"Yuanshi Tianzun?" Enraged, Fu Xue spun around, raising her other hand to slap him, while the bodyguards she had brought surged forward in unison.
At that very moment, Fu Xue got a clear look at the young man behind her. Suddenly, she felt as if a spring breeze had brushed past her cheek. A soft, tender sentiment quietly welled up in her heart, and the anger within her melted away by more than half.
Despite all her vast worldly experience, her heart actually fluttered.
"Wait!"
Her swinging palm halted midair, shifting into a halting gesture that stopped the three advancing bodyguards.
Stunned by his looks, Fu Xue scrutinized the young man before her. "You are Yuanshi Tianzun?"
As she asked this, the corners of her mouth curled up involuntarily.
She had seen photographs of Yuanshi Tianzun and knew what he looked like, but seeing him in person, she realized he was thoroughly unphotogenic.
The young man before her possessed handsome, refined features and calm, steady eyes. He carried an ethereal, mysterious aura, with a subtle dignity tucked into the lines of his brow. There was a unique, arresting charisma about him; merely standing there in silence, he stirred an intense goodwill in Fu Xue's heart.
"It's me," Zhang Yuanqing said with a slight nod. Releasing his future mother-in-law's wrist, he put on an expression of utter modesty and respect. "Auntie, the moment I saw you, I finally understood why Sister Guan Ya is so beautiful. It turns out she inherited great genes. Honestly, compared to you, Guan Ya still falls a bit short."
This was the honest truth. His future mother-in-law's looks took him by surprise. She was far too gorgeous and young—standing next to Guan Ya, she looked more like an older sister than a mother.
Then again, it made sense. How could a woman whom Lingjun praised as "beautiful" ever be lacking?
It turned out Guan Ya's habit of wearing a tailored skirt suit and a white blouse was picked up from her mother.
"My, what a sweet talker," Fu Xue said with a beaming smile. The charming, glamorous beauty lifted her hand and gently patted Zhang Yuanqing's cheek. "Now I finally understand why Guan Ya has fallen so hard for you. Tsk, tsk. With looks so tender and endearing, any woman's heart would skip a beat seeing you."
She turned her head to cast a glance at Guan Ya. "Not bad indeed."
Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, *Thank goodness I'm not the Demon Lord, or Auntie, you'd be in real danger.*
*What is going on?*
Guan Ya was dumbfounded. Yuanshi's sycophantic flattery was well within her expectations and perfectly matched his personality, but her mother's reaction was completely out of left field.
Granted, in her eyes, Yuanshi was exceptionally charming and handsome, but Guan Ya had enough self-awareness to know that beauty was in the eye of the beholder.
The name "Yuanshi Tianzun" was indeed attractive to young girls—like those two persistent little concubines back at the villa.
However, how could an experienced, worldly older woman like her mother ever be swayed by a young lad? The only men who could catch her eye were mature, commanding figures who stirred the wind and clouds.
What kind of man hadn't she seen before?
Beneath her bewilderment, a flash of vigilance crossed Guan Ya's eyes, and a surge of annoyance rose in her chest. The look her mother gave Yuanshi made her intensely displeased.
She sensed a threat.
Fu Qingyang's expression froze briefly before returning to normal. He glanced at Yuanshi Tianzun, seemingly understanding what had happened.
"Auntie, you have wonderful taste," Zhang Yuanqing said, giving her a thumbs-up as he seized the chance to plead his case. "Auntie, Guan Ya and I are truly in love. Please, be merciful and grant us your blessing. I will definitely repay your kindness in the days ahead."
Fu Xue clicked her tongue with another "tsk, tsk" and patted Yuanshi Tianzun's cheek with fond affection, only for her expression to suddenly turn cold.
"No!"
*As expected, it won't be that easy. The Peach Talisman only heightened her goodwill toward me; it's not enough to make lust cloud her judgment...* Zhang Yuanqing sighed inwardly, yet he was unwilling to give up. "Auntie, how can I prove my worth? Or rather, if there's anything you want, just say the word. As long as you don't take Guan Ya away, I'll do everything in my power to satisfy you."
