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“I have lost!”

A young martial artist, seemingly in his prime years, hung his head in disappointment. He had traveled a thousand miles, seeking the nomadic Second Young Master Feng who journeyed the land, wanting to challenge the God of War – the Dragon Armor.

It was rumored that any martial artist who fought with Dragon Armor, despite their fates being predestined to failure, could gain substantial insights. Many fighters who were fortunate enough to battle with him subsequently made breakthroughs of various magnitudes.

He had come seeking this opportunity, but what frustrated him was that he couldn’t pass the test and was defeated by one of Young Master Feng’s servants. He did not even get the qualification to fight with Dragon Armor.

Although this rule was subsequently established, he was already a defeated subordinate, with a thousand words bottled up, only to be swallowed reluctantly back into his heart.

“Wait, are you from South Shao Prefecture?”

Just as the defeated martial artist was preparing to leave with regret, an old voice called him to halt.

“Indeed, I am from Pingwu County, South Shao Prefecture!”

The martial artist turned his head, looking puzzled at the elder who was calling him. Incredible! Before the match, they had already stated their names and origins. Why ask again now?

“Please come over, our young master has some questions to ask you!”

“What does he want to know?”

The baffled martial artist went over. After all, he had heard that the Second Young Master Feng had collected many martial arts scriptures. The rules he had set down were widely known among the warriors who came to the manor.

What upset him the most was that he had not even had the opportunity to fight with the Dragon Armor, nor had the chance to hand over his life’s martial arts experiences.

However, he was also hopeful that if he could answer the questions to the Lord’s satisfaction, maybe he would be rewarded?

“When you meet the young master, answer what is asked. If you don’t know, then don’t fabricate stories. If your answers satisfy our young master, you will be properly rewarded!”

Seeing the martial artist conscientiously comply, the house manager Zhao nodded satisfactorily, but did not forget to offer a reminder. “What does your young master wish to ask?” “I want to hear about farming in your home county!”

Feng Qing’an stepped out of his carriage, followed by his two wolves, Black Mountain and Bai Yao. The mere glance of these two creatures, without any hostile intent, put the martial artist on guard.

“Farming?”

The martial artist was flabbergasted. This young master was clearly someone who had never done any manual labor, why would he be interested in farming affairs? He held no official position, so there didn’t seem to be any plausible connection!

“Yesterday, during a banquet in Jinling Prefecture, a spirit told me that over recent years, South Shao Prefecture’s annual crop yield has gradually decreased. Comparing with bumper harvest years, the yield was down by nearly 20 percent. As you are a citizen of South Shao Prefecture, I would like to verify this information with you. Is it true?”

“A banquet for spirits?”

Hearing these words from the young master in white, the martial artist taken aback. He had seen roaming spirits before, but always kept his distance.

“You do not need to concern yourself with that. I just want to know if there have been problems with South Shao Prefecture’s grain production!”

Feng Qing’an spoke seriously. He couldn’t possibly just listen to the spirits’ grievance and oppose the River Lord, who controlled large areas of river lands. He needed to investigate the situation on the ground. If the issue truly posed serious problems to the livelihood of civilians, that would provide him with legitimate grounds to slay the Dragon Armor.

“I have to admit, sir, you might have found the wrong person. I don’t pay much attention to farming matters back home!”

The martial artist was straightforward; he simply didn’t know. Yet, he was not foolish, and quickly added,

“However, I feel that the reduction in crops might be more than 20 percent. If those spirits complained to you, they most likely played it down. The actual situation is probably even worse!”

“What makes you say that?”

Feng Qing’an probed further.

“In recent years, many new faces have turned up in my family, all of them children not yet fully grown, both boys and girls. They were sold by local farmers in nearby villages who could no longer afford to raise them!” He, who appeared to be a young man, spoke with the candor of a wealthy older man.

This news made Feng Qing’an’s brow crease. A drop in crop production of less than 20 percent forced peasants to sell their children?

“Young Master?”

With a furrow of his brows, Feng Qing’an exuded an indescribable pressure that fell upon the young rich man, causing him to tremble like a leaf, almost collapsing on the ground.

“Stand down! What has this got to do with him?”

Feng Qing’an glared at the ones applying pressure on the rich young man.

What parent would sell their children like commodities unless they were truly out of options, having no other alternative left? In times of famine, there were people willing to buy others’ children, giving them food and a chance at survival. In a certain sense, this act could even be seen as charity.

“Young Master, perhaps these spirits are not lying, and they wouldn’t dare to deceive you!”

Seeing the young rich man, who obviously did not come from humble beginnings, Zhao, the house manager, looked at Feng Qing’an and spoke.

“A decrease in crop production by one to two-tenths is enough pressure for peasants to sell their children and their lands!”