Chapter 257: The Mover of Eras
Hua Changxi told Gu Xing that she wouldn’t open the Secret Realm, and although it was just a momentary outburst, she was still unsettled. In her frustration, she stood by the Old Courtyard gate for a long time without moving.
Because the Plaza had become larger, walking on foot took too much time. Nowadays, people with a bit of wealth would either fly on Flying Swords or travel using other Spiritual Pets for transportation.
From the Guardian Family’s side, some people even rode Spiritual Pets directly across the Plaza.
However, the vast majority of people still walked.
“Whoosh~”
Someone flew on a sword, and due to their excessive speed, they almost knocked over other pedestrians.
Looking at this scene, Hua Changxi’s brows furrowed slightly. She thought of the Saint Pill she had obtained, and the thousand Protector Saint Tokens within it.
A thousand Protector Saint Tokens represented her ability to command a thousand Holy Guards.
And these thousand Holy Guards were specifically responsible for maintaining order in the Altar of Alchemy and the Plaza.
The Altar of Alchemy was a sacred and solemn place for celestial sacrifices, hence flying was prohibited in the Plaza.
“Holy Guards.”
Hua Changxi felt a surge of annoyance. She suddenly felt like there were so many things waiting for her to handle.
There had been no progress in recruiting Apprentices for the Dan Yuan Secret Realm, and now she also had to consider maintaining order in the Plaza.
Recruiting Holy Guards was more troublesome than recruiting Apprentices; it involved going to the Nine Netherworlds and interacting with the nine fortresses guarding the Demon Prison.
The thought of these matters gave Hua Changxi a headache. However, with gain came sacrifice. The happier she had been about her increased Cultivation Speed before, the more depressed she was now, being bogged down by trivial matters.
She just wanted to focus on Cultivation and Alchemy; why was it so difficult?
“Hall Master.”
Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue suddenly appeared and quickly approached Hua Changxi.
Hua Changxi withdrew her thoughts and looked at them, “What is it?”
Hua Shuran: “My Father and Uncle Minghe are here. They want to see you.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi’s heart stirred. She guessed the reason for their visit, “Where are they?”
Hua Shuran: “At Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall.”
Hua Changxi nodded and left the Plaza directly. Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue quickly followed.
In the main hall of Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall, Hua Minghe and the Heir of the Dingyuan Earl’s Mansion, Hua Minghua, were both distracted, frequently looking up towards the courtyard gate.
A month had passed since the Royal Family issued the order to boycott Hua Changxi. During this month, because Hua Changxi had not appeared, the Dingyuan Earl’s Mansion and the Hua Family had been under considerable pressure.
Today, Hua Minghua received a message from his daughter Hua Shuran, informing him that Hua Changxi had appeared. He immediately found Hua Minghe and brought him to the Medical Affairs Department.
It was somewhat inappropriate for them to come directly to the Medical Affairs Department to persuade Hua Changxi, but Hua Changxi’s actions were too unpredictable. He worried she might disappear again, so he hurried to see Hua Changxi with Hua Minghe.
“Father!”
As Hua Changxi entered the hall, she noticed that Hua Minghe looked more haggard than before.
Seeing Hua Changxi had returned, Hua Minghe’s face lit up with joy, “Jiu Niang.” He took quick steps towards Hua Changxi, examining her thoroughly.
Seeing his daughter safe and sound, Hua Minghe breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, he remembered Hua Minghua standing beside him, “Jiu Niang, quickly greet the Heir.”
Just as Hua Changxi was about to speak, Hua Minghua interrupted, “What Heir? That’s too formal. Minghe, you and I are of the same generation, brothers. Jiu Niang, just call me Uncle.”
Hua Changxi followed suit and called him “Uncle,” then turned to Hua Minghe, “Father, why do you look so much more haggard? Did something happen at home?”
Hua Minghe didn’t know how to answer and fell silent for a moment.
At this point, Hua Minghua could no longer maintain his composure. He sighed and took the initiative to say, “Jiu Niang, your Father, your Second Uncle, and your Fourth Uncle are all currently idle at home.”
When Hua Changxi disappeared, the Royal Family directly targeted the Hua Family, with the first to be affected being Hua Minghe and his two brothers, who were employed by the government.
During this period, the entire Hua clan was more or less affected.
Hua Changxi was shocked, “Father, you and Second Uncle and Fourth Uncle have been dismissed from your posts?”
It was Hua Minghua who answered, “They haven’t been dismissed. The higher-ups simply told your Father and them to rest at home for a while.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi knew that the Royal Family, in order to force her to compromise and yield, had extended their reach to her family.
