"Yes… However, this one believes it's unlike for the Wa family to seek trouble with me. Also, the Wa Family has long upheld the pure-blooded Empress of the Shen Clan. Their hearts lean where orthodoxy resides.

Yet Heaven's designs are seldom straightforward. Others might not know, but... 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The present Crown Prince was not born beneath vermilion banners, but from the womb of a palace maid of humble dust. In his early years, he was said to be mute and dull, as though his spirit had not yet awakened to this mortal coil.

Then, as seasons turned, the still water stirred, he gained sudden clarity about the world. His talent in cultivation rose like bamboo after spring rain. In but a handful of years, he grasped the principles of Alchemy, discerned the patterns of Formations, and walked the path of martial dao with uncommon swiftness.

When the Empress Dowager was struck by a rare and sinister poison, it was he who dissolved calamity into nothingness. Thus, by merit and by Heaven's favor, the mantle of Crown Prince descended upon him, rather than the son born from the Imperial empress."

The poetry of unparalleled height remains to parallel midm that seldom wisdom. It isn't unusual for someone to gain sudden clarity in a cultivation world where Phoenix rise and dragon roars.

But...

Eh!? A family that supports a pure-bloodline Empress, and a dumb prince born from a humble origin, suddenly gaining clarity and achieving an unattainable height. It is very much the "Xiao Fan" template the underdog that shakes the heaven and earth alike with his face-slapping abilities.

Of course, like many times before, this could be a fake template as well, but, knowing he is the Crown Prince and going to ascend as Emperor, it is very unlikely for it to be a "Fake template."

"Mother Lian, I presume your heart is like a flowing water that wants to know the mountain from which it originated. This one suggests, you to return to your hometown and greet your nine ancestors, it's always a good thing to maintain harmony with your family."

Tianmo's voice was soft, like the rustling of bamboo leaves in a gentle breeze, yet it carried the weight of a mountain, his deep piercing gaze focused on Madam Lian.

"Does Son Tianmo wish to drive this one away?"

Madam Lian's voice did not waver; it was a steady stream, calm on the surface, but beneath, the undercurrents were treacherous. Why would she ever wanna know the mountain the water originated from!

"Mother misunderstood my humble intention. The Wang Family is your family, and so is the Wa Family, there is no need to choose one over the other. I am merely suggesting you to visit your roots, perhaps, the Wa family might be able to help us in the future, but it's just me saying."

"I understood your concern Son, but the Wa family is a long orthodox family, it's very unlikely for them to help the Wang if the news about you being taboo is already leaked to the world. The Wa family practices harmony and the righteous path," She replied, her voice smooth as jade, though her fingers, resting on her knee, betrayed a faint tremor.

Harmony and the righteous path? Hmm, things got complicated. Tianmo thought for a moment but there was no logical answer here.

"I see. All doors and windows are closed, but it's completely normal. If this son can ask, may I know if you know other families that support other prices as well?" Tianmo asked, while the rest remained silent their eyes darting between Tianmo and Madam Lian.

Madam Lian took a composed breath and thought for a second. Her education was limited about the top families, but the entire Qin region is vast.

"I understand Son is trying to play a bigger game, but let me warn you, getting crushed between powerful forces won't have a good ending. The Wa family is merely a branch of the Great Qin's trunk, but there are others whose roots go deeper. If Son wishes for the Wang Family to form the connection then the best family would be the Shen family, I would love to discuss more but alas, we can only do it in private, it's not good for everyone to know about the Shen Family," She said looking at the rest of the family members, them finally at Tianmo.

"Leave," his voice was simple, and the meaning was easy to understand, but, Father Wang Xuahn raised his hand.

"Son, while I acknowledge your return and the authority you wield, this is still the Family Hall. The Wang Family is not a one-man leadership; we are a tree with many branches. Even a withered branch has its place in the shade."

Xuhan's voice was heavy. He did not look at Tianmo with fear, but with the weary resolve of a man who had watched his house nearly collapse and was now trying to prop it up with his own spine.

"Yes, son, let us hear about capital too, this humble woman was raised in a story of mud and sand, let me hear about the rising dragons and dancing Phoenixes," Madam Zhu added in, her voice booming with a high-pitched look at Tianmo with seductive eyes.

