Thousands of miles away from Changning Garrison.
Midstream of the An River.
This section of the An River is treacherous, with nine twists and eighteen turns. The river often weaves through towering mountains, forming steep cliffs along its path.
Amidst these winding bends lies an island in the heart of the river. Its surroundings are as steep as if carved by a knife, with only a narrow waterway on the leeward side allowing access to a semi-natural harbor within.
After centuries of development and expansion, this harbor has grown considerably, capable of docking dozens of riverboats simultaneously. The densely packed boats all fly the imposing flag of the Flood Dragon.
Boats bearing such flags can travel up and down the An River unimpeded, as no one dares to provoke them. This is because they all belong to the river's overlord—the Flood Dragon Gang.
This island, known as "Flood Dragon Island," serves as the headquarters of the Flood Dragon Gang, the dominant force on the An River.
In the center of Flood Dragon Island stands a prominent peak, beneath which lies a transplanted high-grade water spirit vein, shrouding the entire mountain in mist and vapor.
The peak's summit has long been leveled and adorned with numerous buildings. Key positions have been fortified with formation eyes and nodes, creating a formidable mountain-protecting array.
With such a defensible stronghold as their base, the Flood Dragon Gang has grown increasingly powerful over the centuries.
At this moment.
In the most heavily guarded hall at the peak's summit, the atmosphere was tense and somber.
Compared to the grand mansions of typical noble families, this hall's style was particularly rugged. There were no intricate carvings or meticulous layouts; the main hall was directly accessible from the entrance.
Yet, this did not diminish the hall's inherent majesty.
Especially the massive beast heads mounted on the walls as decorations, which added a fierce and domineering aura.
On the main seat of the hall sat a middle-aged man in a white short-sleeved shirt and knee-length pants, lounging casually.
This middle-aged man had stubble on his chin and sat in a half-reclined, half-leaning posture, exuding an air of unrestrained wildness. His exposed muscles were knotted and firm, radiating an undeniable aura of dominance and strength.
This middle-aged man was none other than the infamous leader of the Flood Dragon Gang, Long Wuji.
As he listened to his subordinates report on Zhao Wuqing's defeat and imprisonment in the Changning Garrison jail, his half-closed eyes showed no sign of concern, as if he were hearing something trivial.
"Boss…" Lu Jinyi, kneeling on the ground and drenched in sweat, said, "It's said that the Changning Garrison's city guard has officially taken up the case and started the formal interrogation process. If the charges are confirmed, Commander Zhao and the others will be labeled as river bandits and punished for their crimes. According to Daqian law, Commander Zhao and the core members will be executed publicly, their bodies hung to dry in Donggang for three years as a warning… The remaining members will be exiled to the frontier for hard labor…"
"Outrageous!" Several Celestial Realm commanders under Long Wuji's command roared in fury, "How dare the Changning Wang's Clan treat Commander Zhao like this!"
"Boss, we cannot let this slide. We must pressure the Changning Garrison's officials and strike against the Wang's Clan and their marriage alliance."
The commanders were all indignant and clamorous.
At this point.
Long Wuji finally opened his eyes, a glint of sharpness flashing within: "Commander Jiang, what do you think of this?"
With these words, all eyes turned to a commander who had remained silent.
Unlike most members of the Flood Dragon Gang, who were rough and unkempt, this man wore flowing robes and exuded an air of elegance and refinement, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Those unaware might even mistake him for an elder of a noble family.
He was Jiang Yusong, a strategist Long Wuji had recruited from who knows where, known for his meticulous mind and resourcefulness. Many of the Flood Dragon Gang's strategic actions and tactical plans in recent years had been devised by him.
"Boss," Jiang Yusong said with a refined bow, speaking eloquently, "This incident reveals the complexity of the marriage alliance led by the Changning Wang's Clan. This strategy is likely the work of Wang Shouzhe."
"I have studied Wang Shouzhe's rise to power extensively. Though he appears conservative and steady, his thinking is unconventional and unpredictable, making it difficult to anticipate his next move."
"However, everyone has their strategic and tactical motivations. If I were Wang Shouzhe, I would avoid engaging in a conflict where I would be at a disadvantage, especially during a period of rapid development for the Wang's Clan and their allies. Avoiding war and buying time for development would be the core of my strategy."
"Commander Jiang," another rough-looking Celestial Realm commander rumbled, "if the Wang's Clan wants to avoid war and delay, why would they involve the authorities in this matter? Once Commander Zhao's crimes are confirmed, not even immortals can save him. Do they want to become our mortal enemies?"
