Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 102 The Worries of the Wu Family (Two Chapters Combined, Please Subscribe)

The Xu family also liked people like Xiao Changyuan who would do things for money but wouldn't be overly greedy.

Seven or eight days later.

Wu Tao's appointment document as a celestial official was issued.

A few days later, Xiao Changyuan informed Wu Tao that he was leaving Qingjiang County and returning to Longjiang Prefecture.

"Senior Xiao, are you leaving Qingjiang already? I've only just joined, and there are still many things I'd like to ask you." Wu Tao said with a worried expression, clasping his hands in greeting.

However, what he was thinking was: Just as Third Master had predicted.

"Qingjiang County is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. I, Xiao, would like to stay here for a long time, but my family has ordered me to return. If you, Wu Tao, ever come to Longjiang, you can come to the Xiao family to find me. I will definitely treat you with great hospitality."

"Everything left behind by the Celestial Bureau is yours."

"You will receive a monthly stipend of one spirit stone every two months. As long as you dedicate yourself to cultivation, you can also reach my current level."

is the day.

Xiao Changyuan then flew away from Qingjiang County on his sword.

It was only after Wu Tao sent a yamen runner to inform the county magistrate and others that they learned about it.

"The county magistrate is Li Zhi of the Xu family, and the Immortal Bureau is now controlled by cultivators recruited by the Xu family. It is truly the Xu family's destiny."

Magistrate Wu was filled with emotion, and he even felt that it wouldn't be long before he had to hand over his position as magistrate.

Perhaps by voluntarily stepping down, one could gain more favor.

At least there's the connection of marriage.

At first, the Wu family didn't care about this marriage at all, thinking that it could be severed at any time.

However, nowadays, they are maintaining this relationship with great care, and even Wu Rushan's brother and his biological mother are highly valued by the Wu family.

After all, apart from them, no one else could enter the Xu family's residence once they arrived at Dongxi.

Wu Rufeng and his mother were only allowed entry and a visit because they were close relatives of Wu Rushan.

"No, we need to have my nephew send someone to sound him out. If the Xu family really intends to control the officialdom of Qingjiang County, then it would be best for my Wu family to withdraw while we are still at the peak of our power."

Wu Tao wanted to maintain appearances, so he planned to cultivate at the Immortal Bureau for another half a month.

We will return to the Xu family then.

"This Xiao Changyuan is truly a man who takes everything that passes by. He said he would leave everything to me, but apart from a quiet room so clean that you can see your face reflected in it, what else did he leave me?"

"Oh no, there's also a futon."

He shook his head and chuckled, then immediately sat cross-legged and began his meditation.

Oh!

He opened his eyes, a bitter look on his face, and muttered to himself, "It's nothing compared to the Azure Cold Pool."

Wu Tao thought to himself, "I might as well shorten the stay again. I'll only stay for three to five days at most before returning to Bihantan. If anything happens, I'll have the yamen runners inform the Xu family."

The next day, the Wu family.

After Magistrate Wu informed the head of the Wu family that members of the Xu family had entered the Immortal Bureau, the same worry arose in his heart.

"Someone, go and invite the Second Madam here."

"Yes, master."

After a while.

"My lord, why have you summoned me here?"

A middle-aged noblewoman, dressed in gorgeous clothes and with beautiful makeup, entered the hall with a smile, her hair ornaments swaying in gold and jade.

She held a fan painted with butterflies fluttering among orchids, swaying it gently, which added to her charming demeanor.

She was around forty years old, with a still plump figure, and her every glance exuded elegance and gentleness.

This person was Zheng, the mother of Wu Rushan.

"You haven't seen Shan'er for a long time, have you missed her?"

"Of course I miss them." Madam Zheng's almond-shaped eyes lit up. "It's been so many years since I last saw Jing'er and Rui'er. I wonder how those two children are doing these days?"

“Then why don’t you come with me later?” said the head of the Wu family.

"My husband actually has some free time today?" Madam Zheng was slightly surprised, but she also vaguely guessed that he had something to ask Wu Rushan in person.

She gently waved her fan, and after a short while, she bowed slightly and said, "Since my husband has such an elegant interest, I will certainly accompany him."

The two, accompanied by four armed guards and two maids, rode in a carriage toward Dongxi.

The carriage was stopped at the stone tablet inscribed with the name of the Xu family of Dongxi.

