Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 93 The Azure Dragon Gate Alliance

In the afternoon, Lin Chen was slacking off in his study when Qin Shuyan brought in a bowl of soup.

"Eighth brother, have some soup." She placed the soup bowl on the table. "I had the kitchen make ginseng chicken soup to nourish your body."

Lin Chen pulled her down to sit: "Third Sister-in-law, you've gone to so much trouble."

"Of course." Qin Shuyan's face flushed slightly. "You...you were exhausted last night, you should eat something nourishing."

Lin Chen laughed: "How did Third Sister-in-law know I was tired?"

"You..." Qin Shuyan punched him lightly in embarrassment, "I'm ignoring you!"

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore." Lin Chen took a sip of soup. "Hmm, it tastes good. Is this your third sister-in-law's cooking?"

"I had the kitchen make it," Qin Shuyan said, "but I kept an eye on the cooking time."

"No wonder it tastes so good," Lin Chen said with a smile. "I'm so lucky to have my third sister-in-law here."

Qin Shuyan smiled, pursing her lips: "You're so good with words."

The two talked for a while, then Qin Shuyan suddenly remembered something:

"By the way, Eighth Brother, how are the arrangements for Sister Su's zither lessons going?"

"It's all arranged," Lin Chen said. "Have her go to Zuiyue Pavilion anytime; Mr. Bai will teach her."

"That's good." Qin Shuyan nodded. "Sister Su has a good temperament and knows how to behave properly. All the servants in the manor like her."

"Does Third Sister-in-law like her too?"

"I like her," Qin Shuyan said frankly. "Sister Su is beautiful and talented, and knows how to behave appropriately. She's a good girl. Eighth Brother has good taste."

Lin Chen laughed: "Third sister-in-law, aren't you jealous?"

"Why are you jealous?" Qin Shuyan rolled her eyes at him.

"There are seven of us sisters, plus Sister Su, making a total of eight. This is the eight branches that Grandmother hoped for."

Besides, didn't Eighth Brother say that it's best for the family to be together, all lively and cheerful?

"Third sister-in-law is so understanding." Lin Chen put his arm around her shoulder. "Shall I come to your place again tonight?"

Qin Shuyan blushed: "Whatever...whatever you want."

The two talked for a while longer before Qin Shuyan left.

……

After Qin Shuyan left, Ye Qingying appeared like a ghost.

"Eighth Brother." She handed over a secret report.

Lin Chen took it and glanced at it; it was the latest news about the Cui family.

Cui Yongnian was indeed persistent and was secretly contacting a powerful general in Beishuo, seemingly trying to use Beishuo's power to exert pressure.

"Keep an eye on it." Lin Chen put away the secret report. "By the way, Sixth Sister-in-law, have you eaten yet?"

"not yet."

"Shall we grab something to eat together?" Lin Chen said with a smile. "I'll have the kitchen send some dishes over."

Ye Qingying hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The two ate in the study. Ye Qingying ate slowly and gracefully.

"Sixth Sister-in-law," Lin Chen asked, "What's going on at the Purple Robe Tower?"

"Yin Jiuyou is still in seclusion," Ye Qingying said slowly.

"But the Purple Robe Tower has been active in various places recently, seemingly collecting materials, but we haven't found out what exactly they are yet."

Lin Chen pondered. Yin Jiuyou would be out of seclusion in two months, and he needed to prepare during this time.

"Keep investigating, and report back to me immediately if you find anything."

"Yes." Ye Qingying replied, finished the last bite of her meal, stood up, and said, "I'm leaving now."

"Wait," Lin Chen called out to her, taking a small jade bottle from his robes.

"This is a Spirit Nourishing Pill, it's helpful for cultivation, Sixth Sister-in-law, take it."

Ye Qingying took the jade bottle, glanced at him, and said softly, "Thank you."

"Don't be so polite." Lin Chen rolled his eyes. "We're all family."

Ye Qingying's eyes flickered slightly, and with a flash, she disappeared from the study.

Lin Chen shook his head slightly. It seemed that he would have to use a fierce approach to win over his sixth sister-in-law, otherwise it would be a little awkward before the wedding.

……

The following day at noon, in a private room on the third floor of Zuiyue Pavilion.

Lin Chen leaned lazily against the window, waiting for the Azure Dragon Sect Master.

Wen Ruoxi was making tea on the side.

"Eighth Brother, the Azure Dragon Sect Master is, after all, a senior figure in the martial arts world. Please be more polite later," Wen Ruoxi reminded him.

