Protect Our Patriarch
Chapter 51: The First Noble Son of the Great Qian

……

At the same time.

Southern Qin Imperial Palace.

Yangji Hall.

This was Emperor Yuan You's study, similar to Emperor Longchang's "Zhuozheng Pavilion," where Emperor Yuan You handled state affairs daily and spent most of his time.

As a result, the hall was exquisitely decorated.

Precious ancient calligraphy and paintings hung on the stone walls, and a red copper incense burner sat on a tall table in the corner, emitting expensive incense smoke that filled the air with a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

Comfortable couches for resting were scattered throughout the hall. Several beautiful palace maids were quietly brewing tea or silently tidying and cleaning, while in the corner, a group of palace maids skilled in music played soothing melodies on instruments unique to Southern Qin.

Such an atmosphere was truly enjoyable.

It was not yet noon, and Emperor Yuan You had already finished dealing with the few state affairs, leaving him completely idle. At this moment, he was leisurely sitting and sipping wine, holding a beautiful concubine in his arms.

One by one, crystal-clear spiritual fruits were fed into his mouth by the concubine.

On his shoulder rested a pair of jade-like hands, gently massaging him with just the right amount of pressure.

Amidst the soft and soothing music, Emperor Yuan You felt utterly relaxed, his entire being floating, even the pent-up frustration from having to flatter the Blood Child Demon Lord recently dissipated.

"Hahaha~ It's still the beauties who understand me," he laughed heartily. "I've been so stifled these days, but today I'm finally in a good mood."

Although the war was imminent, Yuan You didn't care much.

With Murong Kaifeng as the commander of the army against Qian, he was very confident.

That young man had been by his side since childhood, and both his personal strength and leadership abilities had been tested in real battles. With him there, there shouldn't be any problems in the early stages of the war.

As for himself, as a Lingxu Realm powerhouse, he was the trump card, and there were very few opportunities where he would actually need to take action. Once the war reached a critical point and Longchang and Jiang Zhencang, those two old dogs, made their moves, it wouldn't be too late for him to act.

For now, enjoying life was more important.

Emperor Yuan You hugged the concubine tighter, his gaze growing deeper, and his actions becoming more indulgent.

"Your Majesty~ it's still daytime~"

The concubine's jade-like face blushed as she playfully pushed him, but her strength was as light as a feather, more like an invitation than a rejection.

Just as the atmosphere between the two was heating up, and things seemed about to happen.

Suddenly.

A sharp scream came from outside the hall: "Uncle! Uncle, you can't go in!"

Before the words were finished, an elderly man with white hair pushed open the hall door and rushed in, kneeling at the entrance with a trembling voice: "Your, Your Majesty, I have urgent military news to report!"

"Your, Your Majesty! I couldn't stop Uncle... I am guilty! I beg, beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!" An eunuch hurriedly followed the old man into the hall.

Due to fear and panic, the eunuch's face had turned pale, and even his steps were unsteady. As soon as he entered, he knelt on the ground, trembling and unable to speak coherently.

Behind the eunuch were several small eunuchs who had tried to stop the old man. They were also pale and shaking, clearly terrified.

For a moment, the scene at the hall entrance was quite chaotic.

Emperor Yuan You, his mood ruined, pushed the concubine aside and coldly looked at the old man kneeling at the entrance, angrily saying: "Zhou Renxu, the army has just set out, and they might not even have reached Jianling Pass yet. You say there's urgent military news?"

"It seems I've been too lenient with you, making you forget basic respect. If I don't teach you a lesson today, where is my authority?"

He snorted coldly, and before the old man could continue, he waved his sleeve and said coldly: "Guards! Uncle Zhou disturbed the imperial presence and disobeyed the imperial decree. Take him away and punish him according to the law!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! There is indeed urgent news from the front line!" The old man Zhou Renxu panicked upon hearing this and quickly said, "The army was ambushed by the Eastern Qian Kingdom at Youmen Ridge, suffering heavy losses! The entire corpse puppet army was wiped out, and although the other troops escaped quickly, they were also affected, losing nearly thirty percent!"

"What?! How is that possible, how could it happen so quickly! Is Murong Kaifeng useless!?"

Emperor Yuan You's face changed dramatically, and he abruptly stood up from the couch.

This was the entire corpse puppet army! And nearly thirty percent of the soldiers! Such a huge loss had never occurred, not even in the entire history of Southern Qin!

He was furious and simultaneously felt a deep chill.

