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"Go check which family in Nanhai City the ship from Jiangnan is related to, see if anyone really came for a family visit, and report back to me as soon as you find out."

"Yes..." the black-clad man who was given the order hurriedly complied, but the steward in charge of receiving the Jiangnan ship’s goods was slightly startled and cautiously said, "Young Master Zhuo, is such caution really necessary? Didn’t we just look it over? Isn’t it just a normal merchant ship? "

"A normal merchant ship doesn’t mean a master couldn’t be hiding aboard.

The current situation is out of the ordinary.

My father isn’t at the Chen Residence, and most of the family heads and elders of other families have gone to Yundu, even the more capable younger generation followed them, being extra cautious outwardly is also to minimize mistakes, is it not? "

Hearing this, the steward immediately bowed and said, "Young Master Zhuo truly thinks things through."

The Head Butlers of the Chen Family held Chen Zhuo in great respect, the legitimate third son, for he was truly a capable man.

Although he wasn’t gifted with magical talents, in terms of personnel control, social interactions, and seizing business opportunities, the Head Butler felt that even the old butlers of the major commerce houses were no match for him.

Moreover, the young master ruled with an even hand, and in some aspects, he even outdid the Family Head.

He combined kindness and authority so effectively that the employees of the businesses he ran were all extremely obedient; such ability was rare indeed.

Unfortunately, the world wasn’t fair. No matter how good one was in these areas, it still wasn’t as useful as having the talent of a magician.

After giving his subordinates their tasks, Chen Zhuo directly took a carriage back to his home.

The Chen Residence in Nanhai was quite luxurious.

Nanhai was hot, and wealthy families now liked to place Ice Jades from Jiangnan in their rooms, but the Chen Family went even farther, cooling down entire courtyards with Ice Jade, which was indeed uncommon.

Sorcerer Families, though standing above in their status, still had to obey the rules of doing business, especially since many families had abandoned their Capital City enterprises to come to Nanhai, where many of them were not well-adapted, leading to an actual shortage of funds.

Though the resources of the Dragon Palace wouldn’t be lacking, the quality of life had visibly deteriorated for many; the Chen Family was among the few whose quality hadn’t declined.

Under Chen Zhuo’s management, the business in Nanhai had thrived within just one year, enabling the Chen Family to maintain an even more luxurious lifestyle than in the Capital City.

In the whole of Nanhai, only the Chen Family could afford such luxury as to cover the courtyards entirely with Ice Jade.

"Zhuo’er, why have you come back so late? Are you hungry? I had Qingju stew some soup, hurry, sit down and rest."

The speaker was a stunning woman, Chen Zhuo’s mother, the Lady of the Chen Family.

Since she was born into a Sorcerer Family, she had a long lifespan.

Although she was now in her fifties, she still appeared to be in her early twenties.

To outsiders, Chen Zhuo even seemed older and more mature than his own mother; some might even believe him to be the older brother of the lady of the house.

That’s one reason many sons without talents in major families shared an average relationship with their mothers.

By the age of fifty or sixty, talentless sons would look like old men while their magically-gifted mothers might appear the same age as their granddaughters; under such circumstances, it would be shamefully hard to even call them "mother. "

It was fortunate... that the heavens hadn’t left him completely hopeless...

Chen Zhuo touched his chest and then responded with a smile, "Mother, you could have eaten without waiting for me."

"Your father and your two brothers are out. If you don’t keep me company, how can I eat alone?" she replied with a slight glare, instructing the servants to set the tableware and continued, "As for the business at the dock, you can just have the servants watch over it, must you go personally?"

"It’s not about watching every day, but I have to make an occasional appearance, otherwise, if those below notice the lack of supervision from above, they may become lax.

Plus, a shipment from Jiangnan just came in today, and I thought I might as well take a look.

