Protect Our Patriarch

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……

There are no walls in this world that do not leak.

Moreover, the bigger the scandal, the faster it spreads.

It had been less than half a day since Meng Yuanbai led people straight into the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and Wang Shouzhe was placed under house arrest, yet this matter had already spread like wildfire throughout Shangjing City. The rumor that the Changning Wang's Clan was involved in smuggling and colluding with the enemy was quickly fanned by those with ulterior motives, becoming almost universally known.

For a time, the entire Shangjing City was in an uproar.

It must be noted that the Changning Wang's Clan had been the most prominent family in Shangjing City over the past two years. First, the great prodigy Miss Liyao swept through Shangjing, and then they joined forces with Commandery Prince An to establish the "Dala Development Joint Office," attracting investments from major families and creating a massive momentum, successfully boosting Commandery Prince An's influence.

It was only in the past half year that things had quieted down a bit, with no major news.

Given the significant movements made by the Changning Wang's Clan, there had long been rumors in Shangjing City over the past two years, suggesting that the Changning Wang's Clan was ambitious and might be trying to leverage the Imperial Heir Struggle to directly leap into the ranks of third-grade families.

Who could have imagined that after only two years of glory, the Changning Wang's Clan would be embroiled in such a major scandal?

Smuggling and colluding with the enemy—either of these charges alone would be enough to bring a sixth-grade family to ruin, let alone both together.

For a time, rumors about the Changning Wang's Clan's "hidden intentions" and "unreliability of nouveau riche" were rampant, with countless people eager to add insult to injury.

Even though the investigation results were not yet out and the charges against the Changning Wang's Clan had not been confirmed, public opinion had already turned completely against them.

The Changning Wang's Clan seemed to have been nailed to the pillar of shame, and even speaking up for them had become a "principled error," subject to ridicule by others.

Those families that had previously invested in the Dala Development Joint Office were even more anxious, with several already considering withdrawing their investments.

……

Wan Yao Lou.

On the staircase leading from the second floor to the first, there was a burst of joyous laughter. Two young gentlemen in splendid attire were walking down side by side, laughing heartily.

"Hahaha~ The Changning Wang's Clan is finished this time." The younger-looking gentleman, reeking of alcohol, laughed gleefully, "They dared to go against our Zhao Clan, they deserve their bad luck!"

The other young man beside him appeared much older and not lacking in strength, but his demeanor was somewhat timid, as if he put the younger gentleman first in everything.

Hearing the young gentleman's words, he smiled and flattered, "Naturally. The Changning Wang's Clan is just a small sixth-grade family, relying on a stroke of luck to produce two great prodigies. How can they compare to the second-grade Zhao Clan?"

"Exactly!" The young gentleman was pleased to hear this and laughed heartily again, then patted the shoulder of the young man beside him, boasting, "Don't worry, follow me, and no one will dare to bully you. That Changning Wang's Clan is just a grasshopper after autumn, it won't last long. I've already heard from my great-grandfather that the Changning Wang's Clan is doomed this time! Even the Daqian Wang's Clan won't escape the charge of harboring criminals!"

However.

He had just been gloating for a short while when he turned a corner on the stairs and bumped into two other people head-on.

At the bottom of the stairs, a young man in black combat attire was glaring at him angrily, saying coldly, "Zhao Yuandi, what did you just say?"

This young man, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, had an extraordinary demeanor—it was Wang An'nan of the Daqian Wang's Clan.

Beside him stood another young man with a burly and imposing physique, none other than Shangguan Yunhong.

Wang An'nan and Shangguan Yunhong, both prodigies of Shangjing, naturally knew each other early on, though they weren't particularly close. But recently, perhaps due to "shared misfortune," the two had grown closer, occasionally meeting for a meal or a drink.

Today, Wang An'nan was in a bad mood and had invited Shangguan Yunhong out for a drink.

Who would have thought that before they even reached the private room, they would unluckily run into Zhao Yuandi!