Whose carriage is this?

The guard clasped his hands and said, "Inside the carriage are the head of the Wu family of Qingjiang and his second wife. They have come to visit your master and mistress."

"Wu family?"

"Please allow me to send someone back to inquire. If the host is willing, then please come in."

Madam Zheng raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly displeased, and said, "The Xu family is far too arrogant. They treat me like this every time I come, and now that you, my husband, have come in person, they treat us like this too. It's unheard of."

"Madam, please calm down. Since the Xu family has this rule, we are guests and should abide by it." The head of the Wu family closed his eyes and began to meditate.

Xu family.

Haitian Institute.

Xu Mingyuan was strolling through the courtyard with Wu Rushan, who was seven or eight months pregnant.

Suddenly a servant came to report.

"My father and stepmother have arrived?" Wu Rushan asked the guard in surprise. "Did they say why they've come?"

He only said he had come to visit his wife.

Wu Rushan looked at Xu Mingyuan, "Husband, what do you think?"

"Guests are guests, and they are my father-in-law and his family, so it wouldn't be right to turn them away," Xu Mingyuan said with a smile.

“I’m not surprised that my mother came, but it’s a bit unusual that my father also came. He is the head of the Wu family. Usually, it’s others who visit the Wu family to see him. I’ve never seen him personally visit others.”

"That shows that my Xu family is not what it used to be." Xu Mingyuan turned to the guard and said, "Let my father-in-law and the others come over."

"Yes, Second Master."

The guard immediately turned and left.

Wu Rushan stared at Xu Mingyuan's face with slight surprise. "Does my husband know why my father came?"

I've roughly guessed some of it.

"Do you know that Wu Tao has joined the Immortal Bureau, and that Xiao Changyuan left Qingjiang yesterday?"

The fact that the Xu family recruited cultivators at Bihan Pool was no longer a big secret within the Xu family.

Wu Rushan had met them a few times.

"So, does that mean the Celestial Office of Qingjiang County is now under the control of our Xu family, and the power of the Celestial Officials is greater than that of the Military Officials? I understand now, the Wu family is afraid that our Xu family is coveting the position of County Magistrate."

"Madam is truly intelligent; she understands things immediately," Xu Mingyuan praised.

"So, what should I say when we meet?"

"Madam can give a subtle hint. If the Wu family is sensible, they will obediently relinquish the position of county magistrate and hand it over to someone from my Xu family. My elder brother will then negotiate with them."

"What if they don't agree? Are you going to wipe out the Wu family?"

Xu Mingyuan looked up and gently pinched his nose, then chuckled, "What are you saying, Madam? How could my Xu family do such a thing so casually? At most, we'll just make them feel a little pain."

Wu Rushan seemed to be deep in thought. Although she was devoted to martial arts, she also knew a bit about the Xu family's background.

Even if all the powerful families in Qingjiang County joined forces, they would still be no match for the Xu family.

For them, destroying any powerful family is as easy as lifting a finger.

"It seems necessary to issue a warning."

Wu Rushan is, after all, a member of the Wu family. Even though she had a less than ideal life in the Wu family in the past, she still had some feelings for them because she grew up there.

Blood ties cannot be severed at will.

Just like Xu Yan, she went back to her parents' home, and things were fine at first.

Now that the Xu family's power is growing, he has been demoted by his own brothers and sisters. Yan shows no regard for their feelings and has privately severed ties with the Chen family.

They were just ordinary wealthy families in Qingjiang County, but their business was poorly managed and their head of the household was incompetent. They wanted to establish a connection with the Xu family of Dongxi, but Xu Mingwei and his family would never pay them any attention.

Left with no other choice, the whole family moved to Liuyun County.

Chen Daniu is now the head of the Chen family in this county. With the support of the Xu family, his family has grown rapidly.

Xu Yan and the others then came to seek refuge with them.

After all, she was his biological mother, so Chen Daniu could only secretly help her out.

Haitian Academy, reception room.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, what brings you here today? I apologize for not being able to greet you properly." Madam Zheng pouted and said, "I would be very fortunate if I could travel by carriage in the future."

"Stop talking nonsense," the head of the Wu family scolded.

