A Family Talk at Night (Part Two of Two)

The room fell silent for a moment.

A voice rang out from the Heavenly Message Crystal, calmly asking:

"Changtian, how did you learn the name of this Cultivation Method?"

Upon hearing this,

Xu Yuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He was genuinely a little afraid that his father didn't know the truth, but as expected of the ultimate boss who had roamed over a dozen worlds.

After a moment's hesitation, he said in a low voice:

"From Ran Qingmo."

"Ran Qingmo, Ran Jianli's disciple?"

A thoughtful murmur rang out, as if the other side had thought of something, and the Heavenly Message Crystal fell silent in the room for the time being.

While his father was lost in thought, Xu Yuan glanced at Xu Changge and whispered:

"Xu Changge, is Ran Jianli the State Preceptor?"

Xu Changge glanced at his third brother, who only cared about his Xu Changge brother when things were going well, and nodded with a cold snort:

"Um."

"By the way, did you tell Father that Ran Qingmo came to Jingjiang Prefecture?"

"Never."

"I didn't mean anything by it. Have you told Father that Ran Qingmo and I have a good relationship?"

"No."

"Also, you told Father about me and Ran Qingmo."

"Tsk"

Xu Changge took a deep breath and glanced at Xu Yuan indifferently. "Why waste so much time on nonsense? Just speak your mind in front of Father."

"Tsk"

"What did you mean by that 'tsk'?"

"."

Xu Yuan coughed lightly. "Coughing doesn't mean anything."

Hearing the deliberately hushed conversation on the other end of the Heavenly Message Crystal, a strange smile appeared on the usually stern and gloomy face of the Prime Minister Great Yan.

Xu Yinhe placed the memorial in his hand on the table, shook his head, and said:

I think I understand.

"Changtian, tell me one thing at a time. First, tell me how that girl surnamed Ran brought this up with you?"

Upon hearing this Xu Yuan composed himself, carefully considered his words, and briefly summarized the story of the little girl named Tianyan before informing the father and Xu Changge.

certainly,

It only mentioned some things about the little girl named Tianyan and some very superficial details.

He had promised Ran Qingmo that he would only tell her these things.

After Xu Yuan finished speaking, both Xu Changge and Xu Yinhe fell silent for a moment.

Xu Changge's brows were furrowed tightly; he didn't quite believe in the idea of deducing heavenly secrets.

Rather than believing that someone can directly deduce the secrets of heaven, he is more inclined to think that these things are fabricated by certain people using opportunistic means.

Earthquakes and snow in August are just some of the natural disasters that can be created by accumulating resources and manpower.

As for the claim that the Barbarian Tribe army was approaching Cold North City, that was even more laughable; the Prime Minister's Estate had foreseen this several years ago.

Besides these, there are several other prophecies that, if desired, can also be fulfilled through human effort.

However, compared to Xu Changge's disbelief, Xu Yinhe's answer seemed ambiguous;

"I've never heard of this woman named Tianyan, but the Yantian Art definitely exists."

It refers to a woman, not a girl.

Clearly, Xu Yinhe did not believe that the woman named Tianyan was not as she appeared.

Cultivation Method maintain eternal youth, reverse aging, or even control one's physical age all exist in this world.

He paused for a moment,

Xu Yinhe seemed to have thought of something, and his voice drifted over:

"Heh, it seems there are quite a few rats hiding in the shadows."

"Changtian,

"You mentioned Ran Qingmo earlier because she told you other things, right?"

Xu Yuan nodded and spoke:

"Yes, Father, but didn't you say things should be discussed one by one?"

Xu Yinhe's voice carried a hint of amusement as he asked in return:

"Is this matter not yet finished?"

Xu Yuan was taken aback.

He's finished explaining things to Tianyan, but haven't you given any response yet?

At least a general action plan has been given?

In silence,

Xu Yinhe seemed to be able to guess Xu Yuan's thoughts, and said softly with a smile:

"Changtian, you don't need to worry about this. I will handle it."

Because he already knows, there's nothing to worry about.

After a moment's hesitation, Xu Yuan chose to trust his Prime Minister father. If even the prime minister couldn't handle this character who was beyond the scope of the plot, then he would be even more helpless.

"Okay, fine."

Xu Yuan gently rubbed his index finger and thumb together, carefully choosing his words, before speaking:

"Regarding Ran Qingmo, I would like to ask you, Father, for a chance."

"Hmm, what kind of opportunity do you want?" Xu Yinhe's words were devoid of any emotion.

Xu Yuan stated simply and clearly. "The opportunity with the Tianyuan Sword Sect."

He had promised Ran Qingmo that he would ask her for a chance.

Upon hearing this,

Xu Changge immediately looked up at Xu Yuan, a thoughtful look flashing in her narrow eyes.

