said to Yu Daniu with a gentle smile.

”Yes, I’ll be going to Huxing Island to cultivate. The Fifth Elder said he will take the seven of us there in three days.”

As he spoke, Yu Daniu turned to Chen Jianghe. ”Brother Jianghe, I overheard Yun Bufan talking with the Fifth Elder. He said that the three of you who met the husbandry requirements would also be heading to the Inner Waters.”

”Mm, the Yun Family sent a messenger just now,” Chen Jianghe confirmed with a nod.

Yu Daniu’s face lit up. ”In that case, congratulations on becoming a Senior Fisherman and Farmer, Brother Jianghe!”

As they spoke, the dishes and Immortal Spirit Wine were brought to the table.

When they saw the three-jin braised Large Cyan Fish, the other three—Chen Jianghe, Gao Peiyao, and Yu Daniu—couldn’t resist trying it, with only Zhou Miaoyun abstaining.

They wanted to see what made a Spirit Fish different from an ordinary one.

Although they all raised Large Cyan Fish, the Yun Family’s regulations were extremely strict. Aside from using them to pay the White Egrets, they were forbidden from consuming the fish themselves.

They were forbidden from selling them privately.

They were forbidden from giving the Large Cyan Fish from their waters to others.

And they were forbidden from taking the Large Cyan Fish out of their designated farming waters.

Violators would have their Dantian crippled, their Qi Sea shattered, their legs cut off, and be exiled from Jingyue Lake.

Chen Jianghe picked up a piece with his chopsticks and placed it in his mouth, savoring it carefully. The fish was delicious and as tender as tofu, melting the moment it entered his mouth and falling apart at the slightest bite.

It also contained a trace of Spiritual Qi that ordinary fish lacked, leaving a savory fragrance that lingered in his mouth after he swallowed.

It was far superior to ordinary fish.

However, it contained too little Spiritual Qi to be of any significant benefit to his Cultivation.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the table was a mess of empty cups and plates.

They agreed to meet again the following year.

Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun left together.

Only Yu Daniu and Chen Jianghe remained in the private room.

”Brother Jianghe, take these five Spirit Stones.” Yu Daniu took out five Spirit Stones and placed them in front of Chen Jianghe.

”What’s this for?” Chen Jianghe asked, confused.

’If he’s paying me back, he only owes me one Spirit Stone. What does he mean by giving me five?’

’Besides, I thought Yun Zhonghou only gave him five Spirit Stones. If he gives them all to me, what will he use when he gets to Huxing Island?’

”Actually, the Fifth Elder gave each of us ten Spirit Stones and ten Qi Blood Pills.”

Yu Daniu forcefully pressed the five Spirit Stones into Chen Jianghe’s hand.

”I won’t need Spirit Stones on Huxing Island; the Yun Family will provide all my Cultivation Resources. So just take these five Spirit Stones.”

”Daniu, you’re mistaken.”

Chen Jianghe took one Spirit Stone and returned the other four to Yu Daniu.

”Once you’re married, you’ll need a lot of Spirit Stones, and you won’t have any other source of income. If you find yourself without any, won’t her family look down on you? How could your wife possibly treat you well then?”

Chen Jianghe’s meaning was blunt: Daniu was going to Huxing Island to be a live-in son-in-law, not a master to be served.

The woman was of noble birth; she would certainly not tolerate any slights.

The Yun Family Elder gave them Spirit Stones for two reasons: first, to appease the new sons-in-law, and second, to ensure their own daughters wouldn’t suffer.

For the Yun Family, those ten or so Spirit Stones would ultimately be spent on Yun Family descendants anyway.

When the live-in son-in-law had children, he would need to spend Spirit Stones to help raise the next generation of the Yun Family.

”This...”

Yu Daniu was stunned. He truly hadn’t considered all these underlying complexities.