you figure that out" I asked suspiciously."I've been looking at the yin my whole life... I'm different from those who look at the yang. I only look at the yin... So, to not harm my family, I've alway..."What rumors are there that I went abroad" I was puzzled.

Our country is vast, with a wide expanse of territory and a multitude of talented individuals. Each region has its own unique history and temperament.

Therefore, there have always been many people who disagree with me holding the title of special advisor.

But spreading rumors... all cultivators know the taboo against speech, right

"Since we're currently secluded in the mountains for practice and unable to send disciples out to gather information, I explained on WeChat to fellow practitioners that you've gone wandering and have important matters to attend to. However, some practitioners said they heard that you went abroad to escape the epidemic, even claiming with certainty that you went to Japan."

"Who came up with this rumor, 'Ha'"

"If it were just empty talk, that'd be one thing, but a fellow cultivator even said they saw you board an international flight at the airport. And get this, there was a blurry figure."

He pulled out his phone and showed it to me.

I frowned and looked, a thin and gaunt figure, in loose robes that resembled a Taoist priest's attire. It did look rather like him.

"I didn't even get a clear shot of my face, how can they say it's me" I scoffed. "Whatever, the rumor is debunked now anyway. I'm back."

The head steward put away his phone and pointed to the letters in the binder. "Sigh, if you don't come back soon, I'll be buried under them. You have to take a look at these letters—they're all handwritten by familiar sect leaders. I don't even know how to respond! The disciples below are also very curious about where the head of the family has gone..."

I frowned and pondered. Now that I am cultivating, worldly affairs are increasing day by day, I'm afraid it will delay many things.

I didn't understand before, why Shen Qingrui was so disliked, and yet Mrs. Shen still considered her the heir.

Now I gradually understand what Old Mrs. Shen was considering.

The Shen family was large and prosperous, with many disciples. However, the most talented and steadfast in their faith, who was most loyal to the family, was Shen Qingrui.

"Master, what are you thinking about" The steward asked cautiously. "If you're too tired, why not rest first I'll report to you tomorrow."

"No, let's take advantage of the fact that it's midnight and there aren't many people around… Can Shen Qingrui get out of bed now" I asked.

The head steward was taken aback and chuckled wryly, “A month ago, her injuries had improved considerably, but she was too eager. As soon as she could get out of bed, she insisted on visiting the young master of Younan, despite her wounds not being fully healed, stretching them again… Most importantly, her internal organs were injured. Thankfully, thanks to your treatment, she survived. Even if she recovers, she will have a lifelong ailment and won’t be able to live as freely as before.”

I sighed inwardly, but the current situation forced me to make a decision.

It is no longer possible to postpone worldly affairs, nor can we place cultivation after mundane duties.

"You... want to see Shen Qingrui" The steward asked cautiously.

I nodded. "Don't let her move, have the disciples push her over here."

》》》

When I saw Shen Qingrui sitting in a wheelchair again, I couldn't believe my eyes.

She's lost a lot of weight, making me wonder if the bitten parts haven't grown back.

But there was still a proud glint in her eyes. When she saw me, she softened it slightly.

"How are you feeling" I asked.

"Just like that, surviving was already unexpected." She lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding my gaze.

"Where is Master Zongdao"

"He has recovered well and returned to his hometown."

"Did you go back north"

"Well, he said that there might be demons in Bei Mian spreading the plague, and he wanted to go back and see if he could help. He also wanted to take care of his master." Shen Qingrui added.

After this ordeal, she seemed less hostile towards Master Zong Dao. It's true, experiencing life and death can bring about a sense of peacefulness.

"Yunan just said something to me a while ago, and I found it very insightful." I got to the point.

Here are a few possible translations, depending on the context: * **If it's a sentence ending:** "Here." or "That's all."* **If it's part of a larger paragraph:** Leave it as is. The "..." could suggest an incomplete thought or ellipsis.Please provide more context if you need a more specific translation!

