Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

The camp was dismantled the following morning.

The Wei family, leading tens of thousands of their own troops and carrying enormous wealth, parted ways with the treasure-hunting delegation peacefully and marched into the desolate wilderness. Where they ultimately built their city remains unknown.

Before leaving, however, he left Zhou Qingfeng a communication bracelet, indicating that he hoped to cooperate with him in the future.

Instead of leaving the main group, Gu Jia chose to return to Jianta with Zhou Qingfeng.

On the way back, Tang Yijun of the Tang family recovered from his injuries and, along with dozens of elite members of the Gluttonous Fiends, merged into the main force, demanding a share of the Xi Yi Treasure. However, everyone dismissed his request and no one paid him any attention.

Now that everyone has already eaten the cake, no one is willing to try to squeeze it out from between their teeth. Let alone giving each family hundreds of millions as an appeasement, they won't even give out a single coin.

Tang Yijun sought justice from Zhou Qingfeng, but Zhou Qingfeng made excuses to avoid meeting her. When he couldn't avoid her, he clearly stated that he was powerless and told Tang Yijun to go back to the city and ask the city lord for help.

There's nothing we can do; the Tang family wasn't there when the cake was being cut, so who can we blame?

If I were to seek justice for the Tang family now and ask all the major families to pool together 18 billion yuan to compensate him, it would damage the core interests of the other families, and I would also have to give up some of my own interests.

It's harmful to others and doesn't benefit oneself; only someone with a broken brain would do such a thing.

They traveled back at a steady pace until they reached Gancao Fort, the border of Winter City.

Zhou Qingfeng saw tens of thousands of Winter City troops blocking his way and immediately frowned, waving his hand: "Halt! Stay put and be on guard! No one is allowed to make the first move without my order! Anyone who disobeys will be killed on the spot!"

A small-scale disturbance occurred within their own ranks, as they assumed that Winterfell was leading a large army to raid their camp.

Zhou Qingfeng couldn't figure out what the Jiang family was thinking for a moment, but he was resilient and could remain calm even in the face of an unexpected situation. He ordered everyone not to make the first move and to see what tricks the Jiang family was up to.

Hundreds of wolf guards, riding howling moon demon wolves, escorted their leading general as they charged forward at breakneck speed. The banners of the troops fluttered in the wind, each bearing the character 'Jiang,' proving that the general leading the army was a member of the Jiang family.

When the hundreds of wolf guards rushed closer, they finally saw that the leader was Jiang Li.

Jiang Li rode the Howling Moon Demon Wolf alone as she approached.

"Wait there." Zhou Qingfeng said, then calmly rode his horse to meet them.

Upon approaching, Jiang Li tossed the two heads she was holding onto the snow: "Young Master Zhou, since you've come to Winter City, you're a guest. I don't have any gifts to give you before you leave, so please accept this as a token of my Jiang family's appreciation."

Zhou Qingfeng took a closer look and saw that they were the heads of the Wei family father and son. He narrowed his eyes, but remained calm and composed, and smiled faintly: "Young Master Jiang, this gift is truly ingenious. I will accept it."

Jiang Li smiled slightly: "Young Master Zhou, we look forward to your frequent visits to Winter City in the future. My Jiang family is very much looking forward to and values ​​the opportunity to cooperate with you in the future."

There are three reasons why the Jiang family destroyed the Wei family.

First, the Wei family and the Jiang family have a history of grudges. If the Wei family leaves Winter City, they will inevitably become a major threat to the Jiang family. Regardless of whether the Wei family has this idea or not, the potential threat must be nipped in the bud.

Second, the Jiang family must make an example of them; otherwise, other families will follow suit and seize any opportunity to unite with external forces against the Jiang family, and then escape unscathed. How will the Jiang family maintain its ruling position then?

Third, since the Wei family participated in the excavation of the Xiyi Treasure, then slaughter the Wei family, unaware of their presence, and not only seize their share but also swallow up the wealth accumulated by the Wei family over hundreds of years.