He had already heard many people discussing the Changning Wang's Clan along the way, which had put him in a foul mood. Hearing Zhao Yuandi's words made him even angrier, and he exploded on the spot.

"Oh~ I was wondering who it was, turns out it's 'Lame Wang An'nan'~" The young gentleman upstairs was unfazed, instead using his drunkenness to mock Wang An'nan harshly, then said, "What, the Changning Wang's Clan did it to themselves, played themselves to death, and now no one is allowed to talk about it?"

This young gentleman was, of course, Zhao Yuandi, as Wang An'nan had called him.

Others might fear Wang An'nan's third-grade family background, but Zhao Yuandi did not, and he spoke without restraint.

"Hmph! The investigation results aren't out yet, and whether the Changning Wang's Clan is guilty is still uncertain. Even Director Meng only dared to say 'suspected,' yet you have the gall to convict them in advance!" Wang An'nan retorted coldly, "And you have the nerve to mock me? Where were you when Great-aunt Liyao was testing her skills in Shangjing? You're just my defeated opponent, a coward who can't accept defeat. Coward!"

Among the "Top Ten Outstanding Youths" of Shangjing, it was impossible for there not to be young people from the Zhao Clan. Zhao Yuanqing had been relatively low-key because he hadn't broken through to the Celestial Realm yet, but Zhao Yuandi was on the list and had previously competed with Wang An'nan for the third position, showing considerable strength.

However, Zhao Yuandi had hidden away under the pretext of seclusion when the situation looked unfavorable, avoiding embarrassment altogether.

Because of this, Wang An'nan had long been displeased with him, and now that he had the chance, he wouldn't hold back.

"Wang An'nan, you're courting death!" Zhao Yuandi's expression changed upon hearing this, "If I hadn't been missing a suitable weapon back then, how could I have lost to you? Do you really think you're better than me?! Today, I must open your eyes and show you the power of our Zhao Clan's 'Soaring Serpent Sword Technique'!"

"Hmph! I've also learned a few moves from my Great-aunt Liyao, and today I'll use you to test my sword!" Wang An'nan naturally wouldn't back down.

"Let's go! To the arena!"

"To the arena!"

Conflicts among young people in Shangjing City were common, and Wan Yao Lou naturally had an arena for competitions. The two of them, disagreeing with each other, headed straight for the arena.

The older young man and Shangguan Yunhong, who were following them, were somewhat dumbfounded and looked at each other in disbelief.

An hour later.

Wang An'nan returned to his small courtyard in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion with a face marked by a sword scar and clothes that had been beaten to tatters.

Wang An'nan had just torn off his clothes and hadn't even had time to heal his wounds when his father, Wang Shida, got the news and rushed over.

"You brat, did you cause trouble outside again?" Wang Shida scolded as soon as he saw him.

Wang An'nan recounted the situation truthfully.

He knew his father's temperament all too well and didn't expect to hide this matter. As he spoke, he was already prepared to be scolded or even beaten by his father.

Unexpectedly.

Wang Shida didn't scold him directly but instead asked, "Did you win or lose?"

"I won." Wang An'nan replied sullenly, "I broke his leg."

"Broke his leg?" Wang Shida raised an eyebrow, showing a look of disappointment, "You went too easy on him! Such a good opportunity, and you only broke his leg?"

Wang An'nan slowly widened his mouth, looking bewildered, "Dad, haven't you always opposed me fighting?"

"Is this the same thing? Before, you caused trouble, and if I didn't punish you harshly, how would the family have any face? Besides, your injuries always looked severe but never really hurt you." Wang Shida rolled his eyes, "This time, Shouzhe's Fourth Grandpa suffered a great loss, and even a fool can guess that the Zhao Clan is behind it. Now, even if you broke all three of Zhao Yuandi's legs, you could still justify it. If you don't take this chance to hit hard, when will you ever have such a good opportunity again?"

Wang An'nan was dumbfounded.

