Probing

Xu Yuan's anger toward this squandering fourth sister flared up quickly, but faded just as fast. Even before lashing out with the whip, he had already regained his calm. If the soul-storing ring was successfully developed, it would trigger an energy revolution sweeping the entire dynasty. Sinking tens of millions of taels of silver into a project like this without hearing a single splash was completely normal. Besides, Xu Xinyao hadn't embezzled, nor had she spent frivolously. She had consistently earmarked the funds for their proper purpose, working day and night from dawn till dusk. Having nothing to show for it was certainly not what she had wanted, and reaching this point had to feel awful for her as well. Xu Yuan was making excuses for Xu Xinyao like this in his heart, but just as he had nearly hypnotized himself into accepting it, Xu Changge suddenly popped up. Instantly, the spell broke. Frankly speaking, Xu Xinyao's spending wasn't just burning through money like water anymore—it was opening the floodgates wide. When asking for silver, she had made solemn vows and reeled off theory after theory, only to blow through over ten million taels in a few short months... What could tens of millions of taels of silver do? It could reinforce and fortify the array foundations of an entire city. It could build half of a colossal airborne fortress like the ones outside Di'an City. It could arm an entire battalion of elite troops to the teeth. And that was based on internal purchase prices within the Chancellor's Manor's system; the materials bought with those ten million taels would have cost double on the open market. One had to realize that even a millennium-old sect like the Wanxiang Sect had drained half its coffers just to pay out tens of millions of taels in reparations. All the comforting thoughts Xu Yuan had just entertained were pure nonsense. Regardless of how much effort was made, regardless of personal intentions, having a national-scale investment go down the drain with zero progress was the factual outcome. And someone had to take responsibility for that outcome. "Changtian." Xu Changge stood atop the courtyard wall of the study, his green robes fluttering in the wind. Gripping the tip of the blood-red vine whip with a hint of force, scrutiny lingered in his narrow eyes. "Bear your own responsibilities. Don't you even understand that much?" "..." Xu Yuan didn't reply immediately. He yanked hard on the whip, a boundless surge of qi dynamic erupting from his grip as he sought to drag down this pretentious bastard who loved posing on courtyard walls. Crack—! After a gust of fierce wind, Xu Changge remained poised atop the wall, while the vine whip condensed from the black death fungal carpet snapped cleanly in two. Xu Changge casually tossed the severed whip into the courtyard, his face expressionless. "Your skills haven't grown much, but your temper certainly has. Venting your frustration on Xinyao wasn't enough, so now you want to lay a hand on your elder brother?" Xu Yuan quietly stared at the pretentious poser, then broke into a sudden smile. "Xu Changge, do you not understand human speech?" "..." Xu Changge's brow furrowed slightly. Since the eldest brother wanted to stand up for their fourth sister, Xu Yuan was happy to oblige. Staring back at him, Xu Yuan shook his head and sighed. "A crude martial artist really can't understand. I suppose your younger brother has to translate it for you. "Xu Changge, "I'm giving Xinyao seven lashes because she took out seven million on credit. Understand?" Xu Yuan had never intended to scapegoat Xu Xinyao. Fretting over the silver was one thing; using the whip was another entirely. Tens of millions of taels wasn't an overwhelming sum for an entity the size of the Prime Minister's Manor, nor was it insurmountable for Xu Yuan after inheriting the Feng family's legacy. However, Xu Xinyao running off to take out credit without his permission was an egregious transgression. His fourth sister had crossed the line. Under the highly centralized, authoritarian structure of the Prime Minister's Manor, what Xu Xinyao did was no trivial matter. If one were to strictly define her actions, she had exploited the backing of the Prime Minister's Manor's heir, blurring concepts to overstep her authority and requisition manor resources without authorization. If she weren't his fourth sister, but rather some formation script master in the Institute of Natural Philosophy, what Xu Yuan held right now wouldn't be a whip, but an executioner's broadsword. While thinking this over, Xu Yuan suddenly sensed that the poser opposite him had locked onto him with a qi dynamic. Gathering his focus, he cast a wry, amused glance at his elder brother. Clearly, Xu Changge understood his point, but couldn't refute it. Resorting to hands when words failed—typical crude martial artist. Then again, that hadn't changed since