Chapter 364

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

During the three years they lived in the Count's Prefecture, the Hua family had heard plenty about the important status of the Xuanyuan Prefecture.

They heard that Xuanyuan City was the central city of the Central Continent, and that the Xuanyuan Prefecture was to the Central Continent what the former Imperial City had been to the entire Great Jin Dynasty.

They heard that the imperial family and powerful nobles wanted to plant people in the Xuanyuan Prefecture, but all of them were rejected.

In short, the Hua family had only one general impression of the Xuanyuan Prefecture: it was a place comparable to the imperial palace, and it was extremely difficult to enter.

But now, Jiuniang was telling them that their whole family was now part of the Xuanyuan Prefecture!

Regarding this arrangement, the entire Hua family was truly both shocked and overjoyed.

As for Hua Dalang and Hua Liulang, they felt more of a sense of relief. With the family having joined the Xuanyuan Prefecture, they could receive its protection. Development was secondary; the most important thing was that in these chaotic times, having a powerful force as a backer meant their personal safety could be guaranteed. This was far better than the Hua family struggling to survive on their own.

Compared to the surprise of the Hua family, Count Hua and the Heir were filled with shock—shock at Hua Changxi's influence.

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

The entire Hua family, totaling about twenty people, with more than half having no spiritual roots and only able to practice body refinement—their natural aptitudes were truly not good—had actually all been arranged to enter the Xuanyuan Prefecture.

This influence... it was even greater than the imperial family's!

Since the Xuanyuan Prefecture was discovered, whether it was the imperial family or powerful noble clans, everyone had been pulling out all the stops to try and plant people inside. Unfortunately, the five Xuanyuan generals were strictly disciplined, and they didn't take in a single person who didn't meet their requirements.

Yet, the Xuanyuan Prefecture had accepted the Hua family.

What did this mean?

Count Hua and the Heir exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with astonishment.

It meant that in the eyes of the five Xuanyuan generals, Hua Changxi's value was already higher than that of the imperial family and the major noble clans!

Count Hua was the first to calm his emotions, smiling as he congratulated Old Master Hua: "Brother Bin, congratulations. Having entered the Xuanyuan Prefecture, the Count's Prefecture and the clansmen will have to rely on your support and care in the future."

Old Master Hua first offered a few humble words, then stated that clansmen should naturally support one another.

From the attitudes of Count Hua and the Heir, Second Uncle Hua confirmed that the Xuanyuan Prefecture was a top-tier destination. He was so happy he lost his composure, saying to Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang, our family has finally benefited from your light for once."

"Shut up."

This time it was Old Madam Hua who scolded Second Uncle Hua. Holding the list, she walked toward Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang, why is only your Hua Sangu on this list? Why aren't your Third Uncle and your cousins on it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the voices of the others quieted down.

Hua Changxi looked at Old Madam Hua: "My ability is limited; I can only look after my immediate family. Grandmother, if you want to take care of Third Uncle and the cousins, the most reliable way is for you to work hard at your own cultivation."

"But..."

Old Master Hua pulled Old Madam Hua over, stopping his wife from continuing.

The third daughter was already married; that Jiuniang still counted her as part of the Hua family was already a sign that she hadn't forgotten her aunt.

If she were to count the Third Uncle and the children as well, should she also count the wife's maternal family? Should she also count the husbands and children of the married Second and Fifth daughters?

Old Master Hua looked at Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang, your grandmother is old and worries about many people. Don't hold it against her."

Hua Changxi: "I am not holding it against her. Grandmother having people she worries about is her business; it has nothing to do with me."

Although that was the logic, Old Master Hua still felt his granddaughter's words were too unpleasant to hear, especially in front of the Count and the Heir; she hadn't left any face for him or his wife at all.

Old Master Hua sighed in his heart and pulled Old Madam Hua back to her seat.

Now the entire Hua family relied on Jiuniang's support, and they could only prioritize her.

With Old Madam Hua mentioning the Hua Sangu first, the people of the Hua family's second and fourth branches remembered the married Second and Fifth daughters.

