Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 655 Taking stock of the spoils, family development, and a visit to apologize.
"Reporting to Ancestor, at first this junior also thought that the Fu family had secretly planted experts. But according to the last data from the monitoring array, the Second Elder and the others did not encounter any high-level combatants when they chased the four members of the Fu family. Moreover..."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, his voice trembling with uncertainty:
"Furthermore, moments before the Second Elder and the others' life lamps went out, the monitoring array detected an extremely subtle yet powerful spatial fluctuation emanating from the area deep within Changling Mountain where the 'Dragon Blood Bodhi' was located!"

"Dragon Blood Bodhi?"

Wu Hongluan's phoenix eyes narrowed, and even the clan leader beside her sat up straight.

This Dragon Blood Bodhi is the greatest secret that the Wu family discovered in Changling Mountain. It is a kind of spiritual root of heaven and earth that is said to be born from the blood of a true dragon. Its fruit contains a trace of the power of the true dragon's bloodline, which is extremely attractive to Nascent Soul cultivators and is the key to the future rise of the Wu family!
Only a few core members of the Wu family knew about this matter.

"Yes, ancestor!"

Seeing that he had successfully attracted attention, Wu Hong continued:
"The spatial fluctuations were extremely peculiar, not caused by cultivators fighting, but rather like... like some ancient restriction being accidentally triggered, or... like an unknown entity briefly descending with the help of spatial power!"

He looked up, his eyes filled with lingering fear and sudden realization:
"This junior makes a bold guess! Could it be... that the ancient restriction or symbiotic demon guarding the Dragon Blood Bodhi was disturbed by the fighting between the Second Elder and the Fu family juniors, and was unexpectedly awakened or descended upon, and the Second Elder and the others... unfortunately happened to be within its attack range, thus suffering this calamity? Otherwise, it is really hard to explain why, with the Second Elder's Nascent Soul cultivation, he didn't even have time to send out a cry for help..."

This is the reason.

It not only explained why the two elders and the other two had died silently, but also cleverly shifted the blame to the mystery and danger of Changling Mountain itself. Furthermore, it subtly implied that the matter might be related to the "Dragon Blood Bodhi," a treasure that the Wu family was after, rather than to Wu Hong's poor command.

really.

Upon hearing this, Wu Hongluan's delicate brows furrowed tightly, and the icy coldness on her face eased slightly, replaced by a hint of surprise and solemnity.

It's highly likely that a spiritual root like the Dragon Blood Bodhi is protected by powerful restrictions or a symbiotic demon. If it truly triggers some ancient arrangement, let alone the Second Sister, even if she went there herself, she would have to be extremely cautious.

The clan leader pondered for a moment, then spoke:

“Ancestor, what the First Elder said makes sense. There is absolutely no way those juniors of the Fu family could possess the strength to instantly kill the Second Elder. Changling Mountain is mysterious and unpredictable. We have only explored about one or two tenths of it, and it is very possible that there are unknown dangers. If that is the case... then the Second Elder and the others can be considered to have sacrificed themselves for the family's search for treasures.”

His words were tantamount to exonerating Wu Hong and characterizing the Second Elder's death as an "exploration sacrifice."

Wu Hong was secretly delighted, but his expression grew increasingly somber, and his voice even trembled with emotion:

"The clan leader is absolutely right! The Second Elder and the others were all working for the great cause of the clan! It was Wu Hong's incompetence that led to the deaths of the three elders. Wu Hong is willing to accept all punishment!"

Wu Hongluan remained silent for a moment, her sharp, knife-like gaze sweeping across Wu Hong's face, as if trying to pierce his heart. Wu Hong was extremely nervous, but his expression of grief, indignation, and self-reproach was flawless.

a long time.

Wu Hongluan spoke slowly, her voice still cold, but the oppressive killing intent had subsided considerably:
"The Dragon Blood Bodhi is of paramount importance and cannot be lost. Wu Hong, you will continue to be stationed at Changling Mountain. Increase manpower and closely monitor all unusual activities within the mountain, especially the area where the Dragon Blood Bodhi is located! Without my order, no one is allowed to venture further in! As for the Fu family..."

A cold glint flashed in her phoenix eyes, like shattering ice:

"Regardless of whether my brother died directly at their hands, this whole affair started because of them! Once the Dragon Blood Bodhi matter is settled, we will settle accounts with them slowly! The people of my Wu family cannot die in vain!"

"Yes! I will obey the Ancestor's decree!"

Wu Hong felt a great weight lifted from his heart and quickly bowed in response.

