Chapter Seventy-Four: Ripples
Excuse me, sir, may I ask your name" Huang Azhan coughed lightly, his attitude respectful and courteous.Perhaps harboring resentment for his previous impertinence, the hunched old man treated Huang Aj...“The Oze family has been guarding the Seven Stars Tower for two hundred years, but their harvests have gradually declined. There have been many cases of them returning empty-handed. However, this time, it is said that the starlight is brilliant and it is a year of splendor. There is talk of a longevity treasure emerging. The news is half true and half false, coming from within the Oze family, with a 50% chance of being reliable…” Chong Xuan Sheng leaned heavily on his custom-made chair, speaking very seriously: “That’s how it is.”
Given the vast expanse of Qi country's territory, its cultivation resources are abundant, and there are many remarkable secret realms.
For example, the Heavenly Mansion Secret Realm is entirely under Qi Ting's control. Even relying on this place, he established the Heavenly Mansion City.
And the Qixinglou is also one of Qi State's famous secret realms. It can be said that the Dazedatan clan relied on this secret realm to establish their family.
After years of struggle and compromise, the Qixing Lou still belongs to the Tian family, but it needs to open most of its quotas to allow people from other parts of Qi to participate.
Throughout history, the Qixing Tower has experienced a phenomenon called "Year of Splendor" where treasures would erupt in abundance every few years or decades. However, there is no discernible pattern to these occurrences.
The recent openings have all been met with little success, and the attraction of Qixing Tower has greatly diminished.
This "Year of Glory" is said to have been predicted by a mysterious fortune teller. The Tian family tried their best to keep it secret, but the news eventually got out.
So-called longevity treasures are actually quite unremarkable in the "Radiant Years" harvest, because although the Qixing Tower's harvest is diverse, there has never been any mention of an extraordinary item for extending life.
What really caught everyone's attention was the emergence of a treasure rumored to hold secrets about an outer tower. But what exactly it was, and whether it truly existed, remained unknown. All anyone could say was that rumors were swirling everywhere, with every kind of story imaginable flying around.
There is no doubt that for Jiang Wang today, longevity treasures are extremely attractive. Especially those beyond the Shouguo and Yangniandan. He desperately needs longevity treasures to supplement his lifespan, make up for regrets, and move forward in leaps and bounds.
His visit to the Kugei-in made him realize his regret, and for his long journey ahead, he has been paying attention to this aspect lately. Zhenxuan Sheng is also helping him collect information, but such things are rare and unpredictable.
“Only about 50% reliable…” Jiang Wang pondered for a moment, “There’s no need to make a trip.”
Zhong Xuan Sheng glared at him: "Who can say what might appear in the Qixinglou If there's a 50% chance it's true, that's already quite reliable."
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"Things that can't be explained..."
"I know what you're thinking." Chong Xuan interrupted him: "Do you really think that without you, this young master can't get by Aren't you getting too big for your britches, Jiang Your weight, no matter how inflated, still can't compare to mine!"
Jiang Wang felt both moved and amused: "Yes, yes, yes, of course you can handle it. You're so round, one turn is ten good circles!"
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Zhong Xuan Sheng was choked by the words, and couldn't help but look at Fourteenth: "Look, what is he like now. Where did that unassuming and simple boy from before go Now he just spends his days in the garden, squandering silver and engaging in idle chatter."
"Hmph," he said indignantly, "Xu Gao'e is a real scourge! He has done great harm!"
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Jiang Wang just wanted to retort, "I didn't learn it from you," when Chong Xuan already took Xu Xiangqian and stopped him. He was really good at arguing.
I wonder if Xiang Qian would have a sneeze.
“Blame him, blame him.” Jiang Wang gave up trying to win the argument with her words and became serious: “Are you really okay”
Zhong Xuan smiled confidently: "You go to the vegetable market now and chat with any old woman. She'll remind you that the Ju Bao Merchant Guild is about to collapse. Don't buy anything from them, in case these people go crazy before they die. What do you say, do I have a problem"
Jiang Wang looked at Fourteenth again. Fourteenth's expression was always hidden beneath his heavy armor, but he nodded slightly.
The Treasure Guild has come back to life recently, with a lot of activity happening. However, the key players are staying silent. Those who were motivated by profit have also been suppressed by Chong Xuan Sheng and the Four Seas Merchant Alliance.
Wang Yiwu did express his confidence in the Ju Bao Merchant Association on several occasions, but he was not good at business and couldn't offer any practical resources to support it. A mere statement was useless; if General Jiang Mengxiong had made such a statement, it would have been different—but that was impossible.
If Jiang Mengxiong was willing to come forward and help Wang Yiwu express this attitude, Chongxuan's side might have already controlled the Chongxuan family. Then Chongxuansheng wouldn't have had the chance to stand out, and the current situation wouldn't have happened...
In summary, in the competition between Chongxuan Zun and Chongxuan Sheng, Wang Yiwu, besides his inescapable identity as a disciple of the God of War, was unable to utilize any resources from the Marshal's Mansion.
Never mind that.
When rumors evolve into "consensus," the collapse of the Treasure Guild has already shown signs.
A pebble tossed into a lake makes a sound that quickly fades, but the ripples it creates continue to vibrate for a long time and over a wide distance...
The Palace of King Daqi was magnificent and grand, occupying a vast area.
Among them, Shoun Palace was where the Empress Dowager of Daqi resided.
