Yefutidaolu

Chapter 445 Jiang Family
Inside the study, Gao Jian's inferences weighed heavily on their hearts like a boulder.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating their equally solemn and silent faces.

A long silence fell over the house.

Gao Jian and Li Zoufang looked at each other, both able to see the unbearable worry in each other's eyes.

Even Gao Jian himself, who had uttered these words, fell silent after this speculation was laid bare before him.

Ultimately, this is a logical conjecture based on clues, but the terrifying truth it represents is enough to make anyone who knows it tremble.

However, both Li Zoufang and Gao Jian knew that Gao Jian's reasoning often went straight to the core and had a high degree of credibility.

Based on the intelligence and calculations Li Zoufang himself knew, this was indeed the one that best matched the existing clues and explained all the contradictions among many seemingly impossible possibilities.

However, what's frustrating is that they can't even verify whether this conjecture is true or false.

Does "Heaven" have a will? Is the Yuan Law integrated into a "pseudo-Heaven and Earth"? This touches upon the most fundamental mysteries of this world, far beyond the scope of their current exploration.

This is destined to be a conjecture, and most likely it will remain so for a long time, neither verifiable nor disprovable. This unresolved uncertainty is more depressing than confirmed bad news.

"Is it true? Is there any solid evidence?" Li Zoufang finally couldn't help but ask.

"What do you think, Minister Li?" Gao Jian tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that wasn't genuine. "Let's not dwell on these things. Whether it's true or false, we can't find out the truth right now. Let's think about how to use this puppet first. Is this puppet part of your later plans?"

He steered the conversation back to reality. No matter how shocking the truth behind it may be, the immediate problem still needs to be solved.

“Yes,” Li Zoufang took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. His gaze shifted to the silent, wounded puppet, his brows furrowed. “Do you think I would ever use something like this? A combat power at the Earth Immortal level, even if it’s just a puppet, is a crucial asset. But now it seems…”

His words trailed off, the meaning of which was self-evident. If this puppet truly belonged to that "pseudo-world" that might possess a will, then it would no longer be a mere tool, but an extremely unstable source of danger, perhaps even an eye monitoring them, a trap that could turn on them at any moment.

Just as the two were at a loss with the Yuanlu puppet, weighing the risks and benefits of its use—

call out!
A faint sound of something cutting through the air approached from afar, penetrating the restrictions set up by Li Zoufang, but it did not trigger an alarm.

A bright yellow, lifelike bird gracefully flew through the closed window and landed in the study as if it were nothing.

The yellow bird landed, and in a flash of inspiration, it instantly transformed into an exquisitely folded yellow paper bird, lying quietly on the bluestone floor.

Li Zoufang's eyes flickered slightly.

Gao Jian also looked at Huang Que.

In the past, Gao Jian received help from Li Zoufang in Cangzhou, also through this magical yellow paper bird folding technique to transmit information. As the Minister of Revenue, he had no attendants or family to rely on, and was always alone. All his urgent or secret communications with the outside world depended on this exquisite magic.

The arrival of the paper bird at this moment means that someone outside is requesting an audience.

Gao Jian and Li Zoufang instantly shifted their gazes from the Yuanlu puppet to the small yellow paper bird.

They were just discussing secrets when they were interrupted by this unexpected visitor.

Li Zoufang raised his hand and beckoned, and the yellow paper bird flew into his palm. He did not immediately open it, but exchanged a glance with Gao Jian.

The expert nodded in agreement.

Then, a flash of light appeared at Li Zoufang's fingertips, and the yellow paper bird unfolded on its own, transforming into a letter.

His gaze swept quickly over the simple yet weighty handwriting, his eyebrows slightly raised, before he looked at Gao Jian.

“It’s someone from the Jiang family who’s requesting an audience,” he said calmly, adding, “and they specifically asked to see you in the letter.”

Although the letter used the polite phrase "requesting an audience," the fact that the sender could locate the location so precisely and directly request to see Gao Jian conveyed a clear message: the Jiang family was intimately familiar with the happenings in the capital, especially those related to Gao Jian. They not only knew about the fierce battle between Gao Jian and Yuan Lü above the Imperial Academy, but also knew that Gao Jian was currently at Li Zoufang's residence.

Truly, they deserve to be called the most prestigious and powerful clan in the capital.

Upon hearing this, Gao Jian's eyes flashed with understanding, but he wasn't too surprised. In this dangerous capital city, it was extremely difficult to completely conceal one's whereabouts, especially after such a fierce battle.

