Torsten Hewson
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v5c28: Closer to Home
🕑 Added 2024-07-21 03:38:58 +0000 UTCI woke up early on the day of the solstice. I hadn’t been sleeping the greatest in general ever since we heard the news. My dreams were troubled, and the feeling of impending… something made me toss and turn.
Meimei, bless her soul, hadn’t complained once.
I laid in bed for a little, in darkness. Seeing as I couldn’t get back to sleep, instead I decided to take a walk and check in on everyone.
Meimei opened one eye when I got up. I smiled at her and waved her back to sleep. She examined me for a moment, but whatever she saw satisfied her and she closed her eye again, her breathing evening out.
Zhuye was in his crib, sound asleep. He had started sleeping more in the crib recently, as he got more mobile and prone to adventuring. The crib gave him a spot to crawl around safely. I gently opened the door and padded out into the quiet hall. Xiulan’s door was open, so I poked my head in. The woman was bundled up in her blankets, her breaths quiet. She had been training her ass off and helping coordinate all of Vajra’s scouts, so she definitely deserved the rest.
The rest of the rooms on the second floor were empty. Tigu and Yin had decided that the sleepover protocol was in effect. They were in the livingroom with Delun and the Torrent Rider, sleeping on the thick, puffy futons I had made with Meiling. Tigu was hugging Shaggy Two while snoring softly. Yin had kicked most of her blankets off while Noodle was asleep on her chest. Delun was on his stomach, and the Torrent Rider was in a similar state to Yin.
Gou Ren, Chunky, Peppa, Xianghua, and Bowu were all at their house. Huo Ten was sleeping in his underground passages, and Babe was meditating near the window.
I kept quiet so they would be able to rest and headed to the river room. Washy was already awake as I entered, lounging against the side of the concrete pool that connected our house to the river.
“Having trouble sleeping too, buddy?” I asked him. The dragon blinked, looking a little surprised to see me, before he nodded.
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Tell you what. We’re going to check in with Vajra, then start on breakfast. Give me a hand?”
The dragon hesitated for a moment, before he nodded. I grabbed a small jug of maple syrup from the river where it was kept cool and exited my home, a dragon padding along behind me. We headed for the “command center”… and for the one that I knew would be awake. Vajra really didn’t sleep like a human, instead taking minor micro naps that lasted for a minute or two. Benefits of being an insect, I suppose.
It was a small, squat hut, looking just like a giant beehive box, big enough to fit myself and placed at the edge of the river by the house. It had numerous small holes in the roof, and I could see bees coming and going. I opened the latch and walked into the small, cramped room. A fire crystal hung in the center of the room, keeping it warm, and there was a pile of what looked like golden dust on a table. The pile radiated warmth, and the bees would gather it like pollen onto their back legs—Yin’s own contribution in helping the bees. They lasted for about six hours before a bee had to return and be relived.
“Anything to report, Vajra?” I asked her.
The bee, sitting on a map, danced for a moment and then several bees lifted off their perch to fly just above the map, forming what looked like a dark cloud.
“A storm over there?” I asked, and Vajra bobbed up and down. Other than that, there seemed to be nothing new to report.
“Thank you all for your hard work so far,” I said, addressing her and looking at the other bees. I placed the jar of maple syrup on the table and opened it up. The bees in the room seemed to pause for a moment as I did so. “Share this with all the scouts, okay? Breakfast will be ready in a couple of hours.”
Vajra buzzed happily.
Washy and I exited back into the cold and darkness.
“What do you think, Washy? It's the solstice. Something traditional? Or do you think today is a good day for experimentation?”
The dragon perked up slightly at my statement, giving it due consideration… before he decided.
‘Experiment,’ the dragon declared. I considered his words, before nodding. It was cold and we had all been working hard, so a big, hearty breakfast was going to be just the ticket, and I had been wanting to try this for a little while. I had just gotten a tomato sauce for beans that I was happy with.
“Then,it's time for the Full Rainy Island,” I declared, and Washy’s eyes sharpened. I gave the dragon instructions on what I needed him to get from the greenhouse—while I went to collect the eggs.
