16: Poetry and Distance

When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down.

Subsequently, a large amount of news regarding the Yang family's evil deeds was exposed.

There were countless incidents of bullying men and women, indiscriminately killing innocent people, and exploiting the common folk.

Furthermore, it was rumored that the Yang family's Old Ancestor was nearing the end of his lifespan, and to prolong it, he secretly captured young boys and girls to refine elixirs, causing countless families to be ruined and lives lost.

At the same time, the feud between the Liu Family of Qinghe Commandery and the Yang family was also unearthed.

The Liu Family was a century-old scholarly Family, benevolent and charitable, enjoying a good reputation in Qinghe Commandery.

Liu Yiyi, the daughter of the Liu Family, was skilled in both music and painting, earning her the title of a talented woman and a renowned beauty.

However, beauty can be a curse; Liu Yiyi's beauty caught the eye of the Yang family's Young Lord, who then forcibly sought her hand in marriage. This Young Lord of the Yang family was notoriously lustful and had ruined many women. The Liu couple naturally refused to marry their only daughter to him, flatly rejecting him and arranging for Liu Yiyi to leave and hide.

Upon learning this, the Yang family's Young Lord, in a fit of rage, directly resorted to murder, wiping out the entire Liu Family.

The Yang family wielded absolute power in Qingling Commandery; even after annihilating the Liu Family, no one dared to speak up for them.

After these revelations, the Yang family was cursed by countless people.

Meanwhile, Xu Ziqian was praised by countless individuals.

Some even compiled his heroic deed of destroying the Yang family for the sake of a beauty into illustrated storybooks, which circulated widely.

...

Great Jin Imperial Palace.

The Jin Emperor sat in the Juntian Hall, frowning as he looked at the Shadow Guard kneeling before him.

"Is the news accurate? Was it truly Xu Ziqian who personally acted?"

The Jin Emperor asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the entire Yang family was completely razed to the ground, causing a huge stir. The person who acted did not conceal his appearance, and many people witnessed it firsthand. After multiple investigations, your subject can confirm that the person who acted was undoubtedly Xu Ziqian!"

Saying this, he presented a portrait to the Jin Emperor, on which the person depicted was indeed Xu Ziqian.

The Jin Emperor's brows furrowed even deeper.

Wu Ning, Li Yuanbao, Xu Ziqian...

The three famous good-for-nothings of the capital city suddenly each possessed formidable strength and became mysterious.

What exactly was going on?

The Jin Emperor felt a headache coming on.

Everything seemed to have started after Princess Qingyao annulled the engagement...

Perhaps his previous guess was correct; the Prince Yan and his wife truly came from a terrifyingly powerful Family.

Unfortunately, he made the wrong choice that day.

...

A few days later, in the Prince Yan's Mansion's back garden.

Xu Ziqian reluctantly returned the jade token to Wu Ning.

Li Yuanbao teased, "Old Xu, how has it been these past few days playing the groom?"

"Don't talk nonsense! I only have admiration for Miss Yiyi; we are completely innocent. Don't spread false rumors."

Li Yuanbao's eyes widened, "No way? With such beauty before you, you could actually resist?"

He was somewhat incredulous. Old Xu was a handsome man who saved Liu Yiyi from misery and avenged her. It shouldn't be a problem for her to offer herself to him, right?

If it were him, he'd probably still be in bed right now.

Could it be...

"Old Xu, you can't be... incapable, can you?"

Xu Ziqian glared fiercely at him, "If you want to die, just say so."

Li Yuanbao chuckled awkwardly, raising his hands in surrender.

The scene of Xu Ziqian punching a Transformation Sea Realm expert to death that day was still vivid in his mind, and he was a bit timid.

"Old Xu, you really don't like that Liu Yiyi?"

Wu Ning asked curiously. He didn't believe this repressed fellow was a true gentleman.

Xu Ziqian shook his head slightly, "A fair maiden is a good match for a gentleman. Of course, there's a little bit of liking."

