Chapter 140 - 108: Bai Family Takes Action, Total Lockdown

Chapter 140: Chapter 108: Bai Family Takes Action, Total Lockdown

"It also concerns the survival of the ordinary people in a region. In places where the Spirit Vein is strong, the commoners are robust, the weather is favorable, and talent flourishes. The likelihood of Cultivators appearing is also much higher. Conversely, when the vein is weak, the people’s livelihoods are fraught with hardship, disasters become frequent, and the hearts of men easily succumb to darkness."

Lu Jing’an listened attentively, absorbing perspectives he had never heard from his master. Kui Shan’s explanation connected the ethereal Spirit Veins with the tangible hardships of the common people, grounding the concept in a profound, pressing reality.

"Returning to your question about the merger of the three counties," Kui Shan continued. "This matter has far-reaching implications. Normally, the tides of a Spirit Vein cycle every three hundred years, corresponding to the lifespan of a dynasty. When the Emperor of the Previous Dynasty forced an attempt to alter fate and failed, his soul was utterly destroyed. Worse, his actions drove the Spirit Veins into a deeper trough. Veins that should have been gradually recovering were instead forced to retreat into isolated pockets, making it difficult for them to reconnect.

"Later, the Voiders seized the opportunity to invade, causing the national destiny to plummet and further delaying this recovery. However, the grand momentum of heaven and earth is ultimately irreversible; the Spirit Veins are still slowly reviving. It is just that they remain isolated from one another. Like scattered puddles, they struggle to converge into a flowing stream.

"The merger of the three counties is an administrative and geographical move on the surface. On a deeper level, it is a deliberate effort to break down artificial borders and encourage the intermingling of the local populations. When the energy of the people connects, the Earth Veins will naturally follow suit. Once personnel, goods, and information begin circulating between the three counties like lifeblood, these isolated ’Spirit Vein puddles’ will begin to merge and grow. This is one of the true motivations driving the merger. Consolidating the Public Security Bureau first is meant to maintain local stability, but it also serves to centralize household registration, clearing the way for the unhindered flow of people."

Kui Shan’s explanation was like parting the clouds to reveal the sun. Many of the arrangements Lu Jing’an had previously found abrupt or perplexing now made perfect sense.

"So," Lu Jing’an said, setting down his teacup as his thoughts clarified. "If the Bai family and the Voiders want to sabotage this fusion, they only have a few options. They must either maintain the physical isolation of the three regions or spawn more Demons and malevolent entities to drain the Spirit Veins of their already meager power, thereby halting their recovery?"

Kui Shan nodded. "Correct. Furthermore, there is a much more direct, and far more dangerous, method: destroying the Spirit Nests!"

"Spirit Nests?" It was yet another unfamiliar term.

"Yes," Kui Shan replied, his expression turning grave. "At the precise locations where Spirit Veins intersect and merge, Spiritual Qi gathers and surges, forming a core node similar to a whirlpool. These are known as Spirit Nests. They serve as both the catalyst and the crux of the fusion process. Should a Spirit Nest be destroyed, the merging process would likely stall or even completely reverse."

"Where are the Spirit Nests for our three counties?"

Kui Shan hesitated for a moment before answering. "Based on my extensive surveys and calculations over the past several days, there are two likely locations. The first is Jinshan Village, situated right at the geographical border of the three counties where the Earth Veins converge. The other..." He paused briefly. "Is out on the Canglan River.

"Personally, I lean toward the latter. The Canglan River is the golden waterway connecting all three counties. It is already the most heavily trafficked artery for people and goods. Since Spirit Veins often follow the flow of water, the likelihood of a Spirit Nest forming there is exceedingly high."

Lu Jing’an looked thoughtful. "If it is on the Canglan River, the river is wide and its currents are treacherous. Any sabotage they attempt out there would be exponentially more difficult. I suppose that’s good news."

"True, but we can hardly rest easy," Kui Shan noted.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Jing’an finally asked a question that had been lingering in his mind for quite some time. "Is it possible for the Voiders to completely destroy the Spirit Veins?"

He had once posed this question to Chen Xuan, but his master had frankly admitted he didn’t know.

Kui Shan, however, answered without hesitation, indicating that the Anping Bureau had already thoroughly analyzed this threat. "With the firearms and weaponry the Voiders currently possess, it is utterly impossible. Throughout history, countless madmen and ambitious warlords have attempted to destroy the Spirit Veins of our Divine Land. Some among them were even mighty Cultivators capable of moving mountains and parting seas, yet every single one ultimately failed. The Spirit Veins are inherently tied to the bloodline of the Divine Land’s mountains and rivers; they are the very Essence of the Earth Qi. Unless they can completely erase this landmass from the face of the world, the Spirit Veins cannot be extinguished."

He paused, his tone suddenly turning razor-sharp. "However, while they cannot destroy them, they can steal them! If the Cultivators of our Great Xia are wiped out and our lineages severed... if the citizens of Great Xia are reduced to servitude or forced to bow their heads in submission... then the fortune and power nourished by these Spirit Veins will ultimately change hands! I’m afraid this has been their true objective all along."

A chill crept down Lu Jing’an’s spine. He nodded slowly. "I see. Presumably, the Voiders have their own Spirit Veins back in their homelands?"

"Naturally. Otherwise, where would their Mages and Knights draw their power from? It is just that the scale and foundation of their veins fall far short of our Divine Land’s." Kui Shan’s tone carried a fleeting trace of pride before hardening into a cold sneer. "If their own Spirit Veins were truly so abundant, why would they bother crossing oceans to covet the fertile soil of the Divine Land?"

With this, the overarching picture regarding the Spirit Veins had become much clearer.

Lu Jing’an sat in silence for a moment, organizing his thoughts. "The current situation is incredibly convoluted. It is not convenient for the Lu family to strike first; we can only adapt and counter their moves as they come. However, when it comes to guarding the Spirit Nests, whether you need silver coins, supplies, or an intelligence network, the Lu family will do everything in our power to assist you."

Kui Shan didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately stated his request. "I want to borrow your Water Patrol Bureau’s Ironclad Ship for a thorough patrol of the Canglan River, specifically focusing on the stretch of water where the three counties intersect. We need to confirm whether the Spirit Nest is truly located on the river, and check for any abnormalities."

"Done," Lu Jing’an agreed readily. "I’ll make the arrangements immediately. You can set out shortly."

Wen Ling looked surprised. "So soon?"

Lu Jing’an’s expression darkened. "We have to act fast. Did you see today’s special newspaper edition?"

Wen Ling nodded. "I did. It reported that rebel forces have surfaced in Xiao County and routed the local Public Security Bureau. They seem to be gaining significant momentum."

"Rebel forces?" Lu Jing’an sneered. "Nine times out of ten, this is a farce orchestrated by the Bai family. With this perfect excuse, they can smoothly mobilize their troops and seize control of the key thoroughfares."