Chapter 33: 33 The First Treasure

Chapter 33: The First Treasure

Uncle Tang, named Tang Chuan, was the ruler of Ping'an Prefecture, located north of Wangyue Prefecture.

Ning Xuan had originally intended to host a banquet, but Tang Chuan waved it off, saying warmly, "It is already late. Just bring some plain noodles for the next bowl. As for alcohol, let's skip it. I know a little about what my nephew wishes to ask, so let's talk while we eat."

Ning Taiyi smiled and said, "Xuan'er, those of us in this profession are very mindful of our health. If we can't avoid heavy meat and fish, we should only have a few bites. Forget your Uncle Tang—even when you look at your father, have I ever indulged in gluttony?"

Ning Xuan suddenly thought of the President of the Fugui Chamber of Commerce, who was quite portly and always feasted on delicacies. Comparing the two, there was a stark difference.

He nodded.

Ning Taiyi continued, "Your Uncle Tang and I only need two bowls of plain noodles. As for you... eat as much meat and fish as you like. You are different from us, after all."

Ning Xuan smiled and had Xiaojie make the arrangements.

Soon, three bowls of noodles were served.

Two bowls of plain noodles were fragrant, with minced green onions floating on top and neatly arranged green vegetables.

Ning Xuan's noodles, however, featured a large piece of meat.

The three began to eat.

As they ate...

Ning Taiyi said, "Old Tang, you stayed in the Imperial Capital for a long time and only emerged in the last ten years. Is there anything you can teach my Xuan'er?"

Tang Chuan replied, "The Imperial Court is undergoing reforms."

Seeing Ning Taiyi's solemn expression, Tang Chuan added, "There is nothing to hide. The Court has begun to place extraordinary importance on Generals, and has started specifically cultivating Demon-Plague Warriors with decent self-control."

Ning Taiyi asked, "In what way is this importance shown?"

Tang Chuan said, "I don't know. After all, I have no other nephews in the General's lineage to learn from, so I have no way of knowing. But my nephew will find out very soon."

Ning Taiyi was incredibly sharp. He frowned and said, "Are you saying that even if I report to Grand General Qin, in the end... Xuan'er and my Ning family will still ultimately have to follow the Emperor's deployment?"

Tang Chuan did not answer directly, but instead suddenly asked, "How many years do you think the Qin family has been established?"

A look of horror crossed Ning Taiyi's face.

It wasn't that he hadn't considered this, but no one dared to mention it openly.

The Grand General Qin's manor had stood for over eighty years. Two Emperors had died, yet Grand General Qin remained, becoming a perennial fixture of the entire Han Province and this entire region.

Tang Chuan said, "Therefore, our newly ascended Emperor wants to make some changes. The Emperor will not coerce the new generation of Generals; instead, he will offer them many benefits. So, Brother Ning, Nephew, you can rest your hearts."

Ning Xuan felt his head spinning.

Tang Chuan's meaning was nothing more than this: the Emperor wanted to divide the "Generals" into a "New Faction" and an "Old Faction." The "New Faction" would be closer to the Emperor, creating a divide from the "Old Faction."

Demons, and now political schemes...

Could they ever just live a normal life?

He began to feel a headache for his father.

The Ning family was safe for now.

But the Ning family's future was unstable.

Was his future wife someone from the Qin General's manor, or someone from the Emperor's side?

Regardless, he wouldn't view a wife from such a political marriage as a wife. They were merely representatives of their respective interests. As long as she wasn't ugly and didn't insult him, it would be fine.

But then, he realized the person saying this was Tang Chuan.

What was Tang Chuan here for?

Tang Chuan was here for a political marriage.

Since Tang Chuan had put it this way, his father would feel that neither side was suitable to marry into, so wouldn't he just marry the daughter of the Tang family instead?

They were all old foxes.

Ignoring that, Ning Xuan asked curiously, "How has the Grand General Qin's manor endured for eighty years?"

The fact that the manor had lasted eighty years didn't mean Grand General Qin was only eighty years old; it meant he had lived eighty years *after* becoming Grand General, and that the manor remained standing to this day, proving he had not yet grown old.

Tang Chuan did not answer. Instead, he lifted his bowl and finished the remaining broth. He then reached into his robe, pulled out a palm-sized jade box, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Ning Xuan.

He smiled and said, "I originally intended to wait for a better price to sell this, but I am quite satisfied with my nephew's methods and temperament. Regardless of whether we become family, I give this to you."

As he spoke, he added, "Open it and see."

With a flick of his finger, Ning Xuan opened the box.

Inside lay a palm-sized flying dagger.

The dagger had no hilt; it was cast entirely of metal, with an extremely thin blade.

Upon closer inspection, the metal felt deathly cold, and within it, one could faintly see patterns of deep blue, thorny ice spikes.

No amount of repeated forging could create such a pattern; this only meant the metal itself possessed unique properties.

Tang Chuan smiled. "Try gripping it tightly."

Ning Xuan avoided the blade and gripped it with his five fingers.

The moment he gripped it, he felt a terrifying chill rushing outward.

He released his hand.

*Clatter.*

The flying dagger hit the floor.

Tang Chuan looked at him strangely and said, "My nephew is truly cautious. You've been hit by the cold; shouldn't you use your Qi and blood to resist it?"

