He Yi-ming turned his head slightly. He nodded once, "Please, Your Majesty, wait in the main hall. I shall be there momentarily." Xue Lie responded with a respectful acknowledgment, a wave of relief washing over him. Asking the sovereign to wait in the main hall before arranging an audience—this was a tremendous show of deference. Even in the days when Shui Xuanjin was alive, such courtesy was rare. This proved that what He Yi-ming had spoken during the banquet was genuinely from the heart; he truly regarded the Yu family as the imperial lineage of the Tianluo. However, one thing continued to baffle him: why had He Yi-ming's attitude shifted so dramatically from before?

A few moments later, He Yi-ming rose and entered the main hall. Yu Rupei, the current sovereign of Tianluo, had long been waiting. It wasn't just him; Xue Lie was also present. Seeing He Yi-ming enter, Yu Rupei stood and offered a deep bow, sincerely stating, "Thank you, Master He, for speaking so boldly on our behalf." He Yi-ming waved his hand dismissively, and naturally, someone presented fragrant tea. Shaoming Residence had been the home of the late Elder Shui Xuanjin, and everything there, from the furnishings to the staff, was the finest in Tianluo. Now that the elder had passed, with a new master in charge, the servants naturally maintained peak vigilance until they were fully acclimated. "Your Majesty is too kind," He Yi-ming said plainly. "This was promised to Elder Shui during his lifetime, and it is his final wish. I, He, must see it through." Yu Rupei was completely reassured, as if having swallowed a stabilizing pill; all worries vanished. If such a promise came from a politician, he would never believe it. But coming from the mouth of a Xiantian expert, especially one praised so highly by the late Shui Xuanjin, he had not a shred of doubt. Of course, he understood clearly that He Yi-ming’s commitment was a favor owed to Shui Xuanjin, but to ensure that favor endured, or even deepened their relationship, the He family needed to be firmly bound to the Tianluo imperial line. "Your Majesty's visit so late in the evening... it cannot be for such a small matter, surely?" He Yi-ming inquired casually. Yu Rupei’s spirits immediately lifted. He smiled but remained silent, merely glancing at Xue Lie. The eldest disciple of the late Shui Xuanjin blushed slightly and spoke, "Master He, as you know, His Highness the Crown Prince is growing older and has reached the age for marriage." He Yi-ming paused briefly. Yu Xiao-yi had in fact long been marriageable, but selecting a consort for the Crown Prince of Tianluo was a thorny issue. It wasn't just the daughters of the great clans within their own nation; princesses and noble daughters from surrounding territories were all under consideration. This complexity was why a decision had been postponed until now. For Xue Lie to raise this issue now, only an idiot wouldn't realize the royal family sought a marital alliance with the He family. However, among the third generation of the He family children, only He Yi-ling was of suitable age. But He Yi-ling already had a beloved; even if He Yi-ming were beaten to death, he would never tear that pair apart. His brow furrowed slightly, and upon seeing this expression on He Yi-ming’s face, both Yu Rupei and Xue Lie felt a sudden tension. Perhaps a marriage alliance didn't guarantee everything, but such a union would make any external power, especially formidable forces like the Kai-rong Kingdom, far more hesitant to cast covetous eyes on Tianluo. "Xue Lie, early next spring, my fourth sister, He Yi-ling, will wed Young Master Yuan Li-ling of the Jinlin family. If you are free, please come and share a cup of wedding wine," He Yi-ming stated calmly. Though he hadn't explicitly refused, this declaration was sufficient. Xue Lie and Yu Rupei exchanged glances, but there was no discernible dissatisfaction in their eyes. Xue Lie offered a noncommittal chuckle and agreed readily. Yu Rupei pondered for a moment before concluding, "Master He, I still have two sons and three daughters who are unmarried, and besides myself, there are more than ten eligible noble daughters in the clan. They have long admired Master He's great reputation and hope you might grant them an audience." He Yi-ming looked at him with a strange expression, a wave of emotion stirring within him. But thinking of the Yuan family of the past, he found his peace. Seeing the hopeful look in their eyes, He Yi-ming understood that any further evasion might breed irreconcilable misunderstandings. While he didn't fear misunderstandings, the He Family Estate, situated within Tianluo, still needed to interact with the royal family. After a moment of contemplation, He Yi-ming looked up and said seriously, "Your Majesty, do you know how my fourth sister, Yi-ling, came to know Yuan Li-ling?" Yu Rupei started, "I do not. I ask Master He to enlighten me." "Yuan Li-ling resided at our He Family Estate for several years. They spent time together, and affection grew over time," He Yi-ming lifted the tea cup before him and took a slow sip. "Though the He Family Estate is not vast, we always extend a warm welcome to our guests." He deliberately slowed his tone on the final sentence. He trusted that a ruler capable of governing a nation could grasp his meaning. Indeed, a flicker of understanding crossed Yu Rupei’s face. Though he personally disapproved of such methods, perhaps even disdained them, since it was He Yi-ming suggesting it, he had to offer praise, regardless of his contempt. In his mind, the interests and value of the entire imperial line far outweighed those of scattered children within the family. Watching the delighted Yu Rupei depart, He Yi-ming made a firm decision: he would not return home until after his fourth sister's wedding. Furthermore, he would feign ignorance about the matter; even if someone suspected his involvement, few would dare question him openly. As for the swarm of princes and princesses descending upon the He Family Estate, let his father and the others handle the headache. He wondered what his siblings would think if they realized he was the mastermind behind this sudden influx of potential suitors. Would they be grateful for the opportunity he provided, or would they curse him silently? Shaking his head, He Yi-ming cast the thought aside. He sat quietly in the room, pondering Xue Lie's strangely cautious demeanor since their last meeting.

