Chapter 102 - 101: Youlan Association

"The rebel army launched a surprise attack on Yan Province, sweeping through the four counties with the momentum of an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, taking less than a month; thus, Yan Province fell. The rebel army had already gained control of four provinces out of the Nine Provinces, and the imperial court had lost four Second-Grade Experts in battle again!"

At the East District Divine Capture Bureau, Chen Xuan looked at the information in his hand.

His brows furrowed into a character.

He was very puzzled in his heart; could the Great Xia really be so weak?

Including the two Second-Grade Experts who died fighting in Jizhou, the court had lost six Second-Grade Experts in such a short time.

Not only that,

This rebel army is also strange; this time, two more Second-Grade Experts appeared.

It seems that no matter how many experts or what grade the court sends out, the rebel army will produce ones of equivalent grade.

Too strange.

Moreover, the court seems to be somewhat restrained, as he couldn’t believe that the entire Great Xia, did not even have a few First-Grade Experts.

Could it be... both sides have reached some kind of tacit understanding.

First-Grade not deployed?

But....

Given the current situation, the entire eastern side of Great Xia is already completely in the hands of the rebel army, with unstoppable momentum. At this rate, it might not take many years for Great Xia to be completely destroyed.

Isn’t the Emperor really worried?

Moreover, not to mention the Emperor,

Even the Youlan Mansion is acting as if nothing has happened, as if in a time of peace. The citizens in the city are going about their daily lives unbothered, and even the business at Ink Lotus Pavilion is better than before.

"The eastern part of Great Xia is already in the hands of the rebel army, and the next target will naturally be Youlan Mansion. Are these people not worried at all?"

"This world in chaos... is becoming more and more incomprehensible!"

Lying on the chair, Chen Xuan sighed deeply in his heart.

His gaze fell on the panel in front of him.

...

[Realm: Fourth Grade (Blood Exchange 36%)]

Nine Revolutions Secret Technique (Zhen Realm (1024/48000))

...

[Skill Points: 11922]

Since successfully evolving the Nine Revolutions Secret Technique (Zhen Realm), the speed of cultivation has greatly increased.

In less than a month, 36% of the blood exchange has been completed.

However, the accumulation of skill points will still take some time.

"Still too slow!"

Chen Xuan sighed quietly; this world is becoming harder to understand, and even the current situation indicates that Youlan Mansion is no longer very safe.

He must become stronger!

At this moment, Chen Xuan’s eyes shone with determination!

Only by becoming stronger can he have the right to know what’s really happening?

Currently, as a mere Fourth Grade, he doesn’t even have the qualification to be a pawn on this chaotic chessboard.

He needs to become stronger!

Not only to be on this chessboard, but eventually... to become the one who plays the game.

...

Outer room.

"Isn’t it only three months until the Youlan Association?" Qin Gang suddenly spoke, lying askew on the chair.

"And so what if it is? Do you think you have the qualifications to attend?"

Liu He lifted his eyelid, looking at him in that relaxed manner, and mocked.

These two were accustomed to bickering, especially Liu He, who wasn’t used to not taunting him a few times a day.

"Ah," This time, Qin Gang surprisingly didn’t retort, sighing helplessly. It was only because his family, the Qin Family, had someone of status, but even his father didn’t have the qualification.

Nonetheless...

"But surely the Chief has the qualifications, doesn’t he? After all, he is the Deputy Director of the Divine Capture Bureau!"

"Qualifications for what?"

At this moment, Chen Xuan came out from the inner room, just in time to hear the sentence, so he asked confusedly.

"Chief!" Qin Gang immediately got up, with a fawning smile, came to his side, "Chief, it’s the Youlan Association that’s coming up soon. Don’t you know?"

"Youlan Association?"

This he really didn’t know. Even though he had been at Youlan Mansion for nearly two years, before he joined the Divine Capture Bureau, he mostly stayed at the Chen Mansion, rarely going out.

It’s the first time he’s heard of this Youlan Association.

"The Youlan Association is a grand event hosted every July by the Mansion Master for his only daughter, but only those with top status can participate. Ordinary people, not to mention attending, have never even heard of it."

"Previously, Chief wasn’t a part of the Divine Capture Bureau, so not having heard of it is normal!"

At this moment, Liu He explained.

Even for him, it’s only been in recent years that he learned about the Youlan Association, and he’s been in Youlan Mansion for more than 20 years.

With that perspective, it is indeed normal that Chen Xuan wasn’t aware.

"What’s so special about this Youlan Association?" Chen Xuan was aroused with interest at this moment.

"Of course there is! Chief, you didn’t know?"

At this moment, Qin Gang inexplicably became excited.

"Last time, my uncle attended the Youlan Association and brought back three Immortal Spirit Dates. My father asked him for one of them, and I ate it, enabling me to successfully break through to the Fifth Grade."

"A single date helped you break through to the Fifth Grade?"

Even Chen Xuan was taken aback.

What kind of thing is this, to be so powerful?

"Yes, this Immortal Spirit Date is cultivated by Youlan Mansion, consuming a large amount of rare resources, and it’s only during the Youlan Association that they would be generous enough to take it out. It shows just how much the Mansion Master dotes on his daughter."

At this moment, a trace of envy flashed in Qin Gang’s eyes. If only he had such a good father, he wouldn’t need to work hard for insignificant contribution points, doing the tough job of a Chief Constable.

What kind of cultivation technique, pills, they just ended up in his mouth automatically.

