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“Old Yu, won’t you invite me in for a chat?”
Song Wenxian revealed his presence.
Immediately, a stream of Spiritual Qi enveloped Song Wenxian, lifting him to the surface of the lake at Baiyan Palace.
“Dao Friend Lin.”
Song Wenxian saw Yu Chenran standing on the water and Lin Wenyou lying on a small boat, drinking. He cupped his fists in greeting.
“No need to be so formal.”
Lin Wenyou returned the gesture.
“What brings you here?” Yu Chenran seemed to see through Song Wenxian’s intentions, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement.
“Well…” Song Wenxian hesitated, unsure of how to begin.
Back at the Song Family, Song Wenxian was quite assertive and imposing. But now, at the Academy, he had to be polite and cautious, fearing rejection.
“Speak up.”
Yu Chenran urged.
“The Hundred Veins Banquet is about to begin, and the Song Family plans to have Song Ningyan participate.”
Gritting his teeth, Song Wenxian stated his purpose.
“As far as I know, women in the Song Family don’t hold power. If Song Ningyan goes and returns empty-handed, so be it. But if she gains fortune and brings honor to the family, how will the Song Family handle it?”
Yu Chenran squinted, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“If Ningyan brings honor to the family, she will naturally be rewarded.”
Song Wenxian replied.
“Can the ancestral rules of the Song Family be changed?”
Yu Chenran asked upon hearing this.
“Adapt to the circumstances, change is inevitable.”
Song Wenxian answered.
“Song Ningyan is not only a member of the Song Family but also a disciple of our Academy. According to the Academy’s rules, disciples are not to engage in worldly conflicts.”
Yu Chenran said softly.
“Why is Chen Qingyuan allowed then?” Song Wenxian brought up an example.
“The Academy’s decisions don’t need to be reported to the Song Family!”
Yu Chenran, an old acquaintance of Song Wenxian, was just teasing him, putting on a serious face and speaking sternly.
“I…” Song Wenxian was left speechless, sighing deeply, “If you don’t agree, I won’t leave the Academy.”
“Why are you being so unreasonable?”
Yu Chenran said irritably.
“If you don’t agree, I can’t go back. I might as well stay here and annoy you to death.”
With no outsiders around, Song Wenxian wasn’t afraid of losing face.
“You were the one who wanted to place Song Ningyan in the Academy. Out of our old friendship, I agreed. Now you want her to break the Academy’s rules. You’re going too far!”
Yu Chenran pointed at Song Wenxian’s nose.
On the small boat, Lin Wenyou watched the scene with great interest, his enthusiasm for drinking growing.
“Old Yu, give your old friend a break!”
Song Wenxian said with a bitter smile.
“How many favors do you owe me now?”
Since the Academy had already made an exception for Chen Qingyuan, it could naturally allow others to leave as well.
“If you agree this time, it’ll be two favors. I will repay them in the future.”
Song Wenxian held up two fingers.
“Alright then.” Yu Chenran nodded, “I’ll reluctantly agree.”
“That’s more like it.”
Song Wenxian finally felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
“Come, have some tea and wine.”
Song Wenxian then arranged for various fine wines and fragrant teas.
The new generation of the Song Family, who would have thought they’d have to rely on a woman, rising and falling in fortune!
The Song Family had hoped to use resources to cultivate a few Heaven’s Prides, but all efforts failed. True Heaven’s Prides not only have strong cultivation but also a heart dedicated to the Dao.
Born in adversity, die in comfort.
The Song Family, leading the Ancient Clans, had internal competition but overall lived too comfortably, leading to this situation.
The next day, Song Wenxian took Song Ningyan away.
On the way, Song Ningyan learned the specifics and was both surprised and delighted.
“Grandfather, can I really go to the Imperial Province? The Academy didn’t stop me?”
Song Ningyan asked after her initial joy.
“Do you know who your grandfather is? I personally went to the Academy to fetch you. Of course, they had to give me face.”
