I began to understand the myriad things by chopping wood

The end of the year has arrived, and heavy snow is falling. Chen County has become a snow country again.

According to the Xie family's custom, the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month is the day for ances

"He does look like the patriarch of a clan."

Mu Chaoyun looked at Xie Yuan, who was wearing the clan leader's complicated robe again, and nodded slightly. Even she couldn't help but show admiration.

Wearing a black robe, he has the bearing of a master, as profound as the sea and as majestic as a mountain.

At this moment, Xie Yuan looked like he was barely over twenty.

His own experiences in two lives have indeed made him more mature than his peers, and the past few years have been more eventful than many people's lives.

Xie Yuan smiled slightly. Although Mu Chaoyun had lived in the Xie family for half a year, he might not be used to his formal appearance.

But Xie Yuan felt like a long time had passed. In the past two years, he had gone from being unpopular to becoming a well-deserved success. He had experienced a lot.

"I'm afraid it's not appropriate for you to come out to worship the ancestors... maybe I can let you enter the family tree first after some time?"

Xie Yuan was half apologetic and half testing, but when he said this, he paused, shook his head and laughed:
"Forget it. We can't even get on the family tree."

Mu Chaoyun smiled and said softly:
"It's fine as long as I'm with you. None of this matters."

A warm current surged through Xie Yuan's heart, and he held Mu Chaoyun's hand tightly and squeezed it gently.

"It's almost time."

He looked at the sky and nodded:

"I went to the ancestral hall."

Mu Chaoyun saw him off the compound, smiled back at him when he turned around and waved, and then quietly stared at the tall figure.

In her eyes, Xie Yuan's back was bathed in the first rays of dawn, and he walked with firm steps towards the huge ancestral hall which was still shrouded in the night and only revealed its outline.

When the sun rises completely from the eastern mountain, the New Year ancestor worship ceremony begins.

Xie Yuan naturally stood at the first place, even though his seniority was three generations or even more lower than some of the people behind him.

However, as the clan leader, especially in the past two years, with his speed of progress, strength and family management methods, he has become the undisputed clan leader. Even though he is backed by big figures from the Chenjun Xie family who have huge power, extremely high strength and world-renowned reputations, this position can only be held by him, and no one would object.

So, under the leadership of the Fifth Ancestor, Xie Yuan led thousands of the most direct and highest-ranking clan members in the clan to offer sacrifices of cattle and sheep, burn incense, fire cannons, read sacrificial texts, kneel and kowtow, and so on.

After the tedious and complicated ritual process, Xie Yuan took the lead and stood up, followed by the crowd of clansmen behind him.

The next step is to list the names of the direct descendants who can be included in the family tree this year.

The Xie family of Chen County has strict rules. Anyone who is not a direct descendant but grew up in the family is eligible to be included in the family tree.

Newborn children are not listed until they are three years old and start attending clan school. They graduate from the first stage of clan school at the age of seven. After being assessed and approved by the elders, they can be officially included in the clan tree at the annual New Year ancestor worship. It is true that one can tell a child's future at the age of three and his old age at the age of seven. Only by examining his character can one be selected. If a child's character and ability are not good enough, he cannot be included in the clan tree and may even be driven out of the clan.

But generally speaking, children born in the Xie clan receive rigorous education, and very few fail to pass, so most of the time it is just a formality.

However, such a formality is of great significance. Being included in the family tree represents not only blood ties, but also the person himself is recognized as a member of the Xie family and officially enjoys the treatment of Xie's children. Therefore, every time this moment comes, many of the children's elders are very happy and excited.

If it weren't for the fact that noise is not allowed in the ancestral hall, the scene would probably be similar to the one when the exam results are announced.

Recording the family tree is the highlight of every year, and it is also presided over by the Fifth Ancestor. In the past two years, Xie Yuan's prestige was not enough, so the Fifth Ancestor directly recorded it. He honestly played a background role and did not add any drama to himself.

This year, Xie Yuan didn't say anything, but was actively invited by the Fifth Ancestor to read out the list with him and enter it into the family tree in front of all the clan members.

Everyone, including Xie Yuan, felt the subtle changes, but no one said anything.

This change is a reflection of Xie Yuan's actual change in status today.

As a master of Xie Yuan's age, his talent, realm, skills and reputation are enough to secure his position as the head of the family.

The entire Xie family has watched his performance over the past two years, and they secretly thought that it was the same rise trajectory as Xie Yi's, but with a lower starting point, a faster rise, a more powerful trajectory, and a more bizarre story. And his end point may also be higher.

Xie Yuan stood on the steps and read out the list in front of everyone.

Every time he read a name, the young children and their elders showed excited but controlled expressions.

The fifth ancestor was writing in the family tree at the back.

