Protect Our Patriarch

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……

Wang Shouzhe knew full well that Jiang Yusong was the Emperor's spy, yet he spoke such words in front of him, clearly confident that his words would never reach the Emperor.

Jiang Yusong's hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched involuntarily.

He never believed that just because he was the Emperor's man, Wang Shouzhe would dare not touch him. After all, this man had always been extremely cautious and full of stratagems. If he wanted to kill him without arousing suspicion, others might not be able to do it, but that didn't mean Wang Shouzhe couldn't.

Perhaps Wang Shouzhe had already devised ten or eight plans for this day.

Cold sweat dripped from Jiang Yusong's forehead.

His only way to save himself...

"Mr. Yusong is a smart man," Wang Shouzhe said leisurely, sipping his spiritual tea. "Since Shouzhe has lifted the lid today, there must be a conclusion."

Jiang Yusong's face turned pale. He took a deep breath and said, "Master Wang Shouzhe, your courage is too great. Aren't you afraid that I might pretend to agree and then turn against you? You also said that the Emperor is currently in a very sensitive emotional state."

"I said Mr. Yusong is a smart man. Whether the Emperor likes it or not, his era is coming to an end," Wang Shouzhe said calmly. "The power shift is inevitable. Would Mr. Yusong really give up his and his family's bright future for an Emperor who is about to fall?"

"Or perhaps Mr. Yusong favors Commandery Prince Kang? Do you want to use my head as a token of allegiance? I don't think so. If you truly favored Commandery Prince Kang, you wouldn't have reported unfavorable remarks about him to the Emperor that day."

Jiang Yusong's body trembled, disbelief in his eyes. "Master Wang Shouzhe, you even know the content of the messages I delivered?"

"Sir, you are on Wang's Clan territory," Wang Shouzhe smiled and cupped his hands. "Shouzhe thanks Mr. Yusong for your honest report that day."

At this point, Jiang Yusong could only smile bitterly, letting go of all resistance. "Before meeting Shouzhe, I considered myself meticulous and shrewd. But compared to Master Wang Shouzhe, I realize I am as naive as a child. However, I still have one small question."

He paused, took a deep breath, and asked the most crucial question, "Master Wang Shouzhe, you are not very old, have never held office, and have never met the Emperor. How can you understand human nature and even the Emperor's temperament so thoroughly?"

Wang Shouzhe couldn't help but smile.

Could he say that he had watched too many political dramas in his past life?

With such "broad" horizons as a premise, in this life, as he aged and gained experience, he constantly thought and pondered. Over time, he naturally became adept at it.

Moreover, although he had never met the Emperor, Liyue had, and she had written to him about it.

He never underestimated the Emperor, but he also knew that no matter how brilliant and decisive the Emperor was, he couldn't escape human nature as his end approached.

Sensitivity and suspicion are curses that every emperor faces in their later years.

This time, he had the upper hand and "bullied" the Emperor a bit.

Even if his scheme was seen through, it wouldn't be a big problem because most of what he said was true. The few exaggerated parts were just tactics in the Imperial Heir Struggle.

As a supporter of Commandery Prince An, it was only natural for him to plan and act for him.

The Emperor should have been mentally prepared. If he really saw through it, he would probably just think of him as naive and laugh at his audacity to scheme against the Emperor.

Moreover.

If it were the Emperor in his prime, two or three thousand years old, with unparalleled power, Wang Shouzhe wouldn't dare to provoke him, no matter how many guts he had. Whether coveting the throne or showing ambition, daring to win over the Emperor's spies would be courting death and the destruction of his family.

This is the principle that different times and opportunities call for different methods.

Of course, he couldn't say the truth. Saying it was from ancient books wouldn't work either, as Jiang Yusong was well-read and would easily see through it.

Wang Shouzhe paused, then smiled slightly. "Mr. Yusong, your question is very good, but this is Shouzhe's secret. Just consider Shouzhe to be naturally talented in this area. Perhaps one day, the truth will come to light."

"Since it's Master Wang Shouzhe's secret, Yusong naturally won't pursue it."

Jiang Yusong was somewhat disappointed but not surprised.

