These wooden cows and flowing horses are just simple puppets. Their structure is also very simple and they can’t perform many actions, only mechanically move forward, backward, and turn. They are not even as complex as the ink painting little tiger, but for transporting ore, they are sufficient. Because the structure is simple, they only need the most basic spirit hub arrays. They don’t need to be like the Corpse King, which requires drawing complex sequence array patterns and constructing hundreds and thousands of levels of spirit hubs for layered control. Therefore, a beginner spirit hub array like Yun young master can also draw them. And with Yun young master’s help, the progress is just faster.

However, even after drawing them well, it’s not that simple. These spirit hub arrays and cow and horse puppets still need to be used in practice and debugged a bit. Ink painting then took the time to go into the mine to try them out and see if these wooden cows and flowing horses could be used normally. Debugging is not difficult, but it is quite tedious. During the trial use, mining and transporting ore still require human assistance. Debugging the arrays, modifying the arrays, and repairing these wooden cow and flowing horse puppets also require “people” to assist. Ink painting decided to still use zombies as substitutes.

Ink painting again drew out a batch of zombies from the corpse mine and had them mine, then load the ore onto carts, which were then pulled out by the wooden cows and flowing horses. Among this batch of zombies, there was a small zombie. Its stature was not tall, and its face was pale. It was precisely the small zombie from the Wan Shi Array that was first modified by Ink painting’s sequence array patterns and secretly opened the door for Ink painting every night.

A part of the corpse mine collapsed, and the Wan Shi Array was also destroyed. When clearing up the zombies and coffins inside the array, Ink painting discovered this small zombie was still there. Because it was too small, its strength was relatively weak. Lu Chengyun did not let it go out to fight as a soldier. So when the corpse tide surged and both sides fought fiercely, it always quietly stayed inside its own coffin.

This small zombie was probably in its early teens. Its age should be older than Ink painting, but it is estimated that it came from a poor background and its family situation was not good, so it was thin and small and didn’t look much older than Ink painting. It’s just unknown how it died at such a young age and how it fell into Lu Chengyun’s hands to be refined into a zombie. It was only in its early teens; this life had just begun. If its family situation was not good, it hadn’t even enjoyed much happiness. Ink painting felt some sympathy and also some regret.

When debugging the wooden cows and flowing horses, he specially brought it with him. The other zombies mined, dug, and transported ore. It followed Ink painting around, moving things, sweeping the mine path, and exploring the mountain road. Or, when the wooden cows and flowing horses had a fault, it would listen to Ink painting’s instructions, dismantle the puppet for Ink painting to check, or hand over some pens and inks for Ink painting to repair the array… These not-too-heavy labor tasks were all done by the small zombie.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi also saw this small zombie and were all a bit surprised. Bai Zisheng was mainly angry: “Lu Chengyun this bastard, he didn’t even spare such a small cultivator. At that time, I should have stabbed him with a few more guns!” Bai Zixi then looked at the small zombie and wrinkled her eyebrows. Ink painting asked doubtfully, “Senior sister, is something wrong?” Bai Zixi thought for a moment and slowly said, “This small zombie, its body only has corpse gas, no blood gas.”

No blood gas? Ink painting was slightly startled, thought for a bit, and then understood. Only corpse gas, no blood gas, means it had just died and was refined into a corpse, but it hadn’t yet eaten people or sucked blood. However, this is not unexpected. This small zombie was a bit weak and should not have been able to kill people. Even if it had the opportunity to eat meat and drink blood, it couldn’t snatch it from other zombies. It could only rely on the evil gas inside the corpse-raising coffin to warm and nourish the corpse gas.

Bai Zisheng looked at Ink painting and said doubtfully, “You won’t want to always keep it with you, right…” Ink painting sighed and shook his head, saying, “Dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth. Since it has become a zombie, it has its place.” Bai Zisheng curled his lip and muttered, “At such a young age, full of old manners.” Ink painting snorted, “Tonight’s beef, no share for you!” Bai Zisheng immediately softened and said, “Little junior brother, I was wrong. What you said is right, very right, very reasonable!” Bai Zixi sighed slightly and looked at Bai Zisheng with some dislike.

After a while, Bai Zisheng asked again, “Then what do you plan to do with this small zombie? Burn it? The Dao Court’s incinerate corpse array seems to be almost built…” Ink painting was a bit conflicted, thought for a moment, and sighed, “I drew an array on its body, and it helped me again. It also counts as having a destiny. After the matter is over, I’ll just let it enter the earth for peace…” Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi both nodded.

