Protect Our Patriarch

……

At the same time.

To the west of Monan Commandery City, there was a sizable estate called "Qian Garden."

This garden was a retreat established by the Zuoqiu Clan in Monan Commandery, specifically for clan members to stay when conducting business.

As an ancient fourth-rank clan with nearly two thousand years of heritage, the Zuoqiu Clan's influence in Monan Commandery was not as strong as the local Purple Mansion Clans, but it was not without foundation.

In Monan Commandery, there were several estates and retreats similar to "Qian Garden." Although none were particularly large, their interior design and decor were meticulously crafted, fully showcasing the style and heritage of a fourth-rank clan.

Usually, the Zuoqiu Clan would send members to oversee these places, responsible for trade and communication with the major families in Monan Commandery, and to gather local information.

This time, Zuoqiu Qingyun was staying in "Qian Garden."

To facilitate the clan members' cultivation, a secret chamber was built underground in "Qian Garden," equipped with a small Gathering Spirit Array. By embedding spiritual stones, it could gather spiritual energy for cultivation.

Without a spiritual vein to rely on, one had to depend on such Gathering Spirit Arrays and medicinal pills to barely maintain cultivation speed. Therefore, to avoid delaying the clan members' cultivation, those stationed by the Zuoqiu Clan were usually rotated every ten years, with only a few elders nearing the end of their lifespan staying long-term.

Since Zuoqiu Qingyun was now residing in "Qian Garden," one of the underground secret chambers was naturally allocated to him for daily cultivation.

Usually, no one would disturb him during his cultivation, not even the two elders who accompanied him to Monan, unless they had his permission.

Inside the secret chamber.

Two beautiful women in disheveled silk dresses lay bonelessly on a chaise longue, their faces flushed, already fallen into a deep sleep.

The light from the fluorite spirit lamps was dimmed, casting a hazy glow. On the floor, intricate array patterns glowed faintly.

The atmosphere was ambiguous and enchanting.

Zuoqiu Qingyun, usually graceful and dignified in public, was now sitting cross-legged with his upper body bare, eyes closed in cultivation.

A faint red aura, like the color of peach blossoms, rose from his body, misty like fog. The entire secret chamber was filled with a decadent scent.

After a long while.

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Zuoqiu Qingyun finished his cultivation, his chest swelling as he took a deep breath like a golden toad swallowing the moon.

In an instant, all the peach-colored aura was absorbed into his body, and he felt his cultivation had advanced a bit.

Moments later, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of wickedly charming eyes.

Shedding his disguise, he now exuded an aura of evil, his oppressive presence not diminished but rather increased, giving off a discomforting and unsettling vibe.

Casually glancing at the two sleeping beauties, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.

These two women, one was the legitimate daughter of a sixth-rank family in Qing'an Commandery, and the other was a senior from Qing'an Academy. Both had outstanding looks and temperament, and were rare young talents with promising futures.

They could be considered goddesses in the eyes of many family disciples and academy juniors.

Earlier, Zuoqiu Qingyun had gone to great lengths to secretly capture them, once treating them as his private treasures, carefully breaking down their defenses.

But now, he was tired of them.

Especially after hearing about the renowned "Celestial Maiden Tianyan," Zuoqiu Qingyun was eager to take action.

Talents were rare.

Whether from powerful families or academy disciples, anyone with exceptional talent was highly valued and protected. Even with his unique skills and confidence, he dared not easily cross that line.

But Celestial Maiden Tianyan was different. No matter how beautiful or talented she was, she was just a courtesan without a prominent background or support.

Once he "captured" her, it would greatly benefit his status, reputation, and cultivation as a "Golden Toad Manual" furnace.

"Hehe~ Tianyan, you keep pretending to refuse to see me, making me think you're some chaste woman~~~" Zuoqiu Qingyun's eyes gleamed with greed, "Your playing hard to get is just courting disaster. Once you experience my 'Golden Toad Embrace Carp' technique… hehe~"

He let out a series of villainous laughs.

But at that moment.

An old voice suddenly echoed from deep within his mind: "Zuoqiu boy, with my centuries of experience, that little girl Tianyan is not simple. This private meeting might have ulterior motives. If you're careless, you might fall into a trap."

"Old Jiang, you're awake?" Zuoqiu Qingyun was startled, quickly restraining his expression and respectfully replied with his consciousness, "Do you think I should give up this great opportunity?"

The old voice replied "kindly," "A Celestial Realm talent is indeed a great furnace, how can you easily give it up? Thanks to your diligent cultivation recently, my soul has recovered quite a bit. Have you gathered the herbs I asked for?"

"Yes, Old Jiang, although it took some effort, I managed to gather them all." Zuoqiu Qingyun's eyes flashed with excitement, "Old Jiang, have you regained enough strength to prepare the 'Golden Toad Soul Soothing Powder'? If so, Tianyan will be mine."

"Just barely. Although it will consume a lot of my soul power, it's worth it to help you grow faster and avenge me in the future." Old Jiang's voice carried a hint of hatred, as if recalling some deeply ingrained past.

But soon, he regained his composure and said to Zuoqiu Qingyun, "Zuoqiu boy, relax your body and mind…"

"Thank you, Old Jiang."