A moment later, Xue Lie returned and was greatly surprised to find He Yi-ming still in the hall. Though he didn't know He Yi-ming had waited specifically for him, he dared not show the slightest disrespect and hurried forward to pay his respects. He Yi-ming nodded slightly and then abruptly stated, "Xue Lie, you are Elder Shui's chief disciple. Henceforth, conduct yourself without such excessive caution. Even if you were to punch a hole in the heavens, I would stand behind you to support you." Since entering the city, He Yi-ming had noticed that Xue Lie seemed much more timid than before. He knew this was due to Shui Xuanjin’s death. Without Shui Xuanjin, his greatest patron, Xue Lie's life wouldn't necessarily become difficult, but his self-confidence had suffered a severe blow. Xue Lie’s body trembled slightly. He looked up and met He Yi-ming’s sincere gaze, a rush of emotion surging through him. He quickly lowered his eyes and whispered, "Yes, thank you, Master He." He Yi-ming waved a hand gently. "Remember, you are Elder Shui's successor. Before doing anything, consider first whether it might bring... disgrace to his name." Xue Lie immediately straightened his posture and declared sharply, "Yes, Xue Lie remembers." Only then did a slight expression of relief grace He Yi-ming's face. Although he hadn't spent much time with Xue Lie, he held considerable admiration for the man. Elder Shui's chief disciple was cautious his entire life, yet never feared authority. Now that He Yi-ming had declared his position, Xue Lie surely knew how to balance his priorities. Xue Lie clasped his hands in a salute toward He Yi-ming. "Master He, my master often said that you were the person he valued most in his life. After his passing, only you would unconditionally support us. I have no way to repay this debt, so on behalf of my junior disciples and the younger generation, I beg to kowtow to you." Saying this, his knees weakened, and he started to kneel. However, he immediately discovered an invisible wall before him; no matter how hard he tried, he simply could not lower himself to the ground. This realization left him dumbfounded, and the way he looked at He Yi-ming was tinged with a hint of awe. He hadn't expected his master's strength to have reached such an incredible level; achieving this silently was something even his master could not have managed in life. He Yi-ming felt a pang of suspicion. Xue Lie's outpouring of gratitude seemed a bit excessive. A thought flickered in his mind, and he asked, "Xue Lie, who informed you of Elder Shui's demise?" "Senior Lu Zhengyi," Xue Lie replied respectfully, his voice still carrying a note of sorrow. Decades of companionship with Shui Xuanjin meant their master-disciple relationship was akin to father and son; such bonds were not erased in just half a year. Sensing the profound grief emanating from him, He Yi-ming felt a twinge of guilt. After a long silence, He Yi-ming finally asked again, "What did he say?" "Senior Lu said that when the Totem Tribe attacked Hengshan this time, Master was ambushed during the battle. The realization came too late, and thus he perished." As he finished, Xue Lie's eyes turned slightly red. Although he was over eighty, the thought of the deceased Shui Xuanjin still shook him deeply. He Yi-ming’s mouth opened slightly. He realized then that Xue Lie and the others were unaware of the true cause of Shui Xuanjin's death. If they knew that Shui Xuanjin had died saving his life, perhaps they wouldn't be so reserved in his presence. With a soft sigh, He Yi-ming decided not to explain anything. Lu Zhengyi had withheld the truth for He Yi-ming's own sake. It was a kindness, and even He Yi-ming himself could not fault it. Similarly, Shui Xuanjin's sacrifice was an immeasurable, monumental favor to He Yi-ming. Some debts were not settled with mere words, but demanded years of sincere action to repay. At that moment, He Yi-ming made a decision... He slowly stood up and walked toward the door. Just as he was about to step out, he spoke coldly, "Xue Lie, Shaoming Residence is yours to oversee. Watch everything carefully. If anyone comes looking for trouble, seek out Lu Zhengyi for support. If even he cannot handle it, I will certainly step in. I repeat: conduct yourself now as you did when Elder Shui was alive. Do not dishonor him." With that, He Yi-ming's figure seemed to flicker, then vanished without a trace. Xue Lie inhaled deeply. Though he didn't understand why He Yi-ming was supporting his master's lineage so unequivocally, this was undoubtedly a tremendous fortune for them. He bowed deeply toward the doorway, burying his head between his knees. His eyes tightly shut, two drops of cloudy yellow fluid soaked into the tips of his hair as he whispered hoarsely, "Master, you did not misjudge him, truly..."

