Chapter 436: Chapter 336: I'd Rather Do Nothing

“Young Master Liang?”

The vermilion gates swung open, and Jiang Yun’er’s face lit up with surprise as she gazed at Xu Sanyan. She hadn’t expected to see him at her doorstep, and her heart fluttered with delight.

“Miss Jiang, where are you headed?” Xu Sanyan asked casually, his eyes taking in her elaborate attire.

Jiang Yun’er had been planning to attend a gathering, but all thoughts of that vanished. “Nowhere,” she replied hastily. “I just came out for some fresh air. Please, Young Master Liang, come inside.”

As she warmly invited him in, Jiang Yun’er suddenly noticed the figure beside Xu Sanyan. She quickly curtsied. “Greetings, Commander He.”

“No need for such formalities, Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Yun’er led them into the mansion and personally served tea, her movements graceful and dignified—a stark contrast to Qin Shutong’s wild behavior. It was truly a sight to behold.

Xu Sanyan raised his teacup, inhaling the fragrant aroma. For a moment, he couldn’t distinguish whether the scent came from the tea or from Jiang Yun’er herself.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yun’er seemed to be pouring an endless stream of tea, lingering before Xu Sanyan. Their eyes met, as if each could see into the other’s heart.

Commander He shook his head inwardly. As an experienced observer, he could immediately sense Jiang Yun’er’s growing affection for “Liang Yongzhuo.” But what about Qin Shutong?

The heroic rescue of Qin Shutong yesterday, witnessed by all, had already bound the two together. If Brother Liang were to abandon Shutong and marry Jiang Yun’er instead, how would Associate Magistrate Qin save face?

Yet today, they needed Prefect Jiang’s assistance, making it difficult to rebuff Yun’er outright.

While it was normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines, the problem lay in the extraordinary status of both women. Neither would ever accept a subordinate position, leaving Brother Liang with no choice but to choose one.

Commander He found the situation deeply troubling, wondering how Brother Liang would resolve this dilemma.

“Heh, no wonder the magpies have been chattering on the branches all day. It seems my virtuous nephew has come with Master He.”

Xu Sanyan secretly rolled his eyes. These Qianzhou City magpies are truly talkative, always chattering away.

Despite his inner grumbling, he rose and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Prefect Jiang.”

“Heh, no need for such formality. Please, sit. Yun’er, go fetch Long’er. He should spend more time with talented young men like my virtuous nephew. Burying himself in cultivation all day isn’t good for him.”

“Yes, Father.”

Jiang Yun’er stole a glance at Xu Sanyan, then turned away as if embarrassed. The meaning in her eyes was indescribable—a blend of shyness and joy, with a hint of longing that made the human heart race and yearn for more.

That single glance would have been enough to ensnare a pure-hearted young man like Lin Fan.

This woman’s skill far surpassed Qin Shutong’s by miles.

If she were the blazing sun illuminating heaven and earth, Qin Shutong would be a firefly struggling to emit a faint glow in the long night, straining with all her might to produce even a flicker of light.

There was simply no comparison between the two.

The three of them drank tea and chatted idly. After a while, Jiang Longchang and his sister arrived. With Jiang Yun’er’s presence, the atmosphere immediately livened up. The prefect watched with a smile as his daughter gradually moved closer to Xu Sanyan, making no attempt to stop her, but rather seeming pleased by the development.

In Prefect Jiang’s eyes, Xu Sanyan was more than a match for his daughter—in fact, he considered it a step up for Jiang Yun’er.

Despite his high position as prefect, in this world where the power of heaven and earth converged, personal strength reigned supreme. Without a solid cultivation level to back them up, even the greatest authority would crumble like a mirage in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Longchang was more curious than anything else about Xu Sanyan. He desperately wanted to know how this young man had cultivated to such a realm at such a young age, leaving his peers in the dust.

Commander He, while chatting idly with the prefect, was searching for an opportunity to bring up his true purpose. He hadn’t forgotten why he was here—after all, he had accepted their gift, and now he had to deliver on his promise.

Just as the conversation drifted to Xu Sanyan’s formation deployment in Zhangzhi City, Commander He seized the moment. “To be honest, Master,” he said, “our visit today is directly related to this matter.”

“Oh? Please elaborate.”

The prefect’s expression turned serious, signaling that it was time for business.

He had sensed something was amiss the moment Xu Sanyan and Commander He arrived together. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have come as a pair.

Moreover, he suspected Commander He had already accepted a bribe. Why else would he be so eager to bring up the matter?

He knew Commander He’s true nature all too well. Though the man appeared boisterous and unconcerned with trivialities, he was actually shrewd and calculating beneath his rough exterior.

Commander He explained the situation in detail, concluding, “Brother Liang has assured me that he will bear all the costs of deploying the formation, and not a single spirit stone will be drawn from the prefectural treasury.”

Xu Sanyan rose and bowed deeply. “Prefect, your permission for this junior to practice formation deployment is already an immense favor. How could I dare ask for more?”

Prefect Jiang didn’t rush to answer. Instead, he furrowed his brow deeply, his salt-and-pepper eyebrows drawing together as he pondered.

On the surface, this proposal seemed entirely beneficial to Qianzhou City. Not only would they avoid spending a single spirit stone, but they would also gain a Great Formation for free. Under normal circumstances, anyone would jump at such an opportunity.

But Prefect Jiang was no ordinary man. After navigating the treacherous currents of officialdom for over a thousand years, he possessed more cunning than hairs on his body. He wouldn’t act on even the slightest hint of impropriety.

And in this matter, he sensed something amiss. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact problem, but the feeling lingered in his gut.

At his age, he no longer sought advancement. Peace and stability were his greatest desires.

To quote a famous saying:

I’d rather do nothing than make a mistake.

Xu Sanyan remained bowed, his head lowered in respectful silence. Prefect Jiang lowered his gaze, pondering without a word, and the atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

Jiang Yun’er sensed the tension. She wanted to speak but dared not. She knew such matters were beyond her purview.

Though her father doted on her in daily life, he never allowed her to voice her opinion on important decisions.

This was the difference between her and Qin Shutong; she understood her place far better.

After a long silence, Prefect Jiang finally spoke slowly, “This matter is not impossible, but I have three conditions.”

Xu Sanyan’s heart leaped with joy. He would have agreed to thirty conditions, let alone three. Once the Great Formation was complete, everything else would vanish like smoke.

“Please speak, Master,” Xu Sanyan said, bowing deeply. “This junior will comply with every request!”

Prefect Jiang stroked his beard. “It so happens that several formation masters are employed at the prefectural office. This would be an excellent opportunity for you, virtuous nephew, to instruct them. They can also assist you with miscellaneous tasks. Would that be acceptable?”

Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes slightly. This wasn’t about instruction at all; it was clearly about assigning guards to monitor him and prevent any mischief.

But Xu Sanyan wasn’t worried. The Soul-Gathering Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation was so complex and intricate that no one could discern its true purpose. He nodded in agreement. “No problem.”

“Very well. Secondly, I must insist that the formation’s activation not disrupt the lives of the common people. Even if I were to agree, the prefectural governor would never allow it.”

“Rest assured, Master,” Xu Sanyan replied. “I understand the importance of this and will ensure no disturbance to the populace.”

“Good. That leaves only one final matter, which involves a personal request. You are free to decline if you wish.”

As he spoke, Prefect Jiang casually glanced at Jiang Yun’er…

(End of the Chapter)