He stood up, looking at Wang Shouzhe with eyes full of respect and admiration, and bowed deeply. "Yusong pays respects to my lord. In the future, I hope my lord will guide me."

"This... shouldn't you pledge allegiance to Commandery Prince An?" Wang Shouzhe was slightly surprised. "He is a man with the potential to ascend the throne."

"Previously, my lord praised me for being meticulous." Jiang Yusong smiled freely. "In fact, after the fifty-year agreement was set, I began to secretly observe the Wang's Clan. At that time, I was already deeply impressed by Master Wang Shouzhe. During my recent stay with the Wang's Clan, I observed all aspects of the clan and was even more moved."

"Master Wang Shouzhe has brought about earth-shattering changes in Ping'an Town in just seventy years. His capabilities and foresight are unparalleled. Moreover, he is cautious and thorough, destined for greater achievements in the future. If I were to pledge allegiance, I would rather pledge to Master Wang Shouzhe."

"Very well." Wang Shouzhe thought for a moment, then took out a Heavenly Recording Disk and activated it. "Mr. Yusong, please say something."

"This... what should I say?" Jiang Yusong was puzzled.

"Talk about the current Emperor, discuss Commandery Prince Kang's character. Don't worry, just speak your true thoughts, without any reservations." Wang Shouzhe smiled warmly, appearing very "thorough."

Jiang Yusong's face darkened.

Isn't this the so-called token of allegiance?

After a stick of incense, Jiang Yusong left Shouzhe's Small Courtyard with a pale face.

As the cold wind blew, his back felt chilly. Looking back at Shouzhe's Small Courtyard, his eyes were filled with fear.

No wonder the children of the Wang's Clan would cry and call him the "Great Demon King" when mentioning Master Wang Shouzhe.

At that time, he was puzzled. Master Wang Shouzhe was always warm and kind, especially towards the clan's children, nurturing outstanding prodigies like Liyue and Zong'an. How could he earn the title of "Great Demon King"?

But just now, he finally understood what "Great Demon King" meant.

The words recorded in the Heavenly Recording Disk as a token of allegiance, if heard by the Emperor, would surely result in a fate worse than death for him and his family.

If Commandery Prince Kang heard them, he would undoubtedly chop him into pieces.

"Well, since I've boarded Master Wang Shouzhe's ship, I never planned to get off." Jiang Yusong smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Having handed over the token of allegiance, he decided to work diligently in the future.

Thinking about the first task Master Wang Shouzhe assigned him, Jiang Yusong felt a headache. Master Wang Shouzhe was indeed too bold.

As Jiang Yusong's thoughts wandered, a small azure dragon in a floral dress, carrying a pretty schoolbag, floated a foot above the ground, head held high.

As a proper Yuan Shui Azure Dragon, Wang Lilong had the pride of a dragon. If she could float, she would never crawl.

Following the little azure dragon was a dejected boy who seemed to have lost all hope in life.

This boy was naturally Wang Anye.

Taking care of his Aunt Lilong every day, Wang Anye felt his life had become bleak and exhausting.

This Aunt Lilong was even more troublesome than Wu Yiluo.

"Is that... a dragon?" Jiang Yusong rubbed his eyes, his heart almost leaping out of his chest.

He knew the basics: to be called a "dragon," it had to be at least seventh-grade!

Moreover, only seventh-grade fierce beasts and spiritual beasts could transform and change size at will.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a dragon? Look again, and I'll eat you, rawr~"

Wang Lilong bared her teeth and claws at Jiang Yusong before proudly floating back to Shouzhe's Small Courtyard.

Wang Anye, seeing Jiang Yusong's drenched back, bowed and reassured him, "Sir, I apologize. My aunt has no ill intentions; she just likes to scare people. You don't need to be afraid."

Then, he hurriedly chased after her with his short legs. "Aunt Lilong, wait for me."

Moments later, Wang Lilong's sweet voice echoed from the courtyard, "Daddy, I'm back from school, hug me~"

"Was Lilong good at the Clan School today?"

"I was very good today, only ate two teachers and five classmates, hehe~"

"You little rascal, go on, your mother made a nourishing spiritual rice porridge with red-blood eel slices and various nuts, just for you after school."

"Daddy, I just remembered I promised a classmate to do homework at her house, bye!"

