219: Acting Prefect of the Three Cities of Qianzhou

In the following days, Feng Ming Cultivated alongside Feng Mian, providing him with guidance along the way.

He even gave pointers to every member of his Family one by one.

Naturally, he also handed over the Medicinal Pills he had prepared for them.

He had heard that after entering the trial grounds, participants would not stay together but would instead appear randomly in different locations.

Since they would be separated, it was naturally better for everyone to carry their own Medicinal Pills.

Feng Ming even gave a share to Jiang Shuwan.

In the blink of an eye, only one day remained before their departure.

Feng Ming was performing a final check to see if any of the gifts for his Mother-in-law had been left behind.

Feng Da came over with good news: the contact network in Liangzhou City had been established.

Feng Da had come to report the information gathered along the way.

Feng Ming already knew about the Expedition Banquet being held together with the celebration.

Feng Ming nodded.

He had no interest in the banquet. After all, considering the guests invited by a major Family like the Jiang Family, many members of the Main Family itself likely lacked the status to appear in the core area of the banquet.

As a mere participant in the Trial, his seat would probably be so far down the line that he wouldn't even be able to see the main gate.

Therefore, he had no desire to go.

"Can I skip it?"

Feng Da was taken aback. "It seems they didn't explicitly say. At such a large banquet, no one should notice if one or two people are missing, right?"

Feng Ming nodded. "Then we won't go. Besides, Shuwan's mother likely isn't qualified to attend anyway. It'll be the perfect time to take Shuwan to reunite with my Mother-in-law."

Feng Da nodded, and Feng Ming then said, "Continue!"

"Additionally, regarding the herbs you're concerned about, I've gathered some news. The Hua Clan Merchant House in Liangzhou City didn't have many seventh-rank materials to begin with, and they've already sold out. Thus, there isn't a single seventh-rank medicinal material left in Liangzhou City right now."

Feng Ming nodded upon hearing this. "If they're sold out, then we'll just have to find another way. With the Liangzhou Trial imminent, there are bound to be many people buying medicinal materials. This is normal."

"However, Young Master, don't worry. The contact said that once the Trial begins, a large amount of medicinal materials of the seventh rank and above will be produced inside. We can try our luck then."

"If we really can't find any, we can also buy them through an intermediary; the price will just be slightly higher."

Feng Ming nodded; he knew a bit about this.

Generally, the herbs of the seventh rank and above produced within the Liangzhou Trial were pre-ordered by wealthy families in Liang Province or even other provinces.

Many of the people entering were even arranged by them in advance.

After all, their purpose for entering the Liangzhou Trial was specifically for the herbs, with no requirements regarding their actual strength.

As for rankings, they cared even less. They only needed to find medicinal materials and then hide until the Trial ended to bring the materials out.

Consequently, one could buy from them before the Trial concluded, though the price would naturally be much higher since they weren't putting in the effort for nothing.

Feng Da continued, "Young Master, there's another piece of news. Two months ago, the Jiang Family issued an announcement stating that a high-ranking individual in the Jiang Family needs to refine a very special ninth-rank Medicinal Pill. The Jiang Family has prepared two sets of materials for this pill and is recruiting Ninth-Rank Alchemists from across the Bright Moon Dynasty."

"The Jiang Family promised that whoever successfully refines it will receive a ninth-rank medicinal material as a reward."

"However, because the conditions are so harsh, no one has signed up for two months."

"Oh? What conditions?"

Feng Ming's interest was piqued.

"The Jiang Family's condition is that if the refinement fails, the Alchemist must compensate them with a set of materials for that pill, and they only get one chance."

Hearing this, Feng Ming laughed. "With conditions like that, it'd be a miracle if anyone showed up. I'm afraid all the Alchemists have been scared off."

Ninth-rank Medicinal Pills were already difficult to refine with a low success rate, and failing meant having to compensate for the materials. People aren't stupid. If they had a set of materials themselves, wouldn't it be better to refine it and then ask for the reward? Who would be foolish enough to head straight to the Jiang Family?"

