I Have A Martial Dao World

Chapter 482 482. No impression at all

482  482. No impression at all

Yuan Kaisheng, having cultivated all the way to the Golden Body Realm, naturally encountered quite a few like Duan Zhigui who sought to curry favor by offering their daughters.

The daughters of some major powers were officially registered as "concubines" upon being given.

As for those from minor powers, they were accepted as mere "bed-warming maids".

The status of these women was only slightly higher than that of servant girls, and some not to Yuan Kaisheng's taste had never even seen his face.

At this moment, the Chief Steward came rushing over in a fluster, "Hurry and choose a few mature beauties who still retain their charm, Governor Liu has quite a taste for that."

It was quite the norm for grand households to provide bed-warming services and send beauties when engaging in social relations.

With a face full of meat and oozing with flattery, the matron hurriedly responded, "Just wait a moment, I will go and choose for you right away~"

The Chief Steward reminded her, "Look in the West Garden, don't stir up trouble in the East Garden for me."

"Don't worry, I'm aware of that," said the matron as she headed straight for the opposite courtyard.

Hearing their conversation, Qingluan finally understood—so Chunhui Garden had two separate courtyards.

The East Garden where they currently were was for women who had served Grandmaster Yuan;

and there was another West Garden inhabited by those who had been sent but never touched; occasionally, they would select someone from there to serve distinguished guests.

To Yuan Kaisheng, the women in Chunhui Garden barely mattered, but the Chief Steward was careful and prudent, always choosing only from the West Garden.

About a quarter of an hour later, the matron dragged a beautiful woman over.

This beauty had a graceful figure and alluring curves, skin white and delicate, with a natural coquettishness at the corners of her brows and eyes.

As she was being pulled along, she wore a hint of reluctance on her face. "I can't do this, I am someone who has birthed two children…"

Qingluan's expression stiffened. This was none other than Xiao Qing, Mrs. Xiao!

Meanwhile, the Chief Steward, breathing heavily and clearly satisfied, nodded repeatedly, "Good! Very good!"

This beauty was soft and supple, with an air of reluctant decency about her that even he found appealing, sure to please the honored guest.

He immediately gestured decisively, "She's the one!"

Upon realizing that she was to accompany someone, Mrs. Xiao's expression turned to one of panic, her eyes brimming with tears, not understanding why someone would fancy a woman of her age who had given birth.

Just as they were about to leave, the Chief Steward frowned and leaned in to sniff her twice.

This action frightened Mrs. Xiao, causing her to tremble and retreat continuously.

Then, the Chief Steward turned to the matron with displeasure, "Such a heavy scent of makeup, did you apply powder on her?"

The matron chuckled awkwardly, "I feared you wouldn't be satisfied… so she was slightly adorned before coming here."

"Unnecessary, the beauty I want must be in her natural state!"

With decades of experience, the Chief Steward was extremely adept at ascertaining personal tastes and immediately ordered,

"Take her for a hot bath, dress her like a decent woman, and have her sent to the master's study in an hour's time."

"Rest assured, she will be prepared impeccably," the matron assured him, pulling Mrs. Xiao away.

The Chief Steward also walked towards the front hall with his hands clasped behind his back, casually glancing at Qingluan in the process.

Qingluan immediately felt a tingling sensation on her skin.

His gaze was piercing; the Chief Steward had achieved Blood-Exchange Mastery, while she was just a minor Organ Refining practitioner.

Seeing that she was being ignored, Qingluan found an empty spot and grasped the "Joyful Bodhisattva" pendant at her chest.

Soon after, Yun Qinglan's voice came through, "How is it going? Have you found her?"

"Sect Master, I have found the person! What should I do next?"

Qingluan reported the situation in full and awaited further instructions.

"Well done! Yuan Residence will soon plunge into chaos, which will give us the opportunity to rescue her," came the Sect Master's voice.

To Qingluan's surprise, she asked, "Chaos!?"

"Exactly. When the time comes, you must ensure Mrs. Xiao's safety. I will arrive at the first opportunity," the voice continued.

"You…You are coming in person!? What on earth makes Mrs. Xiao so important?"

