"I understand, I'll be careful. It's getting late, we should head back." Qin Mu nodded earnestly.

Competition exists in every group. In the imperial court, the main competition is between civil and military officials. However, since the Tang Dynasty was newly established, the competition between the old and new noble families was even more intense. Therefore, Qin Mu and Lawyer Pei were destined to be on the same path.

Back at the Prince's residence, after dealing with the delighted Luo Yi and his son and declining Luo Yi's offer to hold a celebratory banquet, Qin Mu returned to his room. Checking his progress, he noticed his body was the first thing he noticed; his previously somewhat dark skin had become much fairer.

Next is physical strength. On the way here, Qin Mu noticed that his strength had increased significantly. He lifted the table with one hand, estimating that he had about 200 jin (100 kg) of strength. If he used his fist, he would definitely be even stronger. However, he probably wouldn't have many opportunities to use his strength, so he didn't need to worry too much. In any case, improved physical condition was a good thing.

The righteous energy of the Tanzhong acupoint had filled the entire acupoint; upon inspection with divine sense, it appeared as a milky white mist.

Finally, there's Jiang Chengzi, the Heavenly Gift Scroll from the Youzhou Hunt. After sensing it, Qin Mu was overjoyed. It's an attack method that can summon a group of illusory cavalry to attack the enemy.

Adding the song "Ascending Youzhou Terrace" makes it a combination of offense and defense, but we don't yet know the specific effects and haven't had a chance to test it.

"Your father doesn't know when he'll be coming to Youzhou. Huaidao, would you like to go out and have some fun with your cousin?" Luo Yi asked during dinner.

"Play? Go out to play? Where to?" Qin Mu asked, puzzled.

"Next month on the fifteenth, it's the Qin family head's 80th birthday. They've sent an invitation, but I can't make it, so your cousin will have to go. You can go along and broaden your horizons," Luo Yi explained.

"The Qin family?"

"The Qin family, who guard the three passes! A family worthy of respect," Luo Yi said solemnly.

"You haven't heard of it?" Luo Cheng asked in surprise.

"No."

"Most people know the origins of the Qin family. Back then, the Qin Dynasty sent 300,000 troops to the north to attack the Wolf Clan, and then stationed them at the Great Wall. Even when the country was destroyed and the family perished, they were never mobilized. The Qin Dynasty only lasted for two generations, and Prince Fusu left behind a bloodline, which is the Qin family we know today."

The Qin family is respected because they all swore an oath to guard the three passes forever and never participate in the internal strife of the Central Plains. For thousands of years, their stance has never wavered, and the three passes—Juyong Pass, Zijing Pass, and Daoma Pass—have never been breached by the beastmen,” Luo Yi explained.

"So they are descendants of the First Emperor of Qin!" Qin Mu exclaimed in surprise.

"That's right, it was them. They changed their surname to Qin, firstly to show that they would no longer participate in the struggle for supremacy, and secondly to commemorate their ancestors and warn future generations."

"The Qin family has been able to guard the three passes for so many years, there must be many descendants of the civil and military officials of the Qin Dynasty, right?" Qin Mu asked curiously.

This was yet another thing completely absent from his memory. Although reality told him that this was a completely different world, he couldn't help but be curious about those familiar names.

"Of course there are, quite a few. They are mainly descendants of the Meng and Wang families."

"That's not all. The Qin family has stood firm at the Three Passes for a thousand years because of their formidable strength; they have the ability to activate the bloodline power of the human body," Luo Yi said with a hint of reminder.

"Bloodline power?" Qin Mu asked again.

Knowing he was a novice, Luo Yi patiently explained to him, "Bloodline power is actually somewhat similar to that of the beast race. However, for us humans, even if we activate our bloodline power, it only results in a slight mutation or abnormality in our bodies, bringing some special abilities. But as time goes by, the bloodline power will gradually fade, and each generation is weaker than the last."

"Does activating bloodline power mean becoming a beast? That the body parts turn into those of a wild animal?" Qin Mu asked, gesturing.

"That's true, and that's not true either. Beastification does count, but it only applies to some people. Some of them just have special markings on their bodies and faces."

Legend has it that Pangu separated heaven and earth, transforming his body into all things. His impure blood became wild beasts, while his essence became divine beasts. The wild beasts attacked humans, feeding on them; while the divine beasts protected humans. This power of bloodline has been passed down in this way. Luo Yi said, his eyes somewhat unfocused, as if he were recalling the past.

"So, not everyone has the power of bloodline. Is there any way to acquire it later in life?" Qin Mu asked after thinking for a moment.

“You’re not the first to think of this. There are solutions, of course, but they’re difficult,” Luo Yi said with a smile.

"How do we do it? What conditions are required?" Qin Mu's eyes lit up as soon as he heard there was a solution, and he excitedly asked.

The power of bloodline is undoubtedly a very powerful thing. The key is that after obtaining it, future generations can reactivate it, which is the true family heirloom.

"I don't know!" Luo Yi answered decisively.

"Don't know?" Qin Mu stared blankly at Luo Yi.

"Do you think your uncle is a god? Knowing everything? These things are the foundation of a family, dozens of times more important than the Heavenly Gift Scroll. We would rather die than tell anyone," Luo Yi said irritably.

"Bloodline power is indeed powerful, but it's not invincible. As long as you know which type someone possesses, you can use targeted methods to deal with them. Just like martial artists, if someone knows a martial artist's moves, there's always a way to counter them. So how could I possibly tell someone something like that?" Luo Cheng explained.

"Oh, I understand."

For Qin Mu, this was basically easy to understand. Bloodline power, in other words, could only be used as a means to enhance strength; it could be considered a talent, or a trump card.

"So, are you going to wait for your father in Youzhou, or go with him to see what it's like? I reckon there will be a lot of people going this time; it'll be a rare spectacle," Luo Yi asked.

He kept asking questions and explaining the benefits, so Qin Mu naturally understood Luo Yi's meaning: he definitely wanted him to go. Qin Mu was very much looking forward to meeting some of the famous families in this world, so after thinking about it, he nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Qin Mu agreed, Luo Yi smiled with satisfaction, stroked his beard and said, "If your father comes, I will tell him where you are, and he should come looking for you too. At that time, you can reunite at the Qin family and return to Chang'an together."

Qin Mu went with Luo Cheng to the Qin family to broaden his horizons. Such an opportunity was rare, and Luo Yi believed that Qin Qiong would support his decision if he knew.

Doing our best to take good care of Qin Mu is a way of currying favor with Qin Qiong, since it's impossible for him to say it out loud himself.

After Qin Qiong recovered from the joy of reuniting with his son, he naturally understood Luo Yi's meaning: he would have to repay this favor eventually. It could be said that Luo Yi had calculated this matter very clearly.