How Could It Be a Peer

The carriage passed through Wansheng Gate, officially entering Central Capital. A Vermillion Bird Avenue, fully eight to nine zhang wide, stretched out, its end lost in the towering palace walls at the horizon.

Chen Luo lifted the carriage curtain, instantly feeling the sense of entering the city. This bustling, vibrant street scene gave him the feeling of his soul entering the Qingming Scroll, his eyes filled with novelty.

"Senior, where are we going now?" Chen Luo asked.

"To your residence, the Earl of Wan'an's manor!"

Chen Luo subconsciously asked, "They've given me a house? Which ring is it in, and how many square meters?"

Wei Yan was taken aback. He suspected Chen Luo was testing him with obscure words and absolutely refused to lose face. Thus, the Great Scholar's "Investigation of Things to Attain Knowledge" Supernatural Power was activated. Only then did he manage to understand the meaning of Chen Luo's words and replied, "It's in Qing'an Ward, a lively and prosperous area. As for its size, you'll know when you see it yourself."

Chen Luo nodded, closed the curtain, and asked again, "Senior, what do I need to do next? Also, when can I bring my elder sister and the others here?"

Wei Yan stroked his beard. "There's a court session in three days. You'll need to attend the hall to express your gratitude. After this step, your status as Earl will be fully confirmed. As for your family, Tong Chen will look after them, so rest assured for now. My suggestion is to wait until you've settled things in Central Capital before bringing them here."

Wei Yan paused and then cautioned, "Stay in Central Capital and be at ease. If you need to leave the city, be sure to inform Wenchang Pavilion. You've opened the Three Thousand Li Heavenly Road, and it's hard to guarantee no one will target you. Afterwards, depending on the Chancellor of Literature's arrangements for who you will study under, your future teacher should arrange a protector for you!"

Chen Luo nodded. He hadn't needed Wei Yan to tell him; he had planned to do so anyway. Not to mention the dangers that hadn't yet surfaced, he had already provoked the Gu Sect.

The carriage swayed for a long time, and it wasn't until the morning market had ended that it finally stopped. Chen Luo, whose backside had long since gone numb, lifted the curtain and jumped off the carriage.

He looked up and was met by a vermillion lacquered gate. The copper studs on the gate were the size of tea bowls, brushed with gold paint, shining brightly. Standing before the gate was a person dressed in a bright yellow palace robe, a foot-long red kite feather stuck in their hat, holding a whisk.

Upon seeing Chen Luo dismount and noticing Wei Yan following behind, this person immediately put on a smile, hurried forward, and bowed deeply, "This servant, Wang Li, an attendant of the Qingfeng Department, greets Great Scholar Wei, and Earl Wan'an."

Wei Yan glanced at Wang Li. "Did Hou An send you?"

Wang Li dared not rise, still hunched over as he replied, "It was indeed Steward Hou who dispatched this servant. The Steward said that since the Earl is new here, I am to properly guide the Earl around and show him the sights, so that he doesn't feel like a stranger."

Wei Yan nodded slightly. "He is indeed thoughtful." He then looked at Chen Luo. "You can follow this Eunuch Wang to familiarize yourself. I will return to Wenchang Pavilion first to hand over my duties. For the court session in three days, I will send someone to pick you up to attend court together. Don't oversleep and miss the time."

Chen Luo nodded and bowed to Wei Yan again. "This junior understands."

Wei Yan chuckled, patted Chen Luo's shoulder, got back into the carriage, and slowly departed.

Watching Wei Yan leave, Chen Luo turned around and cupped his hands towards Wang Li, who had been standing respectfully to the side. "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch!"

Wang Li was flattered and quickly returned the gesture. "Not at all, Earl, you humble this servant. Please, Earl!"

Wang Li led the way forward, arriving at the main gate. With a forceful push, the vermillion lacquered gate slowly opened...

Wenchang Pavilion.

"Chancellor, I've returned..." Wei Yan knocked on the door of the Chancellor's quiet room.

"Enter!"

Wei Yan pushed open the door and saw the Chancellor playing a game of Go with a middle-aged man whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Upon seeing the middle-aged man, Wei Yan's face lit up with surprise, and he quickly stepped forward to bow deeply. "Your student, Wei Yan, greets my esteemed teacher!"

The dark-faced man waved his hand slightly. "Enough, get up. Our lineage doesn't have so many formalities!"

Yan Baichuan smiled as he looked at Wei Yan. "Is that young man settled?"

Wei Yan quickly replied, "Hou An sent someone to handle it!"

Yan Baichuan nodded slightly. "Hou An is a capable person..." Then, Yan Baichuan casually disrupted the chessboard and said with a smile, "Tui Zhi, do you want to go and see that young man?"

