Chapter 151: I Want to Seize a Residence
“I am Cao Jinsong, an Instructor from Tianshu Academy.”
Why the Luoyue Mountain Villa moved from here was none of their business. Cao Jinsong's target was only Xiang Fu, so he adopted a profound and unfathomable expression and declared his identity.
But just as he had worried when he arrived, Xiang Fu had lived in the Fallen Moon Immortal Estate for many years and heard many stories about the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.
Whether it was the marvelousness of Immortal cultivation in the Immortal Mansion or the profound mystery of Immortal techniques, they had been deeply ingrained in her mind since childhood.
Therefore, Xiang Fu had a clear resistance to joining Tianshu Academy.
Moreover, although the Xiang Family was a Worldly Family of officials in the Mortal world, this Young Miss had been accustomed to a life of luxury since childhood and would not easily listen to persuasion.
“Prefect Xiang, you should know that my Tianshu Academy ranks first in the world. It is the Great Xia Holy Sect, the head of the Seven Great Immortal Sects.”
“Over the years, the number of Upper Five Realms in Tianshu Academy has always far exceeded that of other Immortal Sects. Xiang Fu is too young.
She might not understand some things, but as her father, you must surely be clearer in your heart.”
Hearing Cao Jinsong’s words, Xiang Xuan, the Prefect of Dan Shui County, fell silent.
In fact, Xiang Xuan supported his daughter’s idea of joining the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.
Because the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion was located on the border of You Province and Yun Province, and Yun Province bordered Feng Province, Dan Shui County was actually much closer to the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, and very far from Tianshu Academy.
In the Qingyun World, even officials with high ranks were still considered Mortals. They liked to leverage influence, and the proximity of “influence” usually related to the magnitude of power.
This was also why half of the affiliated Immortal Villas in Feng Province were Disciples of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.
The world was divided into nine provinces. Tianshu Academy held sway over the four directions of Central Province, but in the north, the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion still had a greater reputation.
“I still respect my daughter’s choice, Immortal Elder Cao, please forgive me.”
“You—”
Cao Jinsong was silent for a moment, then flicked his sleeves and left the main hall.
At this moment, in the back hall of the main hall, Madam Xiang walked out gracefully: “Why didn’t you agree to Fu’er joining Tianshu Academy? That’s the Great Xia Holy Sect.”
“Within my Feng Province, the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion’s influence occupies the majority. Even if Fu’er cannot enter the Upper Five Realms, upon returning from the Immortal Mansion, she can still foster good relations with the Immortal Villas under it, forming a solid alliance that will allow my Xiang Family to stand firm in Feng Province. In this regard, joining Tianshu Academy cannot achieve that.”
“So that’s how it is—”
Xiang Xuan now stood with his hands behind his back, his wide sleeves falling behind him.
He had a close friend, Liu An, the Provincial Governor of Feng Province. His friend had an only son whose Aptitude had also reached the level of entering an Immortal Sect.
The two had discussed this many times before, leading to their current consensus.
In their view, relying on the power of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion to form a solid block in Feng Province was the best choice for their Family to continue in this world.
Tianshu Academy, however, did not have enough influence in Feng Province and was not a good choice.
Just then, a servant from the Prefect’s residence hurried in from outside and stopped in the hall: “Master, the people from White Cloud Immortal Estate are here again. They are at the entrance of the Fallen Moon Immortal Estate right now.”
Hearing this, Xiang Xuan’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
This White Cloud Immortal Estate was an affiliated force of the Chen Clan, with its Dao field in Fengyuan Town, the westernmost part of Dan Shui County.
But ever since the Fallen Moon Immortal Estate left, the White Cloud Immortal Estate had set its sights on their large residence and had repeatedly demanded it from him, the Prefect, but Xiang Xuan had politely refused each time.
Because he was worried that if the people of the Fallen Moon Immortal Estate returned one day and found their place usurped, it would create a rift with his Xiang Family.
The Chen Clan was indeed a Northern Immortal Sect, but it was located in northwestern Qing Province, with Central Province separating it from Feng Province, making it even farther than Tianshu Academy.
For Xiang Xuan, currying favor with an Immortal Villa of the Chen Clan actually held no meaning for him.
