The most secure job in Dajin

Chapter 454, Family or Distinguished Guest?

"So it was because of the invasion of sea monsters along the coast. No wonder Senior Brother Tong asked me a while ago if I wanted to go to the sea for training."

Grandpa Hua suddenly brought up the marriage of Hua Dalang and Hua Sanlang, and Hua Ershu talked about the construction of Xuanyuan City, which abruptly changed the topic of the sea monster invasion that Hua Dalang had mentioned earlier.

At that moment, Hua Liulang picked it up again without even noticing.

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi's expression shifted slightly, and she immediately turned to look at him: "Is the Weapon Saint Palace going to organize its disciples to train in the sea?"

Hua Liulang nodded: "That should be true, but I'm not too clear on the specifics. The Weapon Saint Palace has received far too many weapon-refining orders in the past two years, and I've been almost constantly buried in the weapon-refining workshop."

"If there really is an opportunity to go out and gain experience, I will definitely sign up." As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with eagerness.

Hearing this, Master He at the next table was also somewhat tempted. He put down his wine glass and said, "Since sea monsters are rampant in the coastal areas, shouldn't we inland cultivators also do our part?"

Hua Dalang directly rejected the idea: "At this stage, it's best for ordinary cultivators not to easily set foot in the sea area." He paused, then added, thinking of the power of the Marquis of Wuyi's mansion.

"Let me put it this way: once at sea, even the Xuanyuan Army and the Zhenmo Army have to fight together and rely on strong military formations for defense in order to barely reduce casualties."

He glanced at the crowd, his tone grave: "I've personally witnessed dozens of teams set sail, and fewer than a handful managed to return successfully. Those teams were either organized by local powerful families or cobbled together by sects and gangs, and the result... sigh."

Hua Liulang was speechless: "Is the sea really that dangerous? Ordinary cultivators really shouldn't go there rashly."

Hua Changxi turned her head to look at him, a slight smile playing on her lips, and teased, "What, are you scared?"

Hua Liulang straightened his back and pretended to be bold: "What am I afraid of? I'm talking about ordinary cultivators! I am a personal disciple of the Weapon Saint Palace. With an elder from the Holy Land leading the team, my safety is naturally guaranteed."

Hua Dalang's expression turned serious as he stared at his younger brother and said, "Sixth Brother, if you really intend to go to the sea to train, you'd better put away this idea of ​​'relying on others to save your life'."

Seeing his elder brother so serious, Hua Liulang quickly suppressed his smile and said awkwardly, "Don't worry, elder brother, I was just saying it casually."

He paused, then suddenly turned to Hua Changxi, his eyes filled with anticipation, "Ninth Sister, since the Weapon Saint Palace is organizing its disciples to train in the sea, why don't you try to persuade the disciples of the Pill Saint Hall to join you? That way we can train together!"

Upon hearing this, Hua Dalang's eyes immediately lit up.

Hua Changxi remained silent for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "Cultivators do need experience. You can have the elders of the Artifact Saint Palace discuss this with the Pill Saint Hall and see how the Spirit Realm Pavilion can arrange it."

"As for me and the disciples of Danyuan Peak... we are temporarily unable to go out for training."

"Why?" Hua Liulang asked anxiously, his voice rising a notch. He really wanted to go out and train with his younger sister.

Hua Changxi patiently explained, "Dan Ding Peak has just appeared in the world, and it is a desolate place with everything in need of rebuilding. Not only do we need manpower for infrastructure construction, but the Dan Ding Secret Realm also urgently needs to be developed. If all the disciples go out to train, who will do the work?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Liulang immediately deflated, his shoulders slumped, and he muttered softly, "Looks like there really won't be a chance for us to train together..."

Seeing this, Hua Changxi reached out and gently patted his arm, comforting him slightly before turning to look at Hua Dalang in a solemn tone.

“Brother, although the disciples of Danyuan Peak cannot go to the sea for training, they can provide some pills to support the Demon Suppression Army and Xuanyuan Army. You can ask Minister Wei to go to the Pill Saint Hall to discuss this with Meng Qingyao.”

Before Hua Dalang could respond, Hua Liulang suddenly slapped his thigh, realizing something: "I understand! When the disciples of the Weapon Saint Palace went to the sea for training, killing sea monsters was probably just a side job. Their real mission should be to repair and forge magical artifacts for the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army!"

Seeing his 'finally figured it out' expression, everyone in the room felt both helpless and amused.

