Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 13 Green Wood Hidden Strength, Deeply Rooted

The first level of Qi Refining was like a solid foundation, firmly planted in Meng Xihong's body.

The emerald green spiritual energy of the Azure Wood in the dantian, guided by the "Azure Wood Nourishing Body Technique," flows ceaselessly day and night, nourishing the limbs and bones, and cleansing the muscles and bones.

Meng Xihong's life, nourished by this new force, entered a highly efficient cycle.

As dawn broke, he was already sitting cross-legged under the old locust tree in the courtyard, practicing meditation.

The autumn dew condenses on the branches and leaves, crystal clear.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, and the spiritual awareness bestowed by the [Immortal Bone] transformed into invisible ripples, spreading silently from his own body as his heart.

In the air, the colorful spiritual light spots reappeared clearly, especially the cyan light spots representing "wood," which were the most active. As if drawn by an invisible force, they gradually merged into the dantian, strengthening the emerald stream.

Each time spiritual energy enters his body, it brings an indescribable vitality, refining his physical body and nourishing his spirit.

[Daily Divination, Today's Hexagram: Seek progress while maintaining stability; it is advisable to consolidate the foundation and cultivate strength. The overall fortune is moderate; avoid being impatient for quick success.]

The divination results are clear and concise.

Meng Xihong knew that in the early stages of Qi Refining, it was important to solidify one's foundation, and that being impatient and rash would only backfire.

He suppressed his desire for a higher realm and focused his mind on the subtle control over his existing power.

His core exploration lies in a deeper integration of the newly born immortal power—Azure Wood Spiritual Energy—with his martial arts foundation, Dark Force, which he has cultivated for many years.

“Cultivating both immortal and martial arts is not a clear-cut distinction.” Meng Xihong’s mind raced. The extraordinary comprehension granted by the [Literary Mind and Spirit] allowed him to clearly see the essential differences and potential resonance between the two powers.

The hidden force is outwardly soft but inwardly firm, penetrating the body and damaging one's vital energy; the spiritual energy of the green wood is both extremely soft and resilient, endlessly regenerating.

Excessive rigidity leads to destruction, while excessive softness leads to weakness.

By integrating resilience and strength into one, and transforming hardness into softness into nothingness, vitality naturally arises, and all methods can be broken!

"Huh? I can actually speak such literary words so fluently now. No wonder I have the 'Literary Mind and Spirit'. If I had this kind of literary talent before I transmigrated, I would have started writing 'Battle Through the Immortal Realm' and beaten Li Bai and Su Shi!" Thinking of this, Meng Xihong's lips curled up, quite pleased with himself.

"Xihong, stop practicing for now and come eat first."

"Ahem, okay, it's coming right up."

"Phew, that was close. My persona almost collapsed. Luckily, no one noticed."

After finishing dinner, Meng Xihong abandoned his initial crude attempt to force a fusion and instead sought a more refined way of symbiosis.

In the courtyard, in front of specially made iron and wooden stakes.

Meng Xihong lowered his waist and stood at attention, assuming the starting stance of "Raging Bull Strength".

His blood and qi surged and roared within his body like mercury, gathering a hidden force in his right fist, ready to be unleashed, causing the air around his fist to distort slightly.

But this time, he didn't throw a punch immediately.

He focused his mind on his dantian, guiding a wisp of pure green wood spiritual energy to weave it into an extremely fine, resilient, and vibrant "net."
Pre-cover and wrap around the muscles and fine meridians of the right arm!
"drink!"

Exhale sharply, and your fist strikes like a dragon!

Boom! Snap!

The iron stake cracked instantly, sending fragments flying!
But this time, the scene of shattering was completely different!

The broken ends of the wooden stake do not show a rough texture from a purely violent tear, but rather a strange pattern of "fibers being burst open by a powerful force of life and then trying to mend themselves"!

It was as if the life force inside this hard wood was forcibly stimulated in the instant it broke, yet it was unable to resist the immense force!
What surprised Meng Xihong even more was the feeling after he withdrew his fist.

The meridians in my right arm not only did not feel the usual soreness and stiffness, but instead felt comfortable all over, as if I were soaking in warm spring water!

That layer of green wood spiritual energy perfectly withstood the recoil force at the moment the hidden force erupted, and quickly repaired the minor damage caused by the exertion, even making the meridians and muscles more resilient after enduring the extreme impact!
"It's done!" Meng Xihong's eyes gleamed.