"I know, I know." Lin Chen waved his hand. "I'm a very polite person."

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.

"Lord Duke, the Azure Dragon Sect Master has arrived," a maid's voice rang out.

"please."

The door was pushed open, and an old man in a green robe walked in.

It was none other than the Azure Dragon Sect Master, Elder Canglong.

Behind him followed Cang Yun, a member of the Heavenly Pride Ranking.

"Duke Lin." The old man with the Azure Dragon bowed.

Lin Chen stood up and returned the greeting: "Senior Canglong, it is an honor for me to be here. I have failed to greet you properly."

"You're too kind, Your Excellency." The old man with the Azure Dragon sat down opposite him, glancing at him a few times.

"At such a young age, the Duke has upheld the family's reputation and built a great career. He is truly a formidable young man."

"You flatter me, senior." Lin Chen smiled. "May I ask what brings you to see me today?"

The old man with the Azure Dragon said solemnly:

"I have come here today to form an alliance with the Duke."

The Azure Dragon Sect is willing to assist the Lin family, only asking that the Duke, in the future, speak a few words on behalf of the martial arts world in the imperial court.

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Why did you choose me, senior?"

"Because the Duke has the power," said the old man Canglong.

"Eight Vajra Warriors, eight Grandmasters, and Mr. Yuan, a half-step Celestial Being, are all here. You can't find another lineup like this anywhere else in the world."

Lin Chen smiled:

"Senior is indeed frank, but forming an alliance is no small matter. I need to see the sincerity of the Azure Dragon Sect."

"What kind of sincerity does the Duke want?"

"First, the Azure Dragon Sect's influence in Jiangnan must be fully supported by the Canal Transport Merchants Association," Lin Chen said slowly.

"Second, I need the Azure Dragon Sect's intelligence network. Third... if one day I clash with certain forces, the Azure Dragon Sect must stand by my side."

The old man with the Azure Dragon remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Very well! I agree!"

"Great!" Lin Chen laughed. "From this day forward, the Azure Dragon Sect will be an ally of the Lin family."

The two discussed some details before Elder Canglong took his leave.

After seeing the Qinglong Sect group off, Wen Ruoxi asked, "Eighth Brother, you've just agreed like that?"

"What's there to be afraid of?" Lin Chen laughed.

"With Mr. Yuan here and the Eight Vajras here, if the Azure Dragon Sect dares to play tricks, they will not come out unscathed."

Wen Ruoxi nodded: "It's good that you know what's going on."

Lin Chen stretched and said, "Alright, I've finished my business. Time to go home and sleep."

"Will you come to my courtyard again tonight?" Wen Ruoxi asked.

"It depends on the time." Lin Chen lightly kissed her cheek. "Ninth Brother really can't be in two places at once."

Wen Ruoxi was stunned for a moment before she understood what Lin Chen meant, and rolled her eyes at him in annoyance and embarrassment.

……

On the way back to the manor, Lin Chen sat in the carriage and closed his eyes to rest.

The alliance with the Azure Dragon Sect was expected. After the strength of the Eight Vajras was revealed, all parties will reassess the Lin family.

Wise people, like the old man Canglong, will choose to cooperate.

But the Cui and Zhou families probably wouldn't think that way.

There's also the Purple Robe Tower, where Yin Jiuyou is about to emerge from seclusion.

However, now that we have Li Bai as our trump card, our early-stage cultivation as a terrestrial immortal is enough to handle 99% of the crises.

However, it cannot be easily exposed.

Revealing too much information could easily arouse the Empress's suspicion and cause unnecessary trouble.

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion gate.

As soon as Lin Chen got out of the car, Ye Qingying handed him a secret report.

"The Cui family is making a new move," she whispered.

"Cui Yongnian has secretly contacted Huyan Zhuo, the deputy general of the Northern Army of Beishuo, seemingly trying to use Beishuo to pressure you into going to the northern border."

Lin Chen took the secret report, glanced at it, and smiled:

"Huyan Zhuo? The second-in-command of the Northern Army in Beishuo? Cui Yongnian is grasping at straws in his desperation."

"Should we intercept it?"

"No need." Lin Chen put away the secret report. "Have him make the contact. Let's see what Bei Shuo's attitude is."

"Yes."

Night's shadow vanished.

Lin Chen walked into the mansion gate, his expression unchanged.

there is always a solution to a problem.

He now has enough strength to meet any challenge.