If she complied, her father and the others would soon return to their government posts. If she refused to comply, her father and the others might never be able to return.
Seeing Hua Changxi’s somber expression and silence, Hua Minghua couldn’t help but give Hua Minghe a look, urging him to quickly persuade her.
Hua Minghe sighed upon seeing the look, “Jiu Niang, your Secret Realm isn’t recruiting anyone. What are your plans?”
Hua Changxi looked at him, “Father, I can handle the matter of recruiting for the Secret Realm myself. I don’t believe the Royal Family and the Nobles can stop the common people of the world.”
Hua Minghua’s eyelids twitched. Hua Changxi intended to confront all parties head-on.
Hua Changxi continued, “Father, you don’t need to worry about me. It’s just that if the family… well, if you, Second Uncle, and Fourth Uncle stop working for the Imperial Court.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Minghua could no longer hold back and said anxiously, “Jiu Niang, the higher-ups telling your Father and your Second and Fourth Uncles to be idle at home is giving you an opportunity to back down.”
“If you don’t take it, they will resort to more drastic measures. Even if your Father and the others stop working for the Imperial Court, they will find ways to deal with you.”
“Are you sure you want to go against the Royal Family and the major Nobles?”
“Do you know what that means? You’re like a moth flying into a flame!”
“Even if you don’t consider yourself, don’t you think about the other members of your family? Can they withstand the opposition from all sides?”
Hua Changxi listened, her eyes filled with Ferocity, “Anyone who dares to harm my family, no matter who they are, I will repay them tenfold!”
Both Hua Minghe and Hua Minghua were startled.
Hua Minghe: “Jiu Niang, don’t act rashly.”
Hua Minghua also quickly appeased her, “It’s not that serious, it hasn’t reached that point yet.”
Hua Changxi looked at them, “The Dan Yuan Secret Realm was bestowed upon me by the Divine Wood. If anyone can interfere, I would rather the Secret Realm remain closed forever.”
Hua Minghua had a terrible headache. He could see that Hua Changxi could not tolerate any coercion from outsiders. Although she was a Young Woman, her temper was even more stubborn and unyielding than that of most men.
He couldn’t understand it. Hua Bin had always been one to endure when possible, and Hua Minghe was slightly more assertive, but he wouldn’t confront someone head-on when he knew he was outmatched. How did they produce an anomaly like Hua Changxi, who was ready to go all out at any moment?
“Jiu Niang, Uncle feels that you haven’t quite grasped some things yet.”
Hua Minghua patiently said, “You are currently in the Medical Affairs Department. Uncle asks you, do you have any understanding of how the Medical Affairs Department operates?”
Hua Changxi looked at him, “What exactly are you trying to say, Uncle?”
Seeing that she was finally listening a little, Hua Minghua’s brows relaxed slightly, “What I’m saying is that whether it’s the Medical Affairs Department, any other place, or even our own home, it all involves the production and distribution of interests.”
“What is your current identity?”
“You are the Hall Master of Number Thirteen Qihuang Hall, and the Secret Realm Master of the Dan Yuan Secret Realm!”
“The Dan Yuan Secret Realm is one thing, but Qihuang Hall is still a part of the Medical Affairs Department. In other words, you are still one of the people in the Medical Affairs Department.”
“Since you are part of the Medical Affairs Department, you must abide by its rules and participate in its distribution of interests.”
“Do you understand what I mean?”
Hua Minghua had clearly and concisely explained the essence of the various interest transfers within the Medical Affairs Department. Seeing that Hua Changxi remained silent, he could only continue.
“Since you are part of the Medical Affairs Department, then in the eyes of the Royal Family and others, the Dan Yuan Secret Realm in your hands is also considered a Resource of the Medical Affairs Department, and everyone should get a share.”
Hua Changxi was angered by this shameless twisted logic, “Uncle thinks the Dan Yuan Secret Realm in my hands is a Resource of the Medical Affairs Department, then what about the other Secret Realm Masters? Why don’t they share the Resources in their Secret Realms with everyone?”
“Currently, all parties are targeting me simply because they think I am powerless and easy to bully.”
Hua Minghua said slowly, “How do you know that other Secret Realm Masters haven’t shared the Resources in their Secret Realms with others?”
Hua Changxi fell silent.
Hua Minghua: “Jiu Niang, you won’t get far by fighting alone. You need to learn to cooperate with others, for yourself and for your family.”
