Feng Shui Chapter 148: Reward

Shen Yonghe did not rejoice blindly. He said, “While my Shen royal family can manage surface-level soil reinforcement, it’s still only superficial. It’s nowhere near as effective as having a great cultivator personally intervene to eliminate future risks.”

Chen Xiao responded with confidence, “Your Majesty, with my method, surface reinforcement is more than enough. After all, the root cause of the subsidence crisis isn’t the soil itself, but the underground water table.”

Shen Yonghe thought for a moment, then probed, “Master Chen, I take it your method involves more than just simple reinforcement?”

Chen Xiao nodded. “That’s right. This isn’t random patchwork, it’s a structured, skilled process. From what I’ve observed, apart from the five horizontal and five vertical main roads, the rest of the capital is surfaced with compacted dirt. When it rains, these dirt roads still absorb water to varying degrees. My method calls for paving all roads in the capital with bluestone bricks or fired tiles. Drainage ditches must be dug along both sides of the roads, and a number of infiltration wells installed throughout the city. This way, we can prevent rainwater from seeping into the soil beneath the capital while precisely channeling every drop underground to replenish the water table.”

Paving all roads in the capital, digging drainage ditches, and installing infiltration wells, while the project sounded massive, the cost would be nothing compared to inviting a great cultivator to act. Shen Yonghe was clearly tempted.

Shen Yongqing then asked, “Master Chen, your method sounds excellent, but it still relies on mundane materials. Surely there will be wear and tear, and endless maintenance every year?”

Chen Xiao replied, “You’re right, there are drawbacks. Which is why, before construction, proper foundational reinforcement is crucial. For instance, the roads must be paved and hardened to a stone-like quality, and the walls of the ditches and wells must be as impermeable and solid as rock. If done properly, the core infrastructure will last a hundred years without issue. As for routine wear and tear, replacing a few bricks now and then is no big deal. Ordinary workers appointed by the city authorities can handle that.”

Shen Yongqing found himself momentarily speechless. First, cultivators were sent to repair houses. Then the entire nation’s cultivators were mobilized to dig canals. And now, even more audaciously, someone had the nerve to scheme up work for immortal cultivators!

Shen Yonghe, on the other hand, burst into hearty laughter. He didn’t mind in the slightest. In fact, he said, “If the other noble clans find out they can get the same results for a fraction of the cost, I imagine they’d gladly contribute cultivators skilled in earth-element techniques. Especially since the work is easy enough and doesn’t require them to actually lay bricks, no loss of face involved.”

Chen Xiao chuckled. “If Your Majesty is willing to divide the city into sections and erect stone steles in each area, recording the entire project’s background along with the names of the contributing clans, this might turn into a legacy rather than a burden. It could become a deed to be proud of.”

Shen Yongqing’s eyes lit up. “In that case, our Shen royal family must take the lead. Brother, allow your humble sibling to take charge of this endeavor.”

These steles wouldn’t just be for the commoners, they’d be aimed at freelance cultivators and young disciples as well. The clan with the highest reputation would naturally have greater influence over new talent, making it easier to win over potential vassals.

Shen Yonghe looked at him with a smile. “You’re quick to act when it comes to earning a bit of fame.” Then he turned to Chen Xiao, his expression becoming solemn. “Master Chen, you’ve done my Shen clan a tremendous service. I fear there’s no way to truly repay your kindness. However, I’ve prepared a small token of appreciation to express our gratitude.”

Chen Xiao was somewhat surprised. Shen Yonghe hadn’t mentioned payment at all until now, but he wasn’t concerned. In the feng shui world, practitioners were usually paid only after the formation was completed. Sometimes a deposit was given beforehand, but upfront payment in full was rare.

Besides, clients often adjusted the reward based on the results. By the time Chen Xiao reached the height of his career, payment was no longer made in checks, it came in the form of luxury villas, yachts, sports cars, and elite club memberships.

Chen Xiao said calmly, “The crisis in the capital has yet to be resolved. How could I shamelessly accept any reward now?”