"This is Wang Shouzhe's cunning. The official process takes time to establish guilt. I believe Wang Shouzhe's intention is that if we want to save Commander Zhao, we must negotiate with the Wang's Clan before the official verdict."
"If we miss the opportunity or refuse to compromise during negotiations, leading to Commander Zhao's sentencing… it would be our own fault. Even if it results in a mortal feud, they can shift the blame onto us. They can then easily garner public sympathy and support from neutral forces."
"Moreover, with Wang Shouzhe's character, he must have already investigated our situation. He likely knows that Boss Long values loyalty and emotions, and would not easily abandon Commander Zhao. In short, the Wang's Clan and their marriage alliance have the upper hand, while we are relatively passive."
Jiang Yusong's thorough analysis laid bare the Wang's Clan's intentions.
Long Wuji's brows furrowed slowly: "So, the Wang's Clan wants peace but is unwilling to share any benefits with us? Commander Jiang, do you have a solution?"
"Of course, there is a solution." Jiang Yusong adjusted his sleeves, smiling confidently, "Although Wang Shouzhe is cunning, he forgets that this world ultimately respects strength. His marriage alliance, even with all its strong members, is at best comparable to a powerful sixth-grade family. Our Flood Dragon Gang, however, has the overall strength of a fifth-grade family."
"If you, Boss, personally lead the group to Changning Garrison and exert pressure as a Purple Mansion cultivator, it will naturally cause internal panic within their marriage alliance. I will then use my persuasive skills, combining soft and hard tactics, to break their will from within. At that point, not only will rescuing Commander Zhao be no problem, but we will also secure our rightful interests."
"Once we establish a foothold in Changning Garrison, even a small one, we can gradually expand the Flood Dragon Gang's influence."
These words made the commanders nod repeatedly. Even Long Wuji seemed to agree, his eyes narrowing in thought.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out.
At the same time, a veiled figure stepped forward from the corner, bowing respectfully: "Boss Long, this plan may not be wise."
Despite her veil, her graceful and ethereal demeanor was evident. She was none other than Cao Youqing, who had suffered a significant setback at the hands of the Wang's Clan.
Long Wuji's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone indifferent: "Fairy Cao, do you have any instructions?"
Ignoring Long Wuji's tone, Cao Youqing continued, "Wang Shouzhe is extremely cunning and excels at luring people into traps. If you negotiate with him, you will likely fall into his calculations. It would be better to mobilize our experts and launch a surprise attack on the Wang's Clan's main residence, catching them off guard."
Hearing this, Long Wuji's expression turned cold.
He glanced at Cao Youqing, his tone unhurried: "Fairy Cao, do you really think our Flood Dragon Gang is a band of desperate river bandits? If we rashly annihilate an entire clan, it won't be long before the academy and the authorities unite to flatten this Flood Dragon Island."
"But…" Cao Youqing, seeing the situation slipping out of her control, became anxious, her tone hardening, "Boss Long, don't forget what the Young Master instructed…"
Before she could finish.
Long Wuji impatiently waved his hand.
A terrifying force struck her chest.
The overwhelming power seemed to penetrate her core, sending her flying backward and crashing into a stone pillar outside the hall, causing the entire hall to tremble.
Only then did the sound of the force breaking through the air finally reach everyone's ears.
Cao Youqing's internal organs churned, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.
The intense pain left her face pale, but it couldn't hide the shock and anger in her eyes.
She never expected that Long Wuji, a Purple Mansion cultivator, would strike without hesitation, showing no regard for her status as a Holy Land prodigy!
Before she could react, a palpable killing intent enveloped her.
The cold, bone-chilling aura seemed to come from the depths of the underworld, filled with a terrifying menace.
In that instant, she had no doubt that if she made any move, the next strike would be a lethal one!
"I, Long Wuji, do not need your guidance."
Without even looking at her, Long Wuji remained in his lazy, half-asleep posture, his tone turning icy: "You're just a foolish dog under the Young Master's command. Even if the Young Master himself were here, he wouldn't have the right to dictate to me."
Cao Youqing, blood at the corner of her mouth, lowered her head, but the hatred in her eyes was unmistakable.
***
Half a month later.
A precious spring rain fell upon the land of Changning Garrison.
Tenant farmers and peasants were overjoyed. This timely rain provided ample water for the winter wheat, allowing it to thrive.
If everything went smoothly, May would bring another bountiful harvest.
However, beneath the seemingly peaceful and harmonious surface of Changning Garrison, an undercurrent was brewing. At the forefront was Wei Wenxun, the city guard of Changning Garrison.