“I’d better go and meet him,” Gao Jian said after a moment’s thought. “Minister Li, you shouldn’t get involved. After all, you’re a political figure. Your actions have far-reaching consequences. Direct contact with these powerful families would inevitably give them something to talk about, and it would be troublesome if they questioned you. I’m different. I’m just a commoner, so it’s easier for me to speak up.”

Li Zoufang glanced at Gao Jian, knowing that his actions were both for his own benefit and the most appropriate choice at the moment. He nodded: "Okay. Be careful."

Gao Jian said no more, straightened his slightly wrinkled robes, and further concealed his aura, appearing as if he were just an ordinary young cultivator.

He pushed open the study door, walked out steadily, crossed the quiet courtyard, and arrived at the simple wooden door of the official residence.

With a creak, the wooden door was pulled open from the inside by Gao Jian.

Outside the door, the moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone slabs.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue brocade robe stood there quietly, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his aura as deep and resolute as a mountain. His face was ordinary, but his eyes were sharp and piercing, as if they could see into people's hearts. Although he was just standing quietly, he possessed an undeniable air of authority, the majesty that could only be cultivated by long-term high positions and the wielding of power.

This man, named Jiang Heng, is the head steward of the Jiang family. Although not a direct descendant of the Jiang clan, his exceptional abilities and absolute loyalty have earned him the deep trust of the family head, who granted him the surname Jiang. He holds a very high position within the Jiang family; in a sense, he is one of the family's public face. His own cultivation is also extraordinary; he is a true Grandmaster of the Tenth Realm, Two Stages, and holds a place among the top experts in the Divine Capital.

He had handled countless thorny matters on behalf of the Jiang family, and his methods, whether coordinating various forces or suppressing enemies, were quite shrewd.

Upon seeing Gao Jian emerge, Jiang Heng immediately wore a perfectly timed, respectful smile. He stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Gao Jian, his posture humble, and his tone gentle:

"Is it possible that you are here in person, sir? My name is Jiang Heng, the steward of the Jiang family. I have come late at night and have disturbed your peace. I hope you will forgive me."

His manners were impeccable, and his words were extremely polite, showing no trace of the airs of a tenth-realm grandmaster or a top-tier aristocratic steward.

But Gao Jian could sense that the other party's seemingly gentle gaze was like a finely crafted magical artifact, quietly sweeping over him and assessing every detail—from the strength of his aura to the possible traces of battle left on his clothes.

"Steward Jiang, you're too kind," Gao Jian said calmly, returning the greeting with a clasped hand. "May I ask what brings Steward Jiang here so late at night to see me?"

"Haha, it's nothing special. It's just that Mr. Gao has recently made a name for himself, which is truly admirable. So I would like to invite Mr. Gao to my home as a guest. I hope you will do me the honor." Jiang Heng smiled and spoke sincerely, as if it were really just a spur-of-the-moment decision to befriend this newly famous young man.

"Visiting? Now?" Gao Jian looked up at the moon on the horizon.

It's so late at night...

"Haha, as the saying goes, one should speak freely when the mood strikes, and not worry about the time." Jiang Heng laughed loudly. "To invite a person of your stature to drink under the moon and discuss profound principles, is it not wonderful?"

Gao Jian's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled casually, "Indeed, then please lead the way." He did not refuse. Since the other party had come to him, avoiding them would only make him seem cowardly. He might as well go with the flow and see what the Jiang family of the capital was really up to.

“Sir, you are very kind. Please.” Jiang Heng stepped aside to lead the way.

Outside the official residence, an oxcart was parked. The oxcart did not look particularly luxurious; it was not inlaid with gold, silver, or precious jade, nor did it have intricate carvings, quite different from the grandeur one might imagine from a noble family. But Gao Jian only needed a glance to see its extraordinary nature and sophistication.

A flag was erected on the carriage.

The flagpole is not made of ordinary wood, but rather pieced together from five different colored sacred woods, symbolizing the flow of the five elements and the changing of the five seasons. The flag is not fully unfurled, but rather wrapped around the flagpole, with the tassels and pennants folded back. This is precisely what is known in ancient rites as "the chariot of virtuous people is decorated with banners"—only those whose virtue is evident and whose conduct is profound and reserved can have their chariots decorated with banners but not unfurled, to show humility and avoid ostentation.