"Our entire Shen royal family is deeply grateful to Master Chen." Shen Yongqing said warmly. "Even my nephews have been eager to get to know you. But since Immortal Master Xi is currently in seclusion, my royal brother has forbidden them from disturbing you."

He glanced at Shen Yanxing, who sat respectfully beside Chen Xiao in the posture of a disciple, and couldn't help but feel satisfied. "They all envy Yanxing for having the chance to study at your side. These days, everyone admits that their judgment pales in comparison to his."

Shen Yanxing straightened his back with a quiet pride, yet spoke with humility. "I was simply fortunate to meet Teacher earlier than the others. It’s all thanks to Teacher’s kindness, he didn’t turn me away even though I lack a spiritual root and cultivation talent. He was still willing to teach me."

As they spoke, the chief eunuch approached and presented a box. Shen Yonghe stood up and personally brought the box to Chen Xiao. "I heard that Master Chen uses a blade as his weapon. Inside this box is a top-tier cultivation technique perfectly suited for such a weapon. With this method, I believe your combat ability will rise to new heights."

There was no doubt, this was a true treasure. Even minor sects in the cultivation world might not possess such a powerful core technique to anchor their lineage. Chen Xiao stood up quickly and accepted it with sincere respect. "Many thanks, Your Majesty."

Shen Yonghe smiled and replied, "No need for thanks, Master Chen. This is what you rightfully deserve."

What Shen Yonghe didn’t know was that Chen Xiao's situation was unique, he wouldn’t be able to use this technique himself. Even so, Chen Xiao was still pleased. After all, he planned to found a sect in the future. His disciples might not all be like him and Shen Yanxing. With this cultivation method in hand, he wouldn’t have to worry about finding a core technique suitable for disciples with cultivation aptitude.

That entire afternoon, Chen Xiao remained at the palace, working with Shen Yongqing and the summoned officials from the capital to draft detailed plans for drainage and road work across the city.

By the end of a busy day, Chen Xiao politely declined Shen Yonghe’s invitation to stay the night at the palace and instead rode his horse back to the royal gardens under cover of night.

The next morning, Chen Xiao went to check on Xi Yunqing. After confirming with the guards that all was well, he and Shen Yanxing set out again to inspect the reconstruction progress in the district.

The demolished buildings had revealed a wide expanse of open land. Now that land was carefully marked out, with clearly drawn foundation lines for future buildings. When the time came, cultivators would construct the homes according to these exact outlines. The supervisor on site, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was far more meticulous than Chen Xiao. The lines had to match the blueprints down to the last fraction, and the structures were not allowed even the slightest deviation.

Since cultivators were doing the construction, the progress was much faster than Chen Xiao had anticipated. All building materials had already arrived and were being transformed into building components by the cultivators using their techniques. Once the supervisor completed his inspection of all the outlines, the buildings could be assembled immediately. At this rate, it looked like the homes would be finished in less than a month.

Another advantage of cultivator-built housing was that the structures didn’t require time to dry or settle, they could be lived in right away. That meant displaced residents would be able to return home much sooner.

After inspecting the site, Chen Xiao nodded to himself in quiet approval. In his past life, where could you find such speed? From demolition to reoccupation in barely a month, it was unimaginable.

At the moment, the central plaza was bustling with activity. The area around the Feng Shui stone had been cordoned off with a fence, while the rest of the plaza was packed with construction materials. At every corner, cultivators were busily assembling components with their spells. Some were forming wall panels, others roof eaves, and some even complete doors and windows.

Chen Xiao couldn't help but frown slightly. Shen Yanxing noticed and quickly said, “All these cultivators have been working day and night to speed up progress, which is why things look so chaotic. But please rest assured, Teacher, they’ve been strictly instructed not to touch the Feng Shui stone.”

But that wasn’t what was bothering Chen Xiao. What concerned him was that, with so many people around, he couldn’t properly absorb the karmic fortune that had gathered here. Letting out a silent sigh, he gave up for now. It seemed he would have to wait until the district was fully completed.