He felt as if he was meeting his father for the first time, one who even encouraged him to fight.

……

The matter of the Wang Clan's smuggling and collusion with the enemy naturally reached the imperial palace.

The Imperial Palace.

Zhuozheng Pavilion.

The ancient and heavy desk was piled high with memorials, in stark contrast to the usual few scattered ones.

Emperor Longchang's expression was somewhat gloomy, his mood seemingly inexplicably repressed.

These were all memorials from officials and families impeaching Wang Shouzhe and the Changning Wang's Clan. There were even many impeaching the Duke of Dingguo's mansion for harboring enemy criminals and obstructing the Three Talents Office's investigation, suggesting that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion should be stripped of its title, and that the mastermind behind the treason might be the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Given the current fervor of the Wang Clan's treason scandal, it was naturally reasonable for so many people to criticize them. Even street vendors would spit in disdain when talking about the Changning Wang's Clan and Wang Shouzhe.

However, what was unreasonable was that these memorials, full of nonsense, had passed the cabinet's review and were all presented to Zhuozheng Pavilion.

According to the words of the cabinet's chief assistant, Zhao Hongbo, this case was of great importance, and many memorials involved the Duke of Dingguo. The cabinet, with its authority, could not make a judgment on a case involving a prince or duke, and could only hand it over to His Majesty for personal handling.

"Your Majesty..." Old Yao personally brought a cup of tea, smiling as he said, "This is the [Purple Snail Dao Tea] obtained from the Immortal Court some time ago, with the miraculous effect of calming the mind and nourishing the spirit. If you don't want to drink it, I can take it to Young Master Anye. That child is growing, after all." Wang Anye was so likable that even Old Yao was charmed.

Generally speaking, so-called Immortal Tea often referred to high-quality spiritual tea. True Immortal Tea was not so easily obtained. But Purple Snail Dao Tea was different. This tea came from an eleventh-grade Dao seed tea tree and was only produced once every few decades.

Not only was it extremely expensive, but it was also impossible to purchase without being a truly powerful person or someone with great authority. Even in the Immortal Court, this tea was an extremely luxurious item.

Although Emperor Longchang was in a bad mood, he wouldn't waste money, and he rolled his eyes at Old Yao, "You old thing, always helping Anye mooch off my supplies. He's just a kid, what does he need Dao Tea for? I'll grant him a couple of taels, no, more spiritual meat to eat. He's growing, after all."

With that, Emperor Longchang took the tea and sipped it contentedly, his mood instantly improved, and then he began to rant, "That old dog Zhao Hongbo, he's clearly trying to use me to suppress dissent."

"You say it's reasonable to target the Changning Wang's Clan for the Imperial Heir Struggle. But now, they're even expanding the target, trying to implicate the Duke of Dingguo's mansion as well."

"It's been so many years, and the Duke of Dingguo's mansion has already suffered so much. Once a proud second-grade family, now even inferior to the Gongye Clan and the Chen Clan. Do they still want to completely crush the Duke of Dingguo's mansion? Don't they understand the principle of showing mercy?"

"Your Majesty, it was you who started this." Old Yao kindly reminded.

"Did I... really?" Emperor Longchang blinked, "Back then, the Wang Clan's Ancestor Dingxuan was a meritorious official who followed the old ancestor in establishing the country. I was just giving the Wang Clan a warning because they were getting too arrogant."

"Yes, yes, it was this old servant's mistake." Old Yao chuckled, "It's just that Your Majesty's warning has lasted for over three thousand years. Even a copper mountain would be flattened by such a beating."

"Hey, you old thing, are you deliberately going against me today?" Emperor Longchang was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, "You're just saying that I, for my own pleasure, have been too harsh on the Wang Clan, inadvertently boosting the Zhao Clan's arrogance and raising a big tiger."

"Your Majesty, this old servant didn't say that." Old Yao looked innocent.