He knew that he had temporarily passed the test, not only retaining his position as the Grand Elder, but also successfully redirecting the Ancestor's anger towards Changling Mountain itself and the future Fu family.

"Go down!"

Wu Hongluan waved her hand, a hint of weariness and sorrow barely perceptible between her brows.

The death of her younger brother was also a heavy blow to her.

Wu Hong bowed respectfully again and withdrew from the main hall.

After leaving the main hall, Wu Hong felt a chill run down his spine; his inner clothes were already soaked with cold sweat. He glanced back at the majestic yet oppressive palace, a flicker of fear and complexity in his eyes. He knew that this female patriarch didn't completely believe his story, but the Dragon Blood Bodhi was more important at the moment, and it wasn't convenient to investigate further.

Moreover, this incident has cemented the feud with the Fu family, inevitably leading to a bloody conflict in the future.

"The Fu family... Changling Mountain..." Wu Hong murmured to himself, his eyes sharpening again. "It seems I need to accelerate my research and mastery of that treasure. Only by acquiring greater power can I survive in this vortex of Jinzhou under this ancestor's control, and perhaps even... advance further!"

Without lingering, he led his trusted confidants and sped off again toward Changling Mountain.

...

...

A dilapidated courtyard on West Street in the city.

Fu Yongyun paced anxiously, glancing at the courtyard gate every now and then.

After taking the medicine, Old Zhang's granddaughter's condition had stabilized considerably, and she was recuperating in the inner room while her father carefully tended to her. Although young, Fu Yongyun knew that Yongfan and Yongyi's journey had been dangerous, and a weight remained in his heart.

Suddenly, the communication jade talisman on his body lit up.

Fu Yongyun's spirits lifted, and he quickly removed the outer warning barriers and opened the courtyard gate.

Fu Yongyi, Fairy Tianyin, Chen Feng, and Su Wan flashed in. Fairy Tianyin's breathing was relatively stable, Fu Yongyi's face was slightly pale, and Chen Feng and Su Wan were even paler, with bloodstains still wet on their clothes, and their breathing was obviously weak.

"Brother Yongyi! Senior Chen, Senior Su! You...you're injured?!" Fu Yongyun was shocked to see this and rushed forward to help them up. He then looked anxiously at Fairy Tianyin, "Sister Tianyin, what happened to you?"

"Let's go inside first." Fairy Tianyin's expression was solemn. She quickly closed the courtyard gate with her other hand. At the same time, she waved her jade hand repeatedly, and several array flags disappeared into the surroundings. An even stronger soundproof and protective light screen rose up, completely isolating the courtyard from the outside world.

The group entered the main house.

Chen Feng and Su Wan immediately sat down cross-legged and each took a pill to regulate their breathing. Fu Yongyi also took a few deep breaths to suppress his surging blood and qi.

Fairy Tianyin then turned to Fu Yongyun, who looked worried, and briefly recounted how they were discovered on the outskirts of Changling Mountain, how they were subsequently pursued by three elders of the Wu family, how they fought back, and how they narrowly escaped death with the help of the Skeleton Demon Vine.

"...That's how it is. We killed a fake Nascent Soul cultivator and two late-stage Golden Core elders from the Wu family. This feud is now completely settled."

"A fake... fake Infant Elder? My God..." Fu Yongyun gasped, his face filled with lingering fear and shock. "The Wu family's strength is so terrifying? We've just arrived and already encountered such a powerful enemy, and the Cheng family is also watching us like tigers... I wonder if things are going well for Brother Yongfan. In Jinzhou, we're facing danger at every turn!"

He was the youngest, and although he was full of enthusiasm, he couldn't help but feel that the road ahead would be difficult after hearing a series of bad news, and he was worried.

Fu Yongyi paused to catch his breath, his expression softening slightly. He opened his eyes and asked, "Yongfan hasn't returned yet?"

Fu Yongyun quickly replied, "Brother Yongfan just sent a message saying he's on his way back to the city and everything is safe, so we don't need to worry."

"That's good." Fu Yongyi nodded.

With a flick of his wrist, three storage bags of different styles appeared on the table:

"These are the storage bags of the three elders of the Wu family. Let's see what's inside. Maybe we can find some clues about the Wu family, especially the secrets of Changling Mountain."

All eyes turned to them. The late-stage Golden Core cultivator, especially a pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivator, must possess considerable wealth, and more importantly, the intelligence they might contain.

Fu Yongyi was the first to pick up the storage bag that belonged to the Second Elder.

