At fifty, one knows their celestial destiny.
Zhang Jian, after a few attempts to persuade, readily agreed.
"Uncle Hu, once you return to Fengxi, I’ll have the elders of the family help you find a proper wife locally, to carry on your lineage!"
Hu Shan was taken aback, his old face slightly flushed, while Zhang Lu teased beside him with a laugh.
"Old Hu, aren’t you going to thank the Young Master!"
Hu Shan sincerely bowed, for at his age, he longed to return to his roots. If he could find a widow and have his own children, enjoying family bliss, that would be best.
Hu Shan looked at Zhang Jian with immense gratitude.
Then he rose and left.
Zhang Lu, watching Hu Shan’s departing figure, felt a bit melancholic. People would age and leave, but only someone like the Young Master, immersed in cultivation, could grasp time and savor the longer years.
As he witnessed the departure of the old Guard Captain, Zhang Jian’s heart became even more resilient.
The previously restless aura around him seemed to stabilize, settling down.
Inside him, the walls of the Three-Formed Sheji King Tripod’s cauldron displayed many peculiar runes, the patterns becoming clearer.
Zhang Lu, beside him, quickly regained his composure. Being at the passionate age, he swiftly dispelled the melancholy of farewell and stood up: "Young Master, there’s plenty of game in these mountains; we seldom get such good times. I’ll send the brothers hunting, and bring you some game!"
Zhang Jian nodded at his words.
At this moment, the figure of Lady Honghua surfaced in Zhang Jian’s mind.
"Young Master, I have many skilled individuals under me. If not, I could send them over to form a new guard team of extraordinary talents!"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian snorted coldly: "What kind of backgrounds do those guards under you have? I’m afraid I’ll have to clean up after them! Instead of them protecting me, it’s me protecting them!"
Lady Honghua was left speechless from the rebuttal.
Indeed, those under her were of mixed quality.
Almost all belonged to heterodox sects, and there were few whose hands had not been tainted with blood.
At this time, Zhang Jian turned his attention to the Artifact Refining Record in his hand.
Just a glance and Zhang Jian couldn’t help but immerse himself in it.
The study of artifact refining was vast and profound. Dissecting it revealed multiple advanced disciplines: first, Immortal Materials Science, second, Talismanic Literature, and then Casting.
To refine artifacts, one must learn to discern the properties of various immortal materials to mix and forge them.
The field of rune application is even broader.
Artifact refining, forbidden techniques, and even magic cultivation can all utilize it.
Zhang Jian was also deeply interested in this.
With Bai Xianyin by his side, Zhang Jian was unreserved; whenever he encountered a problem, he would immediately consult Bai Xianyin for answers.
Bai Xianyin was indeed a qualified guide, possessing considerable knowledge in talismanic literature, but after a while, she found it overwhelming.
It wasn’t just the high frequency of inquiries that tested her patience; her knowledge of talismanic literature was also quite limited. After several instances, she felt she might be drained if it continued.
She could only rush back to the Tongshan Dao Lineage to find a solution for Zhang Jian.
...
Fengxi County, within the county government, Yang Qing’s complexion was ever-changing.
Not long ago, he received news that the court had dispatched an imperial envoy to thoroughly investigate Governor Yu Tongguang’s ’treason’ in Fengyang County and beyond.
This shrewdly made Yang Qing realize it could be an opportunity.
An opportunity to break free from the Zhang Family’s grip.
He had witnessed the Zhang Family’s actions in Fengxi County over the years and had orders to keep a close watch.
The Zhang Family had clearly surpassed the realm of local gentry.
If he could seize the opportunity to meet this imperial envoy...
Yang Qing’s eyes swirled, his heart somewhat restless.
Lately, he had been entirely sidelined by many crafty officials within the county government, to the point where even many subordinate officials began to outwardly defy him, ignoring the authority of their aged parent, which filled him with anger.
Yet, he was helpless.
For he knew he couldn’t contend with the Zhang Family.
His gaze flickered, aware of the danger in this action. He was no longer who he used to be. Before, he managed to pull together some of the county government’s forces, with the Gu Family’s support, enough to contend with the Zhang Family and other local powers.
But now, a single mistake and he might be killed by the mobs.
Zhao Xing, standing nearby, said: "Mr. Dong, should I send someone to give it a try?"
"You know, I have some brothers inside and outside the Shuangfeng Mountain Range. We could use their channels to give you a hand!"
In the depths of his eyes, a cold gleam appeared.
At that moment, a cold laugh came from nearby.
"If the master wishes to die, or have his wife and daughters captured, then go ahead and try!!"
Out came a graceful figure. At the sight of this figure, Yang Qing’s courage swiftly diminished.
"Madam!"
Zhao Xing bowed slightly and quickly withdrew.
After leaving the county government, he used the cover of night to send out the message through special channels.
In the darkness, Zhao Xing’s soft features showed traces of coldness, as he glanced in the direction of the county government.
He was, in fact, a plant that the Zhang Family had placed beside Yang Qing for a long time. The Zhang Family had previously destroyed his gambling den and taken away his wife and daughter, all to gain Yang Qing’s trust.
Now, faced with this situation, Yang Qing still intended to expose the Zhang Family, something had to be done.