Da Xuan Martial Saint

He left the house.

Chen Mu waited for Xu Hongyu to return and then had a detailed chat with her.

He didn't proceed to any further actions since the wedding was just one month away, set for the ninth of April. For him, who could be in closed-door cultivation for over a month, it was but the blink of an eye.

After being escorted out of the courtyard by Xu Hongyu, reminding her not to neglect her martial arts cultivation, Chen Mu returned to his own courtyard.

"Young master, this is the Kan Water Diagram, delivered for you."

The old Yu Family butler was waiting in the outer courtyard and presented a scroll to Chen Mu as he arrived, bowing respectfully.

The Kan Water Diagram personally delivered by the old butler was naturally the superior grade imitative diagram from the Yu Family. Although Yu Jiujiang once said that all the Yu Family's resources were available to Chen Mu, the Kan Water Diagram was an exception. If Chen Mu wanted to study the diagram, he usually would have to be in the Ancient Courtyard, but now things were different.

With Chen Mu's strength and position within the family, there was no place in the entire Yu Family more secure than his own courtyard. The Kan Water Diagram was at no risk of being lost with him, and if it could be lost with him, it could be lost in the Ancient Courtyard as well.

"Old Yu, you have worked hard."

Chen Mu nodded slightly to the old Yu Family butler and took the diagram.

The old butler bowed to Chen Mu, saying, "These are all part of my duties. Young master, please study it carefully. I won't disturb you further."

As Chen Mu's strength and status rose higher and higher, the old butler's attitude toward him changed gradually. Now, he was as respectful to Chen Mu as he was to Yu Jiujiang, daring not to show any negligence.

"Old Yu, take care."

Chen Mu was quite cordial to the old Yu Family butler who had taken care of him during his early days in the Yu Family.

After the old butler left, Chen Mu, holding the Kan Water Diagram, once again entered the Silent Chamber.

He had already seen the Kan Water Diagram in the Ancient Courtyard, so there was no need for further scrutiny. After spreading it out, Chen Mu's gaze focused on it, perceiving the majestic and vast Artistic Conception depicted as if a galaxy cascaded from the heavens.

...

The ninth of April.

The entire Yu Family estate was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Because today was the day Chen Mu, who had once served as Chief Constable of the Inspectorate and the Demon-Slaying Office, swept through many true inheritances, ranked twenty-seventh on the Wind Cloud List of the Cold North Path's budding talents, was to marry Xu Hongyu, the granddaughter of the Yu Family patriarch Yu Zuyi.

Although Xu Hongyu was but an outer granddaughter of the Yu Family, her special status and exceptional beauty made her a core direct member of the family. The marital ties between Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu had been agreed upon long ago. Initially, to the remoter branches of the Yu Family and many of the servants, the matter did not seem to have much effect, and they were merely a little surprised.

But after Chen Mu leveled the He Family and even pressed down on the true inheritances of various sects, climbing onto the Wind Cloud List, even the most distant relatives and household staff of the Yu Family understood that Xu Hongyu's marriage to Chen Mu was akin to the entire Yu Family leaning on a much higher and mightier mountain than Yu Jiujiang.

To be ranked twenty-seventh and have the potential to step into the Six Viscera Realm in the future, even in the Viscera Realm, he would not be weak. As time and accomplishments accumulated, he was expected to reach the Wind Cloud List, becoming a true force capable of stirring the winds and clouds.

Not to mention the Yu Family.

Even in the face of Chen Mu, the more powerful and deeply rooted Xue Family of Yu County paled in comparison. Perhaps Chen Mu couldn't support a great family like the Xue Family in a short time, but if he wished to destroy it, that would be as easy as overturning his hand.

In an area located to the east of the Yu Family estate, bordering the once-He Family territory, there was an extremely large courtyard with a plaque bearing the golden characters "Chen Mansion" on the main gate, along with the entire mahogany door, both brand new.

Proceeding along the main gate, you would see corridors winding back and forth, surrounded by flowers and plants. Even though there were no extremely luxurious gold and silver ornaments in the series of nested courtyards, they were all very quiet and elegant.

At the back.

In a central main courtyard.

Chen Mu was sitting in a chair inside the house, contemplating the Kan Water Diagram on the table intently until he heard footsteps outside. Then he smiled slightly and put away the diagram.

Who else, but him, would be absorbed in cultivation and grasping the profound Artistic Conception on his wedding day?

If his talent were poor it wouldn't matter much, but not only was his understanding exceptional, his efforts matched anyone's as well. This world was destined to bear a vivid mark of his name.

Though nearly a month had passed and the effects of the Earthly Green Lotus Seed had mostly faded, he had still managed to gain an initial understanding of the Kan Water Artistic Conception, thus taking his first step into the Kan Water Sect.

This mansion was also selected by him. It didn't need to be lavish; serene elegance was all he wanted. After all, he might not spend much time here in the future. More often, it would be Xu Hongyu and Yue'er who lived in this mansion.

"Brother Mu?"

Wang Ni's tentative voice came from the doorway.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Come in,"

Chen Mu stood up.

