Chapter 1: The Marquisate

He stared blankly at the lotus flowers in the pond, his gaze unfocused, as if he were contemplating something

He is not the later great merchant emperor Xin, who is protected by the fortune of the Son of Heaven. Before his fate is exhausted, even the sages find it inconvenient to take action against him

No matter what kind of person it is, experiencing a life-and-death ordeal will surely lead to some changes! It is quite normal for the young master to become more composed after enduring such a near-fatal situation! What is so strange about that!

The true Wind Element has long since vanished over a decade ago, replaced by a soul from another world. During these past several days, the two souls have merged with each other, forming a brand new individual

Not long ago, the other party was assassinated in Qingzhou City, narrowly escaping death. He lay in bed for over ten days before regaining consciousness. After waking up, his demeanor, behavior, and personality underwent significant changes, which made it somewhat difficult for his close maidservants to adjust.

Upon absorbing the memories of the original soul and recognizing these three familiar names, Feng Yuan suddenly felt a sense of unease throughout his body. This was clearly the world of the Investiture of the Gods, where a great calamity was about to erupt, and countless immortals, Buddhas, gods, and demons were about to take the stage.

Alas, I truly did not expect that I would arrive in this world

Unfortunately, upon seeing those three familiar names in my memory, all of Feng Yuan's fantasies were instantly shattered

"It must be the people from Dongyi! Only those wild men from Dongyi would have the audacity to provoke our Hou residence!" Beside her, Green Willow let out a soft hum, and when she spoke the words 'Dongyi', her pretty face displayed an unmistakable disdain.

While she was conversing with two or three of her close friends nearby, most of her attention was focused on the young man not far away. This young man was Feng Yuan, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Qingzhou, and also the young master of the Marquis's residence.

The Eastern Yi are the enemies of the Shang Dynasty in the east. Over the years, both sides have engaged in continuous battles, resulting in a deep-seated blood feud. Particularly in Qingzhou, which is closest to the Eastern Yi, the people of Qingzhou view the Eastern Yi as a barbaric land, inhabited by wild savages, hardly distinguishable from beasts

I also sensed it; in the past, the young master was rather impatient and could hardly sit still. I did not expect him to become so composed after waking up. Before the maid named Cuiyan could respond, another girl in purple beside them nodded repeatedly.

Several maidservants could sense the tense and serious atmosphere from the soldiers, huddled together by the pond, watching a young man sitting upright at the edge of the pond, exchanging glances with one another, afraid to speak loudly

This time, the marquis is truly enraged. It is said that the marquis personally led three generals to investigate this matter. If it is indeed the Eastern Yi people who assassinated the young master, the marquis will certainly make them aware of the consequences

Cui Yan is exceptionally beautiful, surpassing the other three maidens, Green Willow, Red Peach, and Purple Luan, in both character and appearance. She stands out prominently and is highly regarded by the Marquis of Qingzhou, holding a certain status within the marquisate.

According to the feudal system established by the Great Merchant, Qingzhou boasts a vast expanse of fertile land spanning one million square miles, with a population nearing ten million and an army numbering in the tens of thousands, second only to the Eastern Duke who commands two hundred vassal lords in the East

The youth by the pond appears to be unwell, bearing a hint of illness on his face. The once strikingly handsome young man, with his sharp brows and bright eyes, now seems to have diminished much of his previously vibrant aura.

Not to mention the Eastern Yi, Western Rong, Southern Man, and Northern Di surrounding the Shang Dynasty, even outside Qingzhou City, there are numerous wild people living together, and within the mountains and forests, there are many territories of demons and strange creatures

In the eyes of those powerful Qi Refiners and celestial beings, a mere young master from Qingzhou is not much different from others. It is possible that before the battle for canonization even begins, he may be casually dealt with by some monster or Qi Refiner.

The Grand Merchant's Hou Residence in Qingzhou. It was the time of spring and summer, with gentle breezes and pleasant weather, yet within the residence, there was an atmosphere filled with tension and foreboding.

A maid in a red dress noticed the young master sitting still for a long time and, unable to contain herself, quietly approached another maid in green after seeing the patrolling soldier walk away in the distance, whispering softly.

To the ordinary person, the status of the Young Master of Qingzhou Marquis is lofty and exalted. If this were merely a relatively ordinary world, it would not be inappropriate for Feng Yuan to possess such a status.

Not far away, Feng Yuan, who appeared to be lost in thought by the pond, slightly moved his ears and heard the voices of four maidservants, a hint of bitterness barely discernible on his face

His current identity is that of one of the two hundred vassal lords belonging to the eastern part of the Yin Shang Dynasty, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Qingzhou, who ranks among the Nine Provinces, and - map - book

Even a young nobleman like Feng Yuan, after leaving Qingzhou City, could face life-threatening dangers at any moment if the defensive forces around him are not strong enough

Although the Investiture of the Gods War has not yet begun, this world is somewhat dangerous for me! Not to mention, just over ten days ago, as the son of the Marquis of Qingzhou, I had more than a dozen elite armored soldiers protecting me closely, yet I was still assassinated within the city. If I had not arrived in this world, the Marquis's residence would have already been draped in mourning white!

Feng Yuan sighed inwardly; when he casually flipped through it in his previous life, he did not realize it. Only after truly entering this world did he discover how perilous the real world of Fengshen is

The Great Shang Dynasty has established its nation for thousands of years, with the feudal lords governing the four directions, and the lords of the Nine Provinces holding sway over the eight wildernesses. The population is flourishing, and it is indeed a prosperous era, akin to flowers adorned with brocade and fire cooking oil.

The Marquis of Qingzhou, ranked among the Nine Provinces, is adjacent to Donglu, overseeing the Eastern Yi. It is a crucial stronghold of the Great Shang Dynasty. The Wind Clan of the Marquis of Qingzhou is a trusted minister of the current Emperor Yi, holding a high position and wielding significant power in the region

The Shang Dynasty, Grand Minister Wen Zhong, Dongbo Marquis Jiang Huan Chu

As the legitimate son of the Marquis of Qingzhou, he is indeed in a position of great authority, second only to the emperor in Qingzhou. Furthermore, Feng Yuan is the only son of the Marquis of Qingzhou, which is why, after he was assassinated, Marquis Feng Zong was furious, causing the entire city of Qingzhou to become tense and filled with an atmosphere of impending violence. The once bustling and prosperous city instantly turned considerably desolate.

In the backyard, a gentle breeze blows, and the lotus flowers in the pond sway unpredictably. The spacious courtyard features pavilions and towers distributed unevenly. Some elite soldiers continuously patrol the perimeter, vigilantly observing their surroundings, ensuring tight security.

Having the rare opportunity to live again, Feng Yuan would absolutely not wish to die once more

He sat by the pond, slowly reviewing the memories of his life over the past decade, while also contemplating how he should survive in this perilous world

Sister Cuiyan's words are reasonable... I don't know which thief dared to assassinate the young master. Fortunately, the young master is safe; otherwise, our marquisate would be in dire straits.

In any case, he has no regrets or attachments to his past life. To possess immense power, to enjoy unparalleled beauty that was unattainable in his previous life, and to live a life free from illness and disaster is simply perfect

Sister Cuiyan, have you noticed that after the young master woke up, he seems different from before