I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

The goatee-bearded old man suddenly opened his eyes wide.

He opened and closed his mouth, desperately trying to make a sound.

How did he know?

This secret matter was known to no one except the Duke and a few close confidants!

How did this boy find out?

His arrogance completely collapsed at that moment.

His body trembled uncontrollably.

He dared not look Zhao Zian in the eye.

The burly man with the bushy beard was also dumbfounded.

A furnace/cauldron? What is that?

Although the specific meaning is unclear, judging from the goatee-bearded old man's reaction, it is definitely not a good thing.

Moreover, the fact that the young man could make those cultivators' expressions change so drastically suggests that what he said is probably true.

This young man not only possessed extraordinary strength, but also had a thorough understanding of the secrets of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

Who exactly is he?

He felt a lingering fear; if it weren't for the young man's intervention...

Their elite cavalry might still be fighting for Murong Qingxue.

But they had no idea that a dirty truth was hidden behind it all.

If the general's wife were to become some kind of furnace, that would be a truly enormous joke.

He began to re-examine the orders he had been given.

The little fox perched on Zhao Zian's shoulder and flicked its tail.

The master is really something; he can scare these little shrimps out of their wits with just one sentence.

Zhao Zian withdrew his gaze.

He didn't say anything more, he just slightly raised his hand.

The barrier dissipated, and all those who had been frozen were freed.

The moment he regained his freedom, the goatee-bearded old man's legs went weak, and he collapsed to his knees.

He knew that today's events had completely ruined the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

This young man is someone they absolutely cannot afford to mess with.

The burly man with the bushy beard nearly collapsed to his knees as well.

But with the tenacity of a soldier, he managed to stand firm.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply in the direction of Zhao Zian.

The other servants of the Duke of Anguo's mansion avoided eye contact with Zhao Zi'an.

They helped the old man with the goatee to his feet and fled in panic toward the west side of Zhuque Avenue.

The elite cavalrymen exchanged bewildered glances.

Their gazes toward Zhao Zian were filled with complex emotions.

Finally, the burly man with the bushy beard led his troops to retreat eastward.

Their mission today has completely failed, and they've also provoked a formidable enemy.

On Suzaku Avenue, the chaos subsided, leaving only a scene of devastation.

……

In a private room on the second floor of the Ni Chang Fang, Murong Qingxue recovered from her shock.

I'm safe now.

Zhao Zian turned around and smiled at Murong Qingxue.

Today's actions will surely cause a huge uproar in the capital.

Those forces operating in the shadows, those powerful figures, are probably all in shock and speculation right now.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

He wanted everyone in the capital to know that Murong Qingxue was not a pawn to be manipulated.

She was someone Zhao Zian wanted to protect; anyone who dared to touch her would have to think twice before taking action.

This first move was used to establish authority and to buy Murong Qingxue a chance to catch her breath.

He also wanted to secure a place for himself in the capital.

He gently patted the little fox's head.

"Let's go, the show's over, it's time to get down to business."

The little fox nuzzled against his shoulder.

"My master is so handsome!"

Zhao Zian took Murong Qingxue's hand and left the Ni Chang Fang.

They strolled along the now-peaceful Suzaku Avenue.

……

The Duke of Anguo's Mansion.

The goatee-bearded old man returned to his residence, but before he could report the news...

He was noticed by the monks patrolling the manor as he appeared absent-minded, and they immediately informed the Duke.

Upon hearing the news, Duke Li Dehai of Anguo was furious and summoned the old man with the goatee.

As he listened to what happened at the Neon Fashion Workshop today, his expression grew increasingly grim.

When he heard the words "furnace and cauldron," he slammed his hand on the table.

"You bastard! Who told you to leak this information!"

He roared at the old man with the goatee.

He obtained this cauldron from a reclusive master.

It concerns his son's future; if he can succeed in one fell swoop...

His son could soar to the heavens, or even ascend to immortality.

It can break through the Golden Core barrier and rise to a higher realm.

Therefore, the Duke of Anguo's mansion has always been very powerful, or even more powerful.

But what does it mean that a mere kid has pointed this out in public?

This meant that everyone in the city knew about the scandalous affair of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

This means that reclusive masters will be implicated by them.

This means that Murong Qingxue, who is Li Yixian's furnace cauldron, will completely lose her value!

Li Dehai kicked over the table.

The old man with the goatee knelt on the ground and kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Li Dehai pondered the young man named Zhao Zian.

Early stage of Golden Core?

When did such people arrive in the capital?

Now is not the time to assign blame.

We must find out the truth about Zhao Zian.

……

General of the Valiant Cavalry's Residence.

Li Mang learned of what had happened today.

He slammed his fist on the table.

"The Duke of Anguo's mansion! They've gone too far!"

He thought that snatching a woman was nothing more than a matter of saving face and showing off his power against the Duke of Anguo's family.

Unexpectedly, such a shady deal was hidden behind this.

What shocked him even more was the young man.

This Zhao Zian should not be underestimated.

He summoned his trusted confidants and said in a deep voice.

"Investigate! Find out everything about Zhao Zi'an! The more detailed the better!"

……

Zhao Zian took Murong Qingxue's hand and left the Ni Chang Fang.

They walked straight towards the residence of the Vice Minister of Rites.

Murong Qingxue held Zhao Zian's hand tightly.

The road home has never felt so long.

She knew her father, Murong Qiming's, temperament well; he was the man who could give up everything for his career.

He will certainly not let this go.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Zhao Zian spoke softly.

The gates of the Vice Minister's residence appeared particularly heavy in Murong Qingxue's eyes.

The housekeeper was taken aback when he saw her standing side by side with Zhao Zi'an, and then hurriedly went in to report.

A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed in an official robe came out.

It was none other than Murong Qiming, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

He glared at Murong Qingxue, then scrutinized Zhao Zian.

"You rebellious daughter! You finally decided to come back?"

Murong Qiming's voice was filled with suppressed anger.

His gaze swept over Zhao Zian.

"Who is this man? What romantic entanglements have you gotten yourself into this time?"

Murong Qingxue trembled slightly, but with Zhao Zian by her side, she felt reassured.

She took a deep breath and straightened her back.

"Father, I've come to tell you that I will not marry the young master of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, much less the General of the Valiant Cavalry!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Qiming's face turned deathly pale.

"What did you say?"

"Do you know what nonsense you're spouting? The Duke of Anguo's mansion and the General of the Valiant Cavalry—which one can you easily refuse?"

He stepped forward and pointed at Murong Qingxue's nose.

"You ungrateful wretch!"

"For the sake of the family's glory, for the sake of your brother's future, do you think you have a choice?"

Murong Qingxue did not back down; her eyes were filled with tears.

"Glory? Future?"

She laughed, a desolate laugh.

"My daughter heard it with her own ears at the Ni Chang Fang (a clothing store), that the young master of the Anguo Duke's mansion wasn't sincerely proposing marriage at all!"