I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Long Yuan stood up, cleared his throat, and adopted the majesty of an imperial envoy and a prince, announcing loudly: "Today, Zheng Yifei, the deputy commissioner of the Ministry of Justice, and Su Wanqing have become cultivation partners."

I am deeply gratified to be invited to officiate at this wedding. Zheng Yifei has rendered meritorious service to the nation by protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people; Su Wanqing is gentle and virtuous, a match made in heaven.

I hope that you will all be of one mind and one heart from now on, and explore the great path together!

"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"

Zheng Yifei and Su Wanqing turned around and bowed deeply to the heavens and earth outside the door.

"Bowing to the parents a second time!"

With neither of their parents present, they bowed down to the two empty seats above them.

"Husband and wife exchange vows!"

Zheng Yifei turned around and looked at Su Wanqing in front of him. The two smiled at each other. Although there was a tassel between them, they could see the deep affection in each other's eyes.

They bowed down at the same time, completing this most important bow.

"The ceremony is complete! Lead them to the bridal chamber!"

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted in the hall.

Li Jianfeng, Wang Changsheng, and others took the lead in making a commotion, and the atmosphere became extremely lively.

Su Wanqing was helped into the new house in the backyard by Zhao Ling and Xu Muyao.

Zheng Yifei, on the other hand, stayed in the hall and began to deal with round after round of toasts.

Even cultivators can get drunk if they don't use spiritual power to neutralize the effects of alcohol.

Today, Zheng Yifei deliberately did not circulate his internal energy, letting the pungent smell of alcohol burn in his chest.

Zhu Zhenbang, Liu Zhengyi, Pan Rengui, and officials from Tanzhou County took turns coming forward, and Zheng Yifei accepted them all, drinking bowl after bowl.

"Yifei, let me toast you!"

Liu Zhengyi, holding his wine bowl, said with slightly reddened eyes, "If it weren't for you, Yuanyang Prefecture would have been razed to the ground by sea monsters long ago. You saved my life, Old Liu. No matter where you go in the future, whether it's the capital or anywhere else, the Liu family will always be your support!"

"Brother Liu, you flatter me. Cheers!"

Zheng Yifei tilted his head back and drank it all.

Li Jianfeng, Ouyang Zhan, and others also gathered around.

"My lord, your brothers salute you!"

Li Jianfeng raised the wine jar, his voice booming: "Since we came here from the Southern Wilderness, the brothers have followed you, enjoying the good life and improving their cultivation. Today is your wedding day, and the brothers have nothing else to say but wish you and your wife a happy marriage and many children!"

May you have a son soon!

Hundreds of anti-smuggling officers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the rooftops.

Looking at his brothers who had risked their lives with him, Zheng Yifei felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He raised his wine bowl: "This cup is a toast to everyone. Without you, there would be no Zheng Yifei today. From now on, as long as I, Zheng Yifei, have a bite to eat, I will never let my brothers have any soup!"

The banquet lasted until late at night before the guests gradually left.

Zheng Yifei, reeking of alcohol, pushed open the door to the new house.

The room was decorated in a festive manner, with dragon and phoenix red candles burning and making soft crackling sounds.

Su Wanqing sat on the edge of the bed, her hands folded on her knees. When she heard the door open, her body tensed slightly.

Zheng Yifei walked over and gently lifted the tassels of her phoenix crown with a jade ruyi.

Under the flickering red candlelight, Su Wanqing's face was radiant, her eyes filled with a hint of shyness and anticipation.

Zheng Yifei sat down beside her, took her hand, and said softly, "Wanqing, from today onwards, you are my rightful wife."

"We are husband and wife."

Su Wanqing grasped his hand in return and nestled into his embrace.

Zheng Yifei took the opportunity to put his arm around her waist, lowered his head and kissed her lips. The night was deep, the red waves rolled, and the room was filled with the light of spring.

The next morning, Zheng Yifei walked out of the new house feeling refreshed.

Su Wanqing was still fast asleep. The exhaustion of the previous night had allowed her to let go of her obsession with cultivation, and she slept very soundly.

Zheng Yifei didn't wake her. After washing up, he went directly to the study of the Chief Justice.

