Shen Yuan never imagined that one day he would be involved in the life-or-death struggle of Liuzhou.
Listening to Wei Gongzhan describe the overall crisis in Liuzhou, he felt as if he were in a dream.
" Shen Yuan?"
"Huh?" Shen Yuan was taken aback, then looked at the other person with a puzzled expression.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Wei Gongzhan, frowning.
"I..." Shen Yu gave a wry smile, "It's nothing, let's continue. You just said that the entire Liuzhou City is now under the control of that Thousand-Faced Fox?"
The Thousand-Faced Fox wreaked havoc in the capital, leading to the Empress's death. Even someone from a small family like his had heard of this. In fact, when Chen Qing imprisoned the fox, he felt uneasy, always thinking that such a powerful monster would cause trouble one day. He just didn't expect it to happen so soon!
" The City God left you a message; he may have been taken into custody?"
"Hmm," Wei Gongzhan also smiled wryly, "The situation is more serious than I imagined!"
" The City God is not here, and the Dean is most likely in trouble as well. In this situation, shouldn't we seek help from outside? Wouldn't it be better to call Lord Xu Hu back?"
"Lord Xu Hu is on the West Sea side, ready to support Chen Qing. If he is called back, those monsters will definitely notice and may even attract them as well. This could affect Chen Qing's overall plans. The City God God's intention is for us to handle this ourselves."
"How do we solve this?" Shen Yuan was taken aback.
" Xiaoli and I can't get into Liuzhou City, we need your help."
"Um?"
--
"There's really nothing wrong."
A Li looked at the Mirror Image Jade video that Chen Ying brought back. Having watched it carefully three times, she was certain that everything was alright now.
The only special people were the impetuous Shen Yu and Shen Yuan, who had just brought his mother back.
Shen Yuan entered the city gate a quarter of an hour later than Shen Yu, but thinking about it, that didn't seem unreasonable.
From Shen Yu's memories, we know that Shen Yuan didn't have much affection for the Shen Family. His mother, with whom he had the deepest affection, had already been taken to Jiangnan. Given the great disaster the Shen Family had caused, it's understandable that he didn't seem as panicked as Shen Yu.
After all, compared to Shen Yu, Shen Yuan's current achievements and foundation are all in Jiangnan. At worst, he can sever ties with the Shen Family. Neither the imperial court nor the Northern Wolf Kingdom can do anything about him. But Shen Yu is different. If he can't stay in Jiangnan and returns to the capital, he is very likely to be implicated by the Shen Family.
Moreover, Shen Yuan was only a Fifth Rank sorcerer. Although he had mastered some inherited spell arrays, he posed little threat.
Thinking of this, A Li, who had always been cautious, ultimately decided not to try to control Shen Yuan any further. Her innate power was not limitless, and it had been being used up quite frequently recently. If she continued to abuse it like this, it might even damage her very essence.
Just as he was getting up, Chen Ying, who was next to him, suddenly hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
"What's wrong?" A Li frowned.
"Oh, just now. I got a message from Seventh Master Shen; Shen Yuan sent him a letter of inquiry."
"Hmm?" A Li looked at Chen Ying: "Are they actually very close?"
"Yes, Seventh Master Shen has always been very interested in the array formations of the Heaven Academy, but I am usually very busy and often in Great Azure Mountain. So Shen Qi often seeks out students from the Heaven Academy to discuss these issues. Among them, Shen Yuan has the most solid foundation and is a frequent visitor to Seventh Master Shen's Liuzhou courtyard."
"I see."
"Should we ask Seventh Master Shen to leave?"
"No need. He can handle it." A Li smiled and said, "I'm tired. You and Hei Yun stay here. I'm going to rest for a bit."
"Yes, sir."
After A Li left, a black object appeared. Chen Ying looked over and saw that it was the legendary Mr. Black Cloud.
In her altered memories, she seemed quite familiar with the Hei Yun.
" Shen Yuan and Shen Qi are quite close. That Yin Devourer might not be able to fool that kid. Once it's discovered, it'll be a real problem."
"We won't be discovered," Hei Yun laughed.
"Why?"
"Because... that was originally Shen Qi!"
"Um?"
--
"Son, are you leaving so soon?"
"Hmm," Shen Yuan smiled, "I made an appointment with a friend; I have some difficult questions I'd like to ask them."
"Oh, it's about your studies?" Madam Zheng nodded. "Then come back early, don't overwork yourself."
"Good"
Looking at his mother's relieved smile, Shen Yuan sighed inwardly.
If this matter cannot be resolved, both myself and my mother will likely suffer.
But when the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact?
If you want to maintain the life you aspire to in the future, this is another wave you have to fight for!
Having composed himself, Shen Yuan had just stepped outside when he saw Shen Yu running towards him, looking anxious.
"Brother, you have to help me!"
This guy really knows how to pick his timing.
Shen Yuan was filled with impatience, but his face remained indifferent. "What is it now?"
Madam Zheng frowned as she watched. "Come in and talk."
Unbeknownst to the three, an eye slowly opened, staring intently at Shen Yuan's face.
"Mother, elder brother." Shen Yu could no longer maintain her composure and knelt down on the ground. "You really have to help me this time. Those two idiots in the Shen Family have caused a terrible disaster. I can't go back. If I go back, Mother, you might never see me again!"
"This..." Madam Zheng was taken aback. "Is it that serious?"
