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All magician clans uphold one rule when establishing the legitimacy of their members: if one has the aptitude of a magician, they are considered legitimate; without the aptitude, they are illegitimate!

No matter who your maternal family is, magicians rely on their innate talents.

Some people, no matter how distinguished their birth, simply can’t make it, and that’s that.

It can only be said that those with a good maternal lineage initially enjoy better educational resources.

But once they pass ten years of age and their talents are confirmed, the clan will reallocate resources according to those talents.

And for a family within the clan to secure more resources, they must put forward the child with the best magical aptitude.

Over time, magician families have come to prioritize talent above all else.

Take Shen Yiyang for example.

His own birth mother was the legitimate wife from the great Nanyang clan.

But later, he was suppressed by a child born of a concubine.

Despite the rules of the magician families, which dictate that any offspring from a concubine should be left with the mother, he, born of the principal wife, ended up managing idle affairs for the illegitimate children.

Not only did his mother lose face, but deep down, he also felt indignant.

And the reason for all of this was that he was a mere mortal who couldn’t grasp any techniques!

Yet now, someone was telling him that there was something in this world that could endow a mortal with divine skills?

Shen Yiyang suddenly felt his worldview being challenged!!

“Sir…

you must be joking, right?

How could such things exist?”

His heart felt like it was pounding a little too fiercely; even though he found it absurd, a part of him was irresistibly intrigued.

“I also thought it was impossible…” Chen Ying said with a complex expression, speaking softly.

“But the fact is just so, Manager Shen also saw it, the valor of those soldiers just now was quite extraordinary, wasn’t it?”

“But…

but that doesn’t necessarily mean they possess divine skills, right?” Shen Yiyang frowned and said.

“It is divine skills!” Chen Ying affirmed, “The reason they can jump down from such heights wearing dozens of pounds of armor and still move so agilely is that they can control the wind spirits.

I’ve observed their actions several times, I’m not mistaken.”

“Then…

could it be that these soldiers are of a bloodline capable of…”

“No!” Chen Ying shook her head.

“They are just ordinary hunters.

Look closely…”

As he said that, Chen Ying pointed at two soldiers who were currently changing shifts.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yiyang turned his gaze and observed carefully.

Being a merchant, he had an acute sense of observation, and he soon noticed the problem.

The two soldiers were laughing and talking, but their situations were quite different.

Both clad in dozens of pounds of armor, one walked slowly and seemingly strained, while the other was as light as a feather.

That wasn’t out of the ordinary; everyone’s physical condition differs, and some people have more strength than others, which isn’t necessarily indicative of anything.

But the key was the moment the two of them switched places!

The moment the off-duty and on-duty soldiers switched, their conditions changed instantly…

The one who had previously moved with such ease suddenly became evidently heavier, each step he took seemed much more laborious.

By contrast, the man who had been struggling earlier became so light on his feet that he climbed to the top of the city wall in just a few strides, as if he had become someone else!

“This…” Shen Yiyang was stunned.

“This is…”

“Outside of this range…” Chen Ying drew a circle on the table with tea water.

“Just in the range of this city gate’s defense, those soldiers turn back into ordinary people!”

“Is there really such a thing?” Shen Yiyang took a deep breath.

Although he was a mortal, the Shen family was a sorcerer family with a thousand-year history, with countless strange tales recorded in its archives.

He considered himself well-versed and knowledgeable, but he had never heard of such a thing in this world!

“This is also the first time I’ve seen it.” Chen Ying watched the city gate area in a daze.

“The world is indeed full of wonders!”

Wei Gongcheng, listening to their conversation, stealthily touched his numb legs, recalling what Chen Qing had said when he tried to win him over.

General Wei is a man of capability; don’t be too hard on yourself, there will come a day when you’ll stand tall again!

“Endow a mortal with divine skills?” Wei Gongcheng murmured to himself, his indifferent eyes gleaming once more…

—————————————-

By the fifth day, the market in Lyuzhou began to exhibit a strange reaction.

Suddenly, a lot of people emerged inquiring about real estate in Lyuzhou…

After the incident in Lyuzhou, most residents moved out, leaving many houses vacant, and many didn’t have time to sell.

Even those who wanted to sell found no buyers in the market.

In South Street’s prime locations, large courtyards that were once worth tens of thousands dropped to a tenth of the price without a single inquiry, leaving brokers with worn-out lips unable to sell a single house.

But in the past few days, a bunch of people appeared eager to snap up properties.

Many brokers hadn’t even realized what was happening before the real estate they had up for sale was suddenly sold out.

It was an even more exaggerated scene in the county town: many rich merchants and scholars who had fled were approached with inquiries about their interest in selling Lyuzhou properties, like just today, Zhou, a wealthy merchant from Luling County, encountered someone wanting to buy his Lyuzhou estate.

“Oh, isn’t this Gu Biaotou?” The plump and jolly Zhou looked curiously at the visitor.

“I was wondering who was interested in buying property.

Gu Biaotou, you’ve just returned from the north, haven’t you?”