Before the words were finished, Jiang Yusong felt a floral azure lightning bolt whiz past, leaving a trail of wind.

But before it got far, the bolt was caught by Liu Ruolan, who appeared out of nowhere. "You little girl, your grades are already poor, and you work so hard at school. How can you not nourish your brain?"

"Hey, Anye is here too? Why are you hiding in the corner, looking so down? I almost didn't see you. You haven't visited your great-grandmother for days. You're just in time; I made extra porridge. You study hard too; eat with Lilong."

This sentence was like a thunderbolt in Wang Anye's already dark life.

His heart was breaking, tears streaming down his face, but he forced a smile. "Great-grandmother, I love your porridge the most."

"Then why are you crying?"

"These are tears of joy and excitement."

"What a good child... Great-grandmother loves you the most."

As the voices continued, Jiang Yusong mechanically moved his feet, walking further away.

His mind was still reeling from the shock that Master Wang Shouzhe had raised a dragon as a daughter, while another part was touched by the warm scene.

As they say, small things reveal the big picture. Master Wang Shouzhe and his wife were so patient and caring with the children, and the children adored them. Such a warm little family was truly enviable.

To follow such a lord and lady was worth it!

……

Time flew by, and Long Wuji thrived in Ping'an Town, commanding the second sons to learn to operate the ironclad ships, occasionally sailing to the East Sea.

Long Wuji and the Flood Dragon Gang members were naturally high-spirited, as if they were about to soar into the sky.

Wang Shouzhe, of course, wouldn't let the sea power fall into Long Wuji's hands. Therefore, he had to send clan members into the outer sea system. This required both excellent direct descendants and the cooperation of collateral descendants and household guards.

The Wang's Clan had previously developed the Qingluo Garrison and was not unfamiliar with maritime affairs. They had long been cultivating maritime talents.

The vast and mysterious sea was a place many young men yearned for. The younger generation of the Wang's Clan, outstanding collateral descendants, and household guards all eagerly volunteered to join the sea exploration team.

The Wang's Clan School flourished, implementing inclusive education in Ping'an, Xing'an, and Qingluo Garrison, cultivating generations of talented individuals with culture and ideals.

Wang Shouzhe was quite gratified by this enthusiastic participation.

But one day.

With nothing to do, he was leisurely drinking tea in his courtyard, admiring the exotic flowers and rare plants.

Suddenly.

A young woman with a delicate appearance and an air of nobility, full of grievances, rushed into the courtyard, crying, "Grandfather, you must stand up for Ping'er."

Behind her was a tall, handsome young man, looking flustered and terrified. "Dear, let's talk this over, don't disturb grandfather's rest."

"This..." Even with Wang Shouzhe's temperament, he couldn't help but be startled. He quickly said, "Ping'er, don't be anxious. Sit down and speak slowly."

This was Wang Shouzhe's granddaughter-in-law from the Yuwen's Clan. Normally, unless something major happened, she wouldn't come crying to her grandfather. If there was an issue, she would usually go to Wang Shouzhe's daughter-in-law from the Xu Clan or, if it was serious, to Liu Ruolan.

For her to directly disturb Wang Shouzhe, it must be something significant.

"Yes, Grandfather." Yuwen's Clan quickly wiped her tears and sat down obediently, waiting for her grandfather's decision.

As for Wang Shihai behind her, he looked embarrassed and fearful, not daring to meet Wang Shouzhe's eyes.

"You unfilial son!" Wang Shouzhe's face turned cold, and he angrily said, "What foolish thing have you done to make Ping'er so distressed?"

Every family, no matter how much they try to discipline their children, will always have some troublesome offspring.

Even the royal family has someone like Long Wuji, whom even Emperor Longchang can't handle. Among Wang Shouzhe's direct descendants, his second son Wang Shihai was the one who most often angered him.

"Thud!" Wang Shihai, pale-faced, knelt down and said, "Grandfather, I... I just signed up for the overseas expansion team. I thought our Wang's Clan should have a direct descendant to hold the fort."

Wang Shouzhe couldn't help but glare at him. "Have you completed your family tasks?"