When summoned, He Fu did not dare to delay for a moment and rushed into the palace. He was the younger brother of Empress He, the current emperor's wife, and her only relative outside the palace. The two siblings had been very close in the past.
Upon entering the hall, He Fu first performed a respectful and meticulous bow. Every step was precise, even with the officials present, it was difficult to find fault.
The Empress also sat on the phoenix throne, bearing it in silence.
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One bow, one seat, one subject, one master.
A younger brother and an older sister.
As the elder sister, she still possesses youthful charm, but her younger brother has already turned grey with age.
After going through a set of grand ceremonies, the Empress raised her hand and ordered, "Please be seated."
Two maids carried out a chair and placed it on the side below.
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He bowed to express his thanks and then sat down.
The Empress waved her hand again, and the palace maids bowed and exited in turn, not making a sound throughout the process.
Only a maidservant remained, standing by to attend.
"I wonder what summons the Empress" He Fu asked.
At this time, a hint of warmth crept into the Empress's voice: "I haven't seen my younger brother in ages. How is he doing at home Is Zhen'er still filial"
"He's not ambitious, so all he can do is be filial." He Fu's voice was somewhat downcast.
There's some resentment in this tone.
Given He Jia's current status, it wouldn't be difficult for He Zhen to succeed. He wouldn't even need any special talent. The Empress wouldn't even need to do anything.
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As long as she doesn't stop me, it's fine.
But the queen stopped her.
Their attitude was very firm.
As a result, even He Fu, the esteemed Imperial Uncle, now finds himself without a single official post. In his younger years, he harbored grand ambitions and dreamed of achieving great success. However, after being dissuaded by the Empress, his aspirations waned. He still enjoyed a life of luxury and abundance, with no worries about food or clothing. He simply endured the passage of time.
But his son He Zhen, who is now thirty-six years old, has also accomplished nothing.
He could get used to these things, endure them. But after enduring so long, his son would still do this
This incident made him very resentful. Before, every few days, he would often visit the empress in the palace. He never missed sending gifts during festivals and always kept his sister's preferences in mind.
After that, she went to court less and less often, even if summoned.
Compared to the aging He Fu, Empress Dowager He seemed to be only around thirty years old. She was beautifully maintained and carried herself with an air of grace and dignity.
Hearing what the imperial uncle said, he only smiled gently and said: "Children and grandchildren, filial piety is the first priority."
This statement is ultimately reasonable. Only after becoming a parent can one truly understand.
Besides, with the elder sister as empress, she gently persuaded him. It wasn't good for the younger brother to always be cold.
He Fu softened his expression and said, "My sister is right. The Crown Prince is filial and respectful, which is known to all. If Zhen'er could have half the virtue of his cousin, I would be content."
"Truly, he is also a good child..." The Empress paused, then said, "As his aunt, I feel sorry for him."
He sighed and said, "Sister, if you can say this, then I have no grievances."
The Empress nodded, then seemingly casually said, "Do you have someone named Cao Xing under your command"
He Fu was startled: "Yes...but what did he do wrong"
What did Cao Xing, who was to be killed, do To reach the heavens and even the Empress knew about it!
My heart was in turmoil, overwhelmed with surprise and confusion.
“No, not really.” The Empress shook her head slightly, looking at her brother's already aged face: “He seems to be holding a position at the Treasure Merchant Association”
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”…yes.”
Cao Xing was a renowned elder of the Ju Bao Chamber of Commerce. In terms of cultivation, talent, or even ability, he wasn't particularly remarkable.
But the reason he became an honorary elder of the Treasured Merchants' Guild was because he represented He Fu, representing the Duke of Daqi.
"Let him go," the Empress said.
Although he had a premonition, when he truly heard the words, He Fu still subconsciously gripped the armrest, preventing himself from losing his composure.
To avoid suspicion, no one in the He residence held any official positions.
As a member of the imperial family, having enough food and clothing was natural. But to mingle among the nobility in Linzi, wouldn't it take more than just having enough food and clothing
What should you avoid spending money on Where can you save
The white silver flowed like water.
To be frank, Cao Xing's place was responsible for at least half of the He Mansion's expenses.
"Is that rumor true Does Your Majesty truly covet the Treasure Gathering…"
The Empress raised her hand to stop him, "How can we possibly fathom Your Majesty's thoughts"
He Fu urged, "But!"
"There is no need to hesitate." The Empress's voice remained gentle, but carried an undeniable authority.
She is the elder sister of He Fu, but also the empress of Qi.
Seeing He Fu's disappointed expression, Empress He softened her tone: "Wuhua is your nephew. You must consider him carefully. Not even the slightest risk should be taken."
"You... You... can't you say a word for me"
The Empress looked at him silently, without answering.
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Silence is the most resolute answer.
“But, Your Majesty,” He Fu’s face was grim: “This is the only way I could manage to get into the palace. What will happen to everyone inside and outside the mansion in the future Everyone will be suffering. The entire Qi Nation will be desolate. His cousins and uncles, will they be forced to live a meager life”
"People keep eating, the horse doesn't need to chew anymore. If it's tight, then be a little tighter."
That's what the Empress said.
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Let me know if you have more text you'd like translated!wing the slightest sense of urgency about time running out.>At ease, as if back in one's own home, rather than intruding upon a strange place.Casting your gaze across countless fantastical sights, wan...