Wang Ni pushed open the door from outside, rushing in with the two little maids, Ku'er and Yue'er, followed by several new maids responsible for trimming the courtyard's floral branches. After each gave a bow to Chen Mu, they began setting up.

Chen Mu knew he didn't need to wash up, but still washed his face in the wooden basin Ku'er brought over, then, under the flustered attendance of Wang Ni, dressed in the official's new clothes.

The entire new garment was a striking red, embroidered with festive patterns using purple and cyan silk threads reportedly sourced from a magical silkworm, nearly impervious to water and fire. However, it was very complex to wear. Wang Ni and Yue'er bustled around him, and even accidentally fastened the buttons wrong, causing a bit of a flurry.

"No need to rush, there's still plenty of time."

Chen Mu let Wang Ni, Yue'er, and the others dress him in the cumbersome new clothes, smiling at their frantic state.

"It is early indeed, but there's a lot to do today, and any delay would be unwelcome."

Wang Ni whispered in response, busy with Yue'er, and soon Ku'er also came over to help. Eventually, they managed to dress Chen Mu in his new clothes properly, followed by placing a red and gold four-hanging headscarf on him.

In Chen Mu's eyes and by his aesthetic standards, the new outfit was dignified enough, not at all tacky. Of course, it was also due to his own outstanding temperament and appearance, as clothes were always just an adornment.

The front courtyard.

Many figures had already gathered here, mostly from the Yu Family.

Chen Hong's family was also present, and Butcher Zhang... now better known as Zhang Xiangshen, was wearing a decent robe, standing in a corner with a beaming smile, chatting with others:

"I don't mean to boast, but my in-law was born with an auspicious fate. On the evening of the day he was born, people say a streak of purple qi fell from the sky, casting thousands of golden glows on the horizon. I often said that my in-law would surely be extraordinary, a real dragon and phoenix among people..."

Zhang Xiangshen spoke nonstop, with Min Baoyi smiling along in agreement.

While the corner was filled with distant relatives or old acquaintances of Chen Mu, those a bit further inside were even more prominent figures.

Even the Chief Constable of South City District, such a high-ranking official, had to stand aside and barely had any opportunity to speak.

A moment later.

A stir echoed through the courtyard as Chen Mu, dressed in new clothes, emerged from an inner yard, prompting the crowd to make way for him, with flattering words flowing endlessly.

Chen Mu greeted everyone with a serene expression, casually chatting with a few familiar people, then noticed a few figures in the corner.

"How have you been lately, Old Brother Min?"

He smiled at Min Baoyi and called out.

Min Baoyi, flattered, quickly stepped forward, saying, "Good, good, Ninth District is very stable, and I have been keeping a watchful eye on your old residence."

After chatting with Min Baoyi for a bit, Chen Mu turned towards other directions.

But even that brief exchange drew the attention of individuals in the courtyard like the new Chief Constable of South City District, and even the Deputy Governor of the Outer City District, who, after Chen Mu walked away, came over to greet Min Baoyi warmly.

Although Chen Mu's background was well-known and everyone was aware he had once served under Min Baoyi, even having a good relationship with him, that was all in the distant past. The Chen Mu of back then and the Chen Mu of today were worlds apart, and the relations of those days compared to now were not the same concept.

Yet seeing Min Baoyi not only invited to the ceremony, but also receiving Chen Mu's friendly and courteous greeting, being called 'Old Brother', naturally meant something different. After all, Chen Mu's status was such that in Yu County, a word or a glance from him could determine a person's rise and fall, or even life and death.

"Lord Zhao, Lord Li..."

Min Baoyi did not dare to neglect his duty, returning greetings to the high officials profusely, yet seeing that these high-ranking individuals, whether Chief Constable or Deputy Governor, were all fervent in their attitude towards him, he couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

Back when Chen Mu was in Ninth District, Min Baoyi had merely hoped that Chen Mu might become his colleague, like him taking charge of the district as a Prefecture Chief. But who would have thought that once Chen Mu left the Ninth District, he soared like a dragon released from the depths, his rise so swift it was dazzling, reaching the pinnacle of Yu County in just a few short years!

Nowadays.

Mere words, a mere greeting, were enough to make those superiors he had always treated with utmost respect, even the superiors of his superiors, show him enthusiastic favor. Thinking back to the time when Chen Mu was a mere constable under him, these few years felt like a dream.

"Aunt, Uncle."

Chen Mu found Chen Hong's family and greeted Chen Hong. As for Zhang Butcher, his attitude turned somewhat indifferent.

Yet Zhang Butcher didn't mind and just stood by with a contented grin.

Chen Hong, looking at Chen Mu in his new attire, surrounded by a host of high-ranking officials and dignitaries, seemed to be pondering over something, her eyes becoming moist as she kept repeating "Good, good."

Chen Mu then glanced aside, his gaze sweeping past Zhang Butcher and landing on a young woman next to him. The girl's appearance had shed its youthful naivety, and with a somewhat familiar reminder in his memory, he guessed who she was after just a glance, but he did not linger, merely offering a slight smile before passing by.

Watching Chen Mu in his new clothes, flanked by dignitaries all eager to fawn over him, Zhang Youying stood there, stunned into silence, then quietly bowed her head, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.