The dark-faced man remained unmoved, staring at the disrupted chessboard before him. He said, "There are two more moves, and you lose!"

"Hmm?" Yan Baichuan frowned. "Impossible, I have a counter-move that can instantly turn the tables."

The dark-faced man raised his head and glanced at Yan Baichuan. His sleeve brushed across the chessboard, and the scattered pieces instantly returned to their original positions.

"Come, let me see your table-turning move!"

Yan Baichuan's expression changed. "Song Tui Zhi! I was trying to save you face. Do you think I didn't notice you using the 'Perceive the Minute and Know the Significant' Supernatural Power to make those two moves?"

Song Tui Zhi glanced sideways at Yan Baichuan. "Stop being the villain who cries first. It was you, you brute, who used 'Perceive the Minute and Know the Significant' to make two moves first!"

Wei Yan, standing to the side, broke out in a cold sweat. "Perceive the Minute and Know the Significant" was a Supernatural Power mastered by Great Scholars who had crossed the Five Mountains and Seas. It allowed them to predict the future development of things based on the slightest hint. It was no less potent than the Daoist sect's Heavenly Secrets divination. He hadn't mastered this yet.

But is it really appropriate to use it to cheat at Go?

"Song the brute, let's see how I predict your moves!"

"Yan the brute, let's see me predict your prediction!"

"What's so difficult about that? Watch me predict your prediction of my prediction!"

"Heh heh, let me predict your prediction of my prediction of your prediction!"

Wei Yan turned around and left the place. He dared to bet that these two world-renowned Great Scholars would not be able to make a single move today, even if they shouted until their throats were hoarse!

Always thinking of using Supernatural Powers to predict, and then making brilliant moves with every placement, how is that possible? Brilliant moves are often accidental. Stabilize the basic situation, avoid blunders, and one or two brilliant moves can turn the tide.

Sometimes, the more you know, the harder it is to take the first step!

"My Lord, this is the last courtyard of the Earl's manor. The entire manor has a total of twenty side rooms, twelve independent courtyards, two main halls, six side halls, and two servants' quarters. There are also eight utility rooms such as stables, bathrooms, and kitchens. All furniture and belongings have been provided. Where do you see any need for repairs? I'll have the personnel from the Internal Affairs Department come over immediately..."

"No, no need..." Chen Luo was somewhat stunned. He had imagined the Earl's manor wouldn't be small, but he never expected it to be this large! This wasn't a residence; it was a small community...

If this were converted to the capital of his previous life, and he owned such a property... Never mind, he dared not think about it...

"My Lord?"

Chen Luo snapped back to attention and quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I think it's fine."

Wang Li said with a fawning smile, "If my Lord thinks it's fine, then there's no problem. Also, there's one more matter, please instruct me, my Lord."

"Go ahead."

Wang Li quickly said, "My Lord has just arrived, and this mansion must have some servants to do errands. Should this servant find a broker..."

Only then did Chen Luo realize that although the Earl's mansion was large, it was indeed completely devoid of life. As an Earl, shouldn't there be someone to serve him? Was the dream of buying a few pretty maids finally going to come true?

Chen Luo was about to nod when he suddenly thought of a problem--

He had no money!

"Teacher, why have you suddenly come to the Central Capital?" Wei Yan handed Song Tui Zhi a cup of hot tea.

"It's all for the Three Thousand Li Heavenly Road..." Song Tui Zhi's voice was a little hoarse.

According to the person on duty at Wenchang Pavilion, his teacher and the Chancellor of Literature had even used the Supernatural Power of "Great Words of Meaning" in their argument.

Wei Yan was startled at first, then a look of joy appeared on his face, "Does this mean you, Teacher, are going to take that kid under your wing?" But then Wei Yan's expression changed again, "In that case, won't he become my junior fellow disciple and be of the same generation as me?"

Song Tui Zhi took a sip of tea, moistening his throat, "You're overthinking it, how could he be of the same generation?"

Wei Yan looked confused, "Could it be one of my senior fellow disciples who is taking him? This... isn't that too uncertain?"

Song Tui Zhi placed his teacup on the table and said calmly, "Your grand-teacher sent me to see what kind of character the owner of the Heaven-Connecting Path has. If he passes, I will accept him as my disciple on behalf of my grand-teacher. He will become my junior fellow disciple, and your junior grand-uncle. How could he be of the same generation?"

Wei Yan froze, "My... junior... grand-uncle?"

At this moment, Chen Luo was sitting on the roof of the main hall of the Earl's mansion, looking at the starry sky, murmuring, "Gotta make money..."

Sunlight shines through the gauze window, the wind rattles the door, this is a short note for next week's strong recommendation.

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