Although he hadn't been on the throne for long, he knew the severe consequences of such a massive loss in a war. Moreover, with Longchang's character, since they had achieved such a significant victory, they would definitely choose to continue their pursuit and take a big bite out of Southern Qin.

If not handled properly, it could lead to the disaster of national extinction!

"What, what should I do?"

Emperor Yuan You was anxious, thinking about how to respond.

Suddenly.

His eyes lit up, and he shouted at the eunuch at the door: "Quick! Quickly notify the Blood Child Demon Lord, he must take responsibility for this!"

……

Meanwhile.

At the border between Tianfu Commandery and the Southern Desolate Swamp, a clone of the Blood Child Demon Lord was sitting cross-legged on a barren rock.

His small body remained motionless, seemingly in meditation, while his blood-red robe fluttered in the fierce wind, exuding an aura of authority.

Suddenly.

A faint red light flew rapidly from the sky and entered the head of the Blood Child Demon Lord's clone.

This was a secret technique for communication between the main body and the clone.

In essence, this clone was actually a wisp of divine thought separated from the Blood Child Demon Lord's own soul, refined into a soul seed through cultivation techniques, thus possessing many wondrous uses.

Since the soul was originally one, there was a natural connection between the clone and the main body, allowing for convenient communication through secret techniques. As it was a soul-related secret technique, its communication speed far exceeded ordinary methods, with a delay of only one or two days even over vast distances.

Even the child-mother talisman in Yin Snake Demon Concubine's hands couldn't match its speed.

This was an incredible divine ability, something the Blood Child Demon Lord was quite proud of.

It could be said that unless someone could decipher the long-lost instant communication methods of the Shenwu Royal Dynasty, his secret technique was almost the most convenient conventional communication method in the world.

Of course, the Blood Child Demon Lord didn't know yet that someone in the world had already developed instant communication methods.

In less than a moment, the Blood Child Demon Lord's clone had processed the information transmitted by the main body.

His previously calm face suddenly changed, and he roared in anger: "Useless, useless! Yuan You and Yan Qing can't even handle such a small matter, truly unworthy of being emperors!"

At this moment, a faint gray light flashed across the sky.

Yin Snake Demon Concubine hurriedly descended from the sky.

Her expression was also not good, and upon hearing the Blood Child Demon Lord's clone's scolding, she quickly asked: "Demon Lord, what happened?"

The Blood Child Demon Lord's clone's face twisted slightly, and he said in a cold tone: "The armies of Southern Qin and Western Jin have both been defeated, utterly routed. Our plan to divert Longchang and Jiang Zhencang has failed."

"What?" Yin Snake Demon Concubine's expression changed dramatically, "This is terrible! My disciple, the Red Enchantress Demon Envoy, just sent back information through secret channels, saying she has infiltrated the Wang's Clan's exploration team. The Wang's Clan has already found the true entrance to the Blood Venerable's relic, but they are temporarily blocked by a formation. The Wang's Clan is sending people to break the formation."

Yin Snake Demon Concubine grew more anxious as she spoke: "Demon Lord, what should we do? Are we just going to watch as the Blood Venerable's relic is emptied?"

The Blood Child Demon Lord's face turned even more grim.

The Blood Venerable's relic was too important to him, as it was related to whether he could glimpse the threshold of the True Immortal Realm. He had long regarded it as his own and couldn't tolerate others touching it.

He immediately said darkly: "Did Chimei say when the formation might be broken?"

"Chimei said the formation is formidable, but the Wang's Clan seems to have selfish motives and doesn't want to share this relic with others, so they are trying to break it themselves for now," Yin Snake Demon Concubine quickly replied.

"Hmph! That's a True Immortal relic, and wealth moves people's hearts. If I were the Wang's Clan, I wouldn't want to share it with others if there was hope of handling it myself." The Blood Child Demon Lord's clone sneered, "In that case, we still have some time. I'll notify the main body to urge the two countries to continue attacking Eastern Qian at all costs."

"Demon Lord, after such a defeat, Southern Qin and Western Jin might be hesitant, right?" Yin Snake Demon Concubine said worriedly.

"What are you worried about? It's just a matter of inducement and coercion. As long as they are willing to take action, any cost is worth it. Time waits for no one, I'll send the message now~"

"Demon Lord is wise."

Yin Snake Demon Concubine's eyes lit up with hope again.

After a pause, Yin Snake Demon Concubine added: "Demon Lord, we might have to wait here for a while. We can't just live like this every day. How about I build a house?"

The Blood Child Demon Lord's clone: "..."

Time passed little by little.