More than ten days later, the wooden cows and flowing horses were already debugged. All the cow and horse puppets were also all drawn with spirit hub arrays. And just as Ink painting expected, they consumed very few spirit stones, were easy to control, the wood material was durable, and their strength was not small. For transporting ore, they were more than enough. The only problem is that once they are damaged, no one will repair them. Repairing these puppets requires a master of spirit hub arrays. By the time he and Yun young master leave, no one in this Nan Yue City will know spirit hub arrays, so naturally, no one will repair these wooden cows and flowing horses. So in usual use, one just needs to pay attention to maintenance. As long as they are used reasonably, and with natural wear and tear, the lifespan of these cows and horses is still very long.

Ink painting instructed the newly appointed palm officer of Nan Yue City on this matter. The Dao Court department of Nan Yue City has almost completely changed personnel from top to bottom. The newly appointed palm officer is a person from the Si Tu family, surnamed Si Tu, named Shen. He and the previous elder Si Tu Jin seem to be brothers from the same branch. Perhaps it was a family entrustment, or perhaps he learned many things about Nan Yue City from Si Tu Fang, but the Foundation Establishment cultivation realm Si Tu Shen was very polite to Ink painting, and even within his politeness, there was some respect. His attitude was very solemn. Nan Yue City is an opportunity for him and also a chance for the Si Tu family. The matter of the corpse mine is of great importance. All forces are watching. If he doesn’t do well, the Si Tu family will lose face. Similarly, if he can properly settle the matter, it will be a great merit, and he will also have a good reputation within the clan in the future. He can also accumulate quite a bit of merit for promotion in the Dao Court department. And Ink painting is an array master, and also the “master” of the Corpse King. Handling the Corpse King and the zombie group requires Ink painting’s approval. Building a new mine and improving the lives of future cultivators in Nan Yue City also requires relying on Ink painting. So he almost gave Ink painting whatever he wanted. Whatever Ink painting said, he agreed to immediately and spared no effort in doing it. Ink painting sighed in his heart. It seems that the internal competition within the family is indeed very intense and the pressure is also very great. If you eat from the same pot, you won’t even get soup if you don’t make an effort and spend some thought.

The wooden cows and flowing horses are made well, and the mine is also built well. Next, it’s time to start working. Si Tu Shen then organized the mine cultivators to restart work. The mine cultivators were a bit hesitant and also a bit uneasy. They still had lingering fears about the matter of the corpse tide surrounding the city before. Although the corpse tide has retreated now, there are bound to be remnants, especially inside the mine, which is deep and filthy, most suitable for zombies to hide. They didn’t dare to start working too much. They were both afraid of being poor and afraid of hardship, and also afraid of encountering zombies and losing their lives. But they also didn’t dare not to start working. Because they were really poor, they had no spirit stones and couldn’t even eat rice. If they started working and there were zombies in the mine, at most one of them would die. But if they didn’t start working, the whole family would starve to death. They were uneasy and anxious.

But until they entered the mine, they discovered that everything was different. The mine had become big, spacious, and bright, and it had wind, neither cold nor hot, cool and comfortable. There was no gloomy feeling, no oppressive feeling. The filthy gas was not heavy. Staying inside was just more comfortable. It was also not as hard as before. And there were arrays everywhere, and some arrays were even designed to prevent demon beasts, which looked very reassuring… “Is this the Nan Yue City mine?” These mine cultivators were all a bit hard to believe. After they gathered, they all kowtowed to the palm officer to thank him. Since the beginning of the establishment of Nan Yue City, these mine cultivators, together with their ancestors, have never entered such a safe mine. In the mine, the arrays set for these mine cultivators over thousands of years, even all added up, are not as many as the arrays in this one mine now. They were endlessly grateful. The palm officer let everyone up and then said, “No need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank little Ink mister. It is he who quelled the corpse disaster and also built this mine for everyone.” The mine cultivators all kowtowed again and thanked him, saying, “Thank you, little Ink mister!” However, they didn’t even know who this little Ink mister was…

After that, Si Tu Shen again set some regulations. For example, mine cultivators go down, not exceeding four hours a day. The daily salary is not lower than one spirit stone. No local family or force is allowed to deduct the mine cultivators’ spirit stones for any reason… Besides, Jin Hua Street was also abolished. All places for eating, drinking, and gambling were closed. The female cultivators in the brothels were also all released from their contracts and became good citizens. Those who used force to buy and sell cultivators, forced others into prostitution, and harmed people’s lives were all strictly punished one by one.