Guan Ya felt a warmth bloom in her heart. As a Scout, she could read Yuanshi's true intentions. Though he always joked about slaying his mother-in-law, in reality, every thought of his was looking out for her.
"There is no room for negotiation in this matter," Fu Xue refused coldly. Then her expression softened, and she said with a smile, "Yuanshi Tianzun, you are a genius heavily cultivated by the official faction, and your future is limitless. There are plenty of fish in the sea, so why fixate on the green foxtail grass of my family?
"I won't hold what happened between you and Guan Ya against you. To make it up to you, Auntie can introduce you to some other girls from our clan."
She glanced at Fu Qingyang and Guan Ya, shifting her tone in the second half of her words.
Without further chatter, Fu Xue took a step back, clasped her hands gracefully over her abdomen, and said aloofly, "Take Miss Guan Ya away."
The three bodyguards immediately advanced toward Guan Ya.
Guan Ya retreated swiftly with quick steps. She reached into the void with her right hand, and amidst a ringing dragon's roar, a three-foot bronze sword materialized in her palm.
It was the Han eight-sided ancient sword Fu Qingyang had gifted her.
Guan Ya looked across at her mother, all hesitation and weakness vanishing from her heart. "It seems you didn't take my words to heart at all. Fu Xue, I'm ready to become an orphan. Are you ready?"
"Ready for what?" Mother Fu asked, furrowing her brow.
Guan Ya leveled her blade straight ahead, the sword energy forcing back one of the advancing, suit-clad bodyguards. "To lose your only child!" she said calmly.
The tension instantly peaked, swords drawn and bows bent.
Fu Xue's fair face frosted over, her phoenix eyes widening in fury. Her delicate fingers, which had never done a day of hard labor, clenched into a trembling fist.
She was on the brink of an explosion.
*A conflict really is unavoidable after all...* Zhang Yuanqing sighed, about to step toward Guan Ya and fight alongside her.
Just then, Fu Qingyang's cold, calm voice broke the volatile standoff. "Yuanshi, Guan Ya, both of you step outside. I have words for my aunt."
Fu Qingyang cast them a look.
*The boss has a way to handle this deranged mother-in-law? I thought he was going to stand by and watch. The boss really does love me...* Zhang Yuanqing understood Fu Qingyang's hint, and delight surged within him.
He had an almost blind faith in the Money Prince's methods.
Guan Ya's brow relaxed as well.
Without hesitation, Zhang Yuanqing took his girlfriend's hand to leave, not forgetting to turn back and turn on the charm for Fu Xue. "Auntie, please take your time talking with the boss. Guan Ya and I will be waiting downstairs."
Fu Xue did not stop them, merely letting out a lukewarm, "Mmh."
She had plenty of time. Guan Ya could run for a moment, but she could not run forever.
Once the two had left, Fu Qingyang spoke slowly:
"Yuanshi Tianzun is not like the rest of you garbage. He has extraordinary potential and the heart of a powerhouse that braves the rapids in times of adversity. His ascension to Dominator is merely a matter of time. Aunt, what you are rejecting is a future Elder."
"He is indeed different." Fu Xue walked back to the desk and sat down languidly, the corners of her lips curling up. "He's a very charismatic young man. I admit he is quite attractive."
Pausing slightly, she swept away her flirtatious demeanor. Fu Xue crossed her slender, scallion-like jade fingers over her lower abdomen and spoke solemnly:
"I looked into his intelligence before coming here. While his advancement speed in the Transcendent stage rivals Xuanxuan's, and the official faction claims he has the makings of an Alliance Leader, you and I both know how difficult it is to become a demigod.
"Performance in the Transcendent stage proves nothing. Only if he maintains such a terrifying rate of progress in the Saint stage will I truly acknowledge his potential.
"Even then, it only proves he will become a Dominator. As for the makings of an Alliance Leader—ever since the first generation of Spirit Realm walkers emerged, there have been plenty who advanced as swiftly as Yuanshi Tianzun. But how many ever turned out like Xuanxuan?
