Protect Our Chief-Chapter 586 - 47 The Prince’s Mansion Also Has No Surplus Grain_3

The Wang Family’s advantage lies more in Wang Shouzhe’s unique ideology and distinct thinking.

Early spring.

The cold wind remained frigid.

On the vast East Sea, the howling wind was still bone-chilling.

Amidst the surging waves, five large merchant ships arranged in a triangular formation were steadily advancing while battling the wind and waves.

The high sails were filled with sea breeze, billowing fully.

The massive merchant ships were like five moving fortresses, unyielding against the tides, progressing slowly yet resolutely toward their destination.

At the top of the mast, the flag of the East Port Chen Family fluttered in the wind.

On the leading flagship’s bow, a lookout dressed in sailor attire held a cylindrical "Thousand-Mile Eye," intently scanning the distance.

Suddenly.

The coastline near East Port emerged faintly in the Thousand-Mile Eye’s view.

The lookout immediately whistled excitedly, waving a flag to inform the helmsman.

Soon, this good news spread rapidly throughout the entire fleet, like willow catkins in spring.

This fleet set off from East Port last winter, stopping at several major ports in the Hundred Islands Guard, then turning around the Ice Demon Floating Island, and has been out for nearly two months.

Originally, it was expected to complete the voyage and return to East Port before the new year. However, an unprecedented winter storm descended on the East Sea, blocking the sea route. As a result, the East Port merchant fleet was forced to stay at the Hundred Islands Guard for the New Year.

Fortunately, the fleet was commanded by the young core elder of the Chen Family, Chen Fanghua, and the captain and deputy commander of the flagship was none other than the Young Clan Leader of the East Port Chen Family—Chen Xiuwu.

With these two overseeing and occasionally boosting morale, the merchant fleet steadily overcame the challenges without any collective unrest or mutiny incident.

Soon, upon receiving the news, Chen Family Elder Chen Fanghua and Young Clan Leader Chen Xiuwu, surrounded by household generals, both arrived at the flagship’s bow.

When they last entertained Wang Shouzhe, Chen Fanghua was just a young direct lineage member. Now, at the age of forty-six or seven, he had grown into a dignified-looking middle-aged man.

Back then, he was fortunate to catch up with the family’s development uptrend, and due to his outstanding ability, his long-term stable and excellent contributions to the family, he increasingly gained the attention of the Chen Family Ancestor.

Just last year, with the long-term abundant resource supply from the family, and a Celestial Spirit Pill bestowed by the Ancestor, he successfully broke through the Qi Refining Realm barrier, stepping into the Spirit Platform Realm, becoming the East Port Chen Family’s eighth Spirit Platform Realm elder.

Times do change.

The young talents of the past have now become the backbone of the family. Even Young Clan Leader Chen Xiuwu needs to follow behind him to learn and hone himself.

As he gazed at the long-missed East Port coastline, even the composed Chen Fanghua exhaled a long breath.

Young Clan Leader Chen Xiuwu, standing half a step behind him, also felt a slight excitement: "Third Uncle, we’ve finally returned safely on this journey. While it’s still during the Spring Festival, after I pay respects to Mother, I can visit my uncle and aunt in Ping’an Town and offer my New Year wishes."

After months of exposure to the sun and wind, his handsome and martial face was slightly tanned, yet he appeared much more mature and composed.

During the journey, the fleet had faced several dangers and challenges, and he had consistently performed very well, demonstrated responsibility and dedication, weathered hardships with everyone, and refused to take the flying chariot back to the Chen Family first. Therefore, he gained the respect of the Chen Family members, household generals, and the ship’s crew and sailors.

"Xiuwu, you’ve done well this time, and your cultivation has already reached the Ninth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm. In three or four years, you should be able to attempt breaking through to the Spirit Platform Realm. When Patriarch Shouzhe sees you, he will surely sing your praises." Chen Fanghua, fondly regarding his nephew, also felt deeply moved.

The strength of the family is indeed immensely important. In the old days of young Chen Fangjie and Wang Shouzhe, their age and cultivation were considered excellent among the young talents in the Changning Guard.

But now, this boy Xiuwu is only twenty years old and has already stepped into the Ninth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm!

Yet even so, his ranking among the young people in the Marriage Alliance is not considered top. Among the younger generation of the Shanyin Liu Family, Shanyang Gongsun Family, and Yingxiu Lu Family, there are many outstanding individuals.

Of course, the most impressive are those young people of the Wang Family. Especially Xiuwu’s cousin, Wang Liyao, rumored to have stepped into the Spirit Platform Realm long ago and is now a disciple at the Academy, a true genius.

"I wonder if Cousin Liyao and Cousin Zong’an returned from the Academy for this New Year." Chen Xiuwu sighed, "I’ve heard that in the Purple Mansion Academy, geniuses are everywhere and experts are as common as clouds. I don’t worry much about Cousin Liyao, but Cousin Zong’an is too gentle by nature; hopefully, he won’t be bullied at the Academy."

"Rest assured, I’ve heard that your Aunt Luojing and Aunt Luqiu are thriving in the Academy, being direct disciples under Ascendants." Chen Fanghua also spoke with a sense of pride, "With them around, who would dare to bully Young Master Zong’an? Besides, our Marriage Alliance is quite powerful now; we’re not easy to bully."

"That’s true. Once Ancestor Ruhong achieves the Celestial Human Realm, our Chen Family will become a Seventh-Grade Noble Family." Chen Xiuwu declared with excitement, "Then, excluding the City Guard, our Changning Guard will have four Celestial Human Realm cultivators."

Mentioning that Ancestor Ruhong was about to advance to the Celestial Human Realm, a smile appeared on Chen Fanghua’s mature and dignified face.

The difference in status between a Seventh-Grade Noble Family and an Eighth-Grade Noble Family is vast, primarily due to the existence of a Celestial Human Realm Ancestor.

It represents a leap in social standing.

Once Ancestor Ruhong successfully advances, the East Port Chen Family will have truly laid a solid foundation, breaking away from the lower tiers of noble families, securing a place in Changning Guard, and even being recognized within Longzuo County.

Suddenly~

Chen Fanghua’s expression changed slightly: "Those ships... huh, they belong to the Jiaolong Gang. Why are they appearing in our East Port?"

...