Xu Yinhe did not immediately respond to this question.

The attic was completely silent.

After about ten breaths,

Xu Yinhe sighed softly:

"I see. No wonder that girl surnamed Ran kidnapped you back then. If you hadn't known beforehand that there might be this Yantian Cultivation Method, you would have really fallen for this low-level provocation."

The moonlight was clear, and the two brothers in the attic had different thoughts.

Xu Changge suddenly understood some things that had been on his mind.

When he returned to the capital, he proposed a thorough investigation into any possible moles within the Prime Minister's Estate, but his father stopped him.

Because my father trusted those old guys in the mansion immensely.

However, it now seems that the Yantian Art is probably partly to some extent responsible for this.

So it is said

Could there really be people who can predict the future?

Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed.

It's clear that the father and elder brother knew Ran Qingmo's purpose; they probably even considered finding the traitor within the organization.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan took a deep breath and asked to confirm:

"Father, was what Tianyan true?"

Xu Yinhe's deep voice was unhurried. "Which one?"

"Naturally, it's a matter for the Tianyuan Sword Sect," Xu Yuan.

Xu Yinhe smiled faintly.

"Changtian, you didn't mention this just now."

"I suspect that you, Father, already know."

"Oh? How did you push it?"

Xu Changge did not make a move against Ran Qingmo either time.

Ran Qingmo must have already informed others about this beforehand.

The fact that officials from the Prime Minister's Estate had been submitting memorials to the sects for decades to rectify their practices, along with some policies that were hastily concluded without being implemented, had long created a "crying wolf" effect among the sects.

Therefore, even though Ran Qingmo knew the truth, she was still able to live.

Because the sect finds it difficult to believe her side of the story.

But if she were to die, especially at the hands of the Prime Minister's eldest son, it would very likely arouse suspicion from the Great Yan sects, who might suspect that the Prime Minister's Estate was trying to silence her.

after all,

As everyone knows, the Sword Sect Master's precious disciple seems to be searching for evidence.

After a pause, Xu Yuan asked again:

"Father, I have other ways to handle the Tianyuan Sword Sect matter. Could you give me a chance?"

Upon hearing this, a cryptic look flashed in Xu Yinhe's sharp eyes.

When Xin Yao Li Capital the capital, she seemed to have said something similar to him.

She also wanted a chance, a chance for peace.

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Xu Yinhe's tone carried a hint of solemnity, radiating an air of authority:

"Changtian, do you know what this opportunity you're asking for represents?"

Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat. After a couple of seconds of silence, he said:

"Know."

Inside the study of the Prime Minister's Estate's residence, wisps of sandalwood incense wafted through the air.

Time passed by little by little.

Xu Yinhe tapped the memorial in front of him lightly with his finger, remained silent for a long time, and then sighed:

"Changtian, Xin Yao asked me for this opportunity before, but I couldn't give it to her."

It's not that I don't want to give, but that I can't.

Is the Prime Minister's Estate powerful?

The rumors circulating among the common people and in the imperial court, such as "Without the Prime Minister's approval, government orders cannot leave the Golden Throne Hall," already reveal a glimpse of this phenomenon.

besides,

The Tian'an Chamber of Commerce, whose wealth rivaled that of a nation, the Tian'an Martial Hall spread throughout the counties of Great Yan Prefecture, and the Black Scale Guard, which were even more feared than the Secret Investigation Bureau of the imperial court, were all testaments to the Prime Minister's Estate glory.

Even so, the lessons learned from more than a decade ago are still vivid in our minds.

The world has changed, Prime Minister's Estate is no longer what it used to be, but everything they do is still as if walking on thin ice.

therefore,

Xu Yinhe rejected his third son's request, just as he had rejected his adopted daughter Xu Xinyao in the past.

The room fell silent, but the refusal was not unexpected for Xu Yuan.

Destroying the Sword Sect is no child's play; it's not something that can be done casually, like picking up a teacup from a table and putting it down again.

Over a thousand years, the sects of the Great Yan Dynasty have become an unshakeable behemoth, a suffocating behemoth, where a single mistake could lead to total defeat.

After a long silence,

"Father."

"Changtian," Xu Changge suddenly spoke up at this moment.

Xu Yuan looked in that direction upon hearing the sound.

Xu Changge gently shook her head at him.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan simply smiled at the older brother.

He realized that his father and older brother seemed to have misunderstood something.

He is not Xu Xinyao, nor is he as idealistic as this Fourth Sister.

The Prime Minister's Estate's goal of destroying the Sword Sect and Ran Qingmo's responsibility to protect the Sword Sect seem to be irreconcilable.

However, there is clearly a lot of room for maneuver within it.

because,

Ran Qingmo only wants to protect the Sword Sect, but she doesn't care what means she uses to protect it.

