Xia Chen returned to his courtyard. Night had already enveloped the earth, and the bright moon hung high. Streaks of moonlight sprinkled on Xia Chen's fingertips, dancing like spirits.
From morning until evening, this day was more colorful than his past two months combined.
"Young Master!"
Xia Qian heard the sound and quickly came out, calling out joyfully.
"Young Master, I heard Your Majesty granted you the Second Imperial Princess in marriage. The news has spread throughout the manor, and gifts have been sent from every courtyard!"
"Mm, just help me put them away!"
Xia Chen nodded, not expending much effort on this matter.
For the next two days, Xia Chen stayed diligently in his courtyard, cultivating assiduously. As the 'Proficiency +1' notifications appeared on his System panel, Xia Chen felt his progress was rapid.
His True Qi was abundant, and his combat power was incomparable to before.
He used the Shouyang Demon-Piercing Blade to draw the extreme Yang Qi from heaven and earth to specifically temper his flesh and blood.
He also used the Crimson Sun Body Tempering Art to Cultivate the True Qi within his body and strengthen his bones. Although these two methods had some overlap, they were more like complements, causing a qualitative change in Xia Chen's physique.
This tranquility was broken on the third day.
A retainer who had been with the Family Head, Xia Qian, for many years, knocked on the door of Xia Chen's small courtyard.
"Third Young Master, the Master requests your presence!"
Xia Chen was ranked third among the direct descendants of his generation, so he was called Third Young Master within the manor.
"Uncle Dong, why did you come personally? You could have just sent a servant to call me."
Xia Chen, who was Body Refining with his upper body bare, quickly invited the middle-aged man in.
Xia Dong, Xia Qian's capable assistant, also possessed the Xia Family Bloodline, belonging to a branch that separated 156 years ago, so their Bloodline relationship was still relatively close.
He had followed Xia Qian since childhood, much like a companion in studies. Whether it was practicing martial arts, studying military strategies, or later going to the military camp, this person had always been by his side.
Twenty-one years ago, he achieved great merit with Xia Qian on the southern border. The imperial court bestowed upon him the title of General, but after Xia Qian withdrew from the army, he also resigned his official position and followed Xia Qian like an ordinary retainer.
"It concerns the Young Master, so it's better if I come personally!"
Xia Dong smiled, standing in the courtyard and observing Xia Chen's skin, which resembled refined iron. The crimson color slowly receded, and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"We're all Family, there's no need to be so polite. Uncle Dong, please sit. I'll wash up and be right out!"
Xia Chen smiled and took Xia Dong's hand, leading him to sit in the courtyard.
Although Xia Dong considered himself a servant, no one would truly treat him as one.
Xia Dong smiled and did not act overly polite. He had a good impression of this somewhat inconspicuous Third Young Master.
Compared to visiting the courtyards of other young masters, this Third Young Master showed him much more respect.
Xia Chen quickly washed up and changed into a clean set of clothes. Although he felt happy, his steps remained steady, appearing as unmoving as a mountain.
He had already guessed why Xia Qian had called him; it must be that the official position had been settled.
The Marquis's residence covered an extremely vast area. Since he couldn't run at full speed, Xia Chen could only walk leisurely.
After more than 20 minutes, he finally arrived at Xia Qian's residence.
"Uncle!"
"No need for formalities!"
In the low-key and understated front hall, there were a few chairs.
Xia Chen took his seat, and a maid immediately poured tea, then promptly withdrew.
"Chen'er, you wish to go out for experience. This matter has been resolved. Currently, there are three positions, all quite good."
Xia Qian took a sip of tea and spoke unhurriedly.
Xia Chen smiled. Relying on the Marquis's residence indeed made things easier. In his previous life, it took him more than half a year to gain an official rank in the game, and it was only the lowest ninth-rank. Now, he had three official positions to choose from. Although he didn't know their ranks yet, with the Marquis's residence making the move, the positions certainly wouldn't be low.
"The first is a Yulin Guard of the Imperial Guard, the second is a soldier of the Qingzhou Garrison, and there is also one in the Southern Border Army. All are official positions of the seventh rank!"
Xia Chen's eyes were like torches. As an aristocratic Family, the Xia Family's descendants could inherit official positions in the court, and the rank was not low. This was why Xia Chen had asked Xia Qian to act.
If he could be directly parachuted in, there was no need to start from a small soldier. Starting as a small soldier just to prove his ability?
Simply ridiculous!
After being parachuted in and starting from a higher point, could he then not prove his ability?
"The Imperial Guard Yulin Guard!"
Xia Chen took a deep breath and quickly made his decision.
The Imperial Guard were the Son of Heaven's personal army, responsible for guarding the palace and the capital's safety.
They were responsible for day and night patrols in the capital, maintaining public order, managing gate access, and also had the authority to investigate and enforce laws against illegal and criminal activities within the capital.
What Xia Chen valued was the last point: the enforcement power. Although there were many powerful figures in the capital, if you threw a brick casually, you might hit a royal relative.
But if he could make good use of this duty, he could leverage immense power.
And more importantly:
"Five years later, during the Gate Seizing Incident, the Imperial Guard played a huge role. Perhaps I can lay out my plans there in advance!"
A glint flashed in Xia Chen's eyes. He directly ruled out the garrison soldiers. Although the Southern Border Army could hone his skills and quickly accumulate military merits, it was useless to the current Xia Chen.
He had the System to assist his Cultivation speed, so he didn't need to worry at all.
Although military merits were good and could lead to rapid promotion, Xia Chen felt that staying in the capital's center of power might offer more opportunities.
"Are you sure?"
Xia Qian asked seriously.
"Uncle, I'm sure. The Imperial Guard Yulin Guard!"
Xia Chen didn't hesitate at all, quickly confirming.
"Good, wait for my news!"
Xia Qian smiled and waved his hand.
Xia Chen also smiled, turned to take his leave, feeling in high spirits.
"Two months! Am I finally leaving the Novice Village ? Capital, here I come!"
In his previous life, when he played this game, although his initial identity was just an ordinary commoner, he quickly experienced the capital's prosperity.
But this time, although his initial identity was extremely noble, there were many restrictions in the Marquis's residence; he couldn't leave the residence freely until he reached the eighth-rank realm.
"By the way, why do I still remember the various schools of thought, Buddhist and Dao scriptures, and poems and songs from that world in my previous life?"
Xia Chen suddenly thought of a crucial point. In his previous life, although players descended into this world, apart from knowing they were from another world and remembering their friends and Family in their daily lives.
However, all knowledge about the culture, thoughts, classic texts, and Buddhist and Dao scriptures from that other world was blocked. Upon entering this world, they simply couldn't recall them.
It was as if this world did not allow those things to exist.
It wasn't until the 【All Heavens Fusion】 version was launched that this restriction was lifted.
Xia Chen had speculated that it was likely related to the supreme Dao and principles, that some Profound Truths of scriptures and thoughts were not allowed to descend prematurely.
"Did I become the one who was overlooked?"
Xia Chen took a deep breath and looked at his hand again. In his heart, he could only see the phantom of the Nine Dragons Imperial Seal.
"What is your origin? Not only can you bring me into this world in advance, but you also retain my auxiliary System and have lifted the block on me!"
Xia Chen murmured to himself, but as he questioned, this Imperial Seal actually emitted a hazy precious light, as if it was about to revive, or as if it wanted to respond!