"Not yet... But Grandfather, I yearn for the sea~" Wang Shihai looked bitter. The family had tasked him with having five children, but so far, he and Yuwen's Clan had only one son, Wang Anrui.

"Then stay home and live well with Ping'er." Wang Shouzhe said sternly, "What can a young boy who has just entered the Lingtai Realm do in the expansion team? Enough, enough, Ruolan, your grandson is causing trouble again... His father is not home, so please handle it."

Wang Shouzhe didn't want to waste words and directly called Liu Ruolan.

Sure enough, Liu Ruolan dragged Wang Shihai into a room and gave him a good beating until he submitted. Then she returned him to Yuwen's Clan, gently saying, "Ping'er, our Shihai is just wild. You've been wronged. If you have any troubles in the future, come to me. Go on, live well together."

"Thank you, Grandmother, thank you, Grandfather." Yuwen's Clan thanked them gracefully and helped her beaten husband back, ready to live peacefully for a while.

After his grandson and granddaughter-in-law left, Wang Shouzhe felt a headache. Shihai was truly incorrigible. It seemed he needed to come up with a solution.

Sigh~ Being the head of a large family was not easy.

……

At the same time.

Beyond Daqian, north of the vast Northern Desert Plateau, after passing through a high-cold area, one would reach an ice-free port.

From there, crossing the vast Storm Ocean, one could reach another expansive continent.

On that continent existed a powerful nation—the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty.

Compared to Daqian, the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty was stronger, with a longer history and a territory many times larger. The long years had not only given it great strength and heritage but also developed a unique civilization.

Compared to the still-developing Daqian, the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty was undoubtedly an immortal dynasty.

Han Yue Immortal Dynasty.

Helan Prefecture, Nanshan Commandery.

In the most bustling street of the commandery city, there was a restaurant called "Immortal Roast."

This restaurant specialized in barbecue.

The decor was rugged and grand, with tapestries depicting fierce and divine beasts hanging on the walls, colorful stone tiles on the floor, and specially made tables and utensils, resembling leaves or bone tools, giving it an exotic feel.

The waiters in the restaurant, all cultivators, moved gracefully, walking like the wind. Though most were only at the second or third level of the Qi Refining Realm, their movements were clearly those of genuine Basalt cultivators.

Near the entrance, plates of fierce beast meat were neatly stacked in an ice crystal array, looking fresh and appetizing. Another cabinet held condiments, spiritual vegetables, and fruits, all in perfect order.

A sign at the entrance, written in bright colors, read: "Special Promotion: For the next three days, unlimited supply of fifth-grade Lingxi White Beef."

The words "fifth-grade Lingxi White Beef" and "unlimited supply" were particularly bold and eye-catching.

At this moment.

At the counter, a charming young woman was confronting the restaurant owner. Both held onto a plate of beef, their actions seemingly frozen.

The young woman wore a yellow dress, her face still a bit chubby, looking adorable. She was none other than Wang Shouzhe's niece, Wang Lici.

Having followed her master Yunyang to the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, thirty years had passed unknowingly. Now eighty-eight years old, Wang Lici still looked the same, with the same innocent appearance.

However, her strength had skyrocketed in these thirty years, reaching the sixth level of the Celestial Realm last year.

At this rate, she would likely break through to the Purple Mansion Realm before turning one hundred and fifty.

The restaurant owner, a middle-aged man in fine clothes with a distinctive Han Yue headpiece and a small mustache, looked quite shrewd.

"Boss, this is my fifth-grade Lingxi White Beef." Wang Lici exerted force, trying to pull the plate from the owner's hand, but it didn't budge. Her innocent face showed confusion. "Boss, why won't you let go?"

The owner looked at Wang Lici's chubby face, full of conflict and helplessness. "Little lady, can you still eat?"

"Of course, I can." Wang Lici nodded affirmatively.

"But you've already eaten twenty plates..." The owner was on the verge of tears. "If you keep eating, our stock of Lingxi White Beef will run out."

"But your sign clearly says 'unlimited supply of fifth-grade Lingxi White Beef.'" Wang Lici blinked her big watery eyes, looking innocent. "Are you saying it doesn't count?"

The owner grimaced, muttering to himself.

