Watching Li Jiman hurry out of the hall, Chen Mufeng's gaze swept across the remains of fruits, the golden cups, and jade goblets, took a step forward, and stared at the seat of honor.

"The King of Shanyue is nothing but a puppet," he murmured to himself.

As he spoke, his footsteps unconsciously moved forward, his slender hand pressing on the back of the elaborately carved chair, silent.

The members of the Chen family had always possessed exceptional talent, and Chen Mufeng, who had reached the Fifth Layer of Fetal Breathing cultivation level, was second to none except for a few from the main family's Direct Lineage. He held a considerable amount of pride in his heart.

"Noble blood of the main family is, of course, incomparable, but people like Tian Zhongqing and Xu Gongming, who are merely a few years my senior... Who can match my talent and origins..."

Being young and full of ambition, his heart naturally harbored limitless aspirations as he blankly gazed at the seat of power.

"Clatter."

Chen Mufeng was so absorbed in his observation of the chair that when a group of White Armor cultivators suddenly lifted the curtain and came in, one of them respectfully said:

"Young officer, we have detained them all. What do you think we should do now...?"

Chen Mufeng's hand recoiled from the chair as if it had touched an electric current, coughed once, and replied:

"Let's go."

────

Lijing Town.

Li Yuanping, clad in Brocade Clothes, was holding a vermilion pen and sketching something, with a neat stack of Wooden Slips laid out on the table in front of him. As he slightly lifted his head, he saw Li Wen take big strides forward, bowing deeply as if toppled by a great force, and said in a muffled voice: 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Family Head, the Jade Courtyard Guards have taken control of the Shanyue clans. Li Jiman has sped here in his carriage and has arrived at the town."

"Hmm."

Li Yuanping responded, touching his chin and remaining silent; Li Wen stood up and waited to the side. After a while, the sound of chaotic footsteps echoed, and a man burst into the Hall.

This man had a light tan complexion and wore a splendid robe. He rushed in, clutching his garments, and fell to the ground with a 'thump', pleading tragically:

"Family Head, the Tian Clan harbors wild ambitions, aiming to monopolize Shanyue for their own support... If they succeed, I fear a great disaster will ensue!"

"Jiman?"

Li Yuanping frowned slightly, his voice grave:

"The Tian Clan is the maternal clan of the uncle branch, loyal and steadfast. How can you make such a claim!"

His expression showed surprise, even a hint of anger. He pushed the small mountain of Wooden Slips on the desk, causing them to scatter noisily to the ground, rolling toward Li Jiman as he said coldly:

"The evidence of the Shanyue clans' crimes is here, each and every charge backed by witnesses and evidence! What do you have to say for yourself!"

Naturally, these documents were collected by the Clan Head Courtyard, each case solid and grounded in fact, though attributed to the Tian Family. Although Li Jiman was unaware of the particulars, he understood the nature of these nobles all too well and dared not look at the slips, simply pleading:

"Family Head! The people of Shanyue might be brutal by nature, but they have always served as a balance against the Tian Family. If they are wiped out, the Tian Clan will dominate Shanyue, and that would be the root of disaster!"

"Jiman, you've read history. The Jiang Family of Wangyue Lake relied on outsiders and eventually fell apart, usurped by the Yu Clan – a lesson from the past clear before our eyes..."

Li Yuanping quietly watched him, appearing to waver slightly, and softly asked:

"What would you have me do?"

"I beg you, Family Head... recall the Tian Clan!"

Li Jiman knelt down, his face flushed. Li Yuanping sighed softly, glanced at the people on either side, and said in a deep voice:

"Leave us!"

The armored soldiers rustled out of the room, and only then did Li Yuanping let out a long sigh and quickly stepped down to help Li Jiman up, speaking in a warm voice:

"Jiman, what are you doing! You are a member of the Li family, naturally incomparable to the Tian Clan!"

Li Jiman was momentarily taken aback but then heard Li Yuanping softly continue:

"The Tian Clan has deep roots in Shanyue, and they've hampered your ability to stretch your arms and legs. I've seen it all!"

He expressed himself with sincere earnestness:

"But the Shanyue people are brutal, greedy, and vicious – how can they be any good? If we don't remove these two obstacles, how can Shanyue fall into the hands of my wise brother?"

Li Jiman's expression froze, and it took him full three breaths to burst out with a surprised spark, exclaiming:

"Family Head! This is... Your foresight is far beyond mine!"

"Ah."

Li Yuanping took his hand, kindly leading him up the steps, and spoke in a serious tone:

"The Tian Clan has many connections within our clan, and yet they are not guilty. If it weren't for feeding them with the Shanyue clansmen, how could we justifiably relocate them?"

Li Jiman nodded repeatedly, and then Li Yuanping smiled and said:

"I have already put forth the decree to transfer the Tian Family. After tonight, when the pack of wolves is dead and the fierce tiger is moved, Shanyue will be empty, all for you, my wise brother, to handle as you see fit!"

"Family Head!"

Li Jiman was profoundly touched, speaking quietly:

"The Family Head has considered every step on my behalf, and I was completely oblivious... I am ashamed..."

Li Yuanping shook his head, advising:

"I will leave some noble cultivators at your disposal... You've studied the art of governance for over a decade now. To lift the low-born, balance the lands, preserve the Spiritual Fields, nurture the educated – you shouldn't need my instruction anymore, should you?"

"Of course not!"

Li Jiman answered with full confidence, thrilled, saying:

"Using criminals is better than employing the meritorious. In this way, by assigning the waiting guilty nobles to cultivate rice and giving me some time to nurture Cultivators, within five years, Shanyue's production could rise by more than thirty percent!"

Li Yuanping was overjoyed to hear these words, exchanged some intimate conversation with him, and Li Jiman, endlessly grateful, took his leave. He entered with a heavy heart but left with his head held high, his chest puffed out.

When he vanished outside the Hall, the smile slowly faded from Li Yuanping's face; he leaned back in his chair, supporting his forehead with his hand, and picked up the vermilion pen, deep in thought.

"Li Jiman is a smart man. The Tian Family's actions are too abrupt, and my own measures to catch the clansmen in one fell swoop are too decisive. Sooner or later, he will suspect me... It's better to speak frankly, dispelling his doubts and earning his gratitude..."