Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Fang Changling and his group returned to their residence in Eastern Sun City. Although this was a newly bought courtyard and the furnishings hadn't yet been fully decorated, the construction itself was actually quite luxurious and splendid. Originally, the thought was that after seeking shelter beneath His Highness the Holy Son, some of the family juniors would remain here in order to carry out any given orders. This courtyard had been especially prepared for them.

But after what just happened, Fang Changling suddenly thought that he had taken everything for granted. His face darkened.

These past years, everything had been going smoothly for the Fang Family. As the patriarch of the Fang Family, when had he ever lost face like that? Even Elder Li, who had a high status, would treat him with a certain degree of respect. Yet today he had been publicly disgraced by several True Demon Guards!

After sending everyone away, the steward had a dour expression. He said, "Master, don't be angry. The True Demon Guard has been in a position that is neither low nor high these past years and it has left them in an awkward situation. Now that they finally have someone they can rely on, there are bound to be some recklessly arrogant individuals showing up. What kind of character is His Highness the Holy Son? Of course he will be understanding of everything that has happened. Moreover, our Fang Family taking the initiative to seek shelter beneath him will be the turning point he needs to gather the other influences. He will surely be extra courteous in receiving master so that he can win over popular opinion." He tittered several times and said, "On that day, those True Demon Guards will definitely tiptoe around master!"

Fang Changling humphed, feeling a little better. "Today was a great chance to ruin the Ning Family's plan but it all fell apart because of some bugs. In the future, I won't spare any of them!" He bitterly slapped the table.

The steward flattered again and again and a small smile finally appeared on his face. He waved his hand, "Have you completed everything yet? Since our plan didn't work today, I can only take the initiative."

"Everything has been cleared. We are placed in front of the Ning Family. After master greets His Highness the Holy Son, perhaps the Ning Family won't even have a chance to enter the palace."

Fang Changling pondered for a moment before saying, "I was originally thinking that I wanted to see the expression on that old man's face, but now I'm feeling restless about the situation. Make sure that we are a few more places in front. His Highness might be bored and suddenly decide to see the Ning Family, and they might haphazardly say something that isn't good for us. I don't want any waves to appear."

The steward respectfully bowed. "It is always master that clearly sees the situation. I will immediately arrange for this."

…

On the third day, the ceremony of worshipping His Highness finally came.

The gates to the Holy Son Palace opened, welcoming guests from all sides. The True Demon Guard stood guard outside and the Holy Nether Guard stood guard inside; the scene was magnificent and dignified.

Although the Ning Family's gift was rich, they were now swinging precariously in the wind. Compared to the rankings of the various noble families, they were almost at the very bottom.

Ning Rufeng, Ning Yuntao, and Ning Liang led several expert cultivators from their family. As they stood in the vast crowd of people, they had anxious looks on their faces.

The Fang Family had come to Eastern Sun City. Although they didn't know what their goal was, even a fool could tell that they were harboring evil intentions. That scuffle within the city a few days ago was the best evidence of this.

As numerous people were deep in thought, the sound of a proclamation echoed through the air. The first to enter the hall was of course the guest with the highest status. Today's grand ceremony was for the people in the Holy Son's new territory to greet their master. But in reality, many people with great backgrounds had also arrived.

Listening carefully, one could see that the Elders of the Holy Palace had each sent congratulatory gifts. Even the Blue Skies Yellow Springs sent people bearing gifts. After the matter with Bai Xinyuan, the Blue Skies Yellow Springs had been much friendlier towards Qin Yu. Of course, one of the reasons was that they had acknowledged Qin Yu's current status.

Ning Rufeng was awed. He heard that His Highness had been a disciple of the Demonic Path. He was originally an unknown and unimportant person, so who could have expected that he would have such achievements in a mere two years?

As the titles and names of the various guests were announced, they rang like thunder in his ears. If any one of these people tried to help out the Ning Family, they wouldn't have fallen into such a difficult predicament.

At this time, most of the restlessness that Ning Rufeng felt in seeking shelter beneath the Holy Son had disappeared. If they could truly become close to His Highness, the Ning Family's future would be secured!

More and more thoughts appeared in his mind. His Highness wasn't that old. If Ning Liang was able to enter his eyes, that might be a good fated marriage bestowed by the heavens.

After thinking of this, a bit of Ning Rufeng's guilt dissipated.

But soon, a sharp proclamation sounded out, "West Prosperity City's Fang Family, enter the hall to worship the Holy Son!"

Fang Changling brought his group and hurried forward. When he passed by the Ning Family he turned his head and coldly smiled at them.

This glance caused the Ning Family to lose confidence. Seeing the Fang Family walk in ahead of them, they all felt uneasy.

The Fang Family followed the Holy Nether Guard into the great hall. A noble and solemn atmosphere blew against them, making it feel as if an invisible mountain was pressing down atop their heads. Fang Changling's complexion changed and his waist bent much more. He respectfully bowed, "West Prosperity City's Fang Family, Fang Changling and juniors, come to greet Your Highness Holy Son. We wish Your Highness peace and prosperity!"

It was no wonder that the normally arrogant people of the Fang Family had unanimously agreed to subordinate themselves to His Highness the Holy Son after hearing about this. Who would have imagined that His Highness would actually possess such a level of cultivation!?