This bag was made of the finest material and was embroidered with intricate samurai insignia. He forcefully broke through the remaining restrictions with his divine sense and took out the items inside one by one.

The spirit stones were piled up like mountains, including dozens of top-grade spirit stones that exuded spiritual energy.

The various bottles and jars contained elixirs, mostly for healing injuries and enhancing cultivation. There were also many refining materials and talismans. Several spare magical artifacts gleamed with spiritual light, all of exceptional quality.

But Fu Yongyi's gaze was soon drawn to a black token that was neither gold nor jade, and was covered with mysterious patterns.

He picked up the token; it was icy to the touch. He probed it with his divine sense and sensed a subtle array fluctuation.

"This seems to be some kind of authorization token, perhaps related to the formation of Changling Mountain."

Fu Yongyi put down the token and then picked up the storage bags of the Seventh Elder and the Eighth Elder.

These two are slightly less wealthy, but still quite rich.

In the Eighth Elder's storage bag, they found a jade slip that recorded the brief relationships and taboos of the major powers in Jinzhou. It specifically noted that Xuanqing Temple was "transcendent and not to be provoked" and that the Cao family was "closed to guests and their situation is unknown".

In addition, there are several rough maps showing the distribution of resources in Cangnan Prefecture.

"A considerable haul." Fu Yongyi carefully collected the useful items, especially the black token. "We'll study these more carefully when Yongfan returns. The Wu family will not let this go easily after suffering such a heavy blow, so we need to make plans as soon as possible."

He divided the remaining spirit stones, pills, and other resources into four portions, keeping one for himself and offering the other three to Chen Feng, Su Wan, and Fairy Tianyin: "Thanks to the three of you for your valiant fighting this time, these spoils are well-deserved. Recover your injuries and spiritual power as soon as possible."

Chen Feng and his wife, along with Fairy Tianyin, did not refuse, as they had indeed expended a great deal of energy and needed to replenish their resources.

Just then, the array outside the courtyard fluctuated again, and a familiar aura approached.

Fu Yongyun's eyes lit up: "Brother Yongfan is back!"

A moment later, Fu Yongfan appeared in the room. He still maintained his composed demeanor, but a hint of weariness was visible between his brows. Upon seeing the situation inside, especially the injured Chen Feng and his wife who were recuperating, his gaze sharpened.

"Brother Yongfan!" Fu Yongyun rushed forward.

Fu Yongfan waved his hand to indicate that he was fine, his gaze swept over everyone, and finally landed on Fu Yongyi: "It seems that your trip has not been peaceful either."

Fu Yongyi gave a wry smile and quickly recounted their experiences and gains.

After listening to Fu Yongyi's account, Fu Yongfan remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "There has been a turn for the better at Xuanqing Temple. The trouble I encountered was resolved by Senior Xuanfeng."

He paused for a moment, and then briefly recounted how he was ambushed by two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators from the Cheng family when he left the city, and how True Monarch Xuanfeng annihilated the enemy.

“The Cheng family has also made a move…” Fu Yongyun clenched his fists, his face full of resentment.

"It's alright, they're just clowns." Fu Yongfan said calmly, then took out two storage bags, which were the belongings of the two mid-stage Golden Core assassins from the Cheng family.

He opened it and emptied out its contents. There were quite a few spirit stones, pills, and materials, though the quality and quantity were slightly inferior to those of the martial arts elders, it was still a considerable fortune.

Fu Yongfan's gaze swept over the dazzling array of resources on the ground, and he selected several jade bottles of the highest quality, handing them to Fu Yongyi, Chen Feng, Su Wan, and Fairy Tianyin respectively:

"These are the Jade Marrow Pill and the Azure Cloud Essence Pill, which are remarkably effective in healing injuries and restoring vital energy. Take them as soon as possible. Also, take a bottle of the Purple Mansion Nourishing Essence Pill, Yongyun. Use the time to cultivate and improve your strength as quickly as possible."

He then distributed some pills that could enhance the power of the Golden Core stage to Chen Feng, Su Wan, and Fairy Tianyin: "Fellow Daoists, the current situation is perilous. Every bit of strength we gain will give us more power to protect ourselves. Don't be stingy with these pills."

"Thank you very much, Young Clan Chief!" Chen Feng and the other two gratefully accepted the pills. They knew all too well how precious such pills were in the resource-scarce world of independent cultivators.

After distributing the pills, Fu Yongfan looked at everyone, his expression turning serious:
"The situation is now clear. The Cheng family has become hostile to us because of their young master's personal grudges and their covetousness of Cangnan Prefecture. As for the Wu family, three of their core elders died at my hands because of the Changling Mountain incident. This enmity is now irreconcilable."

