Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 588 Shepherd

Lu Zheng knew that adhering to one school of thought and sticking to the old system would not save the world; he had to bring new ideas and create new things to the world.

To do what our predecessors did not finish, even if there are countless difficulties and obstacles.

The spirit boat maintained its speed, heading west at breakneck speed, heading straight for the Xiling Snow Mountain.

Before even reaching the mountains, the temperature drops rapidly, and a cold, strong wind blows.

Because of the elevated terrain, flying high in the sky brings you closer to the heavens, as if you could reach out and touch the heavens.

Before long, Lu Zheng and his two companions crossed the border and entered the skies above the snow-capped mountains.

Looking down at the land below, Qingwan saw nothing but hazy clouds and mist, and the mountains were also a vast expanse of white, seemingly devoid of life.

Lu Zheng looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and the thin, cold air calmed his mind.

Once outside the territory of Shu, Lu Zheng felt as if the sea was wide enough for fish to leap and the sky was high enough for birds to fly.

Looking at the endless snow-capped mountains, Qingwan couldn't help but ask, "Are there really ordinary people living on the other side of the mountains?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "You'll know once you go and see for yourself. I've heard that in ancient times, a great dynasty flourished there and even went there to conquer and build cities... But that was a long time ago. Nowadays, few people know about the situation there, and even cultivators rarely go there."

These endless snow-capped mountains are not something that ordinary practitioners can pass through.

Those with profound spiritual cultivation would not idly traverse snow-capped mountains to reach desolate lands.

Because this area is at a high altitude and features continuous snow-covered mountains, there are often strong winds and turbulent currents in the air.

Lu Zheng had to divert his attention to steer the spirit boat, which slowed him down considerably.

They traveled day and night, not knowing how many miles they had covered.

In the distance, a hint of green is faintly visible on the land.

Lu Zheng and the other two stared intently into the distance and discovered that the terrain was gradually leveling out, no longer consisting of towering snow-capped mountains.

The flat terrain and relatively warm climate allowed vegetation to flourish on that land.

With plants and trees, there is naturally no shortage of other living beings.

Above the sky, you can see black dots floating around; those are birds soaring.

Upon arriving at the Green Plains, one can still see some wild animals roaming the land, and even some mythical beasts.

Qingwan looked around curiously, trying to find any signs of human habitation, but she found nothing.

Lu Zheng and his group continued to venture deeper into this area.

On a hill, herds of cattle and sheep roam in groups.

With the help of the cattle and sheep, a dark-skinned man riding a long-haired horse was patrolling and driving the livestock.

Not far from the man, a river meandered along.

Several tents were set up by the river, and a few people were working there.

A young girl wrapped in a sheepskin coat was washing pottery jars by the river, her hands moving quickly and her expression serious.

The girl had a delicate face, fair skin, and well-defined features. Two blushes lingered on her pretty cheeks.

In the sky, a hawk circled and let out a sharp cry.

The people working looked up and saw the cries of their pet falcons, a warning sound.

The girl stopped what she was doing, looked at the eagle in the sky, and then looked in another direction.

On a distant mountaintop, three figures gradually approached.

The girl's bright eyes sparkled. She noticed that the newcomer's clothes were very different from theirs, and that he was also very beautiful, with skin even whiter and more delicate than her own, like a snow lotus on a high mountain—beautiful and pure, untouched by the filth of the mortal world. The shepherd man's pupils constricted upon seeing him.

Just by looking at a person's appearance, you can tell they are no ordinary person; they must be a noble person from somewhere.

The man quickly dismounted, strode over with brisk steps, bowed his head to greet the newcomer, and adopted a humble posture.

"This humble one, Bale, greets you, esteemed guests!"

Even when they were still some distance apart, the man bowed in greeting.

He spoke in the official language of the dynasty, but his tone was unclear and had a strong regional accent.

Seeing the man's fearful and apprehensive appearance, Lu Zheng smiled and said, "We are not adults, but people from the east."

"East?"

Bale was taken aback; he had never heard of any noble place to the east.

Lu Zheng continued, "To the east of the snow mountain, we have come from across the mountains, people of one nation."

Upon hearing this, Bale's eyes widened. He had heard people say before that there was an even wider world to the east of the snow mountain, a prosperous and wealthy place that even the masters of the family longed for.

The Easterners who could cross the snow-capped mountains were clearly more noble than those adults.

Bala's expression became increasingly respectful, and he was about to kneel down and perform a grand ceremony.

Lu Zheng raised his hand to support Bale, and an invisible force lifted him up.

Bale froze, feeling an invisible force blocking his way, and his heart pounded with fear.

Such power can probably only be wielded by certain noble individuals within the Holy City.

Such a person deserves to be treated with utmost respect, even by the masters of the household.

Lu Zhengdao: "Why is that?"

Bale stammered, "You gentlemen are noble people, while Bale is merely a lowly shepherd. It is only right that I treat you with such respect."

Bale's social status instilled in him a deep sense of awe and reverence for nobles with extraordinary power.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng said, "We don't have such rules where we're from. You don't need to do that. Just stand still; that's the only way to show us respect."

"Yes Yes……"

Although he didn't quite understand Lu Zheng's words, Bale's inner awe made him dare not disobey. He stood there slightly stiff, his respect undiminished.

Not far away, the others also gathered together, none of them daring to look directly at Lu Zheng and his two companions, but they also secretly observed them with curious and apprehensive eyes.

Lu Zheng looked at Bale and said gently, "You say you're a shepherd, but aren't these cattle and sheep yours?"

Upon hearing this, Bale quickly replied, "I am a lowly slave by birth, how could I possibly own these cattle and sheep? These cattle and sheep belong to our master, and we are all his slaves, born to herd cattle and sheep for him. Wherever the grass is lush, we drive the cattle and sheep there..."

These cattle and sheep are the property of the owners, and they have to ensure the number of cattle and sheep when they go out to graze.

If any cattle or sheep die of disease, are preyed upon by wild animals, or are missing for other reasons, they will be severely punished upon their return.

If cattle and sheep breed offspring, those offspring also belong to the owner and must be well cared for.

These shepherds not only cannot allow their herds to suffer any losses, but they must also ensure a certain increase in numbers so as to create more wealth for their masters.

Qing Wan frowned slightly. There was no such thing as a born servant. However, these shepherds had obviously been brainwashed and believed that they were born to be this way, to herd cattle and sheep for others.

Because of their lowly status, they had to be obsequious even when meeting other people.

Qingwan had previously seen that this place was inhabited and thought it would be some kind of paradise, but instead she encountered a group of exploited shepherds.

(End of this chapter)