Inside the jade box, a palm-sized piece of transparent white jade was quietly placed there, like congealed fat, its essence icy-cold. It was precisely the Ice Marrow Divine Jade that he had been fervently seeking!

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Chen Yuan calmly placed the jade box into the Heavenly Book Space, turned around, and looked at Shangguan Tiehong, saying:

"This item is of great use to me, thank you, uncle, for your generosity."

"No problem, no problem, as long as it's useful to you, that's good."

Seeing that this item was exactly what Chen Yuan needed, Shangguan Tiehong breathed a sigh of relief, no matter how Chen Yuan had learned about this matter through some mysterious channels.

Being able to satisfy him was good.

This sort of means was truly unimaginable. He even suspected that Chen Yuan's intelligence network had already infiltrated the Shangguan Clan. Not to mention anything else, just Shangguan Yu and Shangguan Hong were quite supportive of him.

Though this wasn't a big deal, what truly made him ponder was what Chen Yuan was plotting. He had only risen in power for a few years, how could he possibly have such a formidable intelligence network?

This question was hard to comprehend, but it didn't stop him from speculating.

He suspected there might be another force assisting Chen Yuan, indeed profound and unpredictable.

With the Ice Marrow Divine Jade in hand, Chen Yuan no longer mentioned the matter, but held a banquet at the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, chatting with his future father-in-law for some hours, and once the mood was cheerful, saw him off.

After today's conversation and the alliance through marriage with Shangguan Hong, Chen Yuan estimated that if he were to rise up in the future, the Shangguan Clan likely wouldn't stand by idly, but use their family influence to pave the way for him.

The alliance was already formed, and it's not something that could be withdrawn from halfway through.

Thus, in the future, the Shangguan Clan might find it difficult to establish themselves in Jianghu again.

Certainly, perhaps Shangguan Tiehong also understood this, subtly informing Chen Yuan that no matter what he wanted to do, the Shangguan Clan wouldn't stand idly by.

After sending off Shangguan Tiehong, Chen Yuan quickly arranged for the officials below, taking Shangguan Hong toward Tangshan Prefecture.

With the Ice Marrow Divine Jade in hand, he didn't want to wait any longer!

The distance between Shuzhou City and Tangshan Prefecture is almost a few thousand miles, but for Chen Yuan's current speed, it was nothing at all. In less than a day, he arrived at the domain of Tangshan Prefecture.

Upon arrival, he headed straight for Tangshan Prefecture City.

Shangguan Hong was even a little embarrassed, but having reached here, there was no need to be coy anymore. She, Shangguan Hong, was not to be trifled with; if Lady Xu dared to bully her, she wouldn't comply submissively.

Respect was due, but humility was impossible.

Soon, Chen Yuan traversed through the void and arrived at the headquarters of the Tangshan Heavenly Patrol Bureau. Lady Xu was fully absorbed in handling official affairs, expanding the army, expanding influence, and even opening mines.

Every expenditure had to be personally reviewed by her.

In addition, there were also matters concerning resource exports in Tangshan Prefecture that required her, this stabilizing force, to make decisions. It was actually quite busy.

However, she had long been accustomed to managing things in Hidden Soldier Valley, except initially finding it somewhat troublesome, she quickly entered the state.

"Lady."

Chen Yuan silently appeared behind Lady Xu. With his aura concealed, the spiritually and physically weak Lady Xu, focused on the ledger, did not detect his presence. It was only upon hearing a voice did she suddenly awaken.

The entire hall was devoid of servants to prevent information leaks, so when Lady Xu looked up, she just happened to see Chen Yuan's smiling face.

"You.... returned?"

She sighed in relief.

"I returned somewhat hurriedly—don't worry about the resources. In a few days, the Golden Envoy from Shuzhou, Lu Renyi, will bring a large batch of Primordial Crystal and Spiritual Medicine."

Chen Yuan conveyed this good news to her.

"Really?"

Lady Xu's eyes lit up.

Tangshan Prefecture has some foundation; Chen Yuan had seized quite a few resources from the Qishan tribe on the Northern Barbarian prairie before, but eventually, they would be stretched thin. To expand an iron cavalry force of 100,000 is definitely a large debt.

She had been somewhat troubled these days.

"Would I deceive you, Lady?"

With a faint smile, Chen Yuan gently wrapped his arm around Lady Xu's soft waist, giving it a light squeeze.

Lady Xu, a bit shy, pushed Chen Yuan a little, looking towards Shangguan Hong:

"Shangguan sister is still here."

"No problem, Hong'er is not an outsider."

Chen Yuan opened his arms toward Shangguan Hong.

A faint blush immediately swept across Shangguan Hong's face, stammering:

"You.... you... chat, I'll... leave first, staying here... would interrupt... you."

Lady Xu is experienced and immediately discerned that Shangguan Hong and Chen Yuan already had something going on, rolling her eyes at him but soon switching to a kind, gentle tone, saying:

"Shangguan sister, what nonsense are you saying, now is precisely the time."

She had long anticipated that Chen Yuan, having accepted Zhang Xuan's sister, definitely wouldn't miss Shangguan Yu's sister, mentally prepared and without any rejection.

No matter what, it's considered acquaintances, fully acceptable.

"I... I...."

At this critical juncture, Shangguan Hong was even more embarrassed, contemplating leaving the room, planning to revisit the matter another day.

But as she just tried to retreat, a strong suction enveloped her. Chen Yuan faintly smiled:

"Come over here, you!"

"Chen.... don't...."

"Don't what?"

"Mmm mmm mmm...."

...

...

Capital, Imperial Study Room.

Pu Xian Bodhisattva awaited serenely at the door, entering only upon being summoned. Inside, there were only two people: Emperor Jingtai and Supervisor Cao Zhengxian of the Imperial Factory.

"Pu Xian Bodhisattva, what brings you here today?"

Jingtai was somewhat puzzled; generally, Pu Xian usually stayed in recluse, rarely visiting the Imperial Palace unless summoned.

"To report to Your Majesty, this humble monk wishes to impeach Marquis Wu'an Chen Yuan."

"For what reason?"

"This humble monk has just received information that Marquis Wu'an, out of personal vendetta, violated the law and slaughtered the entire congregation of Bright Temple. I beg Your Majesty to sentence Marquis Wu'an."

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Grandly recommending writer friend Han Tang Feng Yue's new sci-fi book "I Can Embalm Everything," no more words needed, go check it out and see for yourself. If it's not good, feel free to cut me down!

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