The night deepened, the sound of the night watchman’s clappers faded into the distance, and the vast Qin Residence sank completely into silence.

After Qin Wanlin took his leave, only Qin Lu remained in the study. The lingering afterglow of the wild elation that had swept through him was still there, but it was swiftly overlaid by a more profound weariness, pressing heavily on his shoulder blades. It was not physical exhaustion, but the hollow, drained feeling that comes after extreme mental agitation abruptly subsides.

He sank heavily against the back of the large rosewood chair, his eyelids heavy, his fingers unconsciously tracing the lines of the cold armrest while his gaze stared blankly into the void.

Cultivation?

He had long ago buried this thought in the dusty corners of his memory. To be exact, it had been over a dozen years since he had last sat properly in meditation to cycle even a single heavenly revolution. Back then, in a market with passable spiritual energy, he had spent a full fifteen years only to arduously climb from the second layer of Qi Refining to the third. Here in a mortal city, where spiritual energy was as thin as a desert, sitting blankly in meditation again would be even more foolish than chanting scriptures to a boulder.

These twenty years amidst mortal fire and smoke had thoroughly changed his attitude toward life. He slept until the sun’s shadow slanted westward every day, then slowly rose to handle a few trivial family matters of no great consequence. The remaining hours were filled with mellow wine, delicate flowers, strings and woodwinds, the soft comforting words of wives and concubines, or calling together friends and companions to ride across the city’s outskirts and hills.

No more the distress of scrimping for a single spirit stone in the cultivation market, no more the despair of sitting through entire nights without advancing a single inch. Within easy reach were brocade robes and fine food, the warm fragrance of women adorned with jingling bangles, children frolicking under his knee, and the boundless ease afforded by the Qin Residence. He was like a drowning man who had finally crawled ashore, greedily gulping the bustle of this mortal world, using a life of drunken dreams to numb the already shattered obsession with the immortal path.

Yet tonight, that dust-laden obsession was suddenly ignited by a cold notification tone!

System!

Quests!

Clan Fortune!

Spiritual Root!

Qin Lu abruptly sat up straight, his spine taut as a bowstring. The film of weariness in his eyes was instantly pierced by a scorching, sharp light. He stared fixedly at the line on the system interface:

[Side Quest 2: Playing with Grandchildren]

[Objective: The family welcomes a third-generation offspring. '0/1']

[Reward: 30 points of Clan Fortune]

A burning thirst surged straight to the top of his head. Thirty points of Clan Fortune! Enough to activate Wanlin’s spiritual root! And once Wanlin possessed a spiritual root, that pivotal main quest—

[Main Quest 2: Bloodline Spirit Awakening]

[Objective: Have first offspring possessing a spiritual root.]

[Status: Incomplete '0/1']

—would be within easy reach!

‘I cannot… wait a single moment longer!’

Qin Lu’s goal had never been clearer: have Wanlin and Fang Qingxue marry, consummate, and conceive, immediately!

The moment this thought arose, it was as if a volcano that had slumbered for twenty years erupted with a roar. The pleasure-doting rich man was shed in an instant, replaced by a vanguard warrior hewing a path through thorns for the family’s immortal journey! A long-dormant drive for action instantly surged through his entire body.

* * *

Early the next morning, as the first light of day filtered through the window lattice, Qin Lu swiftly and decisively summoned his trusted steward, Qin Fu. He slapped a prepared, gold-embossed betrothal gift list onto the table.

“Three days! Assemble all the betrothal gifts, use the most splendid procession, and send them at once to the Fang Residence! Make no mistake!”

Qin Fu merely scanned the dense list of jewels, antiques, and land deeds, then met the housemaster’s eyes that brooked no contradiction. His heart trembled; he dared not hesitate for a moment. Answering repeatedly, he practically tiptoed as he scurried out to make arrangements.

Immediately afterward, Qin Lu went in person to the Fang Residence. Fang Tongli, faced with the sudden visit of Qingyang City’s titan, was astonished beyond belief and then even more overjoyed. When Qin Lu came straight to the point and declared that the wedding date should be as soon as possible, a host of suspicions rose in Fang Tongli’s mind, but his face beamed with overwhelmed, flattered delight. Hastily slapping his chest, he said:

“Lord Qin, be at ease! My daughter’s dowry has long been prepared. All matters can be simplified and hastened! The eighth day of next month is an auspicious day on the zodiac. What do you think...”

“The eighth of next month?”

