Zhang Yi's arrangement was primarily due to his unique half-demon identity.
His mother Bai Liying also supported Zhang Yi's journey on the path of cultivation.
But Zhang Zhao was different.
Zhang Zhao was purely a mortal.
His mother Qi Yuhua was also a mere human.
However, Zhang Zhao likewise inherited the spirit root.
Within him were three layers of spirit roots: gold, fire, and thunder.
Especially the fire attribute spirit root was outstanding.
Yet Zhang Jian, out of personal bias, preferred him to remain a mortal, to inherit the Zhang family's estate.
The future of Zhang Jian would certainly be divided into two branches, one becoming a cultivation clan, the other being secular dukes.
"At most, I endure a bit more, striving for ascension!"
This thought flashed through Zhang Jian's mind.
At this moment, Zhang Zhao watched his elder brother moving ahead, and suddenly burst into tears, while the couple laughed heartily upon seeing this.
Beside them, Yu Yao and Qu Lian saw this scene and wanted to step forward but were stopped by Zhang Jian with a wave of his hand.
Let Zhang Zhao get up by himself and continue chasing.
Zhang Jian felt the family values set by Zhang Yi were excellent.
"It seems I need to ask my father for a few nanny maidens. Yi'Er and Zhao'Er are growing older, and certain rules need to be established to prevent interference in their development!"
Zhang Jian thought to himself.
Beside him, Qi Yuhua suddenly spoke up.
"Husband, Brother Lu should be returning to the capital in a few days. Father mentioned in his letter some time ago about assisting him in finding a marriage?"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian chuckled.
"You can decide on this matter!"
Zhang Lu had been sent away by him two years ago, entering the Border Army through the assistance of the Qi Family. Over these two years, Zhang Lu had sent several letters, clearly gaining much.
Utilizing the skills learned by his side, he gained much appreciation from his superiors and recently had even slain the enemy's deputy general, accumulating merits. This time, he too will return to the capital to transfer his official position.
Promoting his position, and with Qi Yuhua's maneuvering, marrying a noble lady wouldn't be difficult.
At this time, as he watched the two muddy monkeys running around the jujube tree, Zhang Jian stepped forward, releasing two streams of magical power, which fell upon the two children, helping them clean the dampness from their bodies.
At this moment, Zhang Yi looked up, gazing at the towering jujube tree above and shouted to Zhang Jian.
"Dad, I want jujubes..."
Zhang Jian smiled gently, then extended a hand, causing the branches of the jujube tree to shake slightly and a dozen red jujubes fell.
Seeing this, Zhang Zhao was overjoyed and hurried to grab some, but was picked up by Qi Yuhua.
These jujubes were too large for a two-year-old child, while Zhang Yi, being a half-demon, had no such worries.
...
Warm and peaceful days are always fleeting.
In these two years, Daqian has been anything but peaceful.
The locust plague in the north persisted, spreading across seven or eight major counties, reducing grain production and sparking continuous uprisings among refugees.
Since losing two elders in the Yin Spirit Realm, Dong Shen Temple did not dare easily send people into the northern territories for investigation.
This situation led to chaos in the northern counties.
An army was sent to quell uprisings one after another, but with little success.
Instead, numerous soldiers and generals were lost.
Inside Jingtai Hall,
The young Emperor Jingwu's face was somber. Not long ago, the Northern Governor submitted a report, stating rebels appeared in several counties in Lingwu County, with evil people from the Fire Worship Sect making the situation difficult, requesting the court to send Dong Shen Temple Daoists to suppress the matter.
The newly appointed Marquis Tongcheng, Old General Yang also felt the pressure.
"State Preceptor, this time you must give me an explanation. If the northern territories continue to be chaotic, it might shake the foundation of the court. The treasury silver won't suffice for much longer!"
Jingming Daoist furrowed his brow.
He understood Emperor Jingwu's anger. Every year, Daqian's treasury barely maintained a balance, relying on the accumulation from the previous emperor's reign. But since Emperor Jingwu's ascension, continuous rebellions caused massive expenses from the treasury, and it's no wonder Emperor Jingwu was restless.
However, he feared that the evil sects might be distracting them while planning something else.
He knew that he could no longer evade this responsibility.
With this thought, Jingming Daoist accepted, bowing and saying,
"Your Majesty, I will personally go and eradicate these evil sects for you!"
Joy spread across Emperor Jingwu's face as he stood, saying,
"Good, with the State Preceptor taking action, those rebels will surely be punished!"
At this, other important ministers in the Jingtai Hall nodded slightly.
After the ministers departed, Jingming Daoist stayed behind in Jingtai Hall. After a secret discussion with Emperor Jingwu, he proceeded to the Sports and Arts College.
In the Sports and Arts College, North Study,
Zhang Jian and Jingming Daoist strolled in the spacious little garden, with Jingming Daoist wearing a worried expression.
"Mr. Zhang, this matter still requires your cooperation to guard the Observatory Platform for a while!"
"State Preceptor, from what you've said, the Observatory Platform doesn't seem like a nice place! Besides, logically speaking, your Dong Shen Temple has many strong individuals and shouldn't need an outsider like me to go there?"
Zhang Jian shook his head, feeling some amusement inside.
Jingming Daoist, however, had come seeking help.
He didn't want to seek written works but instead wanted him to guard the Observatory Platform.
The Observatory Platform was not just any place but a critical site for the Daqian Dragon Vein.
Nearby were several locations for suppressing demons.
The Dragon Vein was vital, and Dongming Daoist didn't trust others to guard it alone, so he sought Zhang Jian's assistance.
At this point, Zhang Jian found it rather amusing.
This was akin to asking Monkey Sun to guard the Peach Garden!
However, the trust Jingming Daoist showed moved him somewhat.
Over several years of interaction, he knew this State Preceptor to be a sincere scholar. Deceiving such a person made him feel a twinge of conscience, but he quickly suppressed it.
Jingming Daoist shook his head, saying,
"Mr. Zhang, requesting you to go is a precautionary step, as there are arrangements by the Daqian Royal Family around the Dragon Vein, which should be secure. However, beneath the Observatory Platform are numerous demons, including old demons personally captured by the sect ancestors. For this trip to the north to slay demon fiends, I need to take some magical treasures with me. Without them, these old demons might stir!"
"Although the other elders in the temple have great Dao practice, they cannot compete in Dao Heart Realm with you, sir!"
"Furthermore, your vast righteous qi soaring to the heavens makes you the ideal candidate for overseeing this place. I implore you to lend me your support!"
"Jingming is immensely grateful!"
Seeing Jingming Daoist's sincerity, Zhang Jian thought for a moment and agreed.
Seeing this, Jingming Daoist was delighted and relieved.
In truth, the Observatory Platform not only suppressed numerous demons captured by elders of Dong Shen Temple but was also the central hub for Dong Shen Temple's control over the Daqian Court, and was essential to protect.
Frankly, this trip north for suppression left Jingming Daoist feeling uncertain.
He had a foreboding sense.
If something were to happen to him, with Zhang Jian at the Observatory Platform at least more time would be gained for Dong Shen Temple, awaiting the return of the Dong Shen Ancestor.