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

Jin Wei pressed his sword down with one hand, took a few quick steps, and strode into Yaochi Manor as if it were an empty place.

The sentries along the way bowed and saluted Jin Wei, addressing him as "Master Jin."

"Where is the young master?" Jin Wei stopped and asked.

"Reporting to Master Jin, the young master is holding a meeting at the pavilion in the middle of the lake. This humble servant will lead the way for you." A guard at the Food Fiend Realm clasped his hands in response. Jin Wei glanced back at Gu Huanian, who was following behind him, and beckoned him to come along. Then, the guard led the way, and Jin Wei and Gu Huanian followed towards the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

Upon reaching the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Su Shuiyao stood at the bridge entrance with a gun in hand. When she saw Jin Wei and Gu Huanian approaching, she blocked their way and said, "Brother is discussing matters with someone. We can talk about it later."

Jin Wei said calmly, "Miss Shuiyao, the Gu family head and the young master have important matters to discuss. The young master had previously instructed his subordinates to bring him to Yaochi Manor for a meeting. Please inform them on my behalf, Miss Shuiyao."

Su Shuiyao glanced back at the pavilion in the middle of the lake, a hundred paces away. The prince and the demoness were still talking, and the atmosphere seemed to be getting more and more heated, with no sign of it ending. So she resolutely refused and said, "Wait."

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei had no choice but to wait with Gu Huanian under the eaves.

Jin Wei couldn't act arrogantly in front of Su Shuiyao, even though he was recognized as the number one lackey of the Zhou family.

Because Su Shuiyao is Zhou Qingfeng's recognized adopted sister, a legitimate family member, she holds a position of authority within the Zhou family. She can represent Zhou Qingfeng at some aristocratic social occasions, and even bequeath a certain amount of property to him through a will before his death, thus having partial inheritance rights.

In this world of strict hierarchy and rigid rules, adopted sisters are not chosen arbitrarily. Once a woman is recognized as an adopted sister by the head of the family, she is officially accepted as a family member and protected by imperial law. She enjoys almost the same status and treatment as a biological sister. After two or three generations of intermarriage, the distinction between them becomes completely blurred.

At least Jin Wei cannot represent the Zhou family at aristocratic social occasions, but Su Shuiyao can. Moreover, whoever she gets close to or stays away from represents the Zhou family's attitude and stance.

The exchange at the lakeside pavilion continued. Zhou Qingfeng greatly admired Xi Hongchen's abilities. He was short of talent, and someone like Xi Hongchen was a rare find. He would naturally want to recruit him as a follower if given the opportunity.

Xi Hongchen knelt on the ground, moved a little further away, faced Zhou Qingfeng's shoes, and bowed her head in submission: "Thank you for your appreciation, young master. I am willing to serve you."

Zhou Qingfeng bent down to help Xi Hongchen up and smiled, "A small Yaochi Manor can't accommodate you. If you were to continue running Yaochi Manor, it would be a waste of your talent. With your abilities, you deserve a bigger stage."

Xi Hongchen looked puzzled, wondering what Zhou Qingfeng was up to.

Zhou Qingfeng patted her arm, walked to the pavilion with his hands behind his back, and looked up at the heavy snow: "Yaochi Manor has been completely exposed. It will be impossible to continue operating the businesses you mentioned. Even if we change the signboard, those high-ranking officials and nobles will not dare to come and mingle here anymore. It has lost its meaning of existence."

"I've decided to sell the Yaochi Manor and take you back to the Sword Tower. Your hundreds of furnace cauldrons can also come back to the Sword Tower with you. From now on, they can be employed in my manor."

Upon hearing this, Xi Hongchen felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. She knew she had passed the master-recognition interview. Today's meeting had changed her destiny, and she had seized this life-changing opportunity.

If she cannot gain Zhou Qingfeng's approval, the final outcome will be the sale of the manor, and she will most likely be used by Zhou Qingfeng as a vessel for sexual intercourse.

Although she is still a slave now, she has a new master who is more powerful and ambitious and needs her talents more. This is her chance to change her life. She will not give up. She will work hard to make contributions and seize every opportunity to change her fate until she obtains the freed slave certificate and becomes a free citizen.

She did not want to live a life of servitude as a slave.

She wanted to live like a human being, like a real human being. Anyone who dared to stop her from regaining her freedom, or stand in her way, would be eliminated without hesitation or by any means necessary.

However, she couldn't say these things aloud, and she certainly couldn't ask Zhou Qingfeng for the release document, because there were some things that masters could give, but slaves couldn't ask for; to do so would be courting death.

"Jin Wei, come here." Zhou Qingfeng glanced at Jin Wei, who was waiting on the lakeside veranda, and beckoned him over.

