Chapter 416 - Ripple

“The Tian family of Da Ze has guarded the Seven-star Tower for already two hundred years, and the gains have gradually become less than before, with numerous instances of returning empty-handed.However, this time, it is said that the starlight is particularly brilliant, marking a year of radiance.

Among them, treasures that can increase longevity have emerged.

The news is half true and half false, coming from within the Tian family, with a fifty percent reliability…” Zhongxuan Sheng spoke quite seriously while leaning back in a specially made chair, “That’s the situation.”

In the vast territory of Qi Country, the resources for cultivation are abundant, and the various secret realms are also quite considerable.

For instance, the Heavenly Abode Secret Land is entirely under the control of Qi Ting.

They even established Heavenly Mansion City relying on this place.

And the Seven-star Tower is also one of the famous secret realms in Qi Country.

However, this secret realm is under the control of the Tian family of Da Ze, who can be said to have risen to prominence because of it.

After years of struggle and compromise, the Seven-star Tower still belongs to the Tian family, but they are required to open up most of the spots, allowing others from the Qi Territory to participate.

Historically, once every few years or decades, the Seven-star Tower would experience a concentrated burst of treasures, which is known as a ‘year of radiance’.

But there is no pattern to it.

The recent openings have yielded mediocre results, and the allure of the Seven-star Tower has greatly diminished.

This ‘year of radiance’ is said to be predicted by a mysterious diviner.

The Tian family tried everything to cover it up, but in the end, the news still leaked out.

The so-called longevity treasures are actually not very conspicuous among the ‘year of radiance’ finds because, although the Seven-star Tower’s treasures are variegated, there has never been word of any remarkable longevity-enhancing treasures.

What truly attracted attention were treasures related to the secrets of the Outer Building.

But what exactly they are and whether they truly exist, no one can say for sure.

In any case, the rumors are mysterious and confusing, with all sorts of information flying around.

Without a doubt, for Jiang Wang at present, longevity treasures are extremely attractive.

Especially those that are different from the Lifefruit and the Year Cultivating Pill.

He badly needs longevity treasures to fill his lifespan and to make up for regrets, thereby advancing greatly.

The trip to the Withering and Flourishing Temple made him aware of these regrets, and for the sake of long-term planning for his path, he has been paying close attention to this kind of news lately.

Zhongxuan Sheng has also been helping him gather information, but such things are easier said than found.

“Just a fifty percent reliability…” Jiang Wang thought for a moment, “No need to make the trip.”

Zhongxuan Sheng glared at him, “Who can say for certain what will appear in the Seven-star Tower?

A fifty percent reliability is already quite solid.”

“Such unclear things…”

“I know what you’re thinking about,” Zhongxuan Sheng interrupted him: “Do you really think that without you, this young master can’t handle things?

Are you getting too full of yourself, Jiang?

Even if you were to become inflated, you still wouldn’t be as big as me!”

Jiang Wang felt both moved and amused, “Yes, yes, you can certainly handle it.

You’re so round, a single spin could go round ten or more times!”

Zhongxuan Sheng choked for a moment and couldn’t help but glance at Fourteen, “Look at him now, what he’s like.

Where has the inarticulate and naive young man from the past gone?

Now, every day he’s just strolling around the gardens, spending silver, and quibbling.”

“Hmph,” he said indignantly, “Xu Gaoe truly is a scourge, a profound disaster!”

Just as Jiang Wang was about to retaliate with “it’s all learned from you,” Zhongxuan Sheng had already preemptively blocked him with Xu Xiangqian.

Verbal sparring really was his forte.

One wonders if Xu Xiangqian was sneezing at the moment.

“Blame him, blame him,” Jiang Wang gave up on gaining the upper hand in the verbal exchange, becoming serious, “Are you really okay?”

Zhongxuan Sheng smiled confidently, “Now, if you go to the market, and talk to any aunty there, she would remind you that the Jubao Business Association is about to be no more, to absolutely not buy anything from their association to avoid their madness before death.

What do you think, do I have a problem?”

Jiang Wang looked at Fourteen again, whose expression was always hidden under heavy armor, but he nodded slightly.

These days, the Jubao Business Association has “come back to life” and is active in various ways.

However, those truly important connections all “wisely” maintained silence.

The ones swayed by heavy profits were also suppressed by Zhongxuan Sheng and the Business Alliance.

Wang Yiwu, on the other hand, has stated his confidence in the Jubao Business Association multiple times, but since he was not adept at business, he was not able to offer any substantial resources to support the association.

Merely expressing his stance was utterly useless, it would have been a different matter if war deity Jiang Mengxiong had expressed such confidence—although that was an impossibility.

If Jiang Mengxiong was willing to come forward to express confidence for Wang Yiwu, it’s likely that Zhongxuan Zun would have taken control of the Zhong Xuan Family long ago, and it would not have been Zhongxuan Sheng’s turn to step forward, and the current situation would not have occurred…

In summary, in the competition between Zhongxuan Zun and Zhongxuan Sheng, apart from his indelible identity as a disciple of the war deity and the resources of the Crown Prince’s Marshall’s residence, Wang Yiwu couldn’t utilize anything at all.

Leaving that aside.

When rumors evolve into “consensus,” the collapse of the Jubao Business Association shows signs of commencing.

A stone cast into the lake sends ripples that tremble long and far, long after the initial splash is gone…

The Daqi royal palace is magnificent and commanding, covering an extensive area.

