Chapter 10
Zan Yunxiao stepped forward and knocked lightly on the courtyard door.
Knock. Knock.
A few moments later, the door slowly opened.
The instant the figure inside saw them, his eyes widened in surprise.
“Father? Mother?!”
Zan Tianming immediately revealed an overjoyed expression before hurriedly opening the gate wider.
“You actually came!”
Xueyun smiled warmly while Zan Wei instantly ran past him and entered the courtyard curiously, already inspecting everything around him like an explorer discovering a new world.
Meanwhile, Zan Tianming quickly composed himself before respectfully bowing toward his father.
“Father.”
Zan Yunxiao looked at his eldest son quietly for a moment before reaching out and patting his shoulder.
A faint pride could be seen within his calm eyes.
Tianming had truly matured.
His once youthful appearance now carried traces of confidence and discipline, while his temperament resembled that of a proper scholar-official.
Xueyun, however, looked at him with completely different eyes.
To her.
No matter how grown up Tianming became, he still looked like the little boy who once ran through the rice fields of Solhaven.
“My son…” she said softly while holding his hands. “You’ve become thinner.”
Zan Tianming laughed helplessly.
“Mother, I’m fine.”
Soon, the family entered the residence together.
Although the house was modest, the atmosphere inside felt warm and peaceful. Tea was quickly prepared, and before long, the family gathered within the small courtyard while chatting endlessly after years apart.
Zan Tianming spoke about his life within the capital, his studies, and the imperial examinations themselves.
“To be honest,” he admitted with a smile, “the examination questions were easier than I expected.”
He looked toward Zan Yunxiao respectfully.
“Thanks to Father’s teachings.”
After all, compared to the knowledge and methods Zan Yunxiao brought from his previous world, the empire’s examinations truly felt simplistic.
Hearing this, Xueyun immediately smiled proudly.
“As expected of my son.”
She then excitedly began telling Tianming about Solhaven Village, the villagers’ reactions after hearing he had taken first place, how proud everyone was, and how the entire village celebrated his achievement.
“They all keep saying you’re the pride of Solhaven,” Xueyun said happily. “You’re the first person from our village to ever pass the imperial examination.”
Zan Tianming became slightly embarrassed hearing this.
Meanwhile, little Zan Wei wandered around the residence nonstop, touching random decorations and occasionally asking how much everything cost.
Zan Yunxiao silently watched him and sighed inwardly again.
This child is hopelessly obsessed with money…
Time gradually passed as the family continued chatting together until nightfall arrived.
At some point, Xueyun suddenly suggested excitedly:
“Tomorrow, we should all explore the capital together.”
Hearing this, Zan Wei instantly became energetic.
“Yes! Let’s go!”
However, Zan Tianming hesitated slightly before apologizing.
“…I’m afraid I can’t.”
Everyone looked toward him.
He smiled helplessly.
“I already began official duties recently. There’s a lot of work, and the government office has been especially busy lately.”
Although disappointment briefly appeared on Xueyun’s face, she quickly understood.
“You’ve grown busy already…”
Tianming scratched his head awkwardly.
“I’ll make time next time, Mother.”
Xueyun smiled gently and nodded.
“It’s alright.”
Eventually, the family retired for the night.
After traveling for an entire week, even Zan Wei finally lost all his energy and fell asleep almost immediately after reaching bed.
The residence gradually became quiet beneath the moonlight.
And tomorrow.
Zan Yunxiao, Xueyun, and Zan Wei would finally explore the imperial capital together.
The next morning, sunlight gradually illuminated the imperial capital as the streets slowly became lively once more.
Before dawn had fully passed, Zan Tianming had already changed into his official robes and departed for his duties. As a newly appointed government official, his schedule was far busier than before, leaving him little time to accompany his family.
Even so, before leaving, he still respectfully greeted his parents first.
“Father, Mother, I’ll return tonight.”
Xueyun smiled gently.
“Don’t overwork yourself.”
Zan Tianming nodded before leaving the residence, disappearing into the bustling morning streets of the capital.
Not long afterward, Xueyun herself became excited again.
“Husband,” she said while adjusting her clothes, “since we finally came to the capital, we should go sightseeing.”
Beside her, Zan Wei immediately raised both hands enthusiastically.
“Yes! I want to see everything!”
Seeing the excitement of his wife and youngest son, Zan Yunxiao could only smile faintly before nodding.
“Alright.”
Soon, the family boarded the carriage once more.
Outside, the coachman respectfully waited for instructions.
“Lord,” he asked, “where shall we go?”
Zan Yunxiao leaned slightly against the carriage seat before answering calmly.
“To the plaza.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
With a light pull of the reins, the carriage began moving through the streets of the imperial capital.
Morning activity filled every corner of the city.
Merchants loudly advertised their goods, restaurants released delicious aromas into the streets, and countless citizens moved about in endless streams beneath the towering buildings of the capital.
Zan Wei remained glued to the carriage window the entire time, his eyes sparkling nonstop.
“So many people…”
“So many stores…”
“Dad, can we buy things later?”
Xueyun laughed softly while Zan Yunxiao replied helplessly:
“We just arrived and you’re already thinking about spending money?”
“What's wrong with that?”
Zan Yunxiao just sigh helplessly.
Soon, the carriage continued deeper into the capital.
Toward the grand central plaza of the empire.
After arriving at the central plaza, the Zan Family finally stepped out of the carriage.
