Although Jiang Ke’er had no intention of opening a martial arts school, she still held a dim view of Li Yuan’s latest policy.
Any new system will face obstacles from all sides during its initial implementation.
The Imperial Examination System shattered the existing talent recommendation rules and also changed the flow of talent, so naturally it would be met with resistance from the major sects.
Thus, for this year’s imperial examinations, the major sects were sure to comply in appearance while opposing in reality, doing their best to sabotage behind the scenes.
But all that was Lord Li’s headache to worry about, not something she had any stake in.
Jiang Ke’er just wanted to be a leisurely rich woman.
‘Hmm… but I have to get rich first.’
Just now, when calculating the monthly revenue, Jiang Ke’er discovered that Qiao Xiaoxian’s income had already reached 101 times her own!
This made Jiang Ke’er feel the pressure, and she completely lacked the confidence to propose, “I want to be on top and dual cultivate with you.”
The last time she helped Uncle Wang fix a hoe was half a month ago. Jiang Ke’er thought to herself, ‘Should I be a bit more ruthless next time and deliberately leave a flaw in the hoe?’
That time, in order to showcase her skill and attract customers, Jiang Ke’er had put her all into fixing the hoe.
As a result, it seemed to have no effect.
At the entrance of the small blacksmith shop, there were still only a few sparrows leisurely pecking for food, with no sign of any customers.
However, she had heard that the Underworld Province Remnant Clan had recently become all the rage in Shenzhou, living a very comfortable life.
Jiang Ke’er had once taught the Underworld Province Remnant Clan many modern scientific knowledge, such as energy conversion, machine tool design concepts, and other mechanized knowledge.
After learning this knowledge, with the help of tools, they were able to have impressive productivity without needing a high cultivation base.
This immediately solved the employment problem of many mana-less commoners, and also made the quality of life for the Underworld Province Remnant Clan rise steadily.
Because of the low labor cost, goods produced by the Underworld Province Remnant Clan were both cheap and of great quality, exported far to Xiniu Hezhou, the Southern Jambu Tribes, and the East Sea Archipelago, earning high praise from lower- and middle-tier cultivators!
But, after teaching the apprentice, the master was about to starve.
To avoid having her identity guessed, Jiang Ke’er did not take the mechanization route. The only thing around her that had a bit of a modern feel was a perpetual motion machine.
However, because it would periodically emit harsh mechanical noises like “Gan Li Liang,” “Help!,” “If you’ve got the guts, make me stop!,” “Wulu wulu wulu wulu,” it was obviously not fully functional, so Jiang Ke’er temporarily did not take that perpetual motion machine out for use.
“Ah…”
Another day of sighing wildly at the street. Qiao Xiaoxian made more money just picking up seashells at the beach than she did.
Last night Qiao Xiaoxian invited her to go catch jellyfish together, but she refused.
The dilapidated walls had indeed looked much better after the renovation, but still no business at the blacksmith shop.
“How shortsighted!”
Jiang Ke’er angrily closed the blacksmith shop’s door and hung up the closed sign.
Just as she was closing up, Aunt Zhao happened to be walking over carrying a basket.
Ever since Qiao Xiaoxian helped bring back Uncle Zhao’s fishing boat last time, Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao had been frequently coming to Jiang Ke’er’s shop, giving eggs, pickled vegetables, and other farm products to express their gratitude.
“Aunt Zhao, you’re too kind…” Jiang Ke’er gratefully took the large bag of free-range eggs Aunt Zhao handed her. “You don’t have to keep bringing things. We don’t know how to thank you.”
“Oh, it was thanks to you two that Old Zhao’s boat was recovered,” Aunt Zhao quickly waved her hands. “You two girls have a hard life. We’re all from the same village, so just accept it.”
Jiang Ke’er felt mixed emotions—she had actually fallen to the point of relying on villagers for relief.