They were no longer placed directly against the house; we had too many chickens for that to be practical now, and as much as I loved them, chicken shit smelled like, well, chicken shit. It wasn’t bad when we didn’t have that many, but we were approaching seventy now. They were all happy, healthy, and showed no signs of any kind of sapience, which was nice—and they provided the several dozen eggs we went through practically daily.
All of us ate heartily, and I always told everyone to eat until they were full. Washy and Chunky could pack away a full dozen each, while Gou Ren, Tigu, Yin, and I could get down four or five. The lightest eaters out of our entire family were Rizzo and Noodle; Rizzo probably had half to a single egg, while Noodle just didn’t eat that much, seeing as he was a snake. Some days he didn’t eat at all, if he had eaten an egg or two the day before. Though I guess once Rizzo got back, she would eat more, seeing as she had a human form now.
We were approaching Gaston levels of egg consumption, but hey, they were fresh, tasted delicious, and everybody ate them. So thank you for your valuable service, girls. I made sure to hand out scritches to the ladies… and Xiao Ku the rooster. The little man hopped up onto my shoulder as I exited the coop, staring up at the darkness with apparent confusion. His instincts said it was approaching morning, but it was still pitch black.
I grabbed a few more things and woke up Huo Ten as I got the potatoes, the monkey holding the egg basket for me as I piled up the other ingredients.
Then, it was time to begin. First, the sauce for the beans; that needed tomatoes, vinegar, and a pretty good ketchup I had made, along with the final ingredient that made them taste like baked beans out of a can—The Snow-Phoenix Vine we had gotten from the Cloudy Sword Sect had a strange property when mixed with tomatoes and vinegar.
It tasted rather like worcestershire sauce.
Which was great. I would have to figure that out for real later, but for now it was a fine stopgap.
After that got going well, I started on the sausage. I had brought some meat from Verdant Hill and mixed in Volcano Ginseng and Silver Yin Lotus Root. Both of the bastards had started taking over my fireplace and bathhouse respectively, so I put them to use. Volcano Ginseng provided a burning, fiery kick, while Silver Yin Lotus Root soothed the burning and enhanced the smokey flavours.
Of course, it wasn’t only the meat that got these inclusions. A firmer cheese, fit for frying, had the same herbs within for the vegetarian option.
An hour and a bit later, and the smell started drawing people from their slumbers as plates were piled high with a full English Breakfast. A massive hearty meal to carry us through the day.
Washy certainly seemed quite pleased as we ate our breakfast, or at least in a bit of a better mood.
And then… we got ready. Our little fortress was complete. There wasn’t really any more shoring up of defenses that we needed, or really could, to do.
So I stuck on my Santa hat, Chunky put on his antler, and all of us rode in a giant sleigh towards Hong Yaowu.
I may have been feeling stressed and nervous… but my booming laughter echoed across the village as we approached, the children cheering and clapping.
“Hohohohoho! Happy Solstice, everyone!” I shouted.
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Hong Xian was glad when his daughter and son-in-law appeared like they always did. The booming laughter that cut through the snow heralded their coming. The cheers of the children and of his people answered back as their kin arrived.
It was a truly beautiful sound.
He had been considering that the potential threat would necessitate that they cancel the festivities. It was a very important day for the village… but not enough of one that he would risk his people’s lives for it, but Jin had been adamant. The festival would continue. They would not live in fear, and if a threat did rear its head—Jin promised he would take care of it.
His son-in-law’s words were delivered as if they were a matter of fact, and Xian took strength from that. Hong Yaowu was as protected as it could be.
So instead of worrying, he let himself relax. He actually felt good and fully prepared this time before the dance, rather than having to steel himself for the whole day meditating. He felt energized and ready.
And curious, because Jin, Bowu, and Yao Che had said they would see a real show.
Xian watched on. Yao Che had been very secretive on what he had worked on with the young man; and now, they were finally going to see what they had commandeered a field for, especially after they laid down those strange rails of iron and wood. It was still about an hour until the dance would begin and the smell of food was heavy in the air—but all was paused for the moment as Bowu gripped the edges of the cloth that was covering his newest creation.
“Is everybody ready?” The young man asked the waiting crowd.