“That’s right!” Gu Bei chuckled.

“Thanks to Mr.

Zhou’s great fortune, the batch of cloth sold extremely well, all thanks to your care.”

“Haha, is that so?

That’s great, that’s great!” Zhou, the wealthy merchant, laughed like the Maitreya Buddha, yet his mind was whirling with thoughts.

Was cloth really in such high demand in the North this year?

He hadn’t looked out for this ruffian turned escort leader; initially assuming the man had no supply channels, he had hiked up the prices—take it or leave it.

To his surprise, the man had bought quite a lot, even taking out high-interest loans, and still made a profit?

It seems he should make a trip to the North when he’s free.

What intrigued him more, however, was what the man was up to now.

“Gu Biaotou…oh no, it should be Boss Gu now, haven’t you heard about what’s happening in Lyuzhou?”

“Heard of it, heard of it…” Gu Bei chuckled, “I’m not scared at all.

You know me, Zhou.

After all these years at sea, I’ve killed more Water Ghosts than I can count.

Why would I be afraid of some insignificant demons?

I think the people in Lyuzhou are just overreacting.”

Zhou nodded upon hearing this, feeling reassured.

It made sense; the man was from an escort background and had spent so many years at sea.

It wasn’t his first encounter with the unclean, so it was normal for him to be less fazed.

“Now that I’ve made some money, I plan to buy a larger house for my wife and kids to live more comfortably…” Gu Bei said with a simple and honest smile, “I also took notice of the situation in Lyuzhou.

With so many houses for sale at low prices, it seemed like a good opportunity.”

“If there are so many houses for sale at low prices, why come to me?” Zhou asked with narrowed eyes.

“Those not for sale are just too big…” Gu Bei said sheepishly.

“Even at a tenth of the cost, the base price is too much for me to afford…

As for the houses in the north of the city, well, they lack the prestige of South Street, so I came to ask Big Brother Zhou.”

Zhou’s face remained cheery, but a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.

A country bumpkin, no matter how much money he earned overseas, could never shed his farmer’s way of thinking.

Doesn’t he realize why the houses on South Street are priced so low at the moment?

Prestige?

That’s built by the wealthy.

With everyone gone, what prestige is there to speak of?

This was perfect timing as he was looking to offload his property.

The fool had just walked right into his hands.

Consequently, Zhou feigned hesitance, “Ordinarily, I’d be reluctant to part with it, having lived there for so many years.

But since Brother Gu is interested, I wouldn’t want our relationship to sour over a house…”

“Hey hey, Big Brother, don’t say that!” Gu Bei hastily interjected.

“I’m just inquiring.

If it pains you to sell, I’ll look elsewhere.

I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you…”

“It’s no bother…” Given the rare chance of finding a buyer, Zhou was not about to let Gu leave.

He quickly added, “I wouldn’t sell it to anyone else, but since Brother Gu has asked, I have no qualms about it…

Well, how about this?

Let’s go with the current rate for South Street.

Although my house isn’t big, I originally spent over ten thousand taels on it.

What about selling it to you for one thousand five hundred taels?”

“This…” Gu Bei hesitated, “To be straight with you, Big Brother, my budget is only one thousand two hundred taels.

Besides, I need to buy goods for the next business trip.”

“Done!” Zhou immediately declared, “We’re both straightforward.

Let’s not fuss over the details.

Since that’s all the budget you have, Brother, let’s make it one thousand two hundred taels!”

“Big Brother, you’re so generous!” Gu Bei promptly praised, clasping his hands in gratitude.

“Hey, we’re family, no need for such words!”

So, anxious that Gu Bei might change his mind, Zhou briskly summoned someone to bring the property deed, signed the agreement, and stamped it.

After receiving the money, he instantly felt much lighter.

Being able to sell his property early in the morning was truly a delightful start to the day.

———————————–

“Boss, how did it go?

Did you get it?”

No sooner had Gu Bei stepped out the door than several waiting brothers hurriedly approached and asked.

“Shh, keep it down!” Gu Bei shot them a glare, then quickly pulled them away before speaking in a hushed tone, “Like I couldn’t manage that shortsighted pig?

What about Xiao Wei?”

“He’s got it too!” the man rubbed his hands together, “Hong Jie and the others succeeded as well.

Boss, are we really going to be the folks from a wealthy area?”

“Heh, of course!” Gu Bei’s smile was ear to ear, “These idiots actually think they’ve made a good deal.”

“Boss, can Lyuzhou really become busier than before?”

“Would I lie to you?” Gu Bei rolled his eyes at him.

“If you’re worried, sell me the house you bought.

I’ll pay thirty percent more!”

“No way, no way…” The man grinned, “I want to live with those scholars too, to have my son study with the Great Confucian!”

“Oh right, don’t forget our task!” Gu Bei became serious upon hearing the mention of scholars, “It’s an honor that the Prefectural Governor holds us in high regard and entrusts us with this job.

We must do it beautifully!”

“Don’t worry, boss, we’ve already gathered all the info on those scholars.

Shall we go now?”

“Yes!”