Ning Xuan said, "Uncle Tang, stop playing riddles."

Tang Chuan said, "Use your Qi and blood to resist the cold, then counter-invade into the blade. Only then can you gain complete control over this flying dagger. This blade can not only withstand all your strength but can also sense your Qi and blood. Before your energy is exhausted, it can fly through the air, following your every whim."

Seeing that Ning Xuan still wouldn't grip it, Tang Chuan said, "This item was obtained by Bing'er at the Divine Weapon Camp. She couldn't use it, so I, as her father, brought it out this time."

Ning Taiyi's eyes widened in surprise. He praised, "Your daughter actually went to the Divine Weapon Camp?"

Tang Chuan laughed. "Brother Ning, do I show sincerity? Why not let the children see each other? If they take a liking to one another, it would be good."

Ning Taiyi fell into thought.

Tang Chuan remained composed.

Sensing his son's curious gaze, Ning Taiyi explained, "The Divine Weapon Camp is a mysterious force established in the Imperial Capital after the appearance of demons. I don't know much about it, but I do know that the weapons produced by the Divine Weapon Camp are quite formidable."

Tang Chuan smiled. "It wasn't easy for Bing'er to enter that camp; she had to pass many assessments. The 'Storm Pear Blossom' and 'Four Generations Under One Roof' were both part of her assessment works. Only after the Divine Weapon Camp confirmed her talent did they allow her entry."

Ning Xuan slowly gripped the flying dagger.

As the cold surged, he used his Qi and blood to press back.

Gradually, the cold dissolved, and the flying dagger established a mysterious connection with him.

The words "refining" instantly surfaced in his mind.

With a thought, he held his hand out beneath it, and the flying dagger began to spin with a *whirring* sound. With another thought, the spinning dagger stopped abruptly. With a third thought, the dagger circled once around the hall.

He found it interesting and grew accustomed to the dagger.

As he became more skilled, the speed of the dagger increased, eventually turning into a streak of rainbow light that swirled like a silver silk spindle.

He felt the consumption.

The dagger consumed a lot of energy.

Even more than a full-strength strike from himself.

The faster and further the dagger flew, the greater the consumption.

Ning Xuan performed a simple test.

Soon, he extended his palm, and the rainbow light settled into his hand.

Staring at the settled light and the thorny, ice-patterned dagger, his mind involuntarily thought of the "Brocade Lacquer Cassock" and the "Yin Wind Flag."

Although this dagger was merely a simple weapon capable of bearing his strength—lacking the ability to distribute and neutralize force like the "Brocade Lacquer Cassock," or the ability to boost Yin wind like the "Yin Wind Flag"—it was already a genuine treasure, and not one composed of incense.

"Thank you, Uncle Tang!"

Ning Xuan stood up gratefully.

Tang Chuan chuckled and said, "Bing'er is very excellent, and you are very excellent too. Should you two youngsters see each other more often?"

As he spoke, he looked at Ning Taiyi and smiled, "Brother Ning, why don't we take a walk after the meal and chat a bit more?"

Ning Taiyi smiled. "Very well."

The three of them strolled together through the manor's private garden.

While they were chatting happily, a golden light suddenly surged from the ground and appeared beside Tang Chuan. It was a middle-aged Celestial Master in purple robes.

The Celestial Master looked at Tang Chuan with respect and whispered, "Prefect Tang, something has happened."

Tang Chuan frowned. "Can't you see I am having a pleasant conversation with Brother Ning and Nephew Ning?"

The Celestial Master said solemnly, "Prefect, it is a major matter. Many demons have appeared west of Ping'an Prefecture. Black smoke is billowing; it is practically a demon tide."

Tang Chuan was stunned.

Ning Taiyi said, "Then, Brother Tang, go attend to your business first."

Tang Chuan nodded and said, "Brother Ning, Nephew, I must attend to official business first."

The three parted ways.

Immediately, the purple-robed Celestial Master led Tang Chuan away, disappearing from the spot in a flash.

Watching the disappearing golden light, Ning Taiyi said, "Every family sweeps the snow from their own doorstep. After all, if you sweep the snow, you get the benefits; if you can't, you must bear the disaster yourself—unless a deal was made in advance or arrangements were made from above."

He was explaining this to Ning Xuan.

Even if the demon disaster next door was turning the world upside down, and even if he and Tang Chuan were on good terms, he would not step in to help without reason.

Tang Chuan clearly understood this as well; even though the Celestial Master had "panic" written all over his face, he did not seek help from this ready-made "prospective General nephew."

That was the rule.

Ning Xuan stretched his body and said, "I'm going to finish my meal."

Ning Taiyi smiled. "You boy, which kind of wife are you looking to marry?"

Ning Xuan said, "I want to marry Xiaojie. There's no trouble involved."

Ning Taiyi said, "Don't worry, your father will do his utmost to vet her for you."

Ning Xuan waved him off. "Alright, old man, do as you wish."

After saying that, he reverted to his usual persona of a profligate playboy.

Watching his retreating back, Ning Taiyi's smiling expression slowly faded. He coughed heavily several times, his eyes filled with signs of weakness. He murmured to himself, "Your marriage is the last move I can make for the Ning family in my lifetime... I... will definitely make it a good move, so that the Ning family does not perish."

(End of Chapter)