At this moment, Wei Wenxun was filled with regret.
When he had just advanced to the Celestial Realm, he had been full of ambition. The Commandery Governor had personally offered him a choice of three garrison towns to oversee. Unfortunately, he had chosen Changning Garrison.
His reason was that it was close to the frontier, with less than five hundred years of development.
There were no sixth-grade families stationed there, and the foundations of the noble families were still weak, providing fertile ground for him to realize his ambitions.
But upon arrival, he realized it was a trap.
From initial enthusiasm to resistance and struggle, he eventually resigned himself to his fate, preparing to muddle through until the end of his term. He decided to let the local overlord, the Wang's Clan, do as they pleased.
But even after he had given up, Wang Shouzhe still wouldn't let him off, frequently saddling him with burdens.
The last time, it was the case of Cao Youqing, a prodigy from the Lingyun Holy Land, committing assault, which had put him on the spot, forcing him to handle it with utmost caution, leaving no room for error.
This time was even worse, involving a river bandit attack, with the main culprit being Zhao Wuqing, the adopted son of Long Wuji, the overlord of the An River!
When they handed over the criminals to the Changning Garrison's city guard, they had already solidified all the evidence, reconstructing the entire incident.
As the city guard, Wei Wenxun only needed to follow the procedures of Daqian law based on the evidence provided by the Wang's Clan. It was almost certain that Zhao Wuqing and his accomplices would be convicted of organizing river bandit raids, a serious crime with severe punishments.
Wei Wenxun wasn't a fool. He knew he had been dragged into a power struggle between the big players. That very night, he sent his trusted aides to the Commandery City to seek instructions from the Commandery Governor.
The next day, he received a brief reply from the Commandery Governor: "Handle the case according to the law, impartially."
Wasn't that obvious?
After Wang Shouzhe's covert publicity, the case of Zhao Wuqing's alleged river bandit raids had spread throughout half of Longzuo Commandery. Many noble families were now focused on the Changning Garrison's city guard and Wei Wenxun himself.
Any misstep could end his career.
In this situation, his only chance was to present himself as a strict enforcer of the law. This way, his backing would be Daqian law, and even before the Emperor, he could speak with confidence.
However, if given another chance, Wei Wenxun would never choose to oversee Changning Garrison! He would rather go to a garrison town indirectly controlled by a sixth-grade family, where he wouldn't be used as a pawn.
Besides the unfortunate Wei Wenxun, the major families of Changning Garrison were also on high alert, secretly preparing for potential conflict. They were purchasing suitable spirit artifacts, jade talismans, and various offensive treasures.
At the same time, they were organizing and training their family members and retainers to prepare for possible warfare.
In contrast, the leader of the marriage alliance, the Changning Wang's Clan, continued with their usual activities.
They continued to reclaim land, farm, and forge artifacts as usual.
The young and promising Wang Zongyao was one of the designated heirs to the family's artifact forging legacy. Though he had been learning for less than a year, his days were filled with purpose.
Every day, besides learning basic forging knowledge from ordinary blacksmiths, he also studied the various forging documents left by Tian Yiezi, practiced the fire-based cultivation technique "Heavenly Forge Art," and spent considerable time refining metals and crafting items.
Yes, every blacksmith starts as an ironworker.
"Ding! Fourth Young Master Zongyao, you have crafted one hundred iron hoes. After evaluation, twenty-five are of rough quality, thirty-six are of ordinary quality, and forty-nine are of good quality. After deducting material costs, you will receive fifty-one family contribution points."
"Ding! Congratulations, Fourth Young Master Zongyao, for accepting the task 'Craft one hundred iron shovels,' with a one-month deadline. At least sixty shovels must be of good quality, and ten of excellent quality. Please study the art of forging diligently and strive to become a master forger, contributing to the rise of the Wang's Clan!"
No matter how many times he saw the family spirit artifact or heard its "ding," Wang Zongyao's eyelids still twitched. What kind of mischievous soul was hiding beneath Fourth Uncle's stern exterior?
"Ding! A new family task has appeared, 'Procreate for the Family.' Please, Fourth Young Master…"
Before the spirit artifact could finish, Wang Zongyao fled. Procreating for the family? How could that be more interesting than forging tasks? Even though each child born brought high family contribution rewards…
The rewards were so high that he feared he might succumb to temptation if he stayed any longer…
Behind him, the spirit artifact sighed: "Sigh, this family task is too hard to promote. I should suggest to the master to make 'Procreate for the Family' a mandatory task."