"Old Yao, you've changed." Emperor Longchang said with deep regret, "You weren't like this before. How did you become so sharp-tongued with me? Hmph, it must be Wang Shouzhe's influence. Yes, it's him, he's the one who brought about a series of bad habits."

"Your Majesty, should this old servant return these memorials to the cabinet for re-evaluation?" Old Yao quietly shifted the topic.

"Burn them all." Emperor Longchang waved his hand.

"Burn, burn them? Your Majesty, isn't that inappropriate?" Old Yao was taken aback.

"When I say burn, burn them." Emperor Longchang said nonchalantly, "After all, in their eyes, I'm just a has-been emperor. I'm old, so what if I'm willful? What can they do, bite me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Old Yao accepted the order helplessly.

"Wait." Emperor Longchang said solemnly, "Don't let this news reach the ears of the young ones in the Wang Clan. They're still young, and getting involved in this is not good."

"Your Majesty, do you also suspect Wang Shouzhe?" Old Yao asked quietly.

"I've seen that kid's portrait, he looks like a slick playboy, clearly a treacherous character." Emperor Longchang waved his hand, "It's reasonable for him to do something bad. Go, go, don't bother me."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Old Yao chuckled secretly, it seemed the emperor's "dislike" for Wang Shouzhe had become instinctive.

……

At the same time.

In the main residence of An Guogong's Mansion, there was a garden covering more than ten acres, filled with countless exotic flowers and spiritual plants, exuding a rich historical charm amidst its vitality.

This was one of the most spiritually abundant spiritual nodes in the entire An Guogong's Mansion, and also the residence of Zhao Zhikun, the current Divine Realm seed of the Zhao Clan.

Zhao Zhikun's legitimate wife was not the daughter of a certain family in Guilong City, but a fairy he encountered while traveling in the Immortal Dynasty at the age of over a hundred.

After experiencing a series of bizarre stories akin to legendary tales, their feelings deepened, only to discover that the fairy was actually the second legitimate daughter of the Jiang Clan, a first-grade family in the Immortal Court.

After a series of opposition from the woman's family and her insistence, Zhao Zhikun finally won the beauty.

Since Zhao Zhikun was exceptional in both appearance and talent, and often visited the Jiang Clan in the Immortal Court with his family, he was very close to the Jiang Clan.

Over time, the Jiang Clan gradually accepted this unusual marriage and accepted Zhao Zhikun as an excellent son-in-law. After all, even in a first-grade family, a Divine Realm cultivator was a significant figure.

Moreover, he was likely to become the chief assistant of the Eastern Qian Kingdom's cabinet in the future. Marrying an excellent second legitimate daughter to him was not a loss.

If examined closely, Zhao Zhikun's life was filled with good fortune and opportunities, much like the protagonist in a legendary tale. Overall, his life had been smooth sailing, without major setbacks.

However, on this day, his expression was very serious.

His fingers tapped lightly on the desk, as if deep in thought.

In front of his desk, an old man with white beard and wrinkles on his face stood slightly bowed, narrating, "Young Master Kun, this matter indeed seems a bit suspicious. When you asked me to investigate the Wang Clan's smuggling and collusion, Director Meng Yuanbai of the Three Talents Office had already personally led several experts to arrest the culprits."

"After some investigation, I found that after leaving Guilong City, Meng Yuanbai headed southwest."

This old man was Zhao Kui, born from a collateral branch of the Zhao Clan. Due to his exceptional talent from a young age, he was incorporated into the Zhao Clan's family guard system. Through effort and talent, he broke through the ranks and gradually reached the Purple Mansion Realm.

This not only demonstrated his perseverance and determination but also reflected the profound foundation of the Zhao Clan. Under suitable circumstances, even family guards could be cultivated to the Purple Mansion Realm! In a remote area, he would be a dominant figure.

However, after Zhao Kui advanced to the Purple Mansion Realm, his status was correspondingly elevated, and in the Zhao Clan, he was treated no less than an elder, with all the benefits.

