Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 150

In that instant, countless scenes flashed through his mind.

His childhood, when his clumsy father nearly set the kitchen on fire trying to cook, raising him all by himself.

His teenage years, getting into fights and trouble at school, his father’s helpless sighs of disappointment, his hand raised high only to be lowered gently without striking.

And after he had beaten up that young master from Yanjing, his father setting aside his dignity, humbly apologizing and making amends on his behalf.

…

“Silly child, it’s not even the New Year or a holiday, why are you kneeling?” Seeing this, Zhang Wanqing quickly helped Jiang Tian to his feet.

“Knowing you need to strive is good enough…” Jiang Zhixing was also visibly moved, a sense of comfort in his heart. It seemed Jiang Tian had done some serious thinking and matured a bit during his time in Linzhou.

“You had some drinks tonight, right? Qing’er, you both should have some soup!” Zhang Wanqing hurried to the kitchen to bring the hangover soup.

The so-called hangover soup was her own special recipe: beef brisket, onions, tomatoes, and potato chunks all simmered together until steaming hot, topped with a sprinkle of chopped green onions. It was refreshing, warmed the stomach, and felt incredibly comforting.

As he drank the soup, Jiang Tian felt deeply moved, his eyes welling up again.

This was the flavor he had missed for ten thousand years.

“Qing’er, how do you take care of your skin? It looks even better than it did over a year ago!” Zhao Xueqing hadn’t drunk any alcohol that night. After just a few sips of soup, Zhang Wanqing pulled her aside to chat.

Zhang Wanqing genuinely adored Zhao Xueqing. The warmth she showed wasn’t just that of a mother-in-law towards a daughter-in-law; it was more like the affection for her own daughter.

After finishing the soup, Jiang Tian let Zhao Xueqing freshen up and rest first. He then went to the study with Jiang Zhixing to talk.

Zhang Wanqing had initially wanted to discuss the matter of going abroad with Jiang Tian, but the first thing he said was:

“Mom, Dad, I already know about the family’s situation. Set your minds at ease; I will resolve everything.”

“What? You already know?” Zhang Wanqing was stunned.

Jiang Zhixing sighed. “I suppose it was those two rascals, Zhen Shuai and Tan Guangxu, who told him?”

Zhang Wanqing’s next thought was worry. “Jiang Tian, you must not act impulsively! The other side has all their legal procedures in order. If you resort to violence or anything like that, you could be held legally responsible!”

“I understand. I’ll handle it my own way. I promise there won’t be any problems.” With those words, Jiang Tian went off to sleep, leaving Jiang Zhixing and his wife utterly bewildered.

“That kid is probably just boasting. This problem is incredibly complex; how could he possibly solve it?” Zhang Wanqing shook her head with a bitter smile.

A mother knows her son best. While Jiang Tian wasn’t bad at heart, his aptitude and abilities were average. Even his grandfather was helpless in the face of this predicament, let alone a young man like Jiang Tian.

“Regardless, it’s a step in the right direction that he’s now concerned about family matters,” Jiang Zhixing said, a gratified smile appearing on his face.

…

The next day, while Jiang Tian was resting, a phone call woke him. It was from Zhao Wuji.

“What is it?” Jiang Tian asked calmly.

“There’s a problem with the county’s landscaping project. A lot of the seedlings have died – thousands of acres worth. The initial investment is a total loss. People are suspecting it’s a feng shui issue!” Zhao Wuji explained. “This involves your father, Uncle Jiang. The Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission suspects he took bribes from the Provincial Agricultural Research Institute for faulty seedlings. They’re preparing to investigate him!”

“Come pick me up. We’ll head over immediately,” Jiang Tian’s heart stirred, and he quickly responded.

Jiang Tian remembered.

In his previous life, it was precisely this landscaping seedling problem that led to the Discipline Inspection Commission investigating his father.

His father was incorruptible and never accepted monetary gifts. However, that academician from the Provincial Agricultural Research Institute was his father’s old classmate. He had given his father a carton of cigarettes, which, unbeknownst to his father, somehow had 50,000 yuan tucked inside. His father, unaware, had accepted it.

But the Discipline Inspection Commission didn’t care whether he knew or not. They arrested his father solely because of that 50,000 yuan.

Thinking of this, Jiang Tian quickly got out of bed, found Jiang Zhixing who was having a meal, and asked, “Dad, did you receive a carton of cigarettes from Uncle Yan Jianfan?”

“Yes, I did,” Jiang Zhixing replied, completely nonchalant. “We’re old university classmates, friends for decades. What’s the big deal about taking a carton of cigarettes from him? He’s taken things from me before too!”

“Dad, there’s something wrong with that carton of cigarettes!” Jiang Tian’s spiritual sense swept over the cabinet, immediately located the cigarette carton, and swiftly tore it open.

“Why is there money in here? Did Old Yan give this to you?” Zhang Wanqing exclaimed in surprise. “But that doesn’t make sense. For the landscaping project collaboration, we were the ones asking a favor of Old Yan. Why would he give you money?”

“Old Yan probably didn’t know about it either…” Jiang Zhixing frowned. “Many bosses in the agriculture and seedling business have favors to ask of Old Yan. This was probably given to him by one of them. He just took it out of his filing cabinet and gave it to me while I was in his office.”

Having been in the system for many years, he understood the implications, and cold sweat broke out on his back. “Luckily Xiao Tian found it in time. Otherwise, if this came out later, I’d never be able to explain it clearly! I’ll have my secretary return it to him immediately.” With that, Jiang Zhixing picked up the cigarettes and headed out the door.