Seeing this, Jin Wei stepped onto the bridge with one hand on his sword, quickly walked to the pavilion in the middle of the lake, and then bowed and clasped his hands: "Young Master, Gu Huanian has been brought here."

Zhou Qingfeng hummed in agreement, then pointed at Xi Hongchen with a smile and said, "I really like this woman. I'm going to take her back to the Sword Tower and keep her in the manor for future use. I'll also bring the people from the manor back to the city. You can make the arrangements."

Jin Wei glanced sideways at Xi Hongchen, then bowed and replied, "Yes, sir."

Zhou Qingfeng: "Miss Xi, pack your things and come back to the city with me."

"This concubine takes her leave." Xi Hongchen blushed slightly, bowed, and turned to leave.

Zhou Qingfeng: "Jin Wei, let Gu Huanian come over."

"Yes." Jin Wei bowed and clasped his hands in a salute, then turned and quickly returned to the lakeside pavilion with one hand on his sword. He invited Gu Huanian to sit down in the lakeside pavilion, then stepped back a few steps to make room for conversation and await orders.

"Patriarch Gu, it's been many years since we last met." Zhou Qingfeng sat down at the tea table, casually put the tea set on the table into his holy ring, then took out his own tea set and tea, and slowly brewed the tea.

Gu Huanian sat up straight and replied respectfully, "Young Master, it's been many years. You are even more radiant than before. I wish you good health and all the best in the new year."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled slightly, poured a cup of tea and handed it over: "Patriarch Gu, you didn't come here specifically to pay New Year's respects, did you? Just say what you have to say. You and I were once comrades who shared life and death, so there's no need for those formalities."

Gu Huanian took the teacup with both hands, took a slow sip and said, "Young Master, thank you for your care. If it weren't for your name, how could my Gu family have gained a foothold in the Sword Tower? Over the years, my Gu family's business has grown bigger and bigger. We have never forgotten your help, Young Master. We have paid tribute to you every year, but we still cannot repay even a fraction of your kindness."

“After much thought, I, Gu, am troubled by my conscience. Young Master is benevolent and righteous, how can I, Gu, turn a blind eye? Today I have come to bring the Gu family to submit to Young Master, and I humbly request Young Master to take us in. My Gu family is willing to die for Young Master.”

Zhou Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips: "Alright, from today onwards, your family matters are my matters."

He waited for many years, and finally the Gu family took the initiative to come to his aid.

Today's defection was already destined many years ago.

The Gu family can indeed gain a foothold in the Sword Tower and even thrive by using his name. But what happens after they gain a foothold? Should they continue to use his name? If they do, it means they have to submit to Zhou Qingfeng and seek his long-term protection.

If they don't continue to act under his banner, how can the various forces allow a small family like the Gu family to sit on the table and share the cake? The Gu family will have to give back everything they've gained in the past years, and they might even be completely expelled from the Sword Tower. If they don't want to be kicked out of the Sword Tower, they'll have to come and submit to Zhou Qingfeng.

Zhou Qingfeng had anticipated the final outcome for many years. The Gu family had been playing tricks all these years, giving him gifts every year and not actively using his name to do anything, so that others would mistakenly believe that the Gu family was his people.

Zhou Qingfeng neither explained nor clarified, allowing the Gu family to continue to develop and grow independently.

Because there are always hurdles that the Gu family cannot overcome, and obstacles that cannot be fooled.

Once they meet, it will be the time for Zhou Qingfeng to subdue the Gu family.

Now that the time is right, Zhou Qingfeng is determined to swallow the Gu family whole.

Gu Huanian hesitated, then stammered, "Young Master, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled, took a sip of tea, and pointed at Gu Huanian: "Tell me, what trouble have you run into?"

Gu Huanian smiled broadly: "Young Master is wise and mighty. I have indeed encountered trouble. Someone has threatened me, wanting to seize all the assets of our Gu family. If I do not comply, they will exterminate our Gu family this spring."

The Gu family has indeed developed very well in recent years. In the early days, they drove away countless evil spirits just by relying on the name of Zhou Qingfeng. All forces knew that the Gu family had a strong backing and maintained a high degree of restraint. No one dared to destroy the Gu family for fear of making enemies of Zhou Qingfeng.

With its talented members and abundant wealth, the Gu family entered its golden age of development, constantly encroaching on the interests of other forces. Out of respect for Zhou Qingfeng, the various forces could only make slight concessions, which allowed the Gu family to reap the benefits and make a fortune.

However, as time went by, the Gu family's power grew, and they seized too much profit, which aroused the dissatisfaction of many people. Moreover, since the Gu family had gained a foothold, they had stopped using Zhou Qingfeng's name to do things. Many forces suddenly felt something was wrong and, after careful and in-depth investigation, they finally found out what was going on.