Song Wenxian stroked his beard, full of pride.
“Grandfather is amazing!” Song Ningyan praised.
“Of course.”
Bragging a bit in front of his granddaughter wasn’t too much, right?
Renling Star Domain, Misty Sacred Ground.
At the peak of a high mountain in the front hall, Zhangsun Fengye and Chen Qingyuan sat across from each other, sipping tea.
Misty Palace was inspecting the prohibitions on their warship, strengthening defenses to avoid danger on the journey.
Taking advantage of this idle time, Zhangsun Fengye naturally wanted to entertain Chen Qingyuan well, hoping to reduce troubles on his future pursuit of his wife and possibly gain more support.
“Brother Chen, this is the spiritual tea of our Misty Palace, harvested once every five hundred years. See if it suits your taste.”
Zhangsun Fengye personally brewed and poured the tea, smiling.
“Not bad.” Chen Qingyuan took a sip, savoring the flavor.
“This trip to the Imperial Province will take at least a hundred years before we return. Sigh!” Zhangsun Fengye suddenly sighed, “A hundred years without seeing Miss Liu, it’s really tough!”
“Can you stop being so sentimental?”
Chen Qingyuan was exasperated.
“You wouldn’t understand my feelings.”
Zhangsun Fengye looked in the direction of the Supporting Flow Star Domain, his eyes filled with longing.
If it weren’t to save on travel expenses and avoid potential dangers, Chen Qingyuan would have turned and left, not wanting to listen to such mushy words.
“Brother, so you are here.”
Suddenly, a strong-built woman in plain clothes walked over.
She was Zhangsun Qian, the Saintess of Misty Palace and one of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness.
Due to a mishap in her Dao Technique cultivation, Zhangsun Qian’s appearance and figure had changed drastically.
“You’re back. How did it go?”
Zhangsun Fengye glanced at Zhangsun Qian, his voice indifferent.
“Not well.”
Zhangsun Qian’s face was filled with worry. She had been away for a long time, following Wu Junyan, but their relationship was not harmonious.
“And this is… Young Master Chen?”
Zhangsun Qian looked at Chen Qingyuan, greeting him.
“Yes.” Chen Qingyuan nodded in return, “Saintess.”
“I heard you have a good relationship with Wu Junyan. Can you do me a favor?”
Zhangsun Qian asked without any pretense.
“What kind of favor?” Chen Qingyuan’s expression grew cautious.
“This trip to the Imperial Province will be fraught with risks. I want Wu Junyan to travel with our Misty Palace for mutual support and safety.”
Zhangsun Qian said.
“That’s a good idea. The Saintess can ask him herself.”
Chen Qingyuan thought it over, seeing no harm to Wu Junyan.
“If I ask, he will definitely refuse.”
Zhangsun Qian said sadly.
“Well, it’s not convenient for me to ask.”
It wasn’t that Chen Qingyuan was unwilling to help, but Wu Junyan had no romantic interest in Zhangsun Qian, and there was no need to force a match. Moreover, it was a tricky matter that could easily lead to resentment.
“Here, take this.” Zhangsun Qian took out a Heaven and Earth Bag, removed its prohibition, and handed it to Chen Qingyuan.
“What do you mean?”
Chen Qingyuan frowned.
“As long as you ask, whether it succeeds or not, these are yours.”
Zhangsun Qian said earnestly.
“This… feels a bit awkward!” Despite his words, Chen Qingyuan skillfully pocketed the Heaven and Earth Bag, saying seriously, “I’ll contact Old Wu right away. Success depends on fate.”
“Thank you, Young Master Chen.” Zhangsun Qian’s face lit up with joy, her eyes full of expectation.
Earning money while hitching a ride, why not?
It’s not about being greedy; it’s about being frugal and making a living.
Besides, I’m not harming a brother, but considering his safety. This journey is perilous, and with Misty Palace’s support, many troubles will be avoided.
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