Feng Miaojun finally met General Gao. This general had enjoyed unlimited glory for nearly ten years, both because of his sister’s favor and his illustrious military achievements. Having had a few drinks, his face now glowed red.
Feng Miaojun watched from the side and asked in a low voice: “When a prominent official moves to a new residence, doesn’t the King of Yan attend?”
“He doesn’t,” Fu Lingchuan replied in an even lower voice. “The King of Yan never participates in his officials’ activities, except for Grand Tutor Xing’s birthday banquets. For several decades, this special honor has been exclusively Grand Tutor Xing’s, and he takes great pride in it.”
No matter how high the King of Yan’s cultivation or status might be, Grand Tutor Xing remained his father-in-law, so he had to observe secular etiquette—this would never change until the old man’s death.
For Grand Tutor Xing, this was powerful evidence of the sovereign’s exclusive favor toward the Xing family.
After touring the garden, Feng Miaojun took her leave, and the Gao family made no great effort to detain her.
It was still early, so Fu Lingchuan accompanied Feng Miaojun to stroll through the East Market.
While she didn’t find anything particularly appealing to buy, she did hear discussions everywhere about one matter.
It turned out that two months ago, the Yan Kingdom had dispatched troops to suppress three small powers in the southwest and west-southwest regions—two small countries and one sect. Recently, news of victories had been coming in frequently, and the common people delighted in discussing the strength of the Yan army, which cleared away opposition like autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves.
This also boosted morale. The previously accumulated doubts about Yan’s national and military power during the Yan-Pu war had been alleviated, and the people of Yan still prided themselves on being citizens of a first-rate power.
But for people like Feng Miaojun and Fu Lingchuan who could see the larger pattern, these victory reports conveyed a deeper message:
“Yan Kingdom couldn’t hold back anymore and has finally made its move,” Fu Lingchuan analyzed. “Yan has enjoyed peace for over a hundred years, with only occasional minor disasters and epidemics, growing wealthy and powerful. It’s like a lion fattened and strengthened solely to defeat enemies in conflict.”
Feng Miaojun considered the geography of the Southern Continent: “What’s their main target next, Pu Kingdom or Xi Kingdom?”
“Both are possible,” Fu Lingchuan saw clearly. “Clearing out these small powers is just preparation for a major westward offensive. During the previous Yan-Pu war, which dragged on for over half a year, a significant reason was that several tributary states and dependent powers of Pu joined the conflict, helping the suzerain state against Yan. So now Yan is targeting these small countries to clip the wings of Xi and Pu.”
The two largest countries in the west were Xi Kingdom and Pu Kingdom. As for Taoyuan Territory in north-central Yan, it had always maintained amicable relations with Yan, and the possibility of hostilities between them was minimal.
Feng Miaojun murmured: “With frequent reports of warfare, I see the capital’s citizens showing no fear, but rather seeming eager.” In taverns and eateries, the people of Yan often sipped wine while engaging in grandiose discussions, as if invigorated by an injection of chicken blood, full of ambition, as if they had won the battles and killed the enemies.
Fu Lingchuan snorted: “After too much peace, they’ve forgotten the horrors of war and see it only as a topic of conversation. If they had been born in An Xia, had witnessed devastation, and experienced hardship, they would pray that this world never again sees continuous warfare. Besides,” he smiled meaningfully, “in such a vast country, how many people are counting on foreign wars to scramble for military achievements, promotions, and ennoblement?”
Outside the private room, a group of young men were speaking passionately, all discussing how to achieve merit and establish a career. Fu Lingchuan took another sip of wine, his face showing pity: “Ignorant.”
The next day, a servant finally came to report:
The beast head at the gate had turned into a smiling face—Lord Yangshan had returned to the capital.
Fu Lingchuan had long ago sent someone to deliver a visiting card to his doorkeeper. Feng Miaojun discovered that he indeed had a close relationship with Lord Yangshan, as the latter invited him over that very afternoon.
Lord Yangshan’s residence was excellently situated. Standing on the highest corner tower, one could even glimpse the royal palace. The property was astonishingly vast—after entering the gate, it took the time to drink a cup of tea while riding horseback to reach the reception hall. It was said that this place had originally belonged to a major corrupt official. Later, this corrupt official was executed by the sovereign, but the residence was preserved and obtained by Lord Yangshan.
The carved beams, painted rafters, and colorful decorations need not be mentioned. In any case, Feng Miaojun passed directly through six or seven gardens of various sizes before entering the Weaving Rain Hall, where Lord Yangshan specifically received important guests.
This hall had its unique feature. In the courtyard grew tall trees whose lush branches spread out, precisely altering the course of the raindrops, making them intricately interwoven, as fine as needles or shuttles, instantly creating a magnificent and delightful scene.
Moreover, what fell from the sky weren’t ordinary raindrops but water specially drawn from a spirit spring. A few drops splashing on one’s body felt refreshingly cool to the bone as if sweeping away all fatigue and vexation.
Thus, guests walking through the rain curtain were cleansed of dust and filled with ethereal energy.
Stepping into the hall, they saw a man seated in the host’s position. He had long eyebrows and thick lips, with a slightly hooked nose and eyes radiating keen light. The beard on his upper lip and chin was trimmed exceptionally neatly, yet he did not give the impression of a cultured scholar but rather of a leopard ready to pounce and injure at any moment!
When he turned his gaze toward them, Feng Miaojun understood why the White Board had evaluated him so highly. This man was as sharp as an unsheathed divine weapon—even a glance could cut others!
His cultivation level was truly unfathomable.
Unlike Yun Ya’s deep, inward restraint, this man recklessly projected his aura outward, showing no concern for others’ feelings.
As Fu Lingchuan and Feng Miaojun entered, Lord Yangshan did not rise. Before him lay oysters piled like a small mountain. He took a small knife with a gold-jade handle, skillfully inserted it into an oyster shell, flipped it with one turn, and the snow-white oyster meat was exposed. He scooped it out, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed, releasing a burst of juices.
He wielded the knife, eating with unrestrained gusto, showing no regard for manners or self-restraint.
“You dare to come?” Before his words faded, he tossed over two fruits. Feng Miaojun caught them and saw they were large mangosteen.
A beautiful maidservant came forward, guiding the two to seats at the lower end.
Just by the seating arrangement, Feng Miaojun understood that Lord Yangshan held others in no regard. He might be a figure who could shake the capital of Yan with a stomp of his foot, but she was already the Queen of New Xia—did Lord Yangshan dare to be so dismissive?
Facts proved that he did dare, as Fu Lingchuan sat down without any objection, right next to her right hand.
At least on the surface, he showed no signs of displeasure, and even smiled: “Haven’t we traveled a thousand li to apologize? Lord Yangshan, please calm your anger.”
Lord Yangshan pried open another raw oyster and put it in his mouth: “You’ve done it—taking Luofu Island has completely castrated the Luofu Fishing Party. The Kua Ren tribe pays me a large share every year. Where am I supposed to find compensation for this money in the future?”
Feng Miaojun raised her elegant eyebrows. From Lord Yangshan’s tone, it seemed he was a major shareholder in the Luofu Fishing Party!
It made sense—for a powerful figure like him with both wealth and cultivation, having close relations with demon tribes wasn’t surprising.
“I also have a share, so I know that the Luofu Fishing Party’s business has been declining year by year, and the dividends would continue to decrease. However, I should compensate for Lord Yangshan’s losses.” Fu Lingchuan was well-prepared. He raised his hand slightly, and the servant who had accompanied them presented a brocade box before Lord Yangshan. “This is my compensation to you, sufficient to cover the losses of at least three fishing seasons.”