“Father-in-law, there’s no need for that. We’re all family, so feel free to chat. But Mother-in-law, please allow me to explain, my elder brother is the head of the Xu family. I must abide by the rules he sets, or my Xu family will fall into chaos.”

"Alright, alright, it'll only take a little longer." Seeing Xu Mingyuan's politeness, Madam Zheng naturally couldn't keep a straight face any longer. She immediately took Wu Rushan's hand and asked, "Are you pregnant again? How many babies are you having?"

Wu Rushan smiled and gently stroked her belly, "This is my third pregnancy, and I'm almost eight months along."

"That'll be soon, but we have to be careful."

“My lady, there’s no need for that. With my husband’s full support, Shan’er is now a Xiantian martial artist and her body is not that delicate.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng's phoenix eyes widened, her lips parted slightly, and the round fan in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter": "The Innate Realm? This...this must be a joke, right?"

"Shan'er, you've been born with a congenital condition?"

The head of the Wu family also couldn't believe it, after all, even he hadn't reached the Innate Realm.

The Wu family has three Innate Realm experts: the master of the Tianlong Pavilion, the magistrate of Wu County, and a hidden Innate Realm martial artist who is also quite old, having passed the age of forty.

I was planning to wait a few more years until Magistrate Wu retired, and then run for the position of magistrate.

at this time.

A maid brought over tea and pastries. Xu Mingyuan picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and then the head of the Wu family smiled and said, "This is a joyous occasion, a very joyous occasion."

He could see the bigger picture through a small part, but he understood the unspoken meaning behind Wu Rushan's words.

If even a woman like her could be cultivated to the Innate Realm, the hidden power of the Xu family must be incredibly profound, far surpassing that of the Wu family.

"She was advising me not to try to stop a chariot with my bare hands."

The head of the Wu family felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced at Xu Mingyuan and shuddered. "Perhaps only by completely submitting to the Xu family and becoming their loyal subjects can the Wu family have a place in Qingjiang in the future."

"but"

This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by him alone.

The Wu family has been operating in Qingjiang County for nearly two hundred years. Our ancestors worked hard to achieve what we have today, so how could we easily hand it over to others?

The head of the Wu family was in a state of utter panic.

He no longer cared what they talked about afterward, and there was no need to ask any more questions.

Everything is now crystal clear.

Sooner or later, the entire Qingjiang area will fall into the hands of the Xu family.

How can I allow someone else to snore beside my bed?

Yes, but it can only be family.

Soon after, the head of the Wu family and Madam Zheng left.

The head of the Wu family was preoccupied with his own thoughts throughout the journey, but Madam Zheng didn't think so much and kept praising her daughter's talent.

“Madam, you’ve been a bit too talkative today,” Xu Mingyuan said softly.

He actually hoped that Wu Rushan would subtly hint to the Xu family that she was interested in the position of county magistrate, rather than revealing the news openly.

Wu Rushan was startled. She walked to his side, rubbed his shoulders, and said, "Husband, I am doing this to warn my father not to oppose our Xu family."

"After all, they are my maternal clan, and I naturally hope that they can live in harmony with our Xu family."

Xu Mingyuan sighed softly, took her soft hand in his, and said, "This is the only case."

"Thank you, husband."

Wu Rushan left with the help of her maid. Xu Mingyuan's gaze was as calm as an abyss as he lightly tapped his knuckles on the rosewood tea table.

After a long pause, he said, "Someone come here."

"Second Master, what are your orders?"

"Have the people of Qingjiang secretly monitor the Wu family. If anyone from the Wu family leaves the county town, report back!"

"Yes, Second Master!"

Xu Mingyuan was not worried about the Wu family joining forces with the other families in the county, but the Wu family had a history of nearly two hundred years and had had some minor connections with some prominent families in the prefecture.

If any powerful force intervenes in the county seat, even if the Xu family is fearless, they will inevitably reveal their strength and even step into the open in Yuehu County ahead of time.

The head of the Wu family returned to the county town.

I was preoccupied with worries and tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

The next day.

He then invited the Tianlong Pavilion Master, Magistrate Wu, and the remaining innate martial artist to his study.

He is the biological son of the Tianlong Pavilion Master, and should be considered the cousin of the Wu family head, named Wu Zhan.

He displayed remarkable martial arts skills from a young age and was secretly nurtured with all his might, finally reaching the Innate Realm a few years ago.