Between the ensuing chaos at Yuan Residence and the rescue mission, Qingluan's mind was a whirl.

But she didn't have time to ask more questions and quickly agreed, "I will risk my life and spare no effort!"

~~~~~~~~~

The banquet was full of distinguished guests, and Yuan Kaisheng was brimming with confidence and pride.

Those in attendance were from powerful families that had dominated various industries for six or seven hundred years and controlled the economic lifeline of the nation.

With their support, Yuan Kaisheng felt he was like Liu Bang of the Han dynasty, who had obliterated the states of Qin and Chu.

"As for Lu Yao, at best, he's just a Xiang Yu," he said.

Raising his glass with a blond, blue-eyed Westerner, Yuan Kaisheng downed the fine wine in one gulp.

"With the support of the Western powers added, I will surely be the one who laughs last!"

At that moment, Yuan Kaisheng's head was filled with thoughts like "governing the rivers" and "plotting slowly."

While he was indulging in his daydream, he suddenly saw a young man not far away getting into a dispute with a guard.

Thinking it was someone from a minor family coming to offer a toast and being in a good mood, Yuan Kaisheng instructed the guards to let the man approach.

The arrival was a handsome young master dressed in brocaded robes, who had only achieved the Blood-Exchange Realm, and he said loudly:

This person was the cousin of Liao Ya and Liao Qe—the very same Xiao Zan who had suffered at the hands of Lu Yao's long spear!

Yuan Kaisheng simply nodded, without any special acknowledgment.

Xiao Zan could tell at a glance that the Grandmaster had completely forgotten about his family!

With people coming every day to pledge their loyalty, Yuan Kaisheng indeed had little recollection of certain minor families.

Xiao Zan felt both ashamed and annoyed in his heart, but he didn't dare show it on his face and said respectfully:

"Junior has an important matter to report! May I request a moment of your time to step aside?"

Yuan Kaisheng, a bit curious, then took Xiao Zan to a side room.

"Alright, you may speak now."

"Reporting to Grandmaster Yuan, about 15 years ago, my Xiao family offered a woman named Xiao Qing to serve you. She is the biological mother of the two senior sisters of Lu the demon!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Kaisheng suddenly stood up: "Are your words true?"

Xiao Zan bowed and said:

"Absolutely true! Everyone knows how dearly Lu the demon dotes on his two senior sisters. With their mother in your hands, Lu surely wouldn't dare to make a move."

Yuan Kaisheng was overjoyed: "Excellent, today you shall be credited with the greatest merit, and this official will not fail to reward the Xiao family!"

Xiao Zan replied with a smile: "Junior is unworthy of such praise."

Next, Yuan Kaisheng racked his brains for a long time to no avail; he had no recollection of Madam Xiao whatsoever.

He hastily called for his chief steward to inquire.

The chief steward blinked confusedly, at a loss as well.

With nearly ten thousand women in the rear estate, it was impossible for him to remember each one, especially those who came from smaller households like the Xiao family.

The Xiao family didn't even have an Innate expert; they had merely pledged their allegiance early on.

However, this was a serious matter, so the steward hurriedly asked for details about Xiao Qing's age, appearance, and the time she joined the household to aid in the search.

Xiao Zan gave a detailed account, and the more the steward listened, the more he felt something was off—it seemed too similar to the beautiful woman he had just seen...

Just as he was about to report this, he saw his master's face change drastically!

Suddenly, there were waves of exclamations coming from outside!

Yuan Kaisheng soared into the sky, breaking through the roof to the outside, and right then, he saw a massive object floating above their heads—a levitating warship!

With such a display, it was clear that the arrivals bore no good intentions, and the guests were already in utter disarray.

"A Fairy Boat! It's Lu Yao!"

"Go, seize that Xiao Qing! Hurry!"

~~~~~~~~

Lu Yao stood atop the Creation Immortal Boat, looking down at the chaotic crowd below.

"Today is quite the coincidence, everyone is here, making it convenient to catch them all in one net."

The girls and the Spiritual Sparrowhawks were eager to move, and the Mecha Warriors were also ready!