Chapter 9 – Golden Fingers

All other transmigrations have cheat systems aka their golden fingers. As long as they call on the system, they would be able to see various data panels.

But even without the aid of an intelligent system, Wang Shouzhe was no longer afraid. With the experience of dealing with his sixth uncle, Wang Dinghai, he gradually realised there was a huge difference in terms of vision and thinking between himself and the “natives” of this world.

For example, in terms of cultural knowledge, before he transmigrated, he was just an ordinary second-year college graduate who had attended ordinary classes for a few years. On Earth, he was just an insignificant person in a sea of people.

Putting kindergarten aside, he went through six years of primary school, six years of middle and high school, and four years of university! He had a total of 16 years of professional and systematic learning ranging from literature and music, language and philosophy, astronomy and geography, history and politics, mathematics, science, chemistry, computers, and so on.

Most of the knowledge could have settled into the brain’s underlying memory, but it was this vast and momentarily unrecalled information that formed Wang Shouzhe’s unique vision and logical thinking which were relatively superior to the natives.

In addition, before he transmigrated, all kinds of web posts, short videos and information proliferated in the net. He was always glued to his phone and absorbed all these information.

“Perhaps these are my golden fingers.” Wang Shouzhe muttered with a glint in his eye. “As for the system’s panels, that’s easy. At most, just create soil panels which needs to be updated and maintained frequently.”

Just refer to some of the panels in those third-rate online construction games that he used to play.

But before building the panels, he had to personally gain a deeper understand of the clan’s structure and the specific details. Although he had fused with his predecessor’s memories, that boy was only 18 years old.

He spent a lot of time studying and cultivating, and his understanding of the family’s affairs was extremely shallow.

He only knew that three farms, namely the “Fenggu Farm”, the “Xingsheng Farm” and the “Xinmao Silkworm Farm” were the pillars of the family’s industries. These three farms were far more important than the fishing fleet.

The harvest of each farm was extremely important to the family. Therefore, the three major farms were currently managed by three experienced clan elders.

Today, Wang Shouzhe decide to visit the relatively nearer Fenggu Farm which was under the care of Elder Wang Xiaozhi of the Night (“Xiao”) generation*.

“Wang Gui, prepare the carriage.” Wang Shouzhe made up his mind and instructed his servant.

Wang Gui responded and rushed off.

On the other hand, Wang Shouzhe strolled leisurely towards the main entrance, while pondering about the Fenggu Farm. Just as he reached the courtyard, he heard a girl’s voice greeting him, “Hello, fourth brother.”

Wang Shouzhe glanced sideways, and saw two girls, one older and one younger, standing not far away. The older one was in her prime, dressed in light blue and looked quite pretty.

The younger one was only about 11 or 12 years old, with a goat-horn braid, and was also dressed quite beautifully. She was just hiding behind the older girl as she was timid, but she couldn’t stop peeking at Wang Shouzhe curiously.

What was rather peculiar was that the two girls were each carrying a large, oddly shaped box which looked rather heavy. They were both carrying a sword each, as if they were heading out.

“It’s Luo Tong, fourth younger sister and Luo Jing, fifth younger sister.” Wang Shouzhe recognised them at a glance and greeted them with a smile, “Both of you are all dressed up, are you heading out?”

The older one was Wang Luotong, 17 years old while the younger one was Wang Luojing, 12. Like Wang Shouzhe, they were the seventh-generation descendants of ancestor Wang Zhouxuan.

Unlike ancient China, the unwed females of a Xuanwu family have a great amount of autonomy although they would ultimately be married off to form alliances for the clan. Like the men, they received quality education, cultivated, and could even participate in the running of the clan’s property.

“Fourth brother.” Wang Luotong gave another restrained bow. The flicker of astonishment dissipated almost immediately. “It’s nearly harvest time at the farm. Grandfather is too busy to return home, so I’m taking Luojing to visit him.”

Wang Luotong’s impression of her fourth brother, Wang Shouzhe was that he was rather solemn. When they meet, they would just rush off after greeting each other. It was unlike him to be so kind and pleasant, and to even praise them!

Wang Shouzhe recalled that Wang Luotong and Wang Luojing were the clan’s fourth grandfather, Wang Xiaozhi’s granddaughters. Their father was the fourth oldest in the sixth-generation descendants, Wang Dingbang, but fourth uncle, Wang Dingbang passed away five years ago.

The Wang’s male lineage is ordered according to Yu (universe), Chen (great mansion), Qiong (dome, sky) Xiao (night), Ding (established), Shou (defend, abide by), Zong (model), Shi (archaic: the 13th of 28constellations) without distinction of direct lineage.