"Once the handover of the fiefdom by the Zhenshi Division is completed, the imperial garrison will withdraw. At that time, according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, if disputes arise between fifth-rank aristocratic families over issues such as the boundaries of their fiefdoms and the ownership of resources, they are allowed to 'compete' within certain rules. The Wu family, the Cheng family, and other forces that covet my Fu family's new fiefdom will certainly not let this opportunity pass."

He looked at everyone and said in a deep voice:
"The biggest challenge right now is how to hold onto this hard-won Cangnan Prefecture before our main force arrives."

Upon hearing this, Fairy Tianyin pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Young Clan Leader, for the long term, Cangnan Prefecture must have a fifth-order protective array as its foundation. Only in this way can we withstand the long-term siege of cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage, buy us time, and provide a guarantee for the arrival of the clan's subsequent forces."

Fu Yongfan nodded:
“What the fairy says is absolutely right. My father had foreseen this before he went into seclusion. With the resources provided by the Luo family, the clan’s Array Hall had already begun collecting materials and working day and night to try to refine the fifth-order array ‘Nine Palaces Blazing Sword Array’.”

He changed the subject, a hint of helplessness in his voice:
"However, the crafting of a fifth-order grand formation is extremely complex and time-consuming, and cannot be completed overnight. Until the family completes the crafting of the grand formation and transports it here, we can only rely on our existing formations, as well as... the formation resources we have seized from the enemy."

Fu Yongyi then interjected:

“Yongfan, Jinzhou is full of hidden talents, far surpassing Wuzhou. I believe that maintaining contact with the family headquarters is crucial. Could we consider building a long-distance inter-province teleportation array in Cangnan Prefecture as well? That way, in case of trouble, family support can arrive instantly, and we won't be left alone.”

This suggestion caught everyone's attention.

If there is a teleportation array connecting the two, one can move freely in and out, which gives them much more confidence.

However, Fairy Tianyin shook her head slightly, pouring cold water on the idea:
“Yongyi’s idea is good, but it is extremely difficult to implement. The core material of the inter-state long-distance teleportation array is the [Mingkong Stone] to stabilize and expand the spatial channel. This item is a rare treasure of heaven and earth, extremely scarce, and usually held by top sects or dynasties. It is rarely circulated in the market and is often priceless. With our current capabilities and resources, I am afraid it will be difficult to gather enough in a short time.”

Upon hearing the words "Mingkong Stone," Fu Yongfan frowned slightly, clearly aware of its rarity.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Surrounded by formidable enemies ahead and burdened with the responsibility of defending their territory, with family reinforcements and the grand formation yet to arrive, and the teleportation array connecting to headquarters unable to be established due to material shortages, the current predicament hangs like a thick fog over everyone's hearts.

Fu Yongfan took a deep breath, breaking the silence:
"It all depends on human effort. I'll go to Zhenshi Division again tomorrow. If there's a turning point with Xuanqing Temple, the handover process might be expedited. As long as we first obtain legal jurisdiction over Cangnan Prefecture, we'll have a solid foundation."

His gaze hardened.

"As for what happens next... let's take it one step at a time. After this setback, the Wu family should focus their attention on the so-called 'strange activity' at Changling Mountain for a while, which gives us a chance to catch our breath. As for the Cheng family... if they continue to act recklessly, they can't blame us."

"The most urgent task is for everyone to recover from their injuries and improve their cultivation as soon as possible. Yongkui is still gathering information in the market, and Yongrui is also operating in secret. We need more intelligence, and we also need to find a way to obtain the 'Mingkong Stone' or other ways to break the deadlock."

"Yes, Young Clan Chief (Brother Yongfan)!" everyone responded in unison.

...

...

The following day, Fu Yongkui, who had gone out to gather information and seek business opportunities, returned weary from his journey.

As soon as he entered, he saw Chen Feng and his wife and Fu Yongyi recuperating and healing. He was initially shocked, but after hearing the details of what had happened, he was filled with lingering fear and was relieved that everyone had returned safely.

“Brother Yongfan, everyone,” Fu Yongkui said, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement as he ignored the need to rest, “I’ve been wandering around the various markets in the state capital for the past two weeks and I’ve actually discovered a few good business opportunities! Perhaps they can become an important way for my Fu family to acquire resources and spirit stones in the early stages of establishing ourselves in Jinzhou.”

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted.

Now that the Fu family has just arrived and is surrounded by powerful enemies, having a stable source of income would undoubtedly greatly alleviate the pressure on resources and allow them to accumulate strength for future development.

