“Ah Di!”
Hearing Wu Qing’s voice, slightly tinged with anger, Wu Ming suddenly snapped to attention and bowed to Wu Zhi: “Young Miss Wu, forgive my earlier rudeness. I was momentarily distracted. Please accept my sincere apologies!”
Wu Qing also chimed in: “My younger brother has learned only a superficial amount of aura observation techniques. Just now, he was probably startled by your heavenly beauty…”
“I see!”
Wu Zhi’s expression briefly showed realization, followed by a self-deprecating smile: “What does it matter to have the appearance of a phoenix and to carry purple aura? This time, I suffered a major setback and now I need my elder sister to rescue me!”
“I had originally calculated that this rebellion in Chufeng Commandery would inevitably lead to prolonged warfare, greatly damaging the foundation of power, making it the perfect opportunity to take control. However, I did not expect the Li family to rise unexpectedly, quelling the rebellion within a short period of time. Thus, I exerted great effort but gained nothing. Alas… My several elder brothers have seized upon this opportunity to challenge me, causing me quite a headache…”
“Cough… cough…”
Upon hearing this, Wu Ming’s face subtly changed.
If one could bring such a phoenix-like woman into one’s household, it would naturally bring great benefit. Yet Wu Zhi’s nonchalant admission of her appearance surprised him, making him feel awkward. Moreover, Wu Zhi probably didn’t realize that Wu Ming didn’t just observe her external aura, but saw through everything—what could be seen and what could not—completely stripping her bare.
At this moment, Wu Zhi probably didn’t understand herself as well as Wu Ming did.
Of course, this couldn’t be said aloud. Revealing it would immediately turn them into mortal enemies, and in the future, no one would feel safe upon meeting him.
“The divine hall’s true vision combined with the spirit eye technique is practically unstoppable…”
Wu Ming inwardly marveled. Then, noticing Wu Qing glancing over with a thoughtful expression, he could only bitterly smile to himself.
The sudden rise of the Li family was closely related to him, and Wu Qing naturally had some vague understanding of this. Fortunately, she was on his side and wouldn’t betray him.
“So what does my younger sister intend to do?”
Wu Qing indeed said nothing and asked directly.
The Wu family in Nanfeng Commandery had already effectively sidelined the local governor, becoming a de facto regional warlord, merely one step short of openly declaring independence, rivaling or even surpassing the Li family in Chufeng Commandery.
“What do I intend to do?”
Wu Zhi gazed at the outline of the city below the mountain, suddenly sighing softly: “It’s a pity your family is only a prominent local clan with insufficient strength… Otherwise…”
With a single sweeping motion, she exuded the ambition of a conqueror: “Our two families could divide Chufeng and Nanfeng Commanderies, one in the north and one in the south. Wouldn’t that be glorious?”
“If my family truly had such strength, would you still be willing to cooperate?”
Wu Qing replied with a half-smile.
“Absolutely sincere!”
Wu Zhi, having undergone extensive training, met Wu Qing’s gaze with crystal-clear eyes, showing no hesitation.
“Alright then…” Wu Qing smiled slightly: “Today, you sought me out, and it’s probably not just for this matter. What other difficulties do you have?”
“Of course, it’s those brothers of mine! They’ve gathered a group of supporters to oppose me during this incident!”
Wu Zhi sneered coldly: “It’s time to teach them a lesson!”
A faint trace of killing intent surfaced, causing Wu Ming to shudder inwardly. He knew that although this woman appeared delicate and charming, she had likely already ordered the deaths of over a hundred people.
“No problem. My younger brother has also reached the mage level and can assist you!”
“Oh?”
Wu Zhi now looked at Wu Ming with greater interest: “Excellent! I also have two people prepared!”
Clapping her hands, two figures dressed in leather armor approached—one old and one young, seemingly related.
“Let me introduce them… These two, Chen Jingzong and Chen Shuncheng, are uncle and nephew, both accomplished martial experts!”
Wu Zhi raised her hand: “These are the Wu siblings, both cultivators of high attainment, and also my good friends!”
“Greetings to both of you!”
Chen Jingzong coughed, bowing together with the young man. His face bore the marks of a harsh life, while the long cloth sack on his back caused Wu Ming’s interest to stir.
“Level two in the martial school!”
Activating his Spirit Eye, Wu Ming saw a swirling white and red aura above them, brimming with martial energy.
At the same time, he felt a bit puzzled: “Yet this aura feels unusually refined. Could it be that they were once level three martial experts who fell from grace?”
As for the young man beside him, also at level two, his aura was purely white.
Considering his age, he could indeed be called a prodigy.
At this moment, glancing at the cloth sack on Chen Jingzong’s back, Wu Ming’s eyes flickered once more.
Both sides being experts, they exchanged greetings with a solemn air.
Yet in Wu Ming’s heart, he was inwardly grumbling: “Though she herself is a grandmaster of martial cultivation, she still needs others to act… Is this truly her cunning nature? Unfortunately, she was born a woman. Otherwise, she would surely be a mighty dragon!”
“The matter here shall be entrusted to the four of you!”
Wu Zhi gracefully bowed and retreated into the thick fog.
Wu Qing was a Daoist prodigy she had painstakingly courted, while the uncle and nephew were recent recruits. Their magical abilities aside, their expertise in commanding troops and devising strategies was remarkable, embodying the essence of both orthodox and unorthodox tactics, clearly not ordinary talents.
