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

Chapter 14 Deeply Rooted, Young Phoenix Cries Out

In the blink of an eye, another year has passed.

Wufeng County seemed to have returned to its former tranquility. Meng Xihong, taking advantage of this hard-won time, accelerated his pace of "deepening his roots."

Meng Xihong's strategy of "deeply rooting, accumulating grain, and building high walls" was not just empty talk, but was quickly transformed into concrete actions, like the deep roots of an old locust tree, quietly extending to every corner of Wufeng County.

First and foremost, industry is the foundation.

After the annihilation of the villain Liu San and his henchmen, the county government naturally confiscated the several lucrative gambling dens and pawnshops that he had seized, as well as dozens of acres of fertile land outside the city, in accordance with the law.

Meng Xihong did not take these properties into the county treasury. Instead, with the tacit approval of County Magistrate Wang, he "legally" had them acquired by a distant, honest cousin from Bai's maternal family at an extremely low price. However, the actual control remained firmly in the hands of the Meng family.

With the support of Meng Xihong, who possessed both literary talent and integrity, personally overseeing the accounts, establishing rules, and selecting reliable managers, these businesses quickly got on the right track and became a stable and hidden source of wealth for the Meng family.

At the same time, he used his accumulated funds to acquire two prime locations in the official market controlled by the county government, and started a business selling grain and cloth. His eldest son, Wang Po, was in charge of the business. On the surface, the business had little to do with the Meng family, but in reality, they complemented each other.

The Meng family's economic foundation in Wufeng County is quietly becoming more solid.

Secondly, personal connections form a network.

Meng Xihong knew that consolidating power required far more than just military force. He began to consciously build a reliable network of connections, leveraging his position as a government official and the insight gained from his literary talent.

Within the county government, he promoted several young constables who came from respectable backgrounds, were capable, and loyal to him, granting them real power and generous treatment, making them the core of his team.

He maintained a superficial respect for the "elders" such as the county magistrate and the registrar, giving them every penny they were entitled to. However, when it came to core matters and personnel arrangements, he was unyielding, gradually undermining their influence through a combination of kindness and severity.

He proactively visited several respected and reputable retired officials and scholars in the county.

They didn't discuss official business, only matters of the people's livelihood and nature, humbly seeking advice on local governance, adopting an extremely humble attitude.

These old men were worldly-wise, and seeing that this newly powerful and promising man was so humble and polite, they were naturally happy to befriend him, thus becoming, in effect, the Meng family's representatives among the local gentry.

Instead of suppressing the outlaws of the martial arts world, he secretly contacted several dock foremen and carriage shop leaders who were quite prestigious at the grassroots level and had a certain moral compass through Wang Hai's connections.

As long as they restrain their subordinates and do not break the law, Meng Xihong tacitly allows their existence, and even grants them a certain "mediation power" in some gray areas, such as disputes over small private loans, bringing them under control.

An invisible network encompassing government officials, gentry, and ordinary citizens is slowly unfolding, centered around Meng Xihong.

Just as this invisible network was slowly unfolding, the first alarming news came from Meng Xihong's informants: County Magistrate Zhou Maocai was secretly meeting with a man dressed as a merchant, but whose demeanor was calm and whose steps were light, clearly not those of an ordinary merchant, in the back alley of the government office.

Zhou Maocai treated him with utmost respect, even a hint of obsequiousness, while the man expressionlessly handed him a small package and whispered a few words of instruction.

Although I couldn't hear clearly, I caught a few scattered words such as 'qualifications', 'reporting', and 're-verifying'.

What alarmed Meng Xihong even more was that when the outsider turned to leave, the afterimage of a dark green ornament at his waist, with its eerie outline, resembled a coiled snake, sending chills down his spine.

This scene, like a pebble thrown into a calm pond, rippled with vigilance in his heart.

Ultimately, nurturing talent is the foundation.

