Chapter 364: Insatiable Greed

Joining the Xuanfu and becoming a member of it was something no one in the Hua family had ever imagined.

During the three years living at the Bo Mansion, the Hua family had heard a lot about the important status of the Xuanfu.

Things like Xuan City being the central city of the Central Continent, and the Xuanfu's role in the Central Continent being akin to the former Imperial City's role in the entire Great Jin Dynasty.

Or how the imperial family and nobles had tried to insert their people into the Xuanfu, only to be all rejected.

In short, the Hua family’s impression of the Xuanfu was a vague one: a place comparable to the imperial palace, and extremely difficult to enter.

But now, Jiuniang told them that their whole family were now members of the Xuanfu!

The entire Hua family was both shocked and delighted at this arrangement.

As for Hua Dalang and Hua Liulang, they mostly felt relieved; with their family joining the Xuanfu, they could gain its protection. Development was secondary—most importantly, in these turbulent times, having a powerful force as a backing would ensure their personal safety, which was far better than struggling to survive on their own.

Compared to the Hua family's surprise, Hua Boye and Hua Shizi were utterly shaken—shaken by Hua Changxi's influence.

Hua Changxi's influence was far greater than they had imagined.

The Hua family, totaling over twenty people, had more than half without spiritual roots, able only to train the body. Their talents and aptitudes were truly not good, yet they were all arranged to enter the Xuanfu.

This kind of influence... was even greater than the imperial family!

After the Xuanfu was discovered, the imperial family and the noble families each tried every means to insert their people in, but unfortunately, the Five Generals of Xuanfu were strict in discipline—anyone who didn't meet the requirements simply wasn't accepted.

Yet the Xuanfu accepted the Hua family.

What did this mean?

Hua Boye and Hua Shizi exchanged glances, both showing astonishment in their eyes.

It meant that in the eyes of the Five Generals of Xuanfu, Hua Changxi's value had already surpassed the imperial family and all the great noble families!

Hua Boye was the first to calm his emotions, smiling as he congratulated Hua Laoyezi: "Bin, congratulations. Now that you've entered the Xuanfu, in the future the Bo Mansion and the clan will rely on your guidance and care."

Hua Laoyezi first humbly declined a few words, then expressed that clan members should naturally support each other.

Hua Ershu, from the attitudes of Hua Boye and Hua Shizi, confirmed that the Xuanfu was an excellent place to go. He was so delighted he lost his composure, and said to Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang, our family has finally gotten a share of your glory this time."

"Shut up."

This time it was Hua Laotaitai who scolded Hua Ershu. Hua Laotaitai took the list and walked over to Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang, why is only your third aunt on this list? Why aren't your third uncle-in-law and the several male cousins on it?"

When this was said, everyone's voices grew quieter.

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Laotaitai: "My ability is limited; I can only take care of family members. Grandmother, if you want to take care of Uncle-in-law and the cousins, the most reliable way is to work hard at cultivation yourself."

"But..."

Hua Laoyezi quickly pulled Hua Laotaitai back, stopping his wife from continuing.

The third daughter was already married. For Jiuniang to still count her among the Hua family already showed she hadn't forgotten her aunt.

If they were to also include the third uncle-in-law and the children, should they then also include his wife's natal family? Should they also include the husbands and children of the married second and fifth daughters?

Hua Laoyezi looked at Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang, your grandmother is old and worries about many people. Don't take it to heart."

Hua Changxi: "I'm not taking it to heart. Grandmother has her worries—that's her business, none of mine."

Although that logic was sound, Hua Laoyezi still felt his granddaughter's words were too harsh, especially in front of Boye and Shizi, not leaving any face for him and his wife.

Hua Laoyezi sighed to himself, then pulled Hua Laotaitai back to their seats.

Now the entire Hua family depended on Jiuniang's guidance; they had to put her first.

After Hua Laotaitai brought up Hua Sangu, the second and fourth branches of the Hua family remembered the married Erniang and Wuniang.

Fortunately, Erniang and Wuniang were on the list to enter the Xuanfu, but their children and husbands were not included.

