A letter from home

On Mount Huayu.

Yang Houjia looked at the message that had just been handed to him, his brows furrowing and relaxing repeatedly. After a long while, he finally let out a cold snort, "What's wrong with Azure Ram Temple? What has 'Wandering Gold' done to them?"

Lord Yang Hu sat at the lower end of the table, holding a copy of the same intelligence report. He glanced at it a few times and slowly said, "There are already few cultivators practicing 'Wandering Gold' in South of the Yangtze, and even fewer Lower Cultivator the jurisdiction of Azure Ram Temple. Now that they've wiped out one batch, there won't be any more for the next two or three hundred years."

He paused, then put down the letter in his hand. "But let's hope we don't get caught in the crossfire."

Although the Yang Family had long since ceased practicing "Wandering Gold" and seemed to have no connection whatsoever with the Yangshe Family Yang Family the Ancient Era Later Jin Dynasty, how could they possibly Immovable in such a Divine Ability Treasure as the "Edge-Raising Pool"?

If one is willing, one may one day be able to use this Divine Ability Treasure to glimpse the entrance to the Purple Mansion. Therefore, the Yang Family has hidden many disciples who cultivate "Wandering Gold".

Yang Houjia sneered and tossed the intelligence report onto the table, "Azure Ram Temple has always been ruled by a tyrant, accustomed to being domineering and arrogant. Who knows when they might come knocking? When that happens, let Pivot Court handle it; my Yang Family will simply keep our doors closed to visitors."

Lord Yang Hu pondered for a moment and said, "I've heard that True Lord from the Pivot Court recently emerged from his Grotto Heaven and is currently overseeing the situation in the Northern Lands. He will return soon. Logically, he should be more confident. However, the Pivot Court's attitude towards the Azure Ram Temple is still unclear. Perhaps we should think of a way to test the waters and determine how we should deal with the Azure Ram Temple."

Yang Houjia nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "This matter can be handled by the Ning Family. Isn't Ning Xiu Cong a disciple of Azure Fish Peak? Let's use this as an excuse to properly probe the attitude of the Pivot Court. If the Pivot Court doesn't secretly obstruct this matter, my family shouldn't make too much of a fuss. If the Pivot Court shows dissatisfaction, then my Yang Family, as a subordinate of the Pivot Court, should naturally make a statement."

Lord Yang Hu agreed and said no more. Yang Houjia then remembered something and instructed, "Go and convey my message: tell the young men in the Ning Household, especially Bo Zhuo, not to go out for the next two years. They should all stay obediently on Mount Huayu and cultivate in seclusion."

Lord Yang Hu nodded in agreement, apologized, and got up to leave.

Upon exiting the palace gates, Lord Yang Hu immediately dispatched someone to Warm-Cool Mountain to invite Ning Xiufu. Upon receiving the news, Ning Xiufu dared not delay for a moment and rushed to Mount Huayu that very night.

He no longer looks like the boy he once was.

He wore a dark blue brocade robe that fit him perfectly, with a dark blue leather belt around his waist. He was impeccably dressed from head to toe, but this could not hide the growing somberness between his brows.

He kept his head slightly lowered and walked with a steady gait. Only when he lowered his eyes did the occasional glint in them remain sharp, showing that he had not become like Ning Xiangyi.

Ning Xiufu bowed respectfully upon Lord Yang Hu, saying, "This junior pays his respects to the Household Head."

Instead of sitting upright to accept the greeting and acting superior in front of him, Lord Yang Hu personally got up and helped him up, saying with a smile, "Nephew, you're too kind. Our two families are on good terms, and Senior Xin Ping has rendered meritorious service to the families of South of the Yangtze. Why be so formal? If you don't mind, just call me Uncle."

Ning Xiufu maintained a respectful demeanor on the surface, but inwardly he was unimpressed, even secretly cursing, "What a shameless character. He probably needs the Ning Family's help now, otherwise, he wouldn't be showing such a face."

His expression remained unchanged, still respectful and polite, not daring to show the slightest disrespect. He bowed and said, "If we were on Warm-Cool Mountain, I would certainly have invited you to take the seat of honor, treated you with the courtesy due to a junior, and served you tea. But now that we are in Mount Huayu, I dare not overstep my bounds in the slightest. Please forgive me, Household Head Yang."