You know as well, mother, that the goods from Jiangnan are quite valuable, and if we’re not quick, others might set their sights on them. "

"Oh?" The Lady’s eyes lit up, "Is there any new Ice Jade? I’ve heard that this newest Ice Jade from Jiangnan not only cools but also dehumidifies. Oh dear, you don’t understand.

Since coming to Nanhai, the humidity is so heavy that I can barely sleep.

During the day, I can use Spiritual Power to ward off the dampness, but at night, once I’m asleep, there’s nothing I can do.

Then when I wake up the next day, I am all aches and pains. "

"There isn’t any this time..." Chen Zhuo said with a wry smile. "This shipment brought mostly wines and teas. The newest Jade Stones and some crafts aren’t available yet. However, mother, regarding the ship that came, I have already ordered them to bring some of the latest Ice Jade. It shouldn’t be a problem for mother and father to use first."

"Get one for yourself too," the Lady hastily instructed. "You’re not like us; your body needs care. You’re not married yet, you know..."

"Mother, why bring this up again..."

The two carried on with their chatter, and dinner was almost consumed in that half an hour. Chen Zhuo remained patient all the while until his mother departed. It was only then that he let out a slight sigh, his eyes revealing a trace of coldness.

His demeanor changed drastically in an instant, nothing like his usual mild and graceful manner. Even the direction in which his mother left wasn’t spared a touch of malice.

"Your mother has been good to you, why harbor such resentment?"

A gentle female voice echoed in his mind.

"Good to me?" Chen Zhuo scoffed coldly. "All the best things went to my elder and second brothers.

If I had been without any trace of magical talent before, that woman could have said there was nothing she could do.

But what about now? She clearly knew that you could change my fate, yet she still gave the chance to my elder brother.

He has already had so many resources, and with such talent, he became a Dragon Vein Sorcerer.

Mother still finds that insufficient, actually wanting to give this opportunity to him, as if she wishes to give everything good to my elder brother. "

Don’t you ever think that your other sons... also need that chance?

Suddenly, that female voice turned serious. "Something has happened!"

"Huh?" Chen Zhuo was startled. Since he had merged with this thing, he had never heard her speak so seriously, and quickly asked, "What’s wrong?"

"The parasite in your elder brother’s body is in trouble, and the Dragon King has summoned you."

"Alright!" Chen Zhuo nodded, and was about to move when he suddenly remembered something. He then went to the door and instructed the steward, "Hasn’t the person I sent to inquire about Jiangnan’s family ships returned yet?"

"No... What’s the matter, Young Master Zhuo?" The Head Butler was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. "Those Jiangnan cargo ships belong to the Zhou Family, and their relatives are the Lee Family in the east of the city. They are far from the docks, so gathering information won’t be that quick."

"I understand. When he returns, have him wait for me in the residence." Chen Zhuo shook his head and left straight away.

"As you wish, Young Master Zhuo."

After leaving the Chen Residence, Chen Zhuo directed, "Have your hidden agents keep an eye on the Lee Family and await orders at all times. If there’s any situation, take action immediately!"

"You suspect the people from Jiangnan are not simple?"

"They just arrived and trouble started elsewhere—it’s a bit too coincidental," Chen Zhuo said in a low voice. "Though it may just be a coincidence, under the current circumstances, I’d rather kill mistakenly than let someone off."

"What a charming man..." The voice in his mind giggled foolishly.

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"There’s a problem..."

Now having arrived at the Lee Mansion, Ao Zhen sniffed an unusual scent and scrutinized his surroundings gravely.

"What problem?" Murong Yunji looked around puzzled. Although her strength had not increased much since joining the Thunder Department, she was still an Extraordinary Level powerhouse. Yet when the other said there was a problem, she couldn’t feel it at all, which made her sink into thought.

After returning to Jiangnan, she found that some of the younger ones could stand shoulder to shoulder with her. This feeling of being constantly surpassed was truly unpleasant. She felt as if she was falling behind.

"The seafolk have come ashore," Ao Zhen said, looking into the distance. "A large number of seafolk have come ashore, I’d estimate... at least ten thousand!"