42: Chapter 42 Guangling Border

Hearing that the other party had come from Guangling Border Pass, Su Yang's interest was immediately piqued.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang has been to Guangling Border Pass? Could you elaborate on the situation there?"

Guangling Border Pass is garrisoned by the Great Wei army, with strict defenses and towering walls erected, making the situation on the other side completely unknown to the outside world.

Upon hearing this, a confident smile appeared on Jiang Linyuan's youthful face.

"Guangling Border Pass is currently heavily guarded by Great Wei forces, but the Yao Beast hordes attacking the pass are endless. Over the years, Great Wei has expended immense manpower and resources to combat these hordes. As a result, they thought of having various Sects dispatch Disciples to assist, which finally stabilized the situation."

Jiang Linyuan paused briefly, then sneered.

"However, it's unknown how many Yao Beasts inhabit the Hundred Lotus Mountain Range. The beast hordes show no signs of exhaustion, while morale at Guangling Border Pass is declining day by day."

"From this, it's clear that Guangling Border Pass will fall sooner or later."

"The reason Great Wei is vigorously developing Qingyuan and attracting Martial Artists and Cultivators to settle here is precisely to turn Qingyuan County into a second line of defense!"

Su Yang wore a thoughtful expression, then countered, "Is this secret information you obtained, Fellow Daoist Jiang, or is it common knowledge among those passing through Guangling?"

If it were common knowledge, then incoming Family factions should also be aware. Knowing the danger, why would they continue to settle in Qingyuan?

But if it were secret information, then what background does Jiang Linyuan have to know such things? And why would he stay in Qingyuan knowing the danger?

Su Yang had many doubts and immediately grew wary.

"I have some connections in the Immortal Realm, which is how I learned about the situation inside the border pass."

Jiang Linyuan said with a confident smile, "The Su Family's vast assets would be extremely difficult to relocate. But with my strength to protect the Su Family, overcoming this crisis would not be difficult."

Su Yang immediately cupped his hands, smiling insincerely, "Thank you for informing us, Fellow Daoist. However, the Su Family does not need a patron, but we are lacking in servants and hired muscle."

These words made Jiang Linyuan's face twitch slightly.

He had spoken at length, yet the other party showed no appreciation and was solely focused on recruiting him as a servant.

Truly ungrateful!

Jiang Linyuan's expression changed abruptly. He snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and left, "Since Fellow Daoist refuses to believe my words, you will regret it one day."

After hearing this, Su Yang narrowed his eyes.

The other's attitude made him uneasy. Should he just eliminate him?

The thought flashed through his mind, but Su Yang dismissed it internally.

This person's origins are unknown. Killing him recklessly could easily invite unforeseen calamities. It's better to investigate first.

He immediately called for Luo Qian and instructed, "Go investigate this Jiang Linyuan. See if you can find out his background and experiences. Also, observe his actions during this period. Don't be discovered."

"Yes!"

Luo Qian acknowledged and was about to leave.

Su Yang suddenly smiled, "I promised before that if you established a Family and career, I would allow the Luo Family to become a vassal Family. Now that you are married, you should also consider having offspring soon."

Hearing this, Luo Qian was taken aback.

His usually stern expression softened like melting ice, revealing a warm smile.

"My wife became pregnant some days ago. When the child is born, I hope the Family Head will bestow a name upon my child!"

Luo Qian said, cupping his hands.

Su Yang laughed heartily, "The name should be chosen by you, the father. That holds more meaning."

"From now on, the Luo Family is a vassal Family of the Su Family. As the Family Head, you should pay more attention to Family matters. I don't want the Luo Family to decline under the Su Family's governance; it wouldn't sound good."

"Yes! Thank you, Family Head!"

Luo Qian remained respectful as ever, but a hint of joy appeared on his face.

...

Qingyuan, Drunken Immortal Tower.

Ruan Ning sat on the third floor, gazing at the people and scenery of Qingyuan County from afar.

This county town was vibrant and full of vitality, its beautiful scenery captivating, but she had no heart to appreciate it at this moment.

Tomorrow, she would follow her Senior Brother and Junior Sister to Guangling Border Pass.