That’s why, being born well is better than anything.

"How old is the Mansion Master’s daughter?" Chen Xuan suddenly asked, inexplicably recalling the girl he saw last time at Blue Moon Lake.

"Hehe, boss, that’s a good question. This year is very different from the past!"

Qin Gang suddenly flashed a mysterious smile.

"Spit it out!"

Chen Xuan glared at him. This kid was good at everything but loved to act superior, and no matter how you said it, he wouldn’t change.

Last time, he even made him patrol for ten days, but it didn’t last for long.

"I’ll tell, I’ll tell, boss, don’t get angry," seeing he was about to get mad, Qin Gang quickly conceded, "It’s that the Mansion Master Youlan’s beloved daughter is about to turn 18. This time it’s rumored that the Mansion Master intends to select a young talent from the Youlan Mansion to marry in."

"Marry in?"

Chen Xuan slightly raised his eyebrows, his expression turning peculiar.

"Yeah, what’s up, boss? Your tone sounds like you’re not too happy about it!"

Qin Gang looked very confused.

"Uh... doesn’t marrying in sound a bit off?" Chen Xuan said.

"Boss... you... sigh!"

A very helpless look, "Boss, you need to know, this is the Youlan Mansion, entering the Youlan Mansion is like reaching the skies in one step, you know? In this city, no matter which family, once you can become the son-in-law of the Youlan Mansion, you’ll become the top family in the future!"

"Heh..." Chen Xuan sneered, so what?

Anyway, marrying in is something he couldn’t bring himself to do.

"Forget it, forget it, let’s not talk about this," Qin Gang was no longer bothered, instead cautiously asking, "Boss, can I discuss something with you?"

"Are you trying to say, if I join the Youlan Association, would you like to have one of those Immortal Spirit Dates?"

How could Chen Xuan not see through his intentions?

"Hehe..."

Being seen through instantly, Qin Gang scratched his head awkwardly, a bit embarrassed.

His request was indeed a bit much, but he had no choice. Last year, his father had already shamelessly asked his uncle for one.

This year, he didn’t know if his uncle could still participate, even if he did, his father wouldn’t feel comfortable.

After all, his uncle has several sons too.

"We’ll see then, if there are really a lot, giving you one isn’t impossible!"

"Great, great, thank you, boss! Really, if it’s useless to you, just give me one, I’ll work like a horse for you, you say east, I definitely won’t go west!"

Qin Gang eagerly flattered, he had no choice, his talent wasn’t great and his cultivation was too slow, so he thick-skinnedly pleaded with Chen Xuan.

"Alright, alright, enough of the flattery!"

Chen Xuan pretended to be annoyed.

At this time, Liu He, who was next to them, also seemed like he wanted to say something, of course he wanted the Immortal Spirit Dates too, but Qin Gang had already spoken.

And there surely aren’t many, even if he asked, it would be too late.

"Rest assured, if there are really many, both of you will get some, but let’s make it clear first, there won’t be many, I need them, and there are a few women at home who also need them, so then you can’t blame me."

Chen Xuan was being fair in his distribution.

Of course, he couldn’t give it just because Qin Gang flattered him.

"Right, right, boss is right! We understand." Qin Gang quickly agreed, he didn’t have much hope when he asked anyway.

On the contrary, Liu He stood up and respectfully saluted Chen Xuan, "Regardless, thank you, boss, for your care."

...

In the evening, after leaving the government office.

As usual, he first went to the fifth floor of Ink Lotus Pavilion.

After eating and drinking, Pei Yuenan finally showed up slowly.

"By the way, I’ve been hearing about some Youlan Association these days, do you know about it?"

"Of course your husband knows!"

Chen Xuan acted as if, who am I? Of course, I know everything.

"Then tell me! I heard it several times when passing by the study today, but the voices were too low to hear clearly!" Pei Yuenan sat on his lap, acting cute.

"Alright, alright! Listen carefully as your husband tells you all about it!"

Then, Chen Xuan repeated Qin Gang’s words from earlier today.

"Wow... The eldest lady of the Youlan Mansion is really lucky!"

Pei Yuenan couldn’t help but sigh.

"Indeed, being born is an art! Chen Xuan nodded in agreement, her starting point is a peak that others may never reach in their lifetime.

No wonder Pei Yuenan was envious.

"Husband, can I ask you something?" Her arms wrapped around Chen Xuan’s neck, her chest intentionally pressing against him.

"Oh..." Chen Xuan dragged out his response, "What’s the matter, significant enough to lure our Yuenan with a seductive trick?"

"You’re so bad!" Pei Yuenan softly punched him with her fists.

"Haha..."

Chen Xuan laughed heartily, not teasing her further, "I know, Father-in-law has been at the fifth grade for some years, I reckon these Immortal Spirit Dates might be useful for the sixth, fifth grade, but if it’s useful to me, it might not be much. I’ll give one to Father-in-law, how about that?"

Saying that, he winked at her.

"Mua!"

Pei Yuenan gave him a big, sweet kiss, "Thank you, husband!"

"But... if it’s really useful for your cultivation, then don’t give it to my dad."

In her heart, Chen Xuan’s cultivation was still the most important.

"Good girl!"

Chen Xuan felt gratified, but because of this, he really intended to give Pei Geng one later.

After all, he still felt a bit guilty about the black market issue back then, so an Immortal Spirit Date could be seen as a bit of compensation.