Chess Pieces

"I naturally trust Mayor Gao."

Yang Lingqing mused, "Only after decades of bitter struggle has the Yang family achieved its current modest rise. I cannot help but be exceedingly cautious, lest we entangle ourselves in troublesome matters and see our family's foundation destroyed overnight."

She understood the implications behind Gao Hui's words perfectly.

This matter was part of the Wangchao's overall layout for its territories-the inevitable course of the great momentum.

Though the Yang family was small, their performance during the Sanglu Valley incident had earned the approval of He Shenglai.

After he reported the matter upward, the He Family likely realized this minor clan possessed some utility. Consequently, they were willing to offer support within the framework of the Wangchao's overall layout, providing aid for the Yang family's development.

Of course, such benefits did not come without a price. Once the layout was complete and the true game began, the Yang family would have to play its designated part.

"Mayor Gao, I only wish to confirm one thing," Yang Lingqing asked. "If we ride this great momentum, can my Yang family be considered a piece upon the chessboard?"

She asked very directly. Hearing this, Gao Hui's expression turned serious.

"Indeed! Lord He thinks very highly of Lingrui. He believes the Yang family can be cultivated as a long-term prospect, and may even serve as a clever hidden move in this game!"

Hearing these words, clarity dawned in Yang Lingqing's heart. "Very well. Since Mayor Gao vouches for us, and we are honored by Lord He's high regard, my Yang family shall accept this reward."

Even knowing they were meant to be used, Yang Lingqing still agreed.

After all, the current Yang family possessed absolutely no capital to negotiate terms with either the Wangchao or the He Family.

Without sufficient strength, wanting to remain aloof from this great momentum was a fool's dream, an unrealistic fantasy.

To be a chess piece was far better than being expendable material, casually sacrificed and ground away.

Given the Yang family's current strength, had they not earned He Shenglai's recognition, they wouldn't even possess the qualifications to step onto this chessboard as a piece.

With the Li family's ruin serving as a warning from the past, Yang Lingqing naturally did not want her family to tread that same path.

Yet, rice must be eaten bite by bite, and the path must be walked step by step.

An insignificant shrimp in a small bowl could not leap overnight to become a figure seated at the chessboard.

To advance from a choice piece of meat on the dining table to a valuable chess piece on the board was already a tremendous stride forward. They could not afford to be impatient; they needed to proceed slowly to achieve success.

Moreover, from a perspective of pure benefit, becoming a piece in the Wangchao's layout yielded far more advantages than drawbacks for the current Yang family.

Take these cultivation resources, for instance. To the developing Yang family, they represented a massive fortune, but to the entire Wangchao and the He Family, they were likely not even a single hair from nine oxen.

In the future, as long as the Yang family performed their duties for the Wangchao, such rewards would surely never cease.

Yang Lingqing accepted the Storage Bag. After a brief moment of deliberation, she asked, "Mayor Gao, if we are to follow this grand momentum, what exactly does Lord He expect of my Yang family?"

"For the time being, there are three matters."

Gao Hui did not beat around the bush, conveying He Shenglai's assignments directly: "First, establish a branch family in Sanglu Valley to solidify the Yang family's standing and influence among the three towns. If possible, it would be best to integrate the other independent clans in the surrounding area;"

"Second is Yang Lingrui's cultivation realm. That premium Marrow-Washing Pill, as well as the Heaven-Blessing Talisman capable of increasing breakthrough probability, were both personally prepared for him by Lord He. He must reach the late Qi Gathering stage within ten years;"

"As for the final matter, regarding your family..."

Gao Hui hesitated slightly before asking, "Patriarch Yang, did Lingrui meet with anyone from the Su Family during the Golden Scale Dharma Assembly?"

"That did happen. He met Su Lingyun, who interrogated Lingrui, claiming that our family's talisman inheritance complements theirs and might allow their talisman arts to advance. He then demanded to purchase one hundred Divine Movement Talismans from us to take back for research," Yang Lingqing replied.

Since Gao Hui had raised the subject, it meant the Wangchao had already caught wind of this intelligence. There was no longer any need for concealment.

"It really happened! Sigh... it was my negligence that allowed Lingrui to suffer such a grievance."

Gao Hui shook his head and sighed. "Su Lingyun is notoriously fickle, and with his family backing him, he acts with absolute impunity. No matter who falls into his hands, he always inflicts a bout of torment before letting them go."