The people of Hong Yaowu cheered.
“Get on with it!” Ty An heckled, and Bowu made a rude gesture in return. Bowu took a deep breath and pulled off the cloth covering.
There was an appreciative gasp as the artifact was revealed. It gleamed like the pure blue sky, and was accented with copper and silver highlights. Its smokestack poked up into the sky, and the name “Azure Express” was emblazoned proudly on the side.
“What is it?” Somebody asked, looking on curiously.
“A steam locomotive!” Bowu proudly replied. “We need to work out more things with the pressure of the pill furnace… but this is it. Who wants to have the first ride?” he asked.
Xian, of course, claimed chief’s privilege. He could tell that it was something meant to move, like a steam reaper. But why did it need the tracks? And could it truly carry twenty people? A Steam Reaper trundled along, and even a second person added on slowed it down quite a bit.
The Chief of Hong Yaowu soon got his answer. As soon as they were all aboard the contraption, Bowu flicked a lever. With a groan, and a great puff that sounded rather like Chun Ke when he started to run, the Azure Express started to move.
It sucked in and puffed again as they inched forwards… and then with a third puff the intervals shortened.
A third puff, a fourth puff, a fifth puff, and with each mighty heave they accelerated. At first, to a slow walk. Then, as fast as a Steam Reaper. Then a jog, as the great metal beast pulled itself along the iron rails. It settled at that jog and kept it as it approached the first turn; Jin and Bowu shoveling what looked like charcoal into the front of the open pill furnace.
Xian’s tolerance for astounding things had surely been tested these past years, but even he couldn’t help but marvel at this new thing Bowu had created, chugging along tirelessly around the field.
It made one circuit of the field. And then another, without stopping or slowing.
As he rode it, Xian could imagine rails like this connecting different villages. It may only move as fast as a light jog… but it was a pretty thought.
Ah, what a treat his life had become, to witness such wonders. He was smiling as the contraption finally slowed down and stopped, so that others could try riding the great Azure Express. The ‘Iron Dragon’, as some people were whispering.
It was truly shaping up to be a fine Solstice. He smiled as Hu Li started calling people to dinner.
And that smile quickly faded as Jin suddenly stiffened. A pit opened up in his gut as the once happy cultivators turned grim.
“Contact. Unidentified foes approaching from the northeast,” Jin said, his voice deadly calm. “We’ve found our demons.”
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And now, back at the Farm....
Editors: Massgamer,
Comments
Steven.Riske
Jin: Sorry everyone, Santa needs to go deliver the naughty list. Or maybe Jin: Krampus is coming.
Gwyn
Bowu just created a rail system. I hope Lu RI immediately realizes the gigantic consequences of this, because Bowu just unlocked mass transit for the mortal imperial army. That's a huge advantage in fighting demons across the empire.
C
(Hot, hot) Ooh, we got it (Hot, hot) Hey, we got it (Hot, hot) Say, we got it Hot chocolate (Hot, hot) Oh, we got it (Hot, hot) So, we got it (Hot, hot) Yo, we got it Hot chocolate
ShivaMcTimber
Haha pollution + mana = Swamp Thing!!!
chaostomb .
Also, unlike Earth, parts of the Ecosystem your polluting can absolutely become sentient and knock on your door to express their displeasure.
Alex Ingraham
YES! This please! Can't for the next audiobook. I LOVE Travis' reading of that 🤩
Timothy Dana
What kind of shenanigans will Nezhen and Huēhuecoyōtl get up too you think?
BargleNawdleZouss
I swear I thought Jin was referring to Hawaii until I saw the "English Breakfast" comment a few paragraphs later.
Just A Dude
That would be one hell of a forgotten rake for the demons to step on, yeah.