After laughing, Xu Yuan composed himself and continued:

"Father, my request for this opportunity will not affect your plans, and I am not giving the Tianyuan Sword Sect a way out, but giving them another option."

Xu Changge's eyes flickered for a moment, and he roughly understood what Xu Yuan meant. He sighed softly and remained silent.

He didn't approve of his third brother's idea.

Xu Yinhe's voice remained deep and deliberate:

"Are you trying to use that girl Ran to get the Sword Sect to cooperate with me?"

"Yes, that's roughly it."

"A wildly imaginative idea," Xu Yinhe commented.

Xu Yuan was not discouraged when he saw this:

"I know you must have tried, Father, but I think you didn't have Ran Qingmo as a bridge back then, did you?"

The sects are not a monolithic entity. If they were, even if the Prime Minister's Estate were powerful, it wouldn't be enough to defeat them.

However, in the previous storyline, after the Tianyuan Sword Sect was destroyed, many sects chose to defect to the Prime Minister of the Great Yan Dynasty.

If these sects can defect, why can't the Tianyuan Sword Sect?

"Oh"

Xu Yinhe chuckled softly as he listened to the three sons' words.

After a few breaths of silence,

Xu Yinhe suddenly asked, as if pointing something:

"So, when you told your brother you wanted to go out, it was because you wanted to do this?"

That's one reason.

Xu Yuan did not deny it, but after a pause, he said loudly, "Besides that, Changtian also wants to see this vast world."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yinhe suddenly sighed:

"I didn't agree to your sister's request back then, but I allowed her to travel. Changtian, do you know why?"

Xu Yuan vaguely recalled the relevant memories.

After Li Capital, Xu Xinyao traveled around, made friends, and did good deeds while punishing evil.

Three years have passed, and although he is not as well-known as his elder brother Xu Changge, he has now gained some fame in the Great Yan Kingdom.

Once a reputation is established, the things one does naturally spread.

Just like in Xu Yuan's memories from his previous life, this Fourth Sister moved among various forces within the Great Yan territory, resolving conflicts between them in her own way.

A laughable yet admirable act.

After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan said softly:

"Just like your memorial to reorganize the sects, Xu Xinyao is your adopted daughter. Her actions outside can, to some extent, represent the attitude of the Prime Minister's Estate. Such coordination can, to a certain extent, lull those sects and aristocratic Aristocratic Clan into a false sense of security."

Upon hearing this, Xu Changge shook his head slightly, his expression cryptic.

The next moment, Xu Yinhe gently corrected him:

"This is a consequence of your sister's actions, not the cause."

Xu Yuan was somewhat puzzled:

"Hmm? Then why?"

"Because it was her own choice."

"." Xu Yuan.

Standing by the window of his study, gazing at the Imperial Capital, Xu Yinhe spoke softly yet earnestly:

"Changtian, all four of you siblings can choose your own lives. Whatever you choose, your father will do his best to help you."

"You chose to indulge in worldly desires before, and I can give you those things."

"But with your current choice, it will be difficult for me, your father, to offer you any further assistance."

"Changtian, are you sure you want to choose this path?"

"."

Xu Yuan was taken aback, and amidst his complicated emotions, he grinned:

"Certainly."

"Oh"

Xu Yinhe smiled, but suddenly changed the subject:

"Changtian, can you tell your father what caused such a drastic change in you?"

Upon hearing this,

Before Xu Yuan could speak, Xu Yuan Xu Changge glanced at him subtly.

And in that one glance,

The space around Xu Yuan seemed to freeze instantly, and immense pressure pressed down like a tidal wave.

Feeling uncomfortable, Xu Yuan turned around without thinking and glared at Xu Changge, cursing:

"Xu Changge, are you out of your mind?"

"."

Xu Changge stared at Xu Yuan for two seconds, a hint of embarrassment gradually appearing on his handsome face. He casually raised his hand and patted off non-existent dust from his green robe.

The pressure disappeared.

With his breathing returning to normal, Xu Yuan gave a soft hum and looked away, taking a deep breath. His heartbeat was steady as before.

"Father, there's really no other reason. It's just that after obtaining the Innate Dao Body, I've come to understand some things."

"What have you figured out?" Xu Yinhe murmured.

Xu Yuan looked through the window at the full moon hanging in the darkness of the night:

"Only mediocre people would worry about being judged as mediocre. It's ridiculous to bully the weak to satisfy one's ego. With my current physical condition and abilities, I'm qualified to do things I want to do."

Silence lingered for a long time under the moonlight.

Xu Yinhe smiled:

"Since that's the case, then go ahead and do it. After this is over, your brother will give you the Soul Ring. This is the most I can do to help you."

This chapter is a two-in-one.

Thank you to the Yao Yuan De Meng Meng for the generous donation as a patron or 2.