The blue ox pulling the cart was robust, with glossy fur, gentle yet intelligent eyes, and an exceptionally steady gait. It was clearly a carefully bred spirit animal. The reason for using an ox instead of a horse was to symbolize "bearing heavy loads and going far, safe and stable."

The car appears simple, but in fact it follows ancient and rigorous etiquette in every aspect, exuding a kind of luxury that has been refined over time.

This, more than those glittering golden carriages, demonstrates the deep foundation of the Jiang family.

Gao Jian understood, but said nothing more and boarded the car calmly.

Jiang Heng then took the driver's seat. Instead of using the servants, he personally took the whip, gave the reins a gentle tug, and the blue ox began to move, pulling the carriage smoothly into the night.

The oxcart traveled through the streets of the capital.

Although it was late at night, many streets in the capital were still brightly lit, and the sounds of people could be faintly heard. The music from the brothels and theaters continued, showcasing the bustling side of this imperial capital that never stopped. The oxcart moved at a moderate pace, silently blending into the flow of traffic and people. There was no disturbance of the public by gongs and drums, nor any exaggerated display of status. It quietly and steadily passed through the lively crowds of the night, as if it were just an inconspicuous footnote in this bustling night scene.

Gao Jian sat in the carriage, feeling the near-perfect smoothness of the oxcart, and listening to the faint sounds of the bustling city outside. He frowned slightly. The Jiang family's composure amidst prosperity and their restraint in the face of power were indeed not those of nouveau riche.

After traveling for an unknown amount of time, the oxcart slowly left the bustling main city, and the surroundings gradually quieted down.

Passing through a garden shrouded in mist, the view suddenly opened up before me—

In the void ahead, an island was floating.

The island is not particularly large, but it is magnificent. Pavilions and towers are scattered on it in a well-organized manner, and the upturned eaves and corners outline beautiful silhouettes under the moonlight. You can vaguely see the springs and waterfalls, and exotic flowers and plants are scattered among them. Some wisps of mist flow slowly around the island.

This is the Jiang family's residence. In this prime location of the capital, where every inch of land is precious, they own their own floating immortal island, which exists quietly there, detached from the hustle and bustle of the mortal world, overlooking the myriad lights below, silently proclaiming the extraordinary strength and transcendent status of the Jiang family as a top-tier clan.

The oxcart did not stop, but drove straight towards a specific location below the floating island, where something seemed to be welcoming them.

The oxcart passed through the shimmering, spiritually enchanted barrier surrounding the floating island, as if passing through a cool water curtain, and the scene before them suddenly became clear. Exotic flowers and rare herbs, magnificent palaces and pavilions—these were all there, but what truly caught the eye was a person.

As soon as Gao Jian got off the car, he saw someone.

He was a young master from a noble family, dressed in an extremely bright pinkish-green brocade robe, which stood out conspicuously in the pure moonlight and ethereal mist. He had an exceptionally handsome face, with fair and delicate skin, and his face was adorned with a light blush of red floral powder, which made his eyebrows and eyes appear even more refined and gentle, almost blurring the boundaries of gender, making it impossible to tell whether he was male or female. A nameless flower that emitted a faint light was tucked into the hair bun on top of his head.

As Gao Jian approached, a faint yet extremely persistent exotic fragrance wafted into his nostrils. This scent was unlike ordinary floral or sandalwood fragrances; it carried a resinous richness and a unique warmth that was refreshing and invigorating, seemingly penetrating to the very core of one's being.

With a slight thought, Gao Jian immediately found the corresponding item in the vast records of the "Song of the Great Dao of Profound Transformation and Connection." The book mentioned that beyond the East Sea, there was a rare tribute called "Frankincense and Myrrh," which was made from the resin of specific trees through a secret process. Its fragrance was unique and long-lasting; once it came into contact with a person, it could linger for months.

“Frankincense and myrrh,” Gao Jian said calmly, taking a light breath of the exotic aroma. It was impossible to tell whether he was praising or simply stating something. “Truly fine taste.”

Upon hearing this, the young man in pink's eyes lit up, and a bright and lively smile bloomed on his face. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Haha! Everyone says that Mr. Gao Jian was born into humble circumstances, but after meeting you today, his knowledge and demeanor are nothing like those of a country bumpkin."

He took a few light steps forward, his gaze sweeping over Gao Jian from head to toe without any attempt to conceal it, his tone carrying an exaggerated yet not offensive admiration: "In my opinion, nine out of ten scions of noble families in the capital are not as good as Mr. Gao!"

(End of this chapter)