[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign":3,"chapter-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-44":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Eternal Green Immortal Sovereign",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270052,4432,"Chapter 44: The Zhu Family Sends Word","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>Zhu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From early morning, the servants in the house had been bustling about, slaughtering cattle and sheep—the scene rivaled the New Year festivities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao had swept the stable spotless before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Li Rui had been freed from servitude, he had become the Zhu family’s new stable hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had not yet reached the age or status to take on apprentices, so most of the time, he was the only one managing the stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he was long accustomed to such days and did not find them tiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swept the stable again and again with a broom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Zhu told me to clean the stable thoroughly today—looks like someone important is coming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao lacked talent; he couldn’t match Li Rui, nor even the late Ma Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was diligent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the steward assigned, he did earnestly—if he failed once, he tried twice, never growing weary, and Master Zhu himself appreciated this trait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t favor a hardworking, lazy-free servant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar voice came from behind: “Hey, Xiao Zhao, still sweeping?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao straightened up and wiped his sweat with a relatively clean back of his hand: “Uncle Yong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, if someone called you “Xiao” plus your surname, it meant a casual relationship; if they called you by your given name alone, it meant closeness; but if they said “Xiao” plus your full name, you were inseparable friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao and Yang Yong both worked for the Zhu family, and through their connection to Li Rui, they had grown into an unlikely friendship across generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked out for each other, making life in the Zhu household a little easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just poor souls huddling together for warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao asked curiously: “Uncle Yong, who’s the big shot visiting the household? Why all this fuss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ducks sense spring’s warmth first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A household is the same—when something major happens, the guards are usually the first to sense it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yong smirked: “Who else? The eldest son’s returned from Huaqing Sect, and he’s brought a few fellow disciples along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only June—why is the eldest son back already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest son, Zhu Yue, was the Zhu family’s future—certainly the next patriarch. Naturally, Wang Zhao paid close attention to anything concerning Zhu Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yong shrugged: “How would a guard like me know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two spoke—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burst of firecrackers suddenly erupted outside the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao’s expression shifted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Zhu family gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three chestnut-colored steeds strode confidently, their hooves clattering on the cobblestones of the alleyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping and his entire family had already been waiting at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neighbors nearby cast envious glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping straightened his back, beaming with pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had raised a fine son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue was now a disciple of Huaqing Sect; someday, he might become a seventh-rank martial cultivator. When he returned to inherit the family, he would surely lead the Zhu family to new glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might even elevate them to the status of one of the three hundred-year clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping felt his life had not been wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, his eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue’s figure appeared around the street corner, riding a blood-sweating steed, accompanied by Han Qin and Jiang Yan, who had visited the Zhu household before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qin smiled as always: “Young Master Zhu, your home is truly grand and refined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue forced a smile, glancing at Jiang Yan, who had slightly furrowed her brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smell of gunpowder in the air was unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue and the two others arrived before the Zhu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping beamed: “Good son, honored guests, we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qin smiled slightly: “Uncle Zhu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan said nothing, only nodded slightly in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue stepped beside Zhu Ping and lowered his voice: “Father, don’t use firecrackers again—they’re beneath dignity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping nodded with a smile: “If you dislike them, I won’t use them again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Zhu family surrounded the three Huaqing Sect disciples and led them into the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, barely noticeable disappointment flickered in Zhu Ping’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Children grow up and no longer listen to their parents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Zhu Yue joined Huaqing Sect, his horizons had widened—he now looked down on the Zhu family, even on all of Qinghe County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t necessarily bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when it came to a prospective patriarch, the problem became serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping wanted his son to thrive at Huaqing Sect, yet feared Zhu Yue would grow too distant from the family and eventually refuse to inherit the patriarch’s seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that happened, when he died, the entire family fortune would become someone else’s inheritance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhu family sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid their son would fail, yet afraid he would succeed too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let him be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping took a deep breath. He was indeed the Zhu family patriarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was still a father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Zhu Yue lived well, he didn’t care if he inherited the estate—his lineage would still flourish elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone sat in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Zhu Ping politely ask: “Yue, guests, you may stay several days in Qinghe—there are many pleasant places nearby for cooling off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qin declined: “Uncle Zhu, no need for sightseeing. You’re no stranger—we can speak plainly. We’ve come to assist Elder Jiang with the Ghost Ming  Cult matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Jiang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping’s pupils widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Linxian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely a patriarch—he didn’t know the full details of what had happened in the city that night—but Jiang Linxian’s name was legendary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Linxian had come to Qinghe?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue spoke: “Father, this matter concerns Elder Jiang—don’t ask further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping nodded rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long learned that knowing too much only invited disaster upon the Zhu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue turned to Jiang Yan beside him: “Young Miss Jiang, the Ghost Ming  Cult’s roots run deep—it will take time to find them. Why not invite Elder Jiang to stay at our home for a few days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan shook her head: “Father is a free spirit—vanishes without a trace. I don’t even know where he’s gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue felt a pang of disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ping could no longer hide his shock—this young girl was Jiang Linxian’s daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble lady!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once used underhanded methods to win Zhu Yue’s mother, and only after the deed was done did he leverage her family’s resources to climb to his current position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never dare use such vile tactics on Jiang Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if Zhu Yue could become Jiang Linxian’s son-in-law, he wouldn’t even care if he inherited the patriarch’s seat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue glanced silently at Jiang Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had thought the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan added: “The Ghost Ming  Cult’s branches are tangled—we need help from other factions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yue quickly replied: “The Zhu family has connections in the government—we can assist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since learning Jiang Linxian was in Qinghe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been determined to make himself noticeable, to leave a good impression on his future father-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan shook her head: “The Zhu family isn’t enough—we need more, stronger allies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1198,"2026-06-19T22:01:09.077Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2336895dc7b9839a2d01b840bfb0ff0043e46d24745e9825e877ce638f3dff71","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-45","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-43",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-green-immortal-sovereign-cover.jpg"]