"Brother Kui, tell me quickly, what good ideas have you found?" Fu Yongyun urged impatiently.

Fu Yongkui cleared his throat and analyzed the situation clearly:
“Jinzhou is wealthy and has a large number of cultivators, whose spending power is far superior to that of Wuzhou. However, the competition is also extremely fierce. The common businesses such as pills, magic tools, and talismans have long been divided up by the major local families and chambers of commerce. If we rashly enter the market, the costs will be high, the risks will be great, and it will be difficult to achieve anything.”

"Therefore, I have focused on areas where demand exists but supply is not yet perfect, or where my Fu family can gain an advantage by virtue of its own characteristics. At present, there are three feasible paths, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and I would like to ask Brother Yongfan and everyone else to make a decision together."

He extended his first finger:
"Firstly, [high-end customized spiritual food and spiritual wine]."

“Cultivators in Jinzhou pursue enjoyment and have a strong demand for spiritual food and wine that can assist cultivation, nourish the soul, and even have special effects, and are willing to pay high prices. In particular, those cultivators who are stuck in a bottleneck period are even more eager for such items.”

"Sister Yongwei, Brother Yongfu, and Uncle Changli have unique expertise in cultivating spiritual plants, preparing meals, and making spiritual wines. After establishing ourselves in Cangnan Prefecture, we can utilize the special spiritual plants and demonic beasts that may exist there, combined with our family's secret recipes, to create several signature spiritual dishes and wines. Initially, we can take a high-end, boutique approach, catering exclusively to cultivators at the Golden Core stage and above, and even accepting custom orders. This path is highly profitable and allows us to build high-level connections, but it requires a significant initial investment, reliable spiritual chefs and winemakers, and extremely high-quality ingredients."

Then, he extended his second finger:
"Secondly, [Specialized Spirit Pet and Battle Beast Cultivation]."

“Cultivators in Jinzhou are also keen on taming spirit pets, whether for assisting in combat, tracking and finding objects, or for daily companionship. I have observed that most of the spirit pets on the market are common types, lacking unique features and potential.”

"Our Fu family possesses a unique beast like the 'Chaos,' as well as powerful war beasts such as the Azure Dragon and the Skeleton Vine. This is an undeniable brand. We can leverage this 'reputation' to find suitable habitats for spirit beasts in Cangnan Prefecture and try to breed some spirit beast cubs with special bloodlines or unique abilities for sale. We can even take on some spirit pet breeding and taming services. This path can fully utilize the Fu family's potential advantages in beast taming. Once we gain a reputation, the profits will be stable. However, the breeding cycle is long, and it requires professional beast tamers and a safe breeding base."

Finally, he held up his third finger, his tone tinged with seriousness:
"The third way, which is more of a shortcut, is 'information arbitrage'."

Fu Yongkui lowered his voice:

"The products of Jinzhou are very different from those of Wuzhou, Jingzhou and other places."

Some materials that are common or even considered useless in Jinzhou may be scarce resources in Wuzhou, and vice versa.

During this time, I compiled a preliminary list of price differences between the products of the two states. For example, Jinzhou's specialty, 'Cloud and Mist Tea,' has the effect of clearing the mind and improving eyesight. Its price is average here, but if transported to Wuzhou, its unique flavor and effects would make it a sought-after spiritual tea among high-level cultivators, fetching more than five times the price! Meanwhile, Wuzhou's unique 'Warm Sun Jade' is a scarce material for refining weapons and setting up formations here. If a stable inter-state trade route could be established, utilizing the information gap for trade would yield the most substantial profits. However, this route also carries the greatest risk, requiring reliable caravans and a strong security force; otherwise, it is extremely easy to be robbed along the way, and it is also necessary to appease the checkpoints in both states.”

After Fu Yongkui finished speaking, he looked at Fu Yongfan and the others:

"There are three paths: one is safe but slow to yield results, one can leverage strengths but requires long-term investment, and one has high returns but also high risks. How to choose, or whether to pursue both simultaneously, still needs to be discussed by everyone."

After Fu Yongkui finished analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the three trade routes, everyone in the room fell into deep thought.

Everyone felt that each of the three paths had its merits and it was difficult to easily choose one over the other.

Fu Yongfan's eyes were burning:
"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Our Fu family has just arrived in Jinzhou, surrounded by powerful enemies and with scarce resources. We must not place our hopes on a single path. We must advance along these three paths simultaneously!"