Unknowingly, a small wooden house with a countryside villa style appeared on the once barren mountaintop. The wooden house wasn't large, but the yard was filled with spirit vegetables and fruits, exuding a sense of life.

Inside the wooden house, the Blood Child Demon Lord, sitting on a makeshift wooden chair, received the latest news, his expression excited: "Good, good, good! This time, with a renewed attack on Eastern Qian, we can surely draw away those two old fellows who have nothing better to do."

Three months later.

Inside the house, the Blood Child Demon Lord's angry voice was heard again: "Why are those damn Eastern Qian troops so difficult to deal with? They just keep hiding behind their defenses, like turtles... No, no, I've heard the Wang's Clan has found a way to break the formation, we must push them to attack quickly at all costs."

Five years later.

In the somewhat old villa, the Blood Child Demon Lord's voice was once again filled with excitement: "Very good, this time we reached the walls of the pass! Although we ultimately failed, it's a good start. Yin Snake, how is the Wang's Clan doing?"

"Chimei just sent back word, the formation has been broken by thirty percent!"

"What? Then we must hurry, I'll report to the main body to urge them again."

Ten years later.

"Just a little more, just a little more~~" In the villa, the Blood Child Demon Lord's expression was furious and frustrated, "Just a little more and we could have broken through the pass! Damn Eastern Qian, how many troops have died over the years, yet those two old fellows are still at the Wang's Clan?"

"Demon Lord, I heard they've become obsessed with a game called 'mahjong,' so they've been staying at the Wang's Clan."

"Hmph! They haven't been hit hard enough yet! The Blood Child Demon Lord's expression twisted, "Keep fighting, once we break through the pass and enter Eastern Qian's heartland, I refuse to believe those two old fellows can still sit still!"

"Demon Lord is wise."

Twenty years later.

The countryside villa on the mountaintop looked weathered and worn, with signs of erosion from the elements. The garden had expanded again, and a fenced area housed a flock of plump red-bellied finches pecking at food.

The Blood Child Demon Lord stood by the fence, staring blankly at the red-bellied finches, his voice weak: "How is the Wang's Clan doing?"

After twenty years of waiting, with the army repeatedly "almost breaking through Jianling Pass" and "almost breaking through Xiya Pass," he had long lost his initial urgency and had become much more laid-back.

Now, he didn't even ask about the battle situation, directly inquiring about the Wang's Clan's progress in breaking the relic's formation.

Yin Snake Demon Concubine frowned: "Reporting to the Demon Lord, Chimei just sent back news, and the situation is not good. The Wang's Clan has successfully broken through the outer formation. Now, their team is blocked inside the Blood Dawn Sanctuary's main hall."

"Blood Dawn Sanctuary? They've gone in!" The Blood Child Demon Lord's eyes widened, and he suddenly became spirited, "Damn Wang's Clan! We absolutely cannot let them obtain the Blood Venerable's relic! Yin Snake Demon Concubine, let's go and seize it..."

"Demon Lord, you must remain calm~~" Yin Snake Demon Concubine was startled and quickly held back the Blood Child Demon Lord, "Jiang Zhencang and Longchang are still at the Wang's Clan, along with that Yuan Shui Azure Dragon Ancestor. If we act now, they will surely stop us. If the relic matter is exposed, our plans will be ruined."

The Blood Child Demon Lord naturally understood this reasoning.

He calmed down again: "Urge Western Jin and Southern Qin to continue attacking Xiya Pass and Jianling Pass."

Thirty years later.

The countryside villa on the mountaintop had become dilapidated, full of traces of wind and rain erosion, while the garden had expanded once more.

"Yin Snake Demon Concubine, the rainy season is coming soon, the roof on the left is leaking and needs timely repair. Remember to harvest the vegetables in the front yard, or they'll all be ruined by your red-bellied finches." The Blood Child Demon Lord's clone lay on a recliner under the eaves, his eyes half-closed, his voice sounding as if he had experienced the vicissitudes of life, peaceful and without anger.

"Yes, Demon Lord."

"By the way, are Southern Qin and Western Jin still fighting? Are Longchang and Jiang Zhencang still freeloading at the Wang's Clan?"

"Still fighting, still freeloading." Yin Snake Demon Concubine replied skillfully, her voice equally laid-back, "Does the Demon Lord still want to send a message to the main body, urging them to attack more vigorously?"

"Given the current situation, what use is urging, let's wait a bit longer." The Blood Child Demon Lord didn't even open his eyes, speaking with resignation, "Anyway, I've heard the Wang's Clan hasn't truly entered the Blood Venerable's relic yet."

