Chen Yuan said in an unwavering tone.
Yet, this statement caught Ouyang Zhi off guard, who quickly said,
"But where did your son anger Father?"
"Don’t panic, you are doing very well."
"How has Hidden Soldier Valley been recently?"
"How is your cultivation going?"
"What do you think of Shushan?"
"Have you been to Jiangdu?"
In the midst of casual conversation, Chen Yuan asked Ouyang Zhi many questions, and he answered each one. The most crucial, however, was this question he just asked.
This was the destination of Chen Yuan’s mission.
Under the guidance of Elder Moluo, the one who had obscured the heavens for him was hiding within Shuzhou Jiangdu Prefecture.
On this journey, Chen Yuan had a premonition, always feeling it wouldn’t be too peaceful. Now with Ouyang Zhi here, he naturally had to inquire, doing so without arousing suspicion.
Because he didn’t want others to detect his purpose.
Actually, he could also have asked Lady Xu, but according to her, Lady Xu had spent most of her previous years stationed in Hidden Soldier Valley, while Ouyang Zhi had traveled through Shuzhou in his younger years.
"Jiangdu?" Although Ouyang Zhi didn’t understand why Chen Yuan would inquire about this place, he still honestly said,
"What should I say...."
"Tell me about anything you know."
Chen Yuan said softly.
Ouyang Zhi looked straight into Chen Yuan’s eyes, swallowed saliva, reminisced for a while, and then said thoughtfully,
"Father also knows, Shuzhou is large yet narrow and lengthy, with many mountains and rivers, and there are not many accessible roads. Hence, it’s divided into South, North, and Central Shu."
"And Jiangdu Prefecture is located on the border of Central Shu, close to South Shu. As for its name, it came from a river that runs through Central Shu,
called the Min River.
The Min River often overflowed, causing annual dike breaches, leading to countless deaths among the people of Central Shu. During the Former Chu era, the court broke their heads over it, finally succeeding in controlling the Min River only after tremendous hardship led by a great sage.
Latter, it was named the Dujiangyan, and in gratitude for the great sage’s contributions, the court erected a temple and statue in his honor, renaming this place Jiangdu."
Chen Yuan nodded his head:
"Because of the Dujiangyan, Jiangdu Prefecture was able to manage water resources, and the once-difficult Central Shu thus flourished, becoming a place famous near and far, drawing many Jianghu sects to establish themselves here.
Although the place is chaotic, the most outstanding one is called the Tang Sect!"
Chen Yuan had heard this name before; he recalled Yan Qing’s skill with hidden weapons, which seemed to be learned from a Tang Sect expert, aiding him a great deal.
"Right, due to its fame, some even call it the Tang Sect of Shu Central..."
Seeing Chen Yuan’s interest in this so-called ’Tang Sect,’ Ouyang Zhi immediately divulged all he knew. Through his words,
Chen Yuan gathered some understanding of this unfamiliar Tang Sect of Central Shu.
It was considered one of the most prominent first-rate forces in Shuzhou, known for its hidden weapons. It was also one of the most troublesome first-rate forces below the top sects. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novᴇlfire.net
The various hidden weapons were quite powerful, and anyone who wasn’t at the Yang Transformation level was threatened by them.
The current Sect Leader, Tang Xianzhuo, had three renowned skills in Central Shu, thus also known as... Tang Jue.
His prowess was extraordinary; not even fifty years old, he had ascended to the top thirty of the Fengyun List with his cultivation and strength. Although he was at the bottom of the list, it was sufficient to prove his capabilities.
He was praised by a certain Jianghu veteran as having the potential for Yang Transformation!
One of his most famous and respected accomplishments in recent years was avenging his wife’s death by marching alone into another prefecture, decimating a first-rate Sect, which sent shivers down people’s spines.
And his reputation for devotion earned him much admiration.
When Chen Yuan asked Ouyang Zhi why he knew so much about the Tang Sect, he replied that Hidden Soldier Valley and Tang Sect were both top-notch forces; one specialized in hidden weapons, and the other in artifact refining.
They had many interactions, and he had personally witnessed this Sect Leader of the Tang Sect, truly extraordinary.
Besides that, Ouyang Zhi also introduced Chen Yuan to other powers within Jiangdu Prefecture, speaking clearly and knowledgeable, but what impressed Chen Yuan the most was this Tang Sect of Central Shu.
There was no helping it; Yan Qing often mentioned it, saying his dream had once been to join the Tang Sect and practice the art of hidden weapons.
To keep Ouyang Zhi from noticing anything, Chen Yuan quickly shifted the topic to Shushan, leaving Ouyang Zhi somewhat baffled.
But even with his confusion, he dared not ask...
After all, as long as Chen Yuan showed interest, he would answer.
They talked for a long time until Ouyang Zhi was out of breath, then stopped when Lady Xu arrived, shooting Chen Yuan an annoyed look before the three had a ’family banquet.’
After the family banquet, Ouyang Zhi respectfully took his leave.
Lady Xu watched Ouyang Zhi’s retreating figure and said softly,
"Do you think... it’s time for Zhi to start a family?"
Chen Yuan was speechless; good lord, did Lady Xu really see him as Ouyang Zhi’s dad to discuss such matters?
He let out a sigh and said in a deep voice,
"Decide on this matter yourself; I still have some duties."
"To comfort Chen’s army!"
Chen Yuan was well aware of this army, originally the Military Equipment Army of Tangshan Prefecture, which he had remotely commanded to establish their camp in the uninhabited Tangshan mountain range to avoid detection.
But aware as he was, he had not yet visited.
As their loyal sovereign, how could he not show consideration for the soldiers?