Fortunately, the list for entering the Xuanyuan Prefecture included the Second and Fifth daughters, but their husbands and children were not on it.

Second Aunt Hua and Fourth Aunt Hua exchanged a glance, both wanting to fight for their married daughters, but they knew in their hearts that since Jiuniang had even refused the Old Madam, she certainly wouldn't pay them any mind.

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

Marrying into the Sheng family was originally them punching above their weight, but now with the qualification to enter the Xuanyuan Prefecture, Dalang wouldn't have to feel inferior to the Sheng family woman.

Second Uncle Hua was also craning his neck to look at the list, and soon he began to clamor: "Jiuniang, Dalang is in the Demon-Suppressing Army, Sanlang is at Danyuan Peak, and Liulang is at the Artisan Saint Palace. Why did you add all three of them?"

When Hua Changxi originally drafted the list, besides herself and Hua Shiniang, she had listed everyone in the Hua family: "I wasn't afraid of you saying that I thought of one but didn't think of the other?"

Seeing Second Uncle Hua eyeing the spots for the three brothers, Hua Changxi didn't want to hear them argue about these things, so she said directly to Hua Dalang and Hua Liulang: "Big Brother, Sixth Brother, whether or not you enter the Xuanyuan Prefecture, decide for yourselves."

As she spoke, she looked at Old Master Hua and the others.

"When to go report to the Xuanyuan Prefecture, Grandfather and the rest of you decide. My opinion is, the sooner the better."

Hua Changxi stood up: "I have an appointment to meet the Liang Duke tomorrow at Danyuan Peak, so I must return to the Medicine Department to take a look." She paused. "Once you have decided, let me know, and I will send you to the Xuanyuan Prefecture."

Hearing that Hua Changxi was leaving just like that, the Hua family and Count Hua and his son were all anxious.

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

Hua Changxi gave a scornful laugh: "Father, you don't need to worry about the Liang Duke's Prefecture. If anyone should be held accountable, it should be the Liang Duke's Prefecture fearing me."

Yao Shi looked at her daughter, whose eyes were full of disdain, her eyelids twitching. She walked over quickly and took Hua Changxi's hand: "Jiuniang, the Liang Duke's Prefecture didn't actually hurt anyone in the family."

"Enmities should be resolved rather than knotted. Promise Mother that if you can settle things 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 Heir quickly said: "Jiuniang, you and your family haven't seen each other for three years. Stay at the Count's Prefecture for dinner before you go."

Hua Changxi looked at Count Hua and the Heir. The father and son—one with three spiritual roots, one with four—neither had good aptitude. She pondered for a moment, took out a Taiyin Stone, and placed it against her forehead. Soon, the first four chapters of the "Nine Revolutions Profound Art" were imprinted.

Immediately, Hua Changxi handed the Taiyin Stone to Count Hua.

"This is the first four chapters of the 'Nine Revolutions Profound Art'. Count, see if there are any good seedlings in the clan suitable for body refinement."

"I have placed restrictions on the cultivation method; it can only be practiced by Hua clansmen and must not be spread to outsiders."

Count Hua excitedly took the Taiyin Stone and said solemnly: "Jiuniang, rest assured. I know how precious a good cultivation method is; I will certainly not spread it."

Hua Changxi looked at her parents, who were in good spirits, and took out a storage bag filled with first, second, and third-grade Fire Lingzhi, handing it to Count Hua.

"Count, you still need to urge the clansmen more often. Without strength, one is not fit for heavy responsibilities."

Count Hua's eyes flickered when he heard this.

Without strength, one is not fit for heavy responsibilities; if one has strength, can one then be used by her?

Hua Changxi did not look at Count Hua and his son again, but looked at Yao Shi and Hua Minghe, giving each of them a storage bag containing first to fourth-grade Fire Lingzhi.

"I haven't been back to Danyuan Peak for three years, so I must go back and take a look first. When I have time, I will come to see you."