The small courtyard of his home became the most important testing ground for Meng Xihong to put his "building high walls" strategy into practice—his three children.

The eldest son, Meng Yanqing, has now grown from a toddler to over three and a half years old. He is a robust and energetic boy.

He showed an unusual interest in his father's powerful and vigorous punches and kicks when he practiced martial arts.

Whenever Meng Xihong practiced the Eighteen Forms of Long Fist in the courtyard, the little guy would stumble and follow behind, waving his little fists and mimicking some of the posture's charm!

Even more surprisingly, when Meng Xihong tried to channel a very weak, gentle and harmless strand of green wood spiritual energy into his son's body and guide him to feel the flow of qi and blood, the little guy not only did not reject it, but instead giggled comfortably, and his little arms and legs seemed to be stronger!
"This kid is a natural-born martial arts talent! It seems that the 'martial arts aptitude' ultimately belongs to this boy," Meng Xihong thought with great satisfaction.

He then consciously began to use his own Qi and blood, along with the nurtured spiritual energy of the green wood, to help his son strengthen his bones and build a solid foundation.

Although specific moves are not taught, the focus is on cultivating their perception and coordination of physical strength.

Meng Yanqing also enjoyed it immensely, often chasing after his father to "lift him up high" and "touch him." The martial arts tradition between father and son quietly sprouted amidst their playful interactions.

Although the second son, Meng Yanwei, was only two years old and still learning to speak, he already showed an unusual calmness. Unlike his lively and active older brother, he often stared at his surroundings with his big, dark eyes that seemed to see through everything.

When Bai hummed a country tune to coax him, he listened to it a few times and was able to pronounce a few indistinct but remarkably similar syllables during the pauses in Bai's speech.

When Meng Xihong held him and softly recited primers like the "Three Character Classic" and the "Thousand Character Classic," the little guy listened with exceptional focus, his little brows sometimes furrowing and sometimes relaxing, as if he were truly thinking.

“Yan Wei… perhaps he can truly inherit this [literary spirit and integrity].” Meng Xihong held this expectation in his heart. Every day, he would take time to hold his second son and recite the classics, regardless of whether the son could understand them or not. He would simply convey the rhythmic cadence and the principles contained in the words to him with gentle [literary spirit].

Meng Yanwei always listened quietly, without crying or making a fuss, occasionally reaching out her little hand to curiously touch the pages of the book in her father's hand.

What surprised Meng Xihong the most, yet required him to be extremely cautious about, was his eldest daughter, Meng Yanning, who was also two years old.

She was actually born with "immortal bones," without even needing Meng Xihong's talent attribute. She was practically a natural affinity for spiritual energy.

Even without Meng Xihong's deliberate guidance, she would often spontaneously attract and gather extremely faint spiritual energy points around her, forming a soft and clear light that was invisible to ordinary people.

This glimmer of light brightens slightly, especially when she is asleep or in a good mood.

"With such painstaking efforts, more than a year has passed in the blink of an eye."

That day, Madam Bai held Meng Yanning in her arms as they basked in the sun in the courtyard. The little one, full and content, was in a wonderful mood, waving her tiny hands and letting out a clear, cheerful giggle. Just as she was laughing her heart out…

hum!
Centered on her small body, the air within a few feet radius rippled gently, as if on water.

A faint yet incredibly pure cool sensation suddenly spread out.

On the withered branches of the old locust trees in the corner of the courtyard, whose tender buds had been stimulated by Meng Xihong's green wood spiritual energy, the tiny buds, no bigger than grains of rice, were visibly unfolding a little more, revealing an even brighter tender green.

Even more miraculously, several butterflies that were lazily fluttering among the nearby flowers seemed to be summoned by something and flew gracefully toward Meng Yanning, circling and dancing around her for a long time.

"Oh! Husband, look!" Bai was both surprised and delighted. Looking at her daughter, who was as beautiful as jade and snow in her arms, and then at the new buds and butterflies, she felt that her daughter was like a little fairy who had been born.