The younger generation of the Zhao Clan would respectfully address him as Elder Kui, and outside the mansion, he was held in high regard, with no one daring to underestimate him.

When the family's Divine Realm seed went out for training, Zhao Kui accompanied as a protector and even witnessed the emotional waves between Zhao Yuankun and his wife.

Since then, Zhao Kui had been following Zhao Yuankun, earning his trust.

Listening to Zhao Kui's words, Zhao Zhikun's expression grew darker and more sinister, and he said in a deep voice, "When the Three Talents Office first said they were investigating the Wang Clan's taxes and then found suspicions of smuggling and collusion, I already felt something was off. Now that Meng Yuanbai is heading in that direction, it clearly aligns with our line."

"Young Master Kun, could it be that the Wang Clan discovered something suspicious and used our line as bait for the Three Talents Office?" Zhao Kui also seemed to have thought of this, saying solemnly, "What a cunning Wang Clan, what a cunning Wang Shouzhe, to use the Three Talents Office against us."

"Fortunately, Meng Yuanbai is heading southwest, clearly intending to catch them red-handed at the checkpoint." Zhao Zhikun's eyes flashed with a fierce light, "You must intercept the dark line before Meng Yuanbai, and completely erase all traces."

"Young Master Kun, but... they've been working for us for many years and have made..." Zhao Kui seemed to hesitate, "And they're from our Zhao Clan's collateral branch."

"Since the Wang Clan has already noticed, they might have secretly discovered something. This matter is of great importance and could even affect the Imperial Heir Struggle. Elder Kui, now is not the time for mercy." Zhao Zhikun said coldly, "In pursuit of the ultimate goal, some sacrifices are necessary."

"Yes, Young Master Kun." Zhao Kui gritted his teeth, "I will handle it cleanly."

……

An River~

This meandering giant river stretches across the land from east to west.

Not only does it nurture the people along the Great Qian, but it also flows southwest, traversing the entire Southern Qin. Once, the Southern Qin, taking advantage of its upstream position, attempted to intercept the An River's water to flood or drought the Great Qian.

However, they were suppressed by the joint efforts of the Great Qian and the Southern Desolate Swamp's Ancestor Dragon, losing a thousand miles of territory.

Since then, the Southern Qin had been quiet.

Night, full moon.

A fleet of riverboats flying the Flood Dragon Gang's flag skillfully navigated the river's sharp bends and rapids, expertly avoiding hidden reefs and whirlpools.

The boats were heavily laden, but precisely because of this, they traveled more steadily than ordinary riverboats.

On the lead boat, in the cabin at the bow, two burly men with a rough demeanor were eating meat and drinking wine heartily.

"Seventh Brother~ After this job, I'll have earned enough money." Peng Sailong, the ninth leader of the Flood Dragon Gang, said as he gulped down wine, "Elder Kui once promised me that after twenty years, he'd give me a new identity, and I could buy a shop in a remote garrison town and become a shopkeeper."

"Old Nine, I'm tired too." Zhao Bailang, the seventh leader of the Flood Dragon Gang, sighed, "But I'm different from you. I came from a good background and was assigned by Elder Kui to infiltrate the Flood Dragon Gang to atone for my mistakes. Over the years, we've used the Flood Dragon Gang's dominance over the An River section in the Great Qian to smuggle so many things over there, earning so much dirty money. I always feel guilty."

"However, Elder Kui has always been kind-hearted, and if I plead with him, he'll probably give me a way out. But I'm afraid..." As he spoke, a look of fear and apprehension appeared in Zhao Bailang's eyes.

"Seventh Brother, I've vaguely heard that Elder Kui is following that person... Is this true?"

"Old Nine, be careful with your words! You must never speak of this."

"I discovered this by accident, Seventh Brother, don't worry, I'll keep it a secret. But in the past two years, that person's appetite has grown, urging us to use the massive consumption of ironware in Changning Garrison to cover up the traces... Seventh Brother, I feel uneasy."