Wang Shouzhe’s father, Wang Dingyue, was the fifth oldest in the “Ding” fifth-generation descendants while Wang Shouzhe was the fourth in the “Shou” seventh generation. However, Wang Dingyue and Wang Shouzhe were both in the direct line of descent, and the others were only directly related.

The Wang family’s female generational names were ordered according to Zhu (pearl), Long (jade with dragon design used to pray for rain), Ling (tinkling of jade pieces), Zhen (treasure), Liu (sparkling stone), Luo (neck-ornament), Li (coloured glaze) and Ying (jade-like gem).

For example, ancestor Wang Longyan, the pillar of the family, was the only surviving third-generation ancestor.

Wang Luotong and Wang Luojing were the fourth and fifth oldest in the seventh generation of girls in the family. Gongsun Hui’s daughter, Wang Luomiao was seventh. But Wang Luomiao was the daughter of the official wife and her status in the family was different (i.e. superior).

The bigger the clan, the greater the age gap between the generations.

For example, the seventh-generation Shou or Luo generation. The eldest male, Wang Shouxin, was already 43 years old, older than Wang Dingyue. The youngest in the seventh-generation, Wang Luolan was only five years old.

In addition, there were already many people in the eighth generation, the Zong (male) and Li (females). Wang Zongwei, the eldest was already 20 years old, but when he sees young girls like Wang Luojing and Wang Luolan, he still has to call them, auntie!

Let’s put aside the small talk for now.

After a moment’s reflection, Wang Shouzhe said, “Are you going to walk there? It so happens that I’m going to visit the Fenggu farm, so you can join me in the carriage.”

He knew it would be impossible for the family to provide a carriage for the two girls to travel in, let alone a family general, as times were getting tougher.

It was about 20 miles to Fenggu farm, and they would have to walk for at least an hour. However, this was the Wang’s land which had been long developed and so, it was unlikely to pose any danger to the girls.

Furthermore, as female members of the Wang family, they were not physically weak.

“Thank you, fourth brother.” Wang Luotong was somewhat flattered and hurriedly thanked him. Wang Luojing also looked slightly happier and said, “Fourth brother is really nice.”

“Don’t be too happy, fourth brother is going to test your cultivation studies along the way,” Wang Shouzhe laughed.

“Ah~,” the two sisters immediately felt slightly alarmed. Wang Luojing’s pretty little face looked crestfallen. With a look of resignation, she felt it would have been better for them to walk to the farm!

Soon.

Wang Shouzhe’s carriage left the main residence under the protection of four generals on yellow horses. Wang Luojing, who was still young and in awe of Wang Shouzhe, fidgeted a little in the carriage, her eyes darting from time to time to the snacks on the small table.

As he was travelling with his two younger sisters, Wang Shouzhe had earlier asked Wang Gui to get some candied fruits and melons. The snacks were placed on a small square table in the middle of the carriage.

“Luotong, I see that your breath seems to be stable at the peak of the second level of the Qi Refining Realm. How long has it been? Are you ready for a breakthrough?” Wang Shouzhe handed over a candied melon over and casually asked.

All Xuanwu practitioners would learn some qi observation techniques where they can usually easily distinguish the general cultivation level of the other party especially if there was a big gap in terms of their cultivation levels.

To be able to cultivate to this level when she was only 17 and female to boot showed that she had pretty good aptitude and that she worked hard.

“Thank you, fourth brother.” Wang Luotong took the melon and replied somewhat cautiously. “It’s been more than two months. Right now, I’m doing some painstaking work. Grandpa said it would probably only take three months to breakthrough.”

When he heard those words, Wang Shouzhe’s brow furrowed, “That is too long. Why don’t you use the Xiao Pei Yuan Dan to help with the breakthrough? According to the clan rules, you have the right to claim one.”

“This ……” Wang Luotong lowered her head and replied somewhat nervously, “Grandpa said the family resources are too tight right now, and it would be some time before we can have the Xiao Pei Yuan Dan.”

“Not true,” Wang Luojing pouted, “Grandpa said that brother is now at the peak of the third level and needs the cultivation pill more than sister.”

“Luojing, don’t spout nonsense.” Wang Luotong said somewhat anxiously.

“Luojing, tell me,” Wang Shouzhe’s expression was somewhat grave, “Did Wang Shounuo bully you? If that’s really the case, fourth brother will teach him a lesson.”

He knew Wang Shounuo was their elder brother from the official mother, and he was almost 20 years old.