So it turns out your Gu family was just using someone else's name to intimidate others. Even though we know the truth, no one dares to mess with the tiger's tail. But there are always some bold ones who are the first to tentatively reveal their gaping maw to the Gu family.

Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow: "He seized by trickery and even threatened to exterminate your clan? This is utterly lawless! Sword Tower is a place that values ​​rules and laws. How can we tolerate such a thug committing evil deeds? Who is this person?"

Gu Huanian said, "The Xia family, Xia Xiangdong."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng looked puzzled: "Who? Who is this person? I've never heard of him before."

Seeing this, Gu Huanian explained, "The Xia family is a thousand-year-old noble family of the Sword Tower, specializing in the manufacture of air warships and civilian airships. They control 30% of the air transport market and own two large rare metal mines, one producing toxic-grade ore and the other producing desire-grade ore. Xia Xiangdong is the head of the Xia family."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng lost interest: "Jin Wei."

Jin Wei stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Jin Wei is here."

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "Did you hear that? Patriarch Gu has come to complain. This Patriarch Xia, relying on his noble status, has been trying to seize all of someone else's wealth. He threatened to exterminate the entire clan if they didn't give it to him. He is utterly lawless and has no regard for the law."

"I'm leaving this to you. You personally invite this Xia family head to the Fifth Bureau for tea, have a good talk with him. If you understand him, let him go. If you don't understand, then execute him. Add as many charges as you can, up to the death penalty."

Jin Wei clasped his hands in apology and replied, "I will obey your command, young master."

Zhou Qingfeng looked at the Gu family head, offered him tea with a smile, and said, "The matter is resolved. Please have some tea."

"Have some tea, have some tea." Gu Huanian licked his lips and took a sip of tea with trembling hands. He had never imagined that power could be used in this way. It was terrifying, absolutely terrifying. For the first time, the Gu family head had witnessed the allure of power.

The Gu family's allegiance will bring Zhou Qingfeng a continuous stream of high-level talent. Furthermore, 40% of all profits from the Gu family's future businesses must be paid as tribute. In emergencies, Zhou Qingfeng can also mobilize all of the Gu family's funds and manpower. This is the fate of vassal families.

Over the years, the main family will become stronger and stronger, and the vassal families will always be dominated. In the event of war, the elite forces of the vassal families will be mobilized and sent to the front line to fight.

Until their value is completely exploited by their master, their talent dwindles, and they are utterly destroyed.

Becoming a vassal family has many disadvantages, but just as many advantages.

For example, they can gain stable time and space for development, receive the protection and support of the master family, and while the master family enjoys the benefits, the vassal family can also have a share, allowing the family members to make a name for themselves on a larger stage.

In short, whether the vassal family's fate is good or bad ultimately depends on the master family.

Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, it was January 10, 1093.

On this day, the Dream Fulfillment Organization finally received news regarding the whereabouts of the Demon Spirit of Words.

In the study, Jin Wei pressed his sword down with one hand and reported with his head down: "The young master entrusted the Dream Fulfillment Organization to find the Word Demon Spirit. Now the Dream Fulfillment Organization has sent the latest intelligence. The Word Demon Spirit is suspected to have appeared in the territory of Lion Camel City, near Flame Mountain, about 180 million miles away from the Sword Tower."

Zhou Qingfeng was practicing calligraphy at his desk, holding a brush in one hand: "Suspected... enough."

The Word Demon Spirit is extremely difficult to find, often appearing only briefly. Back then, Qiu Chengde was forced to give up his attempt to cultivate the ancient secret technique of "False Words Transform into True Form" because he couldn't find it. Now, the word "suspected" is enough for Zhou Qingfeng to set off for the destination to personally capture the Word Demon Spirit, ensuring that nothing goes wrong and lest he miss the opportunity.

Zhou Qingfeng casually placed the brush on the inkstone: "I'm going to the City Lord's Mansion to say goodbye to my mother. You'd better prepare yourself and come with me on a long trip. We'll travel light, keep a low profile, and come back quickly."

Jin Wei clasped his hands and bowed: "Understood."

In the inner courtyard of the city lord's mansion, in the warm pavilion, Zhou Qingfeng explained his purpose to the First Lady and awaited her response. The First Lady lay on her side on the warm couch, tapping the forbidden book in her palm with her fingers.

The First Lady calmly said, "Very well, consider it a learning experience. I will allow you to bring two attendants."

Zhou Qingfeng was taken aback, then hesitated to speak.

The First Lady waved her hand dismissively: "No need for further words, go."