Great Wei needed Cultivator support and mandated that various Sects regularly send people there.

Thus, the Dao Xuan Sect periodically dispatched a few Utility Disciples.

But none of the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters who went to Guangling Border Pass had ever returned. This clearly wasn't support; it was another form of conscription.

To avoid wasting their talented Disciples, the Dao Xuan Sect used Utility Disciples to fill the quota. The Sect didn't care about the lives of Utility Disciples.

Not only did the Dao Xuan Sect do this, but other Sects did the same.

Great Wei naturally knew but didn't mind. Both sides tacitly agreed to let Utility Disciples risk life and limb at the border pass.

"Cultivation..."

Ruan Ning rested her chin on her hand, a self-mocking smile appearing on her lovely face, "It's really meaningless. Might as well be a Mortal, at least you can feel the warmth of Family and friends."

She grew up in the Dao Xuan Sect. When she first joined, she thought her lonely self had finally found a big Family.

But it turned out to be full of deceit and schemes.

No one cared about her feelings, her life, or whether she was even alive.

The entire Sect only cared about their own cultivation levels.

When encountering someone stronger, they flattered and called them Senior; when encountering someone weaker, they sneered and looked down; when encountering someone equal, they were hypocritical and insincere.

Ruan Ning felt utterly disheartened by the Immortal Realm.

She suddenly remembered the young proprietor she met at the Drunken Immortal Tower yesterday. That lively personality clearly came from growing up in a warm Family.

She felt envy and longing, so she gave her some Dao Xuan Sect specialties. Unexpectedly, she felt a sincerity and warmth from this little girl that she had never experienced since beginning cultivation.

That constant calling of 'Sister Ruan' melted her heart.

Recalling this, Ruan Ning couldn't help but smile gently.

Suddenly, the clear, pleasant voice of that little girl reached her ears, as vibrant as the county town itself.

"Sister Ruan, why are you daydreaming here again today?"

Ruan Ning slowly snapped back to reality. Su Xuanjing was sitting across from her, blinking her large, watery eyes in confusion.

However, Su Xuanjing was followed by a handsome, scholarly young man who nodded with a smile.

Ruan Ning was slightly taken aback but also nodded in return.

"I am Su Xuanming, Xuanjing's second brother. Judging by this girl's demeanor, those spirit fruits yesterday must have been a gift from Miss Ruan."

Su Xuanming smiled and cupped his hands, his manners impeccable.

He secretly sized up this attractive female Cultivator.

She lacked the usual arrogant demeanor of Cultivators. Her elegant temperament somewhat resembled his mother's, but within that elegance was a hint of a female Cultivator's spiritedness.

Overall, she largely matched Su Xuanming's criteria for a partner, but her personality and values required conversation to understand.

Originally, Su Xuanjing was supposed to come alone to sound out Ruan Ning about her willingness to marry.

Unexpectedly, Su Xuanjing found it troublesome and directly sought out Su Xuanming, revealing everything their father had tasked her with.

After hearing it, Su Xuanming was also curious: what kind of person was this female Cultivator his sister had befriended?

So, the siblings agreed and came together to the Drunken Immortal Tower.

"Indeed, I gave them. I quite like Xuanjing, so I gave her a meeting gift."

Ruan Ning smiled and nodded, not looking down on Su Xuanjing and Su Xuanming because they were Mortals.

Although she grew up in a Sect devoid of human warmth, what she craved most was exactly that warmth.

If she could start over, she would never tread the path of cultivation again. She'd rather be a Mortal and grow old together with loved ones than witness the coldness and heartlessness of fellow Sect members again.

"The Su Family believes in reciprocity. Since we've met by chance today, let us siblings host you and treat you to the Drunken Immortal Tower's delicacies and fine wine. I hope you won't refuse."

"Yes, yes! Sister Ruan, have a meal with us!"

Su Xuanjing clamored loudly.

Su Xuanming's enthusiasm was filled with sincerity, not hollow politeness, which made Ruan Ning feel very comfortable.

Therefore, she did not refuse the siblings' kindness.

Su Xuanming was eloquent, skillfully guiding the conversation, while Su Xuanjing kept chiming in. The three quickly became familiar.