Alex Ingraham
This sounds f*cking awesome!! I'd love to hear Washi's adventures amongst this world's equivalent of the North and South American tribes! 😄
Timothy Dana
When the gang and the mechants make it across the sea to see if they can find Maize,will they have to deal with Centeotl/ Chicomecōātl or worse Huitzilopochtli or Hun Hunahpuis will demand blood for the corn.blood Maybe burn down a forest for the fertility of the ashes. Yin could unleash as much sun fire as she might want. Maybe Ixcacao will demand too much for her sacred choloclate (which Washy and Quetzalcoatl secretly steal). Maybe Tigu’s Bae will be introduced to the nutritional benefits of mixing corn with limestone water . Maybe the expedition gets trapped in Mictlān and having to play pitz with Xolotl to win their freedom, but you know in a cozy and casual way.
Timothy Dana
Winter is coming
Timothy Dana
Qi makes thing grow faster or better, of both… it’s unclear. If the Xianxia planet is big enough the coal burning shouldnt be a problem as the stupid amount of biomass and oceanmass would be phenomenal carbon sinks
D J Meigs
The steam machine he made for his sister that Jin said reminded him of a steam engine was a modified pill furnace. It’s likely that they keep using the word because that’s culturally the closest one they have.
Laura H
Oh, yeah, the formation was originally created to keep the demons out, wasn't it?
Laura H
And fried tomatoes, if I recall the last time I had a Full English Breakfast.
Laura H
Vajra doesn't eat eggs, she just chows down on maple syrup.
Laura H
Jin can grow *any* spiritual herb or flower or root. He doesn't just have a green thumb, he has a whole green ecosystem! I wonder if Gramps will show Jin's "lowly spiritual herbs" to the emperor someday and next thing you know, not just the Azure Hills but the entire Crimson Phoenix Empire will adore him as he becomes Farmer Extraordinaire?
Laura H
And don't forget her newer creation, the injectable laxative!
Truedragon5374
Forget the plum, I'm convinced that eventually the CSS herb master will visit Fa Ram and be gobsmacked.
Ish Man
Yes, we all agree, punch them to oblivion!
Truedragon5374
Why is Bowu talking about adjusting a pill furnace on the train? I thought he have built true steam engines? Pill furnaces run on the user's chi, but the train ran on coal.
Gray Code
Rou Family Solstice Preparations, Year 3. Since the Demons are coming on the Solstice now, and there will be people Dancing at that time.... Perhaps the millennia-old broken formation is still capable of doing _something,_ it just hasn't had any valid targets on any of the Solstices since the Breaking?
Namorat
Yes, like that! One of the best scenes. The mountain, suddenly appearing ^^
Kali Smith
I really hope that Tianlan’s healing has significantly increased Jin’s power. I really like when he’s comfortably OP. I would really enjoy a scene with a repeat of yingwen’s type of thoughts thoughts when Jim arrived at the dueling peaks.
Duke of Coffee
So it begins, since the author said no grimdark Jin will definitely punch the demons to oblivion.
Kali Smith
Thank you for the chapter!
Walter R.
will the next post be tomorrow? I hope so....
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. Your comment concerning chicken shit gave me flash backs to running outside Kin-cho. First time I hit the area of the chicken farm I about lost all my stomach contents. Learned to hold my breath and pick up the speed some for that are. Yes, the smell was strong enough to gag a maggot. Is Pops (Hong Xian) about to hit the initiates realm? So what did Tianlan do to make Jin be able to sense chi better? Looking forward to the sun bunny hitting the demon hoard.
ShivaMcTimber
TYFTC! It bothers me when Isekai'd characters accelerate an industrial revolution in a magical world. Are Jin/Bowu taking steps to remove the pollution aspect via magic? Do the pill furnaces burn cleanly? Jin at least has an idea of the downside back on Earth. I hope they consider this.
Logrus
I hope we get to see The General come alive to fight a demon Kaiju. Would be pretty sweet.
Toua77
Considering recent events, they might want something more reliable than Boeing.
Marian Ch
Train networks will find their use, and quite quickly. The real danger lays with spirit beasts and rogue cultivators rather than the utility of such a project.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Hunter Brown
Jin's Flying swords, and its literally just a Boeing 747
Evander
Is there enough commerce and trade to justify the creation of a railway network? This feels like a good project for the cultivators to give to the region, but I'm curious if this will happen in place of the creation of better roads throughout the region or in conjuction with it. Really love the idea of trains and totally looking forward to the fights on top of moving trains and people robbing trains.