Meng Xihong felt a slight chill run down his spine!
He could see it more clearly: it was a trace of pure innate spiritual energy that his daughter had unconsciously activated and leaked out!
Although it is extremely faint and difficult for ordinary people to detect, if it were noticed by someone with a purpose, especially a true cultivator... the consequences would be unimaginable!
He immediately stepped forward and took his daughter away without making a sound. At the same time, he activated the "Green Wood Nourishing Technique," and a gentle and inclusive green wood spiritual energy quietly covered his daughter's body.

It was as if a restrained "veil" had been added to the spontaneously gathering glimmer of light, quietly concealing the dissipating spiritual energy fluctuations and strange phenomena.

“My lady,” Meng Xihong said gently to Bai Shi while holding his daughter, “Ning’er is still young and her body is delicate.”

"From now on, if she plays in the yard, she shouldn't stray too far from this locust tree. This tree... can nourish people." He gave the simplest of reasons.

Bai Shi had no suspicions and simply assumed that her husband doted on their daughter, so she smiled and agreed.

Meng Xihong looked down at his daughter's pure and innocent sleeping face with a sweet smile in his arms, but alarm bells were ringing in his heart.

Yan Ning's [Immortal Bones] are too amazing and too conspicuous.

In Wufeng County, where spiritual energy is scarce, the spiritual phenomena she unconsciously triggered were like fireflies in the dark.

We must find a way to completely conceal or guide the situation as soon as possible! Otherwise... a blessing in disguise may turn into a curse!
[Daily Divination, Today's Hexagram: Minor Misfortune. A fledgling phoenix sings sweetly, but may attract the attention of a distant eagle. Extreme caution is advised as the fortune is unfavorable; avoid showing off one's talents.]

The divination revealed his deepest anxieties! "The young phoenix sings clearly" obviously refers to Yan Ning, while "the phoenix peeping" foreshadows unknown, possibly higher-level, covetousness.

Meng Xihong tightened his grip on his daughter's arms slightly. He looked up, his gaze sweeping over his eldest son, who was playing in the courtyard, and his second son, who was observing quietly, before finally settling on the direction of the county government office.

The foundation is being strengthened, connections are being built, industries are being accumulated, and children are growing up... everything is developing in a positive direction.

But beneath this seemingly solid foundation, the eldest daughter's extraordinary "immortal bones" have planted a seed that could explode at any moment!
"Not enough...not nearly enough!" Meng Xihong roared inwardly.

He needs greater strength, more covert means of protection, and to make Wufeng County as impregnable as an iron barrel!
Only in this way can we protect this family and this fledgling phoenix that has just begun to show its potential when the storm truly arrives!

He gently patted his daughter, but his eyes were sharp as knives, piercing through the courtyard wall and reaching a seemingly peaceful corner deep within the county government office.

"Zhou Maocai!" Meng Xihong's eyes suddenly turned cold.

When the county magistrate came to offer his congratulations last time, his gaze swept over Yan Ning, and for no apparent reason, a very faint yet chilling warning arose in my [Literary Mind].

How could an ordinary county magistrate react like this? Could it be… that he possesses a secret treasure capable of sensing spiritual phenomena? Or… that he himself is a spy planted by some powerful force, possessing special perception? This strange reaction perfectly matches the omen of 'The Phoenix Peeping' in today's divination!

A thought flashed through Meng Xihong's mind, and he recalled the intelligence report from his informant a few days ago. A multitude of clues instantly intertwined, pointing to a chilling possibility.

"The phoenix peeks"... it turns out the foreshadowing had already been laid.

Meng Xihong's lips curled up silently, a cold and utterly devoid of warmth.

No matter where the storm comes from, if anyone wants to harm his family... they'll have to ask the knife in his hand first if it agrees!
(End of this chapter)