This aura…even if he wasn't a Calamity Immortal, there wasn't much difference.

"At ease. Rise." A faint voice sounded out. Although this voice sounded young, it was filled with a thick sense of dignity.

Fang Changling respectfully stood up. The voice continued to say, "Patriarch Fang is thoughtful. I very much like the two nine line blood lotuses you sent me. Please sit."

His efforts in obtaining those blood lotuses hadn't been wasted!

As those around him looked at him with envy, Fang Changling's spirits were lifted. He took a deep breath and said, "I am glad that Your Highness likes our gift. West Prosperity City's Fang Family might be a new noble family, but we respect and revere the hierarchy of status. After today, if Your Highness has any orders, my Fang Family will walk through fire and water to complete them."

These words might have been a little too blunt as the head of the family. There was a stir of commotion in the hall. Many guests that had already bowed and greeted His Highness suddenly revealed looks of regret.

Although they all had the intention of pledging themselves to His Highness, for better or worse they still had to maintain the dignity of a noble family. They were thinking of greeting His Highness today and then laying bare their true thoughts afterwards.

Who would have imagined that the Fang Family would completely disregard convention and not care about their face? Although their move was incredibly straightforward, they still managed to pull themselves to the top.

As the first ones to pledge themselves to His Highness, it would be expected for favorable treatment to be given.

Qin Yu's eyes flashed but he wasn't surprised. With his current status in the Demonic Path, it would be normal for a noble family to seek his asylum. However, he hadn't expected that the Fang Family would be so impatient.

But this was at least a good beginning. His tone eased and he said, "I will remember Patriarch Fang's intent. If there is any problem in the future, I will preside over it for you."

This was simply an exchange of benefits. If the Fang Family was willing to subordinate themselves to him, he didn't mind giving them a minor commitment.

The eyes of those in the hall suddenly turned burning hot. If looks could kill, Fang Changling would have likely been burnt to ashes.

Disregarding all else, with His Highness' words today, if anyone wanted to make things difficult for the Fang Family in the future they would need to rethink it three times over first.

Fang Changling was overjoyed. He respectfully bowed and led his group into a corner of the hall.

Soon, cultivators from the Holy Son Palace led them away. They were seated in a position that was only second to the VIP seats. Fang Changling was fully satisfied by this.

The Ning Family's stubborn struggle had at least helped the Fang Family make the correct choice this time. As he thought about how his family's golden era was coming, his smile became blinding.

No matter how envious everyone else was, they didn't reveal this on their faces. At this time, many of them came up to the Fang Family, their words and expressions warm and inviting.

As they looked at Fang Changling's old face that was blooming like a chrysanthemum, they all secretly thought that it was best to toss aside things like face in the future. If they had this awareness in the past then the Fang Family wouldn't have been able to take the initiative before them!

The crowd around him suddenly quieted down. Fang Changling looked up to see a beautiful woman with a cold temperament walking in his direction.

Although he didn't know who she was, the two Holy Son Palace maids following behind her were enough to indicate her considerable status. His thoughts turned and he quickly sat up.

Hai Lanlan bowed, her expression faint, "Patriarch Fang, if you are willing to work for His Highness, then His Highness won't treat you unjustly. Do you have any difficulties that you need His Highness' help with?"

Here came the real show!

Fang Changling respectfully bowed. "Reporting to miss, the Fang Family indeed has some difficulties right now. I ask that miss please relay the situation to His Highness."

He explained the grudges he had with the Ning Family. Of course, while facts were facts, he did embellish or forget some things here and there. Seeing Hai Lanlan's silence, Fang Changling said, "Right now the Ning Family is waiting outside the hall. I hear that they also wish to pledge themselves to His Highness and become his subordinates."

There wasn't a need to explain too much about it. He simply needed to get the meaning across.

Hai Lanlan nodded. "I understand Patriarch Fang's intent."

As she spoke, she bowed and left.

Several Fang Family juniors couldn't help but gulp as they saw her slender back. It took a ruthless glare from Fang Changling for them to avert their eyes.

Hai Lanlan furrowed her eyebrows, her eyes a little colder. But, as she thought about how the Fang Family were the first ones to pledge themselves, she forcefully suppressed the loathing in her heart. Although she didn't have an official position right now, she was temporarily dealing with most of the matters within the Holy Son Palace. After asking some people, she understood the true grievances between the Ning and Fang Families.

Thinking to here, Hai Lanlan took advantage of the gap between guests and approached Qin Yu. She said, "Your Highness, the Fang Family has a problem they would like you to adjudicate."

Qin Yu didn't care much about the entangled grudges between two noble families of the Demonic Path. After listening to her, he suddenly wrinkled his eyebrows together. "Herald City's Ning Family?"

Hai Lanlan said, "Yes. I heard that the Ning Family left the Holy Land for some time and returned not too long ago."

"What is the name of their patriarch?"

"Ning Rufeng."

It was indeed him!

A strange look flashed in Qin Yu's eyes. What sort of situation was this? Fang Changling ran all the way here to falsely accuse the family of his dao companion? Who gave the Fang Family such courage!