A Family of Hopeless Romantics, Except for the Evil Little Junior Brother
Chapter 179: Split Three Ways

Jia Sidào glanced at Ye Yunzhou and nodded in approval.

“Didn’t expect to meet Zhenren Jia here. I’ve always been grateful for your guidance before—it was thanks to you that I had my breakthrough.”

Jia Sidào held his fishing rod, unmoving, back facing Ye Yunzhou.

“Young friend Yunzhou, you look full of energy. Seems your cultivation and mindset have improved a lot lately.”

No one knew how much pressure Jia Sidào was under at that moment, standing with his back to Ye Yunzhou.

That’s why Jia Sidào had even worn an extra pair of pants to protect himself.

“What brings Zhenren Jia here?” asked Elder Sun.

“Waiting for someone with fate,” Jia Sidào said mildly.

“Someone with fate? May I ask what kind of person the Zhenren is waiting for?”

Both Elder Sun and Ye Yunzhou were visibly curious.

Jia Sidào lifted his fishing rod.

The two looked at the hook—it had no bait.

Jia Sidào explained, “Those burdened with fate will bite.”

Ye Yunzhou looked even more puzzled.

Elder Sun, being who he was, furrowed his brows slightly.

After just a moment of thought, his eyes suddenly widened in realization.

Running into him here couldn’t be just coincidence!!

With that thought, Elder Sun gave Ye Yunzhou a look, then said to Jia Sidào:

“Zhenren Jia, this child Yunzhou is extremely gifted and was enlightened by you before.

But now, he lacks a mentor who can fully guide him. I wonder if you would be willing?”

Ye Yunzhou was startled to hear Elder Sun suddenly say that.

But he quickly understood.

“Zhenren, Yunzhou is willing to be the fish that bites willingly!”

Jia Sidào gave a faint smile and stroked his beard.

The willing fish takes the hook.

He already understood—his plan had succeeded.

In fact, this plan had already been half successful ever since he helped Ye Yunzhou break through and attain sword clarity.

From that point on, Jia Sidào had gained the trust of both the Emperor of Great Sui and Ye Yunzhou.

And to the royal family of Great Sui, Jia Sidào—stationed at Shencao Mountain—was someone with at least a Body Fusion Stage cultivation.

After all, he had defeated Great Sui’s top national expert, Huang Jiu, in a single exchange.

Even Elder Sun, who was at the Tribulation Stage, couldn’t see through him or predict him.

Which further confirmed his Tribulation Stage cultivation.

A Tribulation Stage cultivator willingly helping Great Sui—

To a nation that only had one such powerhouse, this was naturally something they’d eagerly accept.

But as the old saying goes: if you’re too eager, it’s not a real deal.

They couldn’t just accept him so easily.

Jia Sidào neither accepted nor rejected the offer.

Instead, he said loudly, “I’ve heard that Great Sui’s Liaodong region is suffering from severe flooding. Liaodong is a crucial hub with countless salt-wealthy merchants.

And yet, the disaster relief funds are unavailable in the national treasury. The emperor intends to send a prince to raise funds—would the Fifth Prince be willing to go?”

As the Chief Offering of Great Sui, Elder Sun didn’t partake in court politics, but that didn’t mean he was ignorant of them.

The Liaodong floods had already become a battlefield of political factions, with involvement from royal descendants and various sect forces.

The water there was... deep.

Clearly, Zhenren Jia was using this as a test for Yunzhou!!

Elder Sun nodded.

If Yunzhou could receive Zhenren Jia’s teachings, he was sure to achieve great things. That would be an extra layer of protection for Great Sui.

Ye Yunzhou cupped his hands respectfully. “Yunzhou is willing to go!”

Jia Sidào closed his eyes again and said no more.

Ye Yunzhou glanced at Elder Sun.

Elder Sun cupped his fists. “Farewell, Zhenren.”

Jia Sidào didn’t even lift his head.

Elder Sun and Ye Yunzhou departed.

The two returned to Baozhou, Ye Yunzhou’s face full of excitement.

“Grandpa Sun, do you think this matter…”

“This is a serious matter. You’ll need to report to your father, the Emperor.”

“Understood,” said Yunzhou.

Elder Sun said solemnly, “As expected, the great current is coming. Someone’s already laying the groundwork.

Whether it’s fortune or disaster for Great Sui… we’ll see.”

His gaze landed on Jia Sidào by the lake.

Jia Sidào still held his fishing rod, unmoving.

Baozhou gradually drifted away.

Jia Sidào still didn’t move. Another two days passed.

Finally, Jia Sidào moved—grabbing his fishing rod and sprinting into the woods.

Sneaky as hell!

Use a mortal kingdom to handle a mortal kingdom.

You be your Daxia Emperor—I’ll scheme my Great Sui.

“............”

Daxia, Demon Suppression Bureau.

This agency bore the responsibility of protecting the people and suppressing evil demons.

Every three years, the Demon Suppression Bureau held an assessment to select truly talented individuals from local magistrates across the land to strengthen their forces.

The selection criteria were extremely strict.

First, a candidate’s political background had to be spotless. Going back three generations, no family members could have committed any crimes.

This ensured not only the candidate’s own uprightness but also guaranteed no problematic backgrounds.

Moreover, only Daxia citizens were allowed to compete—foreigners were barred.

Trying to enter the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters in the capital was practically impossible.

After all, it was right beneath the Son of Heaven’s feet—the heart of the nation.

The reason they recruited from local magistrates was that these officials had real experience dealing with minor demon incidents.

They knew how to handle such matters—unlike the average person with no experience.

These candidates had a clear advantage.

In Yifeng Township, beneath the Daxia capital—

That year, a constable named Uncle Zhang saved a twelve- or thirteen-year-old child from a fox demon.

The child’s parents had already been killed.

Uncle Zhang had been injured by demons long ago and couldn’t have children.

Two wives had left him.

Seeing the child pitiful and alone, Uncle Zhang adopted him and named him Zhang Haoran.

He felt the child might be his lucky star.

Zhang Haoran was extremely gifted—within less than a year of martial training, he could already beat Uncle Zhang.

Later, he studied under a renowned teacher in the county and stepped into the cultivation path.

By fifteen, he had already reached Foundation Establishment Stage.

Zhang Haoran followed Uncle Zhang in slaying demons and monsters.

But he was naturally cautious—he’d plan, and then plan again, and then plan again before acting...

That year, Zhang Haoran finally registered as a citizen of Daxia and joined the magistrate office alongside his adoptive father.

And Uncle Zhang’s old ailment mysteriously healed—he got married and had children.

Even with his own child, he still treated Zhang Haoran as his own, loving him dearly.

“In January next year is the Demon Suppression Bureau assessment. You’d better win some glory for your old man!” said Uncle Zhang.

Zhang Haoran nodded heavily. “Got it, Dad!!”

“.........”

Meanwhile, Mount Shushan.

Li Xuanxiao split his mind three ways.

One became Jia Sidào and moved into the Fifth Prince’s residence in Great Sui.

One became Zhang Haoran, adopted son in Daxia.

And one remained in Mount Shushan, continuing to refine the First Senior Brother’s life-bound sword.