Chapter 128: Chapter 125: Marriage Alliance, Golden Cauldron Lotus Garden
Golden Cauldron City was one of the foremost cities in the entire Jiangnan Region.
The city was far larger and more populous than Luoyang City, and its number of powerhouses vastly exceeded it as well.
The two most famous families in Luoyang City were the Wang Family and the Liu Family. While renowned in their home city, they were considered ordinary First-Class Noble Houses when compared to the whole of the Jiangnan Region.
But Golden Cauldron City was different.
This thriving city had two exceptionally famous families. One was the Li Family, a Top-Level First-Class Noble House with Innate List Powerhouses among its members.
The other was the Huangfu Family, a clan of such prestige that it was called a distinguished family.
Throughout the entire Jiangnan Region, such distinguished clans could be counted on one hand. The Huangfu Family was, for all intents and purposes, the "Earth Emperor" of Golden Cauldron City, a cut above even the Li Family.
’This place is certainly more prosperous than Luoyang City.’
As soon as Ning Jiang entered Golden Cauldron City, he could sense the auras of numerous Innate Realm Martial Artists on the streets.
The streets here were broader and grander, paved with uniform bluestone tiles. Countless luxurious and imposing halls lined both sides.
Martial Artists bustled to and fro, weaving in and out of the various shops.
The overall foot traffic in Golden Cauldron City was more than three times that of Luoyang City.
’I wonder what the Li Family is planning, dragging Sister An back here.’
Ever since Li Qingyun had broken with the Li Family over a decade ago, they had never once come to see her. Even knowing that a descendant of their bloodline, Ning Yu’an, was in Baiquan Town, the Li Family had never acknowledged her existence.
In the eyes of the Li Family, for Li Qingyun—a member of their magnificent, Top-Level First-Class Noble House—to marry down to Ning Changfeng from a third-rate minor family was a disgrace. It was a stain on the Li Family’s honor.
Great families like these placed immense importance on "a match between families of equal standing." For a marriage between unequal houses, unless one was a prodigy of such stunning talent that they could overwhelm all objections, it was absolutely impossible to receive the family’s blessing.
The Li Family had vehemently opposed Li Qingyun and Ning Changfeng’s union back then. They had even sent representatives to the Ning Family estate to pressure Ning Changfeng into backing down.
In the end, it was Li Qingyun’s firm resolve, threatening to take her own life, that thoroughly enraged the Li Family. They disowned her on the spot, and for over a decade, the two sides had no contact whatsoever.
The stalemate was finally broken when Ning Jiang was afflicted with the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, forcing Ning Changfeng and his wife to go to the Li Family in Golden Cauldron City and beg for help.
Both of them were stubborn and strong-willed. If not for Ning Jiang, they would never have lowered their heads to the Li Family. Who could have imagined they would go and never return?
’Li Family, you’d better not have made a fatal mistake. Otherwise, no one will be able to save you.’
Suppressing the killing intent in his heart, Ning Jiang found a random young man and asked for the Li Family’s address in Golden Cauldron City.
Given the Li Family’s reputation in Golden Cauldron City, countless people were bound to know where it was.
"The Li Family? That’s easy enough."
After receiving one thousand Primordial Stones from Ning Jiang, the young man marveled at his generosity and began to share everything he knew.
"The Li Family estate is in the southern part of the city. It’s built against a mountain, so it’s pretty easy to find."
The young man’s tone shifted. "However, if you’re trying to find someone at the Li Family estate, you’ll probably come up empty-handed tonight."
"Oh? Why is that?" Ning Jiang asked.
"Heh, you must be from out of town, so you haven’t heard about the gathering tonight. The Huangfu Family is holding a celebratory banquet. You know of Huangfu Xiao? He’s the Huangfu Family’s number one genius, ranked first on the Famous Family List. Just a short while ago, he broke through to the Innate Limit."
The young man’s voice was filled with admiration as he spoke.
Once someone of the younger generation reached the Innate Limit, it meant they were qualified to earn the title of "Young Master." This Huangfu Xiao was hot on the heels of the current Nine Great Young Masters.
"Huangfu Xiao breaking through to the Innate Limit is a huge deal, so the Huangfu Family organized a grand event and invited all the major upper-class families in Golden Cauldron City. I’m sure the Li Family was invited as well."
The young man continued, "Besides, I’ve heard that the Li and Huangfu Families are planning a marriage alliance. If the two great families join forces, it’ll be a union of giants. Their combined power would be so great that few factions in the entire Jiangnan Region could compete with them."
He wasn’t wrong. A breakthrough to the Innate Limit was always a momentous event. After all, someone at the Innate Limit could establish their own First-Class Noble House and enjoy boundless wealth and glory.
This was especially true for a member of the younger generation like Huangfu Xiao, whose potential was enormous. It was only natural for the Huangfu Family to throw a massive celebration and invite all of Golden Cauldron City’s elite the moment he broke through.
"A marriage alliance?" A flicker of emotion crossed Ning Jiang’s eyes.
"That’s right. The marriage alliance between the two great families is common knowledge in Golden Cauldron City; it’s just too big a deal to keep quiet. One half of the marriage is tonight’s star, Huangfu Xiao. The strange part is, the one marrying him isn’t the Li Family’s top genius, Li Shiyu, but some woman from out of town. I heard she’s from a branch of the Li Family’s bloodline that was left outside."
The young man knew quite a bit and spilled it all. "Tsk, tsk. I hear the woman is a peerless beauty, every bit as stunning as Li Shiyu. I’m really curious to see what she’s like."
