347: Chapter 347 It's Not Easy Being the Backbone of a Large Family

Xu Chen looked at the Intelligence Elder, who was kneeling on one knee and covered in sweat, and his brows quirked upward slightly.

In this Xu Family headquarters in the Di Prefecture, protected by the Extreme Dao Imperial Formation and guarded by a Divine Beast, what world-shattering event could possibly occur?

"What's the panic? Even if the sky falls, This Young Master will hold it up. Speak, what exactly is the trouble?"

Xu Chen stood with his hands behind his back, his tone carrying the composure and ease unique to the Young Master of the Imperial Clan.

The Intelligence Elder swallowed hard and hurriedly looked up to report the news.

"Young Lord! Outside our Xu Family's mountain gate, people from various Holy Lands and Ancient Clans of the Eastern Desolation have crowded the area until not even a drop of water can leak through! Those Holy Lords and Family Heads heard that our Xu Family not only gained an Empress and an Otherworldly Commander but also had Dragon and Phoenix twins born in succession. Even that Miss Lin is pregnant with the legendary Supreme Sword Embryo!"

The Intelligence Elder wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice cracking slightly from excitement.

"Those old fellows are all acting like they've gone mad, bringing mountains of gifts and rare treasures. They're crying and shouting just to see the Young Lord once, saying that even if they have to become outer sect vassals, they must establish a connection with our Xu Family! Right now, so many flying boats are parked outside the mountain gate that even a fly couldn't get through!"

After hearing this report, Xu Chen's tense face instantly relaxed, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch twice.

He had thought the remnants of the Soul Hall were attacking, or some surviving forces from the Otherworld were counterattacking. After all that, it turned out to be these fence-sitters from the Eastern Desolation coming to deliver gifts and flatter him.

"Is such a trivial matter worth you, a dignified Intelligence Elder, running here and making such a fuss?"

Xu Chen gave him an annoyed glare.

"Go and call Shang Qingdai over. With her Heaven-Reaching God of Wealth Physique, she loves auditing accounts the most. Let her take the people from the Chamber of Commerce to collect the gifts; don't let a single Spiritual Plant slip by. As for those polite social pleasantries, just let the Grand Elder handle them. Tell them that This Young Master is accompanying his Family today and has no time for guests!"

"Yes! This old man will see to it immediately!"

The Intelligence Elder wiped his sweat and retreated with a beaming smile as if he had been granted a grand amnesty. Having people deliver gifts to expand their foundation was indeed a great thing, but the Young Lord was a bit too decisive in being a hands-off manager.

"You brat, you certainly know how to find a place to slack off and hide!"

Xu Changsheng strode into the back garden. This The Longevity Emperor, who shook the Central Province, was currently wearing a casual robe with his hands behind his back, lacking any air of an Emperor.

Beside him, Xu Chen's mother, Ji Wushuang, walked over briskly, carrying a white jade clay pot that was emitting thick steam.

"Go away, what do you know! My son works day and night, gathering resources for the Family around the clock. How could he not be tired!"

Ji Wushuang rolled her eyes at her husband and walked straight to the rocking chair. Her elegant and beautiful face was full of heartache as she shoved the white jade clay pot into Xu Chen's hands.

"Drink it while it's hot. This is Nine Nether Dragon Bone Grass Ginseng Soup that I brewed personally; it greatly replenishes Origin Qi. You have so many stunning wives in your inner court waiting for your company, so you mustn't let your constitution become depleted."

Xu Chen looked at the pot of "All-Inclusive Tonic Soup" bubbling with rich medicinal power, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch twice.

"Mother, your son is a dignified Saint King. With my level of strength, do I really need to be doused with this kind of tonic every day? You're really treating me like a breeding Spirit Beast in the Xu Family's backyard."

Although he was jokingly complaining, Xu Chen still obediently picked up the clay pot, tilted his head back, and drank the scalding medicinal meal in one gulp.

A pure and gentle warm current instantly surged through his entire body, completely dispelling the slight fatigue deep in his bones.

Ji Wushuang watched with satisfaction as her son finished the soup, then reached out to straighten his collar.

"Stop being cheeky. Your mother heard that Hanyan's bathroom was quite lively last night. You can dote on your wives, but you must also exercise restraint. Mingkong and Weiyang are heavily pregnant, so you should visit them more. You must balance your attention fairly in the inner court."

"Don't worry, Mother, I know what I'm doing. My skills as a Great Master of balance are constantly improving." Xu Chen smiled as he handed the empty bowl to a nearby maid.

Xu Changsheng walked to the rocking chair and pulled over a stone stool to sit down.

He put away his joking demeanor, and his deep gaze quietly watched the peaceful spring scenery filling the courtyard.

"Brat, you've done well."

Xu Changsheng extended his broad palm and gave Xu Chen's shoulder two heavy pats. These simple words carried a father's deepest recognition of his son.

"When I was your age, I was still fighting for my life against those old monsters from the Holy Lands just for a bit of Cultivation resources. You, on the other hand, not only pacified the Otherworld but also brought back so many Prodigy wives for our Xu Family. Now, the foundation and prestige of the Xu Family have long surpassed those of our ancestors."

Xu Changsheng turned his head and looked at Xu Chen, who was leaning back in the rocking chair.

"It's not easy being the backbone of a large Family. The higher you stand, the more eyes are on you. Protecting the stability of all these Family members—the entire burden rests on your shoulders alone."

Xu Chen lazily shifted his position, resting his head on his hands as he looked at the azure sky. A casual yet rock-solid arc of confidence curled at the corners of his mouth.

"Old man, just rest assured and retreat to the second line. Enjoy a peaceful life with Mom. If you're really bored, go to the treasury and refine a few more handy Imperial Weapons for my wives. I'm giving them away every day; even a landlord's Family doesn't have endless surplus grain."

Hearing his son's declaration, Xu Changsheng couldn't help but laugh out loud, pointing at Xu Chen and jokingly scolding him as a spendthrift.

Ji Wushuang also laughed along, her eyes filled with pride and reassurance.

The parents didn't disturb him further. After giving a few more instructions on daily matters, they walked together toward Su Qingge and the others, joining the women's chatter.