Among them, the Shou Ning Palace is where the Daqi Queen resides.

He Fu, having received a summons, did not dare to delay at all and hurriedly entered the palace.

He is the actual brother of the current Queen He Zhen and her only kin outside.

The relationship between brother and sister had been very close in the past.

As he entered the hall, He Fu first bowed respectfully, with meticulous attention to every detail of the ceremony, such that even the Ritual Officer present could hardly find fault.

The Queen also sat on the phoenix throne accepting the homage, silent throughout.

One bowed, one sat; one a servant, one the master.

One a brother, one a sister.

While the sister was still in the prime of her beauty, the brother was already beset with white hair.

After performing a full set of formalities, the Queen lifted her hand and commanded, “Grant him a seat.”

Two Palace Maidens carried out a chair and placed it at a lower position on the side.

He Fu thanked her for the grace and then sat down.

The Queen waved her hand again, the maids bowed and left one by one without making a sound throughout the process.

Only a personal attendant remained standing on the side to serve.

“May I know why the Queen has summoned me?” He Fu asked.

At this moment, the Queen’s voice finally held a trace of warmth, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen my brother, how is the family doing?

Is Zhen still filial?”

“He hasn’t achieved much, so he can only be filial,” He Fu’s voice was somewhat muffled.

There was some resentment in his words.

Given the He Family’s status today, it wouldn’t be difficult for He Zhen to achieve something.

He didn’t need any particular talent or even the Queen’s help.

All she had to do was not hinder him, just give her tacit approval.

But the Queen had hindered him.

Firmly so.

As a result, even though He Fu was the esteemed brother-in-law of the nation, he now held no official titles.

In his earlier years, he harbored grand ambitions and thought of making a great career for himself, but after being dissuaded by the Queen, his enthusiasm waned.

After all, he did not lack for luxuries and had no worries about food and clothes, so he endured and got by.

But his son, He Zhen, who was already thirty-six, had accomplished nothing either.

He had grown accustomed to these circumstances and tolerated them, but his patience wore thin as his son continued to endure the same.

This greatly fueled his resentment.

Previously, he would frequently visit the Queen and never missed giving her gifts during the festivals, always keeping in mind his sister’s preferences.

After that, his visits to the palace became infrequent, and he wouldn’t come unless summoned.

Compared to the visibly aging He Fu, the Queen still looked to be in her thirties, with a well-preserved beauty and an air of graceful composure.

Hearing her brother speak like this, she simply responded with a warm smile, “Among the younger generation, filial piety is the primary merit.”

As a parent, one could only understand this in time.

Moreover, with the sister’s status as the Queen, gently persuading him, as her brother, it wouldn’t be right to always be cold.

He Fu softened his expression and said, “Sister speaks the truth.

The Crown Prince is known for his filial piety throughout the land.

If Zhen could be half the man his cousin is, I would be truly content.”

“Zhen is a good child…” the Queen paused before continuing, “As his aunt, I may have wronged him.”

Moved, He Fu responded, “If sister would say so, then he is not wronged.”

The Queen nodded and seemingly offhand, asked, “Do you have someone named Cao Xing working for you?”

He Fu was startled, “Yes…

but what has he done wrong?”

That damned Cao Xing, what had he done to attract the attention of the heavens and even reach the ears of the Queen!

His heart instantly churned with turmoil, barely concealing his agitation.

“Not at all,” the Queen shook her head slightly as she observed her brother’s face showing his age, “He seems to have a position at the Jubao Business Association?”

“…Yes.”

Cao Xing was an honorary elder of the Jubao Business Association; regardless of his cultivation level, talent, or capabilities, there was nothing particularly commendable about him.

Yet, he was able to become an honorary elder of the Jubao Business Association precisely because he represented He Fu and the powerful brother-in-law of Daqi.

“Have him step down,” the Queen said.

Although he had anticipated this, actually hearing these words made He Fu subconsciously grip the armrest tightly, so as not to appear overly distraught.

In order to avoid conflicts of interest, the He household held no official positions.

As royalty, they naturally had no worries about food and clothes.

But mingling in the elite circles of Linzi, would mere sustenance be enough?

What activities didn’t come with expenses?

And where was it possible to cut costs?

Silver flowed away like water.

To put it bluntly, Cao Xing was responsible for more than half of the He household’s expenses.

“Is the rumor true?

His Majesty really has issues with Jubao…”

The Queen raised her hand to stop him, “How could you or I speculate on the Emperor’s thoughts?”

He Fu became anxious, “But!”

“There are no buts.” The Queen’s voice remained gentle, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

She was He Fu’s sister, but also the Queen of Daqi.

Seeing He Fu’s disheartened face, the Queen softened her tone, “Wu Hua is your nephew, and you must think more about his future.

You can’t risk even the slightest danger.”

“You…

can’t you speak a word for me?” he pleaded.

The Queen looked at him silently, offering no response.

Silence was her firmest answer.

“But, Your Majesty,” He Fu said with a grim expression, “This is the hard-earned opportunity I have found.

What should be done about the upkeep of the household, from top to bottom, with people and horses to feed?

Is the entire Qi Territory not destined for Wu Hua?

Should his cousin and uncle live a frugal life?”

“People will continue to eat, but the horses won’t have to chew anymore.

If one must be frugal, then live frugally,” the Queen stated.