Si Tu Shen and Ink painting stood on the city wall and watched Jin Hua Street being demolished. Some shopkeepers, gamblers, villains, madams, and thugs who had the backing of the Lu family and committed all kinds of evil were escorted by the Dao Court department to the Dao prison, suffering the scolding of everyone and being pelted with stones and rotten vegetable leaves along the way. Some people escaped the bitter sea and hugged their relatives and cried. Some people were lonely and had no one to rely on and were secretly sad. Most people were indignant and clapped their hands and cheered. The prosperous several decades of Jin Hua Street, built by Lu Po Pi, which appeared bright and colorful on the surface but hid blood and tears in the dark, was just demolished in broad daylight like this.

Si Tu Shen sighed and said, “Under the blue sky and white sun, filth and darkness have nowhere to hide.” Ink painting heard his implied meaning, “Are the places where sunlight doesn’t shine still the same?” Si Tu Shen was a bit surprised. He didn’t expect Ink painting’s mind to be so keen. Even this subtle thought was captured by Ink painting. Ink painting’s gaze was deep, his mind was clear, and towards himself, it could even be said to the Si Tu family, he had grace. Si Tu Shen then decided to treat him candidly and say some heartfelt words.

“Little Ink mister,” Si Tu Shen sighed, his voice slightly heavy, “I have been serving in the Dao Court department since I was thirty years old, starting as a small executive officer, working up to a standard officer, a vice palm officer, and also serving as the palm officer of several small immortal cities…” “I have actually seen quite a lot of this kind of thing…” “Or rather, looking at the entire cultivation world, this kind of thing is common.” “This matter can be solved only because it is brought to the surface.” “Matters brought to the surface are all upright and bright, dignified, but if they are not brought to the surface, then it is completely another scene.” “Let me say some harsh words…” Si Tu Shen looked at Ink painting and said in a low voice, “Today I am the palm officer of Nan Yue City, I can be upright and bright, stand up for these suffering cultivators, sweep away these brothels and gambling houses, and put on a righteous appearance.” “But if I had come to be the palm officer of Nan Yue City before this…” “It is very possible that I would have done the same thing as the previous palm officer.” “Together frequented brothels, gambled a thousand gold, used the bodies of these suffering women to amuse myself, indulged in this paper drunk gold迷.” “Together with the Lu family, oppressed, exploited, and played with these cultivators…” Si Tu Shen’s gaze was obscure, and he changed his words again, “Of course, I’m just saying this…” “The Si Tu family has family rules, I would at most be wise and protect myself, not really go with the flow and be corrupt.” “But most people, even if they say upright and bright things, when they are in that position, the things they do are almost the same as Qian palm officer…” “Even if this matter hadn’t become big, with local Dao Court departments covering for each other, the Lu family’s matter would at most be nothing.” “This world, light and dark alternate, human hearts are complex…” “People who stand in the light are often bright and beautiful, but if they stand in the dark, who knows what they will look like…” “It’s not always light, you will also inevitably have times when you walk in the dark…” Si Tu Shen looked at Ink painting and said sincerely, “Little Ink mister, you must be careful in the future.” Be careful of others, and also be careful of yourself… These matters, Si Tu Shen can see, can see clearly, but cannot solve. He doesn’t want to let Ink painting’s clear Dao heart be involved in the changeable quagmire of human hearts and fall into the dark flow of vulgar desires, thus being painful and confused.

Ink painting was somewhat thoughtful, then nodded solemnly. “Thank you very much, Si Tu palm officer!” Si Tu Shen was able to say these heartfelt words, also for his own good. Ink painting understood this in his heart. Si Tu Shen smiled and nodded. He turned his head again and looked at Jin Hua Street being demolished below, sighing slightly in his heart. This prosperous street market, bright with lights at night, flowing with gold and jade, after the sunlight shone on it, showed its original form, exposing a piece of dirty and unbearable mess. Even in most places in this cultivation world, there is still darkness and injustice. But after all, there is a ray of light shining here…

Jin Hua Street was destroyed, and many cultivators regained their freedom. Qing Lan specially came to thank Ink painting, and also brought the Hundred Flowers Cake she personally made. In this Nan Yue City, she no longer had any relatives. Qing Lan had no one to rely on, although she could support herself, it was still a bit difficult. Si Tu Fang then decided to take her in. She could teach Qing Lan to cultivate, and Qing Lan could also make some meals for her and take care of her daily life. Si Tu Fang, as a standard officer, is still very busy every day and has no time to take care of herself. And Si Tu Fang has family support behind her. Qing Lan following her will also be more stable, not like duckweed drifting with the waves.

