Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 152 Grandfather, I'm Not Bad (Please Subscribe, Please Vote)

"Since spirit fields and the like cannot be moved, let's use this mid-grade storage bag as a substitute. What does Patriarch Xu think?"

Xu Mingwei glanced at the square, his face expressionless, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Then let it be so."

He had previously thought the Zhou family would offer spirit stones as compensation, but he hadn't expected it to be a mid-grade storage bag.

"It seems that the Zhou family found more than one mid-level storage bag after plundering the Su family. If there was only one, they probably wouldn't be so generous as to take it out."

Zhou Sen paused for a moment and said, "Although the Xu family has acquired 30% of the Su family's resources, judging from your guards, there don't seem to be any particularly outstanding individuals. If you want to become a family of cultivators, you have a long way to go."

"Elder Zhou Sen is absolutely right," Xu Mingwei said calmly.

"I am skilled in alchemy. If the Xu family needs any pills, they can trade with my Zhou family. Whether it is a martial arts pill or a cultivation pill, I will offer a discount because the Xu family head helped my Zhou family ancestor on the battlefield."

This is a mutually beneficial matter; Patriarch Xu should consider it carefully.

Xu Mingwei took a small sip of tea, put it down, and said with a slight smile, "I will give this matter careful consideration."

“Master Xu, you’re being a bit perfunctory.” Zhou Shaocheng frowned slightly. “There are quite a few cultivation families in Yuehu County and even the neighboring Guangling County who are begging to do business with my Zhou family.”

As for those martial arts families, most of them can't even get close to my Zhou family.

Xu Mingwei nodded slightly and said calmly, "Understood."

Seeing his attitude, Zhou Sen knew that he had no intention of making this deal with the Zhou family. He frowned, then stood up and said, "The goods have been delivered, so we won't stay any longer."

"Master Xu, please wait."

After saying that, he walked out with Zhou Shaocheng and the others.

"Elder Zhou Sen, please wait."

Zhou Shaocheng turned around and smiled, "What, has Patriarch Xu changed his mind?"

"No, I need to think this over more carefully."

"Then what else do you want? Are you trying to force us to stay?"

Xu Mingwei waved his hand and laughed, "Young Master Zhou, you misunderstand. How could my Xu family dare to touch Elder Zhou Sen? I have heard about his status in the Zhou family."

"It's good to know."

"Shaocheng, say no more," Zhou Sen snapped, then looked at Xu Mingwei and asked, "What else, Patriarch Xu?"

"But there is one more thing."

Xu Mingwei flicked his hand across the storage bag at his waist, and a streak of light flew out, arriving in front of Zhou Sen with a "whoosh".

"Please take this token back with you, Elder Zhou Sen."

Zhou Sen stared intently, his pupils instantly shrinking. He grabbed the token, examined it carefully, and then asked, "How did this token end up in your hands?"

"The owner of the token asked me to return it to the Zhou family, saying that as the eldest elder of the Xu family, he could no longer serve as a guest elder of the Zhou family. However, he also remembered his friendship with Elder Zhou Sen and said that you are always welcome to visit the Xu family."

"The Grand Elder of the Xu family?" Zhou Sen exclaimed in surprise, "When did Fellow Daoist San Shu become the Grand Elder of your Xu family? Could it be..."

The position of the family's Grand Elder is one that no family would ever hand over to an outsider.

"Just as Elder Zhou Sen guessed, the Three Vertical Daoist's secular name is Xu, and his given name is Chuan."

"He is also my father!"

"Master San Shu is actually a member of the Xu family, and even the father of your Xu family head?!"

Zhou Shaocheng's eyes widened, his pupils suddenly shrinking to needle size, his eyes filled with horror.

He had heard the name San Shu Dao Ren mentioned more than once from his grandfather Zhou Sen, who said that San Shu Dao Ren had an exceptional talent for alchemy and hoped to have another chance to communicate with him.

Now, these three Taoist priests have transformed themselves into members of the Xu clan, whom the Zhou family is wary of.

