Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 79. Love left in the Southern Garden (Seeking further reading)

Musk Dragon Powder can greatly refine a person’s essence, concentrating it in the kidneys. The Bronze Ancient Mirror awakening within him, he guessed, was very likely due to the unusual gathering of essence in his kidneys, which activated the Bronze Ancient Mirror... And now, the Innate condition probably also requires providing a large amount of his own energy to the Bronze Ancient Mirror. It’s just like condensing his Destiny!

Wait a bit longer...

Breakthrough into Innate within three years, and condense another Destiny Character involving fate, like the previous White Destiny [Lifetime of mediocrity], Red Fate [Righteous Thief]...

Upon the collapse of the Destiny Character, I will be able to glimpse some of my own future fate.

It’s best to be cautious in everything.

Xu Xing gathered his thoughts, quietly warning himself not to act too rashly.

After obtaining the Bronze Ancient Mirror, he had a plan for his future. That is—to use the Instance World as a way to avoid disasters and prolong his blessings in Reality...

While he was deep in thought, a soft knock suddenly came from outside the room.

"Heavenly King, Old Master and the others have arrived," Xiao Lian, the maid outside the door, reminded him in a low voice.

"Them?"

Xu Xing was surprised at first. Then, thinking about the recent rumors, he gradually understood. He removed the medicine box from the desk and then called out, "Enter."

Outside the door, there were many figures. The one leading them was his biological father, Xu Ming. Accompanying him were members of the Xu Family who had maneuvered their way into the center of power, as well as his two confidants, Gongyang Yi and Chang Ji.

"Heavenly King..." one began.

"Although the Heavenly King already has an heir, Lady Zhao and the Heavenly King’s son are now in exile in Jiangnan. Gui Yishou and the others have still not been able to find them."

"Your minister... humbly requests the Heavenly King to issue an edict to accept a concubine."

Xu Xing’s second uncle, Xu Jing, who was on good terms with him, took his seat. After sipping the Flower Tea Before Rain brewed by a maid, he smiled at Xu Xing and said, clearly intending to play matchmaker.

A ruler without an heir had a significant, albeit not overwhelming, negative impact on a power like Mount Siming. With an heir, subordinates felt more secure in their loyalty. If the ruler died, they would have a second person to pledge allegiance to, ensuring that the power structure wouldn’t collapse. Of course, whether they would then try to usurp the throne and seize power was another matter entirely. Thus, Xu Xing’s heirs were directly related to the stability of power for all the officials of Mount Siming.

However, Xu Jing’s suggestion today was also a product of careful consideration and foresight. Many local powers and influential families on Guanxi Road had daughters of marriageable age. Recently, many patriarchs from these local powers and families had recommended their own well-bred young ladies to marry Xu Xing, the future [Reserve Dragon], as his principal wife. Before today, he and his elder brother, Xu Ming, had hinted at this to Xu Xing several times, but Xu Xing had consistently refused to agree. Left with no other choice, they had invited Gongyang Yi and Chang Ji to act as persuaders.

Gongyang Yi’s eloquence was said to be second only to King Xing Tian’s. Chang Ji, on the other hand, was a former prison mate of Xu Xing’s and had met Zhao Yunniang...

As for why Xu Jing spoke first instead of Xu Xing’s biological father, Xu Ming, it was because if Xu Jing spoke, there would still be room for negotiation. If Xu Ming were to speak, it would inevitably cause King Xing Tian to feel resentful. This was because when Xu Ming spoke, he would be invoking the principles of filial piety and fraternal duty...

"Lord Ming," Gongyang Yi said, "why not take a few concubines first? We can make other arrangements once Lady Zhao is found."

Gongyang Yi’s words showed more consideration for Xu Xing’s perspective. However, in these chaotic times of war, whether Zhao Yunniang could be found by Gui Yishou and the others was still uncertain. If Zhao Yunniang had moved into the planned Jiangnan Mansion as intended, they wouldn’t still be without news of her today. Therefore, these seemingly minor concubines actually had the opportunity to compete for favor and potentially attain the status of the principal wife.