"Demon Lord is wise."

Yin Snake Demon Concubine calmly flattered.

In the past ten years, similar conversations had been repeated countless times between the two. Even if the border reported something like "almost broke through Jianling Pass" or "almost broke through Xiya Pass," neither of them would have much emotional reaction anymore.

……

Meanwhile, while the Blood Child Demon Lord and Yin Snake Demon Concubine were stationed in the outer regions, waiting so long they were almost growing mushrooms, within the Great Qian, everything continued to proceed according to Wang Shouzhe's plan, living and developing as usual, seemingly unaffected by the war.

Changning Garrison, Xinping Town.

The once rapidly developing Xinping Town had undergone a tremendous transformation after thirty years of rapid growth.

Fortunately, Wang Shouzhe, being a transmigrator, had great foresight in urban planning. When developing Xinping Town in the early years, he had already made plans, so even though it was becoming more prosperous, it remained orderly.

Neat streets, wide roads, and even the common people appeared energetic and full of hope for life.

The [Special Occupation Guild] was one of the many new things that had emerged in Xinping Town over the past few decades.

It originated from the Wang Clan's head's dissatisfaction with the current occupational system in the Great Qian, which was too chaotic and unstructured. Having read many fantasy novels from both the East and West before his rebirth, he understood the utility of these occupational systems and decided to organize the various secondary occupational systems.

He didn't care about other places, but anyone engaged in special occupational work within the Wang Clan's territory and industries had to undergo assessment by the [Special Occupation Guild] and obtain the corresponding level qualification certificate to be employed normally.

The status and income gap between different levels of the same occupation was enormous.

After decades of development, the occupational guild system had gradually matured, with seven secondary occupations identified based on capabilities: "spiritual plant cultivators," "alchemists," "artifact refiners," "puppet masters," "formation masters," "spirit insect masters," and "beast tamers."

Each occupation had formed its own level system, resulting in corresponding industry standards.

Currently, the overall head of the Special Occupation Guild was Wang Ningyi of the Wang Clan's direct lineage. He and Wang Ningyao were both sons of Wang Anye and the two princesses... no, now the "little" can be removed, they are the two "princesses."

They inherited the handsome looks passed down through generations and outstanding bloodline talents. Although not yet at the pinnacle, they were among the top great prodigies. Now, at just over fifty, Wang Ningyi had already reached the fourth level of the Celestial Realm. Such cultivation speed was considered quite advanced even in the talent-rich Wang Clan.

The [Special Occupation Guild] was located in the center of Xinping Town, with a tall building that was bright and clean, and a lobby that was polished and brightly lit, resembling a high-end restaurant.

People came and went, handling various business matters.

A young woman dressed plainly, holding the hand of an eight or nine-year-old girl, entered the building with curious eyes. Although she appeared unremarkable, her eyes were deep and unfathomable, and the little girl was equally adorable, with innocent and lively eyes.

"Welcome to the [Special Occupation Guild]." A young female guide in professional attire approached them, politely asking, "How may I assist you?"

"What do you do here?" the young woman asked curiously.

"Basalt cultivators aren't just about fighting; they first need a job to make a living and earn resources." The guide smiled, "In the past, some unaffiliated cultivators without family support, or those whose families couldn't afford it, had limited means to make a living and earn cultivation resources. But with our occupational planning, they can earn more money safely."

"For example, in the spiritual plant cultivator branch, if a Basalt cultivator with wood affinity learns the relevant techniques and undergoes a series of training and assessments, they can obtain a junior spiritual plant cultivator qualification certificate. Now, with the abundance of spiritual farmland in the Changning Wang's Clan, planting randomly would waste resources, so there's a high demand for professional spiritual plant cultivators."

"Even a newly promoted Qi Refining Realm junior spiritual plant cultivator now has an annual salary starting at forty Top Gold, with potential for salary increases and additional shares as work experience grows."

"Forty Top Gold?" The woman raised an eyebrow, "That's not bad for a Qi Refining Realm farmer's income." Then she glanced at the guide, "You're at the fourth level of the Qi Refining Realm, right? How old are you, and how's your income?"

"Please have a seat and try some coffee we imported from overseas at Changning Garrison." The guide invited them to sit on the soft seats in the lobby and patiently explained, "My name is Murong Xijuan, I'm eighteen years old, and I graduated from the nearby Xin'an Thirty-Ninth Intermediate Academy. However, my grades were average, so I couldn't get into Xinping High School. Therefore, I entered the Advanced Vocational College's alchemy program."