Ink painting, Bai Zisheng, and Bai Zixi sat in the courtyard, eating Hundred Flowers Cake and chatting with Qing Lan for a while. Bai Zixi gave her a cultivation method. It was not rare in the Bai family, but it was very precious to Qing Lan. Before Qing Lan left, she solemnly bowed and said gratefully, “If there is anything Qing Lan can do to help little young master and Bai young lady in the future, Qing Lan will certainly not hesitate to die ten thousand times!” Ink painting waved his hand, “Sister Qing Lan, you speak too seriously.”

After sending off Qing Lan, the next day Elder Su also visited. Elder Su brought some good tea for Ink painting to taste. The two people sat in the courtyard drinking tea, the breeze gently blowing, water vapor lingering, and tea fragrance overflowing. Elder Su apologized and said, “Little mister, I’m sorry, I didn’t know the head of the Lu family… Lu Chengyun, he was so ambitious and his mouth was not guarded, which caused little mister to be schemed against by him…” “It’s alright, it’s alright.” Ink painting didn’t mind. If Lu Chengyun hadn’t targeted him, he wouldn’t have learned spirit hub arrays, wouldn’t have finished the view diagram, wouldn’t have been able to completely solve the Nan Yue City corpse disaster, and wouldn’t have been able to help them rebuild the mine. The scattered cultivators in Nan Yue City are also very bitter. Ink painting also came from a scattered cultivator background, and he still remembers his mother’s words. If you encounter scattered cultivators who are living a hard life, help them a bit within your ability.

Elder Su sighed and said, “Little mister, you are indeed very broad-minded…” Although Elder Su’s flattery was always a bit stiff, Ink painting was still quite happy to hear it. Ink painting’s face was smiling and squinting, only humbly saying, “Where, where.” Seeing that Ink painting didn’t blame him, Elder Su felt a weight off his chest. The atmosphere then became much more harmonious. The two people then chatted as usual, talking about arrays and some trivial matters. While chatting, they talked about Jin Hua Street and the Hundred Flowers Building… Elder Su said gratefully, “For the matter of Jin Hua Street, I want to thank little mister very much.” Ink painting nodded, suddenly a bit doubtful, “Jin Hua Street is demolished, so you can’t go to the Hundred Flowers Building to listen to music, right? Do you also want to thank me for this?” Elder Su’s old face turned red, “No, I’m really not familiar with it…” Ink painting obviously didn’t believe him. Elder Su saw Ink painting’s clear eyes, knew that he knew everything, and no longer hid it, but his expression was melancholy: “Silk and bamboo are pleasant to the ear, beautiful people are pleasant to the eye.” “Can’t hear, can’t see, it’s indeed a bit regretful.” “But these are just some small private desires, they don’t count for anything.” “I hope more that in this world, no longer will people fall into the dust, and there will no longer be girls with such bitter fates like Shui Xian…”

Ink painting was startled, then picked up the teacup and said clearly, “I will substitute tea for wine and respect you one cup.” Elder Su cried and laughed, but still raised his cup and drank a cup of tea with Ink painting…

The matter of Nan Yue City is almost concluded. The mine is built well, and the arrays are perfect. The mine cultivators of Nan Yue City can also rely on their own efforts to earn spirit stones, make a living, and live a steady, peaceful life. Besides, the ten thousand zombies also need to be burned. The Dao Court’s incinerate corpse array has already been built well. The incinerate corpse array is a composite array, built on the grave mountain, composed of one by one fire-element single arrays, covering a very large area. When operating, the fire energy rises, and the entire grave mountain is red, as if it has become a flame mountain. All the zombies in Nan Yue City were cremated in line. Ink painting controlled the walking corpses, and they walked into the incinerate corpse array batch by batch, burning off their bodies, melting off the corpse gas, and removing the corpse poison. All zombies must be cremated. This process is quite long. And the only one not cremated is that small zombie. It has not been stained with blood, and it has not had evil results, and it also helped Ink painting. Ink painting also felt sympathetic, so he set up arrays to disperse its corpse gas and buried it on a small hill on the grave mountain that was remote but quiet and scenic. The hill was barren but quiet, and no one disturbed it. Every evening, as the sun set in the west, the evening clouds would sprinkle on the hill, and also on the small grave mound Ink painting set up for it…

(End of this chapter)