In the distant lands of the Kai-rong Kingdom, the routine sounds of bells and drums echoed through an ancient monastery. Within this temple resided a figure of immense renown throughout the entire Kai-rong Kingdom. Although this notable figure had broken a past vow and left his seclusion, it did nothing to diminish his lofty status in the eyes of the populace.

On this day, Zhan Tian-feng sat quietly in the courtyard. Not far from him, Cheng Fu, upon whom Zhan Tian-feng pinned high hopes, was practicing a peculiar set of cultivation techniques. He appeared to be shouldering a weight of ten thousand jin; every movement brought him immense agony. Sweat poured from his head and body, collecting like small streams. Amongst Xiantian experts, those who chose such a method of training were truly few and far between. Though Cheng Fu’s face showed extreme fatigue and was contorted in unusual pain, his eyes remained perfectly clear. In those eyes shone an unyielding resolve. Anyone who looked upon those eyes would immediately overlook the suffering and pressure he endured. This battle technique had been taught by Zhan Tian-feng. It was immensely powerful during practice and also rapidly increased one’s true Qi level. It was by relying on this technique after his defeat against He Yi-ming that Cheng Fu’s abilities had advanced by leaps and bounds. Now, in just a few short years, he had reached a level comparable to Mao Guang-lie. However, cultivating this technique placed an enormous burden on the body and was exceedingly painful; even a Xiantian expert might not endure it. Fortunately, this was the Kai-rong Kingdom, one of the three great powers of the Northwest, rich in spiritual medicines. With extraordinary perseverance, concerns about physical damage could be set aside.