Melanie Me
Kinda like the Santa in "Violent Night" ?
Just A Dude
Yes! Sound the horns and bang the drums! The time has come for The Army of Winter to awaken!
Just A Dude
Indeed. There are many great moments in this story, but Jin going [Break The Rocks] on the cuckoo asshole is a contender for top of the list.
Gray Code
Biyu's Partial Storage array probably makes steam-powered airplanes possible.
Just A Dude
I'm reading that "finicky" as "basically impossible for anyone else."
BelligerentGnu
Full English breakfast. Sausages, toast, eggs, beans, and bacon I think.
Gray Code
Google's failing me on this one, so what is a "Full Rainy Island?" Also, Vajra's not on the list of light eaters?
Azena
And now we need a Partitio figure to come along and build an empire spanning railroad.
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapters.
Gray Code
Zang Zeng is Earth Realm as well, though he probably won't be as formidable under the Puppeteer Worm's control.
Pebble
Burning wood from trees that are only a few decades old isn't really that bad in terms of pollution. You're only releasing stuff that was absorbed by the trees over those decades. The main bad thing about it is that you release it all at once. Coal is the real monster in terms of pollution since you are releasing stuff that was sequestered millions of years ago, so as long as they don't use that they should be fine. Then, as others have pointed out, there is the fact this is a Xianxia world. They'll probably have ways of dealing with the pollution, or use other means heating the water, like the fire crystal mentioned this chapter.
Marian Ch
Rare and hard to grow, so I can't wait for Lu Ri to be absolutely speechless seeing them.
T. Lewison
I'm imagining tiny goggles and teeny aviator jackets with pockets for fire crystal shavings... Air support! Marking hidden enemies. Dropping Mei's industrial/Imperial strength itching powder...
Aki_Iokua18
And now that I’m grown, I eat five dozen eggs; so I’m roughly the size of a barge!
Aki_Iokua18
Slick as Gaston. No one’s quick as Gaston. No ones neck’s as incredibly thick as Gaston’s.
Hound
And now i want to see a blaze bear driving a xainxia train....
StarBat
Hilariously. The iron dragon only needs to be scaled up and you'll have a rail road. Fire and steel cultivator engineers. And while they're at it. Passenger planes piloted by low level air element cultivator. No need for sensitive instruments if you can literally feel it.
Aki_Iokua18
The butterfly’s Earth Realm, or it’s at least hinted that she’s there; given that her power swelled to that level after Zang made her eat crow. As to the other one, given that they appeared first in the prophetic dream, I’d imagine them to be the first disciple and thus the strongest. So likely high Earth or low to mid Sky imo.
Anzer'ke
Jin already knows about those issues and the solutions to them, which are much easier to implement with a cultivator demanding that they be put in place. Plus it's xianxia. Clean burning combustion fuel may actually be possible with the kinds of magic they have.
Casualfarmer
Yes. Jin called them "finnicky to grow." They were gifts from the CSS, and Jin was told to do whatever he wanted with them. They've grown, and in the case of the volcano ginseng, they've started taking over his fireplace, so hes eating them.
leopard eye
I hope at some point they make Silver Yin Lotus paste Moon cakes for Xaulan. Imagine the noises she would make.
Pyro Hawk
That Silver Yin Lotus Root, Volcano Ginseng and Snow-Phoenix Vine were all hard to grow, extremely valuable cultivation resources. Weren't they?
Will B
The chapters about Bowu are literally all about expansion. “They don’t make a lot of pollution now “ doesn’t ring well as the ideas spread.
Will B
Like they could find a xianxia way now? Especially with the new Grand Marshal.Paying cultivators to clean up just makes the cultivators the gate keepers of pollution. Please don’t take me wrong, I love this series, but these ideas are incongruent and have irked me a bit for a while.
Mario Cole
Celestial Carbon Capture formations. Rake of the Wandering Buddha Strip mining.
Laura H
Tftc. I'm glad Fa Ram and Hong Yaowu are well prepared; the demons' "surprise" attack isn't! And I want to ride the Aazure Express!
Guy L.
Back at the demon base there was an earth realm cultivator and an imperial realm. Do we know the strength of the war party attacking the farm?