The plaza was far livelier than the streets they had passed earlier. Countless stalls lined the roads while performers, merchants, and wandering storytellers gathered beneath the heart of the imperial capital.
The atmosphere was bustling and vibrant.
Xueyun and Zan Wei quickly became interested in the various foods sold throughout the plaza, dragging Zan Yunxiao from one stall to another.
“Husband, try this.”
“Dad, this one smells good!”
For a while, the three wandered together peacefully, tasting various snacks and observing the lively capital scenery.
Zan Yunxiao’s gaze suddenly landed on a large building not far away.
An auction house.
Its entrance was grand and luxurious, with noble carriages parked outside while wealthy guests continuously entered and exited beneath the watch of guards.
A faint interest surfaced within Zan Yunxiao’s eyes.
Since arriving in this world, he had never visited a true auction house before. Perhaps there might even be something related to cultivation inside.
However, when he glanced toward Xueyun and Zan Wei beside him, he hesitated slightly.
Xueyun quickly noticed his expression.
She smiled gently.
“Husband,” she said softly, “if you want to go, then go.”
Zan Yunxiao looked at her.
“But—”
Xueyun lightly shook her head before smiling confidently.
“Don’t worry about me,” she said. “I’m also a cultivator now, remember?”
Hearing this, Zan Yunxiao could not help but smile faintly.
Then, without caring about the people around them, he leaned closer and lightly kissed Xueyun’s forehead.
“I’ll return soon.”
Xueyun’s cheeks instantly reddened slightly.
Meanwhile, little Zan Wei covered his eyes dramatically.
“I didn’t see anything!”
Zan Yunxiao laughed before turning and walking toward the auction house.
The moment he entered, a servant immediately stepped forward respectfully.
“Entry fee: one hundred gold coins.”
Without hesitation, Zan Yunxiao casually paid the amount and entered the auction hall.
Soon, the bidding began.
One item after another was presented before the crowd.
Ancient paintings.
Decorative antiques.
Rare jewels.
Famous swords.
Yet after observing for nearly an hour, Zan Yunxiao gradually lost interest.
Everything sold there was ultimately mortal.
There were no spirit herbs.
No cultivation manuals.
Not even medicinal pills.
To a cultivator like him, the entire auction felt rather disappointing.
Eventually, after the auction concluded, Zan Yunxiao prepared to leave.
However, just as he stepped outside the hall.
A young woman suddenly approached him.
She wore luxurious robes and carried herself with obvious noble upbringing. The moment her eyes landed on Zan Yunxiao’s face, fascination immediately appeared within them.
“Young Master,” she said with a charming smile, “would you accompany me for dinner?”
Zan Yunxiao calmly replied:
“No.”
The woman blinked slightly, clearly not expecting immediate rejection.
“I already have a wife and children,” Zan Yunxiao added before continuing toward the exit.
Yet the young woman refused to give up.
“I don’t mind,” she said quickly while following him. “A man like you having multiple wives is normal.”
Zan Yunxiao stopped briefly.
Then he looked at her calmly.
“But I mind.”
With that, he turned again and prepared to leave.
Unfortunately, several bodyguards suddenly stepped forward and blocked his path.
The young woman’s expression darkened slightly.
“How dare you ignore me?” she demanded arrogantly. “Do you even know who I am?”
The next moment, she revealed a noble token from her waist.
Gasps immediately sounded from nearby onlookers.
“That token…”
“She’s from the Jin Family…”
“The daughter of the general…”
The atmosphere instantly changed.
However, Zan Yunxiao merely glanced at it indifferently.
Then, as though mildly annoyed, he casually took out his own token as well.
At first, he assumed it was merely an ordinary noble title.
But the instant the token became fully visible.
The entire hall fell silent.
The expressions of the surrounding guests changed drastically.
Even the young woman froze completely.
Because unlike ordinary noble tokens.
The token Zan Yunxiao held carried direct imperial recognition.
Years ago, during the empire’s desperate war, the sudden arrival of overwhelming food supplies had completely reversed the battlefield situation. Starving soldiers regained morale, the collapsing frontlines stabilized, and the invaders were ultimately repelled.
The emperor himself had personally issued this token to honor the one responsible.
Compared to military nobles commanding thousands of soldiers.
This token held even greater prestige.
The young woman’s face instantly turned pale.
Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao simply put the token away and walked past everyone calmly.
No one dared stop him again.
Only after he completely exited the auction house did the frozen atmosphere slowly recover.
Outside, Zan Yunxiao quietly walked through the streets while sighing inwardly.
“What unnecessary trouble…”
But suddenly.
A familiar mechanical voice echoed within his mind.
[Ding!]
[Mission Issued!]
[Option 1: Marry the young lady of the Jin Family
Reward: 50 Years of Cultivation
Option 2: Make the Gambling Den Pavilion go bankrupt
Reward: Heaven Moonveil Sword]
Zan Yunxiao immediately frowned.
“…What kind of mission is this?”
Without hesitation, he chose the second option.
“Option 2.”
The system instantly responded.
[Ding!]
[Host has selected Option 2.]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host for completing the mission.]
[Reward Distributed: Heaven Moonveil Sword.]
A beautiful silver sword instantly appeared within his system space.
Moon-like patterns flowed faintly along its blade while cold spiritual energy quietly radiated from it.
Yet Zan Yunxiao himself only stood there in confusion.
“…What in the heavens is this supposed to mean?”
Why was the mission instantly completed?
And more importantly.
When exactly did the Gambling Den Pavilion go bankrupt?!