Even with him and Zhongxuan Sheng, two State Marquises here, thoroughly investigating a county’s land is not a simple task. Especially when the person they’re searching for has already shed the green card, is no longer a person of Qi, and is no longer important to Qi Country.

What name can they use to undertake such a task?

Lin Youxie has already been missing for a long time and cannot afford further delays.

Zhongxuan Sheng and Shisi went to their courtyard to quickly change into casual clothes, then set off together with Jiang Wang to Deer Frost County.

"The relationship between the Lei Clan and the Eleventh Prince is one where their fortunes rise and fall together. However, the Eleventh Prince has already died, and their situation isn’t too dire. Because to the other Palace Masters, the Lei Clan is no longer a threat, and they don’t mind showing benevolence to the Lei Clan. But after losing the support of the Longevity Palace, the decline of the Lei Family is inevitable. What they previously consumed and took, they now have to give back."

In the carriage running swiftly on the Official Way, Zhongxuan Sheng narrated leisurely, "The previous generation of the Lei Family didn’t have any remarkable individuals. In the younger generation, the ones considered excellent are Lei Zhanqian and Lei Yikun. The latter is not as good as the former, but the former has already lost his edge. Without any changes, in another ten or twenty years, even in Deer Frost County, the words of the Lei Family may not be influential."

Jiang Wang stated objectively, "Lei Zhanqian’s talent is undoubtedly not bad. If he can recover, he might bear the future of the Lei Family."

The heart of a strong person is better displayed in adversity than in favorable circumstances.

From Lei Zhanqian’s post-failure demeanor, his once formidable prestige, comparable to Wang Yiwu’s, was mostly propped up by the Longevity Palace Masters.

But he was able to wield the Thunder Seal, subduing the heavens and earth, and even enter the preliminary list of the Yellow River Gathering; he is by no means an average individual.

"No matter how good the talent is, if neglected for too long, it truly becomes wasted. So I say the most important thing is to see how he passes the next decade." Zhongxuan Sheng said indifferently, "Let’s wait and see."

...

With Qingzhuan’s mastery, Marquis Wu’an’s carriage drove straight to the ancestral land of the Lei Family in Deer Frost County.

The main gate of the Lei Clan’s old residence, where the Clan Leader resides, was wide open, and Lei Clan Leader Lei Zong Xian personally welcomed them outside, loudly proclaiming the honorific titles of the two Marquises, bowing deeply. Lei Zhanqian, Lei Yikun, and other family juniors also respectfully saluted afterward.

Judging from past experiences, this Lei Zong Xian is moderately talented. The most important reason he can hold the position of Clan Leader steadily is because... Concubine Lei, who was once highly favored by the Son of Heaven, is his biological sister. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

No doubt, he shares many common topics with Gao Xianchang, the current Clan Leader of the Jinghai Gao Clan.

Moreover, Lei Zong Xian has a son, Lei Zhanqian, who took off the Thunder Seal Divine Skills and was once touted as the hope of the Lei Clan for the next 500 years, giving him absolute authority within the family.

That’s why people say life’s unpredictable, and the human sea is ever-changing.

Indeed, if pushed back a year, if Jiang Wuqi were still alive, even if Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Sheng came with the dignity of State Marquises, it wouldn’t require Lei Zong Xian to personally welcome them outside the door; having Lei Zhanqian do it would be respectful enough.

The storms of life don’t just break the old branches; they soak the old friends.

Jiang Wang didn’t put on the Marquis airs. He quickly got off the carriage, first greeting Lei Zong Xian, then proactively supporting Lei Zhanqian.

The last time they met was soon after Jiang Wuqi’s passing.

At that time, Jiang Wang was still the Son of Qingyang; today, he is Marquis Wu’an.

At that time, Lei Zhanqian was despondent and discouraged; today, his despondency runs deeper, and his eyes are even somewhat numb.

Still the same person, the same features, the same attire, the same hair, but the aura of dominating the world and looking down on all has completely dissipated.

Standing honestly in the crowd, he seemed even less eye-catching than Lei Yikun beside him at first glance.

Lei Zhanqian is the son of Clan Leader Lei Zong Xian, while the short and stout Lei Yikun is the grandson of Lei Zhanqian’s great-uncle; the two are rather distant cousins.

Jiang Wuqi was more closely related to Lei Zhanqian in terms of blood, and their feelings were deeper. However, when Jiang Wuqi was around, Lei Yikun always accompanied him in handling affairs.

Back in Yunwu Mountain, the tough-natured Lei Yikun regarded Jiang Wang with an almost hostile stare. In today’s meeting, facing Jiang Wang’s gaze, he only revealed a friendly smile.

Zhongxuan Sheng and Shisi stepped out of the carriage hand in hand, saying directly, "Lei World Uncle, don’t be too formal. To be honest, I and Marquis Wu’an have come today with a request. I wonder if it’s convenient for us to have a moment alone with Brother Zhanqian?"

No more than the luxurious attire of a marquis draped over his body, today’s Zhongxuan Sheng was not the same as in the previous days.

It was not evident when he was alone with Jiang Wang, but in front of outsiders, his transformation was almost like a rebirth.

It’s not just the change in rank but also a tangible impact on spirit, related to personal cultivation. Within his obese body, transcendent power is burgeoning anew.

The warm smile still hung on his face, but it didn’t make people feel deceivably gentle. Instead, it was his authority and friendliness that were more palpable.

Jiang Wang always believed that, among all the contemporaries he knew, Zhongxuan Sheng was the one most suited for the Official Way, who can best leverage its advantages. Now, inheriting the marquis title, indeed like a hidden dragon soaring into the abyss.

He alighted from the carriage, and when he spoke, there was a certain aura of commanding the situation.

More noble than Jiang Wang, who became a State Marquis earlier.

Without any intense words, Lei Zong Xian was actually intimidated by his presence, momentarily dazed, unsure of how to respond.