This plan, if implemented, offered numerous benefits. First, the competition for favor among the concubines could be used to divide and win over the powerful local families and gentry, thereby breaking their united front. Second, Xu Xing’s reputation would remain unharmed, as taking a few concubines was not considered a major issue in those times. Third, if the time came when he no longer needed to rely on the gentry, Xu Xing could then decide entirely according to his own wishes who to establish as his official principal wife...

"Indeed, My Lord," Chang Ji also chimed in with persuasion. "Lady Zhao was merely a gift to you from Han Taipu..."

The others also began to urge Xu Xing. Seeing the rebellion on Mount Siming flourishing day by day, and believing in the saying, "The Mandate of Heaven lies with the Four, not the One," they had immense confidence in defeating the Imperial Court Army and marching into Shenjing. And supporting the establishment of an official principal wife would not only ensure the stability of their own power. Moreover, because this principal wife would be supported by them, it would also benefit their future status, power, and so on.

"Everyone..." Xu Xing pressed his hands down, signaling everyone to be quiet. He then shook his head and sighed, "When I was young, I used to play with an old sword. After I came to Shenjing, I always kept it with me. But now, this sword is lost. I wonder if any worthy person here can help me find this old sword again...?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone exchanged glances. The meaning behind King Xing Tian’s words was not hard to guess: he was using the sword as a metaphor for a person, implying that he was someone who cherished old affections. If he felt such attachment even for an old sword, how much more would he feel for the wife who shared his bed? Although this wife had been a gift from Han Taipu, King Xing Tian also couldn’t have escaped from Sky Prison without Zhao Yunniang’s help. It was only natural for King Xing Tian to cherish such old ties...

Meanwhile, Chang Ji, though he hadn’t made the same elaborate interpretations as the others, was still secretly amazed. He and Xu Xing had been prison mates. He knew that Zhao Yunniang had helped Xu Xing escape prison, likely due to Xu Xing’s coercion. However, Xu Xing had also promised to treat Zhao Yunniang well after he got out. Judge by deeds, not by heart; by heart, no one in the world is perfect.

Chang Ji’s thoughts began to wander. The Silent Cavalry, Zhao Yunniang... The Silent Cavalry... one meaning was to make the King of Sorrow no longer speak out, sharing a portion of the benefits with him. The second was that ’Silent Cavalry’ also implied ’Never Abandon,’ signifying eternal perseverance. And Zhao Yunniang, like the cherished old sword... deep affection... He truly is a man who cherishes old ties...

Chang Ji felt a deep sense of emotion and gradually let go of any rebellious thoughts he harbored against Xu Xing. At Tiger Soul River, he had acknowledged Xu Xing as his lord. Although he had verbally agreed, deep down he was actually dissatisfied. After all, he was a Fifth-Rank official, while Xu Xing was merely Eighth-Rank. If he hadn’t feared that his own strength—a ’mighty dragon’—would overshadow the King of Sorrow, leading to his own demise, why would he have obeyed Xu Xing’s every command? Now, Xu Xing’s power was consolidated. Under Xu Xing’s policies, military authority had gradually shifted into the hands of the Xu Family. As an old general, although he still had the authority to command troops, he lacked the power to mobilize them. Command and deployment were separate. He had also gradually extinguished his rebellious intentions. And now, Xu Xing was demonstrating such deep loyalty and righteousness regarding Zhao Yunniang... If it concerned him, Xu Xing would likely act the same way. Certainly, subordinates knew that a lord who prioritized the bigger picture had a brighter future, but a lord who valued sentiment and righteousness was also commendable. Judging from Xu Xing’s consistent behavior, Chang Ji knew he was decisive when necessary, not at all an indecisive person. His rejection of marriage alliances with the gentry and influential families at this time must be due to his own careful considerations. Having suffered Emperor Chongming’s harshness and ingratitude, Chang Ji was much more willing to pledge loyalty to such a humane lord. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

And so, Chang Ji was the first to step forward and declare his stance.

"Your minister will heed My Lord’s words... Henceforth, I shall not speak of marriage alliances again."