Chapter 242: Chapter 158: Persuasion (Second Update)


    Mo Shiyao stepped onto the cobblestone path by the pond and looked at the mandarin ducks ying in the water, pointing with her hand.


    “Miss Han, look at these mandarin ducks, forming pairs and casting shadows. You are entrusting your life to the Nanjing King without even meeting him once. Do you think you will be happy in the future?”


    “There’s no need for anyone to say more. Having been cared for by the Han Family since childhood, I’ve long been prepared for this. Personal emotions are of little significance.”


    With the light shining on her profile, Han Ruyan appeared as wless as white jade, her beautiful face disying an indifferent calm like water, showing neither much sorrow nor much joy.


    For the Han Family, the Nanjing King, the real power-holder of Jingzhou, was the best marriage alliance prospect and key to their potential resurgence.


    To regain high positions in the court, the support of the Nanjing King was extremely important.


    Even if it meant sending away the treasured daughter of the family for marriage, it was unanimously approved by everyone in the Han Family.


    Han Ruyan was well aware of her fate. Born into a famous family like the Han Family, indulging in exotic delicacies and silk since childhood, her fate had been silentlybeled with a price, and now, it was time to repay through this arranged marriage.


    “If you want to change the fate of the Han Family, once you achieve the Taoist tform Realm, only then can you truly help your n.”


    Yu Wenjing chuckled lightly, exuding an unstoppable domineering aura, and slowly said, “Instead of relying on someone else as your support, why not be the support for your own family? The influence and pressure that a cultivator of the Taoist tform Realm can bring – you must be quite aware of it, Miss Han.”


    Those words struck a chord in Han Ruyan’s heart, and she couldn’t help but look towards Yu Wenjing.


    The Han Family was also a cultivation family. Their ancestor had fought alongside the founding emperor of the Da Li Dynasty, leaving behind many cultivation scriptures, but as the family declined, much was sold or lost.


    Nowadays, few of the Han Mansion’s family members who practice cultivation have reached the Secret Realm, with most of them either studying hard for official exams or engaging in business. The number of family members dedicated to cultivation is very small, and their cultivation levels are generally mediocre.


    Still, this didn’t mean Han Ruyan was unaware of how formidable a Taoist tform Realm cultivator could be.


    In a Sect, that level corresponded to the Supreme Elder, the battle power of a Sect Master.


    In a cultivation family or a great n, it was a strength usually possessed only by patriarchs.


    Even in the Da Li Dynasty, where the current politics were in shambles and talent scarce, a Taoist tform Realm cultivator could easily assume a Second Grade or higher position in the court if they wished to serve the Da Li Dynasty.


    Seeing Han Ruyan wavering, Yu Wenjing continued, “My Guan Chao Pavilion is the leading Great Sect in Qingzhou, with numerous strong cultivators. If Miss Han joins us, I dare say the Nanjing King wouldn’t dare cause you trouble. Regarding the Han Family, our Sect is willing to take in a group of talented youth, encouraging them to join our Sect for cultivation. Even if the Han Familypletely falls apart one day, these n members within our Sect can still spread their branches and rebuild a more splendid cultivation family.”


    Yu Wenjing’s words were undeniably tempting. With just a nod, she could soar into the Immortal Sect, be a disciple specially nurtured, and even benefit the younger members of her family.


    “This matter carries the hopes of my parents. I’m afraid I will disappoint you all; my mind is made up.”


    Ultimately, Han Ruyan still shook her head. Her wedding date with the Nanjing King was approaching, and calling it off now would be akin to pping the face of the powerful Prince, which would greatly offend him.


    She herself could enter the Immortal Sect and ignore the mortal world.


    But the Han Family would undoubtedly face oppression on all fronts, not to mention the impossibility of returning to high positions in the court – that was her father’s lifetime aspiration.


    The surrounding disciples from the Sect fell silent, not expecting this woman’s resolve to be so firm.


    As the group wandered, they neared the front hall area, hearing the faintmotion.


    “What’s going on up ahead?”


    Han Ruyan asked a servant.


    “To report to Miss, it’s those able people who havee to answer the call for the examination, seeking to resolve the mysterious deaths urring in the mansion as ofte. The Master and the others are also in the front hall,” the servant replied, stealing nces at the breathtakingly beautiful daughter of the house who, regretfully, would soon marry the Nanjing King and would no longer be seen after a few more days.


    “Ladies and gentlemen, would anyone care to take a closer look?”


    Han Ruyan found an excuse to divert attention from the previous topic.


    “Let’s all go together and see.”


    Mo Shiyao gave a faint smile, walking shoulder to shoulder with Han Ruyan.


    The group arrived at the front hall and found it crowded with many people.


    There were about a dozen individuals of various attire—able people with unusual skills—as well as the Han Family’s servants and several of the n’s elders.


    “Ru Yan!”


    A middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe, with a jade pendant hanging at his waist and a folding fan in hand, looked over.


    His brows were furrowed, betraying a heavy heart, as he paced around the courtyard, seemingly lost in thought.


    He was Han Ruyan’s father, the current master of the Han Family, Han Jinghuan.


    “Father, I’vee to take a look with these distinguished young cultivators from the Immortal Sects.”


    Han Ruyan approached with graceful steps, speaking cheerfully in front of Han Jinghuan.


    “Uncle Han, I apologize for the intrusion.”


    Mo Shiyao walked over leisurely, nodding with a smile.


    Miao Yin Temple was not far from East Victory City, and Master Si Xinying had some familial connections with the Han Family.


    “So it’s Miss Mo, is your master well?”


    Han Jinghuan stroked his beard and spoke lightly, unfurling his fan.


    “My master is currently engaged in the campaign against the Ghost Ridge Pce and is too upied to be present, so he instructed me toe and lend assistance with the crisis in Han Mansion.”


    Mo Shiyao spoke very politely, though her main reason foring here was for Han Ruyan, which naturally she did not say.


    “Uncle Han, I fear that you won’t get much hope from these applicants—most of them possess mere trivial skills.”


    Yu Wenjing looked toward the courtyard, where the so-called able people were energetically showcasing their skills—most were Loose Cultivators without any sect or school, performing minor tricks like Palm Thunder, Drawing a Prison, Earth Tunneling, Rain Summoning Technique, and Evil Avoidance and Fortune Telling.@@novelbin@@


    And that was the better lot; some weren’t even Loose Cultivators, just martial artists with basic boxing, swordy, and other martial arts skills, and there were even swindlers from Jianghu who relied on sleight of hand to deceive others, none of whom caught his interest.


    “Nephew Yu Wen, my family is not at peace, struck by some cmity, with mysterious deaths urring day and night. Regardless of the reason, I have to try something, and what I’ve paid is just some Silver Coin, which amounts to little.”


    Han Jinghuan shook his head, responding nomittally to Yu Wenjing’s remark.


    “If Uncle Han doesn’t mind, we’re also willing to lend a hand. Without making any bold ims, whether it’s the work of demons or the mischief of thieves, with so many of us from reputable sects here, we won’t ignore the situation. We will help you get to the bottom of it.”


    Yu Wenjing sped his hands, speaking confidently, intending to first gain favor with the Han Family by resolving their crisis before making a move to persuade Han Ruyan, thus increasing his chances.


    “That would be wonderful.”


    Han Jinghuan’s face lit up with joy, confident that with the help of these upright sect disciples, the ominous cmity within the mansion would certainly be resolved.