Hearing this, Wang Zongyao ran even faster.
He used his movement technique to reach the main residence's entrance, just in time to hear a crane's cry as a flying carriage descended from the clouds.
As the carriage opened, five graceful figures in the Purple Mansion Academy's female battle skirts descended, exuding an air of elegance and heroism.
In just a few breaths, they all landed at the main residence's entrance.
Wang Zongyao hurriedly stepped forward, bowing: "Zongyao greets Ancestor Xuanfu, Aunt Ruolei, Fifth Aunt, Sixth Aunt, and Sister Liyao."
These five beauties were all elites from the Wang's Clan and the Liu's Clan at the academy.
Especially Ancestor Xuanfu, whose sharp gaze and overwhelming aura made Wang Zongyao feel as if he were facing an unbeatable beast.
Realizing something, he quickly bowed again, joyfully saying, "Congratulations, Ancestor Xuanfu, on mastering your profound skills and achieving the Celestial Realm."
"Ah, it's Zongyao." Liu Xuanfu, wearing a veil, smiled with her beautiful eyes, "You've grown into a handsome young man. Do you have someone in mind? How about choosing a girl from our Liu's Clan?"
Wang Zongyao's mouth twitched, and he forced a smile: "Thank you for your kindness, Ancestor Xuanfu, but I need to focus on learning the art of forging for now."
"I've heard about your forging studies at the academy." Wang Luo Qiu, looking at her nephew with interest, said, "How's it going? Can you craft high-grade spirit artifacts yet? Your Sixth Aunt needs a pair of gauntlets."
H-high-grade spirit artifacts?
Wang Zongyao almost fainted, his face full of awkward smiles: "Sixth Aunt, I've only been learning for less than a year…"
"Sixth Aunt, please don't tease Brother Zongyao." Wang Liyao intervened, "Forging spirit artifacts is no easy task, let alone high-grade ones. Brother Zongyao is probably still in the stage of crafting weapons for the retainers."
"Uh…" Wang Zongyao was so embarrassed he wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Could he explain that he was still in the stage of crafting farm tools? Thank you for helping me out, Sister Liyao.
This topic was too shameful, so he quickly changed the subject: "Sister Liyao, why have you all returned together?"
"Don't you know?" Fifth Aunt said, surprised, "Our Wang's Clan and the marriage alliance might clash with the Flood Dragon Gang. We've returned to support the family. Zong'an, Zongsheng, and other male members from various families are on another flying carriage."
As the marriage alliance families grew stronger, they provided their young members with far more resources than twenty years ago. This had produced a large number of outstanding young talents.
Following the Wang's Clan's example, they sent some of their best young members to the academy. Though they were only ordinary disciples, it was a start, and a Lingtai Realm future was almost guaranteed.
With the marriage alliance facing a crisis, they all found ways to return home to support their families.
Of course, they returned discreetly, under the guise of taking leave. They had to report back to the academy within a month or so, as formal disciples couldn't stay with their families long-term.
During any confrontation, they had to find ways to conceal their identities to avoid unnecessary trouble.
As the Wang's Clan members returned.
In Wang Shouzhe's courtyard.
Lady Bilian, dressed as a noblewoman, sat opposite Wang Shouz he, her expression somewhat displeased: "Master Wang Shouzhe, inviting our Fire Fox Ancestor here at such a critical time is quite excessive. Do you intend to drag our Yuwen Clan into your conflict with the Flood Dragon Gang?"
The Flood Dragon Gang was a large and established force that had existed for centuries.
Many families had had dealings with the Flood Dragon Gang at some point, and the Yuwen Clan was no exception. Therefore, even though the Yuwen Clan had deep collaborative projects with the Wang's Clan, they could not afford to join the Wang's Clan in a direct confrontation with the Flood Dragon Gang.
"Lady, what are you saying?" Wang Shouzhe, holding a small, puppy-sized fire fox in his arms, smiled warmly, "Our issues with the Flood Dragon Gang are just minor skirmishes. A bit of negotiation will resolve everything; it's no big deal. I simply missed my little sister, the Fire Fox, and wanted to see her."
"Squeak squeak~~ Brother Shouzhe, I missed you too." The seven-tailed fire fox, hearing this, happily rolled and snuggled in Wang Shouzhe's arms, "I've been wanting to visit Brother Shouzhe for a long time."
Seeing the intimate interaction between Wang Shouzhe and the fire fox, Lady Bilian's jealousy surged like a tidal wave, nearly causing her to erupt: "Wang Shouzhe, this is our clan's Ancestor!"
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas