Chapter 38: Song of the Soul

Northwest Region.

Hong'an City.

Lord's Mansion.

As soon as Jiang Ce stepped through the mansion gates, scouts of various sizes went into action. Jiang Ce's status was extremely sensitive. He was the sole heir to the lord of the Northwest Region, the legitimate inheritor of the position.

The Old Wine Peddler had naturally noticed and informed Jiang Ce of this. Yet, he hadn't paid it much heed. Although his father was gravely injured, he hadn't died yet. The intimidation factor was still present, ensuring his safety.

Upon entering the residence, he first headed for his father's courtyard.

Jiang Ce's father was named Jiang Yuanzhou, an expert at the late stage of the Heavenly Origin Realm. He had held the position of the Northwest Region Lord for over two hundred years. Jiang Yuanzhou was approaching four hundred years of age, but he didn't appear aged in the least. He seemed like a middle-aged man in his forties.

When Jiang Ce entered, Jiang Yuanzhou was tending to the flowers and plants he cultivated in the courtyard. He appeared to be in good spirits. However, everyone knew this was merely a facade.

"Father," Jiang Ce gazed at his father for a while before finally speaking.

Upon hearing this voice, Jiang Yuanzhou's watering can faltered mid-air. He turned toward the source of the sound.

"Back, I see!" Jiang Yuanzhou placed the watering can down and paused before saying those words.

"Yes." Jiang Ce gave a slight nod but felt a bit uneasy inside. Had his father's condition deteriorated to this extent? He hadn't even noticed upon entering the courtyard.

"At the late stage of the Earth Martial Realm, it appears your trip yielded quite a harvest!" Jiang Yuanzhou sighed. He'd initially hoped for his son to live out the rest of his life peacefully. However, Jiang Ce's kind-hearted nature since childhood made his return an expected occurrence; it was a pity.

Forget it, it was all fate.

"Your father and son bond runs deep! I don't want to spoil this beautiful scene," a voice, carrying the timbre of a young boy, sounded by their ears.

"Who?" Hearing the voice, Jiang Yuanzhou warily scanned his surroundings. He sensed the energy contained in the voice, realizing the intruder's cultivation likely exceeded his own.

"Why, Lord Jiang, no need for such rage. We're merely friends of your son," the voice, no longer playful, announced as a figure appeared. Beside him stood a woman.

The two stood on the eaves of the courtyard, resembling a pair of celestial beings. Particularly the woman, clad in a bright yellow robe, her entire being radiated an ethereal and alluring air, as if a fairy had descended into the mortal realm.

The newcomers were naturally Yao Guang and Yu Heng.

"Friends?" Jiang Ce was puzzled. Since when did he befriend experts of this caliber?

But then he recalled something.

"You're members of the Su Family," he remembered that Su Xing'er had mentioned calling upon their powerful members. Timing-wise, it was likely these two individuals.

"One of the Seven Star Elders of the Su Family, Yu Heng."

"Yao Guang."

They introduced themselves.

"Allow me to assist you back to your room for some rest!" Ignoring the pair, Jiang Ce addressed his father. He wanted to escort him away.

"I believe it might be better if Lord Jiang stays for this discussion," Yu Heng interjected, blocking their path.

Subsequently, with a wave of his hand, several of them disappeared from the spot and reappeared in Jiang Yuanzhou's study.

"Space manipulation, Late Enlightenment Realm expert," Jiang Yuanzhou deduced from this technique. As one of the eight major lords of the Nanyao Empire, he had certainly encountered Enlightenment Realm experts and knew their capabilities, with spatial manipulation being a key trait.

Following this, he looked toward the young man next to the woman.

To be able to stand alongside an Enlightenment Realm expert meant her cultivation wasn't to be underestimated.

Two Enlightenment Realm experts; moreover, going by their introductions, this so-called Seven Star Elder was likely on the same level. Jiang Yuanzhou shifted his gaze to his own son. It seemed that his son must have made some kind of deal with these people, but in Jiang Yuanzhou's eyes, this was no different from a tiger seeking its skin.

He shook his head, choosing not to say much.

"There are quite a few ants rushing towards the Regional Lord's Mansion."

Yao Guang's powerful spiritual awareness detected a number of people approaching, each accompanied by someone, but they were all in the Profound Origin Realm. These were probably the scouts sent out by those people to gather information.

"Kill them or let them be?" Yao Guang looked at Jiang Ce, she and Yu Heng weren't strategists, they were more like enforcers. The specifics depended on Jiang Ce's decision.

"Kill them!" Jiang Ce thought for a moment. Since he had returned, there was no need to be overly cautious. Besides, he wanted to see the abilities of these two.

"Will you go, or should I?" Yao Guang looked at Yu Heng, completely unbothered by the group of people approaching.

"You go! I'm afraid of seeing blood." Yu Heng's face had a childlike innocence, his expression and words seemingly naive.

Yao Guang said nothing. A white jade pipa appeared in her hand, nestled against her chest, and she began to play it.

But Jiang Yuanzhou and Jiang Ce didn't hear any sound.

In the distance, those who hadn't yet reached the Lord's Mansion suddenly collapsed as they walked. Even those flying were dropped dead.

This scene frightened the people around them. Some bold individuals approached to investigate, but they never got back up.

"The Soul-Dissipating Melody is truly impressive, killing from a distance." Seeing Yao Guang put away the pipa, Yu Heng couldn't help but praise.

Jiang Ce was watching in astonishment. Was it really over just like that?

Jiang Yuanzhou narrowed his eyes, seemingly having noticed something, but he didn't speak. He simply watched in silence.

"What do we do next?" Yu Heng glanced at Jiang Ce, who was lost in thought, and asked.

"Both of you should rest for now. When there's something to do, I hope you'll be willing to lend a hand." Jiang Ce responded once he snapped back to reality.

"Mr. Jiu, prepare the guest rooms and take the two elders down to rest." Jiang Ce thought that this incident should have given those people a significant shock. In the short term, they should rein themselves in quite a bit, which would make it easier for him to plan ahead.

Naturally, the two of them had no objections. They followed the old man named Jiǔ and left.

However, before leaving, Yu Heng didn't forget to remind Jiang Ce about their transaction.

"Father." Jiang Ce had initially wanted to explain things to his father.

However, Jiang Yuanzhou directly asked him what the transaction was, what the Regional Lord's Mansion would ultimately have to give up, and whether it would endanger his life.

Jiang Ce didn't hide anything from his father, explaining the deal he had made with the Nine Provinces Trade Association.

After listening, Jiang Yuanzhou fell silent.

"Father." Jiang Ce knelt directly on the ground. He felt like it was his fault that the Regional Lord's Mansion had suffered so much loss.

"Silly child, what are you doing?" Jiang Yuanzhou helped his son to his feet.

"You've grown up now, and for some things, you should make your own decisions. The deal you've made doesn't put our Regional Lord's Mansion at a disadvantage. In fact, it might even benefit us." Jiang Yuanzhou spoke, but he didn't provide any specific explanations.

"Benefit?" Jiang Ce murmured, unable to fathom how the Regional Lord's Mansion might have benefited from this deal.

"You'll understand in due time." Without explaining further, Jiang Yuanzhou left his statement vague.