29: Give Ouyang Yaoxi a little shock

Wang Changfu took a puff of his pipe and nodded slowly amidst the swirling smoke. "Tianfeng, Ming'er is right. The waters of Qingzhou City are too shallow."

He looked at Wang Ming, his eyes filled with expectation. "It's time to go out and make a name for yourself. Good iron must undergo a thousand tempers to become steel."

Wang Tianfeng grew anxious. "Dad! Don't you know what the world is like out there? Ming'er is only at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer. If you throw him into those great Sects, he won't even make a splash!"

His face was full of worry. "What if he runs into some tough characters..."

"Cowardly look!" Wang Changfu tapped his pipe and scolded with a laugh. "Back then, you dared to glare at me when you were only in the Qi Condensation realm, but now you're acting like a nagging old woman?"

He turned to Wang Ming and said seriously, "Go! Your grandfather supports you. But remember, the outside world isn't like home. Don't be soft-hearted when you should be ruthless, and don't try to be a hero when you should back down. Staying alive is more important than anything!"

Wang Tianfeng wanted to argue more, but then he seemed to think of something. He suddenly slapped his thigh, and his face turned pale instantly.

"Oh no! Dad, did... did you forget? Ming'er's mother! She's coming back soon!"

As soon as these words were spoken, even Wang Changfu paused, his eyes shifting slightly.

Wang Tianfeng looked at Wang Ming with a mournful face. "Kid, regarding your marriage... I've been covering for you this whole time!"

"If your mother finds out you married the Ouyang Family girl without waiting for her return, and even gave her the position of the primary wife..."

He shrank his neck. "She'll tear me apart alive!"

Wang Ming rubbed his nose and gave a dry laugh. "Dad, as for Mother... please handle it for me. Just say I've gone out for training and my return date is uncertain."

"Uncertain?" Wang Tianfeng lamented. "You've run off, but what about me?"

He waved his hand, looking resigned to his fate. "Fine, fine... it's good to go out and avoid the storm for a while. We'll talk once your mother's anger has cooled down a bit."

Wang Ming nodded quickly. "Thank you for your hard work, Dad."

Wang Tianfeng waved his hand weakly. "Pack your things and get lost before your mother charges back here."

He lowered his voice and added, "Remember, be smart when you get to Qingxin Palace. Reach Core Formation as soon as possible... once you have the strength, even if your mother wants to deal with you... you'll have to be fast enough for her to catch you."

Wang Ming smiled, gave an acknowledgement, and turned to leave.

His steps were light.

The wrath of his mother?

Let his father take the brunt of it for now.

As for what would happen later... when the time comes, he'll just stuff eight or ten chubby grandsons into her arms. He didn't believe that wouldn't shut her up.

...Outside the City Lord's Residence, the carriage was ready.

Ouyang Yaoxi looked at the time, somewhat puzzled. "Actually... it's not another five days until my scheduled return to the palace."

Wang Ming helped her into the carriage and followed closely behind.

The interior of the carriage was filled with her faint, delicate fragrance.

"I can't wait." Wang Ming lowered the carriage curtain, blocking out the outside world, his voice calm. "Going early or late is all the same. Since there's nothing else to do anyway, we'll take it slow and enjoy the scenery."

Ouyang Yaoxi didn't think much of it. Wang Ming then instructed the driver, "To the Ouyang Residence first."

The carriage wheels began to rumble.

Ouyang Residence, main hall.

Ouyang Mingqiang heard of their visit, especially that Wang Ming was accompanying her, and hurried out to meet them.

"Good Son-in-law! Yao Xi! Why have you come so suddenly? Are you returning to the palace early?" He was all smiles, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, lingering on Wang Ming's face for an extra moment.

Wang Ming nodded. "Yes, I am seeing Yao Xi back. In addition..."

He paused before saying, "I also intend to join Qingxin Palace."

"Oh? Seeing Yao Xi back, good, good... What?!" Ouyang Mingqiang first nodded out of habit, then his eyes widened suddenly, and his voice rose several notches. "Good Son-in-law, you... you also want to join Qingxin Palace?"

"Correct," Wang Ming said indifferently.

The surprise on Ouyang Mingqiang's face was quickly replaced by wild joy, his grin almost reaching his ears. "Good! Excellent!"

He rubbed his hands together, pacing in a small circle in excitement. "My Good Son-in-law has god-given talent. If you can join Qingxin Palace, you will surely be highly valued! Your future will be limitless! Limitless!"

The way he looked at Wang Ming was as if he were looking at a rare treasure, becoming more satisfied the more he looked.

For the sake of his daughter, he was actually willing to go to the Sect with her!

This kind of devotion was truly rare!

In his excitement, he suddenly seemed to remember something. He looked around and leaned in close to Wang Ming like a thief, lowering his voice.

"Good Son-in-law, although Qingxin Palace mostly consists of female Disciples, the rules are strict. As a young couple, it might be... inconvenient for you to spend time together."

He very discreetly pulled out two small jade vials from his sleeve and stuffed them into Wang Ming's hand with lightning speed, winking with a somewhat lewd smile.

"This... ahem, take it. Just in case, just in case!"

"The effect... hehe, you understand."

"Young people have vigorous blood; don't let it bottle up and harm your body."

Wang Ming looked down at the jade vials in his hand, which still carried the other man's body heat. The vials were delicate, and pink pills were faintly visible inside.

It was the same medicine Ouyang Mingqiang had given him during the wedding.

The corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his composure and calmly tucked the jade vials into his sleeve.

"Thank you for your... concern, Father-in-law." His tone was steady, devoid of emotion.

"We're family, no need to be polite!"

Ouyang Mingqiang patted his shoulder with an 'I understand' expression. He then looked at his daughter, who was pretending to look at a pillar while her ears were already bright red, and laughed even more cheerfully. "Alright, alright, it's getting late. You two should head out early! Look out for each other at Qingxin Palace!"

Leaving the Ouyang Residence, the carriage headed out of the city once more.

The carriage was quiet for a moment.

Ouyang Yaoxi finally couldn't help but ask in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "My father... what did he give you this time?"

Wang Ming turned his head to look at her, seeing her flushed cheeks and dodging gaze.

"Nothing," he said in a relaxed tone. "Father-in-law was just being kind, telling us to... get along well."

Ouyang Yaoxi: "..."

She didn't even have to guess to know what that 'kindness' was!

Her face grew even hotter.

She turned her head away, pretending to watch the scenery flash by outside the window, but her heart was pounding wildly.

Wang Ming saw her embarrassed state, and a hint of a smile flickered in his eyes.

This father-in-law of his... was truly an interesting character.

The carriage traveled further and further away, leaving the silhouette of Qingzhou City behind.

The destination: Qingxin Palace.

The carriage left the territory of Qingzhou City and headed north.

The scenery on both sides of the official road gradually became desolate.

When they reached a certain fork in the road, Wang Ming suddenly called for a stop.

"Wait a moment."

He lifted the carriage curtain and looked in a certain direction, a playful glint in his eyes. He decided to give Ouyang Yaoxi a little shock.

"What's wrong?" Ouyang Yaoxi followed his gaze and only saw a withered mountain forest. In the distance, there seemed to be the shimmer of water. "Over there is..."

"Black Water Pool," Wang Ming said calmly, getting out of the carriage first. "I heard the scenery here is... unique. Since we're passing by, we might as well take a look."

Although Ouyang Yaoxi was puzzled, she followed him out of the carriage.

She muttered in her heart: What kind of good scenery could there be in this godforsaken place?