"Am I unclear or does someone think their ears are clogged with the wax of mortal ignorance?" Tianmo's voice was cold, devoid of familiar warmth even to Madam Zhu, he needed to know about his enemies, after all, walking blind when you can have access to information is stupidity. And it's unlikely for Madam Lian to fully express herself if everyone is around.

The elders and wives, sensing the shift in the wind, bowed their heads and retreated like crabs into the sand. Even Patriarch Xuhan, though his jaw tightened with the reluctance of a general yielding command, stood up. The room was simply too cold to continue sitting.

Once everyone left, Madam Lian looked at Tianmo, her eyes narrowing slightly. She took a sip of her tea, the steam curling around her face like a veil of mist.

Madam Lian took a calming breath before speaking.

"Son, I understand you might be angry. The Imperial family has pressed our Wang lineage into the dust. It is only natural that you wish to step onto the chessboard yourself. But, the higher we climb, the heavier the suppression, a mortal can't simply dream of refined silver, for shall, it is a sin.

The families within the central region aren't as same as the eastern region, and it's very likely for them to make a proxy move as soon as our involvement is revealed, and it will surely be revealed knowing very well spies might be everywhere.

If I have to guess correctly, you want to use the resources from Dragon Court to form a connection. It's completely possible but the other families will retaliate soon. Son, you are young and can't understand the concept of walls have ears too. Joining one side means offending the other side, I fear, the Wang Family that has survived till now even after the reveal of your existence, might fall, once we start putting our hands into things we shouldn't."

Hmm.

Well, he can understand where she is coming from and it's completely wise to think like that, but we simply have to create an even more unfathomable illusory background.

The system has been upgraded once more, with Liu Ruyan reaching the golden core realm. The shop possesses a variety of items now.

'System...'

[Ding!]

[Yes, host.]

'If heavenly Dao has truly lost all connection with this world, doesn't that mean there won't be any more those "faceless" characters providing quests and Information to the protagonist or others!"

[Yes, host. With Heavenly Dao gone, the Chosen sons of destiny can't suddenly gain enlightenment or find fortuitous encounters conveniently placed in their path. They are now truly blind, walking in a fog without a lantern. However, the "Motherboard" remains, so, heaven can still gather the intel but can't actively take part. But, it's unclear whether it's permanent or not.]

Interesting. If protagonists are truly blind, walking in fog, it means even normal people could easily kill the chosen ones now. And it would be a lot harder for them to progress, unless heaven wants the system holders to do something.

"Mother, I understand your concern, you fear the Wang Family might get destroyed but it is far far from the truth—you simply want to have a comfortable life you live right now. You now have spirit roots, cultivation resources thus, you simply want to do your best without mingling in the dangerous affairs of the world. It's a selfish motive but you make it sound righteous and virtuous. Though, it's human nature I won't blame you for wanting to cling to the comfort you currently possess. Water can only flow down, not up."

However!!!

"You sound like you can read me like an open book. You claimed I am unaware of the worldly concepts and infuriated at the imperial family but you know deep down, the imperial family is looking for me, yet you make it sound like I shouldn't think and care about it."

"I would have respected you, if you had respected me, but you are clearly trying to sabotage me, trying to divert me from my reasoning to the family reasoning, perhaps you are forgetting who is the real golden goose here?" His voice was calm and composed, as he poured himself the tea.

Madam Lian's eyes widened slightly, her fingers tightening around the cup, not believing Tianmo could see through her, well, it seems snakes can truly transform into a dragon.

"Son, I..." She started, her voice trembling slightly, the mask of the sophisticated woman slipping just enough to reveal the fear beneath.

"I acknowledge, I was short-sighted unable to momentarily comprehend the height of Mount Tai, nevertheless, the words I said still hold merit. An outsider isn't welcomed into royal politics and you know very well that, you can't reveal yourself, using someone as a proxy would only end up bad for them as well. Alas, I am but a humble woman, I can read literature but can't fathom the vastness of a human being, how could I read you?"

Madam Lian's voice was soft, a fragile thing like a spider's silk caught in a gale. She lowered her head, her long lashes casting a shadow over her pale cheeks.

"But since you do wish to learn about the Shen family, I shall reveal it to you."