……

That night.

As the night deepened, Monan Commandery City had few lights left, and the area outside the city was already enveloped in thick darkness.

The wind on the grassland was strong, and as night fell, the noise of the world gradually subsided, leaving the howling wind as the main melody of the night. Occasionally, the howls of wolves and the neighs of horses added to the desolate atmosphere.

By Dongchacha Lake, the pleasure boats that usually hosted night after night of revelry were all closed tonight, not receiving any guests.

As the night grew deeper, visitors had no choice but to leave disappointed, and the lights on the boats gradually went out. The sky was starless, with only a bright moon hanging high, its light making the night even more desolate.

However.

In this desolate night, there was still one place by Dongchacha Lake that remained lit.

It was a small estate.

Compared to the common rough and grand style of estates in Monan, this one was much more delicate. Built by the lake, it had small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and unique rocks. Walking through it, one could see shadows cast by sparse trees, plants reflecting in the water, and hear the gentle sound of flowing water, creating a refined and unique atmosphere.

Such gardens were usually found south of the Jinsha River in Lingbei and Longzuo, and were rare in Monan.

Building such a garden in Monan required immense manpower and resources.

For instance, the unique rocks scattered throughout the garden were not ordinary stones but "Desolate Swamp Stones" from the Great Swamp, which had to be transported from Lingbei over a thousand miles away, with considerable transportation costs.

Moreover, the garden was planted with many plants unique to Lingbei and Longzuo, which would not survive in Monan without the meticulous care of a Basalt cultivator skilled in this field.

This estate was Celestial Maiden Tianyan's private residence in Monan, named "Pingyun Pavilion," meaning "Gazing at the lone goose from the clouds, listening to the mist by the bridge."

It was also the place where she was about to meet Zuoqiu Qingyun.

At this moment.

In an ancient-style pavilion within "Pingyun Pavilion," there was a zither table.

A graceful woman in a pearl-white long dress sat by the zither table, her slender fingers gently plucking the strings, producing a melodious and moving sound like a mountain spring.

The zither music, combined with the lakeside scenery and the bright moonlight, complemented each other perfectly.

The woman's brows occasionally furrowed, her eyes deep and melancholic, as if a thousand worries lingered in her heart, making her look pitiful and evoking a protective instinct in others.

This woman was naturally Celestial Maiden Tianyan.

In the distance.

Among the purple bamboo forest planted at great expense, beside the Desolate Swamp Stones, several young men in luxurious clothes were sneakily peering at the zither-playing woman through a single "Thousand-Mile Telescope."

There were five of them, but only one telescope.

The one currently using the telescope was a handsome young man in a purple crown and red robe.

As he watched, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Truly, 'The zither's sound reflects a thousand sorrows, the heart's lament endless woes.' Celestial Maiden Tianyan is truly a beauty, making one wish to hold her close and protect her."

"Young Commandery Prince, let me have a look too." Wang Shihai, standing beside him, craned his neck but could only see Tianyan's distant figure, feeling an itch in his heart.

"Shihai, as the saying goes, 'A brother's wife is off-limits.'" The young man in the purple crown didn't even glance at him, solemnly admonishing, "I've already decided to leave a position for Celestial Maiden Tianyan as my consort. Once my father passes away, she'll be one of the legitimate Commandery Princesses. Shihai, don't harbor any more delusions."

Wang Shihai rolled his eyes, thinking, "Should I thank you on behalf of the Celestial Maiden? And wait for your father to pass away… Your Commandery Prince father is only in his three hundreds, when will it be your turn to inherit?"

However, the Commandery Prince's family was the nominal ruling family of Monan Commandery, and this young man, Wu Jinghao, was indeed the first in line to inherit the Commandery Prince's household. Wang Shihai didn't argue, instead saying, "Young Commandery Prince, tonight isn't just for you to admire beauties. Did you bring the 'Heavenly Recording Disk' from your household?"

"Right, right, I have the Heavenly Recording Disk. Such beauty and music must be preserved." Wu Jinghao took out a palm-sized jade disk and handed it to Wang Shihai, saying, "Shihai, record everything for me, don't miss a single moment."

Wang Shihai took the disk, his mouth twitching. He used to think Wu Jinghao was a kindred spirit, but after spending time with Fourth Uncle Wang Shouzhe, he realized how much of a scoundrel Wu Jinghao actually was.

Another young nobleman nearby worriedly said, "Young Commandery Prince, how could you steal the Commandery Prince's Heavenly Recording Disk? Everyone in Monan knows it's his treasured possession, containing recordings of Yaoguang Master in her youth. Aren't you afraid of being punished?"

"Why should I be afraid?" Wu Jinghao snorted, "I'm the heir to the Commandery Prince's household, everything will be mine eventually. Besides, that old man always sneaks into his study to watch the recordings. Such behavior is disgraceful."

"Using the Heavenly Recording Disk for justice tonight will show its true value."

"Uh…" Wang Shihai was speechless. This guy called his own father disgraceful, as if he himself was any better. With his newfound perspective, Wang Shihai felt increasingly out of place with Wu Jinghao.

……