"Stand up and just accept the reward.

"After all, you will only get it after I've verified that it works."

Lin Xuan Qi reiterated his point that the bonus depended on whether it works.

He wasn't so naive as to give out incentives for things that don't work.

Whatever could be gamed would be gamed.

It's a given that some of these workers will try to come up with all sorts of ideas to get rewarded if things didn't need to work.

Lu nodded as he understood what Lin Xuan Qi had said.

He stood up, brushed the dust off his knees, and made a deep bow to him.

"That's not all." Lin Xuan Qi glanced around at the workers, who were drenched in sweat from the hard work and said, "There will be a ten copper coins bonus for everyone.

"Keep up the good work and more good things will come your way."

The workers couldn't believe it when they heard him.

They were used to landlords and officials making empty promises to them.

"Tend to the fields well and if it's a good harvest you get to pay less autumn tax."

"Make sure the grains are delivered on time, and payment for them will be given on the spot."

"Bring in more rice and you pay less rent."

All the empty promises from them throughout the years came into their minds.

Never would they think that Lin Xuan Qi, who was so young, would be the first person they've encountered to deliver on his promises.

"Thank you, Master Lin!" All of them thanked him and they knelt onto the ground.

Which made Lu glance around, scratching his head awkwardly.

He had just gotten up from kneeling.

Finally, not to be the only odd one out, he knelt onto the ground again and thanked Lin Xuan Qi.

Lin Xuan Qi shook his head and said, "Get up please."

What's with all the kneeling? He thought.

Maybe it's just that difficult to change the submissiveness in them.

Living under an authoritarian dynasty like the Da Qian Dynasty affects your mind.

After they got up, they were still full of smiles looking at him.

"Remember, keep up the good work.

"I will need you to increase production in the coming weeks so you will have to work harder.

"Punishments are on the table if any of you slack or cause trouble."

"Yes, Master Lin," the workers replied with a nod.

They recalled how he had deducted the allowance of those who caused trouble earlier, and they had taken it to heart.

Young Master Lin, despite his appearance, wasn't one to trifle with.

He went on to brief them on his plan for the coming weeks before he left the factory.

The output of the factory would need to be doubled what it was.

"We will do our very best!" the workers shouted, thumping their chests in a show of determination.

After Lin Xuan Qi left the factory in the east, he headed straight to the factory in the west.

The reception was just as warm from the workers in the west factory.

Some even tried to offer him food that they've made.

But he didn't take it, knowing that there would be a sumptuous meal waiting for him in the mansion.

Lin Xuan Qi didn't stay around for too long; he left after he briefed them on his plan.

"Master Lee, you want to buy some wine before we head back?" Lin Xuan Qi asked when they made their way back.

It was a joyous day for him, and he didn't mind perking up everyone's mood.

"Sure, why not? It's a happy occasion." Lee He Song chuckled and they headed for the inn.

When they got there, Lin Xuan Qi noticed someone familiar sitting at a table.

It was that mysterious woman with some other men.

Dressed in cultivation robes, he figured that they were cultivators like her.

He stopped the waiter, who had walked by, pointed at the table of men and women where Zhao Jia Rui was seated and asked, "Who are they? Are they here for Lee Zhen Ren's birthday celebration?"

"Young master, great to see you again." The waiter recognized him and bowed to him.

"They are from the Qing Feng Sect, as you can see from the unmistakable robes of the sect.

"And from their conversation, all I know is that they are leaving the city later.

"I'm not too sure if they are here for the birthday celebration." The waiter replied.

"Leaving?" Lin Xuan Qi felt that it was odd for them to do so.

He gave the waiter a smile and handed him five copper coins.

"Thanks so much, young master. Let me know if you need anything." The waiter thanked him, kept the copper coins, and went on his way.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Xuan Qi glanced at Lee He Song to see if he had any idea.

Lee He Song kept the bottle of wine the innkeeper had handed over to him and said, "They might be going on their mission or had just finished one.

"Either way, it's not something us mortals should be involved in."

Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head in silence.

Lee He Song was right.

Best not to be a busybody in the affairs of the cultivators.

"Let's go back. I'm starving now." Lin Xuan Qi said.

His stomach was growling triggered by the aroma of food in the air.

They turned around, got out of the inn, and headed straight back to the mansion.

After they left, Zhao Jia Rui spotted his figure out of the corner of her eye, but she wasn't sure whether she got the right person.

"Martial sister Jia Rui, are you alright?" Du Feng asked when he saw her looking out into the distance.

She wanted to roll her eyes at him but stopped herself.

Senior martial brother Hong Hai and the others were around.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about the mission." She replied.

"Speaking of which, everyone be careful." Hong Hai interjected and reminded everyone of them.

"Jia Rui, be extra cautious while trying to clear the cave near the river."

"Yes, senior martial brother Hong Hai." Zhao Jia Rui cupped her hands and said.

Hong Hai gave out a sigh and picked up his teacup.

He still wasn't sure what the perpetrators were up to.

"Then be on your way, use the voice transmitting pendant if you are in danger."

"Yes, senior martial brother Hong Hai."

The other disciples replied, and they went on their way out of the city.

Every one of them was tasked to search for any remnants or information that would be useful to figure out the purpose of the robbers.

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