In the study, the Ninth Prince Longyuan and Pan Rengui, a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Zheng Yifei enter, both of them stood up.

"Yifei, did you sleep well last night?"

Long Yuan winked and joked.

"Your Highness, please don't joke with me."

Zheng Yifei smiled and shook his head, his expression gradually becoming serious: "Lord Pan, there were too many people and too many eyes at yesterday's banquet. Now that there are no outsiders, please tell me in detail about the situation in the capital."

Pan Rengui put away his smile and said seriously, "Lord Zheng, the current situation is a mix of opportunity and crisis for us. The Third Prince was impeached by the Crown Prince in court for deducting money and grain from disaster relief in the East China Sea. His Majesty is somewhat dissatisfied with him and has reduced some of his power in the Ministry of Revenue."

However, the Third Prince had a deep foundation, so he immediately adjusted his strategy and began to place his trusted confidants in the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War.

"He knows that His Highness the Ninth Prince has made great contributions in Tanzhou and will definitely return to the capital to be rewarded. Therefore, he has been working hard recently to try to keep His Highness the Ninth Prince in the local area or to arrange a nominal position for him without real power."

Pan Rengui looked at Long Yuan: "Your Highness, if you return to the capital, you must have someone of sufficient importance to hold the line and share the burden of the Third Prince's attacks."

Long Yuan sneered, "Third Brother is still as cunning as ever. He wants to pin me down? Dream on! The reconstruction of Tanzhou has been successfully completed, with 500 billion gold coins raised for disaster relief. Father is quite pleased with me."

Zheng Yifei tapped his fingers on the table, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Lord Pan, if I go to the capital now, what kind of position can the Ministry of Personnel arrange for me?"

Pan Rengui looked troubled: "My lord, although you have broken through to the Void Refining Realm, you are theoretically qualified to hold an official position of the fourth rank or above. However, the Minister of Personnel is a staunch supporter of the Third Prince, and he will definitely obstruct your transfer. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless His Highness the Crown Prince personally recommends you to His Majesty."

Pan Rengui said, "Or, you could obtain a bargaining chip that the Third Prince cannot refuse and that even His Majesty must take seriously."

Zheng Yifei narrowed his eyes, quickly calculating in his mind.

He had to go to the capital, not only for advanced cultivation techniques, but also to provide Su Wanqing and their future child with a more stable and powerful backing.

Although Tanzhou County is a good place, it is still just a local area. Once the Third Prince ascends the throne, his foundation here may be uprooted at any time.

"Champions..."

Zheng Yifei turned to Long Yuan: "Your Highness, do you think that if I were to hand over 30% of the net profits from the Southern Wilderness Gambling House to the royal family, would that be enough of a bargaining chip?"

Long Yuan and Pan Rengui both gasped in shock.

The gambling dens in the Southern Wilderness are like golden eggs; a 30% profit is enough to fill the imperial treasury and make the emperor very happy.

"Yifei, are you willing to give him up?"

Long Yuan stared at him in shock.

"You can never earn enough money, but you only have one life, and you only have one martial arts technique."

Zheng Yifei's eyes were firm: "Using 30% of the profits to obtain a ticket to the capital and His Majesty's protection is a worthwhile deal."

"Your Highness, when you return to the capital, please take this proposal to the Crown Prince. Tell him that if he can help me get things done with the Ministry of Personnel, allowing me to enter the capital and assume a powerful position, and also granting me access to the Imperial Library, I will not only hand over 30% of the profits, but I, Zheng Yifei, will also cover all the expenses of the Crown Prince's faction!"

Long Yuan slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Good! With your words, my elder brother will definitely do everything in his power to protect you! Yi Fei, get ready, come back to Kyoto with me in half a month."

"Let's brothers turn this Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's court upside down!"

Zheng Yifei stood up and gave Long Yuan a heavy handshake.

Outside the window, a red sun slowly rose, illuminating the entire city of Tanzhou.

Zheng Yifei knew that the brief period of calm had ended, and an even more turbulent and perilous trip to Kyoto was about to begin.

This time, however, he was no longer a lowly Nascent Soul stage official who could be easily manipulated, but a chess player with Void Refinement stage cultivation, enormous wealth, and a powerful team.