The Jiang family acted with precision and tact, waiting until the Wei family and Zhou Qingfeng were completely separated before launching their attack to wipe out the Wei clan. In this way, they gained enormous benefits while avoiding conflict with Zhou Qingfeng.

Jiang Li even personally brought Zhou Qingfeng's head to see him off, in order to convey a message: although the Jiang family destroyed the Wei family, they spared the Gu family, which was only because of you, Young Master Zhou.

This move not only demonstrated formidable military strength but also showed respect and sincerity towards Zhou Qingfeng.

“Okay, I’ll definitely come to visit often when I have the chance.” Zhou Qingfeng nodded and smiled, waving for his team to follow.

"Disperse!" Jiang Li waved her hand, and tens of thousands of cultivators behind her made way in unison.

Zhou Qingfeng remained calm and led the group through the area. As far as the eye could see, a small mountain made up of more than 10,000 heads of Wei clan members was visible, a horrifying sight.

The Gu family members were terrified when they saw this scene, especially the Gu family head, who was very glad that he had chosen to return to the Sword Tower with Zhou Qingfeng, otherwise he would have suffered the same fate of death and extermination of his clan.

Zhou Qingfeng and Jiang Li continued to chat and laugh, unaffected by the massacre of the Wei family.

Ultimately, Zhou Qingfeng's partnership with the Wei family has come to an end.

Without shared interests, the life or death of the Wei family has nothing to do with Zhou Qingfeng.

"Young Master Zhou, I'll see you off here." Jiang Li clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, stopping at the border line.

Zhou Qingfeng released the reins from his horse, smiled, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Young Master Jiang, farewell."

Then, Zhou Qingfeng led a large group of people out of the frigid border.

After traveling for a short while, they entered Jianmenguan Fortress on the border of Jianta.

Zhou Qingfeng then turned back to look in the direction of Winter City, and said with a half-smile, "The Jiang family is not to be underestimated. It seems like a good thing if we have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."

The Jiang family lost their game against themselves, so they decisively chose to admit defeat and seek cooperation for mutual benefit. The Gu and Wei families, the two major families in the city, broke away from them and suffered a great loss, but they were able to endure it without making a fuss.

After the Wei family parted ways with him, he pulled off a surprise attack, slaughtering the Wei family. His timing and the degree of his actions were extremely precise, demonstrating both accuracy and ruthlessness.

A person who can endure hardship and act with precision and ruthlessness is indeed a formidable enemy.

However, as a partner, it is undoubtedly the best choice.

Zhou Qingfeng led his team on a journey for some time afterward.

When they returned to the Sword Tower, they did some quick calculations and realized that the treasure hunt had taken about half a year to complete.

It is now the 20th day of the fourth month of the year 1082, the year of Emperor Gengshi.

According to the rules, the treasure-hunting delegation must return to the city lord's mansion to report for duty as soon as possible.

Zhou Qingfeng didn't even go home before heading back to the City Lord's Mansion to report. His entourage, including the left and right deputy envoys of the delegation and many advisors, gathered in the main hall of the City Lord's Mansion.

However, there was no sign of the First Lady on the throne in the main hall.

However, everyone was used to it, because the First Lady had not come to the City Lord's Hall for many years. Many things were decided in the inner courtyard council chamber, and then the assistant commanders would arrange manpower to carry them out.

Even many high-ranking officials rarely see the First Lady's face more than once every ten years.

After a short wait, Qiu Chengde arrived and said calmly, "Commander Zhou, come with me. The rest of you, wait where you are."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes, Steward Qiu."

The remaining people clasped their hands in obedience and watched Zhou Qingfeng leave the city lord's hall with Qiu Chengde.

Seeing that no one was around, Zhou Qingfeng immediately said with a grin, "Master, it's been a long time."

Qiu Chengde revealed a smile he couldn't hide, and reached out to pat Zhou Qingfeng on the back of the head: "You rascal, you did a great job. Madam has been praising you ever since she heard you were back."

Zhou Qingfeng rubbed his hands together excitedly and said, "Hehe, so aren't you going to reward me properly this time? Master, please tell me what Mother is going to reward me with this time."