"Perhaps Yuanshi Tianzun really can become an Elder. Heh, but does our Fu family lack an official Elder? What the Miller family can offer us is vastly superior—the advantages of a century-old aristocratic house span connections, commercial resources, intelligence channels, across every industry and every single domain."
She spoke like a sharp businesswoman at a corporate negotiating table, her logic impeccable and her words commanding.
Fu Qingyang offered a succinct appraisal of his aunt's lengthy speech:
"Foolish!
"Haven't you noticed? Ever since the battle for the Compass of Light, the Fu family has gradually shifted its core operations back to the country. When Fu Qingxuan braved that trial back then, escaping by the skin of her teeth, why didn't the Council of Elders stop her?
"When I chose to join the White Tiger Guards and take up a post in Songhai, why did the Council of Elders still agree? According to the customs of past decades, they preferred sending the clan's Spirit Realm walkers to Heaven's Punishment for tempering.
"At the very least, they would hedge their bets on both sides. Yet in recent years, every qualified and talented youth in the clan has been placed into the Five Elements Alliance.
"Have you ever considered why?"
Fu Xue's delicate brows slowly drew together.
Over the years, she had drifted away from the Fu family's core circle of power, relegated by the Council of Elders to managing clan enterprises. Due to the information gap, she had grown dull and unobservant regarding many developments.
Precisely for this reason, she was desperate to marry Guan Ya into the Miller family, hoping to use that leverage to return to the center of the Fu family's power.
Fu Xue pursed her red, voluptuous lips. "Get to the point."
"In a few more years, the Fu family's power will be entirely relocated back from overseas. To take root locally, a series of power struggles will be inevitable. Relying on Fu Qingxuan alone won't be enough; an Alliance Leader does not oversee mundane affairs. She can serve as a deterrent, but she cannot yield practical administrative control," Fu Qingyang said eloquently.
"Therefore, the Council of Elders will undoubtedly back me to enter headquarters, having me act as the family's representative. The process will not be smooth. At such a time, having the support of a newly risen Elder with limitless potential—you should understand what that signifies."
Fu Qingyang braced his hands against the desk, leaning forward to lock eyes with his aunt at close range, his tone impassive.
"A few years from now, once the Council of Elders decides to liquidate overseas assets and shift the center of gravity back home, what use will it be for you to cling to the Miller family?
"Don't think this will just be a failed investment; it's far from that simple. By then, you will have already married Guan Ya off. Yuanshi Tianzun will harbor resentment and seek vengeance against you.
"Do you think the Council of Elders would hesitate to sacrifice you to appease his wrath?"
Fu Xue's expression changed.
Taking a deep breath, her face nearly touching her nephew's, she questioned sharply:
"Fu Qingyang, stop trying to bluff me. The political marriage was arranged by the Council of Elders, bearing upon the grand blueprint of the family's development. The family still has extensive overseas arrangements. How could they simply relocate on a whim?"
Fu Qingyang straightened up, looking down at his aunt's glamorous face, and said indifferently:
"The Council of Elders merely wants to reap one last windfall before liquidating assets. After all, what does the clan lose by marrying off a single Guan Ya? But Aunt, you only have one daughter."
"Or," Fu Qingyang added, delivering the most venomous remark with the most deadpan expression, "you could consider marrying Yuanshi Tianzun yourself."
He was openly mocking the sudden shift in Fu Xue's attitude toward Yuanshi Tianzun just moments ago.
Fu Xue paid no heed to her nephew's biting tongue; she sank into deep thought.
She had to admit that Fu Qingyang's words struck every single one of her pressure points, leaving her unable to dismiss them.
Fu Xue suddenly looked up, skepticism in her eyes.
"I certainly didn't expect you to waste so much breath on me for Guan Ya's sake. That doesn't sound like you."
Fu Qingyang's arguments held water, but he was far too proactive. It was a glaring contrast to the nephew in her memories—a ruthless, scheming, inherently cold-blooded man.
This kid was cold and caustic toward his kin, casually referring to them as garbage, and when he ran into peers who had bullied him in the past, he would break their legs without hesitation, employing the most brutal methods.