SilasDrekken
I'm sure when they scale up they'll be able to find a Xianxia way to make it green energy. Like with fire crystals or heat generating formations/arrays. Even employing blaze bears as conductors.
Kasinki
At least the people can have their fun with the Iron Dragon as the cultivators defend the village. Wonder how the defenses will work out. Thanks for the chapter!
Alex Ingraham
Thanks for the chapter! Even with the last cliffhanger I was still wondering about back home. You're doin a fantastic job of balancing the wholesomeness I've come to love about this series and the tension the demons are bringing to the storyline 🥰 😱
Alex Ingraham
It'll be so good!
Walter R.
Me too! I am really ready for it!
Jeremy Patrick
Mean cliff. So mean lol
Sivartius .
Well, so far they haven't been producing enough to be noticeable. The vast majority of people in the Azure Hills are still reliant on wood fires for heat, and that puts out enough on it's own to handily drown out a single small light rail train. Not to mention all the wood fire industry at Pale Moon Lake City, and all the natural forest fires.
SilasDrekken
Bee paratroopers all hopped up on maple syrup, just wishing some demon would try some shit.
Namorat
Man, my soul craves a moment of Jin being the protector. The righteous fury when they endanger friends and family...
Will B
Great chapter!!! TBH I’ve been a little weirded out that “industry” is becoming such a big deal. Does Tianlan like the taste of pollution?
Justin
Enjoyed the read. Man the next few weeks of chapters will be fun to reread in a binge.
TwoRavens
I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees; And for some fucking reason, They speak Vietnamese.
Cam
I’m so ready for the next chapter already! Thanks CF!
Will B
We are truly blessed
Story Time Compass
Wonder if the "Command Center" is going to be called the "Honeypot"
ParaParadox
Yeah your demonic surprise attack is going perfectly, if you ignore that swarm of bees buzzing out "Fortunate Son"
Ender419
Thanks for the chapter! Looking forward to Jin making Verdant Hills/Hong Yuawu the industrial capital of the Azure Hills. Hopefully they are able to stock pile enough metal/ore to build these tracks alongside the road he has built.
ShivaMcTimber
The General stirs...
linkhyrule5
Yeah, he's just speaking in general.
AG
Let’s go Home Alone on these demon’s butts
Kai
There are some benefits to waking up at 5 in the morning and they include being able to read newly released chapters <3
ShivaMcTimber
Jin is simply reflecting on the eating habits of the Fa-Ram family, not implying that she is present.
Justin Smith
I thought we was talking about how much his family eat in generalin relation to their egg production and not how much everyone ate for that specific meal. Edit. Because he was talking about it before he finished talking about cooking that meal.
Alex Rahr
Being 12 hours off GMT is usually inconvenient, but right now it feels fine.
Angel
Such expert emotional stage setting with these last chapters, I can’t wait to read it all again once this arc is complete, to get the full effect all at once!
taukid
"The lightest eaters were Rizzo and Noodle; Rizzo probably had half to a single egg," is there a different Rizzo or is that supposed to be someone else? Because Ri Zu is fighting demons. I mean it could just be in general but it sounds like he's saying here, right now. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Chaded
Aki_Iokua18
There’s always a Grinch. Definitely feel better about Fa Ram compared to the Demon Slayers. Home Field advantage, element of surprise, and being severely underestimated are all good things to have after all. Plus it looks like the forces are being split between Fa Ram and the First Den, so definitely better odds here imo.
Andrew Denton
"My dreams were troubled, and the feeling of impending… something made me toss and turn." Same for most of us readers. 😁
WarStrider72
Also Jin: Time to get jolly on the demon's naughty asses! HO HO HO!
WarStrider72
Jin: This is the POLAR AZURE EXPRESS!
Michael Foat
All together now. No ooonesss....
Sean Ulrich
I’m lucky. Only 11 pm here
Sean Ulrich
When I was a lad I ate four dozen eggs; every morning to help me get large!
Nemo
only good thing about waking up at 5am: I get to read the new chapter :)
WarStrider72
Thanks for the chapter!
WarStrider72
1st
