Chapter 714: Chapter 91: Strike a Pose! Taishi An Kang Is Ready to Lie Down_2

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Liaoyuan County.

Residence of the Purple Mansion Cao Family.

As a Noble Family with nearly two thousand years of heritage, the main residence of the Liaoyuan Cao Family was immense, even among Fifth-Grade Noble Families.

From an aerial view, crisscrossing paths and rows upon rows of houses stretched endlessly, with black roof tiles and flying eaves, and towering courtyard walls. It was truly magnificent.

Compared to the Wang Family’s flourishing success, the Cao Family appeared depressed and desolate.

Suddenly.

A white bird crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, flapping its wings as it dived into the overlapping eaves.

Soon, a small bamboo tube, made of Spiritual Bamboo and narrower than a thumb, was delivered to the Cangtan Courtyard where Patriarch Cao Bangning resided by a trusted Household General.

The Spiritual Bamboo Tube was engraved with simple inscriptions, embedded with a Restriction, and its opening was carefully sealed with wax, indicating it was no ordinary item.

At this moment, in Cangtan Courtyard, Patriarch Cao Bangning was in the study discussing important matters with his aunt, Cao Youqing.

Both of their expressions were extremely grave.

Evidently, the failure of the operation against the Wang Family’s caravan in Qingluo Sea had placed significant pressure on them.

After delivering the Spiritual Bamboo Tube, the Household General retreated.

Cao Bangning picked up the Spiritual Bamboo Tube and opened it while speaking in a deep voice, "Aunt, the situation is dire. The Wang Family prepared early for our attack and secretly used the Celestial Secret Recording Disc to capture Bangyan’s words."

"I had previously secured connections to inform Bangyan to remain steadfast and claim that the previous statements were mere arrogance in the moment, a personal act that had no relation to our Cao Family. This way, our Cao Family would have a chance to exert influence in secrecy to rescue him."

"The Message Bird has returned with information, it should be the reply."

Cao Youqing’s expression slightly relaxed, "Bangning, you have handled this matter rather wisely. Only by distancing the Cao Family can we have room for maneuver. Rest assured, when the storm passes, I will also use my connections to discreetly assist. It’s just that Bangyan will have to endure a few years of hardship."

"Hmph, what’s there to endure? If not for his incompetence..." Patriarch Cao Bangning muttered as he opened the letter, but as soon as he glanced at it, his expression changed drastically, "How is this possible?

Cao Youqing was also taken aback, an ominous feeling arose in her heart, "Could there be a new development?"

"Bangyan, that spineless fool!" Cao Bangning was so furious his hands trembled, then he slammed the table furiously, nearly shattering the Thousand-Year Spirit Wood Table, "He, he couldn’t withstand it and confessed."

"How could this be?" Cao Youqing’s expression also turned grim, "Bangyan really proved to be such a disappointment?"

"It’s all because the family spoiled him too much since childhood, he never experienced the trials of adversity." Patriarch Cao Bangning’s face was ashen, "Not only that, Commandery Governor Taishi An Kang has already prepared the report, and he even used the ’Cloud-Piercing Green Pigeon’ for urgent reporting! By now, the report is likely already with the Inspectorate in the Capital City, and it’s possible that an Investigation Envoy dispatched by the Imperial Court is already on their way."

Just thinking about this made his head throb incessantly.

It’s understood that the Governor’s Mansion reports to the Imperial Court generally in two ways.

One way is to dispatch soldiers on fast horses, changing horses at each post station from Longzuo County City to Gui Long City, usually taking over half a month. Without emergencies, the daily reports presented to the Imperial Court by the Governor’s Mansion follow this process.

The second way is using Message Birds.

The Imperial Court has specifically trained a Second-Grade Exotic Spiritual Bird known as the "Cloud-Piercing Green Pigeon" as Message Birds. These birds are fast, have strong endurance, and possess a homing instinct. Even if separated by tens of thousands of miles, they can accurately identify directions and return to their nests after training.

Governor’s Mansions across various regions keep a certain number of "Cloud-Piercing Green Pigeons." In case of emergency events, the Message Birds are released to urgently deliver reports to the Capital.

With the speed of the "Cloud-Piercing Green Pigeon," it takes no more than three days to fly from the Longzuo County Governor’s Mansion to Gui Long City.

Taishi An Kang utilized the "Cloud-Piercing Green Pigeon," clearly intending to leave the Cao Family no time or space for maneuvering, with a hint of wanting to strike them down instantly.

Furthermore, the Inspectorate is known for its efficiency, typically taking no more than two days from receiving the report to selecting and dispatching an Investigation Envoy for investigation.

And the Investigation Envoy travels from the Capital, typically using a Flying Chariot.

With the speed of a Flying Chariot, traveling from Gui Long City to Liaoyuan County City takes at most ten days, or as little as seven or eight days.

Local officials in Liaoyuan County need the Cao Family’s cooperation to manage the area better, so they would give the Cao Family some face, and any issues could be discussed. However, an Investigation Envoy coming from the Capital will not extend the same courtesy to the Cao Family.

Moreover, the charge of collusion with sea bandits is severe. Once proven, even if the Cao Family doesn’t face destruction, they would suffer terribly.

Additionally, Cao Bangyan is also a big problem. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

After all, he is the Purple Mansion Seed painstakingly cultivated by the family, nearly ready to advance to the Purple Mansion Realm in little more than a century, preparing to take the place of the Ancestor.

If we cannot extract him, not only will the family’s investment over the years be wasted, but it might also jeopardize the transition within the Purple Mansion.

The more Cao Bangning thought about this, the more his head hurt, and his temples throbbed. Damn it! What kind of ill-fate has he encountered to be plagued with these troublesome matters!

On the other hand, Cao Youqing’s face had also turned ashen, "The letter says it’s the Wang Family’s Patriarch Wang Shouzhe secretly fanning the flames. What capability does Wang Shouzhe have to make Taishi An Kang so determined to oppose our Cao Family?"