Chapter 277: Array Formation Classics

Wang Changyu felt even more unsettled after hearing this. She could tell her daughter was somewhat afraid of her, and a rift seemed to have formed between them. "What are you thinking? A mother knows her daughter best. How could you be such a shameless girl? I came today to talk to you, just to chat. Your father and I have indeed neglected you all these years, Yuehua. Do you blame us?"

"No, it's me who's useless."

Li Yuehua lowered her head, her eyes slightly red.

Wang Changyu sighed and said, "Your uncle has already sent someone to investigate Chen Yunshan's background. If his character is fine, your uncle plans to marry you to him. Tell me honestly, do you like him? If you don't, I’ll tell your uncle, and he absolutely won't marry you to him."

"Yes, Daoist Chen has been very kind to me."

"Good. If his character is fine, I will marry you off splendidly this time. I will never let you suffer. If he dares to bully you, just come back. I'll support you."

Upon hearing this, tears streamed down Li Yuehua’s face uncontrollably, and she collapsed into Wang Changyu's embrace.

While Wang Changyu and her daughter were whispering, Wang Qingze was reporting to Wang Changsheng.

"Ninth Uncle, I've confirmed that Chen Yunshan manages a pastry shop. According to surrounding merchants, Cousin Yuehua has frequently visited the pastry shop in recent months. Before this, Chen Yunshan had no close contact with other women. He's an excellent businessman and manages the pastry shop very well."

"Who did you get this information from? They weren't bribed by the Chen family, were they?"

Wang Qingze shook his head and said, "Probably not. I asked shop assistants from surrounding stores, over a dozen of them. Two of those shops are even competitors of Chen Yunshan's pastry shop. I didn't directly ask about Chen Yunshan's character. I either hinted or spent spirit stones. Some people spoke ill of the pastry shop Chen Yunshan manages, but no one said anything about his character being problematic. Of course, it's impossible to investigate everything so thoroughly in a short time."

Wang Changsheng looked at Wang Qingze with a hint of approval. Wang Qingze was meticulous in his work.

"Hmm, there's no rush. Take your time investigating. If there's any new development, tell me immediately, or tell your Ninth Aunt."

"Yes, Ninth Uncle."

After Wang Qingze left, Wang Ruyan asked, "Husband, if Chen Yunshan's character is fine, I think we can let him wait for a while. I believe he has even better things to offer. After all, it's he who wants to marry into our family, not the other way around."

"I thought the same thing."

When immortal cultivation families form alliances through marriage, benefit is certainly the most crucial condition.

A month quickly passed. Wang Qingze sent people to investigate privately, and no issues with Chen Yunshan's character were found.

Knowing that Chen Yunshan's character was fine, Wang Changsheng did not send anyone to contact Chen Hu.

After a month with no news, Chen Hu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

"Father, does Senior Wang disapprove of this marriage?" Chen Yunshan asked nervously.

"He might disapprove. Our family was established relatively recently, so it's normal for the Wang family to look down on us. Or he might have agreed, but the betrothal gifts we offered weren't significant enough, and he's waiting for me to call on him! Well, who can blame us for being a weaker family? Let's go, come with me to the Wang family." Chen Hu was eager to form an alliance with the Wang family. He didn't mind the cultivation techniques and pill formulas he was offering, as he only had to copy them.

Soon after, they arrived at the Wang family residence, where Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan received Chen Hu and his son.

"Daoist Wang, how have you considered the marriage between my son and your niece?" Chen Hu asked straightforwardly.

Wang Changsheng showed a troubled expression. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Daoist Chen, to be honest, two other Daoists' nephews also admire Yuehua, and I find myself in a difficult position!"

Chen Hu, being old and wise, naturally understood Wang Changsheng's meaning. As he expected, the betrothal gifts were still too light.

He forced a smile and sincerely said, "Daoist Wang, I genuinely wish to become your in-law. Last time, I was in a hurry and accidentally omitted a few items. Here are the missing items; please take a look." He took out a cyan jade slip and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng scanned it with his divine sense, a hint of joy flashing deep in his eyes.

It contained a second-tier pill formula, a method for crafting second-tier talismans, and a classic text introducing first and second-tier formations.

The pill formula and second-tier talisman method were far less valuable than the formation text. While formation texts were available on the market, they were common goods, only introducing a few common first-tier formations. Formation masters were the most valuable talents in the immortal cultivation world; family strongholds, markets, sects, spiritual medicine gardens, and mineral veins all required the deployment of formations.

"A formation text? Daoist Chen, you're not trying to pass off common market goods, are you?" Wang Changsheng frowned, his expression somewhat displeased.

"Daoist Wang, rest assured, I can swear by my inner demon that this formation text is absolutely not common market goods." He took out a thick blue book and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan knew nothing about formations. After flipping through a few pages, they were utterly bewildered.

Chen Hu had no reason to deceive Wang Changsheng; his willingness to swear by his inner demon was enough to prove his sincerity.

Thinking this, Wang Changsheng forced a smile and said pleasantly, "Daoist Chen is so sincere. If I were to refuse again, it would be unreasonable. I agree to this marriage. However, the war has just ended, and everything is in need of rebuilding, so how about we set the wedding for the eighth day of the eighth month, half a year from now?"

Chen Hu breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "No problem, it's settled then. After a while, I will send someone to Wangjia Fort to present the betrothal gifts."

Once they reached an agreement, the tone of their conversation became more cordial.

After sending off Chen Hu and his son, Wang Changsheng went to Wang Changyu's residence and informed her of the news, asking her to prepare a dowry. The family would also prepare a dowry.

Three months later, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan escorted a group of clan members back to Wangjia Fort, with Wang Mingren among them.

Upon their return, Wangjia Fort had already been rebuilt.

"Twenty-first Uncle, I'm relieved to see you're safe." Wang Changsheng was very happy to see Wang Mingjiang return safely.

"I'm also very happy that you all returned safely. So, did you gain anything from your trip?"

Wang Changsheng smiled slightly and nodded, "I got dozens of jin of Profound Dark Cold Water. I've already diluted it. Twenty-first Uncle, this is your share."

If Wang Changsheng were to use it alone, it would last him several years. Dividing a small portion for Wang Mingjiang would only sustain his cultivation for a little over two years.

Wang Mingjiang's advancement in cultivation would benefit the entire family.

Wang Mingjiang repeatedly declined but, unable to refuse Wang Changsheng, eventually accepted it.