"Young Master of Younan" Shen Qingrui raised her head, a mixture of confusion and unease in her eyes.

To the denizens of the underworld, You Nan is the eldest son, a divine offspring of the Northern Emperor. His status is extremely high in their eyes.

“You don’t have a single child who is sensible,” I frowned. “Younan said that the Underworld doesn't lack maidservants, but the Shen family needs an heir.”

Shen Qingrui didn't dare to retort, and lowered her head somewhat resentfully.

"I called you out in the middle of the night for two reasons. First, I wanted to see how you were doing. It seems like you still need some time to recuperate. Second, I want to give you the position of head of the Shen family."

"What!"

"What!"

Both the manager and Shen Qingrui exclaimed in unison, staring at me with astonishment.

Shen Qingrui's face was clouded with regret. She lowered her head and said, "I'm not qualified to inherit. You should continue."

"Why am I not qualified" I asked, bewildered.

"I... I've always been defiant towards you, and yet you keep saving me over and over again. What face do I have to take over as head of the family from your hands" Shen Qingrui glared at her own knee angrily.

Oh my, oh my, what a surprise to hear her say something like that!

"Old Madam Shen had originally chosen you as the head of the family. I was merely a temporary acting head. Your disposition was too proud, prone to attracting misfortune. Now that you can say these words, it seems there has been considerable change..."

"Then I don't want to be the head of the family either. You're doing a good job, why do you want me to do it" Shen Qingrui frowned.

I raised an eyebrow, deliberately trying to provoke her: "I'm going to practice with the Emperor, I can't delay any longer in these matters."

She pondered for a moment, then nodded softly: "Oh... I can stand in for you."

"What do you mean by 'agent' I'm already the master agent, why do you need another agent for me" I found it rather amusing.

I glanced at the steward and said, "If Shen Qingrui is to marry in the future, she needn't adhere to the rule of marrying into the Shen family by becoming a consort. She can come and go as she pleases, and find a suitable candidate from within the clan to succeed."

The head manager was taken aback and said somewhat flustered, "You... how did you arrange all of this... This... we need to convene a meeting with the elders to discuss it."

"No need, even if we negotiate, they wouldn't go too against my wishes." I smiled. "The cultivation I've accumulated has dissipated, and I need to travel the Jianghu again, immersing myself in cultivation. I can no longer shoulder these worldly affairs. Even if I stayed, it wouldn't be possible."

"My cultivation is gone..." The Head Butler was baffled: "Then why are you so relaxed"

“During the Year of the Demonic Examination, I lost control of my emotions and fell into a demonic obsession. Just losing my cultivation was already cause for gratitude, thanks to Heaven's protection and the guardianship of the Heavenly Venerable.” I turned around and took out several family heirlooms from Grandma Shen’s vault.

As the original proxy head of household, I have never used these items and can now hand them over to Shen Qingrui.

"Tomorrow I will set off to go home and take a look, after that, I will not return. All matters will be handled by the Steward. Tomorrow morning, in front of the ancestral tablet at my family home, I will add Shen Qingrui's name to the head of the family list."

》》》

A faint fragrance of plum blossoms, a single lamp like a tiny bean.

I was poring over the important letters I had accumulated at my desk, writing replies to each one.

There was also a private "resignation letter" addressed to Lin Yanhuan.

I explained to him that the role of Special Advisor was no longer suitable, and I recommended a few candidates.

I had been hunched over my writing when, suddenly, a cold hand touched the back of my neck.

“...”Has You Nan fallen asleep yet” I asked.

Jiang Qiyun smiled softly: "You've been lulled to sleep, now, shouldn't you be going to sleep too..."

Let me know if you'd like to translate any other text!ded, covering the mountains and fields with rain, it wasn't just for remembrance. He wanted to confirm whether the Dragon King had truly perished or if there was a wisp of his soul still lingering and...