He is also the father of the current head of the Xu family.

It is easy to imagine how high his status was in the Xu family.

“No wonder Xu Mingwei was unmoved by the pill trade proposed by his grandfather. With a master alchemist in the family whose skills are among the best in the Great Wei, why would he need to go to such lengths?” Zhou Shaocheng thought to himself.

Zhou Sen's eyes flickered, his expression changed, and then he sighed, "Where is Fellow Daoist San Shu? May I pay him a visit?"

"That's no problem, but Young Master Zhou and his entourage should wait here for the time being."

"grandfather."

Zhou Sen raised his hand to stop him, saying, "I know what I'm doing. Fellow Daoist San Shu wouldn't harm me, and the Xu family wouldn't be so short-sighted, would they, Patriarch Xu?"

"Elder Zhou Sen's words make sense. My Xu family has no grudges against the Zhou family. My father even hopes to be on good terms with the Zhou family. There is no reason for us to oppose the Zhou family, nor would we dare to oppose them."

"You can wait here."

"Yes, grandfather."

After Xu Mingwei put the items in the square into his mid-level storage bag, he took Zhou Sen to the study in the Inquiry Heart Courtyard.

"Father, Elder Zhou Sen has come to visit."

There is a barrier outside the study that can prevent divine sense from probing, but it is possible to transmit sound into it.

After he finished speaking, the study door opened wide, and standing in the doorway was Xu Chuan, whom Zhou Sen greatly admired.

"Elder Zhou Sen, it's been a long time. Please come in."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I will not disturb Father and Elder Zhou Sen's reunion any longer."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

Xu Mingwei closed the door and turned to leave.

Zhou Sen looked at Xu Chuan with a complicated expression, and after a moment he sighed, "Fellow Daoist San Shu, you've kept this from me for a long time."

"Elder Zhou Sen, you are mistaken. My Xu family is of humble origin. As one of the few cultivators in the clan, how am I any different from a rogue cultivator when I travel outside?"

"Enough, I won't dwell on this matter. Any family that rises from humble beginnings must be careful, otherwise they are easily plotted against and swallowed up by others."

Immediately, Zhou Sen asked in surprise, "I remember that after we parted ways at the Yongwang Mansion in Tongshan County, you should have gone to the capital with Senior Yun Zhongzi of Dandian. And now..."

"After staying for a while, I left under the guise of traveling," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.

"So that's how it is. I've heard about it before, but I didn't expect the rules of the Pill Hall to be really like this. However, it's extremely difficult to enter; only a true master of alchemy can do it."

After a moment, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, “I just told Patriarch Xu that we could do pill trading with my Zhou family to strengthen the Xu family’s foundation, but with Fellow Daoist San Shu here, I’m truly making a fool of myself.”

"Speaking of this matter, if the Zhou family needs anything, I, Xu, can offer some assistance."

"Oh, how exactly will you help?"

Zhou Sen's eyes flickered.

His own alchemy skills were limited. He could refine first-order pills well, but his success rate in refining second-order pills, or even second-order pills to improve magical power, which were needed by the Zhou family patriarch, was too low.

Especially for refining magical power, the difficulty is extremely high. At most, he can only refine one or two low-grade pills from ten sets of materials.

That's a real waste.

The Zhou family couldn't afford to waste it.

If Xu Chuan were to refine enough pills to enhance magical power, the Zhou family patriarch would also be able to quickly become stronger, giving him enough time to plan for the next Foundation Establishment cultivator in the family.

Families like the Zhou family, which have just been promoted to the fourth rank, are examples of how the wealthy first help those who are less fortunate to become wealthy later.

If they fail to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, when the clan's patriarch reaches the end of his life, they will either be wiped out and their resources divided up like the Su family, or they will have to supply a large amount of resources to other Foundation Establishment families and ask for their protection.

At this point, you'll have to rely on the good karma you've accumulated over the years.

Once a family like the Su family, which used to be domineering, weakens, they will naturally rise up and devour it.

