Protect Our Chief

...

"By the way, Master, do you know Master Dan Ding?" Wang Shouzhe shifted the topic.

"I know him, but our temperaments don’t match," Changchun Ascendant said. "Master Dan Ding comes from a loose cultivator background. It’s said that in his youth, he was even rejected when he sought to study at the Academy. As a result, he has always been quite disrespectful towards it. We’ve had verbal conflicts several times."

"Uh..." Wang Shouzhe looked helplessly at Changchun Ascendant. Originally, he thought since they were both Ascendants, there might be some connections to use as a backdoor. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be negative connections.

There is indeed an alchemy system to learn within the Academy, but Wang Shouye is an alchemist trained by the family, destined to safeguard the family in the future, so the Academy path isn’t ideal.

"I heard that old fellow can’t hold back and plans to take in disciples?" Changchun Ascendant said with a smile, "Shouzhe, do you plan for a family member to become his disciple? Not to mention, Master Dan Ding’s whole system of alchemy is derived from a legendary great power in alchemy and has some unique aspects. However, Master Dan Ding has always had an eccentric temperament and is not easy to deal with. Also, if you mention my name, he might kick you out immediately."

"Not necessarily," Wang Shouzhe pondered, "The reason why Master Dan Ding has issues with the Academy is because of his loose cultivator background, and the reverse psychology induced by the discrimination he faced later. Think about it, since I’m a named direct disciple of the Eternal Spring Lineage, but instead want a family member to take him as a master, might he not develop a sense of superiority over the Academy’s alchemy lineage?"

"This..." Changchun Ascendant’s smile froze. That’s quite possible. To avoid having this named direct disciple turn around to slander the Academy to please Master Dan Ding, Changchun Ascendant reluctantly took out a token and said, "This is my identity token. Use this to find Prince Zhenzuo of the Longzuo Royal Mansion. His Highness has vast friendships and once had a favor with Dan Ding in the past. If he’s willing to step in, Dan Ding will surely give face."

This is what a master should do. Wang Shouzhe’s heart was pleased as he took the token, bowed to Changchun Ascendant, and said, "Disciple thanks Master."

If relying on his original status as a seventh-grade noble family, it would be decent to have a chief steward come out when presenting a visiting card to the Longzuo Royal Mansion. It would be nearly impossible to establish contacts with the famous Prince Zhenzuo.

But with Changchun Ascendant’s connections and the identity token, Wang Shouzhe had confidence he could cling to Prince Zhenzuo’s thigh.

"This token should only be used in this context and not flaunted around," Changchun Ascendant hastily added, "After using it, return it to me immediately. Also, remember not to belittle my presence in front of Dan Ding."

"Yes, Master," Wang Shouzhe replied honestly. This time, it wasn’t easy for Changchun Ascendant to use such connections to help him. Wang Shouzhe wasn’t someone who was insatiable.

"Also, don’t get too involved with the Royal Mansion," Changchun Ascendant frowned and reminded again, "In recent years, things have been foggy and unpredictable in the capital. Your small Wang family should not get involved."

Foggy and unpredictable?

Wang Shouzhe pondered briefly, his mind alert: "Master, could you mean..."

"As long as you understand, don’t say it out loud," Changchun Ascendant raised his hand to stop him.

"Disciple understands," Wang Shouzhe said gravely, "Our Changning Wang Family is just a small seventh-grade noble family, and naturally wouldn’t be foolish enough to get involved in those major affairs. Fortunately, our Changning Guard is far away, and we just need to focus on farming and guarding our land, without having to take the opportunistic path."

Changchun Ascendant nodded in satisfaction. His disciple’s best trait was that he understood how to develop steadily and not aim too high. Moreover, he was methodical, which was reassuring, no wonder even Lvwei liked him a lot and often stayed in Changning for some time.

...

While Wang Shouzhe was handling matters in the Commandery city,

other family members also had their own life paths. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

In the eastern part of Longzhou, there is a guard called Dingdong Guard. This guard is located by the mountains and sea, belonging to an economically thriving transport hub, and therefore is a mix of various people.

Speaking of which, there’s a Lianhua Tower in a nearby town.

It’s late at night, yet Lianhua Tower welcomes its busiest hours of the day.

The entrance of the tower is bustling with fragrance and shadows, with bright red lanterns illuminating the surroundings. Young women in thin, luxurious dresses, with smiling faces like flowers, warmly welcome well-dressed guests into the tower.

Inside the tower, the gentle sound of silk and bamboo music drifts out, and the lively atmosphere can be felt even across half the street.

This is the largest brothel in Langping Town, where the richest locals and passing wealthy merchants frequently visit. Recently, even noble family descendants occasionally pay a visit.

This is because a new beauty named Chun Ying has arrived here recently.

Chun Ying has a graceful figure and a voice like an oriole, her entire being is like a boneless spring water, hard for men to resist her charm.

It’s said she originally came from a small wealthy family but was unfortunately ensnared by a man who swindled her, leading to her fall into the dust of the wind.

This time, her original brothel couldn’t survive after offending a big shot, so she was lured away by the madam with a high price, becoming the new leading lady of Lianhua Tower.

At this moment.

On the second floor.

In Chun Ying’s boudoir, there came the sound of heavy breathing and moans, accompanied by intermittent broken words.