24: Chapter 24 Gifts

Just as Ancestor Zhou Huaixu was about to continue his inquiry, a faint sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside Taihe Hall.

"Revered Master, Disciple Jinghan requests an audience."

Jiang Changge raised his eyes and nodded slightly: "Come in."

The hall doors opened, and Lu Jinghan walked into the hall with Lin Yanzhou. He first bowed to Jiang Changge, then bowed slightly toward Ancestor Zhou Huaixu.

"Revered Master, this Disciple has a request," Lu Jinghan said, cupping his hands.

"Speak."

"Yesterday, under the coercion of the Ye Family, the Qin Family and Su Family did not hesitate to break ties with the Ye Family to protect me and Junior Brother Lin Yanzhou."

Lu Jinghan's expression was solemn, "This kindness is something this Disciple dares not forget. I wish to go to the Qin Family to express my gratitude in person. I ask for Revered Master's permission."

Hearing this, the corners of Jiang Changge's mouth lifted slightly, and a hint of approval appeared in his eyes.

Knowing how to repay kindness is the proper Heart-Nature for a Cultivator.

"Since you have this intention, as your Revered Master, I naturally grant it." He stood up and straightened his robes, "It just so happens that I have nothing to do, so I will accompany you."

Seeing this, Ancestor Zhou Huaixu hurriedly stood up: "Senior, you are going to the Qin Family? This Junior also wishes to accompany you."

He paused, then added: "As for yesterday's events, in the final analysis, it was due to my Imperial Dynasty's lax governance. This Junior should go and apologize in person."

Jiang Changge glanced at him without saying much, merely nodding faintly.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu was overjoyed and hurriedly stepped aside to lead the way: "Senior, please."

The next moment, the figures of the four disappeared from Taihe Hall, and when they reappeared, they had already landed steadily in the main courtyard of the Qin Family.

At this time, Clan Head Qin Wentian was sitting across from Su Wanli, and the two were discussing yesterday's events.

Having witnessed with their own eyes the shocking scene of Elder Ling Xu slaying Ye Family Head Ye Lingxiao with a single sword strike, and Ancestor Zhou Huaixu wiping out three families with a wave of his hand.

The awe in their hearts for the big shot behind Lu Jinghan had deepened even further.

"Brother Qin, who exactly do you think that Senior is?" Su Wanli's tone was full of emotion.

"Even Old Ancestor Zhou has to treat him with such respect."

Clan Head Qin Wentian shook his head, his expression solemn: "An existence of this level is not something you or I can fathom."

"However, one thing is certain: the faction he belongs to must be even more powerful than the Imperial Dynasty."

"Indeed." Su Wanli nodded, "Yesterday, our two families protected his Disciple, so this bond of kindness has been established. If we can use this to build a relationship with that Senior in the future..."

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of spiritual light suddenly appeared in the courtyard, and four figures appeared out of thin air.

Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli stood up abruptly at the same time, their expressions changing drastically.

When they saw clearly who had arrived, the two gasped.

The person in the lead was dressed in white as snow, standing with his hands behind his back. It was the very same mysterious Senior from last night who even Ancestor Zhou Huaixu treated with great respect.

Following at his side was none other than the Zhouwu Dynasty's Old Ancestor, Zhou Huaixu.

Behind them were Lu Jinghan and a child of about ten years old.

"Sen... Senior!"

Clan Head Qin Wentian's voice trembled slightly, and he hurriedly led the Elders of the Qin Family to greet them.

Su Wanli did not dare to be negligent either, following closely behind with the people of the Su Family.

The two arrived in front of Jiang Changge and bowed deeply.

"Junior Qin Wentian (Su Wanli) pays respects to Senior! Pays respects to Old Ancestor Zhou!"

Behind them, the Elders of the Qin and Su families bowed in unison, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Jiang Changge raised his hand in a gesture of lifting them up, his tone indifferent: "No need for such formalities, rise."

Clan Head Qin Wentian stood up straight and asked cautiously: "Senior, your presence is a great honor. This Junior failed to welcome you from afar and hopes Senior will forgive this offense. I do not know what instructions you have for coming here?"

Jiang Changge smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli.

"Regarding yesterday's events, under the coercion of the Ye Family, your two families did not hesitate to break ties with the Ye Family to protect my two Disciples."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

"I have noted this sentiment."

Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli were both overjoyed and hurriedly bowed.

"Senior is too kind," Clan Head Qin Wentian said.

"Young Friend Lu fought for our Qin Family and achieved great meritorious service; he is a benefactor of our Qin Family. Protecting him is this Junior's duty, and it does not deserve such praise from Senior."

Su Wanli also chimed in: "Exactly. The Ye Family caused chaos, and the Su Family naturally had to do our best to protect him. This was the right thing to do."

Jiang Changge nodded slightly.

"You do not claim credit, but I cannot offer nothing in return," Jiang Changge said, raising his hand and waving it.

Four streams of light flew out from his sleeve, hovering in front of Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli.

A long sword, entirely azure blue, with runes circulating on the blade, emanated a piercing chill.

A scroll of an ancient book glowing with golden light, on the cover of which the three ancient seal characters for "Tianyuan Technique" were faintly visible.

The last two streams of light contained two Medicinal Pills emitting seven-colored rays of light, with the fragrance of the pills overflowing, making one feel invigorated just by smelling them.

"This sword is named Bi Luo; it is an Intermediate Heaven Rank Magical Artifact that can amplify the power of water-element Cultivation Techniques by thirty percent."

Jiang Changge pointed at the long sword, then pointed to the ancient book.

"This is an Elementary Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique, 'Tianyuan Technique'. When Cultivated to Major Achievement, one can condense the Origin Qi of Heaven and Earth for one's own use, with infinite power."

Finally, he pointed to the two Medicinal Pills.

"These pills are called Breaking Realm Pills. Any Cultivator below the Mahayana Realm can take them to unconditionally Breakthrough by one small Realm, with no side effects."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place was in an uproar.

An Intermediate Heaven Rank Magical Artifact! An Elementary Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique! A Medicinal Pill that allows for an unconditional Breakthrough of a small Realm!

Any one of these items, if brought out, would be enough to make the major factions break their heads fighting over it. Yet now, they were casually given away by Jiang Changge as if they were insignificant little trinkets.

Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli widened their eyes, looking at the three treasures before them, their breathing becoming rapid.

"Senior, this... this is too valuable. This Junior is unworthy of receiving it."

Clan Head Qin Wentian spoke with difficulty, his voice trembling slightly.

Su Wanli also nodded repeatedly: "Exactly. For Senior to personally visit our two families is already a great honor. This Junior would never dare to accept these treasures."

Jiang Changge waved his hand, his tone not allowing for refusal.

"The things I give away are never taken back."

Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli looked at each other, knowing that to refuse further would be pretentious, so they hurriedly bowed and saluted.

"Since that is the case, this Junior will respectfully comply. Thank you, Senior, for your generous gift!"

Jiang Changge nodded slightly and said nothing more.

Seeing this, Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, who was to the side, rolled his eyes and spoke up: "Clan Head Qin, Clan Head Su, although yesterday's events were the self-inflicted sins of those aristocratic families, it was after all under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Dynasty, and the Imperial Dynasty also had the fault of negligence."

He looked at Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli, his tone solemn.

"I promise here that from today on, the Qin and Su families will be the only two great aristocratic families of the Zhouwu Dynasty, enjoying the treatment of Imperial offerings."

"As for Shanhe, I will personally have him make arrangements. All Imperial Dynasty resources, spirit mines, and Secret Realm quotas will be supplied to the Qin and Su families with priority."

Upon hearing this, Clan Head Qin Wentian and Su Wanli were overjoyed and bowed again in salute.

"Thank you, Old Ancestor, for your grace!"

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu waved his hand, but his gaze subconsciously looked toward Jiang Changge. Seeing that Jiang Changge's expression was indifferent and not displeased, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The words he had just spoken were both a way to go with the flow and do a favor, and also a way to test Jiang Changge's attitude.

After all, the Qin and Su families had protected Jiang Changge's Disciples. If he, the Old Ancestor of the Imperial Dynasty, showed no response, it would instead appear ungrateful.

Now seeing that Jiang Changge did not object, Ancestor Zhou Huaixu felt greatly reassured, and the smile on his face became a bit more sincere.

"Alright," Jiang Changge said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will not stay any longer."

Jiang Changge turned around and walked outside, and Ancestor Zhou Huaixu hurriedly followed.