"Why are so many people sending gifts to Chen Jianmin's house?"
"Yeah, it's inexplicable. Does anyone know what's going on?"
"You'd have to ask the new village secretary."
For the people of Qingzhu Village, such a commotion was unprecedented. The last time Qingzhu Village was so lively was when Old Village Secretary Huang's family held a funeral and the whole village was treated to a feast.
"Chen Jianmin's family has really prospered, building a grand villa and now having so many people sending gifts."
"Last time, Chen Jianmin's son caused trouble at Old Village Secretary Huang's funeral, and then Old Village Secretary Huang died too."
"Could Chen Jianmin's son have become some high-ranking official?"
"It's possible. Then... should we also go and give a gift to see what's happening?"
"How much are you giving? I'll give a hundred."
"Then I'll give a hundred too."
Chen Jiuyang found it absurd and laughable that the villagers of Qingzhu were coming to give gifts.
When his family was at their most difficult, his mother had gone to the villagers to borrow money. Not only did they refuse to lend her money, but they also kicked her while she was down, recommending she take out a high-interest loan.
Now that Chen Jiuyang's family's situation had completely changed, they were even proactively offering money and joining the fun.
It was so absurd that Chen Jiuyang found it hilarious.
Chen Jiuyang said to his parents, "Don't accept any gifts or money from those villagers. Mom and Dad, please tell them."
"Alright..." Chen Jiuyang's parents didn't know what was going on. It was a perfectly ordinary day, and suddenly in the afternoon, so many dignitaries were coming to send gifts. They were also bewildered.
However, Chen Jiuyang didn't want his parents to know too much. They were ordinary people, and knowing too much would be detrimental to their lives.
"Marquis, I'll go and attend to the old master and madam," Deng Zun said with a hint of pride. After serving at Feng Han Marquis Manor for a while, he had become a qualified steward.
Chen Jiuyang was already the Xuan Yang Marquis, a Grandmaster of the Earth Realm with illustrious military achievements.
He was still at the Yellow Realm in cultivation. He knew his innate talent was limited, but he could feel that he was not far from breaking through to the Profound Realm.
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly, "Go ahead."
Yao Qianhe said, "Jiuyang, now that you are the Xuan Yang Marquis, this small bungalow is too cramped and completely unworthy of your status. Even the villa under construction should be expanded into a manor."
Chen Jiuyang smiled calmly and said, "Old Yao, a mountain doesn't need to be high to be famous if it has a dragon. As long as the house is big enough to live in, that's fine. I don't have so many demands right now. Moreover, my parents are ordinary people, and building a large villa is already the limit of what they can accept."
Yao Qianhe nodded with a slight frown. It was indeed true. For a martial artist to advance to the Earth Realm Grandmaster, wealth, companions, methods, and environment were all indispensable. Their Yao family had been passed down for hundreds of years, but without a master to impart cultivation techniques, they couldn't cultivate an Earth Realm Grandmaster to be enfeoffed as a marquis.
Circumstances were different, and so were people's state of mind.
"Very well, you know best about this matter," Yao Qianhe said. "Jiuyang, now that your enfeoffment is settled, when do you plan to set the wedding date with Zixuan?"
Chen Jiuyang chuckled, "After I participate in the Dragon Kingdom Martial Rankings competition. Old Yao, don't worry, haven't I already given Zixuan's betrothal gifts?"
Yao Qianhe looked deeply at Chen Jiuyang, "Your trip to Suhang has brought about significant changes. I can hardly see through you anymore."
Chen Jiuyang replied, "I've had some insights and am still processing them, but for the time being, I don't want to deal with external matters. I just want to live peacefully for a few days."
"Old Yao, you'll have to handle these gift-givers for me."
Yao Qianhe said, "Alright, no problem."
"Zixuan, you come with me. As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xuan Yang Marquis, you will have to interact with these gift-givers in the future."
Yao Zixuan's face lit up, "Yes, Grandfather."
Lin Yuexian looked at Chen Jiuyang, her beautiful eyes glistening, "Chen Lang, you're alright now, why didn't you call us to let us know you were safe?"
Chen Jiuyang held her hand and said softly, "I owe you too much, and I truly don't know how to speak."
"There are still some things in my heart that are unfinished, unresolved, and I don't know how to face you all."
If Lin Yuexian hadn't brought his father's Six-Revolving Golden Elixir this time, Chen Jiuyang would not have been able to get through this ordeal.
Lin Yuexian also sensed the change in Chen Jiuyang, "Okay, I won't force you."
Chen Jiuyang gently patted the back of her hand and smiled, "Has your father come out of the ice palace yet?"
Lin Yuexian replied, "He has already been transported from Longjing to Fengcheng."
Chen Jiuyang said, "Since Uncle has arrived in Fengcheng, I should also fulfill my promise and treat Uncle."
Lin Yuexian nodded slowly, "Grandfather has placed my father in the manor behind us."
"Since Old Lin had already predicted that I would return to Qingzhu Village immediately, what are we waiting for? Let's go."
Chen Jiuyang smiled and walked out, holding Lin Yuexian's hand.
Next to Qingzhu Village is a river. Deep within the riverside park is the manor built by the Lin family, used for refuge from enemies in the past.
Later, the Lin family met Chen Jiuyang and, seeing Chen Jiuyang's potential and following his advice, gathered the Lin family members in Fengcheng.
At the Lin family manor, Lin Buwen smiled as he watched Chen Jiuyang and Lin Yuexian appear, "Jiuyang, congratulations on your successful enfeoffment. The commotion you caused in Suhang this time was quite significant."
For Lin Buwen, Chen Jiuyang was no longer just potential; he had already grown. The next step was to see how high Chen Jiuyang could reach.
Chen Jiuyang cupped his fists and bowed to Lin Buwen, "My survival this time is entirely due to Old Lin's help."
If it weren't for Lin Buwen, how could Lin Yuexian have obtained the Six-Revolving Golden Elixir to sustain Chen Jiuyang's physical body and prevent his spirit from dissipating?
Lin Buwen chuckled, "No need to be so polite."
Then, Lin Buwen said seriously, "Jiuyang, the rest is up to you."
The honor of the Lin family, whether they could make a comeback, depended on whether Chen Jiuyang could cure Lin Yuexian's father.
"I will do my best," Chen Jiuyang said.
Lin Buwen led Chen Jiuyang and Lin Yuexian into the main hall of the villa.
Outside the villa stood dozens of Six Doors constables. Due to their association with Xi Butui, these Six Doors constables were all dispatched from Longjing, and each of them exuded a powerful and terrifying aura.
Inside the main hall, a chilling cold permeated the air. A transparent ice coffin was placed within, and a middle-aged man with a refined appearance lay inside.
Chen Jiuyang's expression was one of surprise. He had been guessing which high-ranking official of the third rank Lin Yuexian's father was, but he never expected it to be this person.
The second-in-command of the Dragon Kingdom's Ministry of International Diplomacy—Lin Xianxing!
Chen Jiuyang opened the ice coffin and placed a hand on Lin Xianxing's pulse. Immediately, his expression changed in surprise.
Lin Xianxing's physical body was intact, but his soul had been corroded and suppressed, seemingly caused by some curse. A phantom image of a golden dragon scale protected his spiritual platform in his brain, which was why Lin Xianxing's life still hung by a thread.
Chen Jiuyang frowned. This matter had become somewhat tricky.