“Impressive!”
Lu Zheng was shocked, his gaze toward Liu Qingyan tinged with a hint of wonder.
Merit, a mysterious force in this world, was far more profound than common energies like heaven-and-earth spiritual qi or underworld qi, somewhat akin to the light of fortune.
Cultivators could hardly pursue it actively, and most couldn’t even perceive it. Only those with special techniques or great masters could sense it.
Did you think doing good deeds guaranteed merit?
No, no, no. First, you needed a genuinely kind heart, and your actions had to align with the grand workings of this world.
For instance, if you did good deeds with the intent to gain merit, sorry, not a trace of merit would come.
Or, if you helped a notorious evildoer escape the pursuit of the Demon Suppression Division, sorry, no merit would descend either.
These were prerequisites cultivators had discovered through trial and error, and whether there were more, many still didn’t know.
Lu Zheng had only understood this after diligently studying the *Innate Cloud Transformation True Scripture* and the *Nine Heavens Golden Palace True Transformation Method* and achieving progress in his cultivation.
Thus, merit was rare. Only those who performed good deeds with utmost sincerity could be blessed with merit’s protective aura, marking them as truly virtuous.
It was a bit like the *Yijin Jing* in martial arts novels: you could only master it by harbouring no desire to learn martial arts. Thus, those who mastered it were never great villains or tyrants.
Merit’s aura didn’t aid in combat.
For cultivators, it uniquely protected against evil curses and supported cultivation.
For ordinary people, it ensured robust health, warded off evil, and often led to a long life and a peaceful end.
As for Liu Qingyan’s family using it to mask their aura, that was merely its most trivial application.
Liu Qingyan’s abundant merit only proved her genuine kindness and her pivotal role in this disaster relief effort.
What also amazed Lu Zheng was Du Yueyao. This quiet girl had amassed over a third of the remaining merit, surpassing the nine others, including Lu Zheng himself.
Unbelievable…
Was merit distribution structured like a pyramid?
When would the working man rise?
…
Having determined the best formula, the group no longer lingered in one place, focusing on distributing porridge, building shelters, handing out rations, and treating the sick.
However…
“Lu Lang,” Liu Qingyan approached with concern, “are we running low on medicine and food?”
That day, they had reached another waterside village, distributed millet, and treated some patients. Now, as the sun set, they were on open ground before a newly repaired straw shelter, enjoying the sunset.
“Yes,” Lu Zheng nodded, “we’re running low, but don’t worry, I’ve made preparations.”
Liu Qingyan looked at him, unsure what he meant, “Are you going to the state capital to buy food?”
Lu Zheng shook his head, “I went two days ago and found the state capital’s supplies aren’t plentiful either. This disaster didn’t just hit East Sichuan and North Ling. The Three Rivers Circuit, South Yi Circuit, and other southern regions faced floods, and even the northwest had great demons causing trouble.
This flood, while not particularly severe, has depleted much of the Great Jing Dynasty’s stored grain and reserves.”
“Yes, thankfully, with the flood subsiding and winter still long, we can plant a season of short-cycle rice, though the yield won’t match spring planting,” Du Yueyao said.
“The court’s been at peace for too long, a bit negligent. Next year, they’ll surely take note, and with one or two years of good harvests, the grain reserves will recover,” she added.
“The issue now is that the court’s food supplies won’t reach here for at least one or two months,” Hua Yixing said.
They had been in the disaster area for only five or six days, and their initial food and medicine were already insufficient.
“Don’t worry, I’ll bring back more food tomorrow,” Lu Zheng paused, “and medicine.”
“Medicine?” Liu Qingyan asked.
“Medicine!” Lu Zheng nodded, “Though it’s just common herbs, average quality, and no Star Beard Grass or Through Vine.”
“Star Beard Grass and Through Vine aren’t hard to find. They’re abundant in southern mountains. Even ordinary folk can gather them with effort. It’s Bupleurum and Scutellaria that are harder to come by,” Liu Qingyan said, frowning.
“So, it’s quite a coincidence…”
“What’s a coincidence?”
Lu Zheng shook his head, “Nothing, I’m heading out tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Liu Qingyan nodded obediently, asking no more.
After the initial deluge, ten days had passed, and cultivators around Yuzhou were increasing. The reckless minor demons had vanished, and with Liu Qingyan and the Xiuzhuang women far from helpless, Lu Zheng could leave with peace of mind.
…
The next day.
“Hey? Mr. Liu?”
On the phone, Liu Zhenming’s voice came through, “Mr. Lu! Finally reached you!”
“Sorry, been tied up and couldn’t answer,” Lu Zheng chuckled.
“No worries, I get it! I’ve been waiting,” Liu Zhenming said repeatedly.
Lu Zheng: ???
Get what? I was just making an excuse off the cuff, and you *get* it?
Care to explain?
“The Kun City Food Factory has prepared the 300 tons of rice, ready to ship anytime, but I don’t have the warehouse key!” Liu Zhenming said over the phone.
“That fast? Didn’t you say it’d take a week to arrange?” Lu Zheng asked.
Liu Zhenming sounded exasperated, “Mr. Lu, you’re buying old stock at 20% above wholesale price. This kind of deal is rare. Nearby grain depots are eager, even asking if you want more.”
“Heh… is that so…”
Lu Zheng gave a dry laugh, thinking of the situation back in the ancient world, “I’ll probably need more, but I’m not sure how much. How much can you get?”
“These past few years have been good, with new rice stored annually. Depots are offloading old rice cheaply. You want it, it’s there,” Liu Zhenming said.
“If you’ve got the means to take it, I can get you 100,000 tons.”
Lu Zheng spat out his tea.
“Heh,” Liu Zhenming laughed, “I know too much grain drops the price, but you said this is the first batch. Taking a few thousand more tons shouldn’t be an issue, right?”
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, “Probably not an issue… I think?”
“Tch, Mr. Lu, you’re a real mover, snatching markets from the big players!” Liu Zhenming praised.
Lu Zheng roughly guessed Liu Zhenming’s assumptions and modestly said, “Just small-time, sipping some broth.”
“Mr. Lu, you’re bold!” Liu Zhenming laughed heartily, “You sip the broth, and old Liu gets to lick the bowl!”
Lu Zheng laughed too, arranged to meet at the warehouse, and hung up.