Hua Ershen and Hua Sishen exchanged glances, both wanting to fight for their married daughters, but they also knew that Jiuniang had even refused the old lady, and certainly wouldn't pay them any attention.

Hua Minghe and Yao Shi noticed the expressions of the family members and also looked at the list. They saw that Hua Changxi had also added Hua Dalang's fiancée, and their faces lit up with joy.

Marrying into the Sheng family was originally a match above their station, but now with the qualification to enter the Xuanfu, Dalang wouldn't have to bow his head before the Sheng girl.

Hua Ershu was also craning his neck to look at the list. Soon he started shouting: "Jiuniang, Dalang is in the Zhenmo Army, Sanlang is at Danyuan Peak, Liulang is at Qisheng Palace—why did you add all three of them?"

When Hua Changxi had drafted the list, besides herself and Hua Shiniang, she had listed every member of the Hua family: "I was afraid you'd say I thought of one but not another, wasn't I?"

Seeing that Second Uncle was using up the quotas for the three elder brothers, Hua Changxi didn't want to hear them argue about it. She directly addressed Hua Dalang and Hua Liulang: "Big Brother, Sixth Brother, whether to enter the Xuanfu Mansion is up to you."

Saying this, she then looked at Old Master Hua and the others.

"When to report to the Xuanfu Mansion, Grandfather, is for you to decide. My opinion is, the sooner the better."

Hua Changxi stood up: "I have an appointment with the Duke of Liang to meet tomorrow at Danyuan Peak. I need to go back to the Medical Bureau and take a look." She paused, "When you've made your decision, let me know, and I'll send you to the Xuanfu Mansion."

Upon hearing that Hua Changxi was about to leave, both the Hua family and Uncle Hua and his son became anxious.

Hua Minghe quickly asked: "Is it that urgent? Can the matter with the Duke of Liang's mansion be resolved?"

Hua Changxi let out a scornful laugh: "Father, you don't need to worry about the Duke of Liang's mansion. If it really comes to accountability, it should be the Duke of Liang's mansion that fears me."

Yao Shi looked at her daughter, whose brows and eyes were full of disdain. Her eyelid twitched. She quickly walked over and grabbed Hua Changxi's hand: "Jiuniang, the Duke of Liang's mansion hasn't actually harmed anyone in the family."

"Enemies should be reconciled, not aggravated. Promise Mother, if you can settle it peacefully, don't stir up more trouble."

Hua Changxi looked at her mother, who was full of worry, and nodded: "Mother, I know what I'm doing."

The young master Hua quickly said: "Jiuniang, you haven't seen your family for three years. Stay at the Count's mansion for dinner before you leave."

Hua Changxi looked at Uncle Hua and Young Master Hua, father and son—one with three spirit roots and the other with four, both of poor aptitude. She pondered for a moment, took out a Taiyin Stone, placed it against her brow, and soon, the first four chapters of the Nine Revolutions Mystic Art were imprinted.

Then, Hua Changxi handed the Taiyin Stone to Uncle Hua.

"These are the first four chapters of the Nine Revolutions Mystic Art. Uncle, see if there are any good prospects in the clan suitable for body cultivation."

"In the technique, I have set restrictions: only members of the Hua clan can cultivate it; it must not be passed outside."

Uncle Hua excitedly took the Taiyin Stone and said solemnly: "Jiuniang, rest assured. I know how precious a good cultivation technique is. I will definitely not pass it outside."

Hua Changxi looked at her parents, who were in good spirits, and then took out a storage pouch filled with first-, second-, and third-grade fire ganoderma, and handed it to Uncle Hua.

"Uncle, you still need to urge the clan members regularly. Without strength, they are not fit for great tasks."

Upon hearing this, a gleam flashed in Uncle Hua's eyes.

Without strength, they are not fit for great tasks; then, if they gain strength, will they be usable by her?

Hua Changxi no longer looked at Uncle Hua and his son, but turned to Yao Shi and Hua Minghe, giving each of them a storage pouch containing first- to fourth-grade fire ganoderma.

"I haven't been back to Danyuan Peak for three years. I need to go back and check on things. When I have free time, I'll come see you."