Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 654 - 8: Xiao Tian Dog and Inverted Sheep, Winter Preselection (Da Zhang)_2

Chapter 654: Chapter 8: Xiao Tian Dog and Inverted Sheep, Winter Preselection (Da Zhang)_2

Thanks to the money and connections Zhao Xing brought back, Zhao Ruide donated a considerable amount of wealth to the ’Ciyangyuan’ institution of the Nanyang County Government.

He then received an honorary title of ’Ciyang Doctor,’ which had no substantive benefits but opened the self-cultivation path to the seventh rank.

Zhao Ruide was already a Martial Artist. With just a taste of the treasures Zhao Xing brought back, he became a Ninth Grade Martial Artist at the age of sixty-one.

After arriving in Bixian County, Zhao Ruide had nothing to do, so he applied for the patrol guard position in Dongyang County.

For the father of Marquis Yuan Rang to take up a small patrol guard position, it was naturally at his fingertips.

In just a year, Zhao Ruide became the Deputy Inspector of the Dongyang Inspection Bureau and broke through to the Eighth Grade Martial Artist Realm.

Reaching the eighth-grade realm, sixty years could not be considered old, and the previous hidden injuries naturally no longer existed.

Now, Mrs. Cai was pregnant again.

"Father, do you wish for a daughter this time or another son?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Having a precious son is not as good as having a precious daughter," Zhao Ruide laughed. "You and Zheng’er have been troublesome enough."

Zhao Xing smiled wryly.

But Zhao Ruide was right. After all, he had led his family to travel thousands of miles away from their hometown, which was indeed exhausting.

When Zhao Zheng was a child, he was quite a handful, never listening to his father, climbing onto roofs, fishing in the water, setting off firecrackers in latrines, and being very naughty.

"I also hope for a little sister," Zhao Xing laughed. "She should be much more well-behaved than Zheng’er."

After chatting with Zhao Ruide for a while, Zhao Xing planned to visit the Prince Mansion in the county town.

Before leaving, Zhao Ruide held Zhao Xing back and asked: "I invited a few gentlemen from the county to choose a name for you. Four were selected."

"Which four?"

"Ze Yu, Yuan You, Xi Zhen, Chen An."

"A gentleman like jade, grace bestowing the four directions. Ze Yu suits your name well, this was chosen by Mr. Yang, the Imperial Censor of the county town."

"A rare talent, confident and resolute. Xi Zhen fits your character. This was chosen by Mr. Yue Lu, the former Prefectural Governor of Bixian County."

"Yuan You’s Five Elements are wood and earth. You are the Minister of Agriculture, sheltering the people. This name is also very appropriate. This was chosen by Liu Sicheng from the Princess Mansion," Zhao Ruide recalled.

"Father, you know so many important people now. Who chose the name Chen An?" Zhao Xing asked with a smile.

Zhao Ruide pointed to himself. "Chen An was chosen by me. I hope you will be safe and sound at every hour."

Zhao Xing’s smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal. He cupped his hands and said: "As you wish, my name shall be Chen An."

Zhao Ruide immediately burst into a happy laugh.

...

On November 12th of the 21st year of Jingxin, just after the Start of Winter.

After returning home, Zhao Xing stayed for a day, then went to the Prince Mansion to pay respects to Princess You Ruo.

"Master’s wife, your student has come to greet you."

"Since you are here, why did you bring so many gifts?" Princess You Ruo said, but there was a hint of joy in her eyes.

Because Zhao Xing had not brought anything else, only things he had grown himself. Moreover, he had carefully pruned them, making the Golden Jade Bamboo and the Red Curtain Willow even more ornamental.

The Purple Kite Fruit was a Sixth Order Fruit, not only showing his thoughtfulness but also demonstrating Zhao Xing’s abilities.

It proved that he had not wasted the resources given by Princess You Ruo.

"This is a token of my respect as a disciple," Zhao Xing said. "A year ago, I planted them for you."

A year ago?

Princess You Ruo felt even more pleased upon hearing this.

Although it was of little use to her, Zhao Xing’s willingness to do these things for her showed his sincere heart.

"Come, accompany me for a walk, let’s plant these things."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing followed behind Princess You Ruo to a garden.

He transplanted the Golden Jade Bamboo, the Red Curtain Willow, and other plants there.

"Not bad, they indeed look beautiful," Princess You Ruo graciously praised.

"As I promised earlier, you can select a ten-thousand-year-old Mystic Turtle shell with Liu Sicheng."

"After choosing, have dinner here before you leave."

"Yes." Zhao Xing cupped his hands, then followed Liu Wanliang, the Prince Mansion’s Chief, to the warehouse.

The Prince Mansion’s Chief was an official position of Great Zhou, responsible for managing the various affairs of the princesses, princes, and other members of the royal family, essentially acting as a steward for the royal family.

Princess You Ruo had many stewards because she had numerous palaces and mansions.

This Liu Wanliang was the chief steward, holding a fourth-rank position, with unfathomable strength.

Zhao Xing remembered this person because later, when Princess You Ruo married into the Holy Light Royal Court, he accompanied her and was very loyal.

Later, when Princess You Ruo became an old witch, many of the secret operations were managed by Liu Wanliang.

The Prince Mansion’s inner treasury was not just one room but a series of palaces.

Each palace stored different treasures.

Liu Wanliang led Zhao Xing to dive into a lake.

In the lake, there was a Crystal Palace. After entering the palace barrier, Zhao Xing was immediately dazzled.

Various underwater rare treasures were neatly arranged and hung all over the palace.

Taking any one of them and selling it would provide a lifetime of wealth.

"Marquis Yuan Rang." Liu Wanliang led Zhao Xing to the depths of the Crystal Palace’s side hall, where various underwater plants and corals surrounded.

In the side hall, many enormous turtle shells were placed.

"Marquis Yuan Rang, the ten-thousand-year-old turtle shells are all here."

"There are Mystic Turtles, Fire Turtles, Alligator Turtles, Dragon Turtles..."

Liu Wanliang introduced them.

"Marquis Yuan Rang may choose at will."

Zhao Xing was not greedy. He only wanted one ten-thousand-year-old Mystic Turtle shell.

"I don’t need to choose carefully. Please, sir, select a ten-thousand-year-old Mystic Turtle shell for me."

"Only one?"

"Only one."

"Alright." Liu Wanliang nodded, then floated forward, pointing with his finger, "Rise!"

Rumble~

The ground cracked open, and a colossal creature emitting a faint glow emerged from the depths.