"However, liking doesn't necessarily mean marrying her."

"Marrying her means being responsible for her, living life with her, dealing with daily necessities, day after day, year after year."

"I don't like that kind of life. I've decided to venture out, see thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, observe the myriad aspects of the world, and experience different sceneries."

"As for settling down, that will probably have to wait for a very, very long time."

Xu Ziqian's gaze was distant.

Ninety-nine percent of people in the world are born confined to a small corner, from birth to death, the farthest they might travel is a few hundred miles.

He was unwilling to live like that.

The world was so big, he wanted to see it.

Saving Liu Yiyi was merely a whim. Although he liked her somewhat, it was far from enough to make him settle down for her.

Wu Ning's gaze was surprised; he hadn't expected this fellow to have such thoughts.

This couldn't help but remind him of a saying: Life is not just about the present struggles, but also about poetry and distant lands.

"Old Xu, I support you."

...

Another few days passed in a flash.

During these past few days, Wu Ning not only fused with the Origin of the Law of Thunder but also unlocked the fourth layer of his Bloodline Seal. The powerful Bloodline Power significantly enhanced his Imperishable Golden Body.

His cultivation also rose from the Early Stage of Quasi-Emperor to the Middle Stage of Quasi-Emperor, not far from the Late Stage of Quasi-Emperor.

For other Quasi-Emperors, this was equivalent to saving thousands of years of arduous cultivation.

In reality, unlocking the Bloodline Seal primarily enhances Bloodline potential; the improvement in cultivation is merely a side effect.

It was a pleasant surprise.

Today was the day the Junlin Banquet began.

Early in the morning, Li Yuanbao and Xu Ziqian arrived at the Prince Yan's Mansion, ready to go watch the excitement together.

The Junlin Banquet was held in the large square in front of the Imperial Palace's main gate.

When the three arrived, the area around the square was already packed with people. Imperial Guards were maintaining order, otherwise, it would have been completely jammed.

On a high platform near the palace gate, two rows of half-meter-high tables were arranged, with the central table being notably taller.

That should be the Jin Emperor's seat.

At this moment, some seats were already occupied, either by noble officials or Family heads.

Wu Ning waved his hand, and the three of them appeared directly on the high platform without attracting anyone's attention.

Wu Ning casually found a seat and sat down.

Li Yuanbao brought his own stool and squeezed in beside him.

At such a grand event, their Li Family was not qualified to occupy a seat.

Xu Ziqian followed suit. Their Xu Family had a seat, but that was for his grandfather, Grand Tutor Xu.

Fortunately, the tables were wide enough, otherwise, it would have been too crowded.

Beautiful palace maids constantly moved about on the high platform, setting out various fruits and snacks, as well as fine wine and pastries, and plates of appetizers made by the Imperial Palace's Royal Kitchen.

Wu Ning and the other two quickly attracted the attention of many people.

Currently, all three of them were famous figures in the capital; among those who could sit on the high platform, few didn't recognize them.

Approximately half an hour later.

The Jin Emperor arrived late, surrounded by a group of Imperial Bodyguards.

"Your Majesty, your old subject just looked around and found that there are many more young Geniuses this year than in previous years. It seems that our Great Jin's national strength has been steadily rising in recent years, showing signs of a prosperous era. This is all thanks to Your Majesty's excellent governance."

An old official stroked his beard and smiled.

The others were not to be outdone, flattering the Jin Emperor profusely, which greatly pleased His Majesty.

Just then, an old eunuch quickly walked up to the Jin Emperor.

"Your Majesty, the Tianyun Country's envoy delegation has arrived!"

"Announce them!"

He had already known that Tianyun Country had dispatched an envoy delegation.

Soon, five envoys from Tianyun Country ascended the high platform, led by the old eunuch.

"Tianyun Envoy Longqing, greetings to His Majesty the Jin Emperor."

"Tianyun Third Prince Chu Yu, greetings to His Majesty the Jin Emperor."

The Jin Emperor nodded slightly, "Grant them seats!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."