Chapter 475 - 209: Nouveau Riche
Chen Qing followed Shen Liang into the Shen Family’s estate, and an imposing, grand aura washed over him.
The courtyard was not ostentatiously extravagant, yet every detail exuded a sense of profound history and heritage.
The bluestone paths were polished to a mirror sheen. Ancient trees towered on both sides, and pavilions and halls were scattered in a picturesque arrangement. Winding corridors twisted and turned, their eaves soaring high like pecking beaks.
The servants and guards moving about all walked with steady steps, their auras sharp and capable.
Chen Qing mused to himself, ’The Shen Family may be "new money" that has only risen rapidly in the last few decades, a far cry from the thousand-year-old Noble Families, but judging by this atmosphere, their Momentum is already established. The only thing they lack is the patina of time.’
As he was contemplating this, two young masters in magnificent brocade robes approached from around a bend in the corridor ahead. Both were in their early twenties and bore a slight resemblance to each other, their expressions marked by the distinct haughtiness of Noble Family scions.
Seeing them, Shen Liang quickly stopped and bowed. "Greetings, Sixth Young Master, Eighth Young Master."
The two young men gave a slight nod, their gazes casually sweeping over Chen Qing, who stood behind Shen Liang, a questioning look in their eyes.
Shen Liang quickly stepped aside to make the introduction. "Young Masters, this is Young Hero Chen Qing of the Wutai Sect, a newly accepted disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s Xu Wang Mountain. He has come to pay his respects to the Third Elder on his sect’s orders."
Chen Qing, neither servile nor overbearing, cupped his fist. "Chen Qing greets you, Young Masters."
The Sixth and Eighth Young Masters merely gave a faint nod without saying much, their eyes showing little interest.
Shen Liang cleared his throat. "Young Masters, the Third Elder is still waiting. We will take our leave first."
After speaking, he led Chen Qing around them and continued on their way.
Before they had gone far, the faint sounds of the two’s discussion drifted over.
"Yunlin Prefecture? I hear that place is rather remote... The Wutai Sect? Never heard of it..."
"I think I heard Third Uncle mention them. They had some old ties with our Shen Family from way back. If our family hadn’t intervened back then, the Wutai Sect would have probably been wiped out by the Chaoyang Sect long ago."
"A selection from Xu Wang Mountain... he doesn’t even count as a ’True Successor Candidate.’ He’s a far cry from Third Brother-in-law. Third Brother-in-law is the seventh-ranked True Disciple! Every time he comes, doesn’t he go straight to the Immortal Welcoming Pavilion, personally attended to by Father and our uncles?"
When they mentioned their third brother-in-law, their tones clearly became fervent and reverent.
"I guess he’s just another freeloader..."
Shen Liang said apologetically to Chen Qing, "Young Hero Chen, please don’t take offense. The younger generation of the family is poorly disciplined and speaks rudely. I hope you can be magnanimous."
Chen Qing’s expression was placid as he said lightly, "It’s nothing."
’It’s as clear as day to me,’ he thought. ’The Shen Family is at the height of its power. With such a large family and enterprise, it’s not surprising that not everyone remembers old favors.’
’Now that they are connected by marriage to an Upper Sect True Disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, they have latched onto a higher branch. It is only normal that some of the younger generation in the family have their noses in the air and look down on a disciple like me, selected from a mere Prefecture City.’
Shen Liang led Chen Qing to a side hall named "Tingzhu Pavilion."
Compared to the Immortal Welcoming Pavilion, the main hall for receiving honored guests, this place was clearly a tier lower in terms of treatment. However, it was arranged with considerable elegance and tranquility.
Outside the window, a grove of slender bamboo rustled in the gentle breeze.
A faint Soothing Incense burned within the hall. The tables, chairs, and other furniture were all crafted from high-quality Spirit Wood, their carvings intricate.
A serving girl silently presented fragrant tea and a few exquisite pastries, then bowed her head and retreated to stand watch by the side.
Before long, footsteps sounded, and an old man strode in.
He wore a navy-blue brocade robe, and the aura around him was harmonious and restrained. He was, surprisingly, a master whose Cultivation was unfathomably deep—clearly, this was the Shen Family’s Third Elder, Shen Qianshan.
At Shen Qianshan’s side were two young women.
The one on the left, about twenty years old, wore a goose-yellow dress. She was tall and slender, with skin fairer than snow. Her eyes held a spark of liveliness and playfulness, and her glances were radiant as she smilingly sized up Chen Qing.
The one on the right appeared slightly younger, around eighteen or nineteen. She was dressed in an aquamarine gown. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, and her wondrous eyes were as clear as water. She stood quietly to the side.
Chen Qing took a step forward, clasped his fist in a salute, and said, neither servile nor overbearing, "Junior Chen Qing pays his respects to Elder Shen."
Shen Qianshan chuckled. "Nephew Chen, there’s no need for such formalities."
His gaze swept over Chen Qing with a look of approval. "Truly, heroes emerge from the young. Brother Yu Zhou’s Wutai Sect has produced a remarkable talent."
He then gestured to the two young women beside him and introduced them. "These are my family’s two good-for-nothing girls, Xiaoba, Shen Xinwen, and Xiaojiu, Shen Xinyue. They heard a talented young man was visiting and insisted on coming along to see for themselves."
Chen Qing had heard a little about this before his arrival. The main line of the Shen Family had nine daughters, all with impressive Cultivation and renowned for both their talent and beauty. In Celestial Treasure City, they were known by the beautiful moniker "Celestial Fragrance Nine Phoenixes." The first six had all married into powerful and noble families, and the third daughter, in particular, had married a True Disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, bringing the family the greatest prestige.
The ones still unmarried were the seventh, eighth, and ninth.
Hearing this, Shen Xinwen let out a giggle, her voice as pleasant as silver bells. "Brother Chen, a pleasure to meet you!"
But the Ninth Miss, Shen Xinyue, had a slightly cold expression. She gave a slight nod as her only reply, her attitude distant.
Chen Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he cupped his fist toward the two women again. "Greetings, Eighth Miss, Ninth Miss."
After the pleasantries, he took a letter from Sect Leader He Yuzhou out from his robes and presented it with both hands. "Elder Shen, this is a personal letter from my Sect Leader. He instructed this junior to deliver it into your hands personally."
Shen Qianshan took the letter, unfolded it, and quickly scanned its contents. The smile on his face did not falter as he said, "I have received the letter. Thank you for your trouble, Nephew Chen, for traveling such a great distance to deliver it."
"It is my duty, as a junior," Chen Qing replied.
Shen Qianshan put the letter away and asked with a smile, "Nephew Chen, you’ve just arrived in Celestial Treasure City. Have you had a chance to walk around and take in the sights?"
Chen Qing said, "I’ve only just settled in recently and haven’t had the leisure to explore."
Hearing this, the Eighth Miss, Shen Xinwen, let out a soft laugh and spoke up. "The prosperity and splendor of Celestial Treasure City are far beyond what a Prefecture City can compare to. If Brother Chen is interested, I could be your guide when I have some free time."