"It's a pity that such a master of alchemy is not from my Zhou family," Zhou Sen sighed inwardly.

"For each set of second-tier pill materials, I have a 30% chance of condensing into pills, and the number of pills produced will be at least four, with a chance of producing high-grade pills. The nobles who produce the spiritual herbs will pay one-third of the value of the pills produced, and the nobles will pay with first-tier pill spiritual herbs, secret techniques, magic tools, or spirit stones."

"This"

This idea was truly unexpected by Zhou Sen, causing him to ponder it for a moment.

After a while, I felt it was feasible.

After all, the Zhou family's confidence stemmed entirely from their ancestor, Zhou Qingfang. They would agree to anything that could rapidly increase his strength, even if it meant receiving half of it. In other words, through this cooperation, the Zhou family could obtain a second-tier pill for only one-third of its market price.

The Xu family can also obtain the Qi cultivation resources they want.

However, he appeared hesitant on the surface.

"This matter is of great importance. I must return to report to the Ancestor before I can reply."

"It's natural."

After a cup of tea.

Xu Chuan saw Zhou Sen off and they arrived at the main hall.

Seeing Zhou Sen appear safely, Zhou Shaocheng and his four attendants finally felt completely relieved.

After all, Zhou Sen was far too important to the Zhou family.

"Shaocheng, come and greet Master Sanshu," Zhou Sen said with a smile.

Zhou Shaocheng immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Master San Shu."

“Fellow Daoist San Shu, this is my little grandson, what do you think?”

"He has a dignified appearance and extraordinary demeanor. He has already reached the level of a grandmaster at the age of about thirty. He is indeed a direct descendant of the Zhou family."

"Thank you for the compliment, Master San Shu."

Zhou Shaocheng was slightly smug, but when he thought of Xu Mingwei, the smile on his lips vanished instantly.

"I wonder if the Xu family has any eligible women? My little grandson is not yet married," Zhou Sen said, stroking his beard.

Will you arrange a marriage for me?

Zhou Shaocheng was surprised; it was all too sudden.

But when the elders were talking, he had no chance to interrupt.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and said, "I have four sons and one daughter. One son and one daughter are still unmarried. However, my daughter is too unruly. She said that she will not marry anyone who is stronger than her and who is devoted to her."

"Even if it weren't for Xu's actions, Shao Cheng still couldn't control his daughter."

Zhou Shaocheng almost laughed out of anger.

I am a dignified grandmaster martial artist and the grandson of Zhou Sen, the number one alchemist of the Zhou family. How can I not control a little girl?

And she's still unmarried. Who would want such an old maid?!

Zhou Sen stroked his beard and pondered, "May I have the honor of meeting you?"

"Wait a moment, I'll have someone fetch my daughter."

The time it takes to burn half an incense stick.

Xu Mingshu came down from Bihan Pool and entered the main hall. She first bowed to Xu Chuan and said, "Greetings, Father."

She was dressed in her usual red outfit, with her hair tied up in crimson silk, looking dashing and radiant. Zhou Shaocheng suddenly stood up, dumbfounded.

There is such a beautiful woman in the world.

Zhou Sen's gaze remained calm, but after a sweep of his divine sense, his brows furrowed slightly, and he sighed, "Indeed, Shao Cheng is not worthy of him."

“Grandfather, I’m not bad!” Zhou Shaocheng blurted out.

"She is a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining," Zhou Sen transmitted his voice.

At this moment, Xu Mingshu used the Breath Concealment Technique to conceal two layers of her minor cultivation realm.

Zhou Sen also couldn't see through it.

"A cultivator?!"

“The Xu family has very few cultivators, so it’s impossible for them to let a woman with the aptitude for cultivation marry out. You should give up,” Zhou Sen replied telepathically.

Although Zhou Shaocheng was immediately smitten with her, he was also sensible and not the kind of spoiled brat who would cause trouble.

"Alright, let's discuss this matter later. It's getting late, so let's head back to the city first and visit you another day."

Xu Chuan escorted Zhou Sen and the others to the door and watched them leave.

