Chapter 50: Opportunity

Soon after, the Qi family indeed announced a shocking piece of news: the Fifth Branch's young master Qi Tongwu and a noble lady from the Yu family had become engaged not long after.

At this time, the Qi family suddenly announced a marriage alliance with the Yu family, its attitude needing no explanation.

……

In the governor's residence, Yu Tongguang held a long sword in his hand; this long sword was extremely long, broad-bodied, its tough edge flashing with red light, at a glance one could see its extraordinary appearance; Yu Tongguang was not wearing armor, at this time he had changed into loose ordinary clothes, carefully wiping the blade in his hand.

"Elder Dong, now the Qi family has completely sided with the local gentry; I fear the Gu family will also find it hard to move, for pulling one thread moves the whole body, especially since the drought in this commandery remains unresolved and there are many refugees; if this were to trigger a popular uprising…"

Daoist Qingyu frowned, if a popular uprising were to erupt, the unlucky one would certainly not be anyone else; it would definitely be Governor Yu Tongguang.

Yu Tongguang laughed heartily and said, "Great clans are deeply rooted; without heavenly disaster, how could they be uprooted?"

He lightly waved this huge sword in his hand; the huge sword was as light as nothing in his hand, and moreover bore an aura of slaughter that stretched in all directions.

Daoist Qingyu furrowed his brow and looked at Yu Tongguang, wondering what this governor was thinking; he did not understand, for even if such tactics won, Phoenix Yang Commandery would suffer great harm to its vitality, and if one wanted to govern well, it would be difficult.

Slightly frowning, Daoist Qingyu could not help but advise, "Elder Dong, if this is the case, even if successful, I fear it would affect your evaluation in civil administration."

A gleam flashed in Yu Tongguang's eyes; his gaze instantly fell on Daoist Qingyu, his piercing stare making Daoist Qingyu feel a chill all over, yet he heard Yu Tongguang laugh:

"Qingyu, I remember you have been with me for quite a long time; when I was a minor commander of the border army, you had always followed me; I may tell you a bit of inside information without harm!"

"After my evaluation by the Ministry of Personnel, I could have gone to other prosperous commanderies near the capital region, yet I deliberately chose this supposedly remote Phoenix Yang Commandery; do you know why?"

"That is because Phoenix Yang Commandery holds a secret, a treasure; if one obtains that treasure and presents it to the imperial court, to that National Preceptor of the Cave Spirit Observatory, then even if Phoenix Yang Commandery is smashed to pieces, what does it matter?"

"As long as the National Preceptor nods, a mere governor like me amounts to nothing."

Yu Tongguang's face showed a smile of extreme coldness, with a hint of fervor still in his eyes.

"Opportunity?"

Daoist Qingyu's expression showed astonishment.

He indeed could not have imagined that Yu Tongguang had never paid any attention to the situation within Phoenix Yang Commandery; no wonder he was utterly unscrupulous, completely indifferent to the pushback of these local powerful clans.

After Yu Tongguang finished a sword dance, he slowly sheathed his sword and said, "Qingyu, have you heard of Prince Mian's governance of the White Water River?"

Daoist Qingyu nodded. "Naturally I know; back then Prince Mian built four great dams to divide and control the White Water River, extensively reinforced the dikes, opened up millions of acres of fertile fields along the riverbanks—truly wise and martial—but sadly, in his later years he became addicted to alchemy, causing his fief's people to lack livelihood and inviting censure."

Yu Tongguang faced the morning sun above his head, his expression full of an inexplicable hue: "Indeed that is so, but you only know one side and not the other; Prince Mian was indeed refining elixirs back then, but what he refined was not an ordinary Golden Core, but a supreme elixir capable of greatly supplementing creation and extending lifespan—the Supreme Golden Core, the Dragon-Phoenix Essence-Replenishing Golden Core!"

"Dragon-Phoenix Essence-Replenishing Golden Core?"

Daoist Qingyu furrowed his brow; although he too was an orthodox cultivator, he had no impression of it in his mind, but one could imagine that since it is touted as able to greatly supplement creation and extend lifespan, it must be an extremely precious item.

