Outside Zhaojia Village, a figure clad in white stood observing.
Zhaojia Village was surrounded by a turtle demon digging a ditch to divert water.
By the Clear Water River, several river demons were pushing mud onto scales.
In the fields, half of the rice seedlings had already been planted, a vibrant green.
In the other half of the fields, pig and ox demons, in their true forms, were grunting and groaning as they pulled plows.
“How did you do it? Human piety couldn't possibly achieve this!”
Bai Qianli's eyes flickered, shifting to another side, a hopeful light shining in them.
There, on an empty space, stood an altar with incense burners.
The smoke and incense on the altar hinted at a history of at least a hundred years.
An ox-headed demon stood dutifully before the table.
Zhang Tianxian, the Fifth Princess of the Heavenly Court, extended her delicate hand towards the demon, her voice calm.
“Token!”
The ox demon grinned foolishly, handing over a wooden token in response to Zhang Tianxian's soulless voice.
Zhang Tianxian took the token, glancing at the numbers on it.
She then quickly flipped open the book before her, quickly finding the right page.
“Number twenty-seven, Niu Acai, cultivated three hundred and twenty acres, received twenty, remaining twelve.
The quantity is correct, how much are you planning to withdraw this time?”
Niu Acai nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, grumbling in reply.
“Yes, that’s right, I'll withdraw all of it, please, Fifth Steward!”
Zhang Tianxian nodded in agreement, instructing the Fourth Princess, Zhang Tianchang, who stood by her side.
“Write it down, Niu Acai withdrawing twelve strands of piety, sign it for them!”
“Got it, got it, it’s so boring, weren't we supposed to be playing around in the lower realms?
Why do we have to do all this, I don’t want to do it!”
Compared to Zhang Tianxian, who was relatively composed, Zhang Tianchang’s eyes were glazed over.
She mechanically flipped open the book beside her, glanced over it, then turned around and called out.
“Zhao Wancai, Zhao Hui... Li San, all twelve of you, come here!”
The twelve Zhaojia Village villagers, summoned by Zhang Tianchang, quickly put down their tools.
They turned around and trotted over, their faces flushed, their breath strong.
Not at all the kind of appearance ordinary villagers of this era should have.
The twelve villagers each skillfully drew out a wisp of incense.
Then, they pressed their fingerprints on the contract that Zhang Tianchang had prepared.
The ox demon stepped forward and pressed his own fingerprint on the contract.
The demon then turned around and called out to an old yellow ox behind him.
“Moo, moo moo”
“Moo~”
The old yellow ox's aged mooing echoed, its four hooves moved, and it walked to the altar.
Zhang Tianchang continued to stare blankly at the ledger, checking off each name one by one.
Zhang Tianxian glanced over it, picked up the contract, and recited it aloud.
“No objections from either party, contract formed, bow!”
The villagers bowed in unison as Zhang Tianxian finished speaking.
Twelve wisps of piety rose, two strands of azure light shimmering amongst them.
Moo~
The old yellow ox opened its mouth wide and instantly sucked in the piety and azure light.
The next moment, the ox's once dull eyes sparkled, radiating a flicker of intelligence.
A strand of demonic energy coalesced on the old yellow ox's body, its aura surging.
An ox demon was born right before their eyes.
Moo moo moo!
The ox demon called out to Niu Acai, who instantly turned red-eyed.
“Little brother, you've finally awakened your intelligence!”
The twelve villagers, unfazed by the heartwarming scene of the ox demon siblings, turned around and went back to work.
They had already delivered their piety for the day, and they were no longer needed here.
However, a look of shock and a different kind of light appeared in Bai Qianli's eyes.
“Human piety's azure light, how is this possible?
The azure light of human piety can only be summoned by the most pure and genuine human piety.
Since humanity lost the simplicity of their ancient ancestors, the azure light of human piety has become a rare sight.
Only during grand sacrificial ceremonies by dynasties could it possibly appear, once or twice.
And even then, the monarch must be wise and virtuous, otherwise, they would suffer repercussions.”
Bai Qianli suddenly felt that he needed to stay in this small village for a little while longer.
For the demon race, the azure light of human piety was more than just awakening intelligence.
Why was the demon race’s cultivation speed so slow? It was because their intelligence was low.
With abundant azure light of human piety, it could help demon cultivators cultivate and break through.
At this moment, Bai Qianli also understood why those demon race members were willing to come here.
Compared to the little bit of spiritual energy in the piety, it was the azure light of human piety that they truly valued.
With that thought, Bai Qianli closed his folding fan and stepped forward.
“I am Bai Qianli, I hear there are job openings here?”
Chen Fan turned around, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the elegant Bai Qianli in his white robes.
“I am Chen Fan, I’m in charge here, would you be willing to work here, Brother Bai?”
Bai Qianli's appearance clearly suggested a scholar with knowledge and learning.
Zhaojia Village lacked everything, but the most important thing it needed were people who could read and write.
Except for one Dong the Scholar, no one was willing to come!
And what that fellow was thinking, a fool could see.
And he was also a bit stiff-necked, if not for the lack of manpower, Chen Fan would have kicked him out.
“Of course, I, Bai, have traveled far and wide, but I have never seen such a wonder as Zhaojia Village.
If humans and demons could live in harmony like this throughout the land, the strength of our Great Tang Dynasty would increase by at least thirty percent!”
“Brother Bai, you are so insightful!”
Chen Fan's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he abruptly grabbed Bai Qianli's hand, shaking it vigorously.
Yes, why hadn't he thought of that!
Starting from this point, those old foxes wouldn't be able to fool him.
But the young ones in the academies, he would still be able to fool…
Bah, contributing to the strength of the Great Tang Dynasty, how could that be called fooling?
“Brother Bai, you have such great talent, I admire you!”
“Ah? How am I talented?”
Bai Qianli was a bit confused, he had just introduced himself.
Why was he called talented?
Could it be that he guessed my identity?
Bai Qianli narrowed his eyes, a flicker of light flashed within them.