"He likely took note of Lingrui's extraordinary talent and used that transaction as a bargaining chip to draw your family to his side."

Neither the Wangchao nor Gao Hui knew the precise details of what had transpired that day at the assembly. Consequently, they assumed the Su Family also wished to invest in the Yang family early.

This was precisely the situation of mutual misunderstanding the Yang family had hoped to manufacture.

When He Shenglai had first reported his assessment upward, the He Family had initially looked down on the Yang family.

For such a tiny clan, their scale was negligible, and they could not produce even a single late Qi Gathering cultivator. Their strength was simply too feeble.

However, when they subsequently received word from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion that Yang Lingrui had interacted with the Su Family, the He Family's stance wavered.

Backed by the primary Canglan lineage, the Su Family held an exalted status within the Wangchao and possessed exceedingly high standards. Ordinary forces could never catch their eye.

That the Yang family could draw the Su Family's notice and even secure an audience meant they were bound to have something extraordinary about them.

It was precisely due to this consideration that the He Family made subtle adjustments to the layout they submitted to the Wangchao, factoring the Yang family in as a minor piece.

"Sigh... Mayor Gao can likely sympathize. Our Yang family may seem to be thriving here, but in the end, it is merely small-scale maneuvering. When confronted by true aristocratic lineages like the Su Family and He Family, we simply have no control over our own fate."

Yang Lingqing let out a soft sigh, her face bearing an expression of profound helplessness. She then pressed on, "Mayor Gao, what exactly is this third matter?"

Gao Hui replied, "It is actually quite simple. Your family merely needs to state a position. You may maintain commercial relations with the Su Family, but Lord He does not wish for you to grow too close to them."

Hearing this, Yang Lingqing immediately assumed a troubled countenance, her eyes brimming with heavy anxiety.

Seeing her reaction, Gao Hui offered words of reassurance. "Patriarch Yang need not worry about being caught in the middle. This layout is of paramount importance. With the Wangchao serving as the Yang family's backing, the Su Family will not raise any objections given their position."

"Very well. In that case, please convey to Lord He that my family can agree to all three matters," Yang Lingqing said.

At the exact moment Gao Hui was visiting the Yang family, a letter was delivered to Jingyun Peak.

Pei Xuejian retrieved a jade slip from beneath a spirit crane's wing, turning to carry it into a mountain pavilion.

In the center of the pavilion lay that same well. Su Lingyun sat beside it fishing, while the cultivator surnamed Qin dozed off at his side.

On the opposite side of the room, a cute little girl who resembled a porcelain doll was holding a horse stance, her hands extended horizontally as she balanced two massive stones.

"Old Qin, did you actually put any fish in there?"

"Ah, most definitely!"

"Sigh... it seems I won't catch anything again today. What a waste of this little sister of mine. She is so incredibly endearing to look at, what a true pity."

Just then, Pei Xuejian stepped inside.

"Young Master, the Wangchao's letter has arrived."

"Mm, let me see."

Su Lingyun propped up his fishing rod, walking over to examine the jade slip.

Three quarters of an hour later, something caught his eye. He abruptly shook Old Qin awake, speaking with a triumphant, self-satisfied smirk.

"Look at that, what did I tell you? I guessed correctly, didn't I? It really is the He Family!"

Old Qin took the jade slip, glanced over it, and pursed his lips. "So it is the He Family. That makes no surprise. Only those people from the Wangchao love tampering with a cultivator's Sea of Consciousness so much."

"What do you know? That is precisely how you keep people under your thumb. Do you truly believe everyone is as kind-hearted as my Su Family?"

Su Lingyun flicked his sleeves, strolling to the window to stretch as he gazed out at the distant sea of clouds.

"Ah-sigh. Excellent, excellent. Finally, everyone is making their moves. These past few years of resting and doing nothing but fishing have been boring me to death."

"I wonder how many rare treasures, hidden heritages, and blessed grotto-heavens will be revealed during this Tiger Hunt. It truly fills one with anticipation!"

"Thud."

A sharp noise rang out from nearby. Su Lingyun looked back to find that the little girl had collapsed from exhaustion, the heavy stones crashing to the floor.

Her eyes were filled with absolute terror as she scrambled to her feet, desperate to lift the stones once more.

Yet her movements froze halfway; her eyes went completely blank, and she keeled over onto the ground, entirely motionless.

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