Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World Chapter 4: Obtaining Treasure

"Has the dynasty already reached its end?"

Jiang Fan froze in shock upon hearing those words.

After all, memories from his previous life hadn't surfaced yet; he remained merely a simple villager in Osmanthus Village.

How could he possibly be aware of events unfolding beyond his home?

He hadn't even bothered to seek out such information.

As a result, his knowledge couldn't compare to the well-informed elders like Uncle Fugui and Uncle Ziqiang.

Father Jiang and Mother Jiang might have been aware too, yet they chose not to inform him.

Still, based on the history texts he'd studied, this situation did mirror the typical omens of a dynasty's collapse.

Should a Righteous Army arrive at Yunmeng Lake, villages like this one could easily become wastelands of destruction.

Countless lives would be lost in the chaos.

Escaping Osmanthus Village wouldn't be an option either.

In truth, places like Osmanthus Village were already fortunate among small fishing settlements; Yunmeng Lake teemed with abundant fish.

With water available and fish plentiful.

Survival came somewhat more easily.

Venturing to the northern regions meant facing endless droughts, failed crops, and parched rivers—a life of utter despair.

There, scenes of people resorting to cannibalism or burning bones for fuel weren't uncommon.

Thus, despite the Dragon King Gang raising their monthly dues and squeezing their livelihoods, the fishermen had no intention of departing.

With these thoughts, Jiang Fan ceased his observation.

Uncle Meng's household faced a dire fate, but in his present circumstances, offering aid was beyond his reach.

His own family's provisions barely covered three days—how could he extend help further?

He made his way back home.

"Brother Jiang, is Uncle Meng's family okay? No major issues, I hope?"

Su Weiwei had learned that Meng Da's family was involved in the trouble, though details escaped her.

"Nothing too grave, just a beating—no immediate threat to their lives."

"Though it'll likely take at least half a month before they can rise from bed."

Jiang Fan shook his head.

For Meng Da's family, this was nothing short of a calamity.

Confined to bed for a full month, they couldn't fish, leading to idle days and dwindling supplies.

Without reserves of grain, starvation could claim them by the following month.

Such was the harsh truth for fishermen in these times: a single misstep could spell disaster.

"Thank goodness we paid up our monthly salary, or we might have ended up like Uncle Meng's folks."

Fear flickered across Su Weiwei's face.

She never imagined the Dragon King Gang's members could act with such brutality.

One wrong decision, and an entire family could be ruined.

"Rest easy; with me around, we'll be fine."

Jiang Fan reassured her, gently patting her delicate head.

"Mm."

The warmth of his touch brought a flush to Su Weiwei's cheeks, her lovely eyes shimmering as she gazed at him. Despite the turmoil outside, his presence filled her with a profound sense of security—having a man in the home truly brought peace.

Gurgle~~

Suddenly, Jiang Fan's belly rumbled.

The noise prompted Su Weiwei to chuckle softly, teasing in a playful tone, "That growl says it all, Brother Jiang—you're starving too. Let me whip something up for you."

She hurried to the kitchen and began her preparations.

"I'll lend a hand."

Jiang Fan followed her.

"No, the kitchen's women's domain—you stay out."

Su Weiwei playfully shoved him away from the kitchen.

Before long, she set to work alone, kindling the fire and starting the meal.

Beneath the sun's glow, her refined, innocent features and graceful form appeared utterly captivating.

Observing Su Weiwei's diligent efforts, Jiang Fan swelled with gratitude; back in his previous life, he doubted he could ever win the hand of such a remarkable woman.

Soon enough, Su Weiwei completed the cooking.

Atop the dark wooden table sat a steaming snakehead fish, its aroma mouthwatering.

Accompanying it were porridge made from wild greens and some sorghum flatbreads—simple fare at best.

Fortunately, as a fisherman's abode, enjoying fish was straightforward.

For farming families, relying on wild veggies and cakes counted as a feast.

"It honestly doesn't taste great."

Jiang Fan sampled a mouthful; beyond the fish, the rest proved tough to stomach.

Though Su Weiwei's culinary talents were commendable.

Poor ingredients limited her, no matter her skill—the flavors fell flat.

These bites, especially the greens, scratched at his throat with little savor, serving mainly to stave off hunger.

For one accustomed to a world of plenty, this was far from enjoyable.

When had he last endured such unpalatable grains, the kind once fed to livestock in his old life?

Yet in this age, it formed the staple for common folk.

Still, humanity possesses remarkable resilience.

He'd adapted to these meals within days of regaining past-life recollections.

In the end, adaptation was inevitable; these were the sustenance of the lowly, and refusal meant famine's embrace.

...

Time passed swiftly, and night had deepened to the third watch in what felt like an instant.

Su Weiwei slumbered soundly.

Osmanthus Village lay in total quiet, broken only by chirps of insects and calls of night birds.

Darkness enveloped everything, thick enough to hide one's outstretched hand.

This era lacked electric lights; the impoverished couldn't afford even candles.

Folks typically retired around seven in the evening.

Jiang Fan rose from bed, grabbed a spade, and stealthily slipped out of the house.

Guided by the intuitive markers in his mind, he arrived at a point about a hundred meters from the village chief's in Osmanthus Village, where he spotted a fragrant osmanthus tree.

Yet this tree seemed no different from the rest, bearing no evident anomalies.

Gripping the spade, he commenced excavating the ground below.

Shortly, the tool struck a solid object buried beneath.

"Could there truly be treasure hidden here?"

Jiang Fan's heart leaped with joy; he'd harbored doubts about the mental prompts, but this tangible find confirmed their validity.

Buoyed by excitement, he dug furiously through the earth.

Within mere breaths, he unearthed a weathered wooden chest from the dirt.

The chest once bore a lock, now corroded by years.

A light pull sufficed to dislodge it.

Then, with anticipation, he pried open the aged wooden chest.

"Unbelievable—actual silver inside? A whopping twenty taels!"

Jiang Fan's eyes lit upon the silver within and burst into elation.

He understood the value of twenty taels; it represented a modest windfall.

A fisherman's household might toil for years to amass such a sum.

For basic needs, it could sustain a family two or three years, sparing them lake labors.

Should others learn of it, the ensuing troubles could be endless.

Fatal dangers might even arise—not at all far-fetched.

He'd pondered ways to earn coin, but these twenty taels resolved his pressing woes entirely.

"Wait—what's this? A book too?"

Jiang Fan swiftly pocketed the twenty taels of silver, then spied a tome in the chest—likely the real prize, with the silver as a bonus.