"Establish a reputation with spirit food and spirit wine, strengthen the foundation with spirit pet cultivation, and generate revenue through caravan trade! Only by taking these three approaches can we quickly establish a foothold in Jinzhou and meet the challenges from forces such as the Wu family and the Cheng family!"

He looked at Fu Yongkui: "Yongkui, you are meticulous and good at management. You will be in charge of the initial planning and coordination of these three lines. Report directly to me what resources and manpower are needed."

"Yes, Brother Yongfan!" Fu Yongkui replied excitedly, feeling a great responsibility on his shoulders, but also full of energy.

"Gentlemen," Fu Yongfan's gaze swept over everyone present, "the road ahead is fraught with peril, but my Fu family has never been afraid of challenges. Now that the direction has been set, everyone must fulfill their duties and recover and improve as quickly as possible. Tomorrow I will go to the Zhenshi Division again, and no matter what, I must first secure the 'title' of Cangnan Prefecture!"

"Yes! Young Clan Leader (Brother Yongfan)!"

...

...

Zhenshi Division, Jinzhou Branch Hall.

Deep within the majestic and solemn main hall, the stone door of a quiet chamber, filled with spiritual energy, slowly opened. A middle-aged man, dressed in a dark robe, with an ancient face and eyes that seemed to flash with lightning, stepped out. He was Lei Hao, the head of the branch hall of the Jinzhou Zhenshi Division.

The moment he emerged from seclusion, the powerful aura emanating from him, which had not yet been fully concealed, sent a chill down the spines of the guards standing watch outside the palace.

"Summon Li Sheng to see me." Lei Hao's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Before long, Vice Hall Master Li Sheng (Li Wanhu) hurriedly arrived, his face bearing his usual humble smile, and bowed respectfully: "Congratulations on your completion of seclusion, Hall Master, and on your further advancement in cultivation!"

Lei Hao sat down in the main seat and said calmly, "During my seclusion these past few days, have any important matters arisen in the state?"

Li Sheng felt a little relieved, thinking that the Palace Master was just asking a routine question. So, as usual, he reported on some of the overt activities of the major families in Jinzhou, the distribution of resources in several secret realms, and other trivial matters, while subtly revealing the "hard work" he had put into managing the affairs.

Lei Hao listened calmly, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. After Li Sheng finished speaking, he casually asked, "I heard that the newly established Fu family of Wuzhou has been in the city for several days to handle the handover of their fiefdom in Cangnan Prefecture. How is this progressing?"

Li Sheng's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm and said with a forced smile, "Your Highness, the procedures for the Fu family have been completed, but there are slight discrepancies between the boundary demarcations in a few places and the old records. To be on the safe side, I have ordered someone to review earlier files for verification in order to avoid any future disputes. In addition, all the necessary tokens for the handover also need time to be prepared, so... it will take some more time."

He believed his explanation was flawless, demonstrating both diligence and a reasonable delay.

However, upon hearing this, Lei Hao snorted coldly: "Slightly different? It will take more time?"

His gaze swept like lightning to a trusted steward standing to the side. The steward immediately stepped forward, bowed, and reported: "Your Highness, after my inspection, all the documents and seals of the Fu family's fiefdoms are complete and fully comply with the regulations of the court, without any flaws. According to the law, all the handover procedures could have been completed when they first came a month ago."

Li Sheng's face instantly paled, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He never expected that Palace Master Lei, who usually didn't concern himself with details, would directly inquire about this matter upon emerging from seclusion, and even send people to verify it so thoroughly beforehand!

"Vice Hall Master Li, what is your explanation?" Lei Hao's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it carried a heavy burden of pressure.

Li Sheng hurriedly bowed, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Highness, please forgive me! It was...it was my oversight. I was only thinking of being on the safe side and had absolutely no intention of delaying! Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

"Neglecting your duties, delaying for personal gain, and still daring to make excuses!" Lei Hao slammed his hand on the armrest, his voice like thunder. "Effective immediately, you are stripped of your power as deputy hall master to assist in managing general affairs. Reflect on your mistakes in the quiet room of the hall! All daily affairs of the Jinzhou Town Hall will be temporarily taken over by Deputy Hall Master Liu!"

Li Sheng felt as if struck by lightning, his whole body trembling. Jinzhou was a prosperous and bustling prefecture, and the Zhenshi Division had several deputy hall masters. This power to assist in managing general affairs was real power, lucrative, and crucial for cultivating relationships with various forces! Now that it had been taken away, it was as if he had lost an arm!
"Palace Master! Palace Master, please have mercy!" Li Sheng knelt down with a thud, disregarding his dignity, and kowtowed repeatedly. "This humble official knows his mistake! This humble official was just confused for a moment. I beg the Palace Master to give this humble official a chance to make amends! This humble official will definitely work diligently and make amends!"

