Joining the Joyful Union Sect, My Life in the Grip of My Senior Sister

Chapter 198: I’ll Give You a Chance to Reorganize Your Words

In Zhao State, at the Heavenly Strategy Mansion

After finally arranging everything for Lin Fengmian’s clan, Wen Qinlin and Zhou Xiaoping returned to the Heavenly Strategy Mansion.

Standing at the bow of the boat, Wen Qinlin looked at the pavilions and terraces nestled among the distant mountains and felt a bit melancholy.

The Divine Strategy Manor was an institution established by the Great Zhou Dynasty to govern various regions, especially those on the borders.

Although the State of Zhao was a secular nation, it was under the rule of the Great Zhou Empire and located on the border between the Great Zhou and Great Shang Empires. Therefore, the Great Zhou had specially built the Divine Strategy Manor here.

Not long after leaving, Wen Qinlin received a message from Ning City.

Zhao Yucheng had abdicated in favor of Zhao Heng and taken his own life.

He probably couldn’t bear the pain of losing his daughter and the shame of facing the people of Ning City.

Wen Qinlin sighed deeply, unable to help but reflect on the impermanence and fragility of life.

Half an hour later, Wen Qinlin and Zhou Xiaoping slowly entered the main hall of the Divine Strategy Manor, where the lord of the manor, Tang Haomiao, was already waiting at the entrance.

Tang Haomiao looked to be in his thirties, with a smooth, beardless face and the appearance of a middle-aged scholar, exuding vigor and vitality.

Wen Qinlin bowed and said, “Disciple greets Master.”

The Wen family was one of the four great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty that had guarded the borders for generations, earning great merit and labor.

Each generation of the Wen family’s children would enter the Divine Strategy Manor from the grassroots level, and Wen Qinlin was no exception.

Of course, this “grassroots level” was relative.

For someone like Wen Qinlin, entering the Divine Strategy Manor and having the Manor Lord as her master was probably a unique privilege.

Zhou Xiaoping followed suit and bowed, saying, “Disciple greets Manor Lord.”

The Manor Lord quickly extended his hand to help Zhou Xiaoping up and said somewhat awkwardly, “Princess Xiangping, you are too much for an old man like me. This is not appropriate.”

Zhou Xiaoping said with a serious expression, “But am I not also a disciple of the Divine Strategy Manor? If you won’t accept me as a disciple, will you at least recognize me as one?”

The Lord of the Manor, Tang Haomiao, was caught between laughter and tears, and said, “Princess, don’t make things difficult for an old man. It’s just a nominal position, nothing more.”

Wen Qinlin also pulled her aside and laughed, “Xiaoping, don’t make trouble. The Divine Strategy Manor can’t handle your antics.”

Zhou Xiaoping, or Zhou Xiangping, reluctantly sighed and stopped insisting.

Her real name was Zhou Xiangping, and “Xiaoping” was just a nickname used by those who knew her, as well as her alias when she was in public.

Manor Lord Tang Haomiao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and respectfully said, “Princess, please sit down!”

Zhou Xiaoping said somewhat dejectedly, “No, I won’t sit down. You two chat, just ignore me.”

Tang Haomiao took out a jade slip and said with a respectful smile, “This is a message from the Imperial City, an edict from His Majesty.”

“Father’s message?”

Zhou Xiangping took the jade slip in surprise, pressed it against her forehead, and carefully read its contents.

After a while, she angrily said, “Damn it!”

Wen Qinlin asked confusedly, “What’s going on?”

“He went back on his word and wants to take me back to the palace. Damn it! And he wants me to deal with Lin Fengmian on my own.”

“If I want to save him, I will have to do it with my own abilities. He won’t help me. It’s so unfair. By the time I have the ability, Lin Fengmian will probably be dead.”

Tang Haomiao laughed awkwardly and said, “His Majesty is concerned about your safety and has already sent General Qian to escort you back. Please stay with me for a few more days.”

“I’m not going back!” Zhou Xiangping said indignantly.

Tang Haomiao was at a loss for words and could only laugh awkwardly as he looked at Wen Qinlin.

Wen Qinlin sighed. This didn’t come as a surprise to her.

Cross-domain affairs were especially difficult to handle, especially when a great power was involved. Many aspects had to be taken into consideration.

Of course, if Great Zhou really wanted to save Lin Fengmian, it would just be a matter of a single word.

But these elders always looked at things in a comprehensive manner. Most importantly, they wanted the always playful Zhou Xiangping to focus on her cultivation.

However, this was an order from the Great Zhou Emperor, and she had no power to change his will.

Seeing that Zhou Xiangping was unwilling to return, she said: “Xiaoping, you should go back. Maybe if you pout a little, His Majesty will change his mind.”

Zhou Xiangping was somewhat swayed by this. Wen Qinlin took the opportunity to add, “If you want to save Lin Fengmian, you will have to make some sacrifices.”

Zhou Xiangping finally nodded and agreed, “All right, I’ll go back.”

Wen Qinlin recounted all the details of their journey. Tang Haomiao thought for a moment and made his decision.

“Qinlin, you have done well. I will report everything truthfully and let His Majesty make the final decision.”

Under normal circumstances, he would avoid getting involved in such matters of noble families.

But this time was different. Not only was the Wen family’s daughter involved, but also the Emperor’s beloved Princess Xiangping.

Compared to a small family like the Qin, this seemed insignificant.

Zhou Xiangping also said indignantly, “I’ll go back to inform Father. We can’t let the Qin family go so easily.”

Tang Haomiao also smiled and said, “The Qin family’s actions are truly excessive and put the princess in danger. They cannot be let off so easily.”

With Zhou Xiangping’s presence, Wen Qinlin’s irregular actions became insignificant and were quickly overlooked.

Upon leaving the Divine Strategy Mansion, Wen Qinlin looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, lost in thought for a moment.

She knew that Zhou Xiangping would probably return empty-handed, so she didn’t have high hopes for her.

As she held the long spear in her hand, her eyes gradually became more determined.

Brother Lin, wait for me. I will go to the Joyful Union Sect and bring you back.

————————————-

As night fell, Lin Fengmian and Xia Yunxi bid each other farewell before entering the secret chamber that Zhao Ningzhi had prepared for them.

Free from the worries of cultivating with others, Xia Yunxi planned to cultivate as well, with the goal of improving her own strength so that she could help Lin Fengmian.

Given her talent, once she fully dedicated herself to cultivation, her progress was expected to be quite rapid.

Sitting cross-legged alone in the secret chamber, Lin Fengmian activated the Demon Emperor Technique to absorb the surrounding elemental energy.

Soon, the Twin Fish Pendant began to glow, but Lin Fengmian didn’t stop the Demon Emperor Technique. Instead, he responded to the pendant immediately.

This was an idea he had gotten from Luo Xue. Even if he wasn’t physically present, he could still improve his strength through the technique.

Swimming upstream in the dark river, Lin Fengmian quickly found himself in the dark space.

A short time later, Luo Xue also arrived and looked at Lin Fengmian with a slight smile. “Are you okay?”

Lin Fengmian touched his face, realizing that it was normal here.

He smiled. “I’m fine, but the situation isn’t great.”

Luo Xue frowned. “What does the Joyful Union Sect want from you?”

She was also curious as to why the Joyful Union Clan was so persistent with Lin Fengmian.

Lin Fengmian smoothed his long hair and smiled. “Of course, it’s because of my handsome face!”

Luo Xue silently picked up Zhen Yuan in her hand. “I’ll give you a chance to rephrase that.”