Qiu Chengde smiled and said, "You'll know when you see Madam, what's the rush?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng stopped asking questions and, supporting Qiu Chengde's arm, adopted the demeanor of a dutiful disciple: "Master, we discovered many treasures in the Xiyi Secret Realm this time, and I secretly kept some of the good ones for myself."

"I've saved you a portion of everything: flesh and blood ginseng, money-gold boy demon, underworld soil, spider lily, and ancient medicinal herbs. If you need more, just let me know. Don't let anyone know, or I'll be in big trouble."

Qiu Chengde looked at his obedient disciple with a smile, his heart warmed, and he couldn't help but reach out and pinch Zhou Qingfeng's face, and said kindly, "You brat, I haven't spoiled you for nothing, you even know how to be filial to your teacher."

Zhou Qingfeng chuckled and said, "It is only natural for a disciple to be filial to his master. I will never forget your cultivation and high regard for me. Of course, I will repay you with my filial piety when I have the ability and opportunity."

Qiu Chengde released his grip, patted Zhou Qingfeng's shoulder with satisfaction, and said nothing more. He was incredibly tolerant of his disciple's embezzlement and selectively ignored it.

However, this is because Qiu Chengde does not yet know how much Zhou Qingfeng has embezzled. If he knew that Zhou Qingfeng had embezzled 120 billion yuan, Qiu Chengde would probably be shocked.

The two walked through the halls and courtyards, and soon entered the inner courtyard.

At the Water Park and the Council Building, many of the assistant commanders had been waiting for a long time.

The First Lady remained unchanged, dressed in a gold and white robe, reclining on her throne with a book in her hand, her smooth, delicate feet bare.

Zhou Qingfeng strode into the council chamber, knelt down without hesitation, slid down, and stopped precisely ten steps away from the First Lady. He then bowed deeply and said, "Your son greets Mother!"

The group of assistant commanders were dumbfounded, shocked by Zhou Qingfeng's shameless face.

Ma Dalang's mouth twitched violently. He exchanged a glance with Mao Erlang, and they both saw the word "admiration".

The First Lady looked down at her book, glanced at Zhou Qingfeng out of the corner of her eye, and casually said, "Get up."

"Yes, Mother." Zhou Qingfeng stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

The First Lady said casually, "You must have had a long and tiring six months away from home."

Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in a fist and said, "It's no trouble at all. It's only right that I do things for my mother."

Upon hearing this, the First Lady gave a lukewarm "hmm".

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng patted his storage bag, took out a pile of account books, and presented them with both hands: "Mother, the excavation of the Xiyi Treasure has yielded a total of 180 billion in legal currency. Please take a look."

Upon hearing this, the many assistant commanders remained calm, having already received the news from the family members they had sent out. Only Assistant Commander Tang looked unwell, having worked in vain and lost several Devouring Fiend cultivators.

The First Lady continued reading with her head down, showing no intention of checking the accounts.

Qiu Chengde understood perfectly. He took a stack of accounts from Zhou Qingfeng, walked to the First Lady's desk, put the accounts down, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and stepped back ten paces away.

The First Lady didn't even look up, and said calmly, "This matter was handled well and deserves a generous reward."

After speaking, the First Lady called out, "Chengde."

Qiu Chengde clasped his hands in a salute, then walked to the steps, faced the crowd, and prepared to read out the rewards.

The many assistant commanders were focused on their work, knowing that the reward would be very generous, after all, Zhou Qingfeng had brought the first family 72 billion in legal revenue, which was almost equivalent to the Sword Tower's total annual tax revenue.

Qiu Chengde glanced around and slowly read out the decree: "Zhou Qingfeng, for your new achievements, the Lady hereby grants you ten li of land, a granary, a fief of three hundred households, and the title of Baron."

"You are granted entry into the White Bone Foundation Building Tower for cultivation, with a time limit of ten years. You may freely enter and exit the seventh floor and below."

"I bestow upon you ten million coins, ten chests of jewels, a thousand catties of exotic fruits, a thousand bolts of silk, and a celestial dragon chariot of calamity level."

The Python-Sparrow Empire reveres the python and the sparrow, with the python representing the emperor and the sparrow the empress; these two creatures symbolize imperial power.

