Message (Seeking Investment)

The Azure Cloud Mountain Range lay in the eastern part of Azure Cloud County, stretching for hundreds of miles and containing over a hundred peaks of varying sizes. Azure Lotus Mountain was one of the few Lingshan within the Azure Cloud Mountain Range, named for its resemblance to an azure lotus.

Though Azure Lotus Mountain could not be called steep or majestic, it was like spring all year round, with exotic flowers and rare herbs planted across the mountain.

The Wang Family's Lineage residence was located on Azure Lotus Mountain. From the mountainside all the way to the summit stood sprawling buildings and pavilions, home to several hundred Wang Family members.

At the summit stood an enormous estate, within one of whose secluded courtyards...

There was a pool over thirty meters wide in the courtyard, with several azure lotuses growing within it.

A winding pebble path led directly to a two-story Azure Pavilion.

Inside, a Middle-Aged Man in a long blue robe, with a square face, was bent over a desk reading through a book.

The Middle-Aged Man was Wang Mingyuan, the current Family Head of the Wang Family.

Wang Mingyuan was forty-nine years old. He possessed Four Spiritual Roots, but handled matters impartially, and most of the Clan Elders had selected him as Family Head, placing him in charge of the Lineage's affairs great and small.

The Wang Family currently had one hundred and forty-four Cultivators, and one Clan Elder had recently passed away.

Managing the affairs of an entire Lineage was no easy task. Wang Mingyuan had to attend to every aspect, which delayed his cultivation. Even now, he was only at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining. Moreover, his aptitude was poor; no matter how hard he cultivated, his chances of advancing into the Foundation Establishment Realm were very slim.

"Alas, we lost money again this month?" Wang Mingyuan put down the book in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed. He rubbed his eyes, looking somewhat weary.

Knock, knock, knock!

A knocking sound came from outside, followed by a woman's voice. "Husband, I made something to eat. Is this a good time?"

Wang Mingyuan's tightly knit brows relaxed. "Qing'er, you're not an outsider. Just come in."

"I was afraid of disturbing your work! You, the Family Head Wang Da, handle countless matters every day. How would a mere woman like me dare to interrupt you?"

A Middle-Aged Beauty in a blue dress walked in, holding a tray with both hands. On it sat a plate of azure pastries and a bowl of white porridge.

The Middle-Aged Beauty was Liu Qing'er, Wang Changsheng's mother.

Liu Qing'er set down the tray and placed the pastries and porridge before Wang Mingyuan.

"Azure Lotus Cake, Lotus Seed Porridge. Ever since Sheng'er went to Peaceful County to serve as a Celestial Master, Qing'er, you haven't cooked these for me again."

Wang Mingyuan smiled slightly and picked up a piece of cake, bringing it to his mouth.

Liu Qing'er came up behind Wang Mingyuan, placed her jade-like hands on his shoulders, and began massaging them.

"You still remember that you have a son named Sheng'er? I thought you were so busy with countless affairs every day that you'd forgotten Sheng'er." Liu Qing'er said in mock anger.

Wang Mingyuan gave a bitter smile. "How could that be? Sheng'er is my only son. How could I forget him? In another year, when his term ends, I'll transfer him back. Will that do?"

"You think I came to talk to you about that? Fourth Sister-in-Law told me that Jiangshi have appeared in Peaceful County. If Fourth Sister-in-Law hadn't told me, how long were you planning to keep it from me?"

"I've already sent Fifth Uncle, Changge, and Changyu to Peaceful County as reinforcements. Sheng'er won't be in danger, so don't worry." Wang Mingyuan patted Liu Qing'er's jade-like hand resting on his shoulder, comforting her.

Liu Qing'er raised an eyebrow and was just about to say something when urgent shouting came from outside. "Third Uncle! Third Uncle!"

Hearing this, Liu Qing'er swallowed the words that had reached her lips.

Wang Mingyuan hurriedly picked up the porcelain bowl and drained the white porridge inside at the fastest speed.

Just as he set down the porcelain bowl, Wang Changge and Wang Changyu hurried inside.

When Liu Qing'er saw them, her expression tightened. She asked anxiously, "Changge, Changyu, weren't you going to Peaceful County? Why are you back so soon? Nothing happened to Sheng'er, did it?"

Wang Mingyuan said nothing, but concern appeared in his eyes.

"No. Ninth Brother is safe and sound. We returned on Fifth Uncle-Grandfather's orders to report an important matter."

Wang Changge deliberately emphasized the words "important matter."

"Changge, what important matter can't be said in front of me? I've been married into the Wang Family for over twenty years. Am I an outsider?" Liu Qing'er asked, somewhat displeased.

Wang Changge smiled awkwardly and explained, "That isn't what I meant, Third Aunt. Those were Fifth Uncle-Grandfather's exact words. Seventh Sister and I are only carrying out orders. I hope Third Aunt can forgive us."

Wang Changyu's eyes shifted as she quickly stepped forward and said sweetly, "Third Aunt, I saw Ninth Brother. Let me tell you about Ninth Brother's situation!"

Liu Qing'er's expression softened, and she went outside with Wang Changyu.