Lord Yang Hu laughed heartily, "Oh, what are you saying? It's never a bad thing to be polite, especially to someone Xiu Fu. Please sit down."

Ning Xiufu bowed again before taking his seat. Immediately, a waiter brought tea, which Lord Yang Hu gestured towards, smiling, "This tea is 'Golden Branch Leaves,' a unique variety from Mount Huayu. In the past, you've always been in a hurry, and I haven't had a chance to properly entertain you. Today, Xiu Fu try it and give me your feedback."

Ning Xiufu apologized, saying, "I'm afraid my words are clumsy and I might have ruined the fine tea."

Lord Yang Hu, however, persisted, "Ah, Xiu Fu is calm, quiet, and cautious—a natural tea connoisseur. It's just a pity that the Ning Family is so meddlesome, preventing you from settling down and resting. Now that you're here on Mount Huayu, don't be so anxious." Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Ning Xiufu had no choice but to pick up his teacup and take a sip. The tea was initially bland, like water, with no flavor, but after a moment, a sweet aftertaste emerged. He closed his eyes, savored it carefully for a while, and exclaimed, "Truly excellent tea!"

Lord Yang Hu laughed heartily and said, "Since you like it, take some back with you before you leave, so that Xiu Ci can have a taste as well."

At this point, he suddenly sighed, "It's a pity that Xiu Cong currently cultivating in the Pivot Court, otherwise I would definitely let him have a taste as well."

He looked at Ning Xiufu and added with a smile, "Speaking of tea tasting, actually, someone Xiu Cong is more suited to it."

Ning Xiufu's eyes darkened slightly. "The Yang Family's gaze has actually fallen on Cong Ge."

He Immovable and said indifferently, "Yes, since you've been cultivating at the High Sect for so long, it's become very difficult for me to even send a letter, let alone have tea with you."

His intention was to shut down Lord Yang Hu's next words, so that whatever his plans were, he could get ahead of him.

Unexpectedly, Lord Yang Hu, a shrewd old man, sighed upon hearing this, "The four of you are so loving and affectionate, it's truly enviable. Looking at my own family's misfits, it's disheartening. Xiu Fu and Xiu Cong their uncle, I feel quite distressed. Here's what we'll do: Xiu Fu, you write a letter home, and I'll find a way to deliver it to Azure Fish Peak for you."

Ning Xiufu cupped his hands and said, "There's no need to trouble Household Head Yang so much..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lord Yang Hu interrupted, "Oh, no need to say any more. Xiu Fu, just write a letter here. I've also prepared some Golden Branch Leaves to enclose with the letter, so that Xiu Cong can also taste the tea from Great Night Lake in the High Sect."

Ning Xiufu sighed inwardly, knowing that he couldn't refuse today no matter what.

While the waiter went to fetch pen and ink, his mind raced. "Yang Family wants to know something from Congge, but what could Congge possibly know?"

After much thought, his mind turned to the important matter that had occurred not long ago.

The Azure Ram Temple issued an edict to suppress and kill cultivators practicing "Wandering Gold".

Did the Yang Family actually have anyone who practiced "Wandering Gold"? Even ghosts could tell.

The enormous "Edge-Raising Pool" sits atop Mount Huayu; how could anyone with even a modicum of ambition not try their luck at finding the "Wandering Gold" within?

Yang Family's feigned concern was likely an attempt to probe Pivot Court's attitude towards Azure Ram Temple's actions through her brother's words.

If Azure Ram Temple is truly so domineering as to come knocking on our door, we should respond according to the prevailing winds of Pivot Court.

Having figured this out, Ning Xiufu no longer hesitated, took the pen handed to him by the servant, and began to write.

Lord Yang Hu glanced at him from afar, nodded slightly, and then his gaze fell on Ning Xiufu. A hint of sternness flashed in his kind and gentle eyes.

"This man is far too clever. For now, I need to use him to govern the Ning Family and make him Immovable for the time being. As for the future..." He withdrew his gaze, picked up his teacup, and said no more.