He named this unique power generation technique "Azure Wood Hidden Force"!
It combines the powerful penetration of hidden force with the resilience and nourishment of green wood spiritual energy, as well as the effect of rapid recovery. Its power is not reduced but increased, and its endurance has also made a qualitative leap!

In the Wufeng County government office, Chief Meng, dressed in a crisp, dark blue official robe, strode steadily into the main hall.

The profound and serene aura between his brows, a result of his initial attainment of immortality, did not diminish his majesty; on the contrary, it added a touch of keen insight and composure to his handling of official duties.

Thanks to his literary talent and integrity, the piles of official documents appeared clearly organized to him.

An old clerk presented a long-standing case involving a land dispute between two wealthy families. The case file was complicated, with each side sticking to their own version of events, and the dispute had dragged on for years.

The case has been preliminarily examined by the clerk of the criminal investigation department, but doubts remain. The relevant officials need to assist in verifying key evidence and witnesses.

Meng Xihong glanced through the document and, with sharp eyes, immediately seized upon a blurry seal on the land deed and a logical flaw in a key tenant's testimony.

He immediately summoned the senior official in charge of the case and his capable constables, pointed out the suspicious points, and ordered: "The authenticity of this seal must be determined immediately, and the original file must be verified at once."

That statement is full of inconsistencies. We must re-interrogate the relevant individuals and submit a written verification report to me within three days. There must be no errors.

That decisiveness and keen insight made even the seasoned official, who had handled such matters for many years, feel a chill and dared not be negligent. He and the constable bowed and accepted the order.

"Yes, sir! Chief Meng, you are wise. We will carry it out immediately!"

After finishing his official business, Meng Xihong did not sit in the yamen hall.

He changed into civilian clothes, and with two trusted constables by his side, began his routine patrol of the city.

This patrol was not just a formality, but an important way for him to gain a deeper understanding of the areas under his jurisdiction and consolidate his power.

As they walked to a somewhat dilapidated market town in the west of the city, a series of suppressed sobs and arrogant shouts came from there.

Several thugs were seen shoving and verbally abusing an old vegetable vendor, with trampled vegetables scattered on the ground. The old man pleaded desperately, while the surrounding vendors dared not speak out.

"In broad daylight, bullying and monopolizing the market?" Meng Xihong frowned, not immediately stepping forward, but whispering a few words to the constable beside him. The constable nodded and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

A moment later, the constables brought back information: these hooligans were henchmen of a local man nicknamed "Rolling Knife" Liu San, who specialized in collecting "stall safety money." The old man was being harassed because he hadn't collected enough money that day.

"Liu San?" A cold glint flashed in Meng Xihong's eyes.

This man was a tough nut to crack, even the former headman Wang Hai found him difficult to deal with. He had a complicated background and a roundabout relationship with a retired official in the county. In the past, the yamen runners mostly turned a blind eye to him.

"Officer, this Liu San..." the constable hesitated.

“Even a prince is subject to the law, just like a commoner. How much more so a mere street ruffian?” Meng Xihong’s voice was not loud, but it carried a resounding strength.

"Take them down! Lock them up along with Liu San! I want to see who gave them the audacity to accept 'peace money' under my jurisdiction!"

"Yes!" Seeing the yamen chief's firm attitude, the two constables did not hesitate any longer and pounced into the crowd like tigers descending a mountain!

Those hooligans were caught off guard and were swiftly and cleanly taken down and locked up!
The speed of the movement drew gasps from the onlookers, followed by a burst of suppressed cheers!
Soon, Liu San, a fat man with a fierce face, was also dragged out of a nearby gambling den. Seeing his subordinates chained up, he was both shocked and furious, yelling at Meng Xihong, "Meng! You're just a newly appointed magistrate! Do you know who my brother-in-law is? He's…"

"Shut up!" Meng Xihong interrupted him coldly without even looking at him, "No matter who your brother-in-law is, it has nothing to do with me enforcing the law impartially!"

"Take him away! According to the Great Law of Extortion, extortion and oppression of the innocent are punishable by thirty strokes of the cane, three days of public shackles, and a fine of ten taels of silver to compensate the victim!"

Liu San's shouting stopped abruptly, his face turning deathly pale.

He then truly realized that the new magistrate in front of him was no longer one of those people he could bargain with before! He was a tough nut to crack!
The news spread like wildfire.

Meng Yatou was incorruptible and impartial, and even the powerful and ruthless Liu San fell from grace!

For a time, those who usually bullied and robbed people in Wufeng County fell silent and concealed their activities.

The city was restored to order, and the people applauded with joy.

As the sun set, Meng Xihong returned home. The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, and Bai was placing the last dish on the table.