Slowly, Cheng Fu finished his final punch. He dragged one foot back deliberately. By this point, the ceaseless flow of sweat had thoroughly soaked his entire set of garments. He let out a long breath, then suddenly burst into loud laughter, "Grand Master, thank you for your instruction." Zhan Tian-feng nodded in satisfaction. "Cheng Fu, while your innate talent may not match He Yi-ming's, your diligence is certainly his equal. Among all the Xiantian Masters in our nation’s Hall of Masters, only you possess the potential to reach the Yixian Tian realm. Do not disappoint me." Cheng Fu nodded solemnly. "Yes, Grand Master. I will certainly live up to your expectations." His direct master was Mao Guang-lie, but Zhan Tian-feng held the merit of having taught him. More importantly, Mao Guang-lie did not belong to any specific sect; he was merely an independent Xiantian expert incidentally recruited by the Kai-rong Kingdom. Now that his disciple was valued by Zhan Tian-feng and taught the royal heritage without reservation, Cheng Fu, under Mao Guang-lie's subtle direction, treated Zhan Tian-feng with the respect due to a master. Zhan Tian-feng nodded slightly. "With you shouldering the responsibility of the Kai-rong Kingdom in the future, this old man can retire peacefully." Cheng Fu started, and quickly said, "Grand Master, what are you saying?" Zhan Tian-feng chuckled heartily. "When you reach the Yixian Tian realm, you will understand the feelings of us old fossils." He let out a long breath. "The path of the Martial Dao is filled with twists, but also with unknown temptations. I truly wish to cast everything aside and dedicate myself fully to advancing my martial cultivation." Cheng Fu opened his mouth to speak. In his heart, he felt the same urge, but Zhan Tian-feng had shown him great kindness; if he left the Kai-rong Kingdom in his charge, how could he simply walk away...

Suddenly, a figure materialized strangely before them. Even Zhan Tian-feng only sensed the arrival after the person was already present. The complexions of both men changed drastically, but Zhan Tian-feng soon recognized the person and let out a breath of relief. "Senior Brother, why have you come?" Cheng Fu had just gathered his Fire element true Qi when he heard Zhan Tian-feng’s words. Startled, he quickly dispersed the Qi in his meridians. Though his channels ached faintly, his expression remained unchanged. Compared to the agony of his current cultivation, this was child's play. The visitor was Zhan Xuan, the seemingly ordinary Daoist priest they had encountered on the mountainside near the border. He nodded slightly toward Zhan Tian-feng, then his gaze fell upon Cheng Fu. In his eyes was an unmistakable appreciation; he was clearly very satisfied with Cheng Fu as well. Zhan Tian-feng coughed lightly. "Cheng Fu, this is my Senior Brother. You shall address him as..." He paused, then continued, "Address him as Martial Uncle." Cheng Fu hesitated briefly, then immediately bowed. "Disciple Cheng Fu greets Martial Uncle." Through this form of address, the relationship between them—that of master and apprentice—was officially established. Given their standing, once they reached this point, even the wrath of Heaven would not cause them to deny this bond. Zhan Xuan let out a loud laugh. "Good, a fine Martial Uncle." He patted his body a couple of times, then suddenly froze, an extremely awkward look appearing on his face. "Nephew Cheng, your Martial Uncle unfortunately came unprepared today and brought no welcome gift. When you achieve success in the future and meet the Martial Ancestor, I shall present it then." Cheng Fu responded with a word of acknowledgment, though his heart was filled with doubt. The Kai-rong Kingdom harbored such a powerful expert? Why had he never heard mention of him? Zhan Xuan exchanged a meaningful glance with Zhan Tian-feng, who nodded, dismissed Cheng Fu, and then asked, "Senior Brother, how does it feel to return to your homeland?" Zhan Xuan let out a long sigh and shook his head slightly. Zhan Tian-feng’s heart tensed. "What happened?" Zhan Xuan held up his left hand. All five of his fingers were broken off halfway...

P.S.: Any more monthly tickets or recommendation votes? Things seem to be getting precarious again. Bai He begs for votes...