The sign did say that, but each plate of fifth-grade Lingxi White Beef weighed three pounds. Most Celestial Realm experts could only eat four or five plates. Even those who practiced body-strengthening techniques could only manage ten plates at most. Eating more would mean they couldn't digest the immense blood and energy contained in the meat, which would instead harm their bodies.

This was the reason he dared to advertise "unlimited supply." Even if he offered it freely, the cultivators' stomachs had their limits.

Moreover, his restaurant charged by the head, with different rates for different cultivation levels. Celestial Realm cultivators were charged several times more than those in the Lingtai Realm, and this fee included the cost of the Lingxi White Beef.

Thanks to this "unlimited supply" gimmick, he had attracted a lot of customers and made a good profit.

But he hadn't expected to encounter someone like Wang Lici, who seemed harmless but had a bottomless stomach.

This time, he was taking a big loss.

After a long standoff, the owner finally let go reluctantly.

Running a business relied on reputation and word of mouth. Since he had created this gimmick, he had to stick to it, even if it meant swallowing the loss. Otherwise, if word got out, his restaurant would be finished.

Wang Lici carried the plate of fifth-grade Lingxi White Beef back to her private booth.

In the booth sat another young girl with bright eyes and a lively expression. Behind her stood a humanoid puppet clad in metal armor, exuding a powerful aura.

Next to the table, five half-grown wolf pups sat in a row, their blue eyes fixed on the plate of meat in Wang Lici's hands, tongues lolling out.

Ignoring their eager gazes, Wang Lici sat down and addressed the girl across the table, "Wan'er, let's eat~ After this plate, I'll get more."

"Thank you, Sister Lici."

The girl smiled sweetly at Wang Lici and began grilling the Lingxi White Beef.

This girl was Lan Wan'er, a direct descendant of the Lan Clan from Suiyun Prefecture.

Suiyun Prefecture was in the western part of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, separated from Helan Prefecture by the Mo Bei Prefecture. The Lan Clan was a third-grade family in Suiyun Prefecture, a local powerhouse with considerable strength.

When Yunyang brought Wang Lici to the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, their first stop was the Lan Clan, where they stayed for over a decade.

After more than ten years, the "friend" who owed Yunyang two chickens couldn't stand it anymore and politely asked Yunyang to leave.

Unable to resist, Yunyang took Wang Lici to seek their next opportunity.

This time, Wang Lici left with not only the five wolf pups she had brought to the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty but also Lan Wan'er.

Lan Wan'er, like Wang Lici, had a rare devouring bloodline, allowing her to accelerate her cultivation by consuming large amounts of fierce beast meat. Due to their similar bloodlines and interests, Wang Lici quickly became close friends with Lan Wan'er after moving into the Lan Clan.

Although Lan Wan'er's bloodline awakening wasn't as advanced as Wang Lici's and she couldn't improve her bloodline quality through eating, she still had the qualifications of a top prodigy, far surpassing ordinary prodigies.

With some luck, she might even have a chance to reach the Divine Realm.

This time, she followed Wang Lici not only because she couldn't bear to part with her new sister but also to seek her own opportunities.

Lan Wan'er had a Purple Mansion Realm puppet given by her family for protection, ensuring her safety. Together, they traveled and ate their way through the land, unknowingly spending over a decade together. Lan Wan'er's grilling skills were excellent, and soon, the sizzling Lingxi White Beef was placed on Wang Lici's plate.

"Sister Lici, we've already eaten at three of the five 'all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurants' in Zhuan Xu City. Do you think the owners will blacklist us?" she asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty is huge. We've only eaten in three prefectures. There are still many more to go. We can keep eating for a long time. If we run out, we'll think of something else," Wang Lici said nonchalantly. "If all else fails, I'll take you to the sea. When I first came to the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, I saw giant dragon whales in the Storm Ocean. If we can catch one, it would last us a long time."

Lan Wan'er's eyes lit up at the mention of dragon whale meat. "Do you think it tastes good?"

"Based on my experience with many fierce beasts, dragon whale meat should be very tender and juicy," Wang Lici said, licking her lips. "It's perfect for grilling. Sprinkle some spices on it, and it will be delicious."

Lan Wan'er, now craving the dragon whale meat, couldn't help but imagine its taste.