“Let’s go, let’s take a look.”
“Yes.”
Cao Jinsong was currently chatting with Pei Ruyi in the covered corridor, discussing how the Xiang Family was not keen on their daughter joining the academy. He then watched the Prefect and his entourage hurriedly leave the residence.
Pei Ruyi watched for a long time before turning her head: “Since the Xiang Family is unwilling, let’s go to the next one.”
“That’s the only way.”
Cao Jinsong pulled down his long sleeve: “Where’s Ji You?”
Pei Ruyi replied: “Ji *Shidi* (Junior Brother Ji) went out with Kuang Shusheng to the Fallen Moon Immortal Estate’s station, and Fang Ruoyao also went with them.”
“?”
Cao Jinsong couldn’t help but turn to look: “What is he doing there? Could it be that he thinks there’s something strange about the Fallen Moon Immortal Estate moving out?”
Pei Ruyi glanced at him: “Guess again.”
Cao Jinsong was stunned for a moment, then his eyes gradually widened: “He wouldn’t have heard that the Luoyue Mountain Villa’s residence is empty,
and thinks it’s his, would he?”
“He said he’s going to establish a Worldly Family, and he can’t possibly spend money to build his own house, so he decided to seize one back—
Cao Jinsong held his breath, thinking to himself, “This child is extraordinary.” He truly seizes things wherever he goes.
Before, he only seized silver and swords; now he even wants to seize residences.
At the same time, Prefect Xiang was sitting in his carriage, his brow tightly furrowed during the bumpy journey.
The Villa Master of White Cloud Immortal Estate was an Integration Realm Initial Stage master. If someone of that Realm were to unleash his power, he could wipe out their entire Xiang Family in the blink of an eye.
His previous repeated refusals had already infuriated the White Cloud Immortal Estate. If he didn't hand over the residence today, he feared it wouldn't end well.
Although he didn't want to offend the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, having a sword hanging over his head was a different matter.
Prefect Xiang tightened his sleeves, his expression turning gloomy.
Not long after, the carriage slowly stopped, and the heavy thuds of the horse’s hooves entering his ears.
Prefect Xiang rose from the carriage, took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and looked out.
Before his eyes was the residence of Luoyue Mountain Villa, grand and magnificent, with flying eaves and upturned corners, carved beams and painted rafters. It occupied a vast area, and its courtyard walls were towering and boundless, no wonder it was coveted.
The people from White Cloud Immortal Estate were all standing in front of the Luoyue Mountain Villa’s gate. At the forefront was a slightly aged man,
but they did not look arrogant at all. Instead, they stared intently into the courtyard, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.
“?”
“What’s going on?”
The servant lowered his voice: “Those young people from Tianshu Academy also came. The two sides had already met earlier, but for some reason, White Cloud Immortal Estate didn’t enter the Villa.”
Prefect Xiang’s brow furrowed slightly, thinking to himself, did the people from Tianshu Academy also set their sights on this residence? So he pondered for a moment and decided not to get out of the carriage yet, but to observe first.
In a short while, Ji You and Kuang Cheng emerged from the residence, with Fang Ruoyao following behind them.
The two sides faced each other at the courtyard gate, and the atmosphere instantly solidified.
Prefect Xiang couldn’t help but clench his fists, thinking that a conflict was likely to break out.
However, to his surprise, White Cloud Immortal Estate did not show any anger. Instead, they all stared at the man holding the sword in front of them, even the Villa Master.
“Why does Brother Ji seem a bit excited?”
“Taking something unguarded is called stealing, but it’s different now; now we can seize it.”
“?”
Ji You looked at the people of White Cloud Immortal Estate, and the Sword Qi around his body gradually surged.
But to everyone’s surprise, the Villa Master of White Cloud Immortal Estate frowned for a long time before suddenly cupping his hands forward, then turned and left with more than ten Disciples behind him.
In this region of Feng Province, Immortal Villas, whether affiliated with Immortal Sects or Worldly Sect, were ultimately outsiders.
Without a Worldly Family in Feng Province, anyone could come and get a share of the pie.
But when that young man reported his Family name to him before entering the courtyard, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to get this residence.