She trusted those she employed and employed those she trusted. With this alliance, dealing with her incapable elder brothers should be sufficient.
“As for my father’s side, I must personally engage him… This will also serve as evidence to clear my suspicions…”
A faint bitter smile appeared at the corner of her mouth as Wu Zhi’s figure completely vanished along the mountain path.
…
“Two of you, our target this time is the Dark Heaven Pavilion of the Wu family’s eldest son and the Black Tiger Society of the second son… Both are intelligence and assassination organizations, representing the greatest hidden power of the two young masters… We’ll discuss the details on the way…”
Chen Jingzong spoke solemnly, and his several arrangements were orderly, earning a silent nod from Wu Ming.
The uncle and nephew went ahead to make preparations, while Wu Ming and Wu Qing returned to their carriage heading toward Nanfeng Commandery.
Inside the carriage, Wu Ming voiced his curiosity: “Sister, why do I feel that Wu Zhi treats you differently from others?”
Wu Qing’s face slightly reddened: “That’s naturally because she has a request of me…”
“She has a request of you?”
Wu Ming waved his hand, and a layer of magical light filled the carriage.
His obvious intent to probe further made Wu Qing feel helpless as she said: “You’ve seen the Wu girl. Is she the type who would willingly be a dutiful wife and mother?”
“Of course not!”
“However, the fortune of a phoenix can only be used in managing the household and enhancing her husband’s luck, which you also know. Wu Zhi, however, possesses ambitions like those of a man, so she needs to defy fate and change her destiny!”
“Changing one’s fate?”
Wu Ming nodded thoughtfully.
“Precisely. To defy fate and alter one’s destiny can only be barely achieved by a Daoist immortal cultivator, and it comes with significant repercussions. Across the entire Ding Province, it would be nearly impossible to find an immortal willing to shoulder such a burden… That’s why she came to me…”
Wu Ming nodded. With Wu Qing’s talent, reaching the level of an immortal was almost certain. Therefore, investing early and building connections was indeed a clever move.
“In fact… This matter also has quite a bit to do with you!”
Wu Qing examined Wu Ming’s face and suddenly smiled mysteriously.
“Me?” Wu Ming’s scalp tingled slightly: “What connection?”
“Do you know how important offspring and heirs are for ruling the world and establishing a foundation?”
Wu Qing spoke slowly: “Being a woman already brings many troubles for Wu Zhi. Without a suitable heir, how can she gain others’ loyalty? Not to mention, her two elder brothers are already plotting to marry her off far away…”
“And even if she later gains power and adopts a son from the clan, it will always be a step removed, not as good as having her own child…”
“Therefore… According to our previous agreement, after I help her defy fate and change her destiny, you will have to…”
“Wait a minute!”
Wu Ming immediately reacted in shock: “Do you mean my elder sister wants me to become a son-in-law?”
Becoming a son-in-law was not only a dishonorable title in ancient times but also meant a very low status, almost equivalent to a convict.
In his previous life, the Records of the Grand Historian, “The Basic Annals of Qin Shi Huang” recorded: “In the thirty-third year, he dispatched those who had previously fled or evaded taxes, son-in-laws, and merchants to conquer the Lu Liang region, establishing the Guilin, Xiang, and Nanhai commanderies, and sent them to serve as border troops.”
Similarly, the “Biography of Chao Cuo” in the Book of Han stated: “First, those officials who had committed offenses, along with son-in-laws and merchants, were sent. Later came those who had previously been registered in the market, followed by those whose grandparents or parents had been registered in the market, and finally those taken from the village.”
This meant that in ancient times, whenever there was a war, corvée labor, or border defense, the first to be considered were convicts, followed by son-in-laws and merchants.
Even if they had committed no crime, this was still the case, showing how low their social status was.
Although the Great Zhou was not the same as his previous life, its customs were somewhat similar.
Being a son-in-law was not only a disgraceful title but also meant that the children would take the mother’s surname, a great shame. Any capable man would refuse to become one.
Wu Ming’s face immediately turned grim: “Do you mean you want our Wu family to lose its lineage and ancestral offerings?”
“Ha ha… Look how frightened you are!”
Wu Qing smiled with her lips pressed together: “I merely agreed with her that, nominally, she would still marry into our Wu family. However, you will have to live in Nanfeng Commandery, and in the future, your first son will take the surname ‘Wu’ and be adopted into the Wu family…”
“With the Wu family ruling Nanfeng Commandery, I’m sure your future life will be well secured!”
“This… this…”
Wu Ming looked speechless: “Even so, with Wu Zhi’s strong-willed nature, I’m afraid I would still be… No!
Suddenly recalling the bridge meeting with the sword-wielding maid, he shuddered, shook his head violently: “This marriage must not happen!”
“Of course not! As the elder sister, I have decided!”
Wu Qing, rarely serious, put on a stern face.
Inside, however, she sighed deeply.
For that spoiled younger brother of hers, marrying Wu Zhi and having a strong-willed wife to manage him would have been a great blessing, even securing a life of wealth and honor. That was her greatest hope.
But now, with the uncertainty of the divine temple factored in, the future had grown even more unpredictable, stirring unease within her.
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