Looking at him like this, Lei Hao's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible cold glint; he had been waiting for him to say those words.

"Since you sincerely repent, I will give you a chance." Lei Hao's tone softened slightly. "The 'Black Wind Mine,' located three thousand miles west of the state, is in need of a garrison commander. You will go there to garrison for ten years. If you have committed no wrongdoing after ten years, we will discuss your return."

Blackwind Mine?!
Li Sheng's vision went black, and he almost fainted. That place had scarce spiritual energy, a harsh environment, and produced only low-grade refining materials. It was practically a desolate place of exile that no one wanted to go to! Going there to guard the area for ten years would not only hinder his cultivation progress but also cause him to lose all his connections. When he returned in ten years, where would he find a place in the Zhenshi Division? This was clearly a demotion in name only, tantamount to being banished!
"Palace Master! That Black Wind Mine..." Li Sheng still tried to plead for mercy.

"This matter is settled, no need for further discussion!" Lei Hao interrupted him directly, stood up, and left without looking at him again.

Liu, the deputy hall master who had been observing coldly, stepped forward with an undisguised mocking smile on his face. He patted Li Sheng on the shoulder and said, "Brother Li, oh no, Garrison Commander Li, the Black Wind Mine carries great responsibility. You must 'guard' it 'well' and not 'oversee' it again! Haha!"

After saying this, Vice Hall Master Liu left with a smug laugh.

Inside the empty hall, only Li Sheng (Li Wanhu) remained, kneeling on the spot, his face as pale as paper and his body ice cold.

It’s over! It's all over!

Decades of hard work and the position he had finally climbed to were all wiped out in an instant because of the Fu family... because of the arrival of these country bumpkins!

“The Fu family… Fu Changsheng! It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t come to Jinzhou, I wouldn’t have ended up like this!” Li Sheng’s eyes were bloodshot.

His hatred for the Fu family reached its peak at this moment, penetrating to the bone!
If he doesn't avenge this, Li Sheng (Li Wanhu) swears he's no man!
...

...

Vice Hall Master Liu left the main hall and returned to his duty room, a hint of satisfaction still on his face. He and Li Sheng had always been at odds, and seeing the other party humiliated naturally pleased him.

More importantly, he keenly sensed something unusual about it.

He summoned a trusted deacon and gave him instructions:
"Go and prepare all the documents and seals for the handover of the Cangnan Prefecture fiefdom, and affix the secondary seal of this hall."

The trusted steward was taken aback and hesitated before saying:
"My lord, according to the rules, shouldn't the Fu family prepare the gifts and come to the department to handle this? Wouldn't it be a bit... beneath us to take the initiative to deliver them?"

Upon hearing this, Vice Hall Master Liu chuckled and shook his head:

"What do you know? Rules are rigid, but people are flexible."

He stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the bustling city outside the hall, and said meaningfully:
"Think about it, when has the Palace Master ever concerned himself with such trivial matters as the handover of fiefdoms? And when has he ever treated a Deputy Palace Master so ruthlessly for the sake of a newly arrived fifth-rank aristocratic family?"

The trusted steward seemed to be deep in thought.

Vice Hall Master Liu continued:
"This Fu family either has amazing potential, which the Palace Master can see and is willing to establish a good relationship with in advance; or... they have someone behind them who even the Palace Master has to treat with caution. Either way, it is far more valuable than the petty gains of the Cheng family."

He turned to his trusted aide, his tone carrying a warning:

"That idiot Li Sheng is so short-sighted. He only cares about the meager sums the Cheng family offered, unaware that he's kicked a hornet's nest. If we keep putting on airs and wait for the Fu family to come knocking, that would be truly foolish. It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow. Now that the Fu family has just arrived, they need our help. Taking the initiative to show goodwill now is far more valuable than trying to befriend them after they've established themselves!"

The trusted steward suddenly realized what was happening and quickly bowed.
"Your Excellency's insight is brilliant! I am but a foolish subordinate, I will go and prepare immediately!"

"Well, once you're ready, come with me to West Street." Vice Hall Master Liu straightened his sleeves, a confident smile on his face. "I want to see for myself just what kind of powerful family this Fu family is that even Hall Master Lei has to personally put in a good word for them."

...

...

Shortly after.

Deputy Hall Master Liu, accompanied by his trusted stewards and all the sealed documents and seals, quietly left the Town Office and headed straight for the slums on the west side of the city.