Shortly after Jiang Zhixing left, Zhao Wuji arrived. He even brought a few gifts, bowing and scraping obsequiously. “Auntie, I heard Jiang Tian was back, so I came to see him…”

“Wuji, you’re quite the rare guest. You didn’t need to bring anything; your visit is enough!” Zhang Wanqing was quite surprised but still put on a cheerful face.

County Party Secretary Zhao Junlin had never seen eye-to-eye with her husband. Especially after the landscaping seedling issue, he had become even more critical of Jiang Zhixing.

As for Zhao Wuji, he was a local tycoon with a sizable business. Arrogant and looking down on everyone because of his father’s high position, he usually ignored or was dismissive of the couple when they met.

“It’s fine, Auntie, it’s nothing valuable. Please accept it! I’m here to ask Jiang Tian for a small favor…” Zhao Wuji casually set the gifts down, then rubbed his hands together. “Jiang, Jiang Tian, shall we go?”

“Let’s go.” Jiang Tian stepped out immediately.

“This is just too strange…” Watching the two leave, Zhang Wanqing felt deeply puzzled.

How did her son suddenly discover the problem with that cigarette carton? It was perfectly sealed; no one could have known from the outside.

And why did Zhao Wuji seem to respect, even fear, her son? It was all very odd.

On the way, combining his memories from his previous life with Zhao Wuji’s account, Jiang Tian roughly understood the situation.

The Guyun Landscaping Center was a joint project between the county government and the Provincial Agricultural Research Institute. The county government took the lead, with the Finance Bureau and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission jointly investing 100 million yuan to establish an agricultural company. The Provincial Agricultural Research Institute provided seedlings and technology, while local farmers contributed land and labor. The main focus was cultivating rare flowers, valuable trees, and high-end potted plants.

Although the landscaping center only covered a few thousand acres, it had become a pillar industry for the county and the most outstanding achievement of the County Party Committee and Government in recent years.

But recently, all the seedlings and potted plants had begun to wither, lose leaves, and die.

The losses were severe. The flower farmers suspected the seedlings were the problem. They had put up banners and protested at the County Party Committee and Government buildings demanding answers. Some had even petitioned in Jinling and Yanjing, putting the county in a very passive position.

Experts from the Provincial Agricultural Research Institute had been invited by the county but couldn’t solve the problem.

Tests showed no issues with the soil, water sources, ventilation, or pests and diseases.

Over this matter, the county’s top officials were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, completely panicked.

Someone suggested that perhaps the feng shui had been disrupted, causing the seedlings to die inexplicably.

So, the county had invited quite a few feng shui masters and practitioners of mystical arts to take a look.

As the County Party Secretary’s son, Zhao Wuji knew this matter concerned his father’s official position and had been closely monitoring it.

Having witnessed Jiang Tian’s extraordinary abilities last night, he thought Jiang Tian must be that kind of person too, so he brought him along.

“Oh, so that’s it? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely solve the problem,” Jiang Tian said with a calm expression after listening, then closed his eyes to rest.

Zhao Wuji had considerable confidence in Jiang Tian and didn’t say anything more. The car sped all the way to a mountainous area on the southern outskirts of the county.

The entire Guyun Landscaping Center was already gathering quite a crowd, with vehicles parked all over outside.

In the central garden, numerous government officials, agricultural and forestry experts, and a few feng shui masters and practitioners had gathered, pointing and discussing animatedly.

“Dad, I’ve brought the expert you needed!” Zhao Wuji eagerly pulled Jiang Tian over to a man standing in the center and said excitedly.

“Nonsense! Is this a place for you to be? We’re conducting official business here!” Zhao Junlin was solemnly listening to a report from the agricultural experts. Seeing this, he spoke angrily.

“Dad, I’m not here to play around! I’m here to help you check the feng shui! Jiang Tian is a master of mystical arts!” Zhao Wuji shrank back from the scolding, a look of fear on his face, but still managed a pleading smile.

“Jiang… Jiang Tian? Jiang Tian is the master you were talking about?” Only then did Zhao Junlin take a proper look at Jiang Tian. His disappointment was palpable, and he rebuked, “What nonsense are you spouting? Get out of here, now!”

Last night, his good-for-nothing son had come home talking about meeting a powerful expert who could control thunder and lightning, stop a Mercedes with his bare body… Just listen to that! Did he drink himself stupid?

He hadn’t held out much hope to begin with, but now, discovering that his son’s so-called expert was actually Jiang Tian, he was absolutely furious!

He had watched Jiang Tian grow up and knew him all too well.

This kid had been fighting, skipping class, having early relationships, getting into trouble… just as useless and hopeless as his own worthless son. They were two of a kind, the two biggest troublemakers in the county, equally skilled at causing headaches for their parents.

Seeing his father’s disdain for Jiang Tian, Zhao Wuji grew extremely anxious.

So what if you’re the County Party Secretary? If you piss off Jiang Tian, he could strike you down with a bolt of lightning!

Just then, Jiang Tian pulled Zhao Wuji back and said softly, “It’s fine. Let’s just observe on our own.”

After walking around a few steps, Jiang Tian suddenly remarked calmly, “Haven’t you noticed the temperature here is a few degrees lower than elsewhere?”

“He’s right! Look, there’s even ice forming in some spots!” No one paid Jiang Tian any mind except for Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji, however, found it very strange. The winter temperature in Qixia County was relatively high, and it wasn’t even deep winter yet. Plus, with the plastic greenhouses, how could some ground surfaces be frozen?

At that moment, an old man in Taoist robes holding a compass suddenly declared loudly, “I’ve got it! This place is a Yin Convergence Ground!”