Following Sister Lici had this advantage: she always had ways to find delicious food. Even in remote mountains and wilderness, she could discover all sorts of strange but tasty things.

For example, the idea of eating at "all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurants" was Wang Lici's. Without this trick, their appetite would have drained their resources long ago.

"I wonder if Master is having a smooth journey to the southern part of the Immortal Dynasty?" Wang Lici said, thinking of her master and feeling a bit homesick.

Yunyang had reached the peak of the Purple Mansion Realm and was now gathering resources for his breakthrough to the Divine Realm. The financial burden was enormous, and he had to find ways to make money.

Recently, he had taken a job escorting goods to the southern part of the Immortal Dynasty, and it had been three months since he left.```

"Though this escort mission is somewhat dangerous, Yunyang is powerful, so there shouldn't be any issues. Besides, this is a mission for the Wu's Clan of Han Yue, and the reward is generous. If we can safely deliver it, we'll earn fifty thousand celestial crystals in one go. When he returns, the money will support us for a while," Lan Wan'er reassured Wang Lici. "Also, my father told me that with my devouring talent, once I advance to the Purple Mansion Realm and comprehend my minor divine ability, I won't be as hungry as I am now. I guess it's the same for you, sister. By then, your master won't be under so much pressure."

"That's true," Wang Lici nodded. "After comprehending the minor divine ability, I can directly devour the energy from treasures, which is much more efficient than relying solely on food. But I've only just grasped the minor divine ability, and using it is still a bit strenuous. I can't sustain it for long and still need to rely on eating to replenish energy."

In fact, after comprehending the minor divine ability ten years ago, she had clearly felt the difference.

Previously, she was always hungry, needing to eat several times a day. If she didn't eat for a long time, she would become weak. But since gaining the minor divine ability, her hunger frequency had normalized, and even long periods without large meals didn't affect her strength.

However, her appetite had increased significantly. Now, if she wanted, she could easily eat an entire fifth-rank spiritual white ox, as if she had another space in her stomach where the food could be stored and slowly digested.

The two girls chatted while eating, occasionally feeding the drooling wolf pups beside them. Unknowingly, they had eaten more than a dozen plates of fifth-rank spiritual white ox meat.

These wolf pups had paid for their share when they entered the shop, so the meat was also theirs.

At first, the shop owner was "worried" they couldn't finish it, kindly asking each time. Eventually, he gave up and hid away, letting them help themselves.

After two full hours, the two girls finally felt somewhat full.

"Finally, a bit of a full feeling. Let's go to [Yao's Air Transport] together later. I want to commission them to send these wolf pups back to Daqian," Wang Lici said, patting her stomach with satisfaction. "These pups are getting big and need to be sent back to the clan quickly, or they won't be tameable once they grow up."

Lan Wan'er, who also had no particular life goals, naturally had no objections.

The two ate a bit more, finishing all the meat on their plates, then left the barbecue shop with five half-grown wolf pups, feeling content.

"Are they gone?"

Seeing the two leave, the shop owner, who had been hiding, breathed a sigh of relief and came out.

Finally, he had sent these two gluttons away. If they had eaten any more, he feared they might bankrupt him.

"By the way, how many plates of fifth-rank spiritual white ox meat do we have left?" he casually asked the attendant beside him.

The attendant opened the freezer and froze in place, unable to speak for a long time.

The shop owner, puzzled, peeked inside and his expression also froze: "None left? All gone?"

His eyes rolled back, and he nearly fainted on the spot.

……

[Yao's Air Transport] Helan State Nanshan Commandery Branch.

This is a business run by the renowned first-rank Yao's Clan of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty. Using their unique cloud ray flying boats, they transport large quantities of precious goods across various states and commanderies. Although their fees are high, their service is reliable.

Moreover, every so often, a cloud ray flying boat would cross the seas to distant imperial capitals, engaging in overseas trade and bringing back local specialties.

"Young lady, spiritual beasts are living creatures and require professional cultivators to feed and care for them during transport. The cost is ten times higher than for ordinary live animals."

In the shop, a plump Celestial Realm manager was calculating the costs, muttering as he did so: "These silver moon azure wolf pups have good bloodlines, so they can't be mistreated along the way."