He was only somewhat nicer to Guan Ya, and even then, only somewhat.
When had Fu Qingyang ever been so keen on helping others?
Fu Xue had good reason to suspect her nephew was spinning a tale to deceive her.
"That weak piece of garbage naturally isn't worthy of my breath," Fu Qingyang said calmly. "I am doing this for Yuanshi Tianzun."
"For Yuanshi Tianzun?" A flicker of astonishment crossed Fu Xue's face.
This reason baffled her even more.
Fu Qingyang glanced at the three bodyguards waiting by the side. "You three, step outside."
The three bodyguards looked toward Fu Xue, and upon receiving her nod, they turned and left the room.
Standing straight beside the desk, Fu Qingyang said:
"I hold Yuanshi Tianzun in high regard. He and I are of the same kind; we both possess the heart of a powerhouse.
"I also have great confidence in his future. He is my trusted confidant and will be a pillar supporting my ascent to the peak. I believe this camaraderie deserves careful nurturing, so please do not ruin my plans.
"Of course, resolving his relationship issues counts as a small token of my reciprocation."
At this point, Fu Qingyang drew out a black cloak embroidered with gold-thread cloud patterns and placed it gently onto the desk. Looking at Fu Xue, he said:
"The Miller family can give you network channels and commercial resources, but they cannot give you this. You may touch it, though I only permit you to touch a single corner."
*Defensive gear?* Fu Xue frowned, extending a slender jade finger to press against a corner of the cloak.
The next instant, the item's information surfaced.
With just a single glance, Fu Xue's entire body began to tremble. She trembled with overwhelming agitation, an intense craving and greed flashing across her beautiful eyes.
Her face fell slack in shock, seemingly unable to believe an item with such attributes existed in the world.
To a Scout, this was a treasure surpassing even rule-based items.
A priceless, peerless artifact.
While she was still submerged in profound shock, Fu Qingyang had already stowed away the Court Swordsman Cloak. Even for a man as wealthy as the Money Prince, he treasured this item beyond measure.
"H-How do you have such an item?" Fu Xue's breathing grew heavy, her gaze fixed entirely upon him. "How could you possibly have an item like that?!"
Fu Qingyang replied indifferently, "Yuanshi Tianzun gave it to me."
*Yuanshi Tianzun gave it to him...* Fu Xue was struck dumb on the spot, slumping back against the chair.
Now she understood what Fu Qingyang meant by 'reciprocation.' She understood why the dignified eldest young master of the Fu family would lower himself to care about a subordinate's love life.
What had Yuanshi Tianzun given away?
He had gifted a treasure capable of setting off a bloody storm among Scout clans.
Compared to this item, the benefits gained from a marriage alliance with the Miller family were nothing short of a joke.
"Yuanshi Tianzun may indeed come from humble beginnings, with neither vast wealth nor connections across every industry, but his foundations run far deeper than you imagine. If you merely regard him as a young man of decent potential, the one who ends up regretting it will certainly be you," Fu Qingyang said aloofly.
"Naturally, I am not implying that Yuanshi Tianzun will give you a similar item. I am merely telling you to assess his value properly, and then think carefully about whether to accept their relationship, or run blindly down a dead-end street with the Miller family."
Having said this, Fu Qingyang's psychological offensive was essentially complete, leaving only the final stroke:
"You don't need to give your answer right now. You can observe for a few more months. It's an investment, after all—no rush."
He turned and walked away with crisp elegance, leaving Fu Xue sitting alone by the desk, staring blankly into space.
For the first time in years since the marriage alliance was decided, she felt wavering. She felt hesitation.
After an unknown amount of time, the study door was pushed open. A suited bodyguard strode in, halted by the desk, and presented a phone, saying:
"Boss, a call for you."
Only then did Fu Xue snap back to reality. The blank look in her eyes cleared, and she looked down at the screen.
Caller ID: Chen Shu.
Fu Xue took a deep breath, composing her emotions to keep her voice sounding completely normal before answering:
"Hello!"
"We agreed to go sailing on Lake Wilga. Where on earth are you?" a mature woman's voice came through the receiver.
Chapter 464