As the names rang out and fell one after another, Xie Yuan looked solemn, but he couldn't help but think of his conversation with Mu Chaoyun in the early morning.

"I'm afraid that except for the Fifth Ancestor, no one here wants to read out the names of myself, the clan leader, but my name is not on the list."

Xie Yuan couldn't tell what he was feeling for a moment. He wasn't depressed or frustrated, he just felt that the world was strange.

The ceremony ended very smoothly.

The clan members dispersed, Xie Yuan said goodbye to the elders, and returned to the main courtyard hand in hand with Xie Lingyun. Cui Pingjun and Mu Chaoyun had already prepared lunch.

Looking at Cui Pingjun and Mu Chaoyun who were busy running around, Xie Yuan felt at peace.

The aroma of food coming from the kitchen tastes like home to Xie Yuan.

"Uncle, I will protect this family well."

Xie Yuan looked towards the inner room and spoke silently.

Family affairs are busier at the end of the year.

Xie Yuan usually could practice for five hours a day, but now he may only have three or even two hours available. He is really burdened by worldly affairs.

Fortunately, as a martial arts master, he has plenty of strength and energy. He can handle many things with a quick turn of his spiritual awareness. He does not feel frustrated and can cope with it, or he has already gotten used to it.

What's more, with Mu Chaoyun by his side all the time, Xie Yuan can get twice the result with half the effort and is in a very good mood every day, even without having to practice any divine skills.

At noon on New Year's Eve, the clan leader entertained the elders and masters for lunch as usual, which was considered a reunion dinner for the top leaders of the Xie family.

However, this banquet is not that formal. Everyone can bring their family members and friends, or any tribe member who wants to eat for free can do so.

At the eastern foot of the mountain, Snow Wind Banquet Hall.

The elders have all arrived, except for those who really cannot leave. It is no longer like the beginning when only a few people responded.

Xie Yuan brought Mu Chaoyun with him and sat at a table beside him. Although Cui Pingjun stayed with Xie Yi, Xie Lingyun naturally sat on the other side of Xie Yuan like a little tail that couldn't be shaken off.

Compared with the previous two years, although the Chenjun Xie family still faces many challenges this year, the situation is much better.

It was different from the gloom and chaos that had just occurred after Xie Yi's fall, and also different from the power struggles and internal disputes that year. Almost no one trusted Xie Yuan.

In the second year, Xie Yuan started by relying on his strength to defeat Xie Yan, and then truly broke through to the Grandmaster level. The breakthrough in strength has shocked the entire clan.

Although he is not as good as the high-level master who is the pillar of Xie family, no one thinks he will stop there.

Everyone felt that in the near future, Xie Yuan would truly become a top master and even be listed at the top of the Flying Dragon List, just like Xie Yi.

After resolving several crises and troubles with his wisdom and strategy, Xie Yuan calmed down disputes, defended against external challenges, and quickly stabilized the situation.

Even though the Xie family is still in a stage of strategic contraction, the current situation is obviously no longer precarious.

Even if the Kitchen God monsters joined, the Xie family had the confidence to deal with it. Therefore, people kept coming to toast Xie Yuan, and there was no difference in age, but some respect for the clan leader.

Not only Xie Yuan, but even the elders came to toast Mu Chaoyun.

Some elders headed by Xie Tiexin have communicated with Mu Chaoyun and know that her attainments in formations and other miscellaneous subjects are unfathomable and have benefited the family.

Considering her age and her unfathomable cultivation, the elders with a long-term vision will not underestimate this future mistress.

The atmosphere of the banquet was harmonious and warm.

After almost everyone had drunk with Xie Yuan, Xie Zhi finally stepped forward holding the jade cup.

This is not surprising, as Xie Zhi was the last of all the elders to bow his head. He himself was of high level and powerful, and was a hero who had once intended to become the head of the family.

Although he toasted late, there was no sign of grievance or dissatisfaction on his face. He just raised the wine glass to Xie Yuan and said:
"Xie Yuan, to be honest, I admire you for being able to do this."

"Thank you for the compliment, Elder Zhi."

Xie Yuan didn't care about his address, he just listened to what he said with a smile.

"Not at all a compliment."

Xie Zhi shook his head:
"Your talent in martial arts and wisdom in dealing with things have been clearly demonstrated in the two years since you returned to the family. You have done a better job than most people in this position, especially considering your age... I once thought that you were the reincarnation of a powerful ancestor, or that you were sent by the heavens to revive our Chenjun Xie family. Although I am very sorry to lose to you, I have nothing to be dissatisfied with."

Xie Zhi's tone was unusually sincere, his expression was quite emotional, and even the mole at the corner of his mouth didn't look cunning anymore.