Meng Yanqing wobbled over and hugged his leg, calling out "Daddy" in a childish voice.

Bai's complexion was rosy and healthy thanks to Meng Xihong's daily nourishment and conditioning with Qingmu Lingqi, though a faint trace of weariness occasionally flashed between her brows.

At the dinner table, Meng Xihong told Bai about Liu San's affair as an amusing anecdote.

Lady Bai nodded repeatedly, "My husband did the right thing! Such a wicked person should be severely punished! But..."

She paused, glancing at Meng Xihong with some concern, "Husband, your strong stance might offend someone. I heard that Liu San has connections..."

"Don't worry, my wife." Meng Xihong placed a piece of food into Bai's bowl with his chopsticks, his tone steady.

“I act in accordance with the principle of ‘reason’ and the ‘Great Law of Separation’.”

"If the person behind this knows what's good for them, they should restrain their relatives. If they're trying to use this opportunity to cause trouble..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, then quickly transformed into a gentle smile. "Your husband is no longer someone to be easily manipulated. Let's eat; don't let these trivial matters spoil our appetites."

Looking at her husband's calm and confident smile, Bai's worries gradually dissipated. She gently hummed in agreement and fed Meng Yanqing a spoonful of egg custard.

At night, after his wife and children had fallen asleep.

Meng Xihong did not start practicing immediately.

He stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the deep night sky. Within his consciousness, the phantom image of the Meng family genealogy floated silently.

The names of the eldest son, Meng Yanqing (with martial arts talent), the second son, Meng Yanwei (with literary talent), and the eldest daughter, Meng Yanning (with immortal talent), shine brightly.

He opened his palm, his mind stirring slightly.

hum!
In the palm of his right hand, a wisp of pure green wood spiritual energy quietly emerged, like a leaping emerald candle flame, exuding a gentle yet resilient life force.

Immediately afterwards, he slowly closed his five fingers, using his mind to unleash his hidden power!
The wisp of spiritual energy in his palm was instantly compressed and condensed, and an incomparably sharp penetrating power was brewing between his fingers and palm!
It was that unique "hidden strength of green wood"! But this time, he did not unleash it, but carefully maintained the balance of this power that combined strength and gentleness.

With power in hand, authority in hand, and family by my side.

His Qi Refining Level 1 realm was already stable, his Green Wood Hidden Strength was beginning to show its edge, and everyone in Wufeng County was united with him... Everything seemed to be developing in a positive direction.

However, Meng Xihong's brows furrowed slightly.

It's not because the divination indicates a warning, but rather a keen intuition about the laws governing the development of things, stemming from a refined literary spirit.

A tall tree catches the wind, and a tree that stands out in the forest catches the eye. Meng Xihong's rise to power has been too rapid, and today's swift and decisive action against Liu San, while seemingly establishing his authority, has in fact also severed some deeply entrenched gray interest chains.

While County Magistrate Wang certainly relies on him, what about the prefectural government? What about those whose interests have been threatened but who are temporarily holding back? And... what about the even wider Yunzhou and the Great Li court, which hides true cultivators?

[Daily Divination, Today's Hexagram: Minor Auspiciousness. The moon wanes after it is full, and water overflows when it is full. It is advisable to think deeply and far-sightedly; the fortune is average. Avoid short-sightedness.]

A new hexagram quietly emerged, carrying a hint of warning.

Meng Xihong slowly closed his palm, the power in his hand quietly dissipating. He gazed into the deep night sky, his eyes as unfathomable as an abyss.

“The foundation has been laid, and its potential is beginning to emerge…” he murmured to himself. “Next, it’s time to deepen our roots, stockpile resources, and build strong defenses.”

Enhance our own strength, consolidate the family foundation, cultivate the next generation, and build Wufeng County into a truly solid foundation for the Meng family! Only with a deep enough foundation can we stand firm through the storms of the future!
He turned and went back into the house, his steps steady.

The old locust tree in the courtyard swayed its branches gently in the night breeze, as if silently echoing the new owner's determination.

Beneath its seemingly smooth surface, the rise of the Meng family is quietly entering a crucial stage where it needs to bide its time and consolidate its foundation.

Meng Xihong held Meng Yanning in his arms, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing through the courtyard. The warning from the divination was like ice hanging overhead, chilling to the bone.

Meng Yanning's "Immortal Bones" are the foundation for the Meng family's rise to power, but they may also be the source of its annihilation!

In this small, ordinary county where spiritual energy is scarce, any unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy could attract unimaginable covetousness.

(End of this chapter)