"Plus, the journey to the Eastern Qian Kingdom is long. Our cloud ray flying boat takes half a year one way, and there's a customs fee when entering the Eastern Qian Kingdom. After precise calculation, transporting these five wolf pups to Guilong City in the Eastern Qian Kingdom will cost fifty thousand celestial crystals."

Fifty thousand celestial crystals?

The foodies Wang Lici and Lan Wan'er looked at each other in disbelief.

Fifty thousand celestial crystals could buy a lot of spiritual meat. Their master had to risk his life for an escort mission to earn that much, and it was considered "generous pay" and a "rare opportunity."

Moreover, with their appetites, when would they ever have celestial crystals saved up?

"I don't have that much money," Wang Lici said, her big eyes filled with disappointment.

These silver moon azure wolf pups had been with her for a long time and were reaching the age where they needed to be tamed. If they weren't sent back soon, the clan's children wouldn't be able to tame them.

"How much money do you have?" the plump manager asked kindly. "Our Yao's Clan likes to make friends. Seeing your potential, we can give you a discount. After all, our cloud ray flying boat only goes to the Eastern Qian Kingdom once every ten years."

Wang Lici then took out her deflated money pouch, which contained a pile of clinking copper coins and small change. She looked at the manager with hopeful eyes: "Uncle, can we put it on credit? We'll pay when my master returns from his job."

"Yes, yes, Uncle Manager, please let us owe it for now," Lan Wan'er added, looking pitifully at the manager.

The manager's face stiffened instantly.

These two young girls, with their potential and strength, should be favored in their clans. How could they be so poor?

And could they stop adding adjectives before "manager"?

Moments later, the manager very "politely" asked them to leave.

"Uncle, please help us. If we don't send them soon, the wolf pups will grow up."

"Chubby manager, I'll sing you a song if you help Sister Lici."

The two girls, with their big, watery eyes, kept pleading.

However, the manager's resolve was firm, and his politeness increased: "No credit. The Eastern Qian Kingdom is too far, and you two are too poor…"

As they were entangled, a woman in a white celestial robe and a veil walked into the shop.

She was tall, with an icy and imposing demeanor. Her deep eyes, faintly glowing blue, were particularly striking.

She seemed to carry an invisible aura of intimidation. With just a few steps, the entire room was enveloped in her presence, making everyone feel a sudden weight and involuntary respect.

This was without her intentionally releasing her pressure. If she did, her aura would be even more terrifying.

It was clear that she was a high-ranking expert, likely at the peak of the Purple Mansion Realm, if not in the Divine Realm, like Yunyang.

She glanced at Wang Lici and the others, her deep eyes flashing with a hint of curiosity: "Young girls, are you from the Eastern Qian Kingdom?"

"Fairy sister, I'm Wang Lici from Longzuo Commandery in the Great Qian Kingdom. This is Lan Wan'er from the Lan's Clan of Suiyun. Fairy sister, you're so beautiful and powerful. Do you have friends in the Great Qian Kingdom?" Wang Lici immediately called her sister sweetly, her skill in seeking support making one feel both amused and sympathetic.

The manager's face changed when he saw the woman, especially the unique Han Yue Immortal Court emblem on her celestial robe.

He quickly approached, nodding and bowing: "Esteemed Immortal Envoy, these two young ladies want to send something to the Eastern Qian Kingdom but can't afford it. Our business is not making things difficult for customers."

"Longzuo in the Great Qian Kingdom?" The deep-eyed Immortal Court woman seemed to have a touch of nostalgia in her eyes. "Though not from Guilong, we're still fellow countrymen. Alright, I'll cover the cost."

"Really? That's too kind," Wang Lici's eyes lit up, but she quickly became downcast, refusing, "It's too expensive. We can't trouble you."

"No problem, I can afford it," the Immortal Court woman said, finding Lici's cuteness and good heart endearing. "It's rare to meet fellow countrymen. Let's have a meal together, and you can tell me about the Great Qian Kingdom. I haven't been back in years."

"A meal?"

The foodie duo Wang Lici and Lan Wan'er were overjoyed, almost drooling.

Coming to send a package and encountering such a windfall?

……

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