The Rongguo Estate was a place of great prestige and power in the Great Ning Dynasty, built upon the strength of its three Golden Core cultivators.
However, now only Bai Yu remained as a Golden Core. The Bai family, as everyone knew, was prospering due to their Spirit Root impurity removal pills, their pharmacies and medical clinics flourishing with endless wealth.
Possession of treasures often leads to disaster. It was easy to imagine the predicament the Bai family would face after the death of the Duke of Rongguo.
Bai Yu insisted that Bai Shengyi return to the Bai family for two reasons. Firstly, with the Duke of Rongguo's passing, she, as his only direct granddaughter, should attend the funeral to bid farewell to the elder. After all, Bai Shengyi's future was bright and promising, and there was no need to invite criticism or mar her clear path by neglecting this duty.
Secondly, it was to inform those who harbored ill intentions that the Bai family had a successor, and they should consider the consequences if they dared to make a move.
Yet, with the Duke of Rongguo's burial imminent, Bai Shengyi had still not returned, and some individuals were growing restless.
"Imperial decree arrives, Rongguo Estate, receive the decree—"
First came the imperial family of the Great Ning Dynasty.
A Foundation Establishment eunuch swaggered into the Duke's estate, a forced smile on his face as he announced, "Second Master Bai, His Majesty has decreed that since the Duke has passed, and you severed ties with the Bai family many years ago, the ducal title must be revoked."
Following closely, the heads of dozens of noble families, including the Jiang family of Wuyue City and the Huang family of the capital, arrived together, escorted by three Golden Core cultivators, creating a formidable presence.
"Nephew Bai, we are here today to bid farewell to Brother Bai, and also to discuss the Bai family's pharmacies, shops, and the Bai Family Medical Codex."
The head of the Jiang family, who had long coveted the business of the Spirit Root impurity removal pills, understood the humiliation his family had suffered at the Song family's auction house when Bai Shengyi's identity as the original creator was revealed.
However, Bai Shengyi was from the Shenqi Academy, and he dared not act against her openly. But he had no such qualms about dealing with the Bai family.
With this thought, the head of the Jiang family's smile deepened. "Oh, I almost forgot, the family business is no longer under your management, is it? Have the young master of the Bai family come out to speak with us."
"What? She's not even coming back for her grandfather's funeral, such a momentous occasion? Or is it true, as the rumors say, that the young master of the Bai family has long fallen out with the Bai family?"
The head of the Jiang family's words struck the Bai family members like needles. Even many servants whispered, wondering why their young master hadn't returned yet.
Bai Yu was not adept at dealing with people, and Bai Sicheng, the other person in charge of the Bai family, was weak-willed. Faced with these individuals, he would likely be utterly devoured.
Bai Yu's face tightened as he said, "Today is the funeral of my father. You uncles have traveled a long distance; it must have been tiring..."
"Alas! Let's dispense with the pleasantries. Let's discuss other matters first," the head of the Huang family rudely interrupted Bai Yu. "Since your Bai family has no one left, our Huang family desires the medicinal material mystic realm you hold. Name your price!"
The three Golden Core cultivators immediately unleashed their pressure, which, to the Bai family servants, felt like a raging river crashing upon tiny ants.
The Bai family servants collapsed to the ground, one after another.
Without Bai Yu's command, Bai Sicheng remained kneeling before the Duke of Rongguo's memorial tablet. He watched helplessly as these people trampled upon the Bai family, their undisguised covetousness like famished wolves pouncing on their prey. It was infuriating and disgusting.
"If Shengyi had returned, would these things have happened?" Bai Sicheng's thoughts drifted away.
Bai Yu, a single Golden Core, was no match for three Golden Cores. Just as he was falling into a disadvantage, a man strode in from outside. His aura was sharp and chilling, and as soon as he entered, it was as if a gust of wind and snow swept through the hall.
"So lively?"
His indifferent voice carried a slight upward inflection, laced with icy, unrestrained nonchalance.