"I haven't obtained the junior alchemist qualification certificate yet, but I still have some loans to repay, so I'm working part-time as a guide while studying. The income isn't high, about seven large copper coins a day plus meal allowances. But once I get my professional qualification certificate and graduate, I can work at the Wang's Clan Alchemy Company, with a starting annual salary of fifty Top Gold... I'll be able to pay off the Enlightenment Plan loan soon."

At this point, Murong Xijuan's young face showed a hint of pride. Coming from an ordinary civilian family, reaching this point wasn't easy.

"What is the Enlightenment Plan...?" the young woman asked curiously.

"It's part of the Changning Wang's Clan's nationwide Qi Refining Realm plan, offering opportunities to children with ungraded bloodline aptitude but potential to reach lower-grade bloodline aptitude through the Enlightenment Pill."

"I heard the Wang's Clan is breeding Purple Crystal Spirit Bees on a large scale in the Southern Border and mass-planting related herbs in spiritual farmland. Now, the Wang's Clan Alchemy Company is mass-producing the Enlightenment Pill, with the comprehensive cost reduced to a subsidized price of two hundred Top Gold each. The ordinary Cultivation Pill is also priced at a subsidized rate of three Top Gold each." Murong Xijuan, being an alchemy student, was knowledgeable about pills and herbs.

After explaining, she looked at the woman with hope and said, "Miss, are you new to Changning Garrison? Are you here to visit relatives or seek a livelihood? What is your bloodline talent direction...?"

"Combat-oriented," the young woman replied.

"Then you're in the wrong place." Murong Xijuan said, "The occupations here are all life-oriented. There's an Adventurer's Guild nearby where you can inquire. However, Miss, I advise you to switch to a life occupation. Pure combat occupations, although well-paid, are too dangerous."

"Someone has to fight, right? Besides, I can't do anything else, only fight. I can't learn farming or blacksmithing." The young woman smiled, "How interesting, this Changning Garrison is even more interesting than Old Jiang mentioned in his letter. Such an interesting place in the small wilderness of Eastern Qian."

"Yuling sister, this place is so boring, didn't you say you'd take me to eat something delicious?" The little girl beside her pouted, looking bored.

"Alright, alright, you little ancestor, I'll take you to eat something delicious later." The woman named Yuling comforted her, "I told you, I'm here in Eastern Qian for business, you insisted on coming along."

As she spoke, Yuling took out two Immortal Crystals and said, "Thank you for your polite hospitality and patient explanation. A small token of fate, to help you repay the Enlightenment loan."

Murong Xijuan's face turned red, and she quickly waved her hand: "I can't, I can't, our job doesn't allow us to take money from guests. Thank you for your kindness, but I'll be able to pay it off in a few years once I start working officially."

"How interesting." Yuling was even more appreciative, "The atmosphere within the Wang's Clan's territory is quite good."

As she finished speaking.

There was a commotion at the main entrance, and someone shouted: "The noble young master is here."

Then, a group of guide beauties without guests to attend to flocked over.

Even Murong Xijuan's eyes lit up, craning her neck to look in that direction.

They saw a small boy, about eight or nine years old, walking in from the entrance. Despite his young age, he was already quite handsome, though his face was slightly round, with dimples on his cheeks, making him look very endearing.

But this small boy walked with his hands behind his back, appearing mature and composed, reminiscent of a certain emperor who loved to travel incognito.

No wonder, as this noble young master was born, a certain emperor was so delighted that he often took him along, despite Wang Shouzhe's objections, and over time, he learned to walk in a similar manner.

The old eunuch, Old Yao, followed closely behind him, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, like a diligent and loyal attendant.

In addition to him, there were two teenage attendants and a small team of guards accompanying him.

"It's the noble young master." Murong Xijuan said excitedly, "Oh my, I didn't expect to see the noble young master just a few days after starting my job."

The little girl beside Yuling pouted disdainfully: "Who is this, such a little kid, with such a big entourage, walking around like a little adult."

"Shh~ little girl, keep your voice down, the noble young master is a good person." Murong Xijuan quickly said, "This is Young Master Wang Fugui, ranked one hundred and thirteen in the Wang's Clan's Fu generation, the direct great-grandson of the current Emperor An, and the direct great-grandson of An Guogong's Mansion. He's recognized as the number one noble young master in the Great Qian!"

"If it weren't for the fact that the noble young master's father is now in charge of the Special Occupation Guild, the noble young master wouldn't be here."