’Could it be Sister An?’
Hearing this, Ning Jiang’s gaze turned frigid. His eyes were like sharp blades, glinting with a cold, hard light.
"Do you know where this gathering is tonight? Take me there."
"Of course I know where it is. It’s at the Golden Cauldron Lotus Garden, the most famous place in Golden Cauldron City. But only people with invitations can get in. Without one, you can only watch from the outside."
"Take me there," Ning Jiang said, his tone firm.
"Alright."
The young man nodded. Even if they couldn’t get in, it would still be nice to look at the lotus blossoms from the outside.
The Golden Cauldron Lotus Garden was arguably the most famous landmark in Golden Cauldron City.
This Lotus Garden was nestled within a ring of mountains. Viewed from high above, the mountain range resembled the mouth of a cauldron; it was said that Golden Cauldron City itself was named after this very range.
The Lotus Garden, encircled by mountains, had long been renowned. Every year in the seventh month, its lotus flowers would burst into bloom, a dazzling and graceful display of competing beauty.
The lotuses of the seventh month bloom a special shade of red.
It was now the seventh month, the perfect time to admire the lotus blossoms.
As they walked, the young man continued to chatter on, telling Ning Jiang all about Golden Cauldron City.
"You know, among the younger generation in Golden Cauldron City, the most famous one isn’t actually Huangfu Xiao, but Li Shiyu of the Li Family. She’s widely acknowledged as the number one beauty in the city and is incredibly popular. On top of that, she’s ranked third on the Famous Family List. With her astonishing talent, she’s certain to reach the Innate Limit within a few years."
The young man’s eyes lit up as he spoke of Li Shiyu, a clear sign of his secret admiration for her.
Ning Jiang, however, wasn’t particularly interested. In his past life, he had seen countless peerless beauties—Goddesses of Great Sects, Saintesses of Holy Lands, Princesses of Ancient Countries, even Venerable Ladies. Each one possessed world-toppling grace and devastating beauty. He naturally wouldn’t give someone like Li Shiyu a second glance.
’The most beautiful woman is, in the end, just withered bones.’
Of course, he had to admit that within Cyan Cloud Country, Li Shiyu was indeed an extraordinary talent.
To be ranked third on the Famous Family List was an achievement that brought her great fame throughout Cyan Cloud Country, second only to the Nine Great Young Masters.
Based on her current talent, she was certain to break through to the Innate Limit in the future, at which point her status would rise to an even higher level.
’With Li Shiyu’s fame, she should be the one marrying into the Huangfu Family. Why would it be otherwise?’ Ning Jiang’s eyes were cold. He knew something wasn’t right.
From the young man, Ning Jiang also learned of another Li Family genius, Li Chunfeng, who was ranked seventh on the Famous Family List, a step below Li Shiyu.
"We’ve arrived at the Golden Cauldron Lotus Garden."
An hour later, the two arrived at their destination.
After passing through a valley, a vast estate enclosed by mountains appeared before them.
The estate was filled with pavilions and grand halls, but the most eye-catching feature was the enormous lotus pond at its center.
The lotuses were in full bloom, creating a pleasant and beautiful scene. The entire place looked like a paradise on earth, utterly magnificent.
Anyone who beheld such a scene would surely marvel at its beauty.
At this moment, a steady stream of people was entering the Lotus Garden. Every person granted entry exuded the aura of the Innate Realm.
Among them, Ning Jiang saw many members of the younger generation.
For the younger generation, reaching the Innate Realm was the mark of a genius. Figures like the Luoyang Ten Heroes were idols for countless youths in Luoyang City to strive toward.
Here in Golden Cauldron City, however, it was said there were over fifty young Innate Realm experts, a number that far surpassed Luoyang City.
"This is as far as I can take you. You can’t get in without an invitation," the young man said.
Ning Jiang nodded. As if he cared about an invitation. With his power, was there anywhere in Cyan Cloud Country he couldn’t go?
"Excuse me, Young Master, do you have an invitation?"
Just as Ning Jiang approached the Lotus Garden and started to walk in, one of the Martial Artists standing guard stopped him.
"No," Ning Jiang said flatly.
"If you don’t have an invitation, you may not enter. Please leave."
The Guard’s tone was brusque, his attitude lukewarm.
Everyone of high standing in Golden Cauldron City had received an invitation. Since Ning Jiang didn’t have one, it meant he was just a commoner, so the Guard saw no need to be polite.
"Hm?"
Ning Jiang frowned. He was in a hurry to find Ning Yu’an. Anyone who dared to stop him now was courting death.
Still, this Guard was only following orders. There was no need to squabble with him.
With this in mind, Ning Jiang’s body shifted. He was about to simply leap into the air and fly directly into the Lotus Garden.
But just then, the young man who had accompanied him exclaimed in surprise, "The Li Family is here!"
Ning Jiang paused and looked over.
He saw a group of six people. The leader was a beautiful woman of about twenty-five, and the others seemed to defer to her.
"That woman is Li Xiuxiang, another genius from the Li Family who has reached the Innate Realm. It’s a shame that in this generation, Li Shiyu’s brilliance is so dazzling that it overshadows everyone else."
The young man next to Ning Jiang explained.
A large family like the Li Family was divided into several branches. Li Shiyu, Li Chunfeng, and this Li Xiuxiang all had different fathers.
"Who are you?"
Li Xiuxiang and her group frowned, looking with displeasure at Ning Jiang, who had suddenly appeared in their path.