Because Feng Province was about to welcome its true master.
Of course, many Immortal Villas were unwilling to see this situation.
This person might encounter assassination, poisoning, or even direct conflict, but the Villa Master of White Cloud Immortal Estate did not want to step forward.
He was seventy-three years old, at the Integration Realm Initial Stage, and should not have been afraid of a Tongxuan Middle Stage cultivator. However, rumors said that Lingjian Mountain had an exceptionally talented Integration Realm Middle Stage cultivator named Gongshu Chou, who was also a strong figure much admired in Lingjian Mountain.
Yet, even such a person nearly died at his hands.
Residences were everywhere, but life was only one.
Kuang Cheng couldn’t help but be stunned: “Brother Ji, they’re gone. What should we do now?”
Ji You narrowed his eyes: “Scaring people away is an Advanced method of robbery. In our code of conduct, it’s considered a successful robbery and doesn’t violate the bandit’s heart. I have a residence now.”
“?”
The Prefect of Dan Shui County was watching this scene from his carriage, then stared at the young man with the sword, a hint of confusion in his expression.
There was no direct communication between Immortals and Mortals.
The barrier was just as Qiu Zhong had said back in Yuyang County: Mortals couldn't even look up at Immortals.
Furthermore, Ji You’s entry into the Inner Courtyard had just occurred, and the only Immortal Villa related to an Immortal Sect, Luoyue Mountain Villa, was empty, causing news in this part of Dan Shui County to be delayed by more than a year compared to the outside world.
Therefore, Prefect Xiang couldn't understand why White Cloud Immortal Estate, which had always been so aggressive and had even threatened the lives of the entire county to demand the residence, would now willingly leave.
In his eyes, that young Tianshu Academy Disciple was merely a servant Disciple of a recruiting Instructor.
Could it be because of Tianshu Academy’s reputation?
Prefect Xiang was utterly perplexed, but the good news was that no conflict had arisen, so he didn’t need to risk showing himself.
“Let’s go, back to the residence first.”
Prefect Xiang glanced at the young swordsman, then said to the coachman on the carriage.
The coachman nodded upon hearing this and drove the carriage back to the residence in a hurry.
By then, dusk was falling, and the westward slanting sun had dyed the layered clouds with brilliant sunlight, painting the entire sky crimson. Madam Xiang and Xiang Fu were waiting at the entrance of the Prefect’s residence.
In the half-year since Luoyue Mountain Villa moved, even they had witnessed White Cloud Immortal Estate’s aggressiveness and naturally knew that delaying this matter for too long would eventually lead to disaster.
Now, seeing her husband return safely, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
“They didn’t force you, did they?”
Prefect Xiang shook his head: “I was in the carriage, I didn’t come out.”
Madam Xiang was a little surprised: “Are they still at the Immortal Villa’s gate then?”
“They’ve already left.”
“Without getting the residence, how could those Immortals leave?”
Prefect Xiang pondered for a long time before speaking: “When I went, the two young Disciples who came with Immortal Elder Cao were also there. The people from White Cloud Immortal Estate saw them and left, perhaps fearing Tianshu Academy’s prestige.”
Xiang Fu couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback upon hearing this: “Although Tianshu Academy is the Great Xia Holy Sect, there has never been any subordinate relationship between the Seven Great Immortal Sects. They left just by meeting them?”
“I can’t explain that either, but no matter what, it’s one less trouble.”
Just then, a young servant suddenly hurried in: “Master, the Immortal Elders from Tianshu Academy just now said they wanted the Luoyue Mountain Villa’s residence and asked me to inform you.”
Prefect Xiang frowned upon hearing this: “That residence is for the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion. Although Luoyue Mountain Villa has moved out, someone from the Immortal Mansion might still take it over. Go and refuse them with that reason.”
“I also politely refused them with that, but they mentioned some Immortal rules, and something about being local, and having the right to choose land. In short, they said that you, the Prefect, have no right to question it.”
Xiang Fu couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh after hearing this: “Dan Shui County is under father’s governance, so how could father have no right to question it? You don’t need to refuse them. They will leave tomorrow, so there’s no need for extra trouble.”
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