Feng Da nodded. "Although the risk is high, the Jiang Family is offering a lot. Over time, someone might actually try."

Feng Ming agreed. "Keep a close eye on it. According to what you said, they're offering a Ninth-Rank Crane Immortal Plant, which is extremely precious. I want it too!"

"Now let's just hope that no one succeeds before we reach Liang Province."

"Young Master, there's one more thing. In ten days, there will be an auction in Meng City featuring a Cultivation Technique you wanted to find for the Eldest Young Master."

"It's just that we might not be able to make it there in ten days. Do you want me to have our contact purchase it for you?"

Feng Ming nodded.

"The price doesn't matter. Have the contact buy it directly, and we'll collect the goods from him when we arrive!"

"Understood!"

"Feng Da, help me ask if there are any chestnuts for sale in Meng City!"

Feng Da replied immediately, "Young Master, I've already checked; there are none."

Feng Ming felt helpless; it seemed he could only buy them once they reached Liangzhou City.

On the night before departure, Feng Xiaotian personally hosted a farewell banquet.

After the banquet, Feng Ming took Jiang Shuwan with him to Feng Muyang's study.

"Father, tell me about what happened back then. Who was it that injured my mother?"

Although Jiang Shuwan didn't speak, her body tensed. Even though Feng Ming had never asked, she knew he hadn't forgotten; he had simply kept it buried in his heart.

Feng Muyang also knew it was time to tell Feng Ming these things, so he took a sip of tea and said, "I never intended to hide it from you, but before I tell you, I must give you a few words of caution."

"Everything must prioritize the Trial. If you don't achieve a rank in the Trial and cannot become an official, then this revenge cannot be exacted."

Feng Ming nodded but remained silent.

He could not entirely agree with his father's words.

He had the System, and his strength would eventually reach the peak. Therefore, whether he became an official had absolutely no bearing on whether he could take revenge!

So, he understood and respected the sentiment, but he did not agree.

"Our enemy is the former Xu Family of Qian Prefecture."

Feng Ming immediately caught the implication. "And now?"

Hearing this, Feng Muyang's expression turned cold. "Now, they are the Acting Commandery Governor of three cities in Qian Prefecture."

"After we were destroyed, they rose in rank and wealth. When Qian Prefecture had no Commandery Governor, they petitioned King Haoyue through the Lord of Qian Prefecture to appoint the head of the Xu Family, Xu Zheng, as the Acting Commandery Governor of Qian Prefecture, a position he has held until now."

"It can be said that in the land of Qian Prefecture, the Qi Family is the greatest, followed by the Xu Family."

"Although the Hua Family is said to possess wealth enough to rival a nation, they are ultimately just businesspeople. Out of respect for their wealth, their status is on par with the Xu Family, but in an actual fight, they are no match for the Xu Family at all!"

"Speaking of which, we must thank Madam Hua for protecting your mother's maternal Family, the Qin Clan."

Feng Ming was stunned upon hearing this.

What was going on? Wasn't his mother a Maid? How did she have a Family?

Seeing Feng Ming's confusion, Feng Muyang said, "Although your mother was a Maid, she was not an orphan; she had a maternal clan. Her adoptive mother was the Old Matriarch of the Qin Clan."

Of course, that is now. Previously, the Qin Family was just an ordinary household. She was adopted by the Old Matriarch and treated as her own daughter.

Later, when she grew up, Qin Xiang became a Maid in the Feng Family to repay the Old Matriarch.

Back then, the Han Family where Old Matriarch Han of Qian Prefecture resided wasn't even considered a proper Family; they were just an extremely ordinary household.

Han Ru was adopted by Old Matriarch Han from a young age and treated like a biological daughter.

Later, after reaching adulthood, Han Ru wanted to repay Old Matriarch Han, so she went to the Ye Residence to serve as a Maid.

In Qian Prefecture at that time, Qi Hao had just become the Lord of Qian Prefecture.

The Feng Family and the Xu Family stood side by side.

The Feng Family focused on Medicinal Pills, while the Xu Family primarily refined weapons; we minded our own business.

Even now, it's unknown why the Xu Family decided to take action."