After Zhang Jian left, a resplendently dressed woman with the demeanor of an esteemed lady appeared hurriedly in the distance by the dam. She seemed to be wary of the place where the dam was located, her eyes scanning around the dam’s vicinity, but a hint of disappointment flickered in her gaze.
Just a short while ago, she sensed the aura of the Dragon Pearl before the Dragon-locking Dam, but after rushing over hurriedly,
she ultimately missed it.
Yet, her heart was stirred with excitement, as this indicated she was very close to the Dragon Pearl.
"I must accelerate my efforts to reclaim the Dragon Pearl, father’s weakness is too severe, and it is exceedingly dangerous!"
This thought brought a solemn expression to her face.
A moment later, she summoned some brawny men dressed as house servants, instructing them to investigate all the various figures that had appeared nearby, in hopes of finding some clues.
...
At nightfall, the Qi Family was brightly illuminated.
Everywhere was bustling with activity, as the Qi Family was hosting a family banquet specifically for their grandson who had traveled from afar.
The Fengxi Zhang Family was already considered prosperous with offspring, but upon witnessing the spectacle before him, Zhang Jian felt his old man hadn’t worked hard enough...
During the banquet, Zhang Jian also saw his maternal grandfather, who had claimed to be recovering from illness.
Qi Yi was robust and burly with a square face, although nearly sixty, he exuded the aura of a battle-tested general, rigid and principled, clearly a person who valued rules.
Beside him was his grandmother, Madam Qi, who had the appearance of a kindly old lady, adorned in gold and silver, exuding a sense of luxury. She proactively pulled Zhang Jian closer for a look, showering him with praises.
"Such handsome features, such handsome features. My grandson truly deserves to be the celestial Wenqu Star, with such character and looks, destined to become a scholar of distinction, the champion to come!"
"Being praised so by the elderly is something this grandson dares not accept! I am but of ordinary appearance!"
Zhang Jian smiled subtly.
He could see this grandmother truly cared for him, whereas his grandfather Qi Yi was much colder, maintaining a serious demeanor throughout.
Aside from this, his several aunts were quite amicable towards him.
However, among all his uncles, only his Fourth Uncle Qi Yuanjia was present.
His maternal grandfather had five sons: Qi Yuanwu, Qi Yuansi, Qi Yuansheng, Qi Yuanjia, Qi Yuanxing.
Of these five uncles, the highest-ranking one was the eldest uncle Qi Yuanwu, who held the position of Standard Sixth-Grade Captain by ancestral privilege, serving in the Imperial Guard in the Capital City with the critical duty of protecting the Palace, greatly valued by the Court.
Next was Qi Yuansi, who also served in the military as County Governor and Chief Patrol Officer, commanding three thousand soldiers in his commandery. His rank was lower than a County Captain, under their control, but he had served in the Border Army and earned merits, promising a bright future.
The other three uncles were not as distinguished as these two.
For instance, his Fourth Uncle was purely a wealthy idler, frequently seen in entertainment venues and pleasure houses.
However, this Fourth Uncle clearly held a certain disdain for him.
The two young ladies secretly observing him before at the Dragon-locking Dam had been identified.
They were his two cousins from the Qi Family’s second branch.
Yu Hua, Yu Zhu.
His gaze quietly swept over the two cousins, who had starkly different personalities. Yu Hua was obviously more reserved, kept her head down without speaking, taking small bites of food as if determined against the dishes before her!
The other was enthusiastically watching him converse with the old lady, showing no sign of shyness.
Her eyes were full of curiosity.
Zhang Jian responded with a smile.
His second uncle Qi Yuansi enjoyed a good relationship with the Zhang Family.
Zhang Jian remembered him well.
This second uncle had a cool exterior but a warm heart.
He had visited several times and brought him many gifts.
However, he didn’t expect to interact with these two cousins, who were essentially his ’potential matchmaking’ targets, in such a way.
Zhang Jian’s gaze shifted. His early arrival in the Commandery City was not solely to wish his grandfather a happy birthday, but also to seek greater opportunities for the Zhang Family.
Marriage alliances are an excellent means.
Although Zhang Jian embarked on the path of cultivation towards the Great Dao, he wasn’t opposed to this idea, as he chose a non-traditional path to longevity, planning to enter the world before transcending it.
Furthermore, according to many official mythologies in Daqian, those truly considered to be immortals still had families, with many beginning their cultivation only after reaching middle age.
Zhang Jian’s composed demeanor and his transcendental aura left a notable impression on many young men and women at the banquet, shifting the initial impression that he came from a minor household in the minds of many Qi Family ladies and cousins.
Zhang Jian deliberately crafted this impression, as his presence in the Commandery City couldn’t be ordinary or mediocre, nor could he completely showcase his shrewd and decisive side.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jian quietly observed his grandfather.
Rumor had it that Qi Yi, the elder of the Qi Family, was unwell and intended to pass down the clan leadership soon.
But as Zhang Jian looked, Qi Yi appeared vigorous, flourishing, not at all the image of someone unwell.
On the contrary, he seemed to be at the peak of his prowess as a Body Refining Martial General!
He evidently didn’t need a Daoist to drive away evil.
The Dragon and Tiger Qi emanating from him was extraordinarily strong, even Zhang Jian facing him directly felt pressure.
"Could it be someone else?!"
At this moment, a pink-clad young lady standing below the old lady suddenly parted her cherry lips and said with a sweet smile.
"Brother Zhang, as the top scorer in this year’s local examination, how confident are you about the Ministry of Rites Examination?"
She spoke up, drawing the attention of several Qi Family young ladies and numerous other cousins, each with a curious and scrutinizing glance.
Zhang Jian pondered briefly before replying:
"The Ministry of Rites Examination gathers talents from various state counties, akin to us top scorers, there are numerous second-place and third-place winners; it’s like a thousand troops crossing a single-log bridge. If I claim to have absolute confidence, it would be false!
I can only say that I will pursue it with all my effort and try my best!"
Zhang Jian answered flawlessly.
Neither boastful nor intimidated, Yu Hua was not satisfied, preparing to tease.
Just as the banquet atmosphere reached a peak.
Suddenly, a blue-clad old servant hurriedly arrived from the rear courtyard, whispering something beside Qi Yi which immediately darkened his expression, prompting him to depart swiftly.
Qi Yuxian suddenly seemed to have realized something, exclaiming softly and turning pale, she abandoned teasing Zhang Jian and hastily followed into the rear courtyard.
"Could it be that my aunt’s madness has flared up again?"
Zhang Jian’s gaze subtly shifted, overhearing his cousin whispering quietly beside his Fourth Uncle Qi Yuanjia, this cousin being Qi Tongli, the legitimate eldest son of his Fourth Uncle.
This cousin clearly followed in the footsteps of his Fourth Uncle, having married early but remained a wealthy idler.
The demure woman beside him was cautious, quickly pulling his arm.
Yet Zhang Jian discerned some implications.
He found it strange; the Qi Family is a noble family, said to carry the Court’s Dragon and Tiger Qi, how could there be anyone possessed by evil within the inner household.