East City Cargo Hold

"Brother Li, I can never repay such kindness. Please drain this cup!"

Yan Jiuling tipped back his head and drained his cup. After several more cups, a flush had spread across his cheeks.

He reached for the wine jar again, but his fingertips trembled, and the wine nearly spilled.

Seeing this, Li Yan hurriedly pressed down on his wrist, moved the jar aside, and laughed.

"Brother Yan, why be so polite between us? If you keep drinking, you'll probably collapse drunk right here in the relay station."

"I'm not being polite..."

Yan Jiuling sighed heavily. His gaze fell on the bodhi tree outside the window, and his voice dropped. "Father feared disturbing my peace of mind, so he kept the family's crisis from me. The ridiculous thing is, I never noticed a thing and spent the whole journey sightseeing. If not for Brother Li's intervention, I fear..."

He abruptly closed his eyes, his knuckles clenched white.

Li Yan patted his shoulder. "What's past need not be mentioned again. The Southwest has been pacified, and with the Lei family holding the fort, the Yan family can sleep soundly."

Seeing Yan Jiuling's expression ease somewhat, Li Yan smoothly changed the subject. "But as for this Qiankun Academy—they didn't explain things clearly. Brother Yan went to such lengths to secure a post there, so you must know the truth behind it?"

At this, Yan Jiuling's drunkenness receded slightly. A grave look flashed through his eyes as he lowered his voice.

"Since Brother Li has asked, I'll speak frankly. The future of this academy concerns the rise and fall of our Great Xuan Dynasty's destiny!"

"Have you heard anything about the imperial fleet?"

"I know a little."

Li Yan nodded faintly. "I heard the Imperial Household secretly formed a fleet and, to avoid being