“That Immortal from the Dong… whatever Sword Sect has arrived. They’re recruiting disciples at the village entrance. Don’t you want to go give it a try?” Aunt Zhao urged. “You’re young. It’s too pitiful to be stuck in this small village. If you’re chosen by an Immortal, why would you have to live such a bitter life? I heard that if you’re chosen, you can get a considerable stipend every month!”
“Oh?”
That was a way to make money.
The outer sect disciples of major sects were not strictly managed, basically left to their own devices, and they could earn resources like Spirit Stones by taking on sect missions.
She could just join a small sect, grind missions, and do odd jobs to earn money. That would be much faster than fixing farming tools.
‘Hmm, since I’m free anyway, I might as well go take a look. Whether or not I end up going, at least I can see how far Boss Li’s imperial examinations have progressed.’
“Thank you. I’ll go take a look right now.”
Jiang Ke’er trotted back, put the eggs Aunt Zhao had given her in the yard, locked the door, and then excitedly jogged toward the village entrance.
From far away, Jiang Ke’er could already see the registration area surrounded by a crowd.
All the young people in the village had come running, forming a long line that stretched from one end of the road to the other.
Jiang Ke’er stood at the tail of the line, craning her neck to look ahead.
She saw the “Immortals” who had “descended” from the Donglai Sword Sect, with straight faces, silently screening each young person.
But so far, no young person had caught their eye. They were all chased out of the registration area.
‘Strange. Jiang Ke’er remembered that there were still a few promising talents in the village. The Donglai Sword Sect wasn’t some ultra-large hidden sect, so they shouldn’t be this picky, right?’
‘Maybe their turn just hasn’t come yet.’
Jiang Ke’er shook her head and quietly waited in line.
Standing in front of Jiang Ke’er was a boy who was a head taller than her.
The boy’s clothes were a bit tattered, but sewn with exquisite patches, indicating either he was handy with a needle or had a family member who was.
However, Jiang Ke’er found the boy’s face somewhat unfamiliar; he was clearly not from the village.
Closing her eyes, Jiang Ke’er mentally practiced with the System Dummy while mechanically following the line.
She didn’t know how long she had been in line; even the scorching sun in the sky had come to rest. Jiang Ke’er was slightly startled and opened her eyes.
It was almost her turn. The boy in front was just walking up to the registration desk.
The person in charge of recruitment was a Three Talents Stage Sword Cultivator. He yawned lazily, crossed his legs, and didn’t even give the boy a proper look.
“Name.”
“Pei Min,” the boy said.
Jiang Ke’er, standing nearby, was stunned as if struck by lightning.
‘Pei Min? Which Pei Min?’
‘Could it be… fate is ineffable?’
“Do you have any cultivation experience?” the Sword Cultivator asked.
“I’ve cultivated. I started at age six, and I’m now at the Dual Polarity Stage.”
“Oh?” The Sword Cultivator was slightly taken aback.
It was rare to see a young person with cultivation experience in this backwater village. And six years to the Dual Polarity Stage… Not bad. Without resources and guidance, it was not too poor, probably low- to mid-tier talent.
At least it met the recruitment standard for outer sect disciples.
“Hmm…” The Sword Cultivator nodded. “Then, the tuition is 300 Magic Crystals per month.”
“Uh… Tuition?” Pei Min was stunned.
Jiang Ke’er was also shocked.
‘What crappy sword sect dares to ask for such an exorbitant price? 300 Magic Crystals? That’s more profitable than robbery!’
‘According to Boss Li’s policy, shouldn’t the various sects be properly supporting talented poor disciples and encouraging them to study diligently?’
‘Instead, they’re charging money?’
‘And you came to this small fishing village to recruit, and then deliberately stated such a high tuition… Isn’t that just to humiliate people?’
Seeing Pei Min frozen on the spot, the Sword Cultivator’s face showed undisguised contempt.
“No money? Then what are you still standing there for? Get lost!”
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