"What major matter has happened? You couldn't even say it in front of your Third Aunt?" Wang Mingyuan said with a frown.

Wang Changge's expression turned solemn. He stepped forward quickly and lowered his voice. "Third Uncle, a Profound Gold Mine was discovered in Green Stone Town, Peaceful County. Well, Ninth Brother discovered it. Fifth Uncle-Grandfather asked you to send more people to Green Stone Town to mine the Profound Gold."

"What? Profound Gold? Is that true?" Wang Mingyuan cried out, his breathing growing heavy.

"It is absolutely true. I brought back a piece of Mystic Gold Ore."

Wang Changge took out an ore from his Storage Pouch and handed it over.

"I don't know the first thing about Refining Materials. Changge, quickly invite your Third Aunt back. Although your Third Aunt is only an Artifact Refining Apprentice, she is familiar with identifying many kinds of Refining Materials. Have her confirm it."

Wang Mingyuan actually knew that what he held was Mystic Gold Ore, but he wanted an excuse to soothe Liu Qing'er's dissatisfaction.

Anyone would have been uncomfortable hearing what Wang Changge had just said.

After marrying into the Wang Family, Liu Qing'er had rarely left Azure Lotus Mountain. Along with a group of Wang Family women, she raised silkworms, wove clothes, farmed the fields, supplemented the household income, served her husband, taught her children, and labored without complaint. Wang Mingyuan did not want to wound his wife's heart over a few careless words from his nephew.

Wang Changge accepted the order and left. Before long, he invited Liu Qing'er back.

"Why did you call me back? Be careful, or I might leak your Wang Family secrets." Liu Qing'er said with some displeasure.

Wang Mingyuan pulled a stern face and said solemnly, "Enough. There are two juniors here, so mind the impression you make. A Profound Gold Mine was discovered in Green Stone Town, Peaceful County, and Sheng'er found it. Qing'er, you worked at the Divine Armory Pavilion for ten years and have broad knowledge. Quickly see whether this is Profound Gold. If it is, Sheng'er will have rendered great merit."

Upon hearing that her own son had discovered a Profound Gold Mine, Liu Qing'er no longer had time to be angry. She took the ore and examined it carefully.

Her lips moved slightly. With a muffled puff, a ball of Crimson Flame appeared out of thin air in her palm, and a sheet of Crimson Flame wrapped around the ore.

Time passed bit by bit, yet the ore showed no sign of melting.

Liu Qing'er took out an Azure Dagger, infused it with spiritual power, and slashed it toward the ore.

Clang!

With a dull sound of metal striking metal, a faint white mark appeared on the ore's surface.

"That's right, it is Mystic Gold Ore. We just don't know how large the mine is, but even a small Profound Gold Mine would be enough to help us weather this crisis." Liu Qing'er looked somewhat excited.

"Excellent! Our ancestors are blessing us—the Wang Family is saved! Changge, other than you, how many people know about this?" Wang Mingyuan asked sternly.

Wang Changge thought for a moment, then answered truthfully, "Fifth Uncle-Grandfather and Ninth Brother also know. Oh, and some Lineage members without Spirit Roots know part of the situation. They were the first to mine the Mystic Gold Ore. The Mystic Gold Ore is located inside a quarry, but they don't know it is Profound Gold. When Seventh Sister and I returned, Fifth Uncle-Grandfather was personally watching over the quarry, while Ninth Brother gathered together the Lineage members who knew about it and strictly forbade them from contacting outsiders."

"Good. None of you are to reveal even half a word about this matter. I'll immediately summon Fourth Brother and the others for a meeting and send people to Green Stone Town as soon as possible."

"Yes, Third Uncle."

Wang Changge gave Wang Changyu a meaningful look. Wang Changyu understood at once, and she left together with Wang Changge, leaving Wang Mingyuan and Liu Qing'er behind.

"I knew Sheng'er was capable. He discovered a Profound Gold Mine and rendered such great merit. You can transfer him back now, can't you?" Liu Qing'er said hopefully.

"The state has its laws, and the Lineage has its rules. Sheng'er will be greatly rewarded for rendering such merit, but it won't be too late to transfer him back once his term is complete. There's only one year left anyway. Bringing him back early would easily give people something to talk about, and it would make it difficult for me to handle the Lineage's affairs in the future." Wang Mingyuan said with some difficulty.

Liu Qing'er glared at Wang Mingyuan and said irritably, "Fine, fine. Every time I ask you to bring Sheng'er back, you use this excuse. You're so afraid of giving people something to talk about. In your heart, there is only the Wang Family, the greater family, and no room for our little family. You can sleep in the study this month! Without us mother and son, you'd live exactly the same anyway."

With that, Liu Qing'er stormed off angrily.

Seeing this, Wang Mingyuan could only smile bitterly, his mouth full of bitterness.

How could he not want to bring his son back? But as the head of a family, he first had to convince the Lineage members wholeheartedly before he could manage affairs properly. For that reason, he held himself, his wife, and his children to strict standards.

It was precisely because he handled matters so impartially that he held great prestige among the Lineage members, allowing many orders to be carried out smoothly.