166: Offering stone lotus

At this time, City Lord Xiao Muchu was sitting behind his desk, where several treasure boxes were scattered. Some had already been opened, revealing rare spiritual materials.

City Lord Xiao Muchu held a lustrous oracle bone that seemed to belong to some kind of Source Beast. He casually glanced at the Chu Family Father and Son before placing the item back into its treasure box.

He asked lazily, "The Chu Family? To what do I owe the visit?"

Chu Jingyu bowed slightly and clasped his hands in greeting. "Pardon the intrusion, Lord Xiao. Recently, my Chu Family obtained a treasure, but it is not something a small household like ours can handle. We fear it might invite disaster."

"After much thought, in the entire Zhiyao County, only you, My Lord, are capable of holding onto such a treasure."

Hearing his sincere tone, City Lord Xiao Muchu became somewhat interested, his eyebrows arching slightly.

"Oh? There's such a treasure in Zhiyao County? Then I must have a good look."

Chu Jingyu looked around and chose an open space on the floor in front of the desk. He gently stroked the jade pendant at his waist, and a flash of dark light flickered.

A black stone lotus, about thirty centimeters in diameter, appeared on the floor. A special spiritual charm flowed over its surface, making it clear at a glance that it was no ordinary object.

The moment he saw it, City Lord Xiao Muchu's eyes narrowed slightly. "This is... a Origin Artifact without a Bloodline contract?"

City Lord Xiao Muchu had seen too many treasures with those eyes of his, so he immediately identified what kind of item was before him.

Moreover, based on the spiritual charm on the surface of the Origin Artifact, he could judge that its quality was not low. If it were used to establish a clan, it would be much higher than the starting point of many other Origin Artifacts.

City Lord Xiao Muchu raised his hand slightly. The scattered treasure boxes on the desk were pushed aside, and the moyang stone lotus on the floor flew into the air, landing right in the center of the desk.

His fingers brushed over the surface of the stone lotus, gently feeling its texture and a certain rhythm of laws circulating within that only someone of his Realm could perceive.

After a moment, he nodded with satisfaction. "It is indeed a rare treasure. Where did your Chu Family find it?"

Chu Jingyu had already prepared his response for such an inquiry, so he answered naturally:

"We happened upon it Beyond the Border some time ago. At the time, I felt this stone lotus was unusual, so I brought it back to the Family. However, after bringing it back, we didn't find any special functions."

"It was my playful grandson who scattered some crystal dust from Source Spirit Stone onto the stone lotus. It was absorbed, and gradually, a charm unique to Origin Artifacts began to flow out. Only then did we realize it was an extraordinary treasure."

"It has also caused some trouble. Fearing that keeping it longer would lead to more disasters, we didn't even have time to send a formal visiting card before rushing over to deliver it. I hope you will not take offense, My Lord."

As City Lord Xiao Muchu listened to Chu Jingyu, his fingers lingered on the stone lotus. He already had many preliminary ideas for its use; to him, it was indeed an indispensable treasure.

However, hearing Chu Jingyu's words, he grew curious. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

Chu Jingyu looked at City Lord Xiao Muchu, appearing somewhat hesitant, as if he wanted to speak but didn't dare. "It's just... sigh, forget it. Now that the treasure has been delivered to you, My Lord, we can rest easy."

This reaction only made City Lord Xiao Muchu more dissatisfied. "If I tell you to speak, then speak boldly. Is there anything in this Zhiyao County that I cannot handle for your Chu Family?"

Chu Jingyu sighed. "I don't know if a servant at home leaked the news, but word of this stone lotus spread to the town."

"The Zhang Family, another Family in Heyu Town, launched a crusade against my Chu Family just this morning. My Chu Family was terrified, so we hurried to present this item, only hoping that the Zhang Family will not hold a grudge."

"The Zhang Family?" City Lord Xiao Muchu looked a bit puzzled.

Since Chu Jingyu began showing the stone lotus, the Study Boy, who had been acting as a background figure, timely reminded him, "The Zhang Family of Heyu Town, the maternal Family of the Concubine Zhang Qingshu."

Realization dawned on City Lord Xiao Muchu's face. It was that Zhang Family. When Zhang Qingshu became pregnant, he was so delighted that he gave out lavish rewards, helping the Zhang Family Head reach the Spirit Rank.

He had even thought that after this first child was born, he would help the Zhang Family promote to an Eighth-Grade Magnate Family.

In the world of Source Beasts, there was a common knowledge: the higher the Realm of a Contract Master, the harder it was to conceive the next generation, sometimes even requiring external means.

But he hadn't expected Zhang Qingshu to become pregnant so quickly, which was why he had been so happy and given out such lavish rewards.

His expression became serious. "Is that Zhang Family running rampant in the countryside using my name?"

Chu Jingyu did not respond to this; he simply lowered his head in silence. Saying too much would be counterproductive. Someone would naturally investigate for City Lord Xiao Muchu, and the results would eventually corroborate his words.

"Shuyuan, go and investigate that Zhang Family."

The Study Boy took the order and left the study.

City Lord Xiao Muchu set aside his serious expression and looked at Chu Jingyu with a smile. "The treasure your Chu Family presented is much to my liking. What does your Chu Family desire? Tell me, and I will satisfy any request within my power."

Chu Jingyu slowly shook his head and clasped his hands again. "My Chu Family is small in number. We have no requests in presenting this treasure; we only hope for a peaceful household from now on."

City Lord Xiao Muchu's finger lightly tapped the desk. "Very well, I have noted your request. However, if anyone in your Family wants to serve at the County Yamen, I can arrange that as well."

Chu Jingyu's face was full of helplessness. "Thank you for your kindness, My Lord. My Family is small, and there are truly no suitable candidates. I am old,"

He pointed to Chu Qinhui, who had remained silent behind him. "This is my only son, and he needs to manage the household. My eldest grandson is twelve and studying abroad, and I have two younger grandchildren who are still in their childhood years."

The Family population was indeed quite small. City Lord Xiao Muchu's finger paused; his own situation seemed similar—alone, with one unborn child.

As for those women, they were merely tools for him to have children; he had little affection for them and had not yet categorized them as Family.

Looking at the Chu Family Father and Son again, he couldn't help but feel a sense of shared plight.

He turned his palm, and three golden leaves appeared. Under the control of some power, these golden leaves flew in front of Chu Qinhui.

"This item is called the Offspring Leaf. If a husband and wife take it, it can increase the chances of conception. I see you are young and strong; it is the right time to have more children."

Chu Qinhui's face flushed as he looked at the golden leaves in front of him, unsure whether to accept them. He naturally looked toward his father.

Chu Jingyu laughed. "Take them quickly. I also want to hold more grandchildren. Thank you, My Lord, for fulfilling this old man's wish."

"It's no matter." Having received a satisfying treasure, City Lord Xiao Muchu was in a good mood.

Without further disturbance, the father and son took the golden leaves and departed from the Xiao Residence... In Heyu Town, a rumor quietly spread throughout the town around noon.

It was said that the Zhang Family coveted a certain treasure in the Chu Family, which was why they had launched such a grand crusade against them in the morning.

Family Head, who had gained no advantage from the Chu Family, nearly had his nose twisted with anger when he heard this rumor from a younger Family member.

He knew in his heart that after the battle this morning, his prestige within the Family had significantly decreased. Not only had several elite Family members been sacrificed for no reason, but his Third Uncle's grudge had not been avenged.

He slammed the table hard. "Who on earth spread this news? Find them for me and cut out their tongue."