childhood. Pulling his gaze back, Xu Yuan unhurriedly walked over to the flustered Xu Xinyao. Patting her shoulder, he said softly, "Xinyao, step aside for now. I'll have a talk with Xu Changge first, then settle accounts with you." "Third Brother..." Xu Xinyao tried to say something. "That's enough." Xu Yuan cut her off directly, turned around, and looked up at the green-robed man already drifting midair, smiling. "Go on. If you see Xu Changge getting beaten up in a moment, just think of how embarrassed he'll be..." Before his words even finished, A gust of fierce wind arrived. The fluttering green robes settled gently beside the brother and sister. It was fast—fast enough that the naked eye could barely catch it. Yellowing autumn leaves drifted on the wind. In time that seemed to freeze, Xu Yuan's hand remained resting upon Xu Xinyao's delicate shoulder without moving an inch, but his dark pupils—now burning with blood-red flames—shifted slightly to the side. As their gazes met, a flash of astonishment in Xu Changge's eyes dissolved into a fleeting smile. He raised a hand lightly, reaching for Xu Yuan's collar. Xu Yuan's blood-tinted eyes instantly shifted, tracking his elder brother's outstretched hand. It seemed Xu Changge planned to toss him into midair... Judging from Xu Yuan's invincible Transcendent Realm cultivation among peers of the same rank, the movement wasn't exceptionally fast, yet it carried an inescapable sensation. A karmic Dao charm? The thought flashed through his mind, but Xu Yuan showed no intention of dodging. Instead, he grinned. His Void-Treading Slash countered this very karmic Dao charm! Tugging Xu Xinyao's shoulder back, Xu Yuan gently shoved the young girl behind him. Then, Right under Xu Changge's gaze, Xu Yuan's figure flickered like a phantom and vanished. When he reappeared, Xu Yuan was already behind his fourth sister, who was losing her balance and about to fall backward. Leaning forward slightly, he wrapped an arm around her back to support her. A withered yellow leaf touched the ground; time resumed its flow. Xu Changge looked down at his empty hand, contemplation in his eyes. The corner of Xu Yuan's mouth curled as he chuckled softly. "The victor is decided." Though neither had gone all out, it was undoubtedly a complete victory for Xu Yuan. For top-tier experts, victory or defeat in a split-second clash could reveal a great deal. Xu Changge had unleashed his Dao charm, whereas Xu Yuan had merely activated a passive technique. As he spoke, Xu Yuan rolled his sleeves up to his elbows bit by bit, then curled his palm into a fist. "Just now, I held back because I didn't want you, the elder brother, to make a fool of yourself in front of Xinyao. So I suggest you let Xinyao leave before making a move, or wait until I've settled the bill with her." Xu Changge stared at him silently for several breaths before uttering, "Your wings have grown a bit stiffer, but not by much." "..." Still putting on airs even after losing. For Transcendent experts, technique counterplay trumped all else. Amused, Xu Yuan crooked a finger at Xu Changge. "Heh, I don't even need to use Dao charm to beat you up now—" Halfway through his sentence, Xu Yuan suddenly paused. Then he curled his lip slightly and sighed. "No wonder you talk so big. You knew Father was behind you all along." As he spoke, A middle-aged man clad in black walked into the courtyard with gentle footsteps. Xu Yinhe halted his steps. His calm gaze swept over the two brothers confronting each other in the courtyard and their bewildered sister. After a moment of silence, The three siblings bowed in unison and greeted him: "Father." Standing at the courtyard gate, Xu Yinhe's habitually cold, detached eyes held a trace of helplessness. Looking at Xu Yuan, his voice was deep and steady: "Your cultivation is decent. But must you make such a commotion every time you return home?" Xu Yuan opened his mouth, slightly embarrassed. "...Hasn't it been a long time since I last saw Elder Brother? Naturally, we had to catch up a bit." Xu Yinhe said nothing, his eyes shifting toward the severed vine whip on the ground. Left momentarily speechless, Xu Yuan thought for a second, then unabashedly walked up to his old man. Seizing the opportunity, he started passing the blame: "Father, this is all that old Hua Hong's fault for being dishonest. He actually tricked Xinyao into buying all sorts of equipment blindly. I was just frustrated that she failed to meet expectations. But if you can't bear to punish her, Father, you might consider having Hua Hong cough up those twenty million taels of silver..." "Changtian." "Yes." "I don't need to interfere in the matters between you and Changge." "..." Xu Yuan. "..." Xu Xinyao. Amid the silence, Xu Yinhe walked straight into the study, his deep voice floating out slowly from within: "However, come to the study first. I have matters to entrust to you."