City lords in various regions may travel by riding dragons or tigers, but may not ride pythons or sparrows.

With the Cataclysmic Heavenly Dragon Chariot, Zhou Qingfeng can now travel in this flying vehicle. Anyone who sees it will know that he is of high status and distinguished identity, making it an essential tool for showing off.

"I bestow upon you a set of top-grade disaster-level armor, a top-grade disaster-level weapon, a set of top-grade disaster-level talismans, one hundred bottles each of disaster-level pills: Blood Pill, Plague Pill, and Five Organs Pill, and one thousand catties of disaster-level fine wine, 'Celestial Brew'."

Celestial Brew is a fine wine brewed primarily from celestial beings from the Food Purity World. It has a refreshing taste that helps improve cultivation, but it is also very potent. For cultivators in the Food Disaster Realm, one jin (500ml) is enough to get them drunk, and two jin will knock them out.

"In addition, one hundred male slaves and one hundred female slaves will be granted."

"Effective immediately, he shall be promoted to Deputy Commander of the Censorate."

The Censorate, one of the core power institutions of the Sword Tower, is mainly responsible for supervising officials throughout the territory.

If Zhou Qingfeng previously only held the titles of young master and deputy governor, he now holds real power.

"Thank you so much, Mother!" Zhou Qingfeng was overjoyed and immediately thanked her loudly, bowing and clasping his hands in a salute.

After Qiu Chengde finished reading the imperial edict, he stepped aside.

The First Lady looked down at her book, hummed in response, and said indifferently, "Keep trying."

Many assistant commanders watched from the sidelines, wanting to say something but holding back; they didn't care about rewards or power.

However, granting land and titles was a bit too much, even though the words "hereditary and perpetual" were not added.

But this also means that Zhou Qingfeng has a fiefdom and has become a vassal of the Sword Tower. From now on, he will be a true nobleman. As long as Zhou Qingfeng is alive, this ten-mile stretch of land will be his personal property.

Zhou Qingfeng can do whatever he wants in this ten-mile territory. He can issue laws at will, and even the First Lady will not interfere. However, during wartime, he must obey the call of the Sword Tower and pay 40% of the tax revenue as tribute every year.

None of the assistant commanders present had their own fiefdom.

Ma Dalang and Mao Erlang were both military heroes who had made countless contributions and were adopted sons raised by the First Lady. It took them hundreds of years to earn the title of Earl, with a fief of only nine hundred households and no land.

She Ri, Xing Yao, and Liang Yue were the elders of the first three collateral branches of the family. They all held the title of Earl and received the benefits of an Earl, but they did not have any real land granted to them.

As for the Assistant Commanders Tang, Zhu, and Song, they were nothing. They only had official positions and posts, but no noble titles or land grants. In other words, once they were dismissed from their posts, they were nothing.

Granting land and titles was a power that only city lords and emperors possessed. The emperor would grant land to city lords, who could then choose to grant it to their subordinates or choose not to grant it at all.

Because granting land away means losing it forever, city lords rarely grant land away unless someone has made a great contribution. Otherwise, they usually just give a nominal title and let the person receive money and benefits.

Since becoming the city lord, the First Lady has never granted out a single piece of land.

The fact that this precedent had been broken was something they could no longer tolerate, yet they had no choice but to endure it.

Because they all made huge profits from the Xi Yi treasure.

All of this was brought about by Zhou Qingfeng; one is bound to be indebted to others for what they have received.

At this point, it's acceptable to voice opposition, but only by giving back all the benefits gained can one speak with confidence. Otherwise, one won't have the authority to voice opposition.

Even the three elders of the Sun, Moon, and Stars could only watch helplessly as Zhou Qingfeng was granted land and titles, and took control of the government.

"You may all leave," the First Lady said calmly.

Upon hearing this, everyone silently clasped their hands in farewell and took their leave.

As they left the Water Forest, the assistant commanders greeted him with smiles: "Congratulations, Your Excellency."

Zhou Qingfeng responded politely with a smile: "Congratulations to you too."