Qin Lu cut him off decisively, speaking with finality. “I have already invited an exalted master to divine the date. Ten days from now is a supremely auspicious day of the highest order, encountered only once in a century, perfectly suited for weddings and marriages. We shall set it on that day!”

“T-ten days?!”

Fang Tongli was so shocked he nearly bit his own tongue. This was far too hasty! But looking at Qin Lu’s earnest expression, and thinking of the Qin family’s power and his daughter’s future, Fang Tongli’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gritted his teeth and agreed:

“Very well! Everything as Lord Qin says! The grand wedding in ten days!”

* * *

The news spread like wildfire, instantly sweeping through every street and alley of Qingyang City. The Qin family’s eldest son, Qin Wanlin, was about to marry the Fang family’s eldest daughter, Fang Qingxue! This sudden union of powerful houses stirred countless ripples. Envy, jealousy, amazement, speculation... all kinds of emotions fermented and churned in the streets. Yet everyone knew full well—the Fang family had securely latched onto the soaring tree of Qingyang City!

* * *

Seven days later, in the afternoon.

Inside an elegant private room at the city’s premier “Qingfeng Tower,” a warm breeze wafted in. Qin Wanlin was drinking and chatting happily with several scions of influential families he was close to.

“Brother Wanlin, this joyous event of yours truly struck faster than a thunderclap!”

“Exactly! Just days ago you were still touring Green Wave Lake with us, reciting poetry and admiring the moon, and in the blink of an eye, three days from now it’s the candles of the bridal chamber!”

“Haha, Lord Qin truly acts with lightning speed. This wedding date was set even faster than our trading companies seal a major deal! It seems he is utterly satisfied with the Fang family’s young miss, not willing to wait a moment longer?”

“But isn’t this a bit too rushed, Brother Wanlin? We brothers haven’t even had time to prepare a decent congratulatory gift. You’re making things difficult for us!”

Everyone laughed heartily, their gazes all focusing on the day’s protagonist. A warm genial smile lingered at the corner of Qin Wanlin’s lips, and he raised his cup with composure.

“Gentlemen are teasing me. My father has always been decisive in his actions. This time indeed he holds Qingxue in special regard, wishing for me to establish a household and settle my mind soon. As for gifts...”

He scanned the gathering with a smile. “The fact that you all honor me with your presence, this sentiment is weightier than a thousand gold pieces. Wanlin is deeply grateful. On the day of the great ceremony, I shall certainly share hearty drinks with you all, and we won’t go home until we’re drunk!”

“Brother Wanlin, how forthright! Here, this cup is first to congratulate you on your great wedding joy, may your union be harmonious as lute and zither!”

“Congratulations on your great wedding joy, may your union be harmonious!”

Cups clinked and mingled within the private room, the atmosphere brimming with warmth.

Just at that moment, the door was tapped twice. Qin Wanlin’s personal page slipped in silently, and under the pretext of refilling tea, leaned close to Qin Wanlin’s ear and whispered in an extremely low voice:

“Young Master, urgent report from the Fang Residence. Black Tiger Gang’s deputy chief, Qian Biao, has brought a group of men blocking the Fangs’ gate, their manner fierce and aggressive. Lord Fang has sent word asking for you, saying... the standoff is deadlocked, and he fears a great upheaval!”

The fingers holding Qin Wanlin’s wine cup paused imperceptibly. Yet the warm, genial smile on his face did not diminish in the slightest, as if he had merely heard some idle gossip. He even took the opportunity of the page refilling his tea to naturally lift the teacup, take a sip, and set it down leisurely.

Then, rising casually, he cupped his hands toward everyone at the table, his expression carrying a touch of resigned apology.

“Gentlemen, how disappointing. Word just arrived from the residence. Some urgent arrangements for three days hence have run into snags, requiring me to go back and decide on them immediately. I’ve disturbed your enjoyment today; another day Wanlin will certainly host a banquet to apologize, and we shall then enjoy ourselves to the fullest!”

Though the group found it sudden, seeing how composed he looked, they assumed it was merely wedding preparations trivialities. Smiling in response, they told him to feel free to go.

The moment Qin Wanlin stepped out of Qingfeng Tower with his page, that gentle smile on his face instantly froze. He strode quickly toward the fine horses tethered outside, and the instant he mounted the saddle, his voice had already issued the order:

“Hurry back to the residence, muster twenty able hands, and proceed to the Fang Residence at once!”

“Yes, Young Master!”

The page acknowledged the order and immediately split off to carry out his task. Qin Wanlin turned his horse, flicked the reins, and the steed galloped swiftly in the direction of the Fang Residence.