Chapter 300: Chapter 52 Academy Direct Disciple! Arriving at Changning Guard
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After a few moments, Huangfu Jinhuan came forward with a smile: "I assume you must be Clan Leader Wang Shouzhe of the Ping’an Wang Family? As rumored, you are indeed a contemporary outstanding talent."
Wang Shouzhe also smiled broadly and cupped his hands: "Shouzhe pays respects to Elder Huangfu. Your praise is too generous, too generous indeed. Shouzhe is still young and hopes to learn more from you, Elder."
The two Patriarchs supported each other’s hands, smiling and complimenting one another, displaying a sense of meeting too late.
The other families also came up to greet Huangfu Jinhuan, exchanging pleasantries. Everyone wore cheerful smiles, and the atmosphere was so harmonious.
Before long, the Patriarch of the Celestial Human Lei Family also arrived at the venue, naturally bringing another round of cordial greetings.
With the two major Celestial Human Families residing in the same city and without any marital alliances between them, if someone were to claim their relationship was truly harmonious, no one would believe it.
But such was the Black Tortoise Clan; unless a situation reached a breaking point, they would maintain a surface harmony in formal occasions.
Thus, two Seventh-Grade Celestial Human Families and eight Eighth-Grade Noble Families had already gathered together. This was quite rare in the history of the Changning Guard.
After waiting for a moment.
Another House General announced outside, "Lord City Guard has arrived."
As soon as the words fell, all the clan leaders halted their conversations, eyes serious with respect, turned toward the main entrance.
Outside the vermilion-painted gate, a middle-aged man in black armor was stepping over the threshold, accompanied by several Deputy Generals, striding towards them.
He had a typical military face, features upright, with a few short sideburns, walking with a straight back, steady steps, exuding a demeanor like that of a tiger coming down the mountain or a fierce beast exiting its cage, carrying an air of lethality throughout.
It was the fierce prestige only possessed by a battle-hardened general, which, even without intentionally exuding his aura, made people feel a sense of awe.
With his entrance, the entire main hall fell silent.
This was one of the three Celestial Humans of the Changning Guard—Xiahou Hongde.
He did not originate from any local powerful family, but was born into a Military Family, belonging to the Daqian Military System, following a development route completely different from local powerhouses like Wang Shouzhe.
As his eyes scanned the crowd, all the clan leaders slightly lowered their heads, their eyes showing a hint of awe.
Not only was he a strong Celestial Human Realm cultivator, but he also represented the national prestige of the Daqian Kingdom, guarding the entire Changning Guard.
In name, this person was the foremost individual in the Changning Guard.
However, unlike local powerful families, to avoid the guardian treating one place as their fiefdom, developing and managing it too autonomously, over time forming an unwieldy force, Lords from the Military System had a fixed tenure.
In towns like this Guardian City, the tenure is usually twenty to thirty years per term.
Xiahou Hongde, having served for over a decade, handled affairs justly, and being of upright character, had accumulated considerable prestige in the Changning Guard, earning genuine respect from the clan leaders.
Leaving aside trivial talk for the time being.
After exerting his aura, Xiahou Hongde then put on a hearty smile, warmly and kindly greeting each clan leader.
When it was Wang Shouzhe’s turn, his eyes paused, seeming somewhat unusual, and his smile was a bit more cordial than to the others: "Clan Leader Shouzhe, you’ve developed Ping’an Town extremely rapidly over these years; many common people wish to migrate there. If there is a chance, I shall definitely visit Ping’an Town to learn, and please do not hesitate to share your governance experience, Clan Leader Shouzhe."
"Lord City Guard overpraises." Wang Shouzhe replied respectfully with a smile, "It would be our fortune to have you visit Ping’an Town, and we would certainly welcome your guidance, which will surely elevate Ping’an Town to new heights."
The two continued with a few more polite exchanges, but Wang Shouzhe could sense that Xiahou Hongde had an implicit intention to draw him closer.
Apparently, this rarely appearing Lord City Guard was perceptive and had his own sources of intelligence. What happened in the Academy had likely reached his ears to some extent.
Then, Lord City Guard turned to other families, offering his warmth and showcasing his diplomatic charm.
...
Almost simultaneously.
Hundred Islands Harbor.
This harbor’s history is nearly as long as that of the Hundred Islands Guard itself. At the entrance of the pier, some places on the archway’s red paint have peeled off, the inscriptions on the plaque have started to fade, and the bluestone bricks on the port pier even show weathered marks.
However, to this day, it remains as bustling as ever.
Streams of people and carriages continue to pass beneath the archway, filling the port with the sounds of merchants haggling, buyers negotiating, and dockworkers shouting as they load ships, bustling and vibrant.
Tall sea vessels moored in the deep-water port, laden with cargo after cargo, and returning bounty from ocean forays. Occasionally, stinking fish and shrimp are picked out from the ships, tossed back into the sea.
Under the scorching sun and in the moist sea breeze, the entire pier was permeated with a salty, fishy aroma.
This was the scent of the sea.
In the southeastern corner of the dock, a large sea vessel was quietly moored at the deep-water port, flying a prominent flag at the mast, boldly marked with a waterproof-painted emblem.
Anyone knowledgeable would immediately recognize it as a large merchant ship belonging to the East Port Chen Family.
Wang Zongchang, a promising talent among the younger generation of the Wang Family, was directing two Household Generals and over ten household servants, loading the ship with precious herbs they had procured, along with some Spirit Treasure pearls from the sea, among other things.