"This is a toast to you. Thank you for your contribution to the Xie family."

He clinked the jade cup with Xie Yuan's and drank it all in one gulp.

Xie Yuan frowned calmly, feeling that something was wrong.

But he just raised his head to drink, exposed the bottom of the cup, and listened to Xie Zhi continue talking.

"Xie Yi is very capable. I didn't win against him at first, and I was not convinced. But later, I saw that he was impeccable in both his strength and his family management strategy, so I stopped thinking about him.

"But I originally thought that I wasn't far behind. Sometimes, the position depends on who sits on it. Often, the one who sits on the chair first has the ability. If I had won at the beginning, maybe I would have had that vision and pattern, and would have done well?

"But it was only recently that I felt that I was indeed inferior to him in some aspects. I was really impressed by his vision and courage this time."

Xie Yuan's brows gradually furrowed, and he looked at Xie Zhiqing's gaunt face full of emotion.

The elders in the banquet hall also gradually sensed something strange and looked over with some confusion.

Xie Zhi's old rival Xie Wen frowned and thought to himself:

"What's wrong with this guy? Is he drunk so quickly?"

Xie Zhi sighed for a while, then looked at Xie Yuan with a glaring look in his eyes:

“But that’s not right.

"Xie Yuan, I could have exposed you the day before yesterday, but I thought that the occasion was grand and there were so many people in the clan, so there was no need to embarrass you in front of our ancestors.

"Today they are all elders, they are all your seniors, there is nothing you can't say.

"Xie Yuan, do you want to say it yourself, or should I say it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the banquet hall became completely silent, with only the howling of the wind and snow outside the corridor.

The winter snow could not blow into the banquet hall protected by the formation, but the temperature in the hall dropped a little.

Everyone looked at the two of them in confusion and anxiety.

Xie Yuan looked at Xie Zhi quietly. Facing the aggressive questioning from a high-level master and family tycoon, he simply said calmly:
"Elder Zhi, I wonder what you are referring to?"

Xie Zhi laughed and pointed his finger at him, waving it in front of his face:

"He is indeed a talented person, with a calm mind, and he can still pretend now.

"But you pretended to be Xie Xuan's son and stole the position of the head of the Chenjun Xie family. Do you think you can do it forever?"

Xie Zhi shouted loudly.

Woohoo——

The wind and snow on the East Mountain became more severe and it looked like it was about to turn into a blizzard.

Everyone in the banquet hall, including the well-trained maids and servants, seemed to be under a spell.

Top masters like Xie Wen and Xie Bing all had expressions of shock and bewilderment on their faces, completely different from their usual solemn expressions.

Xie Lingyun was stunned and looked at Xie Yuan with a puzzled look on her face.

Mu Chaoyun lowered his eyes slightly, stared at the drink in front of him, and sighed silently.

But it was Xie Wen who spoke first.

"Xie Zhi, are you drunk? Don't talk nonsense in this place."

Xie Wen frowned, feeling something was wrong.

Under normal circumstances, if Xie Zhi made trouble and made a fool of himself, he would be eager to add insult to injury.

But what Xie Zhi said was so important that even Xie Wen became very cautious and just wanted to control the situation first.

Xie Bing also spoke in a powerful voice and deep tone:
"Elder Zhi, if there is anything, we can discuss it with the Patriarch in private, or hold a meeting of elders."

Xie Zhi shook his head repeatedly:

"I have been very patient. If it wasn't for the day before yesterday, I shouldn't have let him stand in the first place! How can he be qualified to enter the ancestral hall and record the family tree? If it weren't for the contributions he has made in the past two years, I would never allow an outsider to enter the ancestral hall of my Chenjun Xie family!"

Xie Wen couldn't help but say:

"Xie Zhi, you keep saying he's an outsider, but Xie Yuan recognized his ancestry and it was notarized by the clan members, and it was personally presided over by Xie Yi. It is indeed the bloodline of their family..."

Having said this, Xie Wen's tone gradually lowered.

If Xie Yi really wanted to do something, they might not be able to tell.

But although Xie Yi was lax in his early years, he worked diligently after becoming the head of the family. How could he do such a thing?
unless……

Xie Zhi just kept saying that Xie Yi was extremely bold. Could it be true?

The masters' brains raced, and they felt as if they had grasped the clue, and they were all extremely shocked.

Xie Zhi looked at everyone's expressions, twirled his beard and smiled, and the mole at the corner of his mouth trembled:

"Yes! It's just what you think!
"This Xie Yuan is not Xie Xuan's son, nor is he Xie Yi's nephew. It was Xie Yi who did it and brought him back to impersonate him!

"From the very beginning, he was not a member of our Chenjun Xie family!"

(End of this chapter)