Not long after, the Qi Family indeed announced a shocking piece of news: the marriage between Qi Tongwu, a grandson from the fifth branch of the Qi Family, and a noble daughter from the Yu Family was set.
At this moment, the Qi Family’s sudden announcement of an alliance with the Yu Family was self-explanatory.
...
In the Commandery Governor’s Mansion, Yu Tongguang held a longsword in his hand. This longsword was extremely long, with a broad body, its tenacious edge flickering with red light, clearly of extraordinary quality. Yu Tongguang wore loose casual clothing instead of armor, carefully wiping the blade in his hand.
"Mr. Dong, now that the Qi Family has completely sided with the local gentry, I’m afraid the Gu Family will be difficult to move as well. Touching one will affect everything, especially since the drought in our county remains unresolved, and there are many refugees. If this stirs up civil unrest..."
Qing Yu Daoist furrowed his brows. If civil unrest erupted, it wouldn’t be someone else to suffer; it would definitely be Governor Yu Tongguang.
Yu Tongguang laughed heartily, "The roots of the noble families run deep. Without a natural disaster, how could they be uprooted completely?"
He lightly swung the huge sword in his hand, yet in his hand, it felt as light as a feather, possessing a formidable aura of slaughter sweeping in all directions.
Qing Yu Daoist, furrowing his brows, looked at Yu Tongguang, not understanding what this governor was thinking. Even if this strategy succeeded, Fengyang County would suffer a great loss of vitality, making it difficult to bring about great governance.
Slightly furrowing his brows, Qing Yu Daoist couldn’t help but advise, "Mr. Dong, if things go this way, even if you succeed, it might affect your evaluation in the Ministry of Personnel?"
Precision shone in Yu Tongguang’s eyes, his gaze quickly landing on Qing Yu Daoist, the intensity of which sent a chill down Qing Yu’s spine, yet Yu Tongguang started to laugh:
"Qing Yu, I remember you’ve been with me for a long time. Even when I was a Deputy General of the Border Army, you’ve been with me. It’s fine to disclose a bit of inside information to you!"
"After the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluation, I could have gone to a prosperous commandery city near the Capital Region, but I specifically chose this relatively remote Fengyang County. Do you know why?"
"Because Fengyang has a secret, a treasure. As long as this treasure is presented to the Court and given to the State Preceptor at the Dong Shen Temple, it doesn’t matter if Fengyang County gets torn apart."
"As long as the State Preceptor nods, a mere governor is nothing at all."
A cold smile spread across Yu Tongguang’s face, his eyes filled with a fervent glow.
"An opportunity?"
Qing Yu Daoist looked astonished.
He truly didn’t expect that Yu Tongguang didn’t care about the structure within Fengyang County, which explained why he acted without concern and wasn’t bothered about the local noble families’ backlash.
After a bout of swordplay, Yu Tongguang slowly sheathed his sword and added, "Qing Yu, have you ever heard of Prince Mian’s governance of the Bai Shui River?"
Qing Yu Daoist nodded. "Naturally, I know of it. In those days, Prince Mian built four major dams to govern the Bai Shui River, widened the riverbanks, and opened up thousands of acres of fertile land along the river, truly wise and mighty. Unfortunately, in his later years, he became obsessed with alchemy, leaving his fiefdom’s people in misery and being reviled!"
Facing the morning sun, Yu Tongguang’s expression held an inexplicable look: "Indeed, that’s true. But you only know part of the story. Prince Mian was indeed practicing alchemy, but he wasn’t refining ordinary Golden Pills; he was creating the Supreme Golden Core, the Dragon Phoenix Replenishing Essence Golden Core, capable of greatly enhancing Creation and extending life."
"The Dragon Phoenix Replenishing Essence Golden Core?"
Qing Yu Daoist furrowed his brows. Although he was also a legitimate cultivator, he had no impression of such a thing. However, he could imagine that if it claimed to greatly boost Creation and extend life, it must be an extremely precious item.
Staring at Qing Yu Daoist’s completely baffled expression, Yu Tongguang felt like he was playing music to a cow, losing interest in further elaboration.
He knew the Dragon Phoenix Replenishing Essence Golden Core wasn’t that simple; the two main divine medicines were the Dragon Pearl and the Phoenix Soul. Once refined, it would possess enormous nourishing potential, extending lifespans not by just a year or two, but by a thousand years.
A thousand years, enough to turn a pig into a spirit.
Let alone its benefits for a cultivator.
At that time, even if it wasn’t offered to the State Preceptor, enjoying it himself would be inexhaustibly beneficial.
"It’s just that I only have the Phoenix Soul, while the Dragon Pearl remains unfound."
Yu Tongguang’s gaze held a hint of regret.
Due to unexpected events, Prince Mian’s alchemical pursuits failed, and during his rebellion, the two main ingredients were completely lost.
The Phoenix Soul was seized by his line, while the Dragon Pearl might still be held by another branch of Prince Mian’s lineage.
He cleared out numerous noble families to avoid these County’s Noble Families obstructing him at critical moments and also suspected that these noble families might have information regarding the Dragon Pearl.
They’re all local bullies.
After Prince Mian’s death, it’s said that his lineage was scattered among the common folk.
The Yu Family is the most suspicious among them.
Because Prince Mian’s surname was also Yu.
But the Yu Family should be the least likely to hide anything from him!
Yu Tongguang pondered deeply. At present, it seemed he would have to try his luck with the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch.
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch had been stirring recently, and he might gain unexpected results from him.
Suddenly, Qing Yu Daoist spoke again: "Commandery Princess, what about the Zhang Family then?"
Qing Yu Daoist spoke with solemnity.
The person who wielded thunder had already been investigated by the governor’s office these past days.
It was hard to imagine that such a person would arise from a small local family in Fengxi County, but the emergence of this Young Master Zhang had indeed disrupted the governor’s major plans. The Qi Family leaning towards the local gentry’s alliance had a significant contribution from the Zhang Family.
Yu Tongguang furrowed his brows.
A mere Zhang Family was nothing in his eyes.
But a cultivator of legitimate descent posed a bit of a hassle, especially since their background remained unclear.
Yu Tongguang was very concerned about being entangled by those legitimate cultivators.
"For now, ignore him, but if he dares to meddle again..."
A potent killing intent appeared in Yu Tongguang’s eyes.
With the protection of an Imperial Cauldron, these legitimate cultivators were just a bit of a nuisance to him.
...
The Qi Family was draped in mourning, with an atmosphere of sorrow pervading the mansion.
Qi Yuanwu did not linger long in Fengyang County. After hastily attending to the funeral rites, he returned to Haojing.
After all, he was an Imperial Guard officer and couldn’t stay long in Fengyang County. Being able to return to participate in Qi Yi’s sixtieth birthday was already due to the Emperor’s grace. Staying too long without returning would likely lead to impeachment.
Though Qi Yuanwu appeared flawless, those with keen eyes still noticed something.
Within the mansion, in a secluded tranquil courtyard
Zhang Jian was enveloped in a dense layer of Clear Spirit Wind Qi at the moment, as if shrouded by a gentle breeze. His toes quietly left the ground, eyes calm, as his form floated like a leaf in the wind, light and nimble.
Joy shone in his eyes. After managing to transcend the need for a medium with the Thunder Walking Technique, he finally imprinted the Wind Walking Technique into his Divine Thought.
He transcended the need for a talisman as a casting medium.
In a way, it marked a significant advancement.
After a brief display, Zhang Jian descended, his gaze drifting nearby, sensing a slight tremor in the Dragon Pearl within his sleeve, as if it desired to escape.