"Father, judging from what that old man said, he wants to be my matchmaker?"

"What old man? He is Zhou Sen, the number one alchemist in the Zhou family. His status in the Zhou family is even higher than that of the family head, and his importance is second only to the Foundation Establishment stage cultivators in the Zhou family."

If you are rude again next time we meet, don't blame me for punishing you.

Xu Mingshu stuck out her tongue. "Father, Xueji was wrong. Xueji would never dare to do that when there are other people around."

"Be careful even when you're alone, and watch out for what you say, because you can't know if someone is secretly watching you."

"Xueji understands."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly, "However, since the Zhou family has proposed a marriage alliance, they probably won't give up easily."

"Why so suddenly?" Xu Mingshu asked, puzzled.

"I made a deal with the Zhou family, and they probably won't refuse. If they come again next time, in addition to agreeing, they will probably also bring up the matter of a marriage alliance, which I will also find difficult to refuse."

"Why must we make a deal? Didn't our Xu family already receive 30% of the Su family's resources?"

"That's right, but resources also need time to be digested. Thirty percent of the Su family's resources are enough to elevate an ordinary cultivation family in the county to the level of a top-tier fifth-grade family."

My Xu family doesn't have that many cultivators; this needs to be accumulated generation after generation.

Xu Chuan continued, "Furthermore, the 30% of the Su family's resources that we obtained were forcibly taken from the Zhou family. Would you be willing to accept that?"
Even if they don't retaliate immediately out of consideration for their reputation, what about later?

The Zhou family is unlike any other prominent family in Yuehu County; even my Xu family must now acknowledge their dominant position.

After pondering for a moment, Xu Mingshu nodded slightly.

Indeed, the Zhou family is now a force that the Xu family cannot shake.

"Did Father make the deal with the Zhou family in order to ease the tension between us?"

“That’s right. Father knows what the Zhou family needs most, so they will never refuse. Once the cooperation is reached, at least for a short period of time, our Xu family will be able to develop steadily in Yuehu County.”

While achieving mutual benefit and assistance, one might also gain the opportunity to establish one's foundation through the Zhou family.

"A Foundation Establishment opportunity?" Xu Mingshu was slightly surprised.

Xu Chuan explained, "If the Zhou family wants to maintain its status as a dominant family, it must produce Foundation Establishment cultivators in every generation. If there is a lack of successors, then its dominant status will only last for a little over two hundred years."

"Father's foresight is admirable, but is a marriage alliance truly necessary?"

"It's inevitable between powerful families; wasn't your second brother involved in a marriage alliance?"

Xu Mingshu's face turned solemn, and she sighed deeply, "Father, who are you planning to choose? Among the second generation, there are only Yunnu and me. Among the third generation, the only suitable candidates are Dewen and Deling. However, Deling is a prodigy of the Xu family, so it is impossible for her to marry into the family. The others are all too young."

Xu Chuan patted her shoulder, "I will consider this matter and respect everyone's opinions. If there is really no one else, I have a way to resolve it."

"Mm." Xu Mingshu smiled upon hearing this.

Xu Chuan gently patted her head again and said, "Go on, continue your cultivation. Don't neglect the 'Concealing Breath Technique' and the others."

"Of the five of you, Mingwei and Mingxian don't need to hide their abilities, but the rest of you should try to conceal your shortcomings as much as possible."

"Yes, Dad."

Xu Mingshu immediately returned to Bihan Pool.

Xu Chuan then went to find Xu Mingwei and together they sorted out the 30% of the Su family's assets that the Zhou family had taken.

Xu Chuan took all the spiritual herbs and some of the spiritual rice. There were too many Taoist scriptures, and the bookshelves in the entire ancestral hall's secret room were far from enough.

After discussing it, the two decided to build a Taoist Scripture Pavilion to house various martial arts and cultivation techniques.

The entire Dongxi area will also need to undergo certain changes.

As for the dark room, it only contains the "Innate Five Elements Creation Technique".

　Starting today, it will be two updates per 10,000 words each.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)