"Who are you? Fellow Daoist, I advise you not to meddle in this affair!" the three Golden Core cultivators warned.
The man said nothing. The sharp aura emanating from him suddenly erupted, instantly scattering the pressure from the three Golden Cores. The weaker Golden Core cultivator spat blood, while the other two retreated three steps before stopping.
Seeing their advantage vanish in an instant, the family heads stared intently at the newcomer, only to find they couldn't even discern his face. Instead, under this oppressive aura, they found it difficult to breathe.
"His cultivation is above ours," one of the Golden Core cultivators said in alarm.
The faces of the family heads turned even uglier.
But the man acted as if he hadn't even noticed them, not sparing them a glance as he walked past.
His red robe swept through the air, accompanied by his low, cold voice: "Second Uncle Bai, please lead the way. I wish to offer incense to Grandpa Bai on behalf of Ayi."
"Ayi is participating in a secret mission as a representative of the academy and didn't know about Grandpa's passing, which is why she couldn't return in time. I am Ayi's lover. My offering incense to Grandpa is no different from Ayi doing so, and Grandpa should not mind, should he?"
Qin Si rarely spoke so much, his voice cold as if telling everyone that even if they minded, they had to accept it.
Even Bai Yu's usually expressionless face appeared amiable next to him, who exuded frostiness.
Bai Yu couldn't discern Qin Si's face clearly either, only feeling that the man looked somewhat familiar. He couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly. "Please come this way."
The family heads outside exchanged glances.
Head of the Jiang family: "What do we do now?"
"When did Bai Shengyi hook up with such a formidable man? How come there was no news of it?" the head of the Huang family said resentfully.
"What a pity about the Bai family's Medical Codex and pill formulas."
The other family heads, who had hoped to profit, slapped their thighs in regret.
Meanwhile, Bai Shengyi, whom the family heads were just discussing, was undergoing a life-and-death trial.
"Ximen Hongchun! Did you stumble into a leech nest!"
Bai Shengyi ran forward like the wind, with a group of dense, wide, and long mutated leeches wriggling their bodies in hot pursuit behind them.
Ximen Hongchun coolly replied, "I don't know."
Bai Shengyi almost severed their ties right then and there!
The ground where they were was damp. These leeches, though seemingly plump and clumsy, were surprisingly fast. In the time it took for the two to speak, another leech emerged from the mud.
With a "plop," it attached itself to Bai Shengyi's arm.
"Ahhh!"
A scream suddenly rang out. Bai Shengyi's hand faltered, and in that instant, the leech's suction cup dug into her flesh.
Blood flowed out rapidly, accompanied by pain and numbness as the leech's slimy body burrowed deeper.
Bai Shengyi's skin crawled, and she cursed, "Damn it!"
"Shifang, come out and get to work!"
Bai Shengyi didn't even bother to conceal the aura of her divine fire. She quickly circulated her spiritual and mental energy, using both to force the leech back, avoiding the fate of being drained of blood and flesh.
During the brief moment Bai Shengyi was dealing with the leech, Ximen Hongchun had already swiftly tied up the person who had screamed.
"Throw her out to block them?" Ximen Hongchun suggested cruelly to Bai Shengyi, shaking the woman in his hand.
The woman, held by her neck, had been screaming. Upon hearing Ximen Hongchun's words, she panicked even more and struggled, saying, "No! I didn't mean to! Bai Shengyi, I'm sorry, I really didn't..."
"Shut up!" Bai Shengyi commanded sharply.
Then she turned to Ximen Hongchun and said, "Are you trying to have her block the leeches, or are you trying to be a hero and save the beauty by running away with her? Ximen Hongchun, are you an idiot? Hurry up and let her go."
If she let her go, then she would also be bitten by a leech!
Bai Shengyi mused that Ximen Hongchun knew how to use someone as a shield, so he wasn't such a foolish person. How could he do something so stupid?
Bai Shengyi was displeased, and Bai Shengyi was irrationally angry.