He is expected to surpass the master of Tianlong Pavilion in the future and reach the late stage of the Innate Realm or the Perfection of the Innate Realm.

"Master, how did things go?" Magistrate Wu broke the silence by asking.

The Heavenly Dragon Pavilion Master and Wu Zhan looked over curiously, "What is it?"

After a moment of silence, the head of the Wu family looked up and said, "The reason I've summoned you all here is for this matter."

The owner of Tianlong Pavilion and Wu Zhan became increasingly curious.

He looked at the two of them and said, "It's related to the Xu family."

These five short words left the Tianlong Pavilion Master and Wu Zhan horrified.

The master of the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion frowned, his cold gaze fixed on her as he asked, "You went and provoked the Xu family?"

"How could I dare!"

"Then what is the reason? The Xu family and my Wu family are now keeping to themselves." The Tianlong Pavilion Master's expression softened slightly, but his face still showed doubt.

"I thought so too until recently when my uncle sent someone to tell me that Xiao Changyuan had left Qingjiang County and a boy named Wu Tao had become the only immortal official in the Immortal Bureau."

"Wu Tao? Who is he?" the Tianlong Pavilion Master muttered to himself.

"He must be a rogue cultivator," Wu Zhan guessed.

"No, he's a rogue cultivator recruited by the Xu family!"

"Such a thing?! When did the Xu family get involved with cultivators?" The Heavenly Dragon Pavilion Master's expression was uncertain.

"That's not accurate yet. To be precise, Wu Tao is a cultivator trained by the Xu family."

The Heavenly Dragon Pavilion Master's face turned deathly pale with shock. "Uncle, are you sure?"

Magistrate Wu sighed and shook his head, "The Xu family is extremely discreet, not letting a word slip by. How can we be sure?"

"I made this deduction based on this person's age and strength."

“The Xu family’s scheme may be aimed at the entire Qingjiang region,” said Magistrate Wu.

"My uncle's guess was exactly the same as mine. No one knows how deep the Xu family's foundation is. I only found out yesterday when I went to the Xu family that my daughter Shan'er has already entered the Innate Realm."

"At that time, I felt no joy, but rather a chill down my spine and fear in my heart."

"Rushan is only twenty-seven or twenty-eight, right?" Wu Zhan asked, stunned.

He and Wu Rushan were of the same generation, but there was a significant age difference between them, and she was born to a concubine, so they had almost no interaction.

Now, upon hearing that he had actually broken through to the Innate Realm, I was almost stunned into losing my composure.

"When did the innate gateway become so easy to break through?" he murmured in disbelief.

The head of the Wu family said, "It's not that breaking through to the innate level is easy, but rather that the Xu family's foundation is so deep that it makes it easy for people to break through, just like many top martial arts families in the county."

The clan doesn't lack direct descendants at the Innate Realm; what it lacks are top-tier Grandmaster-level experts.

This news shocked the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion Master, who took a long time to recover before looking at the Wu family head and asking, "Then what should become of my Wu family?"

“The Xu family is destined for greatness. Our Wu family cannot take over the Xu family, but in the county town…” Wu Zhan suddenly revealed ambition in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Wu frowned and looked over with displeasure.

His intention was to show goodwill to the Xu family, make concessions, or even seek their assistance, rather than to oppose them.

"Using one tiger to devour another is not a bad method either," the Tianlong Pavilion Master hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

"Master, what do you think?" Magistrate Wu looked over again.

After pondering for a long time, the head of the Wu family said, "The Xu family's ambitions are in the entire Qingjiang region. There is no use in backing down. We must either completely submit to and rely on the Xu family, or we must bring in the forces of the county town to devour them."

Although "driving a tiger to devour a wolf" and "driving a wolf to devour a tiger" are similar, their meanings are quite different.

The former believed that the prefectural city was powerful, while the head of the Wu family believed that the Xu family was even more powerful than the ordinary forces in the prefectural city.

"Patriarch, aren't you overthinking this? We previously established connections with a seventh-grade aristocratic family, with a Grandmaster in charge. It's a top-tier seventh-grade family, with at least a dozen innate experts within its ranks," Wu Zhan said with a hint of disdain.

"Don't forget Xu Mingwei, he hasn't shown up in a long time!"

"And the Yang family is also related to the Xu family by marriage!"

(End of this chapter)