Their group, dressed in the standard robes of the Zhen Shi Si, stood out conspicuously as they walked along the dirty, dilapidated, and spiritually barren West Street.

The down-on-their-luck cultivators, who were originally lounging in the sun on the street or arguing heatedly over meager resources, all cast surprised and uncertain glances their way.

Why would such an important figure from Zhen Shi Si come to such a godforsaken place?
When they saw that Vice Hall Master Liu and his group were heading towards the old man's courtyard, various murmurs immediately arose like flies buzzing.

"Hey! Did you see that? The officials from the Zhenshi Division went to Old Man Zhang's house!"

"I told you so! That old man Zhang wouldn't listen to advice and insisted on taking in those outsiders. Now he's got himself into trouble!"

"It must be the Wu family or the Cheng family that made their move! In Jinzhou, who dares to oppose them?"

"Tsk tsk, even the Zhen Shi Si personally came to arrest him. Old Zhang is probably doomed this time!"

"Serves him right! I told him long ago not to be a hero and not to be a target. Do you think these local bullies in Jinzhou are easy to mess with? Why risk his and his granddaughter's lives for a few unrelated outsiders?"

"Exactly! They thought they had done a great deed, but they ended up bringing bad luck to their doorstep!"

Various gloating and sarcastic voices came without any attempt to conceal their true intentions. Almost everyone was convinced that the people from the Zhenshi Division had come to the door at this moment because Old Man Zhang's affair of taking in the Fu family had been exposed, and they had come to question him or even arrest him.

In this slum where people struggle to survive, indifference and self-preservation are the norm. In the eyes of most people, those like Old Zhang who are "out of touch with reality" will only bring about their own downfall.

Hearing the surrounding discussions, Vice Hall Master Liu frowned almost imperceptibly, but did not stop walking. He went straight to the front of Old Man Zhang's small courtyard, where even the gate was crooked and dilapidated.

……

In the small courtyard.

Old Zhang peeked through the crack in the door and saw Vice Hall Master Liu and his entourage walking straight toward his courtyard. Their conspicuous Zhen Shi Si robes were like a death warrant, scaring him so much that his legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"Disaster has struck... disaster has come knocking!"

His face was deathly pale, his lips trembling. He turned abruptly, grabbed Fu Yongfan's arm, and his voice was trembling with tears and determination:
"My benefactor! Quick! Take my granddaughter and leave through the back door! I... I'll risk my life to hold them off for a moment! They're mainly here to cause trouble for me, it has nothing to do with you!"

As he spoke, he tried to push Fu Yongfan toward the backyard, while he himself prepared to rush out and stop Vice Hall Master Liu, even if it meant using his old bones to grab the other man's leg, to buy his benefactor time to escape.

The Fu family saved his granddaughter's life, and he could only repay this debt of gratitude with his own life!
“Old Zhang, please calm down.” Fu Yongfan helped the old man who was about to collapse with his back hand. His arm was steady and strong, and his voice was calm but carried a convincing power. “You have misunderstood. Hall Master Liu has come here not to punish, but for good news.”

"Good, good thing?"

Old Zhang was stunned, his cloudy old eyes filled with disbelief.

What good could come from the Deputy Hall Master of the Town World Division personally coming to this slum?
Fu Yongfan smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over Fu Yongyun, who was also somewhat nervous, and Chen Feng and the others who were still adjusting their breathing, before finally looking at Fairy Tianyin:
"Tianyin, remove the formation and open the courtyard gate. Yongyi, Yongyun, Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Su, come with me to welcome Palace Master Liu."

His composure inspired everyone.

Without hesitation, Fairy Tianyin waved her hand lightly, and the soundproof protective array that enveloped the courtyard flashed and quietly dissipated. The crooked courtyard gate creaked open from the inside.

Fu Yongfan straightened his robes and stepped out of the courtyard gate with composure. Fu Yongyi and Fu Yongyun followed closely behind, while Chen Feng and Su Wan also struggled to their feet and joined Tianyin Fairy in the rear. Although the nine of them were not dressed in luxurious clothes, and some of them were even injured, they stood before the dilapidated courtyard gate, facing the Deputy Hall Master of the Zhenshi Division, and exuded an air of neither servility nor arrogance.

Fu Yongfan bowed respectfully to Vice Hall Master Liu, who had approached, and spoke in a clear voice:

"My name is Fu Yongfan. I was unaware of Lord Liu's presence. I apologize for not welcoming you properly and hope you will forgive me."

(End of this chapter)