Yu Tongguang looked at Daoist Qingyu's bewildered expression and immediately felt it was like playing music to a cow, losing any interest in conversation.

But he knew that the Dragon-Phoenix Essence-Replenishing Golden Core was not so simple; its two main divine medicines are the Dragon Pearl and the Phoenix Soul; once refined, it would have tremendous nourishing efficacy, and the increase in lifespan would not be just a year or two, but a millennium.

A millennium—this would be enough for a pig to become a spirit.

Not to mention its effect on cultivators.

Even at that time, if one did not offer it to the National Preceptor but enjoyed it oneself, the benefits would be endless.

"It's a pity that I only have the Phoenix Soul in hand, while the Dragon Pearl has yet to be found."

Yu Tongguang's eyes held a hint of sigh.

In those years, Prince Mian's attempt to refine the Dragon-Phoenix Essence-Replenishing Golden Core met with mishap and failed; at the critical moment he encountered rebellion, and both primary ingredients were completely lost.

The Phoenix Soul was seized by his lineage, while the Dragon Pearl might still be in the hands of Prince Mian's lineage.

Why did he sweep away many prominent clans in the commandery? Firstly, to prevent these prominent clans from hindering him at crucial moments; secondly, he suspected these prominent clans knew some news about the Dragon Pearl.

These are all local tyrants.

After Prince Mian's death back then, it is said that his bloodline also flowed down among the common folk.

Among them, the most suspicious is the Yu family.

Because the surname of Prince Mian back then was also Yu.

Yet it is precisely the Yu family that would be least likely to conceal him!

Yu Tongguang's expression turned thoughtful; it seems he can only think of a plan with the White Water Dragon Lord for now.

The White Water Dragon Lord has recently been stirring; perhaps he can gain an unexpected harvest from him.

At this moment Daoist Qingyu suddenly said, "Governor, then how should the Zhang family be dealt with?"

Daoist Qingyu's expression was rather solemn.

As for the Thunder Envoy, the governor's residence has already found out about him these past days.

It is hard to imagine that this comes merely from a minor local clan of Phoenix Stream County; however, the appearance of this young lord of the Zhang family has indeed ruined a major affair of the governor's residence, and the Qi family's alliance with the local gentry owes some credit to the Zhang family.

Yu Tongguang furrowed his brow.

In his eyes, a mere Zhang family amounts to nothing.

But a cultivator suspected of orthodox origin is somewhat troublesome, especially since his background has not yet been investigated.

Yu Tongguang is very worried that he will be entangled by these orthodox cultivators.

"For now we need not bother with him, but if he continues to impede us…"

Yu Tongguang's eyes welled up with intense killing intent.

With the protection of the imperial court's sacred vessels, these orthodox cultivators are to him merely a bit more trouble.

……

The Qi household was draped in white mourning cloth, and the residence was filled with an air of grief.

Qi Yuanwu did not stay long in Phoenix Yang Commandery; after hastily finishing the funeral affairs, he returned to Haojing.

He is ultimately a commander of the Palace Guard Army; he cannot linger long in Phoenix Yang Commandery, yet being able to return to Phoenix Yang Commandery to participate in Qi Yi's sixtieth-birthday celebration is already an imperial grace; to overstay would surely invite impeachment.

Although Qi Yuanwu's performance appeared flawless, to a discerning eye something still could be sensed.

Within the manor, in a secluded quiet courtyard,

At this moment Zhang Jian's whole body emanated a thick aura of pure spirit wind, as if enveloped in a layer of clear breeze; his toes lightly left the ground, his eyes calm, his form like a leaf drifting in a great wind, light and nimble.

Joy shone in his eyes; after mastering the Thunder Technique to the point of discarding its medium, he finally imprinted the Wind Technique into his divine sense.

Escaped the situation where performing the technique required talismans as a medium.

To some extent, it can also be considered a great advancement.

After toying for a moment, Zhang Jian's figure descended; just then, as he looked toward the nearby area, he felt the dragon pearl in his sleeve tremble slightly, as if it wanted to break free.