Hua Liulang suddenly added, "If you ask me, the ones who should be going to the sea to assist the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army are the Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise Armies. It would be more reasonable for the disciples of our four holy lands of alchemy, weapon crafting, talisman crafting, and array crafting to stay behind and provide supplies."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Hua Changxi was also startled. Looking at her sixth brother, she saw that he was still as carefree as he was when they were children. She sighed inwardly and was about to say something when she saw his shoulders shrugging.

"Haha~"

Hua Liulang suddenly laughed, leaving everyone somewhat puzzled.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, he uttered something even more shocking, dropping a bombshell. "Ninth Sister, isn't it hilarious? Everyone's saying you're the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace!"

These words shocked everyone present.

In fact, the Hua family had wanted to ask about this matter for a long time, but when they actually met Hua Changxi, they all chose to avoid it—as if it were a topic that could not be touched.

No one expected that Hua Liulang would be so carefree, bringing it up in such a relaxed tone at this time and place.

Hua Changxi stared at him, her tone calm: "Is it funny? Do you think I'm not fit to be the Lord of Lingguang Palace?"

Hua Liulang waved his hand with a laugh: "It's not a question of whether you should take it or not. Even if you had the ability, you wouldn't want to take it."

"Oh?" Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Don't I know you?"

Hua Liulang looked as if he could see right through Hua Changxi: "From childhood to adulthood, what you fear most is others causing you trouble. How could you possibly go looking for trouble?"

"The Lord of Lingguang Palace! He's a very important figure who commands the Vermilion Bird Army and is extremely busy with state affairs. Would you really want to cause trouble for yourself?"

Hua Changxi paused for a moment, then laughed, her laughter clear and melodious like a bell, her eyes sparkling with tiny glints. She raised her hand and patted Hua Liulang on the shoulder: "Sixth Brother, you understand me best!"

Hua Liulang said smugly, raising his chin slightly: "That's right! In our family, the person who understands you best is none other than me!"

Hua Changxi chuckled softly, her shoulders trembling slightly. Then, she looked up, picked up the serving chopsticks, and placed a piece of fish head with the fish brain into Hua Liulang's bowl: "Sixth Brother, eat more."

Hua Liulang's eyes lit up, and he said happily, "Ninth Sister still cares about me the most. I love eating fish heads the most!"

Hua Changxi couldn't help but laugh out loud again, her eyes full of doting affection.

"By the way, Sixth Brother," she suddenly asked, "what rank of weapon refiner are you now?"

"Fourth rank!" Hua Liulang answered proudly, his chest puffed out.

"Only a fourth-rank official..." Hua Changxi drawled.

"What do you mean by 'talent' fourth rank? I'm already very capable, okay!" Hua Liulang protested indignantly.

“But fourth grade is too low,” Hua Changxi said leisurely. “I want a high-grade magic robe, but you can’t forge one.”

"Huh? Isn't your robe quite nice?" Hua Liulang looked Hua Changxi up and down and even touched it.

"The grade is too low." Hua Changxi said with a hint of disdain. "Sixth Brother, you need to work harder to improve your weapon-refining skills. I have a lot of big weapon-refining orders in my hands."

Hua Liulang, thinking of his younger sister's status in the Dan Sheng Hall, believed her without a doubt: "Ninth Sister, then it's settled. Once I can stand on my own, you'll give me all the weapon-forging orders from Dan Yuan Peak and Dan Ding Peak."

Hua Changxi smiled and said, "As long as you can handle it."

The two talked in hushed tones, oblivious to everyone else, their tone intimate and their demeanor natural. The rest of the Hua family didn't seem to notice anything, but Sheng Yuantang and Zhu Qinghuan's expressions were somewhat strange.

Both of them could tell that Hua Changxi wasn't very close to the Hua family, and there was always an indescribable distance between them when they communicated.

Previously, everyone had been trying to get her to talk and find topics to discuss, but she wasn't very enthusiastic.

To the two of them, it didn't feel like a family reunion, but rather like a distinguished guest being treated with great hospitality—the etiquette was impeccable, but the unspoken understanding and relaxed atmosphere was lacking.

Only at this moment, when facing Hua Liulang, did Hua Changxi truly shed her aloofness. Her laughter was clear and bright, her eyes were gentle, and her words were without defensiveness or restraint, only the unique trust and indulgence between siblings.

This is what family life should be like. (End of Chapter)