"Of course it's serious!" Shen Yu hurriedly said, "Whether it's researching evil arts or killing foreign envoys without authorization, it's a crime punishable by the confiscation of one's property and the extermination of one's entire clan. This is no joke. If we stay in Liuzhou, with my elder brother's protection, the imperial court won't be able to hold us accountable here, and there might still be a glimmer of hope. But if we go back..."
Shen Yu looked at Madam Zheng pitifully, clearly being pressured by her mother's feelings.
In the end, Madam Zheng couldn't bring herself to harden her heart. After all, he was the child she had once valued most. Although she had grown cold towards him before, how could she stand idly by when he was in such a predicament?
So he looked to Shen Yuan for help.
Shen Yuan looked at Shen Yu with amusement. "If what you say is true, the Shen Family may face annihilation this time. What? As a direct descendant of the Shen Family family, are you planning to hide in Jiangnan? What about the Shen Family's relatives?"
"Your father values you so much, and now he's just going to ignore you?"
"With all the resources the old master has poured into you, Shen Family's nurturing of you over the years, how can you bear to just hide here, without even having the thought of going back to send a message?"
Shen Yu: "."
Madam Zheng was also taken aback. In her confusion, she hadn't thought of it earlier, but now that she realized it, this young man was planning to completely abandon the Shen Family to escape trouble.
How similar is this to when he wanted to abandon himself?
She only felt that she was hindering his marriage back then, but now she feels that the Shen Family is jeopardizing his life and death.
This child really hasn't changed at all.
"I..." Shen Yu thought to herself with indignation, but her expression remained innocent. "I... I panicked for a moment."
"Are you calm now?" Shen Yuan looked at the other person with amusement. "The news hasn't reached back yet. You should hurry back to the capital and send the message back to the Shen Family as soon as possible. Perhaps that can give the Shen Family a glimmer of hope? What do you think?"
Shen Yu lowered her head and remained silent.
Clearly, he didn't want to take that risk.
But when it comes to refuting it, I can't come up with a rebuttal!
"Alright." Shen Yuan didn't bother to look at the other person's expression and said indifferently, "I will apply to Dean Chen to let you stay in Jiangnan and then study at the academy's Foundation Academy. If you can seize the opportunity, you can still stay in Jiangnan."
"Thank you, brother!"
"As for the Shen Family, I will inquire about the specifics."
"Is Big Brother going to see Dean Chen?" Shen Yu quickly replied, "I know, he's in Shen Xue's room."
Shen Xue's room
A strange glint flashed in Shen Yuan's eyes. At this hour, he was still in Shen Xue's room. It seemed that Wei Gongzhan was right; Dean Chen was most likely under control.
"Is Dean Chen with Shen Xue?" Shen Yuan frowned. "It's not convenient to look for him right now. I've already made an appointment with Seventh Master Shen; let's go there and find out what's going on."
Seventh Master Shen?
Shen Yu was surprised, and then a surge of jealousy rose up. This Shen Yuan had been in Jiangnan for two years and had not only mastered a great skill, but had also made friends with a big figure in the world of sorcerers like Seventh Master Shen!
Heaven is truly unfair. I've worked so hard since I was a child, struggled for so many years under the immense pressure of the Shen Family, and sacrificed so much, and what was the result?
That's not even as good as some people's incredible luck over two years!
"Alright, take good care of Mother," Shen Yuan said in a low voice. "Don't cause trouble!"
"Don't worry, brother," Shen Yu quickly assured him, though he was trembling with anger inside, his face was full of gratitude.
A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm; let this petty person be smug for a few more days.
When Shen Yuan visited Shen Qi, it was already dusk. At this time, Shen Qi was sitting leisurely in a chair in the courtyard, enjoying the dishes on the table, a cup of fragrant Blood Ginseng Wine, and several new dishes made with ingredients from various states in Jiangnan. He was extremely content.
" Seventh Master really knows how to enjoy life," Shen Yuan said from a distance, displeased. "I've heard about such a big thing since I arrived here, and Dean Chen Ying is still busy with Shen Xue. Yet you seem so unhurried."
"The matter has already been resolved, what's the rush?" Seventh Master Shen said nonchalantly.
Shen Yuan looked at the other person, hesitant in his heart. This guy's demeanor and tone were exactly the same as the former Seventh Master Shen. Was he really a monster in disguise?
" Seventh Master, is it really resolved?" Shen Yuan asked curiously, "I have a feeling it's not that simple. I know my two good-for-nothing cousins. Researching evil arts? Neither the Shen Family nor those two good-for-nothings would dare to do that."
"Well," Shen Qi smiled and lowered his voice, "There are indeed some inside stories. Dean Chen is also investigating, and it seems he's currently with your younger sister Shen Xue."
"No wonder." Shen Yuan looked enlightened. "I was wondering why. I heard from Shen Yu that Dean Chen was in Shen Xue's room. I didn't dare to go look for him right away. It turns out the investigation is still ongoing. I wonder how my sister is doing now?"
"It's nothing serious, you should be able to see her today."
"That's good, that's good."
"You came to see me just for this?" Shen Qi looked at the other person with amusement.
"That's not all," Shen Yuan said with a smile. "Didn't Seventh Master want to study the Lesser Azure Dragon Formation with me before? Now that I'm back, I was thinking of getting to the bottom of this before the academy starts. Seventh Master, do you have time to go to the Great Azure Mountain with me?"
Shen Qi: "."