"It's indeed too frequent, too large in volume, too risky. The big boss is straightforward and easy to deceive, but Jiang Yusong... After this job, I must talk to Elder Kui... We need to stop for a while."

As they spoke, the fleet continued to meander along the An River.

Just as the fleet passed through a section of rapids and sharp bends, a masked figure in black descended from the sky, floating above a jagged rock with his hands behind his back. His slightly aged eyes watched the passing Flood Dragon Gang fleet, a look of reluctance flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

Who would dare defy Young Master Kun's orders, and who could?

Just as he was about to make a move.

Suddenly.

Under the moonlight, a graceful figure appeared abruptly on the water's surface. She wore an ice-blue long dress, a veil covering her face, and her snow-white hair fluttered in the wind.

She walked towards Zhao Kui casually, each step landing on the crest of a wave. But the wave did not fall back; instead, it transformed into a sharp ice pillar.

An endless chill spread from the ice pillar into the water.

In just a breath or two, the water surface within a radius of thirty meters froze into ice.

Such a powerful Xuanbing lineage minor divine ability.

Zhao Kui felt a chill throughout his body, a sense of crisis arising spontaneously. Although he had ascended to the Purple Mansion Realm from a prodigy and had comprehended his own minor divine ability.

But for some reason, he felt that his minor divine ability was not on the same level as the opponent's.

Wait, this Xuanbing aura seemed to carry a hint of yin energy.

"You are... Wang Long Yan!" Zhao Kui's pupils contracted sharply, recognizing the features of the person, and he said in disbelief, "How can you be here? And how can you be so strong? Your profound energy aura is only at the later stages of the Celestial Realm. How can your minor divine ability's heavenly dao intent be so strong?"

Even in Zhao Kui's mind, the extremely powerful Divine Realm seed, with bloodline already at the Purple Mansion Realm Sacred Body stage, Young Master Kun, had divine ability intent only at this level.

In shock, he blurted out a series of questions.

"Shouzhe said that this plan to divert disaster to the east might deceive the world, but it wouldn't deceive the real smugglers and traitors."

"Those who enjoy the high official salaries and top family treatment of the Great Qian and still engage in smuggling and treason must be selfish and cold-hearted. Once they know they're about to be exposed, their first reaction will be to kill and destroy all evidence. I just need to follow the smuggling fleet along the way, and I'll naturally gain something."

Wang Long Yan's voice was calm and unruffled, as if narrating an ordinary matter.

But Zhao Kui felt a chill to the extreme, that Wang Shouzhe was so terrifying, even guessing Young Master Kun's thoughts.

"It seems that a battle between you and me is inevitable." Zhao Kui took a deep breath, looking at the already distant fleet, but still in time to chase, he immediately focused on Wang Long Yan, "Although I don't know why you have such divine ability intent at the later stages of the Celestial Realm. But the Celestial Realm is ultimately just the Celestial Realm. Even if you are a great prodigy, it's hard to gain an advantage over me."

A great prodigy at the Celestial Realm, with bloodline only at the spiritual body level. And most of the Purple Mansion Realm are prodigies who have ascended, so a prodigy at the Purple Mansion is also at the fifth-level spiritual body.

In such a situation, a great prodigy naturally has no advantage in fighting across levels.

"Oh?" Wang Long Yan's tone was cold, "Why is my divine ability intent so strong? It's simple, because..."

"I, Wang Long Yan, have already reached the sixth-level Sacred Body."

"Boom!!"

As her words fell, the frozen river surface within a radius of thirty meters shattered into countless fragments, accompanied by a yin storm, enveloping Zhao Kui like a sky-covering curtain.

The power of this move had already far surpassed the scope of a minor divine ability.

"Sacred Body!? Celestial Realm Sacred Body?" Zhao Kui's mind buzzed.

"This, isn't this the legendary Imperial Heir/Saint Son level? How is it possible!"

……

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